The Riches of Grace Displayed, Part 4
A Fourth Inſtance OF THE RICHES OF GRACE: TO WIT, Effectual Calling.
2 Tim. 1.9.
And called us—
SUch are the difficulties and dangers that attend the Profeſſion of Chriſtianity (eſpecially as to thoſe Profeſſors that are Preachers thereof) that all encouragements that are given prove few and ſmall enough.
Bleſſed Paul, who found that his Miniſtry drew down and deriv'd *Totius mundi furorem. So Luther uſed to ſay.the fury of the World upon him, being (at the time of his writing) a Priſoner, calls on his Son Timothy to fet his face on the Wind and Storms, and hold on in his Holy Warfare; being not onelyonly a Souldier, but a Commiſſion-Officer, he ſhould quit himſelf like a good man.
And to that end, he ſets before him how highly he (with others) was Priviledged by, and thereby engaged to the Lord: In particular, he inſtanceth in his (and their) effectual Calling; and ſo gives us fair footing for
This Doctrine. God the Father out of his Free Grace gives Perſons a Powerful Call.
1. That God the Father is ſpoken of in the Text, is well argued from his being diſtinguiſhed from Jeſus Chriſt.
And 2. His Calling of Perſons is denyed to have its riſe from their Works, and expreſly affirmed to ariſe from his purpoſe and grace.
Concerning the Calling of Perſons, ſundry diſtinctions are found; at ſome of which I ſhall point.
1. Ad munus foedus. Acts 17.30.It's either to Office or Grace.
2. It is either general; ſo God calls all by the Goſpel to Repent: Or particular, and ſo he calls his own Sheep (and Elect) by Name.
3. It is either outward onelyonly, John 10.3.to the Ear; or inward alſo, to the Heart.
4. It is either extraordinary, Mat. 20.16 Acts 9.4.as Paul was called by a voice from Heaven; as was that Ancient that was bidden *Tolle, Lege.Take and Read; and directed to the Verſe that turned him: Or ordinary, by the Miniſtry of the Word.
5. It is either ineffectual, or effectual. Ex effectu vocationis. Hoornbeck Inſtit. p. 342.Some are barely invited, others anſwer the invitation.
Some ſo far anſwer the Lord's Call, as to come to the Profeſſion of Chriſt, and external Communion with his Members; and ſo are of the Church conſidered as viſible. Idem 343.Others ſo anſwer it, as to come to the poſſeſſion of Chriſt, having inward Communion with him as their Head; and ſo are of the Church conſidered as inviſible.
My ſhort Treatiſe is to run concerning thoſe that are ſo called, Rom. 9.6.that they are choſen, being Iſrael, or Iſraelites indeed, and not onelyonly of Iſrael.
And now we will enquire what is implyed in the Notion (or Phraſe) of Effectual Calling?
For Reſolution whereof I ſhall lay down ſome Poſitions.
The Firſt is, Men in their meer Naturals are afar off from God. O that they conſidered this! Eph. 2.12, 13, 14.We do not uſe to call thoſe that are at hand and near us. Though God be nigh to all, as to his Eſſence and Providence; many, and many are far from him, as to their Choice and Affection: They are in the World, without God in the Word; foreign.they are ſo willingly, and ſo in a ſort Atheiſts.
The Second is, No meer Humane voice, no word of Man can (or will) reach thoſe that are in that ſtate. Iſa. 43.8.They are as unwilling as unable to come in of themſelves; and ſo a ſtrong and loud Call from God is needful in the caſe. Is there not a ſtone in mens Hearts that may be called (as one we have read of is) the deaf ſtone? In Heylin.Pſal. 58.4, 5.It renders 'em like the deaf Adder, they hear not Spiritual Charmers.
The Third is, Though men cannot, God can ſpeak home to the Hearts that are hardeſt of Hearing. Is not his voice attended with Power? Pſal. 29.3, 4.Are not the Spiritually deaf and dead made to hearken to it? As none hath an Arm like Gods, John 5.25.ſo none (whether Men or Angels) have a Tongue like his. Was not his Word a Creating Word? And is it not an effectually calling word?
