4. That God doth not find this order in causes, but maketh it ; for all good is the fruit and effect of predestination, not the motive and cause of it, otherwise it would be a post-destination, not a predestin- ation. Effectual calling and justification and glory are effects of God's eternal purpose, and flow from it as streams out of a fountain ; and herein differeth the purpose of God to do good from the purpose of man. Something is presented to us as good and convenient, that moveth our will to purpose and choose, and inclineth us for its own goodness to seek after it, and set about the means whereby we may obtain it ; but nothing in the creature can move God. What is the effect of the decree cannot be the motive of it. Indeed God willeth one thing in order to another, as effectual calling in order to justifi- cation, and both in order to glory ; but then these are co-ordinate causes. His will and good pleasure is the original of this order, and the free grace of God is the only supreme and fountain-cause of our salvation: 2 Thes. ii. 13, 14, 'Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through saactificatioa of the Spirit, and belief
314 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XL.
of the truth ; whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.' The cause is our election ; the means of execution are the sanctification of the Spirit and our belief of the truth ; the end is our eternal salvation, or our obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. And mark, he saith they were chosen from the beginning, as elsewhere it is said this grace was given us in Christ before the world was, 2 Tim. i. 9 ; and he hath chosen us before the foundation of the world, Eph. i. 4 ; so that from this pre- ordination all Cometh. Well then, God hath of his mere grace put his eternal purpose in that model and mould wherein we now find them; he that is the efficient cause of all things is also the dirigent cause, appointing in what order grace and mercy should be dispensed. 5. This order of causes is so settled and joined together, that none can separate them. The chain is indissoluble, and one link draweth on another ; none are glorified but those that are sanctified and jus- tified, and none are justified but those that are effectually called, and none are eflectually called but those that are predestinated according to the purpose of his grace ; and, on the other side, whoever is effec- tually called, justified, and sanctified, may be assured of his predes- tination to eternal life, and his future glorification with God. This connection must not be, cannot be disturbed ; which is to be noted, because some, upon the vain presumption of the infallibility of God's purposes, think it needless to be serious, diligent, and holy ; if I be elected, I shall be saved. No, God hath linked means and ends together; his decree establisheth the duties of the gospel, and checketh all thoughts of dispensation from them ; never think that this order shall be broken or distm-bed for your sakes. Drunkards and gamesters may as well imagine that God will break the ordinance of day and night, by turning day into night and night into day for their sakes, as the unholy soul to think to be justified and glorified till they be effec- tually called and sanctified. No, you must be holy, or conclude that you shall have no saving benefit by Christ ; for they who are fore- ordained are a chosen generation, a distinct society and community of men, who are called out of darkness into his marvellous light, to show forth the virtues of God, 1 Peter ii. 9 ; made objects of his special grace and love, that they may show forth the distinction God hath made between them and others, by the choiceness of their spirits and conversations ; their carriages must be suitable to their privileges.
6. The method is to be observed, as well as the connection.
[1.] The first effect of predestination is effectual calling. Certainly all that are chosen before time are called in time : Eom. i. 7, ' Beloved of God, called to be saints.' First beloved, then called ; so 2 Peter i 10, ' Make your calling and election sure.' By making our calling Bure, we make our election sure ; for that is the first eruption of God's eternal love. You may know God hath distinguished you from others, when you are recovered from the devil, the world, and the flesh, to God: John v. 19, ' We know we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.' When there is a conspicuous difference between us and others, we may trace the stream to the fountain, and know God hath made a difference before the world began, and dis- tinguished you from them that perish. Once you were as vain, sensual,
VeR. 30.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 315
worldly-minded as others, till God called you out of the lost world, to be a peculiar people to himself ; but this act of grace cometh from on high. Vocation is the fruit of election ; the first grace found you in the polluted mass of mankind, as having found you entangled in many foolish and hurtful lusts. Now this is a mighty engagement upon us ; if God hath made such a difference, oh ! do not unmake it again, and confound all again by walking after the course of this world, for you do in effect set yourselves to disannul his decree. Conformity to the world is a confusion of what God hath separated ; God made the differ- ence when none was, and by the power of his grace you must keep it up.