A practical discourse of God's sovereignty with other meterial points, deriving thence.

Vpon what account can Men be pressed to a fre∣quent, diligent, conscientious, attendance on the Mini∣stry; if Salvation, and consequently Preparation, and Meetness for Salvation, shall as certainly be had by a broken, careless, superficial, attendance in this kind?

On what account did the Lord so frequently admonish that People, To keep the Law without turning aside; To Circumcise their hearts; and to be no more stiff-necked; and this, as the Condition of their obtaining Canaan; if all their unworthyness could not deprive them of Canaan? (which, the Author of this Objection elsewhere affirms, it could not) But further; As Men are Creatures, it is their duty to serve and honour God; and in order thereto, to wait upon Him in His Ordinances, and that with all dili∣gence; although the business of their Salvation were not concerned in it; but much more since it is, if any thing of Self-Concern, may enforce a Duty: And truly the pre∣sent sweetness, that is in the wayes of God, is Argument

sufficient to induce our most serious attendance thereon.

But, that Salvation, or Meetness for Salvation, may as certainly be had by a careless Attendance; is far from the Doctrine of Absolute Election to Assert: For, it presseth it still, as an important duty, to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure. But really, Remisness in duty, is the natural result of that Doctrine which teacheth, That a Man possibly may lose all he hath run-for at the last step: For, who will strain and toil himself (as they term it) for an uncertainty? And if there be any such, who neglect their duty, because if Elected they are sure to be saved; they give but a sorry evidence of their state: And they are (common∣ly) such as most eagerly oppose the Doctrine of Election; and not of those who hold for it.