All Things for Good

p. 1A DIVINE CORDIAL.

CHAP. I. The Proaemium, or Introduction.

We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

IF the whole Scripture be the feast of the soul (as St Ambrose saith) then this Chapter may be a dish at this feast, which with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of Gods People. In the preceding verses the Apostle had been wading through the great Doctrines of Justification and Adoption; Mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the Apostle toucheth upon that pleasant string of Consolation; We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God. Not a word but is weighty▪ therefore I shall gather up every filing of this Gold, that nothing be lost.

p. 2In the Text there are three generall Branches. 1. A glorious Priviledge, All things work for good. 2. The Persons interested in this Priviledge; and they are doubly specified. 1. They are Lovers of God. 2. They are Called. 3. The Original and Spring of this effectual calling, set down in these works, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, according to his purpose. Of all these in order; and I begin with the first.

1. The glorious Priviledge; wherein there are two things considerable: 1. The certainty of the Priviledge, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, We know. 2. The excellency of the Priviledge, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, All things work together for good.

1. The certainty of the Priviledge: We know. It is not a matter pendulous or doubtful; the Apostle doth not say▪ We hope, or conjecture, but it is like an Article in our Creed, We know all things work for good:

Whence observe, That the Truths of the Gospel, [Doct.] are evident and infallible.

A Christian may come not onely to a loose opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As the Axiomes in Logick, and Aphorismes in Physick, are demonstrated to Reason; so the Truths in Religion are demonstrated to Faith▪ We know, saith the Apostle. Though a Christian hath no◊ a perfect knowledge of the Mysteries p. 3of the Gospel, yet he hath a certain knowledge. We see through a glasse darkly [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .] , 1 Cor. 13.12. therefore we have not perfection of knowledge; but we behold with open face [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .] , 2 Cor. 3.18. therefore we have a certainty. The Spirit of God doth imprint Heavenly Truths upon the heart, as with the point of a Diamond. A Christian may know infallibly there is an evill in sin, a beauty in holiness: He may know that he is in the state of Grace, 1 Iohn 3.14. We know that we have passed from death to life. He may know that he shall go to Heaven, 2 Cor. 5.1. We know that if our earthly Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house made without hands, eternal in the Heavens. The Lord doth not leave his People at uncertainties in matters of Salvation. The Apostle comes with his Probatum est, in the Text, We know; we have arrived at a 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, or holy confidence; we have both the Spirit of God and our own experience setting seal to it.

p. 3Let us not rest in Scepticisme, [Vse.] but labour to come to a certainty in the things of Religion. As that Martyr woman said, I cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ. God knows whether we may not be called forth to be witnesses to his Truth; therefore it concerns us to be wel-grounded, and confirmed in it. If we are doubtful Christians, we shall be wavering p. 4Christian▪ whence is apostacy, but from incredulity? * Men first question ◊he ◊ruth, and then fall from the T◊u◊h. O beg the ◊pi◊it of God, not onely to anoint you, but to seal you, 2 Cor. 1.22.

p. 4CHAP. II. Containing the grand Proposition.

2. I Passe to the second, the excellency of the Priviledge: All t◊ings work together for good. This is a Iacobs staffe in the hand of faith, with which we may walk cheer◊ully to the Mount of God: what will sa◊isfie or give content, if this wi◊l no◊? A◊l things work together for good. This word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 work together, is a Physical expression. Several poysonful ingredients put together, being tempered by the skill of the Apo◊heca◊y, make a Soveraign Medicine, and work together for the good of the Patient [Venen • ex corporibus per venen • t • pharmaca educunt medici. Pet. Mart.] . So all Gods P◊ovidences being divinely tempered and sanctified, do work together for the best to the S◊in◊s. He who loves God, and is called according to his purpose, may say to his soul, Soul take thy ◊ase, for, there is much good laid up for thee, every thing in the wo◊l◊ shall be for thy good. This is a Christians Cordial, which may cause the colour to come in his face, and make him like Ionathan, who when he had tasted the honey p. 5at the end of the ro◊ hi◊ eyes were enlightened, 1 Sam. 14 27. Why should a Christian exentera◊e himself? [〈1 paragraph〉] why should ◊e kill himself wi◊h care, when all things shall sweetly concu◊◊e, yea conspi◊e for his g◊od? The result of the ◊ex▪ is this,

Doct. That all the various dealings of God with his Children, [Doct.] do by a special Providence turn to their good [N • m • qui sit Christianus de rerum catastrophe debe • ambig • re▪ P. Mart.] .

Psal. 25.◊0. All the paths of the Lord are mercy unto such as keep his Covenant. If every path hath mercy in it, then it wo◊ks for good.

1. What things work for good to the Godly.

2. Why all things work for good to the Godly.