The Fourth is, When God ſpeaks to perſons powerfully, he ſpeaks to 'em particularly, even to every one of 'em by Name; and doth in effect ſay, So ſaid Rouzing Fenner.Thou art the Man, Thou art the Woman, with whom I have to do. Too many put off the Word of God from 'em; Acts 13.46.and count the great things of his Law a ſtrange thing, or things wherein *Hoſ. 8.12. foreign, Septuag.the concern of others lyeth; but thoſe whom God calls in the ſenſe of my Text cannot do ſo, they muſt hear and Anſwer.
And ſo the Fifth is, Upon this Call perſons come out of their former reſpect to their ſins, and confidence in themſelves, unto Jeſus Chriſt, that they may be and abide in him. They that have ſitten general calls to them among others, cannot but ſtir when God directs this peculiarly to themſelves. 1 Theſ. 1.5.Doth not Power go forth with the Word, ſo that it is a working Word? He ſaith to one, Come, and he cometh; to another, Go, and he goeth; and to a third, Do this, and he doeth it: He ſo calls, that he Converts 'em.
The Sixth is Ordinarily; this Call is given to Men that ſit under the Miniſtry. I deny not the Lords Liberty to go his own way; far be it from me to limit the Holy One of Iſrael! Micah 6.9.I grant he makes good uſe of Rods; many have taſted Honey on the end of 'em. But is it not his manner by Rods to cauſe words to be more regarded? 2 Cor. 10.4, 5.Doth he not love to own and honour his own ſpecial Inſtitutions; and ſpeak by his Embaſſadors, that are as his mouth?
If any deſire a further account concerning the Nature of this Call, they may do well to repair to the Catechiſm. On the deſcription given therein of it, I ſhall give the hints that come next.
Firſt, Effectual Calling is a Divine work. A work of God on the Creature, Phil. 3.14. Opus ad extra.and ſo the undivided work of all the Perſons; though (according to my Doctrine) the Father (or firſt Perſon in order of working) is firſt in it.Ordine operandi, Wolleb.
Clear it is, 1. This work flows from a Power that is Divine: Who ſhort of the Almighty can ſo call as that men ſhall hear and live.
2. This work hath its riſe from Divine Pity. Who but he that is the God of all Compaſſion would ſo call thoſe that have wilfully departed from him, and are prone to do ſo?
Secondly, See Mr. Woodbridge, Firmin, &c.Effectually-called Perſons are convinced Perſons. All that hear of Chriſt are bound to come to him; but none will come ſave thoſe that ſee and feel a need of him. Mat. 11.28.Is the Phyſitian of Iſrael in great requeſt with any ſave ſuch as are ſenſible of their Souls Diſeaſes? Doth not he eſpecially invite the weary and heavy laden?
Thirdly, Gal. 1.16. foreign.When God calls Perſons ſo as to cauſe 'em to hear and come to him, he not onelyonly convinceth 'em of ſin, but withal reveals his Son to, yea (and in) 'em. Acts 26.18.He opens their Eyes whom he turns from the power of Satan to himſelf. Faith is a ſeeing Grace, and ſo is ſtyled Knowledge. Do not they who chooſe Chriſt, ſee the greateſt reaſons for their Choice?
Fourthly, They that are according to my Text Called, Velle naturae, bene velle gratiae, eſt.have a change wrought in their Hearts and Wills. Though there is no force put on the faculty of willing, there is a bleſſed alteration of the quality of the will. Phil. 2.13.They who ſtill will freely, are enabled ſo to will the beſt good. Pſal. 110.3.Are not People made to choice purpoſes willing in the day of God's Power?
For the demonſtration of the truth of the Doctrine, I ſhall touch on two plain important Points.
The Firſt Point is, God doth give ſundry perſons an Effectual Call: Who can make a doubt of this, that well obſerves thoſe effects that are as ſo many Evidences of it?
To wit, 1. Mens leaving, yea, loathing thoſe ſins they once extreamly loved; yea, being moſt ſet againſt ill ways they were moſt ſet on.
