CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Therefore 2. This is so to be preached as that all diligence and care is to be used in the means; For we cannot think that the Scripture speaks contradiction so notoriously; For in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the beginning of the first Chapter is to describe this great work of God from all Eternity, yet in the latter part he exhorts them to put off all sin, and to be diligent in all their ⟨p. 53⟩relation graces, and at another time Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it's God that worketh in you; Yea, Paul who was so ashamed of his Election, and that the Arminians grant he had an absolute Election, yet he kept down his body that he might not be a Reprobate, 1 Cor. 9.27. This indeed is the difficulty how to reconcile these, that absolute Election is not opposed to the means, nor the use of means contradict an absolute Election is affirmed by the Orthodox, several ways have been attempted by the Learned for the concord of them, but suppose we could not be so comprehensive, as Cajetan, and some of the Schoolmen confess it an unsearchable Mystery, and therefore adviseth Preachers to teach their people to submit to it, as to the Mystery of the Trinity, yet seeing the Scripture affirmeth one and commands the other, it's plain they are consistent and compossible one with another, though we could not find out the manner how.

Therefore 2. This is so to be preached as that all diligence and care is to be used in the means; For we cannot think that the Scripture speaks contradiction so notoriously; For in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the beginning of the first Chapter is to describe this great work of God from all Eternity, yet in the latter part he exhorts them to put off all sinne, and to be diligent in all their ⟨p. 53⟩relation graces, and at another time Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it's God that worketh in you; Yea, Paul who was so ashamed of his Election, and that the Arminians grant he had an absolute Election, yet he kept down his body that he might not be a Reprobate, 1 Cor. 9.27. This indeed is the difficulty how to reconcile these, that absolute Election is not opposed to the means, nor the use of means contradict an absolute Election is affirmed by the Orthodox, several waies have been attempted by the Learned for the concord of them, but suppose we could not be so comprehensive, as Cajetan, and some of the Schoolmen confesse it an unsearchable Mystery, and therefore adviseth Preachers to teach their people to submit to it, as to the Mystery of the Trinity, yet seeing the Scripture affirmeth one and commands the other, it's plain they are consistent and compossible one with another, though we could not finde out the manner how.