The Continuation of Christs Alarm to Drowsy Saints, Treatises · Treatise 1 · Part 5

The Continuation of Christs Alarm to Drowsy Saints · Treatises · Treatise 1 · Part 5

p. 12 TIM. 1. 9.

Who hath ſaved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpoſe and grace, which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began.

IN this verſe the Apoſtle declares what God hath done for him and for Timothy, he hath ſaved us, that is, he hath redeemed us with the blood of his Son, and freed us from ſin and from Satan, and from hell, and hath given us title to eternal life, he hath ſaved us.

2. He hath called us, that is, he hath given us a pledge of this, that we ſhall be ſaved, that we ſhallThe reaſons of Gods mercies to Paul and Timothy. certainly have ſalvation compleatly and fully, for he hath called us. Now he illuſtrates this two wayes; firſt, by ſhewing what kinde of calling it is which he here means, and that is an holy calling, he hath called us with an holy calling, and then, 2ly. By ſhewing the reaſon why God would do theſe things for him and for Timothy, theſe are great things, what to ſave them, and make them heirs of his Kingdome, and to call them to the fellowſhip of Jeſus Chriſt, and give them intereſt in all Gods goodneſs and mercy? what ſhould be the reaſon that ſhould move God to do ſo much for Paul, and for Timothy? he doth here expreſſe this three wayes.

Firſt, by removing all falſe cauſes, not according to our works; as whoThe removing of falſe cauſes. ſhould ſay, it is not for any thing in us, there was nothing in us that moved God to do this.

2ly. He layes down the true cauſe of it, in the next words, but according to The true cauſe of it.his own purpoſe and grace; that is, he hath done it freely, out of his own mercy, and love, and according to his own purpoſe.

Laſtly. He proves this, and that by three arguments, that this muſt be theProved by three arguments. cauſe and no other: the firſt is this, it was a gift that was given us, therefore it muſt needs be free. 2ly. It was given in Jeſus Chriſt, as who ſhould ſay, he did not look at any thing in us; there was nothing in us that was in his eyes, no it was meerly for the merits of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Laſtly. Another argument is taken from the time when, and that is from all eternity, before the world began.

The point that I will handle out of theſe words, is this; that it is an excellent Doctrine▪ thing for a man to be able to ſay, that God hath effectually called him, the Apoſtle here ſpeaks it, as a great comfort to his ſoul and the ſoul of Timothy, and as a pledge of Gods everlaſting love and ſalvation to them both, that the Lord had called them, and had been pleaſed to take them out of the world, and to make them partakers of his Kingdome and glory.

p. 2Now for the opening of the point, I will here firſt ſhew you what kinde ofFor the opening of the point calling it is that is here ſpoken of, and it is not that calling whereby God doth call people to an office, as of a Magiſtrate or a Miniſter, but he ſpeaks of a general calling, of a calling out of the Kingdome of ſinne and Satan, into the Kingdome of his dear Son, to be made partakers of eternal communion with himſelf. 2ly. It is not an outward call, whereby wicked men that go on in their ſins are called, for ſo a reprobate may be called, he may be called out of his own ſinful courſes, and wretched eſtate and condition, to the participation of Jeſus Chriſt, thus every man is called, all men are called by Gods Miniſters, as Mat. 22. 9. the King ſent out his ſervants, to bid all that they found to the marriage.

Secondly, A reprobate may be called inwardly by Gods Spirit, I mean theHow a reprobate may be called. Spirit of God may go along with Gods Miniſters, to ſtrive and wreſtle with the ſoul and conſcience of a man that remains in his ſins. Prov. 1. 24. becauſe I called, and ye refuſed, therefore will I laugh at your deſtruction, and m…ke when your fear cometh.

Thirdly, A wicked man may be called, not only with an outward call ofHow a wicked man may be called. the Miniſter, and with an inward call of the Spirit, but with ſome efficacy it may go a great way, ſo far forth as to make a man come in ſome kind…, as it was with the man, Mat. 22. 12. He was called together with the r…ſ… … come to the wedding and he came, but he came without a wedding garment, n…w one of theſe callings are meant here, for in this ſence, many are called, but … ſ…n, Mat. 22. 14. But the calling here meant, is a different calling from them, and that in three things.

Firſt, It is a call according to Gods own purpoſe, when God calls a man, and hath a purpoſe to make a man come in deed, and to come home, this isA calling to Gods purpoſes. the calling here ſpoken of, Rom. 8. 28. We know that all things worke together for the beſt to Gods children that are called according to his purpoſe, as God calls them, ſo he doth purpoſe to make them come to himſelf, and make them partakers of everlaſting mercy; God hath no ſuch purpoſe when he calls the reprobate, he hath a purpoſe indeed to do them good, if it be not through their own default; but yet notwithſtanding he hath no ſuch purpoſe, and abſolute intention to do them good, he hath no ſuch purpoſe to bring them to his Kingdome, and carry them quite through in the buſineſs.

Secondly, This is a ſecret in Gods own boſome, and that is another difference,How one calling differs from another. wherein this calling differs from the other; it is ſuch a calling wherein God puts forth his power, and the greatneſs of his power too; God called the light and it came, God called the Heavens and they came, when as they were not, God calling of them they were made to come: ſo when God doth call a man by his Spirit, he calls a man powerfully, he doth powre in divine inſtincts of grace and faith, and all other holy vertues, whereby the ſoul is made able to come to God; the Lord gives the heart a kinde of touch, that being touched by his Spirit, it muſt, and ſhall, and will know God in Jeſus Chriſt, it puts in divine things into the ſoul, whereby the ſoul muſt needs know him, and come to him, and be reconciled to him, 1 Joh. 3. 9. he puts his own ſeed into him, he that is borne of God ſinneth not, for the ſeed of God remaineth in him; the Lord puts an holy kinde of ointment upon his eyes, and makes him ſee, and that abides in him, 1 Joh. 2. 27. The holy anoynting which ye have received abideth in you.

Thirdly, It is a continual call, it is not a call and ſo away, a call for a yearGods call is an effectual ca…l. and ſo an end, but it is a continual call; he never leaves calling of him, till he comes home to him, as 1 Theſ. 5. 24. Faithful is he that hath called you, who will alſo do it, as who ſhould ſay, he hath called you, and doth call you▪ and he is faithful, and will do it; he hath called you heretofore, and made you come to him in truth and ſincerity; and he will ſtill continue his call, he p. 3will ſtill do it more and more, the Lord draws his people nearer and nearer to himſelf.

Now I will prove the Doctrine by divers particulars.

Firſt, Becauſe, a man then may be able to look back upon all his life, even fromThen a man may reflect on his life paſt. his cradle to this day; even before his call, and ſee Gods love to him as Paul, though he could not ſee it before, yet when God had effectually called him, he is able to look back upon all his former time and ſpace he had lived, even from his mothers womb, Gal. 1. 15. Who hath ſeperated me (ſaith he) from my mothers wombe, and called me by his grace, and ſo it was with David, I have been caſt upon thee, (ſaith he) even from my mothers belly, Pſal. 22. 9, 10. it is not likely, that David was converted then, but when God had effectually called him, then he was able to go back all along, even to his very infancy, and trace Gods goodneſs towards him in this and that, even to his very bringing him into the world.

Secondly, This intereſts a man in all the promiſes of God, 2 Pet. 1. 3. Who This intereſt a man in the promiſes.hath given unto us all things pertaining to life and godlineſs, through the knowledge of him, that hath called us to glory and vertue, if we know that God hath called us to glory and vertue, then we know that God hath given us all things that pertaine to life and godlineſs, to this life, and the life to come we know it; when God hath effectually called us, we know that all the promiſes belong unto us, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Acts 2. 39. For the promiſe is to you, and to your children, and to yours that are afar of, even as many as the Lord our God ſhall call, look how many God calls, ſo many do the promiſes belong unto, all the promiſes of mercy and grace, and comfort, of ſtrength and direction, and eternal redemption, the compleat working of it, all theſe promiſes from the firſt to the laſt, they all belong to a man, when God hath called him: when the Lord effectually calls a man, he takes him out of the world, to have fellowſhip with the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and in whatſoever he hath done, or ſuffered, or purchaſed for his people.