2. Mens being for the denying (yea, Ezek. 36.26, 31.dethroning) of that ſelf, which was once their Idol; ſo that they who loved themſelves more than God, would onelyonly love themſelves in reference to God.
3. Chriſt who was out of mens Hearts is higheſt in 'em. Cant. 5.10.He in whom they ſaw no Beauty, is in their Eyes the chiefeſt of ten thouſands. 1 Pet. 2.7.They greatly prize him, when they cannot clearly prove their Intereſt in him.
4. Holineſs and ſtrictneſs which they formerly declined, is made their way. Iſa. 56.4.They chooſe the things that pleaſe God; and are grieved for their ſhort failings as to following him.
5. The ſetting forth the Honour of God (which before they ſlighted) is now much in their Aims and Deſigns.Philip. 1.10.
The Second Point is, They who are Called, owe their Being ſo to God's Free Grace.
This will be evident,
1. If we conſider 'em abſolutely. Are they not utterly unworthy thereof? Were they not moſt worthy to have been paſt by; yea, Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 5.12.caſt off? Were they not altogether born in ſin? And have they not in the courſe of their Lives acted ſuitably to the corruption of their Natures? Is not this manifeſt to their Conſciences?
2. If we compare 'em with others. Can it be thought that Grace which hath made, did find a difference in 'em, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11.except it found ſundry of 'em in worſe Circumſtances than moſt near 'em? Doth not God ſometimes direct his Call to the chief of ſinners? Acts 9.1, 2, 3, 4.Sometimes ſtopping 'em as he did Saul in purſuit of their ſins.
I add, Agens liberrimum.Is not God moſt free in all he gives? And ſo in giving this Call?
May we be taught of God hereof to make the beſt Application!
Firſt inferring, That the Free Grace of God (particularly of God the Father) beſpeaks our Meditation, yea our Admiration.
1. Do not the Riches of his Grace ſhine upon, if not into, the Eyes of all thoſe that are externally called by the Word of God? Is not the Goſpel ſtyled Grace, Tit. 2.11.the Grace of God? not onelyonly becauſe Grace is the Subject on which it treats, but withall becauſe it is the Spring from which it flows.
I deny not, that the Creatures are Witneſſes as of the Being, ſo of the Bounty of God; they have a Tongue and Language: Pſal. 19.1, 2, 3, 4.But Scriptural Revelations have the Advantage, both as to fulneſs and clearneſs. They more ſhew the Face and Heart of God.
And that the Sun of Righteouſneſs in the diſpenſation of the Goſpel ſhould ariſe on ſome when others are benighted and left in the dark. Is not the hand of Grace in this?
Surely then, 2. The exceeding Riches of Divine Grace are diſplayed on behalf of thoſe to (and in) whom the Call of God is inward and effectual.
Doth not this appear on a right reſolving of ſome Queſtions?
1. Were they not chargeable, not onelyonly with diſtance from and difference with God as they were in their Natural ſtate, Iſa. 53.6.but withall with many and great deviations from and provocations of God in their Practice?
2. Can they upon their coming in, Pſal. 16.2.and anſwering the Call of God, add a mite to his Eſſential Glory? Doth their goodneſs at beſt extend to him?
3. Was not the ſtate out of which they are called a very diſmal and doleful one? Eph. 5.8.And ſo ſet out by the name of Darkneſs, *See Dr. Manton.which takes in Ignorance, Sin, and Diſcomfort; and implyes their unfitneſs to honour and enjoy God.
4. Is not the ſtate into which they are called a moſt deſirable one? Is it not ſet out by Light, 1 Pet. 2.9.which hath its luſtre? Is not this Light ſtyled marvellous? And that deſervedly.
Seeing, 1. It reſembles that which appears to thoſe that have been long in the dark being Glorious.
2. It diſcovers things great, See Mr. Watſon.and greatly to be admired, even Heavenly Myſteries.
3. It hath admirable Vertues; 1 Cor. 2.10.being 1. Cleanſing. 2. Healing. 3. Quickning. 4. Hearing.
4. Mat. 25.41.It is the dawning of the Day of Glory, which is full, and will be Eternal; where the Joy is always freſh, and (beyond expreſſion) refreſhing.
