A treatise of effectual calling and election In XVI. sermons, on 2 Peter 1.10.…

First, that Gods decree about Civil and Temporal matters, doth no way give encouragement to men to neglect the use of means, & live careless of the accomplishment of his decree; and therefore not so in spiritual. As now for instance: God hath determined from all eternity, how long every one of us shall live in the world; our days are numbered in his counsel. Now, though God hath determined how long we shall live, this no way gives us encouragement to say therefore I will never put on a rag of clothes to cover me in Winter, and I will never put a morsel of meat in my mouth; for God hath determined how long I shall live, and therefore whether I eat or no, till then I shall not die. Again, God hath determined from all eternity, touching every one of us, whether we shall be poor or rich in this world, and therefore to draw this conclusion, that it is no matter whether I be industrious in following my calling, and looking after my trade, or whether I spend my estate in rioting and drunkenness; God hath ⟨p. 197⟩determined whet••• I sh••• be rich or poor; if he hath decreed I shall be poor, I shall be poor; or that I shall be rich, I shall be rich, let me live as I please: this reasoning is very fond and foolish in Temporal things, therefore much more in Spiritual. God hath determined from all eternity thou shalt be saved or damned, and the decree of God cannot be changed; but now to draw hence, that it is no matter how I live, whether in ways of holiness, or in ways of sin, this is an abusive collection from Gods decree. Because, as Dr. Preston saith, if a man doth not use those means that may evidence to his soul that he is elected, it is an argument he is not elected. If thou say, if God hath determined it, he will save me, whether I am holy or profane, and therefore I will never hear Sermon, never pray in my family, never use holy duties; Saith Preston, if thou neglect these means, it is an argument thou art not elected; because, as God hath elected thee to the end, he hath also ordained thee to use the means. I have read a story of an Italian, who lying upon his death-bed, sent for a Physician, the most exquisite and exact Artist in all Italy; and this man held this opinion I am now speaking of, that seeing Gods decrees were unalterable, a man might live as he lift, and yet be saved;

First, that Gods decree about Civil and Temporal matters, doth no way give encouragement to men to neglect the use of means, & live carelesse of the accomplishment of his decree; and therefore not so in spiritual. As now for instance: God hath determined from all eternity, how long every one of us shall live in the world; our daies are numbred in his counsel. Now, though God hath determined how long we shall live, this no way gives us encouragement to say therefore I will never put on a rag of cloathes to cover me in Winter, and I will never put a morsel of meat in my mouth; for God hath determined how long I shall live, and therefore whether I eat or no, till then I shall not die. Again, God hath determined from all eternity, touching every one of us, whether we shall be poor or rich in this world, and therefore to draw this conclusion, that it is no matter whether I be industrious in following my calling, and looking after my trade, or whether I spend my estate in rioting and drunkenesse; God hath