〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17. 20, 21. This is most lively exemplified in Isaac's 2. sons, even when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their Mothers womb, Gen. 25. 23. Matth. 1. 2, 3. The Apostle plainly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the point, 1 Cor. 4. 7. Hence it is that they, who are called out of the •…•…orld, are stiled Gods elect, or the elect of God, Rom. 8. 33. Tit. 1. 1. Col. 3. 12.
The truest and highest reason that can be given hereof is here set down by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 word, having provided. The Greek word is a compound, and signifiet•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the true notation of it, to foresee. Our last English translators 〈◊〉〈◊〉 noted as much in the margent. Now Gods fore▪sight is operative: what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ore-seeth to be good and meet he effecteth, and therefore his foreseeing of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and that is justly stiled a providing it. Thus also the Hebrew word, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to see, being applied to God, implieth his providing this, or that, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is translated, Gen. 22. 8. 1 Sam. 16. 1.
Foresight cannot properly be attributed to God, because all things past and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are present to him. But for teaching sake in relation to us, unto whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are distinct▪ is it applied to God. Thus God is said to foresee such things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…e doth determine and decree. For distinction sake to our better understand∣i•…•…g God determining and decreeing such things, doth thereupon foresee that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then will fa•…•…l out: Yea, thereupon he provideth them in their sea∣•…•…, they do infallibly so and so fall out.
Thus this word is here fitly used, to shew the reason and c•…•…use why the better 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were reserved to the later times. Even because God having deter∣•…•… them so to be, foresaid it to be the fittest so to be: for God worketh all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the Counsel of his own will, Eph. 1. 11. There can be nothing of God •…•…o move him, to do what he doth, (Psal. 115. 3.)
And in man there can be nothing: for in mans best estate he had, what he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, God gave him his being, and God endued him with all that excellency 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then he had comprised under this phrase, image of God, Gen. 1. 26▪ 27.
B•…•…t since mans fall, all are under sin: There is none righteous, no not one, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 3. 10. Well therefore might the Apostle say, it is not of him that willeth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, Rom. 9. 16.
- 1. This directeth such as desire any excellency to be distinguished from other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 natural men, as excellency of knowledge, excellency of Faith, or ex∣•…•… of any other grace, yea, or excellency of means of grace, to look to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fountain whence that excellency cometh: & to consider the ground 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moveth God to do what he doth. If any hath wisdom let him seek it of God, &c. Iam. 1. 5.
- 2. This may be a caveat to such, as have obtained any excellency above others, •…•…o take heed that they boast not therein, 1 Cor. 4. 7. That excellency arose not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a mans self, neither was there any thing in him to move God to conferre what he hath done upon him, Deut. 9. 4, 5, 6, 7. Rom. 11. 18. All Christians, who i•…•… the light of the Gospel excell Iews▪ Turks, and all infidels, may apply this. So 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Protestants to whom the errors of Antichristianisme are revealed: so they who have the power of Godlinesse in them above ordinary formall professors. God is the judge: he putteth down one and setteth up another, Psal. 75. 7.
- 3. We hereby learn to return the glory of all that excellency, which God hath p•…•…ovided for us above others unto the author thereof, who maketh thee so differ, Rom. 11. 35, 36. Yea, also to use all to the glory of his name▪ 1 Cor. 10. 31. Thus will the Lord never repent his conferring any excellency upon such grate∣•…•… persons. Ingratitude is it which moves him to withdraw blessings bestowed, but gratitude moves him to increase them.