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THe way not to presume upon salvation, is, in an humble modesty to content our selves with the clearely revealed will of our Ma∣ker; not prying into his coun∣sells, but attending his com∣mands: It is a grave word wherein the vulgar translati∣on expresses that place of Salomon, Scrutator majestatis,* 1.1 opprimetur à gloria; hee that searcheth into majesty, shall bee overwhelmed with glory;
Amongst those sixteene pla∣ces of the Bible, which in the Hebrew are marked with a speciall note of regard; that is one,* 1.2 The secret things be∣long unto the Lord our God, but those things which are re∣vealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever; that wee may do all the words of this Law. Wherein our maine care must bee, both not to sever, in our conceit, the end from the meanes, and withall, to take the meanes along with us, in our way to the end: It is for the heavenly Angels to climbe downe the lad∣der from heaven to earth: It is for us onely to climbe
up from earth to heaven: Bold men! what do we be∣gin at Gods eternall decree of our election, and thence descend to the effects of it in our effectuall calling, in our lively and stedfast faith, in our sad and serious re∣pentance, in our holy and unblameable obedience, in our unfaileable perseverance; This course is saucily pre∣posterous; What have wee to do to be rifling the hid∣den counsells of the High∣est; Let us look to our owne wayes: Wee have his word for this; that if wee do tru∣ly beleeve, repent, obey, persevere, wee shall bee sa∣ved;
that if wee do heartily desire, and effectually indea∣vour, in the carefull use of his appointed meanes, to at∣taine unto these saving dispo∣sitions of the soule, wee shall bee sure not to faile of the successe: What need wee to look any further, than con∣scionably and cheerefully to do what we are enjoyned; and faithfully and comfortably to expect what hee hath promi∣sed? Let it be our care, not to be wanting in the parts of our duty to God; we are sure hee cannot be wanting in his gra∣cious performances unto us: But if wee in a groundlesse conceit of an election shall let
loose the reines to our sinfull desires, and vicious practises, thereupon growing idle or un∣profitable; wee make divine mercy a Pander to our unclean∣nesse, and justly perish in our wicked presumption.
Pro. 25.27.
Deut 29.29.