ess of hope, excess of joy in these outward
things, is, as it were ridiculous to him, who hath all these things
appointed with him. To him be praise and glory.

Lecture XV.

Of Predestination

Eph. i. 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."--Rom. ix. 22, 23.--"What
if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known,
endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to
destruction, and that he might make known the riches of his glory
on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory."

In the creation of the world, it pleased the Lord, after all things were
framed and disposed, to make one creature to rule over all, and to him he
gave the most excellent nature, and privileges beyond the rest, so that it
may appear that he had made all things for man and man immediately for his
own glory. As man was the chief of the works of his hands so we may,
according to the Scriptures, conceive that he was chiefly minded in the
counsels of his heart. And that, as in the execution of his purpose in
creating the world, man had the pre-eminence assigned unto him, and all
seemed subordinate unto him, so in the Lord's purposes concerning the
world, his purpose about man has the pre-eminence. He, indeed, has
resolved to declare the glory of his name in this world, therefore the
heavens and the firmament are made preachers of that glory, Psal. xix. 1,
2, &c. But in a special manner, his majesty's glorious name is manifested
in man, and about man. He hath set man, as it were, in the centre or midst
of the creation, that all the creatures might direct or bring in their
praises unto him, to be offered up in his and their name, to the Lord
their Maker, by him, as the common mouth of the world, and the Lord hath
chosen this creature above all the creatures, for the more solemn and
glorious declaration of himself in his special properties. Therefore, we
should gather our thoughts in this business, to hear from the Lord what
his thoughts are towards us, for, certainly, the right understanding of
his everlasting counsel touching the eternal state of man, is of singular
virtue to conform us to the praise of his name, and establish us in faith
and confidence. Predestination is a mystery, indeed, into which we should
not cu