CHAP. IX. Of Free Will. GOD hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined, to good or evil. II. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which is good and well pleasing to God; but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it. III. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natu ral man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin1, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereuntos. IV. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by I. a Mat. xvii. 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. James i. 14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Deut. xxx. 19. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. II. b Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Gen. i. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. e Gen. ii. 16. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; Ver. 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. III. d Rom. v. 6. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. John xv. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. e Rom. iii. 10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Ver. 12. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. f Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ: (by grace ye are saved.) Col. ii. 13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. g John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him and I will raise him up at the last day. Ver. 65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Eph. ii. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ver. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved.) 1 Cor. ii. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Tit. iii. 3. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Ver. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. IV. h Col. i. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. John viii. 34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Ver. his grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good i; yet so as that, by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil *. V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone in the state of glory only'. CHAP. X. Of Effectual Calling. ALL those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those on yo he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to calla, by his word and Spirit", out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. i Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Rom. vi. 18. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Ver. 22. But now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. k Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Rom. vii. 15. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Ver. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ver. 19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Ver. 21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Ver. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. V. 1 Eph. iv. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Heb. xii. 23. To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Jude, ver. 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. I. Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glori fied. Rom. xi. 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Eph. i. 10. That, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him: Ver. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. b 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth: Ver. 14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. iii. 3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Ver. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. e Rom. viii. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ver. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Ver. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ver. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved.) 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with III. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth". So also are all other elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word. IV. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the word P, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men not professing the Christian religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ever so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the law of that religion they do professs; and to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested t. eth to me I will in no wise cast out. Ezek. xxxvi. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. John v. 25. Verily, verily, I ay unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. III. Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Ver. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And John iii. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Ver. 5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. And 1 John v. 12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. And Rom. viii. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [Compared together.] n John iii. 8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 1 John v. 12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. IV. P Mat. xxii. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen. 9 Mat. vii. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not pro phesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat. xiii. 20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: Ver. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Heb. vi. 4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Ver. 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. r John vi. 64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Ver. 65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Ver. 66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. John viii. 24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. John xiv. 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Eph. ii. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. * John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. John xvii. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. t 2 John, ver. 9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. Ver. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: Ver. 11. For с CHAP. XI. Of Justification. HOSE whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth; sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous: not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone: not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience, to them as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith: which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God c. II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteous he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 1 Cor. xvi. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. Gal. i. 6. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Ver. 7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Ver. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. I. a Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. b Rom. iv. 5. But to. him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Ver. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Ver. 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Ver. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 2 Cor. v. 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. iii. 22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. Ver. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; Ver. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Ver. 27. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. Ver. 28. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righ teousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 7. That, being justined by his grace, we should be made heirs ac cording to the hope of eternal life. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Jer. xxÏÏÏ. 6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Ver. 31. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Rom. v. 17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ: Ver. 18. Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Ver. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. e Acts x. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Acts xiii. 38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Eph. ii. 7. That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his Ver. |