Thirdly, It doth ſweeten all Gods promiſes to a man? what is the reaſon we can hear ſuch admirable things out of the Word, and yet they affect peopleIt ſweetens the promiſes to a man. generally, for the moſt part no more then a dry chip, though they hear of the promiſes of God, what promiſes he hath made to his people, to their Prayers, to their hearing of the Word, to their receiving of the Sacrament; what promiſes he hath made in adverſity, and proſperity, in ſickneſs, and in health, in life, and death, when they ſin through frailty, what promiſes they have to help them up againe when they are to do any thing, what promiſes to aſſiſt them, and go along with them, when they are called to any employment, what promiſes to ſuſtaine them, and bear them out; I ſay though all theſe things be delivered to people, things that were ſweeter to David, then the hony, and the hony combe, Pſal. 119. 103. Yet generally, people are not affected with theſe things; the reaſon is, becauſe they are not able to ſay, that God hath effectually called them, therefore when they heare ſuch things, the heart cannot lay hold upon them, they think with Francis Spera, I have no part in theſe things, they think 'tis true, they are ſo to Gods people, but they think there is little comfort, little ſweetneſs in them, becauſe they cannot ſay, that they are effectually called of God.

Fourthly, If a man be effectually called, this helps a man to pray, Pſal. 119. 94. I am thine ſave me, when David was able to ſay, thou haſt called me to be one of thine, then he was able to pray to God, Lord ſave me, Lord help me, It helps him to pray.I am thine, thou art my God; when he was able to ſay, that he had intereſt and propriety in God; this did exceedingly help him, and encourage him with boldneſs in prayer; but when a man queſtions his effectual calling, every petition a man puts up, it is choaked, a man cannot pray to God, but he is beaten off, there is no ſtrength in ſuch a prayer, as ſoon as ever Paul was converted, p. 4ſaith God to Ananias, behold now he prayes, Act. 9. 11. Paul had prayed a thouſand times before, no man in Judea prayed more then he, but God took no notice of his prayers; but when God had effectually called him by his grace, now the Lord took notice of his prayers, and obſerved them, and heard them, and regarded them, and inclined his ear to them, behold now he prayes.

Fifthly, This is a great encouragement to all goodneſs in outward things,Knowledge of our effectual calling, a help to good actions. it is a great encouragement to a man to take them in hand, when he ſeeth he hath a calling thereunto; Gideon was very earneſt with the Angel, that he might ſee he had a calling to that he was to go about, Judg. 6. 11. So it is in this divine calling, it is a great encouragement, when a man can ſee that he is called; true it is, that every man is called, but I ſpeak not of the general calling, but of the effectual call, when a man can ſee that he is effectually called of God; this helps a man in all good actions, then a man may go to God, as to … Father; he may go to the Sacrament as the ſeale of his righteouſneſs and ſaith; then a man may take Gods name into his mouth, God challengeth the wicked for doing of it without his call, Pſal. 50. 16. What haſt thou to d…, to take my name into thy mouth, ſeeing thou hateſt to be reformed? now a man may take up the profeſſion of religion, and hold forth the name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt as Paul ſaith to Timothy, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, now marke the encouragement, whereunto thou art alſo called, 1 Tim. 6. 12.

Sixthly, It is an excellent ground of a godly life, when a man can ſay he is effectually called of God, that man hath laid a good foundation to be a godlyA foundation of godlineſſe. man, he hath laid it low, he hath built it upon ſuch a ground, that can never be ſhaken, nor removed; he that builds upon this foundation, ſhall never be removed. What is the reaſon why ſo many thouſands undertake to be godly, and are never able to carry it through; others go about it, and through the mercy of God are carried through ſtitch with it? the reaſon is, becauſe thoſe that are effectually called of God, they have a good foundation, they go upon the right ground, as the Apoſtle Peter exhorting Chriſtians to holineſs, and ſanctity, and righteouſneſs of converſation, be ye holy in all manner of converſation; he doth preſently lay down the ground, whereupon he exhorts them, whereunto you are called, ſaith he, 1 Pet. 1 15. ſo 1 Pet. 2. 9. ſaith he, ye are a choſen generation, a royal Prieſthood, an holy nation, &c. that you ſhould ſhew forth the prayſes of him that hath called you out of the darkneſs, into his marvellous light.

In the laſt place, this is the beſt means to help a man up againe; ſuppoſe aA help againſt falling. man have fallen, as the beſt of all Gods Saints and Children may fall, and fall fowlly; but when a man is effectually called of God, this doth help a man up againe, as it was with David, Pſal. 51. 14. Deliver me from blood-guiltineſs, O God of my ſalvation, &c he being able to ſay, that the Lord was the God of his Salvation, this made him to get up againe; as who ſhould ſay, Lord I have committed murther, I am guilty of innocent blood, yet Lord thou haſt called me by thy grace, to be a God unto me, thou art the God of my ſalvation; I beſeech thee purge me from my filthineſs, and cleanſe me from my ſins: whereas there be thouſands, when they have committed murther, it breaks their necks, they never get up againe, they are never able to finde repentance, and a broken heart, and to obtaine favour of the Lord, that the ſin be not laid to their charge; but David, though he had ſuch a heavy fall, and though it burſt his bones, and put him to much grief, yet he got up againe, becauſe God had effectually called him.

The firſt reaſon of the point is this, becauſe effectual calling is an evident Reaſ. 1 argument of a mans election unto life, it is that which flows from election toIt is an argument of his election. life, as Rom. 8. 30. Whom he hath predeſtinated, thoſe hath he called, &c. as who ſhould ſay, them, and none but them, this is the loweſt linke of that golden p. 5chaine, if a man can but once finde that he is effectually called of God, he hath a part of that chaine, whereof one end is eternal predeſtination to life, and the other is eternal glory; now he knows that all the whole chaine of mercy, from firſt to laſt, from eternity to eternity; all belongs to him, when he finds himſelf to be effectually called.

Secondly, This effectual calling, is a ſure and certaine pledge, that a manIt's a ſu…e …. ſhall have all Gods acts of mercy, when God effectually calls a man, he doth this for him, not only as that particular mercy, but as a pledge of all after mercies, as it was with the delivering of the people of Iſrael out of Egypt; he did not this onelyonly as a particular mercy, but as a pledge of future mercies for time to come; therefore whenſoever the Lord would aſſure the people that be would ſhew them mercy, and do them good; many times this is ſet down, I have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, open thy mouth wide, and I will fill i…, Pſal. 81. 10. Nay, when they pleaded for mercy, they pleaded this as a pledge, that God would ſhew them mercy, Neh. 1. 10, 11. Now theſe are thy ſervants, which thou haſt redeemed by thy great power, we beſeech thee let thine ear be attentive to our ſupplication. So it is with effectual calling, it is an evident pledge, and ſure token, that God will ſhew a man all his other mercies, when a man is once effectually called, though he hath all yet to do, all the whole buſineſs; yet to wade through, it may be he hath abundance of eſtates and conditions to fall into before he dye: why? now he hath the whole compaſſe of Gods mercy to carry him along in it, God hath given him a pledge of it, and he may ſay to God, Lord thou haſt effectually called me by thy grace, I beſeech thee to juſtifie me, I beſeech thee to ſanctifie me and help me by thy grace to pray, and to go on through the ſeveral paſſages of this life, to bear afflictions, to humble me in proſperity, and to ſtand upon my guard, in ſickneſs, Lord ſuſtaine me, and in troubles and afflictions Lord give me patience; thou haſt called me, and I have the pledge, therefore I beſeech thee do this for me, as Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 1. 9. God is faithful, who hath called you to the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt; as who ſhould ſay, when God called you to the fellowſhip of Jeſus Chriſt, he did not this as a particular mercy to you onelyonly, but as a ſure pledge that he would ſhew you all other mercies; and aſſure your ſelves, he will be faithful, and make good all theſe mercies to you; go on with faith and affiance, and courage, for God will be faithful as the Apoſtle Peter ſaith, 1 Pet. 5. 10. marke how he pleads, that God would be pleaſed to give them grace; the God of all grace that hath called you, he make you perfect, eſtabliſh, and ſettle you; he that hath called you ſettle you, he that hath given you a pledge, he that hath vouchſafed you a pawne, he will make it good, he will ſtrengthen you, and enable you, and carry you through, from the beginning to the end.

