[ 1939] Gods decree of Election, not to be made the pro∣per object of Faith.
SUppose a rope cast down into the Sea for the relief of a company of poor ship-wrack't Men ready to perish, and that the People in the Ship or on the shore should cry out unto them to lay hold on the rope,* 1.1 that they may be saved; Were it not unseasonable and foolish curiosity for any of those poor distressed Creatures, now at the point of death to dispute, whether did the Man that cast the rope intend and purpose to save me or not, and so minding that which help∣eth not, neglect the means of safety offered; Or as a Prince proclaiming a free market of Gold, fine linnen, rich garments, pretious Jewells and the like to a number of poor Men upon a purpose to enrich some few of them, whom of his meer Grace he purposeth to make honourable Courtiers, and great Officers of State; Were it fitting that all these Men should stand to dispute the Kings fa∣vour, but rather that they should repair to the Market, and by that means im∣prove his favour so gratiously tendered unto them: Thus it is that Christ hold∣eth forth (as it were) a Rope of Mercy to poor drowned and lost Sinners, and set∣teth out an open Market of Heavenly treasure, it is our parts then without any further dispute to look upon it as a Principle afterwards to be made good, that Christ hath gratious thoughts towards us, but for the present to lay hold on the