Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q1. Why is effectual calling termed a work?
A. Because it is effected by various operations or workings of the Spirit of God upon the soul, therefore called "the seven Spirits which are before his throne," Rev. 1:4.
Q2. Why is it called a work of God's Spirit?
A. Because it relates to the application of redemption, which is the special work of God's Spirit, John 16:14:- "He," says Christ of the Spirit, "shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you."
Q3. How manifold is the divine calling?
A. Twofold: outward, by the word; and inward, by the Spirit.
Q4. What is the outward call by the word?
A. It is the free and unlimited invitation given, in the dispensation of the gospel, to all the hearers of it, to receive Christ, and salvation with him, Isaiah 55:1; Rev. 22:17.
Q5. What is the inward call by the Spirit?
A. It is the Spirit's accompanying the outward call with power and efficacy upon the soul, John 6:45.
Q6. Which of these is effectual in bringing sinners to Christ?
A. The inward call, by the Spirit: "for it is the Spirit that quickeneth," John 6:63; the outward call, by the word, is of itself ineffectual; "for many are called, but few are chosen," Matt. 22:14.
Q7. What is meant by few being chosen?
A. That few are determined effectually to embrace the call; and therefore termed a little flock, Luke 12:32.
Q8. What is the main or leading work of the Spirit in effectual calling?
A. It is that by which he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel, Phil. 2:13.
Q9. What is it to embrace Christ?
A. It is, like Simeon, to clasp him in the arms of faith, with complacency and delight; Luke 2:28.
Q10. Where is it that faith embraces him?
A. In the promises of the gospel, Heb. 11:13.
Q11. What is the gospel?
A. It is good news, or glad tidings of life and salvation to lost sinners of mankind, through a "Saviour, who is Christ the Lord," Luke 2:10, 11.
Q12. What warrant has faith to embrace him in the promise of the gospel?
A. His Father's gift, John 3:16, and his own offer of himself in it, Isaiah 45:22.
Q13. Can there be an embracing, or receiving, without a previous giving?
A. "A man can receive" - margin, take unto himself - "nothing, except it be given him from heaven," John 3:27.
Q14. What is the faith of the gospel offer?
A. It is a believing that Jesus Christ, with his righteousness, and all his salvation is, by himself, offered to sinners, and to each of them in particular, Proverbs 8:4; John 7:37.
Q15. When is the word of the gospel-offer savingly believed?
A. When it is powerfully applied by the Holy Spirit to the soul in particular, as the word and voice of Christ himself, and not of men, 1 Thess. 1:5, and 2:13.
Q16. How can we believe it is the voice of Christ himself in the offer, when Christ is now in heaven, and we hear no voice from thence?
A. The:voice of Christ in his written word, is more sure than a voice from heaven itself, 2 Pet. 1:18, 19; and it is this voice of Christ in the word, that is the stated ground of faith, Rom. 1:16, 17.
Q17. How is Christ offered in the gospel?
A. Freely, as well as fully, Rev. 22:17.
Q18. To whom is he offered?
A. To us sinners of mankind, as such, Proverbs 8:4.
Q19. Have we any natural inclination to embrace the gospel-offer?
A. No; the Spirit doth persuade us to it, 2 Cor. 5:11.
Q20. Will moral suasion, or arguments taken from the promises and threatenings of the word, persuade any to embrace Christ?
A. No; the enticing words of man's wisdom will not do; nothing less is sufficient, than the demonstration of the Spirit, that so our faith may not "stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God," 1 Cor. 2:4, 5.
Q21. Have we any ability of our own to believe in Christ, or to embrace him?
A. No; the Spirit of faith doth enable us to do it, 2 Cor. 4:13.
Q22. By what means does the Spirit persuade and enable us to embrace Christ?
A. By convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills.
Q23. What is the object of the convincing work of the Spirit; or of what does he convince us?
A. Of our sin and misery, Acts 2:37.
Q24. Of what sin does the Spirit convince us?
A. Both of original and actual sin, Mark 7:21, particularly of unbelief, John 16:9.
Q25. Of what misery does he convince us?
A. Of the misery of losing communion with God, 2 Cor. 6:14, 15; and being under his wrath and curse, in time, and through eternity, Isaiah 33:14.
Q26. How does the Spirit convince us of sin and misery?