Ʋſe 1. Then certainly the thing is a poſſible thing, a man may be able to Ʋſe 1 ſay ſo, it is a thing may be known; effectual calling, whoſoever is partaker of it, that man may know he hath it, though it be ſuch a great jewel, ſuch an admirable thing, and happy is that man that ever he was borne when he ſeeth it, yet it is ſuch a thing you may come to ſee and know; every man may know what eſtate he is in, whether he be good or bad, the conſcience doth not onelyonly excuſe in good actions, but alſo in a good eſtate, preſerve my ſoul, for I am holy, ſaith David, Pſal▪ 86. 2. his conſcience did not excuſe him onelyonly in that he had done holy duties, but in that he wa… an holy man, his conſcience could witneſs with him, that he was an holy man: and on the other ſide, the conſcience doth not onelyonly accuſe in evil actions, but alſo in an evil eſtate, I and my people are wicked ſaith Pharoh, Exod. 9. his conſcience did not onelyonly accuſe him, that he did evil actions, but that he was in an evil eſtate; not onelyonly that he had done a wicked thing, but was a wicked man: and the reaſon of this is, becauſe how elſe ſhould a man be commanded to ſhun a bad, and follow a p. 6good eſtate, if it were not diſcernable who are in a good and bad eſtate, as we ſee we are called to avoid the one, and follow hard after the other, therefore it is a thing that may be attained to; nay it is not onelyonly a thing that may be attained unto, but the children of God are wont to know it, as Paul here to Timothy, he hath called us; we are able to ſpeak it, our conſciences choake us not in ſpeaking of it; nay the doubtfulleſt man that ever was, was H…mar, Pſal. 88. 1. O Lord God of my ſalvation, I have cryed night and day unto thee? as who ſhould ſay, I am very much bewildered, and much to ſeek, and loſt in doubts and fears, marvelouſly oppreſſed and overwhelmed; yet this I can ſay, thou art my God, the God of my ſalvation; thou haſt effectually called me to pertake of thy mercy, and I have relation to that thou haſt given me union with thee, thou art the God of my ſalvation; and ſo it was with David, when he was at his worſt, hath God forgotten to be gracious? will he c…ſt off for ever, &c? Pſal 77. though he had named all their grievous paſſages, of feare and deſpaire as a man would think, yet at the ſelf ſame time, ver. 5. I have conſidered the dayes of old, he was able to lay hold upon this certainty, I have been called, ſuch a time the Lord was gracious and merciful unto me, I have believed, I have taſted of Gods goodneſs, and pertake of his mercy, and known the forgiveneſs of my ſinnes, he looked unto the dayes of old, he could not deny it, though he were now miſerably put to it, he could not deny this, but in the dayes of old, God had been his God, and he his ſervant: and ſo Jonah, when he was dejected, and caſt down, and ſeemed to be in the belly of hell, Lord (ſaith he) I am caſt out of thy ſight, as if he had been caſt off, and quite at a loſſe, yet at the ſelfe ſame time, (ſaith he) I will lo…k towards thy holy Temple, Jon. 2. 4. as who ſhould ſay, I cannot deny, but thou haſt effectually called me; I have looked to thy Temple heretofore, I have looked to Chriſt, and reſted upon thee for eternal life, and for mercy, and thou art my refuge▪ therefore I will look againe to thee, So Joh. 14. 5, 6, 7. Thomas he ſpeaks as if he had not known Chriſt, Thomas (ſaith he) ver. 7. thou doſt know me, nay when he made a vow, that he would not believe, except he ſaw the print of the nailes, yet this was but in a fit, for within a little ſpace, (he ſaith) my Lord, and my God, Joh. 20.

I will prove this by reaſon, that a man that is quite to ſeek; that a man that is not able to ſpeak with any certainty, he hath not a jot of faith in this point to believe that he is the Lords, for that man walks in darkneſs, our Saviour makes it a brand of a man that walks in darkneſs, that knoweth not whether he goeth, Joh. 12. 35. He that walks in darkneſs knoweth not whether he goeth, whither to heaven or to hell, whither he goes right or wrong, to Chriſt or not; it is a ſhroad ſigne, that that man is in a bad eſtate; that God never yet took him out of the world, to the fellowſhip of Jeſus Chriſt.

The firſt reaſon is, becauſe it is the office of the Spirit to make known to aThe ſpirit make▪ known the things of God▪ man, the things given him of God, 1 Cor. 2. 12. now ſaith he, we have received the Spirit, not of the world, but the Spirit of God, that we might know the things, that are freely given to us of God, as who ſhould ſay, as God hath given us ſuch and ſuch things: So we have the Spirit of God, that can tell us the things that God hath freely given us, when God hath given a man effectual calling, it is a free gift, and then it is the Spirits office to let a man know it▪ and the Spirit will do his office; nay, when God effectually calls a man by his Spirit; the Spirit ſaith to a man, as the diſciples of Chriſt ſaid to the man that was brought to Chriſt, Matth▪ 10. 40 Be of good cheare; he calls thee, ſo when God effectually calls a man, the Spirit ſaith, ariſe, be of good cheare, the Lord calls thee; the Lord of heaven and earth, gives thee a gracious call to come to his heavenly Kingdome, to believe in his name, and to reſt upon him for Salvation, and for every needful thing, for this life, and the life to come: the Spirit whereby a man is called, doth ſpeak internum verbum, (as Divines p. 7ſpeak) an inward word, which the ſoul hears, as well as the outward eare hears the external word; our Saviour ſheweth this, Joh. 6. 45. he that hath heard and learned of the Father (ſaith he) cometh unto me; when a man is effectually called to come unto Chriſt, he hears of the Father; there is a word that the Father ſpeaks, not onelyonly the word of the Miniſter; but an inward word, and that man hears a word from the Father, and how can it be but a man may know it, when he hears it? for there is a word, and an audible word, a word whereby the Lord of glory ſpeaks to a man, when he effectually calls him to come out of his ſins.

Secondly, Becauſe a man that is effectually called of God, he is commandedHow to make our calling and election ſure. by God to make his calling and election ſure; as we may ſee, 2 Pet. 1. 10. as who ſhould ſay, you may make it ſure; 'tis true, in legal precepts, this doth not follow; that if ſo be God bid a man to do it, therefore it is poſſible to do it; for the law commands things, not poſſible to be done, by reaſon of the weakneſs of the fleſh, but this is an evangelical precept; now when a man is effectually called of God, and is commanded to make his calling ſure, he may do it, the thing is poſſible and it may be performed, and it is a mans own fault if he do it not; if a man that is effectually called of God, do not know it, it is his own fault, and negligence, and careleſneſs; when God bids his people that are called, make their calling ſure, it implyeth, they may do it; the Lord laies no impoſſibility upon his own ſervants, that he hath called to his Kingdome and glory, but together with his precepts, he ſheweth them, where grace is, and the throne of grace is open for them; and they have an intereſt in God that quickens the dead, and have an open highway to the throne of grace to have any thing that they are required to do.

