In whom also we have obtained an inheritance
Or a part and lot; that is, have obtained one in Christ, in his
person, and in his fulness of grace, in the blessings and
promises which are in him; or have obtained to be the Lord's
clergy, or heritage, to be his portion and inheritance; or rather
to have an inheritance in him by lot, meaning the incorruptible
and eternal inheritance of glory and happiness in heaven; to
which elect men are chosen in Christ, and are begotten to a
lively hope of through his resurrection from the dead; and which
his righteousness gives a right unto, and his grace a meetness
for; and which is now in his hands, and will be given to them
through him: and this is said to be obtained by lot, as the word
signifies, in allusion to the land of Canaan, which was divided
by lot to the children of Israel; and to show that it is not by
works of righteousness done by men, but by the sovereign disposal
of God; and that everyone shall have his share, and that
certainly; for this is not designed to represent it as a casual,
or contingent thing. The Alexandrian copy reads, "in whom also we
are called"; and so the Vulgate Latin version, "in whom also we
are called by lot"; and the Syriac version, "in him", or "by him
we are chosen", which agrees with the next clause:
being predestinated according to the purpose of him, who
worketh all
things after the counsel of his own will:
predestination is not only to sonship, but to an inheritance; it
not only secures the grace of adoption, but prepares and provides
an heavenly portion: and this act of predestination proceeds
according to a purpose; according to a purpose of God, which can
never be frustrated; and according to the purpose of "that God",
as one of Stephens's copies reads, that is the author of all
things but sin; of the works of creation and of providence, and
of grace and salvation; and who works all these according to his
will, just as he pleases, and according to the counsel of it, in
a wise and prudent manner, in the best way that can be devised;
for he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working;
wherefore his counsel always stands, and he does all his
pleasure: and hence the inheritance which the saints obtain in
Christ, and are predestinated to, is sure and certain.