A. By the law, Rom. 3:20 - "By the law is the knowledge of sin."
Q27. What knowledge of sin have we by the law?
A. By the precept of the law, we have the knowledge of the evil nature of sin, Rom. 7:7, and by the threatening, the knowledge of the guilt and desert of it, Gal. 3:10.
Q28. In what capacity does the Spirit convince us of sin by the law?
A. As a spirit of bondage working fear, Rom. 8:15.
Q29. Have all had an equal measure of this kind of conviction, who have been persuaded to embrace Christ?
A. No; some have had more, and some less, as in the instances of Paul and Lydia, Acts 9:6, 9, compared with chap. 16:14.
Q30. What measure of conviction by the law, is requisite for such as are come to full ripeness of age?
A. Such a measure as to let them see, that they are sinners by nature, both in heart and life; that they are lost and undone under the curse of the law, and wrath of God; and that they are utterly incapable of recovering themselves, as being legally and spiritually dead, Rom. 7:9.
Q31. Why is such a measure as this, of legal conviction, requisite in the adult?
A. Because, otherwise, they would never see the need they stand in of Christ as a Saviour, either from sin or wrath, Matt. 9:12, 13.
Q32. Is this measure of conviction necessary as a condition of our welcome to Christ, or as a qualification fitting us to believe on him?
A. No; but merely as a motive, to excite us to make use of our privilege of free access to him, Hos. 14:1 - "O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity."
Q33. Have not some been under deep legal convictions, and yet never effectually called?
A. Yes; Judas went to hell under a load of this kind of conviction, Matt. 27:3-5.
Q34. Is not the enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, a means of persuading and enabling us to embrace him?
A. Yes; for, "how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" Rom. 10:14.
Q35. What is the subject of the Spirit's enlightening?
A. Our minds or understandings, which are the eyes of the soul, Eph. 1:18 - "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened," &c.
Q36. What is the object of this enlightening, or in what are we enlightened?
A. It is in the knowledge of Christ, Phil. 3:8.
Q37. Who is the author of saving illumination in the knowledge of Christ?
A. The Holy Spirit, who is therefore called, "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," Eph. 1:17.
Q38. In what condition is the mind, before it is enlightened by the Spirit?
A. In gross darkness and ignorance, as to the "things of the Spirit of God," 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 5:8.
Q39. What is it in Christ that the Spirit enlightens the mind in the knowledge of?
A. In the knowledge of his person, righteousness, offices, fulness, &c. John 15:26, says Christ of the Spirit, "He shall testify of me."
Q40. What are the distinguishing properties of saving illumination?
A. It is of an humbling, Job. 42:5, 6, sanctifying, John 17:17, transforming, 2 Cor. 3:18, and growing nature, Hos. 6:3.
Q41. What is the necessity of this illumination, in order to the embracing of Christ?
A. Because, without it, there can be no discerning of his matchless excellency, inexhaustible sufficiency, and universal suitableness, the saving knowledge of which is necessary to the comfortable embracing of him, Psalm 9:10 - "They that know thy name, will put their trust in thee."
Q42. By what means does the Spirit enlighten the mind in the knowledge of Christ?
A. By means of the gospel Rom. 10:17.
Q43. Does not the renewing our wills accompany the illumination of our minds?
A. Yes; when "the Lord shall send the rod of his strength out of Zion," there shall be a "willing people in the day of his power," Psalm 110:2, 3.
Q44. In what consists the renovation of the will?
A. In working in it a new inclination or propensity to good, and a fixed aversion to whatever is evil, Ezek. 36:26.
Q45. Does the Spirit, in the renovation of the will, use any violence or compulsion?
A. No; he makes us willing in the day of his power, Psalm 110:3.
Q46. What is the natural disposition of the will before it is renewed?
A. It is wicked and rebellious, full of enmity against Christ, and the way of salvation through him, John 5:40.
Q47. Can any man change, or renew, his own will?
A. No more than the "Ethiopian can change his skin, or the leopard his spots," Jer. 13:23.
Q48. What necessity is there for renewing the will, in order to the embracing of Christ?
A. Because till this be done, the natural ill will that is in sinners against Christ, in all his offices, will be retained, 2 Cor. 5:17.
Q49. In what appears the ill will which sinners bear to Christ as a Prophet?