The Second Inference is, The Office and Employment of the Miniſtry is of great Uſefulneſs and Honourableneſs. May all engaged therein conſider this! Are not Miniſters as the Lords Mouth, by whom, as the Goſpel is the voice in which he uſeth to call men? Doth he not create the fruit of the Lips, Power, Power, as well as Peace, Iſa. 57.19.Peace? Doth he not much ſend by theſe Meſſengers? Wooing very many, and winning not a few. Did not one of the Ancients call another of 'em the Parent of his new Life, Novae vitae parentem.he being ſo under God; O that at him (through Miniſters) Hearers did more look!
The Third Inference. They who hear the joyful ſound of the Goſpel ſhould hearken diligently thereunto, and wait, that he who therein gives 'em Calls, would therewith give 'em hearing Ears, Iſa. 55.3.and underſtanding Hearts.
I am far from ſaying, that men can give efficacy to Calls given 'em; but I know they may provoke God not to give Efficacy to 'em; and as to thoſe that continue unconverted, Pſal. 51.4.God will clear himſelf when he Judgeth 'em for not coming wholly over to Chriſt.
1. Was not Chriſt preſented to 'em as an adequate object of Faith?
2. Were they not urged to come to him by moving Motives, drawn from the ſweeteſt Promiſes, and ſevereſt Threatnings?
3. Had they not the ſame Natural Powers with thoſe that came to him?
4. Did they (as they ſhould have done) call on and cry to the Lord, that he would give 'em ability and willingneſs, and cauſe 'em to come?
5. Will it not on a due ſearch be found, Joh. 5.40.that their unwillingneſs was the immediate hindrance of their not coming? And that unwillingneſs was cauſed by their being in league with ſome baſe Luſt?
That Hearers may be more mov'd to hearken to Goſpel-calls,
Be it conſider'd, 1. The Lord is very real in the offers and tenders of his Grace; and it would highly pleaſe him if ſinners did embrace and accept 'em. Far be it from us to queſtion his Word in the caſe; who yet to give us full meaſure hath added his Oath, 1 Tim. 2.4. Ezek. 33.7. Vae nobis ſi Deo juranti haud credamus.and ſworn by his Life (which none can queſtion) will not woe be to thoſe that believe him not when he ſwears?
2. God calls not ſinners for any need he hath of 'em; Job 22.2.Stars might rather profit the Sun, than man be profitable to his Maker.
3. The way of ſin from which God calls men is diſhonourable to them, and not to him onelyonly; and will, if not turn'd from, damnifie (yea, Ezek. 18.31.damn) 'em for ever.
4. The Obedience he calls to is every way for their good.Micah 6.8. Mat. 11.29. Qui jubet, juvar.
5. It will be made eaſie through his Grace; who is ready to qualifie the Humble for that which he calls 'em to. May ſinners give theſe things the weight they deſerve!
The Fourth Inference. It is the near concern us all to commune with our own Hearts, and make diligent ſearch, whether God from (and by) his Grace hath effectually Called us.
Motives unto it are, 1. Many have an external Call, who want an effectual one.
2. They that are Call'd effectually, Mat. 20.16. 2 Cor. 13.5. Pſal. 32. laſt.may come to know their ſtate. 1. The Rule for Tryal is right. 2. The Spirit is ready to aſſiſt Tryers. 3. They whoſe Evidences are good, have great cauſe to rejoyce. 4. Ezra 9.2. See on this my dear Brother New-come's Sinners hope.If on Tryal the Caſe of Perſons be not found good, there is a Cure in (and for) it.
May great heed be taken that the Standard be ſet even and agreeably to Scripture, and neither too high nor too low, that ſo we may take a true meaſure of our ſelves.
For our furtherance therein, I ſhall on this Subject, as I did on a former, lay down
Marks excluſive. If they be on us, we are not called according to God's purpoſe and grace.
The Firſt is, Being in love with darkneſs, and ſo with the ſleep it inclines to; John 3.19 Joh 21.14O how many avoid Knowledge, and affect Security!