Thirdly, Becauſe the knowledge of our effectual calling, is the ground ofOf the knowledge of our effectual calling. thankſgiving for it God requires, that they that are effectually called to have ſuch mercies, ſhould be thankful to God for it? now how can a man be thankful for that which he is ignorant of, whether he have it or no? that is but a mockery, as carnal people in their thanks, will put in things they know not, we returne unto thee O Lord, all poſſible praiſe and thanks, for election, vocation, juſtification, &c. Carnal people put theſe things into their graces, bleſſing God for theſe things; now if a man come to them, do you know that you are elected, and called, and juſtified, and have a true ground and hope of glory? nay, that we cannot tell ſay they, this is a fooliſh thankſgiving, this is to make a mock of God, and to lie before him; the Lord will have no ſuch thanks, but ſing praiſes with underſtanding, as the Scripture ſpeaks, he will have real, and reaſonable ſervice; now unleſſe a man know this, he cannot be thankful to God aright. The Apoſtle willing the Corinths to be thankful for their calling, the poore Corinths that were deſpiſed, and ignoble and mean, and of the lower rank of all the Town, he wiſheth them to glory in Gods goodneſs, and in nothing of their own; how doth he urge it? you know your calling, not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many noble, &c. but God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 26. you ſee it, many there are that God hath called among you, and you ſee what manner of perſons they are, it is palpable, and you cannot deny it, therefore I would not have you glory in your ſelves, but in God, ſo Col. 1. 12, 13. giving thanks unto God the Father (ſaith he) that hath made us meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints, who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and hath tranſlated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son; the Lord expects thanks for this effectual calling, when God hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs, and tranſlated us into the Kingdome of his dear Son; that is, when he hath effectually called us, we ſhould give thanks to God for it; now how can we give thanks to God for it, when we are uncertain and ignorant of it? ſurely the Spirit of Chriſt, and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt loveth the glory of God, and p. 8that God ſhould have praiſe from his people for every mercy; therefore without doubt they may come to know it, becauſe otherwiſe God ſhould require that of them, which they are not able to performe.

Fourthly, Becauſe this is the very end of the word of God, it is one of theWhy the word of God is written to us. ends why the word of God is written to us: indeed there are other ends beſids this, it is to convert, to ſtrengthen, to direct, to comfort, to counſel, it is to build up, and to pull down; the end of the word is to pull, and hew ſome down to be caſt into the fire; but one end is to acquaint the people of God with the mercies of God, and with graces, and mercies, and kindneſſes, he hath laid up for them in Jeſus Chriſt, and how they are called to theſe things, this is one end of the word, that they may know theſe things that God hath vouchſafed, 1 Joh. 5. 13. Theſe things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, &c. I have written to you that do believe, to you that are effectually called, that you may know that you have eternal life; you have it, but I would faine have you know that you have it: Now the Word is a ſure Word that will not faile us.

Fiftly, Becauſe the ſoul of a man, it hath the power of reflection in it, andThe ſoul hath the power of reflection. it is able to reflect upon it ſelf, and know what it ſelf doth, and what it ſelf hath; the ſoul of a man is a reflective being, and reflects upon its own boſom, whereby it is privy to what it thinks, and what it ſaith, and what paſſages there be therein, 1 Cor. 2. 11. What man (ſaith he) knoweth the things of a man, but the ſpirit of a man? the ſpirit of a man that is in him, knows the things that be in a man, it is privy to its own affaires, as it is with wickedneſs, ſo it is with good actions and thoughts: now for wicked courſes, we ſee that the conſcience is privy to what ſins and corruptions are in a man, as S…l…m…n told Shimei, thou knoweſt all the wickedneſs which thy heart is privy to, that th… didſt to David my Father; thou knoweſt it, thy heart is privy to it, thou canſt reflect upon thine own boſome, and canſt tell what wretched ſpeeches thou didſt ſpeak, thou art able to utter them in order, as thou art privy to it, as Solomon ſaith, Eccl. 7 22. oftentimes thine own heart knoweth▪ that thou thy ſelf likewiſe haſt curſed others; he ſpeaks of one that hath curſed, thy own heart knows that thou haſt done it ſaith he; ſo it is in good actions, and things that are in a man, a mans heart is privy to it; if a man obey the call of God, how can a man do it, but he muſt know that he is effectually called? If a man do mourn for his ſins, and grieve for his iniquities, the heart knows its own bitterneſs, it is able to reflect upon what it ſelf doth; ſo if a man do deſire grace, and hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs, and pant after the living God, he is able to ſay I do this, Pſal. 42. 1. As the hart pants after the rivers of water, ſo doth my ſoul pant after thee O G…; his own heart ſhall be able to reflect upon it, if thou humble thy ſoul, and ſet thy ſelf to prayer, and approve thy ſelf to God from day to day, look into thy boſom, and there thou mayſt ſee it.

But it may be objected then, how is it that thoſe that are effectually called, Obj. are very doubtful, and have many queſtions, and are uncertaine whether they are called or no? if it be ſo; how come theſe doubts, and troubles, and perplexities that are in the minds of good people that are effectually called of God, and we find by experience that they were effectually called?

I anſwer, firſt we muſt know, that though the knowledge of a mans calling Anſ. may be had, yet it is had by degrees, it is a gradual knowledge; a man cannot know it all at firſt daſh, God doth not manifeſt his favour and love all at once to his people; and when he gives it, he doth not preſently tell a man what he gives him, though there be wayes for him to know it, and find it out; yet the Lord doth not open himſelf to his people all at the firſt; nay, he doth not ſo to his own Son Chriſt Jeſus, in reſpect of his humanity, as he grew in p. 9ſtature and wiſdom, ſo he grew in favour with God, Luk. 2. 52. The divine nature manifeſted it ſelf more and more to his humane; ſo God doth manifeſt his favour and love; and openeth himſelf to his people more and more; according as they grow in goodneſs, they grow in this knowledge, as they are more and more pure in heart, the more do they ſee God, and Gods goodneſs to them, and what God hath done for them; this knowledge, though it be to be had, yet it is to be had by degrees, and the people of God have it not all in one degree; ſome have it in a higher degree, and ſome in a lower; but every man hath ſome of this knowledge that he is called of God; it is impoſſible that a man ſhould be effectually called, and be wholly, and totally ignorant of it.

Secondly, As this knowledge is gradual▪ ſo it is experimental; a man knowsThe knowledge of effectual calling experimental. that he is called by experience, chiefly and mainly; as when a man knows by experience, that he comes to God and draws near to God, and that he doth abſtract himſelf from the world, and worldly wayes and practiſes, and layes aſide more and more the carnal wayes of men, and doth approach nearer and nearer unto the things of God in Chriſt: if a man hath experience of theſe things, he comes now to ſay God hath effectually called me, and hath been pleaſed to do me good; when he finds this by experience, that theſe things …re wrought in him then he can conclude this: at the firſt he was like a man in a viſion, he could hardly believe that God had effectually called him; as it was with Peter, when the Angel delivered him out of priſon, he was as one that had ſeen a viſion, he had not thought it had been a real thing, he could not tell what to make of it, Act. 12. 11. but when he came to himſelf, now ſaith he I know of a ſurety that the Lord hath ſent his Angel, and delivered me out of priſon. At firſt, he could not tell what to make of it, but afterwards, when he ſaw he was in the ſtreets, and that the iron gate opened to him of its own accord; now ſaith he, I know of a ſurety, that the Lord hath ſent his Angel, and delivered me. So it is with the people of God; at firſt, when they hear ſomething from the Father, they know not what to make of this call at the firſt; but afterwards, when they come to ſee this luſt, and that luſt fall off; and theſe and theſe heavenly works in their ſouls; they now know of a ſurety that God hath ſent his Spirit into their ſouls, and delivered them from ſins, and Satan, and hell, and damnation, &c. At firſt they were like dreamers, they were not able to ſay, whether they were called or no; as the children of Iſrael, when they were delivered out of captivity, they could hardly believe it at firſt, Pſal. 126. 1. When the Lord turned away the captivity of Zion, we were as thoſe that dreamed, we could hardly perſwade our ſelves, that God had delivered us out of captivity, with ſuch a mercy, ſo great a favour, ſo unlikely, ſo improbable, it could never enter into their hearts almoſt; we were like thoſe that dreamed; but when they ſaw they were in Jeruſalem, and were helped, and aſſiſted, and heard the Gentiles talke of it, and all the people runne up and down when they ſaw it was ſo, and had experience of it, then they ſaw God had done it indeed, and did believe it; ſo when a man is firſt effectually called to come out of his ſins, the Lord knocks off his bolts, and plucks him out of the jaile of hell, and ſets him as it were in Jeruſalem, he is at firſt as a man that dreams, he can hardly believe it is ſo; as it was with David, when God called him to be King, he could hardly believe it, it could hardly enter into his heart, that he ſhould be King over Iſrael; eſpecially being dayly perſecuteed by Saul, and calamities heaping up themſelves againſt him, he could not conclude it; but when the Lord had ſet him in his Kingdome, and given him victory over his enemies, now (ſaith he) I know that the Lord ſaveth his anointed; now he could ſpeak it, and found it by experience, that the Lord had made him his anointed, and ſaved and delivered him from all his enemies; before he was ready to deny it, and ſay Samuel was a lyar, he had anointed him to be p. 10King, but I ſaid in my haſt all men are lyars, but when he had experience of it, now (ſaith he) I know that the Lord hath ſaved his anointed.