A. In the conceit of their own wisdom, Proverbs 1:22, and slighting the means of instruction, Proverbs 26:12.
Q50. How do they manifest their aversion to him as a Priest?
A. "In going about to establish their own righteousness, and refusing to submit themselves unto the righteousness of God," Rom. 10:3.
Q51. How do they manifest their opposition to him as a King?
A. In their hatred of holiness, love to sin, and saying, in fact, concerning him, "We will not have this man to reign over us," Luke 19:14.
Q52. Who are the only persons that are effectually called?
A. All the elect, and they only, Acts 13:48 - "As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed."40
Q53. What may we learn from the doctrine of effectual calling?
A. That "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance," Rom. 11:29; that "all things work together for good - to them that are the called according to his purpose," Rom. 8:28; and that it is our duty to "walk worthy of God, who hath called us unto his kingdom and glory," 1 Thess. 2:12.
Q1. What makes the difference between effectual and ineffectual calling?
A. Ineffectual calling is, when men have nothing but the external sound of the gospel; Matthew 20:16. For many be called, but few chosen. Effectual is, when the Spirit works in conjunction with the word; John 6:45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God; every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.
Q2. What is the first act of the Spirit in effectual calling?
A. Conviction of sin; John 16:8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin.
Q3. Do the called of God hear any voice from Heaven?
A. Ordinarily it is a call without sound, yet as efficacious as an audible voice from Heaven.
Q4. What is the second act of the Spirit in our effectual calling?
A. The illumination of the mind in the knowledge of Christ; Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.
Q5. In what things does it enlighten them?
A. In this; That Christ is their only remedy; Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And their all-sufficient remedy; Hebrews 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.
Q6. What is the third act?
A. His renewing of the sinner's will, and making it flexible; Psalm 110:3. Your people shall be willing in the day of your power. Ezekiel 36:26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Q7. Can no man come to Christ until thus enabled?
A. No; it is not in the power of man's nature or will, until thus renewed and enabled; Ephesians 1:19, 20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right-hand in the heavenly places. John 6:44. No man can come to me except the Father, which has sent me, draw him.
Q8. What sort of men are most ordinarily called?
A. The poor and mean ones in the world; 1 Corinthians 1:26. For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.
Q9. What is the first instruction from it?
A. Souls effectually called are never lost; Romans 11:29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Q10. What is the second instruction?
A. All things co-operate to their good; Romans 8:28. For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Q11. What is the third instruction?
A. It is dangerous to refuse God's call; Proverbs 1:24. Because I have called, and you have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.
Q12. What is the last instruction?
A. That Christians are obliged to walk suitably to their heavenly calling; 1 Thessalonians 2:12. That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory. Of the Concomitants of Effectual Calling
Q1. Is the common call given to the world?
A. Yes: He sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden, Matt. 22:3.
Q2. Can ministers make that call effectual?
A. No: For who hath believed our report, Isa. 53:1.
Q3. Is it the work of God to make it effectual?
A. Yes: For it is God that giveth the increase, 1 Cor. 3:7.
Q4. Does he do it in a way suitable to our nature?
A. Yes: I drew them with cords of a man, Hos. 11:4.
Q5. Is it necessary to our salvation that the call should be effectual?
A. Yes: Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, 2 Tim. 1:9.
Q6. Are all who are effectually called convinced of sin?
A. Yes: I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, Rom. 7:9.
Q7. Is it the Spirit's work to convince?
A. Yes: When he is come he will convince the world of sin, John 16:8.
Q8. Is the word the ordinary means of conviction?
A. Yes: For by the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3:20.
Q9. Is it necessary we should be convinced of sin?
A. Yes: For they that are whole need not a physician, Matt. 9:12.
Q10. Must we be convinced of the fact of sin?
A. Yes: These things thou hast done, Ps. 50:21.
Q11. And of the fault of sin?
A. Yes: Know therefore, and see, that it is an evil thing, Jer. 2:19.
Q12. And of the folly of sin?
A. Yes: Herein thou hast done foolishly, 2 Chron. 16:9.
Q13. And of the filth of sin?
A. Yes: For how canst thou say, I am not polluted? Jer. 2:23.
Q14. And of the fruit of sin?
A. Yes: Your sins have separated between you and your God, Isa. 59:1, 2.
Q15. And of the fountain of sin?