The Second is, Driving a trade and courſe of Profaneneſs, being Creatures of carnal pleaſures.
The Third is, Minding, ſavouring, Animalia voluptatis. 1 Tim. 5.6. Phil. 3.19. foreign.and reliſhing Earthly things, mainly, if not onelyonly. Eating duſt is that the Serpent is Condemn'd to; far unfit is that Food for the Seed of the Woman.
The Fourth is, Gal. 4.29. 2 Theſ. 2.10.Having an aking Tooth and envious Heart at the better ſort of People.
The Fifth is, Setting light by God's Word, and being void of the love of the Truth.
I proceed to inſtance in marks that are good, but
Not Concluſive. Sundry have 'em, who have not been Effectually Called.
The Firſt is, Eſcaping ſome of the more groſs pollutions of the World. *See Mr. Fowler.Men may be without open Crimes, and yet without Chriſt. Luke 18.11.If we believe the boaſting Phariſee, he was no Adulterer, or Oppreſſor.
The Second is, Being (at times) found in ſome Duties (for the matter of 'em) commendable.
Such. as, 1. Hearing the beſt Miniſters; Mark 6.20.Herod ſate under John Baptiſt's Teachings.
2. Praying in publick and private: Hypocrites have made many and long Prayers.
3. Obſerving ſome Faſt-days: Iſa. 58 2, 3.Had not the Phariſee two in a week?
The Third is, Luke 18.11.Being entruſted with and intereſted in choice Church-Priviledges.
Such as, 1. Being joyn'd in and to a good Society. Were not fooliſh Virgins with the wiſe?Mat. 25.1.
2. Being waſhed with the water of Baptiſm: Acts 8.Was not Simon Magus ſo?
3. Being admitted to the Holy Table: Mat. 7. Luke 13.26. foreign, Gratias gratis daras.The bare Plea of eating and drinking in Chriſt's preſence will be found inſufficient.
The Fourth is, Attaining Gifts that are deſirable, and to others Edifying.
Such as, 1. Being able and apt to enlarge in Prayer on ſundry occaſions.
2. Prophecying in Chriſt's Name, Mat. 23.14. Mat. 7.20, 21, 22.or Preaching very plauſibly.
I add, The Unconverted may, 1. Seem Zealous for the Sabbath. 2. Declare for Reformation. 3. Jer. 42.4, 5. Acts 8.24.Come to Miniſters with Caſes. 4. Beg a ſhare in their Prayers.
Now we come to marks
Incluſive. They on (and in) whom they are, are without doubt called to be Saints: And it may paſs for an adequate (or even ſign) of ſuch a Calling, if Perſons do earneſtly deſire and endeavour to bear and expreſs 'em. Such deſires and endeavours weak Chriſtians are acquainted with; and the furtheſt reaching Hypocrites ſtrangers to. May therefore Readers be careful in conſidering 'em! And full of longings that they may have more and more experience of 'em!
1. The firſt is more general; to wit, having a new Heart, or Principle of Spiritual Life and Love. Dr. Bolton.This is (as one ſaid) the great crack found in many Veſſels that are found in God's Houſe (or Church) conſider'd as viſible: Mat. 7. latter end.They build without regard to a good Foundation; and bear, without reference to the root of the matter. Some Fruit they have; but about having the Seed of God they are not concern'd: They are ſeen moving in ſome Holy Duties, but never felt breathings after that Divine Nature from whence ſuch motion ſhould flow.
Many are chain'd and not chang'd; or have onelyonly known a change of their ſins, and not of their Souls; they do not long after a thorough change.
1. That their Underſtandings may not onelyonly diſcern between good and evil, 2 Cor. 5.17.but alſo between good and good; the good that may ſerve 'em, and that which can ſatisfie 'em.
