194 ofEffeFlusó C,dling. S s c r.XIL concealeththe futuremiferies ; Chrifk cloth take a contrary way, h the futureglory and happinefs, but doth alfo inftruft thanconcerning the prefent aftli&ions and troubles they [hall have in this world ; fo then, fad and grievous exercifes they muff look for : The Apoftle Peter fpeaksexcellently to this purpofe, a Pet.z. where laying downadmirable directions about fuffer- ings, that it muff not be for any faultor imprudence in our felves, but meetly out of confcience to God, fo that we fuffer wrongfully inall we faller; be tells them, This is acceptable unto God ; fled hereunto We are caued; obferve that, to unjuft and wrongful fufferingshe is called : The Scripture ufethanequiva- lent phrafe, Hereunto you Were appointed ; yea, God from all eternity did pre- detlinate us to be conformableunto Chrifl inhis fufferings ; therefore as ourSa- viour faitth,Let everyone that fets outagainft the world and theDevil in Chrif}s name, that will take uphis profeffion, let him lidi confider, what hecan do; Canhe leave all, forfake all, deny all, andpart with every dearly beloved ob-- jecR for Chriffs fake ? then he may take much comfort : The Hypocrite, the temporary Believer, be proveth an unfaithful Apoftate, becaufe of this, he did not forecaft what he fhould do, when the fcorching heat of theSun fhould arife; and this made our Saviour even refufe the offer, that fame teudred to be Difciples, following of him, becaufe he knew what untedfaffnefsand un- faithfulnefs was in their heart. Now as this kath foam difheartning in it, that while we lived [laves to our lulls, all things werequiet, andwe lived fernte lives ; but linewegave up our felves to God,every thingbath rifen upagainft us, wehave procured an univerfal odium : I fay, though this may difcourage, yet in that theScripture faith, we arecalled to it, it denoteth, That thefe things come by thegracious providenee of a merciful father; and that wherehe calls, he gives eft) ffçength and proportionable abilities: fo that the veryexprellion, Tobe called to trouble in thinWàrld,hath much fweetnefs. and hopeful incourage- ment in it.. And 6. Laftly,This holy calling itfroma flareofdanger andmifery,te aflare sfbleffednefi From aneftaie and happines:Goddoth notonly call us out ofthe finfulnes ofthe world,but alfo of-mi[ery, o a all that wrath and vengeance which is prepared formen ofthe world,As Lot,you fiat, ofble6 heard,was calledout of Sodem,ot asNoah wascalled into theArk,when thewaves fcdnels of water did overwhelm others : Thus God he calls his people from that fire and brimflone,and from that deluge offury,which is to fal upon others:fo forme make this expref ion of calling tobea metaphoror allueón, to one that calleth fach a man to come out of an houle, when the main pillars are ready tobreak in pieces. Oh then, never think much to be called out of this Egypt, this Babylon; for its Gods mercy to thee, when thou fhalt fee the beams fall uponothers, the fire and brimffone burn others, and thouefcape; this mull needs fill thee with much aflonifhment and joy : Stand notthen confulting, How (hall I part with thefe pleafures, thefe profits? How Mall depart from the cuflomof evildo- ing? for its a mercy to be fnatched from them : Oh fay rather, How can I in- dure thofe everlafting burnings ? What Epithets In the next place, let us confider, what Epithets or Properties the Scripture or Properties gives this.calling. And. theScripture Firff, Its a calling accordingly hispurpofe, and his goodpleaftere, as herein this gives this cal- Chapter : And this denoteth, That God cloth not forefee any merit, or any ling. motive in us, but its meetlyof his pleafure; therefore its in the paffive fenfe, I' weare culled, viz, By God; its never Paid, We call our felves;: and withal, it being a.calling according to Gods purpofe, it fuppofeth the fore and power- ful effrcary of it : God cannot be difappointed in his purpofe, The counfel of the Lord Will Hand; fothat all this debafeth man, makes him aasimpotent and undone min to all eternity, if God. help not: Oh then let this take thee up, as it were, into the.third heavens, let it mightily rejoyce thy heart, whack ho
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