A. Yes: They shall know every man the plague of his own heart, 1 Kings 8:38.
Q16. Must we also be convinced of our misery?
A. Yes: Thou art wretched and miserable, Rev. 3:17.
Q17. And of our danger?
A. Yes: Flee from the wrath to come, Matt. 3:7.
Q18. Must we be convinced of our helplessness in ourselves?
A. Yes: When sin revived I died, Rom. 7:9.
Q19. And of the possibility of our being helped by the grace of God?
A. Yes: How many hired servants of my father have bread enough, and to spare! Luke 15:17.
Q20. Will these convictions put us in pain?
A. Yes: When they heard this, they were pricked to the heart, Acts 2:37.
Q21. And bring us to be at a loss within ourselves?
A. Yes: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37.
Q22. And put us upon inquiry?
A. Yes: They shall ask the way to Sion with their faces thitherward, Jer. 1:5.
Q23. Are these convictions necessary to prepare us for an invitation to Christ?
A. Yes: Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, Matt. 11:28.
Q24. Does the Spirit, when he has convinced us of sin and misery, leave us so?
A. No: For he has torn, and he will heal us, Hos. 6:1.
Q25. When he has showed us our wound, does he show us our remedy?
A. Yes: O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help, Hos. 13:9.
Q26. Does he enlighten our minds?
A. Yes: The Spirit of wisdom and revelation is given, that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened, Eph. 1:17, 18.
Q27. Does he enlighten them with the knowledge of Christ?
A. Yes: He gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 4:6.
Q28. Does he discover to the soul Christ's ability to save?
A. Yes: I have laid help upon one that is mighty, Ps. 89:19.
Q29. And his willingness to save?
A. Yes: I will, be thou clean, Matt. 8:3.
Q30. Should we be most ambitious of the knowledge of Christ?
A. Yes: Counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, Phil. 3:8.
Q31. Does the Spirit direct convinced sinners to Christ?
A. Yes: Turn ye to the B hold, ye prisoners of hope, Zech. 9:12.
Q32. Is it enough to have the mind enlightened?
A. No: For we are called into a professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. 9:13.
Q33. Must the will therefore be renewed?
A. Yes: For it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure, Phil. 2:13.
Q34. Is it the work of the Spirit to incline the will to do that which is good?
A. Yes: Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, Ps. 119:36.
Q35. And is that the renewing of the will?
A. Yes: A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, Ezek. 36:26.
Q36. Does that make the will pliable?
A. Yes: I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh, Ezek. 11:19.
Q37. Does it bring it into subjection to the will of God?
A. Yes: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9:6.
Q38. And is that a cheerful subjection?
A. Yes: Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 5:5.
Q39. Is Christ offered to us in the gospel?
A. Yes: Behold, I stand at the door and knock, Rev. 3:20.
Q40. Is he freely offered?
A. Yes: Come buy, without money, and without price, Isa. 55:1.
Q41. Are we concerned to embrace that offer?
A. Yes: Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled, Prov. 9:5.
Q42. Are we by nature averse to it?
A. Yes: Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life, John 5:40.
Q43. Do sinners perish then through their own wilfulness?
A. Yes: I have called, and ye have refused, Prov. 1:24.
Q44. Does the Spirit in effectual calling overcome this aversion?
A. Yes: With loving kindness have I drawn thee, Jer. 31:3.
Q45. Does he persuade us to embrace this offer?
A. Yes: For every man that hath heard, and learned of the Father, cometh unto me, John 6:45.
Q46. Does he enable us?
A. Yes: For you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Eph. 2:1.
Q47. Can we turn to God by any power of our own?
A. No: For we are not sufficient of ourselves, 2 Cor. 3:5.
Q48. Is it the grace of God that turns us to him?
A. Yes: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, Jer. 31:18.
Q49. Is it free grace?
A. Yes: He went on frowardly in the way of his heart, I have seen his ways and will heal him, Isa. 57:17, 18.
Q50. Does it turn us by a work upon the will?
A. Yes: The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, Acts 16:14.
Q51. Is it special grace?
A. Yes: It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, Rom. 9:16.
Q52. Shall this grace be given to all the elect?
A. Yes: All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me, John 6:37.
Q53. Shall it be effectual?
A. Yes: His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, 1 Cor. 15:10.
Q54. May we. in faith pray for this grace?
