A cordial for Christians traveling heavenward being the substance of some sermons upon the eight chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans / preached in the city of Edinburgh by a minister of the Gospel there.

Verse 30.

Moreover, whom he did predesti∣nate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

OBserve here, the Apostle clearing, That the Cal∣led, according to purpose, or the Predestinate Folks, their Afflictions must tend to their Good, be∣cause of this Argument, that Calling, Justification and

Glory are the certain effects of Predestination, And therefore God in his Wisdom must order Afflictions, so as they must have a certain tendency to bring them to Glory at last.

Observe here, All the predestinate Folks are ef∣fectually Called, And therefore this says first, That none will win to Heaven but those that are Effectu∣ally Called, for Calling here goes before Glory, and such as are Predestinate to Glory, are Predestinate to Calling. 2ly. It says that the first clear discovery of Predestination is Calling, A Man cannot know his Election by any other evidence then by Calling. 3ly. It says that this is a sure evidence thereof. 4ly. We see that Calling being the effect of Predestination, and it being an irrevocable purpose, Rom. 9.11. That Calling must as to its effect be irresistable. 5ly. We see that since Calling is the effect of Predestination, the Foreknowledge of our Calling cannot be the cause of it, and therefore our foreseen Faith cannot be the cause of our Election. And 6ly. Seing we see the Apostle proving that the Called according to purpose, are to be conformed according to Christs Image, that is, they are to share of his priviledges and Glory, he proves this I say, by that sure Link that Predestination puts between their Calling and Glory, which tells us that all Effectually Called do share of Christs Priviledges, and shall after share of his Glory.

The Text says, Whom he Calls he Justifies, this says there are none Justified till they be Called, and therefore the Antinomian Errour is reproveable, who say the Elect are justified from Eternity, Elect Paul before Conversion, was a Child of Wrath even as

others, Eph. 2.2. 2ly. This says, That presently upon their being Called they are Justified, and there∣fore their Justification is not delayed till they perse∣vere in Good Works to the end of their Life, or else how should they rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God while they are in time. 3ly. If the Called Folks be justified, then they are in a state of Friendship with God, and therefore there is no Wrath in their most severe Lots. Rom. 5.7. And they may with freedom use access to the Throne of Grace. 4ly. If the Cal∣led be justified, It says their Afflictions must tend to their Good, because when they know that Sin is par∣doned, they cannot but be sure that God will bless their Crosses to them, and not make them a Curse 5ly. If Called Folks be justified, they should have peace in their own Conscience, they may well be humbled for Sin, they should not have an Torment∣ing fear of Hell for it. 6ly. If the Called be justified, their Obedience should flow more from Love to God then from distrustful fears.

Now I clear that the Called are justified, That is, they are indemnified as to the punishment for Sin threatned by the Covenant of Works, and they have an unquestionable Title to Life; the reason is, be∣cause they have a right to Christs Obedience and Suffering; For the Father gives Christ to them for Righteousness, 1 Cor. 1 30. 2 Cor 5. last. And Christ ratifies the Gift of his own Consent, and seals his own gift and the Fathers Gift, by the Sa∣crament of the Supper. Now that the Called Man is justified appears, because the Called have Faith, and the Gospel-Promulgation secures, that all Be∣lievers are justified. 2ly. It appears that the Called

Man is justified, because God gives him of his Spi∣rit, and we know that he gives his Spirit to none, but to such to whom he is reconciled. 3ly. The Called Man is justified, because he is Just, and that upon the account he has a sure interest in a perfect justifying Righteousness. It is a justifying Righ∣teousness, if ye consider, 1st. The compleatness of his Obedience and Sufferings. 2ly. If ye con∣sider, That that Obedience and Suffering was for us, and not for himself. 3ly. If ye consider, that the Father appointed it to be so, 2 Cor. 5. last. 4ly. If ye consider, there were Grounds for this Appoint∣ment, viz. Christs sibness to us, and his consent it should be so. From this we inferr, that the Called, since they are justified, may bear the Calumnies of the World, and live in the Hope of the sentential Justification of the Judge at the last Day, seing they are Legally justified by Law, and that Law of his own Constitution.

Observe, All the justified shall be glorified, this Glory stands as to the Body in its Clarity, Immor∣tality, Spirituality, and Power; As to the Soul, it stands in its Light, in its Life, in its Communion with God, and in its Joy and Comfort springing from all these. That Light is full and immediate, we see no more through a Glass darkly, but face to face: It is Eternal, our Sun will no more go down; that Life it is a Life on, from and to God; it is full and abundant, there is a River of Waters of Life in Heaven; it is eternal as to its duration; that Com∣munion we have with God is immediate, without Ordinances, there is no Temple in the New Jeru∣salem, Rev. 22. It is constant without interruption,

we are made Pillars of the Temple of God, Rev 7: 10. The Joys that follow thereon, are full an•• satisfying, constant and lasting, Psal. 16. last. Now this Glory, all the Justified shall possess it, as ap∣pears, by the linking of Calling Justification, an•• Glory together, and they are linked together by rea∣son of Predestination, Christs Merite, and the Spi∣rits Application. 2ly. It is sure by the nature of Justification, it being a Right to Life, alse well as Immunity from Wrath. 3ly. It appears from San∣ctification, which is a Preparation for Glory, and a Pledge of it. Eph. 4.30. It appears from their Adoption, Rom. 8.17. It appears from this, that the Gospel is the Rule of Judgement; the Word that Christ speaks, shall judge them at the last Day, John 12. It appears from the necessary Righteous∣ness that is in the Judge. And Lastly, it appears from the Truth of God, and the Truth of his Promise.

From this we infer, that the Justified do share of Christ's Priviledges here, such as access to God, seing they are to share of his Glory hereafter, and partial Conformity with Christ in this World se∣cures our total Conformity with him in Glory in the other. 2ly. This says that the justified are san∣ctified, seing Sanctification must go before Glory, and it is Glory begun. 2ly. It says that the justi∣fied are sure of perseverance, seing they that endure to the end must be saved, and none but they. 4ly: That since Glory is connected with Justification, we should hope for Heaven, wait for Heaven, and work out our Salvation with fear and trembling. 5ly. We should submit to the Cross, seing this condition

is certainly abiding us. 6ly. We should never be jealous that the Cross will tend to our prejudice, but believe it will tend to our profit, seing God designs to bring us to Glory, for Grace must reign through Righteousness into eternal Life. And 7ly. Ye would try your state to Justification, as ye would try your right to Glory.