Thirdly, As the knowledge of effectual calling is gradual and experimental, ſo likewiſe it is very ſpiritual, it is a marvellous ſpiritual work, and thereforeThe knowledge of effectual calling ſpiritual. no marvel though it be ſomething inſenſible; indeed there be things in it, which are very ſencible and conſpicuous as may be, a reprobate may be galled at a Sermon, he may have his eyes broad open to ſee his ſins and iniquities, and may be wonderfully wrought upon, and may have the ſencible work of vocation, by the very Spirit of God; but the very ſpecificalneſs of it, whereby this effectual calling doth differ from all other callings; this is a marvelous Spiritual thing, and therefore no wonder that it is inſencible ſometimes, and many of the people of God, feare they have it not; theſe things may be done in the ſoul of a man, and a man not know it, and yet it may ſeem ſtrange, that the eyes of the blind ſhould be opened, and the feet of the lame ſhould walk, and the dead ſhould be raiſed, and the devils ſhould be caſt out! it is ſtrange I ſay, that theſe things ſhould be done in a mans ſoul, and yet the man in whoſe ſoul they are done, ſhould be ignorant of them; it is a ſtrange thing, but the works of the Spirit are wonderful ſecret, the actions of the Spirit are very inviſible; when a man humbles himſelf, and prayes, and mournes, theſe are ſencible, he knows what they are; many talke of hunger, and thirſt, and reformation, &c. But to ſee the ſaving, ſanctifying, gracious work of God in theſe things, that is a marvelous hard thing to find this, and it is very ſpiritual, as Solomon ſaith, Eccl. 11. 5. As thou knoweſt not the way of the Spirit, nor how the bones grow in the womb of a woman that is with child; even ſo thou knoweſt not the works of God, who maketh all! if it be ſo in natural things, that we know not how the bones of the child grow in the womb, much leſſe theſe things of the Spirit, ſo our Saviour Chriſt ſaith, Joh. 3. 8. The wind bloweth where it liſteth, and thou knoweſt not whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth; even ſo is every one that is borne of the Spirit; that is, every one that is effectually called of God; for regeneration is a part of this effectual calling; to be effectually called of God, it is the blowing of the wind, a man knows not whence it cometh nor whither it goeth; there is a world of ignorance about the wind, ſo there is about the workings of Gods holy and heavenly Spirit; when our Saviour was a working of regeneration in Nicodemus, his heart was at the ſame time, ſaying, how can theſe things be? Chriſt was working theſe things in his heart, and the very ſame time when he was queſtioning, how can theſe things be? So Gideon, at the very ſame time when God ſaid unto him, the Lord is with th…, thou mighty man of valour, Judg. 6. 14, …5. Gideon was doubting that the Lord was not with him, and that he had no might nor ſtrength, as our Saviour ſaid of the ſeed that was ſown in the ground, Mark. 4. 26. As if a man ſhould caſt ſeed into the ground, and ſleep night and day, and the ſeed ſpringeth up and grows, he knows not how: ſo ſaith he is the Kingdome of God, and as our Saviour ſaith, ſo it ſhall be at the laſt day, when Chriſt ſhall ſay come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you, for I was hungry, and ye fed me, &c. But marke at the very ſame time, the righteous that did all this, and our Sauiour Chriſt did witneſs to their faces that they had done it, the righteous ſhall anſwer, when ſaw we thee hungry and fed thee? &c. They hardly knew they had done theſe things, the actions themſelves they could not but know of, they knew they had fed and cloathed the poore children of God, but that they did it to Chriſt, for Chriſts ſake, they could hardly ſee this; when did we ſee thee thus and thus, and did ſo and ſo? that they looked at Chriſt in this, they had hardly ſo good eyes, hardly ſo good a heart: ſo I might inſtance in more, I ſay the works of God, they are marvelous ſpiritual, and of a wonderful ſubtil ſubſtance; they may be wrought in the ſoul of a man, and yet a man may be ſomething doubting, and queſtioning whether they be wrought in him p. 11yea, or no; nay, a man may be afraid they are not.

Fourthly, Another reaſon is, becauſe the knowledge of a mans effectualThe knowledge of a mans calling hindred for a time. calling may be very much hindered for a time, partly in regard of loathneſs of heart to leave ſome luſt, though a mans heart may be ſubdued, and humbled for the maine; yet there may be a great deal of holding back; though a man cannot ſtand out in ſin as the wicked do, yet there may be a great deal of backwardneſs, and unmortifiedneſs in the children of God, and conſcience may ſee it; now when conſcience ſeeth it, conſcience will hide effectual calling from a man, and object; how can you ſay you are effectually called, when you are ſo borne down with ſuch a luſt, and hanker ſo much after it? now if our own hearts condemn us, God is greater then our hearts, and ſhall condemn us? much more; it is a pitiful thing, when a mans own heart ſhall condemn him, and his own conſcience ſhall be queſtioning whether he be right or no: ſometimes it falls out thus, even thoſe that are called; yet in regard of unmortifiedneſs, there is ſuch a deale of matter that the conſcience hath to object, that a man cannot believe indeed, and ſoundly, that he is effectually called: for at firſt when Chriſt comes into the ſoul, before it hath gotten the maſtery and victory, the Spirit doth work exceedingly in the dark, as when it works poverty of ſpirit, ſorrow for ſin, endeavour to leave all ſin, hatred and deteſtation of a mans own wayes; loathing of a mans own ſelf, ſhame, confuſion before Gods footſtoole; there is ſuch a ſmoak in the ſoul, where the Spirit doth theſe, that a man cannot ſee them; as if a man be working in a ſmoaky houſe, though he work excellent things, a man can hardly perceive what he doth; ſo there is ſuch a deal of ſmoak in the heart, ſuch a deal of corruption ſtirring, that it hides the ſight of the work of God from a man, yet the work of God goeth along; as ſuppoſe two armies in a field, and the battel be doubtful, the guns fly off, and the ſwords clatter, and the duſt ariſeth, and there is ſuch a confuſion, that neither themſelves nor others, know which way the battel will go, but ſometimes ſome fall on one ſide, and ſometimes ſome on the other ſide; and if a man ſhould ſtand on an hill, and ſee this battle, he cannot tell on which ſide it will be; ſometimes he thinks it will be on this ſide, and by and by, it is turned on the other ſide; and ſo while it is doubtful, it cannot be determined and concluded on which ſide the victory will fall. So it is with the war between the fleſh and the ſpirit, the war is very doubtful before the odds begin, for there is a great deal of evenneſs at firſt; nay, the Spirit ſeems to be the weaker ſide, and the fleſh to be the ſtronger, and there are many falls and foiles given to the ſoul, and the fleſh is too ſtrong; afterwards, it begins to be ſomething equal, and the battel to be poyzed; now while the battel is ſo doubtful, a man cannot tell on which ſide the victory will be, whether on the ſpirits ſide, or on the fleſhes ſide; whether on graces ſide, or on ſinnes ſide; but when the warfare is accompliſhed (I do not mean perfectly, for that will never be in this life) a man may then ſee on which ſide the victory will go; a man may ſee ten thouſand corruptions lie dead, with their throats cut, and the Spirit ſtanding triumphing and conquering more and more, we may now ſee which way the victory will go; the Spirit reigns, and grace reigns, and humility reigns, and heavenly mindedneſs reigns, and all the graces of Gods Spirit have dominion over the whole man.