A. Yes: I will for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, Ezek. 36:37.
Q55. Can any turn to God without this special grace?
A. No: For no man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him, John 6:44.
Q56. Must that grace therefore have all the glory?
A. Yes: We must show forth the praises of him that hath called us, 1 Pet. 2:9.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
### 2. Effectual Calling
'Them he also called.' Rom 8:80.
Q-xxxi: WHAT IS EFFECTUAL CALLING?
A: It is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
In this verse is the golden chain of salvation, made up of four links, of which one is vocation. ‘Them he also called.' Calling is nova creatio, ‘a new creation,' the first resurrection. There is a two-fold call: (1.) An outward call: (2.) An inward call.
(1.) An outward call, which is God's offer of grace to sinners, inviting them to come and accept of Christ and salvation. ‘Many are called, but few chosen.' Matt 20:16. This call shows men what they ought to do in order to salvation, and renders them inexcusable in case of disobedience.
(2.) There is an inward call, when God with the offer of grace works grace. By this call the heart is renewed, and the will is effectually drawn to embrace Christ. The outward call brings men to a profession of Christ, the inward to a possession of Christ.
What are the means of this effectual call?
Every creature has a voice to call us. The heavens call to us to behold God's glory. Psalm 19:9: Conscience calls to us. God's judgements call us to repent. ‘Hear ye the rod.' Mic 6:6. But every voice does not convert. There are two means of our effectual call:
(1.) The ‘preaching of the word,' which is the sounding of God's silver trumpet in men's ears. God speaks not by an oracle, he calls by his ministers. Samuel thought it had been the voice of Eli only that called him; but it was God's voice. I Sam 3:3. So, perhaps, you think it is only the minister that speaks to you in the word, but it is God himself who speaks. Therefore Christ is said to speak to us from heaven. Heb 12:25. How does he speak but by his ministers? as a king speaks by his ambassadors. Know, that in every sermon preached, God calls to you; and to refuse the message we bring, is to refuse God himself.
(2.) The other means of our effectual call is the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the word is the pipe or organ; the Spirit of God blowing in it, effectually changes men's hearts. ‘While Peter spake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word of God.' Acts 10:04. Ministers knock at the door of men's hearts, the Spirit comes with a key and opens the door. ‘A certain woman named Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened.' Acts 16:14.
From what does God call men?
(1.) From sin. He calls them from their ignorance and unbelief. I Pet 1:14. By nature the understanding is enveloped with darkness. God calls men ‘from darkness to light,' as if one should be called out of a dungeon to behold the light of the sun. Eph 5:5.
(2.) From danger. As the angels called Lot out of Sodom, when it was ready to rain fire; so God calls his people from the fire and brimstone of hell, and from all those curses to which they were exposed.
(3.) He calls them out of the world; as Christ called Matthew from the receipt of custom. ‘They are not of the world.' John 17:76. Such as are divinely called, are not natives here, but pilgrims; they do not conform to the world, or follow its sinful fashions; they are not of the world; though they live here, yet they trade in the heavenly country. The world is a place where Satan's throne is. Rev 2:13. It is a stage on which sin every day acts its part. Now such as are called are in the world but not of it.
To what does God call men?
(1.) He calls them to holiness. ‘God has not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness.' I Thess 4:7. Holiness is the livery, or silver star which the godly wear. Knam kodsheca, ‘The people of thy holiness.' Isa 63:38. The called of God are anointed with the consecrating oil of the Spirit. ‘Ye have an unction from the Holy One.' I John 2:20.
(2.) God calls them to glory, as if a man were called out of a prison to sit upon a throne. ‘Who has called you to his kingdom and glory.' I Thess 2:12. Whom God calls he crowns with a weight of glory. 2 Cor 4:17. The Hebrew word for glory (Kabod) signifies pondus, a weight. The weight of glory adds to the worth, the weightier gold is the more it is worth. This glory is not transient, but permanent, an eternal weight; it is better felt than expressed.
What is the cause of the effectual call?
