The epistle of the blessed apostle Saint Paule which he, in the time of his trouble and imprisonment, sent in writting from Rome to the Ephesians. Faithfully expounded, both for the benefite of the learned and vnlearned, by Nicholas Hemming ... Familiarlie translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Fleming. Heerein are handled the high mysteries of our saluation, as maie appeare by the table of commonplaces necessarilie annexed by the same A.F. Perused and authorised.

Verse. 11. &. 12

11 In whom also we are cho∣sen, vvhen vvee vvere predesti∣nate, according to the purpose of him, vvhich vvorketh all things, after the counsell of his ovvne vvill.

12 That vve vvhich first tru∣sted in Christ, should bee vnto the praise of his glorie.

In whom also we are chosen, be∣ing predestinate according to the purpose of him which wor∣keth all things according to the counsell of his will, that wee which before hoped in Christ, should be vnto the praise of his glorie.

THus farre the Apostle hath spoken of all the elected and chosen in Christ generallie: now by distribution he applieth the generalitie, vnto two specialties: and first he toucheth the Iewes, declaring that they are made par∣takers of heauenlie grace. And he setteth downe in order three causes of this heauenlie grace: to wit, the efficient, the finall, and the instrumentall cause.

Hée sheweth the efficient cause, when he saith, (Pre∣destinate according to the purpose of him.) Concer∣ning this cause, read that which we haue noted before alreadie.

He addeth the finall cause, (That we should bee vn∣to the praise of his glorie,) that is to saie, that God him∣selfe might be praised for the greatnesse of his grace and mercie shewed vnto vs.

He ioineth héer vnto y^e instrument, when he saith, (That we which first hoped or trusted in Christ.) For vnder y^e name of hope, he doth in this place comprehend faith also.

Now, whereas I expound that of faith, which is héere as∣cribed to hope, therein is no obscuritie or hardnesse. For, as faith is oftentimes taken for hope, so is hope taken for faith, by reason of a mutuall consequence, or following one of an other. For that, which faith laieth hold vpon & possesseth presently, that doth hope looke and waite for to come héereafter. These thrée causes of grace the Apostle setteth downe in this place, which grace, (as before he cal∣led it Gods blessing, or his adoption:) so héere it may be vn∣derstood by this word (Chosen) or choice: euen to this end, that we may know it is Gods frée gift. For it goeth not by lot that man is chosen, but it is the will of God which offereth saluation fréely vnto all. Now, where he addeth, (Which worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will) he giueth vs a double doctrine, or lesson to learne. The first is, that God is not tied (according to the destinie of the Stoikes) to second causes, but at frée & full libertie to doe what hée list. For hee, which by his counsell can, and by his power will do, is not compelled by any man∣ner of necessitie at all to doe this or that. For things de∣pending vpon necessitie, are neither gouerned by coun∣sell, nor dispensed withall by will. The second is, that God worketh in his Church all things that are whole∣some and good: and nothing that is euill, or commeth of sinne: as some out of this place vnaduisedly conclude, sai∣eng: He that saith all things, excludeth nothing. But their reason is ouerthrown by the Apostles words. For if God worketh all things by the counsell of his will: & his will be most holie, & so good as nothing better, intending no∣thing that is euill in anie respect, as the Psalmist most plainly pronounceth, Non volens, &c. Thou art a God which canst not away with iniquitie: truly it cannot be that God shuld be the author of sin, or of anie euill procée∣ding of a fault. Lastly, y^e circumstance of the place restrai∣neth y^t vniuersal word (all things) to one certeine kinde of action or déede. For y^e text hangeth thus together, (Which

worketh all things, that we should be vnto the praise of his glorie,) that is to say, he bringeth to passe, that we both wil & do those things, which turne to the glorie and praise of God. The Apostle therefore speaketh manifest∣lie, of the wholsome or healthful workings of God in his Church. For he moueth our will, that we may will, and our strength, that we may not will in waste.

Notes

• Psal. 5, 4.