Another reaſon, why the knowledge of effectual calling is hindered, is becauſeThe knowledge of our effectual calling, may be hindered by ignorance. of ignorance; a child is a man, though he doth not know it, ſo it is with a man that is a new beginner in Religion, he is a new man, though he doth not know it, he hath that in him, that let him have but time, let him but grow, he will quickly be able to look upon it, and be able to ſee what it is; ſo it is with the people of God, they are at firſt very ignorant what God hath given them, as the Apoſtle prayeth for the Epheſians, Eph. 1. 17. that God would let them be no longer children, but that God would open the eyes of their underſtanding, p. 12that they might know what the hope of their calling was, that he would let them know what he had given them; they hardly knew what they had at the firſt, they had an effectual calling from God, and they had a thouſand hopes; they might hope to be ſtrengthened againſt corruptions, to be delivered in ſix troubles, and in ſeaven; they might hope when they died, to be tranſlated into the Kingdome of immortallity and glory for evermore: they had this hope, now (ſaith he) the Lord of heaven and earth, open the eyes of your underſtanding, that you may ſee the hope of your calling, and the exceeding riches of thoſe things that God hath beſtowed upon you.

Againe they may be ignorant of the voyce of the Spirit, they do not underſtandA young believer is ignorant of the voyce of the Spirit. the Spirits language, when a child of God is firſt effectually called, he comes into a new world, and meets with a new language, he is a Barbarian to it, and that is barbarous to him, he cannot underſtand the language of the Spirit; the Spirit ſpeaks many comfortable things, and there are many works of the Spirit, whereby the Spirit doth ſpeak to a man for his comfort and conſolation; if he could take them as a man that comes into a ſtrange Countrey, he lives a very uncomfortable life at firſt, he hears them ſpeak, but he cannot underſtand them; they ſpeak ſtrange language, he cannot tell what to make of it; but the longer he is there, he comes to underſtand ſuch a word, and then ſuch a word, and it may be a ſentence now and then; and ſo in the end, he underſtands them plainly: ſo at the firſt, when God calls his people into a new world, the Spirit ſpeaks many things to them, but yet i… is in an unknown tongue, it is gibberiſh to them, they cannot tell what to make of it, but when they come to underſtand the dialect, they come to rejoyce.

Againe, the children of God are ignorant of the work of grace, they think certainly, never could any of the children of God that were aright, be…n thatA child of God is ignorant of the work grace. eſtate that I am, they never find their hearts ſo like a log in prayer; when I go to the Sacrament, ſometimes I behave my ſelf like a block, and cannot behave my ſelf in any competent manner as I ought; certainly none of Gods people can be thus an I am; they are ignorant what may be in the people of God, what may ſtand with the truth of God, and ſo they queſtion their eſtate, and conditions out of ignorance; afterwards when they come to more experience, and finde the wayes of God in them, and come to have a knowledge of their owne corruptions, and of the goodneſs of God in purging them out more and more; in the end they are able to ſpeak it to Gods glory, and their own conſolation.

Againe, the knowledge of a mans effectual calling may be hindered by being unreſolved of a mans Chriſtian liberty, when there be Chriſtian liberties that aHow the knowledge of effectual calling may be hindred man hath need of every day; and yet notwithſtanding a man is not reſolved upon it, many a man thinks verily, if he ſhould finde any delight in the good creatures of God, if he ſhould be merry or chearful at any time, if he ſhould be talking of his calling in the world, and ſpeak of it in his communication, and follow his calling diligently; if he ſhould be angry, and let bitter words fly at any time, though his nature make him ſo; he thinks verily, and concludes that he hath no grace, he is a very worldly carnal man, he ſavours of theſe things here below, he ſavours of the creature, and he is carnally merry; though a man may take care for outward things moderately, and be chearful, & ſo for anger a man may be angry, be angry ſaith the Apoſtle …t ſin not; now if he be angry at any time, though the thing be lawful, and he hath Chriſtian liberty in the thing, yet not knowing his Chriſtian liberty▪ this doth exceedingly trouble a man many times, and makes him queſtion his effectual calling; there be abundance of Chriſtian liberties, that we have need of every day, and have need of the knowledge of; and when the ſoul and conſcience doth not know his Chriſtian liberty, (I do not ſpeak of this in regard of the world, they p. 13had need have ſtraight limitations & curbs, and we had need put in all the caveats that can be, for they are apt of their own accord to take too much elbowroome; every man is ready to ſtand upon his liberty, what he may lawfully do; but though wicked men damne their own ſoules in theſe things; yet it is fit the children of God ſhould have their portion, and know it,) and the want of this knowledge hinders a man from the knowledge of the things given him of God.

Againe, a man may be ignorant of the tenderneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, and ofA man may be ignorant of the tenderneſs of Jeſus Chriſt. the infinite bowels of the Sonne of God, and how chary he is over his people, and that he regards a graine of wheat, under an heap of chaffe: it is very probable, that the ſon of J…roboam had a taint of the family he was taken from, which was marvelous foule; yet notwithſtanding God takes notice of the good things that were in him, though in the Churches in the Revelation, foule and grievous things were found, yet the Lord notwithſtanding takes notice of any thing that was good in them; if there be but a drop of true ſaving grace in the heart, God will take notice of it; though a man be but ſmoaking flax, God will be tender of it; now many a child of God doth not know the tender compaſſions of Jeſus Chriſt, and that he will accept them notwithſtanding a thouſand weakneſſes, and though they have but a little hold, and a little ſtrength to put forth in the wayes of God, and they ſee how many thouſand things they can ſay againſt themſelves, when they ſee not the tender compaſſions of Jeſus Chriſt, and what a tender Saviour he is, the tender mercies of our God, as it is, Luke 1. This hinders them from the knowledge of that, which otherwiſe they might know.

Againe, it may be hindered very much through melancholy, it is the veryIt may be hindred through melancholy. coach that the devil rides in, as Divines ſpeak, it corrupts a mans imagination, and fills it with groundleſſe fears, and doubts, and makes a man ſpeak he knows not what, and he ſaith he doth not do thoſe things he doth, when as thoſe that ſtand by can ſee the contrary: this humour blinds a mans eyes, and preſents he knows not what to a mans minde; as when David was in that paſſion, he cryed out; I am caſt off, what is the matter? Pſal. 31. 10. he was in a melancholy fit, grief hath even waſted me, he was even waſted and pined with grief, ſorrow deading his heart, and mouldring, and pining, and waſting of him; this made him ſpeak words, that he would never have ſpoken at another time: the Apoſtle ſhews, that when a man is overmuch ſad, and grieved, and dejected, and caſt down, and lyeth moaping, and the devil hath a great deal of advantage by this: therefore he ſpeaks to the Corinths to have a care of that poore man that had committed an horrible ſinne, and it pleaſed God to humble him, he was excommunicated, and delivered over to Satan: now the C…rinths were ſomething harſh to this poore man, and were ready to trample upon him, and tread upon him, as if he were not humbled enough, 2 Cor. 2. 7. O ſaith he, forgive him, and comfort him, leaſt he be ſwallowed up of evermuch ſorrow; wherefore I beſeech you confirme your love towards him, leaſt Satan ſhould get an advantage of us, ver, 11. that was the reaſon why he would have him careful of this, leaſt Satan ſhould circumvent us; the meaning is, leaſt the devil ſhould make us guilty of overwhelming a poor man; and others by that example might do the like, and ſo the devil might have advantage in aftertimes.