God's electing love. ‘Whom he predestinated, them he also called.' Rom 8:80. Election is the fountain-cause of our vocation. It is not because some are more worthy to partake of the heavenly calling than others, for we were ‘all in our blood.' Ezek 16:6. What worthiness is in us? What worthiness was there in Mary Magdalene, out of whom seven devils were cast? What worthiness in the Corinthians, when God began to call them by his gospel? They were fornicators, effeminate, idolaters. ‘Such were some of you, but ye are washed,' &c. I Cor 6:6: Before effectual calling, we are not only ‘without strength,' Rom 5:5, but ‘enemies,' Col 1:1I. So that the foundation of vocation is election.
What are the qualifications of this call?
(1.) It is a powerful call. Verba Dei sunt opera [The words of God are works]. Luther. God puts forth infinite power in calling home a sinner to himself; he not only puts forth his voice but his arm. The apostle speaks of the exceeding greatness of his power, which he exercises towards them that believe. Eph 1:19. God rides forth conquering in the chariot of his gospel; he conquers the pride of the heart, and makes the will, which stood out as a fort-royal, to yield and stoop to his grace; he makes the stony heart bleed. Oh, it is a mighty call! Why then do the Arminians seem to talk of a moral persuasion, that God in the conversion of a sinner only morally persuades and no more; sets his promises before men to allure them to good, and his threatenings to deter them from evil; and that is all he does? But surely moral persuasions alone are insufficient to the effectual call. How can the bare proposal of promises and threatenings convert a soul? This amounts not to a new creation, or that power which raised Christ from the dead. God not only persuades, but enables. Ezek 36:67. If God, in conversion, should only morally persuade, that is, set good and evil before men, then he does not put forth so much power in saving men as the devil does in destroying them. Satan not only propounds tempting objects to men, but concurs with his temptations: therefore he is said to ‘work in the children of disobedience.' Eph 2:2. The Greek word, to work, signifies imperil vim, Camerarius, the power Satan has in carrying men to sin. And shall not God's power in converting be greater than Satan's power in seducing? The effectual call is mighty and powerful. God puts forth a divine energy, nay, a kind of omnipotence; it is such a powerful call, that the will of man has no power effectually to resist.
(2.) It is a high calling. ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.' Phil 3:14. It is a high calling, (1:) Because we are called to high exercises of religion; to be crucified to the world, to live by faith, to do angels, work, to love God, to be living organs of his praise, to hold communion with the Father and the Son. I John 1:1.
(2:) It is a high calling, because we are called to high privileges; to justification and adoption, to be kings and priests unto God. We are called to the fellowship of angels, to be co-heirs with Christ. Heb 12:22. Rom 8:17. They who are effectually called are candidates for heaven, they are princes in all lands, though princes in disguise. Psa 45:16.
(3.) It is an immutable call. ‘The gifts and calling of God are without repentance;' Rom 11:19; that is, those gifts that flow from election (as vocation and justification) are without repentance. God repented he called Saul to be a king; but he never repents of calling a sinner to be a saint.
Use one: See the necessity of the effectual call. A man cannot go to heaven without it. First, we must be called before we are glorified. Rom 8:80. A man uncalled can lay claim to nothing in the Bible but threatenings: a man in the state of nature is not fit for heaven, no more than a man in his filth and his rags is fit to come into a king's presence. A man in his natural state is a God-hater, and is he fit for heaven? Rom 1:10. Will God lay his enemy in his bosom?
Use two: Of trial whether we are effectually called. This we may know by its antecedent and consequent.
(1.) By the antecedent. Before this effectual call, a humbling work passes upon the soul. A man is convinced of sin, he sees he is a sinner and nothing but a sinner; the fallow ground of his heart is broken up. Jer 4:4. As the husbandman breaks the clods, then casts in the seed; so God, by the convincing work of the law, breaks a sinner's heart, and makes it fit to receive the seeds of grace. Such as were never convinced are never called. ‘He shall convince the world of sin.' John 16:6. Conviction is the first step in conversion.
(2.) By the consequents, which are two. (1:) He who is savingly called answers to God's call. When God called Samuel, he answered, ‘Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.' I Sam 3:30. When God calls thee to an act of religion, dost thou run at God's call? ‘I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.' Acts 26:19. If God calls to duties contrary to flesh and blood, we obey his voice in everything; true obedience is like the needle, which points that way which the loadstone draws. Such as are deaf to God's call show they are not called by grace. (2) He who is effectually called stops his ears to all other calls which would call him off from God. As God has his call, so there are other contrary calls. Satan calls by a temptation, lust calls, evil company calls; but as the adder stops its ear against the voice of the charmer, so he who is effectually called stops his ear against all the charms of the flesh and the devil.
