The Great Comfort of Believers in the Co-Operation of All Things for Their Good - Part Two

Extract

The Great Comfort of Believers in the Co-Operation
of All Things for Their Good — Part Two
Ralph Erskine

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.

V. The next thing proposed in the general method is, to shew whence it is that all things shall work together for good to such lovers of God; and so to point out the evidence the apostle had for saying, we know that it shall be so; and here also observe the suitableness and connection between the character of being lovers of God, and this privilege, of all things working together for good. If you ask then, Why all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose? There is a general answer in the bosom of the text, and that is drawn from the divine purpose, the determination of God. There is a stated law in heaven from eternity for it; they are predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will, Eph. 1:11. There is not anything that falls out in this world but was resolved upon and decreed from eternity, that things should be so and so. Men and devils may as well go up to the court rolls of heaven, and there cross and cancel the eternal statutes and decrees of God, as hinder our good, who love God, and are the called according to his purpose. “The foundation of God standeth sure.” More particularly,
1. The first reason and argument, upon which we know that all things shall work together for good to them who love God, and are the called according to his purpose, is drawn from the nature of God; why, he is the Lord of hosts, the God of armies, who hath all the hosts of men, and angels, and creatures, in his hand; and all the legions of devils at his back.

He can command the stars in their courses to fight for his people, and against their enemies. He can create an army of frogs, and lice, and locusts; they require only a commission from him, and so they execute his purpose. …