Gods Call from Heaven Echoed, Part 1 · Chapter 1 – Chapter 2
CHAP. I
8. Rom. 30. verſ. the begin. Moreover, whom he did Predeſtinate, them he alſo called.
IN the firſt part of this Chapter Paul endeavours to comfort the Roman Saints againſt the Remainders of ſin; yet with this proviſo, and caution, that they remain not in ſin: In this Second Part, which begins at the ſeventeenth Verſe, he Sect. 1 preſcribes an antidote to fortify their Spirits againſt adverſity, which is made up of many ingredients, the laſt whereof, though not the leaſt, is in the 28. verſ. viz. that God like a skilful Chymiſt will extract good out of evil, and by his wiſe diſpoſing, cauſe advantage to grow upon the ſtalk of affliction; which is proved in the two next Verſes, becauſe nothing can break that Golden Chain, wherein foreknowledge, Predeſtination, Vocation, &c. are Cohaerencelinked together; ſo that the words which I have pitched upon, fall out to be the middle linke of this Chain, which reacheth from Eternity to Eternity, viz. from fore-knowledge, and Predeſtination, to Glory.
For the opening of the words: Predeſtination Explication.is a fore-ordaining, or appointing even from Eternity, in reference to the reaſonable Sect. 2 Creature; and is ſometimes taken largely, ſo as the twins of Election, and reprobation lye in the Womb of it; and ſometimes ſtrictly, and ſynecdochically, that it, and Election are identified: and ſo is it here uſed. Them hath he called] We know what it is to call to, or upon another, to do this, or that; ſo God calls them to Sanctity, obedience, conformity to his will; yet ſo it is to be underſtood, that he opens their ear to hear, and inclines their heart to ſubmit to this call: He hath called] The Preterperfect tenſe uſed for the Future Bez. in loc.tenſe, after the manner of the Hebrews, and to denote a continued Act: But I ſhould rather think, he ſo ſpeaks in reference to thoſe that are called already, and ſo in them Perſonating all others that are the Children of Predeſtination; or elſe to ſhew, that thoſe that are Predeſtinated ſhall as certainly be called, as if they were already called; for it is the manner of Scripture, Sic narrare futura, tanquam praeterita, Haym.to call the things that are not, as if they were.
In the words are two parts.Diviſ.
1. The Subject.
2. The Predicate.
Or,
1. The Appointment to the end.
2. The firſt ſtep of the means to the end.
Viz.
1. Predeſtination.
2. Vocation.
The Doctrine which naturally ariſes from theſe words, and which I ſhall lay and ſet, as the Foundation and Pillar of the enſuing diſcourſe is this. Thoſe whom God hath predeſtinated Doc.to Life and Glory, them he doth call: S. 3 whom he had in his heart from Eternity, them he brings to his hand in time; whom he appointed to Salvation, them he calls to Sanctification; whom he Elected in Chriſt, thoſe he brings to Chriſt: This is plain from other paſſages of Scripture; as the 28. Verſe preceding: Who are the called according to his purpoſe. Firſt he purpoſeth concerning them, then he propoſeth to them, and prevaileth with them: 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give diligence to make your calling, and Election ſure: There calling and Election like a loving pair go hand in hand; and if calling make Election ſure, then it is ſure that the Elect ſhall be called. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God, through Sanctification of the Spirit, or rather ad Sanctificationem: to Sanctification of the Spirit: Eſt Bez. in loc.enim hic Electionis finis: for this is the end of Election, though not all the end; and if ſo, then the Elect and predeſtinated ſhall be called; for Gods Intention cannot be recalled: The Method I propoſe for proſecuting this point, and the order I ſhall obſerve in Anatomizing this Doctrine, is this.
1. I ſhall ſhew the kinds of calling.
2. The nature of it: or, what it is.
3. The parts of it.
4. What is done in it.
5. What graces eſpecially, firſt put forth themſelves.
6. The degrees, or ſteps, whereby it ariſeth to perfection, and is compleated.
7. The concomitants effects, and conſequents.
8. The parties whom God doth call.
9. The time when.
10. By what means.
11. A few objections ſhall be anſwered.
12. A few plain and familiar reaſons given in.
13. The uſe and application of the whole.
CHAP. II. 1. Of the kinds of calling.
1. GOd is ſaid to call men three wayes.
1. By their particular names, as, Adam, where art thou? God called out of Heaven, and ſaid Abraham, Abraham. Gen. 22. 11.
2. To ſome ſpecial ſervice and buſineſſe, as when he called Abraham to go into a ſtrange Countrey.
3. To ſome general Eſtate and condition; and that is two-fold.
1. Leſſe general and common but to ſome, as Paul called to be an Apoſtle, and others Miniſters.
2. More general and common to all Chriſtians. Rom. 1. 7. called to be Saints.
And this alſo is two-fold.
1. Uneffectual when they are not the better for their calling: Many are called, but few are choſen.Matth. 20.
2. Effectual, when the call of God takes effect upon their hearts, and they obey it; ſo that God may ſay as the Centurion, Matth. 8. 9. I ſay unto this Soul, Come, and it cometh: Now the calling that is meant here, is that which is more general and effectual; which you may conceive Simil.by this familiar reſemblance. I ſee a Traveller out of his way, and in Jeopardy thereby, I call to him; Friend, you are undone if you go on in that way; and many dangers you will meet with all: Come this way, take my Counſel, I will ſet you right: Now if this man onelyonly give the hearing, and go on; my calling is uneffectual: But if he follow my directions, then it is effectual, and to purpoſe; and the effect thereof is his going right, ſafeguard, and peace; we are all like Sheep that Pſ. 119. 76.go a ſtray, and ſilly Travellers that have loſt our way: God call's; oh poor Soul, whither art thou wandring? Thou draweſt back to perdition; thy feet go down to death, thy ſteps take hold on Hell. Turn to the right hand; take my Chriſt for thy Pilot; a new heart for thy biaſſe; hearken to me, and depart not from the Words of my mouth; if the Soul go on, this call is uneffectual; if it hearken and obey them, then it is effectual, and the Soul finds the effect thereof to it's welfare.