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

4. Both election and vocation may be un∣certain to them, that have interest i•• both.

We confesse that in regard of God our election and vocation are alwayes certain. The foundation of the Lord is sur•• alwayes, but that is, to the Lord, a••

i•• followeth, The Lord knoweth them that ••re his. Men may alter, but the gifts and ••alling of God are without repentance. God ••annot be deceived, nor his decrees can∣••ot be changed. Yet to us both our ••lection and vocation may be uncer∣tain, and they that have both may ••oubt, whether they have either of ••oth. Yea they may be brought so ••ow, that they may affirme, that they ••ave neither. This a Prophet may be ••rought to. What could Jonah think ••f himself when he was buried alive, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such a Sepulcher, as never man lived 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before? Let him speak himself, and ••eclare his own fears, Then I said, I am ••••st out of thy sight. Nay, a King and a ••rophet too may be brought to this ••oubtfull condition, and cry out with ••avid, How long wilt thou forget me (O ••ord) for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy ••••ce from me? Election is a secret acti∣••n of God before the world was ••ade, which we can know only by ••ertain consequences delivered to us 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the book of God. Now it is an easie ••••ing to doubt, where a thing is to be ••••ched from far by consequences, and ••••mes not immediately into our knowledge. Thus the eye that can well

distinguish an object hard at hand, i•• easily mistaken in remoter things. An•• what things more remote either in ti•••• or in dignity, then Gods sure an•• glorious election and our uncertai•• and low apprehension? The Sun ca•• not be looked upon, unlesse a clou•• come between. Names written in God secret book cannot be read by the that owe them, but with the specta∣cles of consequences afforded to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the book that God hath s•• open for us. Vocation is a work 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods Spirit in our own hearts neer•• home: yet may we well be deceiv•• in the apprehension of it, because it an inward work, and mans heart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very deceitfull. It will not only d••∣ceive others, but him also that ow•• it. The Physicians are often deceiv•• in internall diseases for all their a•••• Yea the patient himself, that feeles th•• pain, yet cannot tell what is the di••∣ease, if it be within. Thus is it oft•••• in mans soul. His heart is so deceitful that he cannot easily gather whether 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be effectually called or no. There such a resemblance between comm•••• graces, that accompany illuminatio•• and speciall ones that attend up••••

regeneration, that many are deceived, ••istaking the one for the other. The ••••prehension of our vocation is a sepa∣••••ble fruit of it. It may sometimes be ••arted from it. The trees bear not ap∣••••es all the year. The shadow followes ••ot the sun, except it shine cleer. Neither ••th our apprehension follow Gods ••vour, but where it doth most mani∣••••stly reveal it self. These doubts of ••ur calling proceed sometimes from ••norance, because we rightly under∣••••and not Gods mark or his seal, that ••••e sets upon those whom he hath ef∣fectually called. Sometimes negligence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cause, and God for our neglect ••f him neglects us. We withhold from ••od the publick or private service, ••••at we owe to him, and he hides the ••••ght of his countenance from us. ••ometimes they come from pride, and ••hen we are lifted up with those gifts ••e have, God withdraws his hand ••om giving more. The father when ••e sees his son proud of his fine ••othes, bestowes no more upon him, ••ut lets him wear them to rags, that ••e may humble him. So doth God ••ith us, gives us over to doubt of his ••••vour, when we grow proud of his

gifts. Sometimes presumption bring•• this mischief upon us. When we pre∣sume to sin against God, he like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wise father changeth his countenance upon us, though he take not away his love quite from us. There is a tim•• for parents to hide their affection when the shewing of it may make their children worse. So is it high time for God to withhold the de∣claration of his affection, when his children grow bold to offend him.

This first cals for thankfulnesse o•• them, that have a well grounded per∣swasion of their choise and calling. Upon these the favour of God shine•• like the Sun, and enlightens their soules. It is not so well with all men•• nay it is not so well with all godly men. Many hang down their heads fo•• sorrow, because they stand in doubt o•• Gods favour. They have no comfor•• in praying, no contentment in hearing no satisfaction in receiving, no joy i•• living. And all because they wan•• that which you have, the sweet sense o•• the love of God in Christ. If we hav•• with them felt but the force of God indignation, and the hellish torture••

of a distressed conscience, we would ••hen be heartily thankfull to God for ••he heavenly comforts of a pacifyed minde, that fully assures us, that God ••oves us. Nothing more comfortable ••an happen to us in this world, and therefore nothing should more pro∣voke us to thankfulnesse unto God. The more joy we receive from any of Gods gifts, the more praise we owe to God the giver.

Secondly, It teacheth them watch∣fulnesse, lest by their carelesnesse the precious perswasion of Gods love be ••ost for a time. Though God cannot change his love into hatred, yet he can hide his face from you in anger. Then may you sigh with others, and weep, ••nd mourn for the want of that com∣fort, which now ye enjoy. Yet may you sigh and weep in vain for a long time; for this is a favour, that is not easily recovered. Davids bones are bro∣ken before they do rejoyce again, after God humbled him for his treble wickedness. All men are careful to keep their treasures. They hide their silver, they lock up their gold from the eyes of beholders, that it may not be pilferd from them. This is our greatest trea∣sure.

Lose the sense of Gods love, and lose all. Without this we do not enjoy our own happinesse. Our best actions afford no matter of consola∣tion to us. Our least sins afford mat∣ther enough to dash our greatest com∣forts. All the contentments of the world are not able to appease the pangs of our distressed minds. Nay heavenly blisse, which we may have hereafter, affords no comfort to us here, because we think God is angry with us, and will never bestow it upon us. Take heed then of all occasions, that may alienate Gods face from you.

Thus have I brought you as low as I can, now must I lead you up again by the hand to the sense and fruition of your election and vocation.

Notes

• 2 Tim. 2.19.
• Rom. 11.29.
• Joh. 2.4.
• Psal. 13.1.
• Psal. 51.