;o An Expof Lion upon Chap, 8,1 and appointed manes: If 'this prede- flination (faith Auguf}ine) can be decei- ved, then may God be overcome of mans fin,which cannot be. T t M. What learn we from hence? S r L. That predeftination is joined unto fore knowledge as fubordinate to it. Gods fore knowledge is no bare and idle thing, but is ever coupled with his decree and ordinance; whatfo- ever God knoweth or feeth before , he ordaineth to force fpeciall end,and un- to that end he thall at raft bring it. This is it which is here called Predeftina- tion. T t M. If this be fo, that alll things are fore -orda ned of God , how it he not the cuthour 9f fins, for they b. in the number of things ? S t L. Sinnes are fore-ordained of God, not as they are finnes, but as they are the means to effe& his counfel: thus Adams fall, and Idas treafon were tore- ordained of God, as means whereby God did effe& and ferve his own coun- fell,in laving the de& to the praife of his mercy and condemning the wicked to the praife of his juftice. Secondly, predeflinating in Scripture may be taken generally and largely, for Gods generali and whole decree touching all things and perlons ; or ftri&ly for the decree of ele&tion , whereby bee hath tore- ordained fometo falvation, as the end ;and conforming to Chrift, as the means ro lead to that end : and fo it is here u fed. T r nt. Wherein ffands this conformity with Chrif} ? S t L. In two things : Firft , in be- ing like unto him in refpe& of the end, that as Chrift is now glorified in hea- ven,fo all that are predeflinate (hall be glorified with him. Secondly,in being like unto him in refpe& of the means, flandeth thus:that as Chrift entred into his glory through holineffe, and fuffe- ringafhi &ionsand death; fo they that live godly, and are ready to fuller with Chrift and for Chrift,are fure to be fa. ved with Chrift. T t m. What is our inffrutiion from hence? S t L. This everyone that looketh to inherit eternal' life in heaven with Chrift,muftendeavour to be like him in this life, they mutt be holy & righteous as he was, and be ready to fuller af$i &i- ons as hedid.The reafon hereofis,Gods eternal' decree and ordinance, whereby he hath appointed it to be fo, that they (hall be partners with Chrift in his heavenly glory , whofoever (.hall bee followers of him here in his patience and holineffe;which are the way we are towalk in , unto our countrey which is above. T t M. What is the rife to be made of this? S t L. Firft,here is an exhortation to move us to live holily,according to the will of God, and to Puffer afili &ions with patienceaccording to the example or Chrift, as we delire to have commu- nion with Chritt in his bleffedne( %.Se- condly,here is comfort for fuch as fuller any manner of (name, or injury for Chrift and his word; for this likeneffe with Chrift in his infirmities, is a wit- net that we (haube like unto him in glory. Thirdly, here is ( harpe reproof for fuch as live prophaaely,and fhunne the eroffe, Paying it mattereth not how we live,or what we do, for we mull be faved,if we be predeftinate: and if not, then we cannot be faved though we do live well. T r m. How is Chrift theft'rff begotten among(} his Brethren? S t L. This phrafe hath reference to the cuftome of the Jewes', whole firft borne did excel' his brethren, both in power and portion, in dignity & pof- feffion ; fo doch Chrift farre excel' all his brethren,who are all like to Chrift, but not equall with him, neither in na- ture ,oflìce,glory,nordominion:for by nature he is God truly, and God -man in unity of perfon; for office, the onely redeemer and mediator of his Church , therefore onely King and High Prieft : for glory and dominion,he fitteth upon his Fathers throne, having a name a- bove all names,Phil. z.9. D
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