A30241:2632
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 106: Of both the Moving Cause and Effects of Election and of Christs Prayer and Death; Again…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For although we deny that Christ was the meritorious Cause of our Election, yet it's plain by Scripture we are chosen in him as the Head, and so the Cause of all the Benefits that come by Election; And God had respect unto Faith, He chose Believers to Salvation, only this Faith was not looked upon as an antecedent Condition in us, but as a qualification which God by Election doth work in the hearts of those that shall be saved: We say, God hath Elected such to Salvation whom in time he will by that Decree make Believers; For he that wills an end doth thereby will the means that tendeth thereunto, only we deny they were supposed Believers first, and then God Elected them.
For although we deny that Christ was the meritorious Cause of our Election, yet it's plain by Scripture we are chosen in him as the Head, and so the Cause of all the Benefits that come by Election; And God had respect unto Faith, He chose Beleevers to Salvation, onely this Faith was not looked upon as an antecedent Condition in us, but as a qualification which God by Election doth work in the hearts of those that shall be saved: We say, God hath Elected such to Salvation whom in time he will by that Decree make Beleevers; For he that wils an end doth thereby will the means that tendeth thereunto, only we deny they were supposed Beleevers first, and then God Elected them.
Fourthly, God doth not Elect upon the fore-sight of Perseverance in Faith, Because the Scripture every where makes Election to be the Original and Causal Fountain or Womb of all other Benefits; That Ninth Chapter to the Romans is pregnant to this purpose, where Election is made to be that which bringeth about all blessed Effects in time, Election hath obtained, and it is not of him that willeth, or runneth, but of God that showeth mercy; Whereas Austin of old urged by the Adversaries Opinion replied; We might as well say according to them, it is not of him that calleth, but of him that willeth; And Rom. 8. The Apostle maketh predestination ⟨p. 540⟩