In the next place, it may be hindred by the unskilfulneſs of a Miniſter, manyGrace may be hindred by the unskilfulneſs of a Miniſter. times thoſe that are effectually called, may chance to lye a long time ignorant of Gods mercy, unacquainted with the work of grace which God hath begun in their ſouls, by the unskilfulneſs of the Miniſter; the Miniſter that ſhould bind up thoſe that God hath broken, may be like thoſe that efflict him wh…m God hath ſmitten, Pſal. 109. he doth not feed the lambs of Chriſt, and hold forth the grace of Jeſus Chriſt; perhaps he may preach good truths, admirable p. 14excellent paſſages, and yet make thoſe ſad, whom God would not have made ſad; and make thoſe grieved, whom God would not have grieved, as the Lord complains, Ezek. 34. 4. The diſeaſed have ye not ſtrengthned, neither have ye healed that which was ſick neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought againe that which was driven away, &c.

A Miniſter though he preach the wayes of God, and Jeſus Chriſt, and the promiſes of the Goſpe… and eternal life; yet if he preach it not in a right maner,A Miniſter ought to preach the word of God in a right manner. if he carry it not as he ought to do, rightly dividing the word of life, he may do a world of miſchief, if a man preach hell and damnation, (indeed if a man be going on in his ſinnes, and be hardened in his wicked courſes, we are to preach hell and damnation to him) but if a man preach hell and damnation to a man that is ſencible of his ſins, and is of a tender conſcience, and ready to think too hardly of his ſinnes; it is as if a man ſhould take a beetle to kill a fly upon a mans forehead, to lay a heavy load upon thoſe that are not able to beare it. Miniſters may do a great deal of hurt, by preaching the law without diſtinguiſhing, and all exceptions being ſhewed, when he hath not a tender heart towards thoſe whom God hath wounded, and doth not alwayes put in that that may do them good; when a Miniſter knows what it is, and hath gone through the pikes himſelf, he can the better ſtay up the ſouls of thoſe that are dejected, and yet belong to Chriſt; therefore David prayeth, give me the way of thy ſalvation, and then I ſhall teach ſinners the way unto thee, Pſal, 51. 12, 13. as who ſhould ſay, if I do not know what belongs to the comforts of the Spirit, if I have not waded through …eſe things, and know not how they are given, and how they are taken, I ſhall never teach ſinners the way unto thee, I ſhall never carry my ſelf aright in that way; he that is a Surgeon, had not need to have a hard hand: ſo thoſe that have a tender heart, and thoſe that are truely broken for their ſins, and are of a contrite ſpirit, a man had need deale gently with them, according to the eſtate and condition wherein they are: Miniſters many times are too blame, in not preaching Chriſt aright, as they ought to do, and ſo may … hinderance to the comfort of their people.

What a woeful thing is it when a man is not able to ſay thus, what laborinths, and meanders is ſuch a ſoul in, and what heart aches, and terrible fears, and terrours, and afrightments, and quakings, and miſgivings are they ſubject unto? they muſt needs be in a miſerable, and pitiful caſe, for whether can they go? what can they hang upon to get comfort? and this is the caſe and condition of moſt of thoſe that are amongſt … even of the beſt ſort, though many of them have ſome good things in them; yet who almoſt comes to know that he is effectually called of God? theſe are declining times, and languiſhing dayes, and people are marvelouſly ſcattered for want of care and diligence, and watchfulneſs, and paines-taking in the wayes of God; there is a woeful deale of unſetling, and want of groundedneſs in a good eſtate, people are very much off, and all to pieces; and that you may ſee what a woeful thing this is, do but conſider theſe particulars.

Firſt, Your conſciences cannot but accuſe you, you cannot ſay Chriſt bareFirſt, conſcience doth accuſe. your ſins, you know not whether you are in him or no; you know Chriſt bare the ſins of his people, but whether he bare your ſins or no that you cannot tell; all your ſins and iniquities lie upon your conſciences ſtill, though you have been bewailing your ſins and confeſſing of them, and craving forgiveneſs of them; yet all your actual ſins they ſtill ly upon your conſciences: what your conſciences could accuſe you of formerly they accuſe you of ſtill, ſuch bythoughts, ſuch wandring prayers, ſuch unprofitable hearing, Paul could ſay, 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a good ſaying, that Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners, whereof I am chief; you cannot ſay ſo, though you can ſay that of ſinners you are the chief; yet that you have obtained mercy, your conſcience; will not let p. 15you ſay it, you queſtion whether you ever had any mercy, or any hold of the mercy of God; therefore you muſt be like a dry leafe driven to and fro, or a reed ſhaken with the wind, and as weak as water, you are altogether unſtable: what a miſerable thing is this, that all a mans corruptions and miſeries ſhould lie upon a man, notwithſtanding all his prayers, and asking forgiveneſs, and many tears and ſighs, that they ſhould yet lie upon him, as they do until a man knows that he is effectually called of God; all the guiltineſs lieth upon his ſoul, he cannot ſay he hath obtained mercy of God, he is without God, and without Chriſt, and is yet in his ſins for ought he knows.

Secondly, As your conſciences muſt needs accuſe you, ſo likewiſe you canN…y in Jeſus Chriſt without knowledge of ou… intereſt in him, &c. have no joy in Jeſus Chriſt, nor any of his promiſes, nor any of the gracious things in his Covenant, becauſe you know not w…ether they belong to you or no; when a man knows not a thing, he cannot have any joy in any thing, as Prov 27. 1. Boaſt not thy ſelf of to morrow, for thou know…ſt not what a day may bring f…rth, a man cannot boaſt of that he knows not, can a man boaſt of to morrow? O I ſhall have a fine day to morrow, when he knows not whether he ſhall have a morrow or no; he may be dead by to morrow, or his houſe may be burnt over his head to morrow, he cannot rejoyee in it: So when a man knows not whether he be effectually called of God or no, what joy can he have? what joy can he have in Chriſt or his ordinances, when his conſcience knocks him off, and his ſoul ſtands in doubt whether theſe things belong to him or no? he may catch at theſe, as Joſephs Miſtres catcht hold on him, but he left his garment and fled away: ſo they catch at the promiſes, and theſe things, but they fly away from them, and leave them as a ſhadow, and they are as much to ſeek as before: and it will be thus as long as a man doth not go on to make his effectual calling ſure.

Thirdly, Thou canſt not tell what to make of Gods mercies and bleſſings toWe cannot tell what to make of Gods mercies, without this knowledge. thee; God hath given thee many bleſſings, life and health, and means, and maintenance, and ſweetly provided for thee from thy cradle to this day, and hath recovered thee out of many ſickneſſes and afflictions, and hath given thee the means of grace, and thou haſt heard Sermon upon Sermon, and haſt had the acquaintance of his children, and haſt dwelt in the land of uprightneſs, and ſeen the Saints of God, and the examples of Gods Saints, and thou haſt had the motions of Gods Spirit from day to day, and many good things God hath vouchſafed: but while a man is queſtioning and doubting, whether he be effectually called or no, he cannot tell what to make of theſe things; whether he ſhould call them mercies or no, whether they be in wrath or no, to fat him up againſt the day of wrath, to whom much is given, of him much is required. It is ſaid of the Virgin Mary, when the Angel ſaluted her graciouſly and comfortably, the text ſaith, ſhe was much troubled, wondring what manner of ſalutation this ſhould be, Luk. 1. 29. So when the Lord ſends abundance of ſweet mercies, the ſoul is troubled what mercies theſe ſhould be; are theſe mercies that come from Chriſt, and flow from Gods goodneſs, as pledges of his grace and favour or no? he is troubled, and cannot tell what to make of them, what are theſe mercies: and he is afraid he had been better to have been without them, and better he had never known them; it is a miſerable thing when a man is uncertaine of his effectual calling; for uncertaine of that, uncertaine of all.

