but this is utterly exploded by the Apostle, who tells us, that God hath saved and called us, not according to our works, but his own purpose, 2 Tim. 1. 9. and that there is a remnant according to the election of grace, and if it be by grace, it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no ⟨p. 49⟩more grace, Rom. 11. 5. Canaan, the land of Promise and type of Glory, was divided by Lot, and suitably the Apostle saith, that [Greek or Hebrew], we inherit by lot, Eph. 1. 11. Now in the disposal of a Lot, what reason or cause can be assigned, exparte creaturae? Is not the whole disposing thereof of the Lord, Prov. 16. 33? Can any thing in the World hang more purely on the Will of God than a Lot? Why have such and such Worms a lot in light, and not in utter darkness? The Apostle answers in that place, [Greek or Hebrew], Predestination lots them in, the Lord shows whom he hath chosen by giving Grace and Glory, according to his good pleasure. When Ahasuerus could not rest, he calls for the Records, and reading there of Mordecai's service, he thereupon resolves to honour him, Esth. 6. this was done like a man: But it is not so with God, who doth not honour after the manner of men, 2 Sam. 7. 19. but in a way becoming his glorious sovereignty and bounty, he purposes in himself, Eph. 1. 9. Perinde valet (saith Calvin) ac si diceretur, nihil extra se considerâsse, cujus rationem in decernendo haberet; he rests in his love, Zeph. 3. 17. and unless that complacential ⟨p. 50⟩rest, which he takes in his own Will, could be broken, we cannot imagine, that he should fall a searching the Records of his Prescience; and for the good Works written therein, make a Decree of Election unto glory; for such an Election would not be an Election of grace but of works; and the Elect Vessels would be vasa Meritorum, and not vasa Misericordiae. But where is the holiness and obedience of the Saints recorded, but in the very Decree of Election? Therein God doth not only choose men to glory, as the end, but also unto saith and holiness, as the way leading thereunto. God hath chosen us that we should be holy, Eph. 1. 4. Non quia futuri eramus, sed ut essemus sancti. I have chosen you (saith Christ) that you should go and bring forth fruit, Joh. 15. 16. and happy are ye if you do these things, saith he, Joh. 13. 17. But would all the Apostles bring forth fruit? would they all do so and be happy?
but this is utterly exploded by the Apostle, who tells us, that God hath saved and called us, not according to our works, but his own purpose, 2 Tim. 1. 9. and that there is a remnant according to the election of grace, and if it be by grace, it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no ⟨p. 49⟩more grace, Rom. 11. 5. Canaan, the land of Promise and type of Glory, was divided by Lot, and suitably the Apostle saith, that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, we inherit by lot, Eph. 1. 11. Now in the disposal of a Lot, what reason or cause can be assigned, exparte creaturae? Is not the whole disposing thereof of the Lord, Prov. 16. 33? Can any thing in the World hang more purely on the Will of God than a Lot? Why have such and such Worms a lot in light, and not in utter darkness? The Apostle answers in that place, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Predestination lots them in, the Lord shews whom he hath chosen by giving Grace and Glory, according to his good pleasure. When Ahasuerus could not rest, he calls for the Records, and reading there of Mordecai's service, he thereupon resolves to honour him, Esth. 6. this was done like a man: But it is not so with God, who doth not honour after the manner of men, 2 Sam. 7. 19. but in a way becoming his glorious sovereignty and bounty, he purposes in himself, Eph. 1. 9. Perinde valet (saith Calvin) ac si diceretur, nihil extra se considerâsse, cujus rationem in decernendo haberet; he rests in his love, Zeph. 3. 17. and unless that complacential ⟨p. 50⟩rest, which he takes in his own Will, could be broken, we cannot imagine, that he should fall a searching the Records of his Prescience; and for the good Works written therein, make a Decree of Election unto glory; for such an Election would not be an Election of grace but of works; and the Elect Vessels would be vasa Meritorum, and not vasa Misericordiae. But where is the holiness and obedience of the Saints recorded, but in the very Decree of Election? Therein God doth not only chuse men to glory, as the end, but also unto saith and holiness, as the way leading thereunto. God hath chosen us that we should be holy,
