Gods glory in mans happiness, with the freeness of his grace in electing us together with many Arminian objections answered / by Francis Taylor ...

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.

In this little world the Isle of Man the externall ornaments of the body are lively pictures of the internall in∣dowments of the soul. The eye of the soul is the Understanding: it guide all the faculties of the soul. The foo•• is the Will: it carries all the soul whi••∣ther it please. The hands of the sou•• are the Affections: these bring fort•• as many severall actions in the life as the hands can shew artificiall ope∣rations in the world. The great worl•• is like the little world. The variet•• of mens naturall estates is an eviden•• expression of their different spiritual•• conditions. The world may be mustre•• in three rankes. The vantguard con∣sists of such as are poor: this is a di••∣ease that most men complain of. Th•• main battail brings forth those tha•• have riches, but vex themselves as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they had none, and live in want, th•• might live in plenty. The rerewa•• holds those that are rich, and kno•• they are rich, that live plentifull

and bountifully according to their ••iches. Such is the variety of mens severall conditions in the Church. ••ome have no riches at all, but are pretched and miserable, poor and blind, and ••aked, meer luke-warme Laodiceans, ••ime-serving formall Hypocrites. These ••re born in fin, and live in sin, and die 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fin. The riches of Gods grace they ••ave no share of, they are but baptized Simon Magusses. They have neither part ••or lot in this matter: for their heart is not ••ight in the sight of God. Others have ••pirituall treasure, but they know it ••ot. They vex themselves for want of ••pprehending that favour which they ••ave. They live as uncomfortably in ••he midst of grace, as covetous men in ••he midst of riches. These say with ••saph, Hath God forgotten to be gracious? ••ath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? These pray with David, Make me to ••ear joy and gladnesse: that the bones ••hich thou hast broken may rejoyce. Others have the riches of Gods grace, and ••now they have it. These are full of ••by, as well as grace, examples of ••heerfulnesse and carefulnesse, patterns ••f piety and alacrity. These sing with David, We will both lay us down in peace

and sleep: for thou Lord only makest u••∣dwell in safety. These ride in triumph•• over all worldly things with St. Paul, We are perswad••d, that neither death, n•••• life, nor Angels, nor principalities, n•• powers, nor things present, nor things t•• come, nor height, nor depth, nor any othe•• creature shall be able to separate us from th•• love of God, which is in Christ Jesus ou•• Lord.

The first condition is miserable.

The second is uncomfortable.

The third is admirable.

To those of the first condition, I say no more, but let them pray to be de∣livered out of their unhappinesse.

Those of the third sort I advise to praise God for their happinesse.

But those of the second estate whos•• comfort is the scope of these medita∣tions, I must endevour to perswad•• to the fruition of spirituall contented∣nesse. Set before your eyes some world∣ly Nabal, whose inheritance is called in question. See how he plots in hi•• mind, goes to the Scriveners, consult with the Lawyers, spends his money wasts his time to amend those errour that have tainted his Evidences. Sup∣pose in me you hear St. Peter exhor∣ting

you to use the same diligence to assure your eternall inheritance.

We are Gods labourers, we are Gods building.

The builder first layes a foundation: then raises the walles, and lastly se∣cures the whole building against all tempests with a roof. So must I lay a foundation in explication, build up the wals with observation, and secure all with application.

Notes

• Revel. 3.17.
• Act. 8.21.
• Psal. 77.9.
• Psal. 51.8.
• Psal. 4.8.
• Rom. 8.38, 39.
• Cor. 3.9.