2. That their wills may be ſet againſt ſin, and for (and on) God. Where a renewing work is, Effectual Calling hath certainly been; about which we may have better Information from the following
Particular Signs. The firſt is, Brokenneſs and Poverty of Spirit. If we ſpeak of perſons of Years, Mat. 5.3.hath not that Heart been broken that is ſound? Is Converſion there, where Contrition hath never been? They who can witneſs that they are not onelyonly humbled, but humble; Non ſolùm humilitati, ſed humiles.broken in a good degree for ſin, from ſin, and from their former ſelf-confidence; who, as they know they are vaſtly indebted to Divine Juſtice, they feel they have nothing wherewith to pay, and are undone, if Chriſt appear not as their Surety; who have a quick ſenſe of their want of Sanctifying Grace, and that ſupplies can onelyonly be had with and through him, have an hopeful evidence of their being Called.
A Second is, Cleaving to and glorying in the Lord Jeſus as a None-ſuch for a Mediator and Reconciler of God to man by his merit, and man to *See Mr. Herles.God by his Spirit; as Wiſdom for their Direction, Righteouſneſs for their Juſtification, 1 Cor. 1.30.Sanctification as freeing from the Reign of ſin, and Redemption (at laſt) from all ſort of Suffering. Phil. 3.3.Rejoycers in Chriſt are of the Circumciſion, or Spiritually Circumciſed.
A Third is, Chooſing God in Chriſt as the Treaſure, ſaying from their Hearts, Whom have we in Heaven but thee? Pſal. 73.25.And what is that on Earth that we deſire beſides thee? Thou art that Sun, whoſe preſence makes a day in our Souls: Thou art All in All in Heaven, and beſt of all on Earth, both in the want and enjoyment of Creature-Comforts. Is God liv'd on as their Portion by any that are uncalled?
A Fourth is, Waiting for the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit. Art not they the Sons of God that are led by this Conductor? Rom. 8.14. Gal. 5.25.And living in him, deſire a deſign to walk in and after him, longing that he would mortifie their Fleſh, and revive their Spirits?
The Fifth is, Bending Ordinances and Providences (both favouring and frowning) againſt ſin; ſtill ſtriking at the Head and Heart of it, aiming at its Death, Gal. 5.24.and arguing for it from Mercies and Judgments, and longing that at Sermons it may receive ſome Deaths-wounds. Is it thus with any ſave the Called?
A Sixth is, 2 Pet. 1.5, 6.Having growth and ſtrength of Grace in deſire; being for adding to Faith Vertue, and to Vertue Knowledge, &c. for building up themſelves on the Rock of Ages; Gal. 5.22. foreign. Vide Polum ad locum.and for ſhewing that Love, Joy, Meekneſs, Long-ſuffering, &c. are one and the ſame Fruit of the Spirit, and for being every day ſtronger and ſtronger.
The Seventh is, Having reſpect to all God's Commandments: Not wilfully making balks in ſuch good and holy Ground; Pſal. 119.5, 6. Tit. 2.11, 12. Biſh. Rainbow.but ſtudying to walk Godly, Righteouſly, and Soberly; as one in my Youth gloſs'd on thoſe Adverbs, acting in thoſe good ways from a good Habit, and regarding the manner and end with the matter of Duties.
The Eigth is, Iſa. 62.1, 2, 3.Breathing much after the flouriſhing of Zion: For her ſake not being ſilent, but praying that ſhe may have Peace, Peace, freedom from Diviſions within, Pſal. 122.6.and not onelyonly Perſecutions from without, that her Children may reſemble their Heavenly Father, and be full of Soul-proſperity.
The Ninth is, Keeping up a Watch againſt all ſin, Mark 13. laſt.and temptations thereunto: Carrying in mind that the World is their great Adverſary, 1 John 2.16. Haec tria pro trino numine mundus habet.and its Profits, Pleaſures, and Honours are the great Baits it lays to enſnare 'em.
The laſt is, Prizing Heaven as it is a place (and ſeat) of perfect Holineſs; and accordingly making preparations for it, in exerciſing true, and endeavouring for more through Purity.
I much fear many will truſt, and not try; and too many will be ſlighty in their trying, and not beg that God would ſearch and try 'em.Pſal. 26.2.
