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This consists of several links. The middle portion of it hangs down to earth, and comes into the view of men; but the ends of it are fastened to the two eternities and are both hidden. Note: —

I. THE UNBROKEN SUCCESSION OF STEPS IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GOD. Calling and justification are the principal links, but not all the links; they are sufficient, however, to show that between the eternity of purpose and the eternity of glorification there is no flaw or fracture. We gather from this view of the subject that to get possession of any one link is to get all the links — the unseen as well as the seen — and consequently the whole chain. "Calling" carries with it "justification" and glorification on the one hand, and predestination on the other.

II. THE CO-EXTENSIVE UNIFORMITY OF ITS SUCCESSIVE REALISATIONS. Every link of the chain is equally comprehensive in the space it covers. The same subjects are handed over at every stage of the progress to the stage that follows. There is no reduction of the number as the process goes on; and if we leave out all intermediate steps, we may say, "Whom He did foreknow, them He also glorified." Any two terms of the series may be brought into an equation, and if we wish to satisfy ourselves of our predestination, or of our salvation hereafter, then we have only to be clear about our interest in the calling, or in the justification. The unknown quantity may thus be determined by the known, because they are equivalents. Observe that "glorified," like all the other expressions, is in the past tense. And this is used to express the certain and inseparable connection between the different progressive steps in the enumeration, or because what God has determined to do may be said to be done already. There is no tense to express the activity of God, with whom past, present, and future are an eternal now. But besides this, in Christ our salvation is always complete (Ephesians 2:5, 6).

III. HOW ENTIRELY FROM BEGINNING TO END THE WHOLE WORK IS ATTRIBUTED TO GOD! Man acts no part. He is merely the subject. If we turn, however, to Romans 10:14, we have another chain which also begins with God and ends in glory; but there the aspect is human. Both are important. God works by instruments, but the success of the instruments are in His hands. Both these passages require to be taken together, in order to furnish a complete account of the process of salvation. Conclusion: Do not permit yourselves to be bewildered by the deep things of God's eternal purpose and decrees. Rather seek to strike into the line of salvation at the calling of God. God calls you to believe on Christ, and if "you call upon the name of the Lord you shall be saved," and only as you make your calling sure do you make your election sure.

(P. Strutt.)

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KJV: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

WEB: Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.