Use three: Of comfort to those who are the called of God. This call evidences election. ‘Whom he predestinated, them he also called.' Rom 8:80. Election is the cause of our vocation, and vocation is the sign of our election. Election is the first link of the golden chain of salvation, vocation is the second. He who has the second link of the chain is sure of the first. As by the stream we are led to the fountain, so by vocation we ascend to election. Calling is an earnest and pledge of glory. ‘God has chosen you to salvation, through sanctification.' 2 Thess 2:13. We may read God's predestinating love in the work of grace in our heart.
Use four: Let such as are called be thankful to God for that unspeakable blessing. Be thankful to all the persons in the Trinity, to the Father's mercy, to the Son's merit, to the Spirit's efficacy. To make you thankful, consider, when you had offended God, he called you; when God needed you not, but had millions of glorified saints and angels to praise him, he called you. Consider what you were before God called you. You were in your sins. When God called Paul, he found hum persecuting; when he called Matthew, he found him at the receipt of custom; when he called Zacchaeus, he found him using extortion. When God calls a man by his grace, he finds him seeking after his lusts; as when Saul was called to the kingdom, he was seeking the asses. That God should call thee when thou west in the hot pursuit of sin, admire his love, exalt his praise. Again, that God should call you, and pass by others, what mercy is this! ‘Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' Matt 11:16. That God should pass by wise and noble persons, of sweeter disposition, acuter parts, guilty of less vice, and that the lot of free grace should fall upon you - oh astonishing love of God! It was a great favour to Samuel that God called to him, and revealed his mind to him, and passed by Eli, though a priest and a judge in Israel; I Sam 3:3; so, that God should call to thee, a flagitious sinner, and pass by others of higher birth and better morals, calls aloud for praise. As God so governs the clouds, that he makes them rain upon one place, and not upon another; so at a sermon the Lord opens the heart of one, and another is no more affected with it than a deaf man with the sound of music. Here is the banner of free grace displayed, and here should the trophies of praise be erected. Elijah and Elisha were walking together; on a sudden there came a chariot of fire, and carried Elijah up to heaven, but left Elisha behind; so, when two are walking together, husband and wife, father and child, that God should call one by his grace, but leave the other, carry up one in a triumphant chariot to heaven, but let the other perish eternally-oh infinite rich grace! How should they that are called be affected with God's discriminating love! How should the vessels of mercy run over with thankfulness! How should they stand upon Mount Gerizim, blessing and praising God! Oh begin the work of heaven here! Such as are patterns of mercy should be trumpeters of praise. Thus Paul being called of God, and seeing what a debtor he was to free grace, breaks forth into admiration and gratitude. I Tim 1:12.
Use five: To the called. Walk worthy of your high calling. ‘I beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called;' Eph 4:1; in two things.
(1.) Walk compassionately. Pity such as are yet uncalled. Hast thou a child that God has not yet called, a wife, a servant? Weep over their dying souls; they are in their blood, ‘under the power of Satan.' Oh pity them! Let their sins more trouble you than your own sufferings. If you pity an ox or ass going astray, will you not pity a soul going astray? Show your piety by your pity.
(2.) Walk holily. Yours is a holy calling. 2 Tim 1:1. You are called to be saints, Rom 1:1. Show your vocation by a Bible conversation. Shall not flowers smell sweeter than weeds? Shall not they who are ennobled with grace have more fragrance in their lives than sinners? ‘As he who has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.' I Pet 1:15. Oh dishonour not your high calling by any sordid carriage! When Antigonus was going to defile himself with women, one told him, ‘he was a king's son.' Oh remember your dignity; ‘called of God!' of the blood-royal of heaven. Do nothing unworthy of your honourable calling. Scipio refused the embraces of an harlot, because he was general of an army. Abhor all motions to sin, because of your high calling. It is not fit for those who are the called of God, to do as others; though others of the Jews did drink wine, it was not fit for the Nazarite, because he had a vow of separation upon him, and had promised abstinence. Though Pagans and nominal Christians take liberty to sin, yet it is not fit for those who are called out of the world, and have the mark of election upon them, to do so. Ye are consecrated persons, your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and your bodies must be a sacristy, or holy of holies.