If upon Tryal, weaker Chriſtians do find any one ſure mark, with a deſire that the reſt may be found on 'em, it is a good ſign. More good Divines than one have ſaid, Dr. Sibbs. Mr. Hollingſworth.One right Grape cannot grow on a Thorn. But let the unſound know their going about to divide between Graces and Duties, is of ill ſignification.
The Fifth Inference is, They who have not heard the voice of God, nor known what his Calling is, ſhould not reſt in their preſent condition, but call on him whoſe Calls have Power in 'em, to give 'em the Call they have heard and read of.
Know they, 1. As far as any of 'em are off, he can eaſily make 'em hear.
2. As vile as any of 'em are, John 5.25. 1 Tim. 1.15.his Grace can fully forgive 'em, and move him to call 'em: Of this Paul had full Proof. And in order to their being ſo Priviledged,
1. May they be for ſeating themſelves under a Miniſtry in which there is plainneſs, 1 Cor. 1.21.clearneſs, and ſeriouſneſs; thereby God uſually calls.
2. May they uſe all earneſtneſs, as thoſe that would not be denyed.Prov. 2.2, 3, 4.
3. Job 42.8. John 14.16.May they engage the Prayerful to engage in Prayer for 'em.
4. May they when they dare not ſay they have an Intereſt in Chriſt, Pray that he would take 'em into (and bear 'em on) his Heart, and prevail with his Father to ſpeak ſo to 'em by his Spirit, that they cannot but hear. O that there were ſuch hearts and workings in ſinners!
The Sixth and laſt Inference is, They that are indeed and in truth the Lord's Called ones, 1 Pet. 2.9. foreign.ſhould ſhew forth the Vertues (and thereby the Praiſes) of him that hath called'em.
1. Pſal. 103.1.Should not their Hearts lead in their Praiſings? Should not all their Powers and Forces be called into this Service? Are they not above others engaged and enabled thereunto?
2. Pſal. 149.6.Should not the High Praiſes of God be in their mouths? Should not the Calves of their Lips be offered to God?
3. Eph. 4.1.Should not their Lives be referred to his Honour?
That they may be ſo,
May the Twenty Rules following be attended to! O that they were more Anſwer'd by em!
1. Pſal. 139.1, 2, 7. He is totius oculas.Live they in and under a full and powerful apprehenſion of God's Omniſcience. Is he ſhut up or ſhut out any where? And doth he not ſee their ways and Hearts with whom he is?
2. Omne honum in ſummo bono.Maintain they a conſtant dependence on God's All-ſufficiency. Is not all good bound up in the chief good? Cannot he eaſily ſupply all wants, Gen. 17.1.ſupport under all preſſures, and fit for all Services.
3. May there be on (and in) 'em abiding and influencing thoughts of the extream evil of ſin! See Dr. Goodwin, &c. Rom. 7.13.Is it not as truly as uſually ſaid, A worſe name than its own cannot be given it? O that it more appear'd in its own ugly colours!
4. Do they frequently review and reflect on the diſhonour done to God by their ſins paſt, Pſal. 40.12.eſpecially their heightened ones. Can they fully number or weigh 'em? And ſhould not the ſight of their black feet be very humbling to 'em?
5. Take they into ſerious Conſideration the ſhortneſs and inſufficiency of their own Righteouſneſs.
As to appeaſing the wrath, ſatisfying the Juſtice, and procuring the favour of God, Phil. 3.7, 8.can Raggs cover 'em? Can defiled Raggs cleanſe 'em?
6. Be they much in admiring the Riches of Grace, which hath fully provided for 'em, and the deſign thereof carried on by Chriſt for 'em. Micah 7.19.Is not Gods Grace as the depths of the Sea, which they cannot fathom? And as the heights of Heaven, which they cannot reach? And doth not Grace that brought Chriſt down from Heaven to Earth intend to bring them up from Earth to Heaven?
7. Keep they as near as near may be to the Bleſſed Jeſus. Gal. 2.20Cloſe they with his Perſon, apply they his Righteouſneſs, and imitate they his Example. May he lye Day and Night between their Breaſts! May they live on him as All and in All!
