even quite contrary to their true intent and meaning. Paul, (Eph. i. 4 )
speaks another language--"He hath chosen us in him,--that we should be holy
and without blame." His eternal counsel of life is so far from loosing the
reins to men's lusts, that it is the only certain foundation of holiness;
it is the very spring and fountain from whence our sanctification flows by
an infallible course. This chain of God's counsels concerning us, hath
also linked together the end and the means,--glory and grace,--happiness and
holiness,--that there is no destroying of them. Without holiness it is
impossible to see God, so that those who expect the one without any desire
of, and endeavour after the other, they are upon a vain attempt to loose
the links of this eternal chain. It is the only eternal choosing love of
God, which separated so many souls from the common misery of men. It is
that only which in time doth appear, and rise as it were from under
ground, in the streams or fruits of sanctification. And if the ordinance
of life stand, so shall the ordinance of fruits, John xv. 16, Eph. ii. 10.
If he hath appointed thee to life, it is certain he has also ordained thee
to fruits, and chosen thee to be holy; so that whatever soul casts by the
study of this, there is too gross a brand of perdition upon its forehead.
It is true, all is already determined with him, and he is incapable of any
change, or "shadow of turning." Nothing then wants, but he is in one mind
about it, and thy prayer cannot turn him. Yet a godly soul will pray with
more confidence, because it knows that as he hath determined upon all its
wants and receipts, so he hath appointed this to be the very way of
obtaining what it wants. This is the way of familiarity and grace. He
takes with his own to make them call, and he performs his purpose in
answer to their cry. But suppose there were nothing to be expected by
prayer, yet I say, that is not the thing thou shouldst look to, but what
is required of thee, as thy duty, to do that simply out of regard to his
majesty, though thou shouldst never profit by it. This is true obedience,
to serve him for his own pleasure, though we had no expectation of
advantage by it. Certainly he doth not require thy supplications for this
end, to move him, and incline his affections toward thee, but rather as a
testimony of thy homage and subjection to him; therefore, though they
cannot make him of another mind than he is, or hasten performa