Gods Call from Heaven Echoed, Title page – Dedication 2
Vox Dei & hominis.
GOD'S CALL FROM HEAVEN ECCHOED By Mans anſwer from Earth.
Or A Survey of EFFECTUAL CALLING.
In the
Explication of its nature.
Diſtribution of it into its parts.
Illuſtration of it by its properties.
Confirmation of it by reaſons.
Application of it by Ʋſes.
Being the ſubſtance of ſeveral Sermons delivered to the people of Heveningham, in Suffolk.
By J. Votier, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
[When thou ſaidſt,] Seek yea my face, my heart ſaid unto thee, thy face, Lord, will I ſeek. Pſal. 27. 8.
LONDON, Printed by T. C. for Nathanael Webb, and William Grantham at the Bear in Paul's Church-yard, neer the little North door of Pauls, 1658.
To his beloved people, the inhabitants of Heveningham, Suff.
Chriſtian Friends,
THeſe Sermons coming abroad into the world, I thought meet to command them to viſit and ſalute you, where they firſt drew their breath.
They have formerly been preached to your ears, they are now preſented to your eyes; the Lord print them upon your hearts. I take it to be my duty, (though I be the lowermoſt of the uſhers in Chriſt's School, yet) according to the meaſure of my talent, to try all concluſions for the weal of your ſouls; and how would mine heart be enlarged with thanks to the Lord, if my poor endeavours might be crowned with ſucces? and though theſe things have been communicated to you formerly, yet (becauſe we are ſlow to receive and retain divine truths) to write the ſame things, that I have ſpoken, to me ſhall not be grievous; and to you I hope the Lord will make it ſafe: Nay, though my ſervice for your ſouls in any kind were doubled, yea, treble, yet ſhould I abundantly rejoyce in the labour of the hardeſt tasks, if thereby through the aſſiſtance of the Almighty, I might ſee Satans forts taken, and forces routed, and ſin marching out of your hearts and lives with bag and baggage, and the Lord Jeſus with the bleſſed train of his ſpirit's graces enthroned and ſet up in the midſt of you. To which end Iearneſtly deſire that the Lord would be pleaſed to bleſs this, & all my other labours; & that you would be pleaſed to accept of my counſel, as in the Book, ſo in this Epiſtle. And that
1. More generally. 2. More particularly, with reſpect to the enſuing Treatiſe.
1. More generally.
1. Take heed of error and hereſie. They are reckoned in Scripture amongſt the works of the fleſh. They are the ſecret underminers of that which is good, notwithſtanding their well-complexioned face.
2. Get knowledge. Ignorance is the root of iniquity. In times of light to live in darkneſs is moſt ſad.
3. Do not impriſon, but improve your knowledge. To him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is ſin, [with a witneſs] Jam. 4. 17. Knowledge without grace, is but like a jewel in a ſwines ſnout, or a pearl in a toads head.
4. Keep cloſe to the Ordinances. Keep up in your hearts a love to them. Come once to ſlight and turn your back upon them, and you put the reins into the Divels hands.
5. Love ſound and ſoulſearching preaching; never diſtaſte it, it is beſt for your ſouls; it is wholeſome though not toothſome.
6. Be much in examination of your ſelves; weigh your ſelves in God's ſcales: will you know every thing, and be ignorant only of the ſtate of your ſouls?
7. Content not your ſelves with a form, but look afte the power of godlineſs; the name without the nature of a Chriſtian will little avail you: forget not what I have taught you from Matth. 7. 21..
8. Take heed of the world, and the cares thereof. Do not ſo faſten your thoughts to earth, as to be ſtrangers to heaven. Be not ſo careful of your bodies, as to be careleſs of your ſouls.
9. Look to your families: let Chriſt come in there. Train up your children and ſervants religiouſly; let your houſes be as ſo many Churches. Neglect here is the corrupted ſpring that ſends forth puddle-ſtreams into Eccleſiaſtical and Civil ſocieties; without the ſervice of God, your houſes will be but the Divels ſhops.
10. In your places diſcountenance ſin and profaneſs; encourage goodneſs. Improve your power, eſtate, age, &c. for Chriſt's glory.
11. Maintain love towards each other; follow peace and holineſs; Love is an excellent grace.
12. Be very careful to ſanctifie the Lord's Sabbaths publikely and privately: They are God's dole▪ days; be not unwilling to wait at the poſts of his gates for his alms.
2. More particularly with reſpect to the enſuing Treatiſe.
1. Look upon this little piece as an help to bring to remembrance what hath formerly been taught you.
2. Take the counſel therein as from your Miniſter, Friend, and Lover, who earneſtly deſires your eternal ſalvation.
3. Read it not out of novelty, but conſcience.
4. Pray over it, and for me, that I may be the better enabled to diſcharge my duty in watching over your ſouls.
5. Compare it with the Scriptures, and ſo far as it harmonizeth with them embrace it. I ſhall here put a period, and conclude, not ceaſing to be mindful of you at the throne of grace, and to make mention of you in my prayers, who am
Yours in the ſervice of your ſouls, J. V.
To his reſpected Friends, the inhabitants of Margarets of Ilkets-hal, in Suff.
My firſt Love,
LOve is ſtrong. That providence which brought me amongſt you makes me love you; that love, time and abſence have not obliterated; but ſtill like the Laurel it retains its greenneſs.
I ſerved a full apprentiſhip with you in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, wherein my deſign and deſire was the converſion of your ſouls. Theſe papers I ſend after my former pains with you, to ſecond what I then taught you. The Spirit as principal bleſs both the one and the other to you. I called you often in the name of Chriſt to come to Chriſt, and I hope it was not wholly without effect on ſome. My love conſtrains me to call again in this enſuing Treatiſe, which while you are reading, I hope I ſhall be praying that God would proſper it to you.
Be convinced of the danger of a natural condition. I have often touched on this ſtring; if it have jarred to you, I wiſh the Lord would ſo temper your ſpirits, that now it may be melodious. I pray that he that ſuccenturiates, and is come in my room, may reap the harveſt of my ſeed-time; and if what was ſown and came up then but thin, may grow up now to full ears of corn; it ſhall through grace be a cordial to my ſpirit: Love and cheriſh that light which burns among you. Take heed of the infection of error. Be diligent hearers, and not only ſo, but alſo dutiful practicers of the Word.
The Lord prevail with you, and effectually call you unto himſelf; that predeſtination from eternity may be manifeſted by your timely acceptance of Chriſt. This is and ſhall be the prayer of
Your unfeigned Lover, J. V. From my houſe in Heveningham, Feb. 4. 1657/8.