8. Prize they the ſpecial Preſence, and wait they for the ſpecial Aſſiſtance of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5.16.May he more and more inſpire their Souls and Services! May he ſubdue their Corruptions, and draw out their Graces!
9. Keep they their Hearts under a deep and endearing ſenſe of God's many great and choice Mercies to 'em. How precious have his thoughts been to themwards? Rom. 12.1.Can they know the ſum of 'em? And hath not his hand of Grace in ſundry Inſtances been lifted up high?
10. Be they for out-ſhooting the Heathens in their own Bow, and out-ſtripping 'em in the Vertues wherein they excell'd. *See Reverend Mr. Porter.This hath been ſtyled borrowing the Jewels of the Egyptians, and gathering the Flowers in Natures Garden to deck themſelves with. It's a ſhame that they in and of the Church ſhould be leſs ſober, chaſte, 1 Cor. 5.1.or juſt, than ſome our of it.
11. Study they to be extraordinary, adorning the Doctrine of their Saviour in all things. Tit. 2.10.May their Beds and Boards, may their Shops and Fields, may their employments and refreſhments carry a mark of Holineſs on 'em!Zech. 14. laſt.
12. Husband they their time (and the ſeaſons of Grace therein afforded) to the beſt purpoſe and profit. Eph. 5.15.May they not willingly trifle or ſquander away one Golden Hour! but fill up every day with proper Duty.
13. Be they for making a good uſe of the Word and Works of God. Be they loath to be as leaking or broken Veſſels, Heb. 2.1. foreign. See the late Reverend Dr. Owen thereon.leſt they take in Errors, or let ſlip Truth. May what God doth as to them or others be conſtrued in a right ſenſe, and improved to a right end, that they may be brought nearer, and made liker to God!
14. Be they much concerned about the Converſion of Perſons, and preſervation or reſtauration of Goſpel-Order in Churches. Col. 2.5.May they long that there may be a great Addition to the Church, and a great agreement to Rule of every thing in it!
15. Have they much recourſe to the great and precious Promiſes? Are they not Breaſts of Conſolation, and Wells of Salvation? 1 Cor. 3.18. 2 Pet. 1.4.Are not Promiſes as Glaſſes, wherein the Lord's Heart is ſeen, and through which Beholders are transformed into his Image, and made partakers of his Holineſs?
16. May their Actions be free as from Contagion, 1 Theſ. 5.22. Mala colorata.ſo from ſuſpicion! may they ſhun the appearance of evil, together with apparent evils! may their wall ſavour of an Holy diligence and laboriouſneſs!
17. May Patience have a more perfect work in 'em! James 1.2, 3.may they take up, and not onelyonly bear the Croſs of Chriſt! may they have more and better Rule of their Spirits! may they ſhew their ſtrength by their ſtanding under Burdens!
18. Be they much in contrivances what they ſhall render to God, or how they may moſt Honour him. Pſal. 116.12, 13.Let this be one of their Morning ſtudies, that he may have the glory of the Day, and of their daily ſtudies, how he may be magnified by 'em in Life, and in Death.
19. Look they much above (and before) 'em at Heavens Glory. Phil. 3.20.May their converſation be there whence they expect their Saviour; at their Reward, in the midſt of their Work; at their Crown, under the weight of their Croſs, may their Eyes be.
20. Joyn they together thoſe gracious diſpoſitions which ſeem to differ. Be they courteous to all, without ſinful complyance with any. Be they Zealous, and yet withall Meek and Diſcreet; Pſal. 2.11.mix they Reverence with their Rejoycing.
Bleſs they God for Temporals; but themſelves onelyonly in him who is Eternal.
O that theſe Rules were ſet before Chriſtians as Copies, that they might write after 'em, when they cannot in exactneſs of walking reach 'em!
Holy are, and Happy ſhall they be, that mourning for their defects, and relying on the Lord Jeſus, in whom was no defectiveneſs, put and preſs on towards perfection. Rom. 11.18.Duty lyes at mens doors, but Ability is derived from God's Grace. May this hint, which is often mentioned, be always remembred by thoſe whom the Lord hath Called!