Page:An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text .. (IA analyticalexposi00ames).pdf/13

 *fication the common possession of those that are not elect.

2. To comfort all those that are partakers of true sanctification: because thereby they may the more assured of their election.

3. To exhort us to be very carefull to encrease our sanctification.

Doct. 4. The mediation of Christ, and reconciliation made for us in him, is the only meanes whereby the force of our election is derived unto us, and our sanctification and salvation is propagated.

This is gathered from those words: by obedience and sprinkling.

Reason 1. Because God made Christ our Mediator, neither is there any other name under heaven whereby we may be saved. 2. Because God made him the Mediator of our redemption by vertue of his election: for those whom God elected, he gave unto Christ to be redeemed and saved, John 17.6. John 6.37. 3. Because Christ is the second Adam, the Father, the head of all those that are elected and to be saved: therefore as life naturall was derived unto all men first from Adam, so also from Christ, and in him is all life spirituall communicated unto us. Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists and others which have chosen to themselves other meanes and mediators extra Christum, besides Christ, and have departed from that way of salvation which the eternall election of God hath prescribed. 2. To exhort us to put our whole trust and confidence in Christ alone, and daily to seeke after a neerer and neerer union with him. Doct. 5. In that chaine of our salvatian, the beginning is from God the Father, the dispensation of it is through his Sonne Iesus Christ, the application of it is through the Holy Ghost.

This is intimated in that solemne benediction which the Church received from the Apostle.

Reason. Because this order of operation doth best agree with the order of subsisting, which the Scripture attributes to the Divine persons.