Verf.2 8. the Epïftle to thé R bmans. laleeve when they doe not, have thei hearts void of all love, either to God or to their neighbour,or themfelves, a appeareth in the example of Cain, Efau nd judos. T a M. What inffrutlions are we NOV to gather from t his f rli mark? S 1 L. Two : Fit ft, that the found love of God is needfull to all thofe which (hall beare al(íi &ions patiently, James I. 1 a.Firff,becaufe it maketh the godly valiant, keeping them from fain- ting under the greatefi croffes : which is to be fcen in the example of the A . poftles,Pas land Peter, and other Mar- tyrs, who becaufe they loved God, were therefore ready to endure much for him. Secondly, it kindleth their zcal,and maketh them earneffly bent to glorifie God by their conftancy. T I M. What profit are we to make o f this point? S I L. Firft,it ftirreth us up to Peek for the love of God , and for the encreafe of it in our hearts, Peeing we cannot be patient without it.Secondly,it warner us by our patient bearing, to (hew our love to God, as God by his chaflife- ments thews his love unto us,Heb.ia. 5. 6. T 1 M. What other infirublions arifeth from hence? S 1 L. This : none but Gods chil- dren can be patient in affli &ions, be- caufe none can love God fave his owne children : therefore they that have but the fhadow of patience, be blockith and i fen feleffe rather then patient. T I M. What uje is of this? , S t L. It affords comfort to fuck as have patience in affli&ions, becaufe it is a teftimony unto then oftheirAdopti- on.Secondly,it teacheth us,that wicked men how quiet fo ever they are in affli- Etions,yet they have not true patience, but an appearance of it; they are rather blockilh, then endued with true Chri- ffian patience. T I M. What is , the fecond marks of 'itch as profit by afflittións . S I L. Vocation,or calling. T I M. What sailing is fpokeri of in th place r ( S I L. Not that which is peculiar to each, but that which is common to s [ the children ofGod , whic`h is that , ivorke of the Spirit of God, etfe&ually I drawing the cle& through the preach- ing oft ne Gofpell from ignorance and unbeleife unto true knoivledge and faith in Chrift. T t m. What is theinfiruclion from hence ? S t L. This : tieing the end of our calling is to bring us to faith, it muff needs be, thatafiìicftions (hail doe them good which are called, becaufe to them that beleeve, there is no condemnation, and therefore all things mutt ferve to theirlalvation who be called co faith. T I M. What is the tile to be made of this point ? S i L. To move us to feeke for a true calling, .becaufe till we be called, and do beleeve there is nothing neither prosperity nor adverlity that can do us good. Secondly, to move them to thankfulneffe which have this calling, becaufe they have received one of the greatefl mercies of God. T I M. What is the third markof fueh as fhall take benefit by the Grip ? S I L. That they be fisch as belong to Gods purpofe : for that which fo'- lows plainly teacheth, that this is not meant according to our good purpofe, las Origen thought. T a M. What ishere meant by the purpofe of God? S i L. The decree ofGods ele &ion, or the eternal good plea Cure of his wil, for the faving of force by Chrift,which. is, as Augufliae faith, a preparation o the benetitsand the mercies of God. T I M. What are wee to learn by this, that the Apoftle fpeakes here of Gods par - o? p e S I L. That the faithfull are beholden to Gods eternal! ele &ion and purpofe, Ao,.ftb for all the good they get by aflli &ions, or any otherway.For Gods purpofe is ry a feel' e the foveraigne caufe of all that god ;ca,6ac0E that is in man, or Both happen to rmn, :red. Rom.9.15. E, bef. 1.4. 2 TM/. 1. 9. Ti.e reafon hereof is, becaufe God having r once purpoftd to favernen,it cannot be butthat they mutt have all good things D d 2 which 305
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