Effectual Calling: what changed
From Westminster Larger Catechism (1648) to Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647). 13 of 13 sections differ.
Struck through is in WLC only;
underlined is in WSC only.
Punctuation and capitalisation are ignored — they were modernised freely, and
would otherwise bury the substantive edits.
What benefits hath How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? procured We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his mediation? Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.Holy Spirit.
How do we come doth the Spirit apply to be made partakers of us the benefits which redemption purchased by Christ? hath procured? We are made partakers of The benefits which Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, hath procured, by the application of them unto working faith in us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Who are made partakers What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of redemption through God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to all those for whom embrace Jesus Christ, hath purchased it; who are freely offered to us in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.
Can What benefits do they who have never heard that are effectually called partake of in this life? They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe several benefits which in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature? They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, this life do either accompany or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church.flow from them.
WLC 61 → WSC — none
1% changedAre all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church? All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible.
WLC 62 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat is the visible church? The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.
WLC 63 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat are the special privileges of the visible church? The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, not withstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.
WLC 64 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat is the invisible church? The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.
WLC 65 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ? The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.
WLC 66 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat is that union which the elect have with Christ? The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.
WLC 67 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto ) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.
WLC 68 → WSC — none
1% changedAre the elect only effectually called? All the elect, and they only, are effectually called; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit; who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.
WLC 69 → WSC — none
1% changedWhat is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ? The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, adoption, sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.