Fourthly, Thou doſt not know what to do in time of affliction, when afflictionWe know not h…w to beare our ſelves in afflictions without this knowledge. comes, (as thou canſt not but expect it every day) yet when it comes, how wilt thou bear it? how wilt thou be able to ſuffer for Chriſt, and to go to priſon for Chriſts ſake; when thou doſt queſtion whether the truth ever made thee free? if thou wert able to ſpeak of God as thy Father, and a Kingdom prepared for thee, this would caſt out fears, feare not little flock, it is your p. 16Fathers pleaſure to give you a Kingdom; Luk. 12. 37. but when a man queſtions whether God be his Father or no? queſtions whether he hath given him a Kingdom or no? yea whether any ſuch thing belongs to him? nay he thinks he is a wretch, and he ſhould wrong God. if he ſhould lay hold o… ſuch things; this expoſeth a man to fears; what is the reaſon that many …all away in time of perſecution? it is becauſe they want hold of God, as D…as, what is the reaſon he could not beare Pauls afflictions, but fell away and … the world? it was becauſe he wanted Pauls hold: a man muſt have hold ſome where, if not on God, ſome where elſe: this is the reaſon why many break their necks, and when perſecution comes, they are troubled, and put by, and make ſhipwrack of a good conſcience and forbear to go on in that way which they ought to go on in, and to yield to thoſe things which they kn…w they ought not to yield to. When a man knows he is effectually c… of God, this will make a man ſuffer for God, as the Apoſtle Peter ſp…g of the ſufferings of the Saints, hereunto ſaith he were you called, knowing th… Chriſt ſuffered for you; when a man is able to ſay, Chriſt ſuffered for … God hath effectually called me to his heavenly Kingdom, to pertake o… C…ſt it and his benefits, and ſufferings; now this will beare a man out, this … able to endure the loſſe of liberty, of means, maintenance, or any th…t the Goſpels ſake; but before what ſhall a man do in afflictions? as long as a man doth not know that he is effectually called, he doth expoſe himſelf to lazards, and breaknecks, and who knows what may be?

Fifthly, Thou canſt not pray with any courage, thy prayers are but … and lanke and weak as water; thou canſt not come boldly to the throne ofWe cannot pray without this knowledge. grace, thou art afraid thou art none of Gods, and none of Chriſts; afraid …t thou haſt not received the Spirit of God, that thou mayſt be the child of God, and art afraid that thy prayers are not accepted of God, but he turnes them into ſin, thou canſt never have boldneſs, (unleſs it be the boldneſs of impude…ce) but never the boldneſs of confidence, how ſhall a man call upon him, … …e hath not believed? a man without faith cannot pleaſe God, he cannot pray to God: O my Lord, ſaith Manoah, &c. Judg 13. 8. if he had not prayed with faith, knowing that God was his God, his prayer had not had ſucceſſe; but this made him pray with the more boldneſs and ſtrength; when the Prieſts of Baal had done praying, and God would not hear them; marke what …h ſaith, I am thy ſervant, Lord heare me, 1 King. 18. 36. as who ſhould ſay, here be people praying, they pray they know not what, and to they know not whom; they are none of thine, but I am thy ſervant h…are me Lord, he comes and acts a better part, and he will be heard before he goes, and … acc…ptance before he departs; when a man can ſay, Lord I am thy ſervant, … one whom thou haſt redeemed, and effectually called, heare me Lord, this man prayes indeed, he prayes to ſome purpoſe.

Sixthly, Thou canſt not ſweetly go on in the waies of God, all the duties of Religion will be a burthen to thy ſoul, and thou wilt be weary of them,We cannot go on in the waies of God without this knowledge. which would be light and pleaſant, if thou didſt know thy effectual calling of God: but now they will be burthenſome; and thou wilt think the Sabb…th comes too often, and good duties come too often about; they come ſo faſt, that thou haſt no heart or minde to them, for want of that which ſhould ſweeten the wayes of God to a man; the knowing of God, and what he goeth about, and the knowing of him he hath to deale withal, without this a man can never go on, nay it is a wonder that thou haſt not broken thy neck before this day, that thou haſt not turned back to folly, and revolted cleane to the wayes of ſinne, that thou haſt not turned back to be a drunkard and profane perſon againe: it is a wonder that thou prayeſt in thy family, that thou haſt not given over all holy duties, and reaſſumed the works of the fleſh, and can off all the courſes of a godly life; it is a wonderful mercy of God, that tho… p. 17haſt not apoſtatized Take a man that knows he is effectually called, it is a wonder to ſee that man fall; I marvel ſaith Paul that ye are ſoone removed, Gal. 1. 6. A man may wonder what ayleth that man, that knows he hath an effectual call of God, and falls; that man is beſides himſelf, he is not his own man certainly; if he turne back to folly, when he knows God, to turne from his Commandements, to yeild to the luſts of the fleſh, and grow careleſſe and negligent; it is a wonder that ſuch a man ſhould be removed back, but he that never knew of any ſuch things; he hath no knowledge of Gods goodneſs towards him; it is a wounder that he doth not quite fall off, for the knowledge of a mans effectual calling is that which doth preſerve a man, Jude 1. the Apoſtle ſaith, Jude a ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt, to them that are preſerved in Chriſt and called; when a man hath an effectual call, he hath that which ſhould preſerve him; therefore when a man comes to know it, what a ſweet thing is this, to be preſerved of God; to be kept and carried through, when Gods people know not this, they are ſubject to falls, and returning back without the Lords wounderful mercy.

Seventhly, What difference is there between thee, and a very wretch, asWe differ not from wretches wit…out this knowledge. long as thou knoweſt not that thou art effectually called of God? what difference between thee, and one that is in darkneſs, and under the power of darkneſs, in thy own ſence and feeling? when David was but afraid of falling into this paſſe, Pſal. 28. 1. O Lord (ſaith he) be not ſilent, leaſt I be like them that go down into the pit; he was afraid of falling into that eſtate of doubting of Gods love, and the aſſurance of his love and favour, leaſt he ſhould be like unto thoſe that go down into the pit: ſo may I ſay of thoſe that are unſetled in their minds, and do not know whether they have any good at all wrought in their hearts; what difference do you ſee between your ſelves, and thoſe that are wicked and abominable? you can hardly pitch upon any thing, wherein you differ from a wicked man, as Throgmorton ſaid, brother what will you ſay, if I dye a reprobate? ſo ſuch ſpeeches may come out of thy mouth; what will you ſay, if I dye a reprobate? as David when he had committed thoſe two foule ſins, and had blurred his evidences, and could not ſee Gods goodneſs and mercy towards him; he was faine to begin the world again, create in me O Lord, a cleane heart &c. as though he were to begin from the very ground againe, as if he had loſt all, and had nothing in him; what a miſerable thing is this?

Eighthly, Thou art of all men moſt miſerable, if thou knoweſt not thy effectualWe are of all me… moſt miſ…a…le without it. calling; for other men, though they have no comfort in heaven, yet they have comfort in the world; but as for thee, thou haſt neither comfort above nor here below; the wicked of the earth, they care not for thee, becauſe thou little for thee, becauſe thou art not right; and ſo thou art as a meteor hanging in the ayre, caſt out from men and God; conſcience will not let thee cloſe with God, nor cloſe with the wicked; not with God, becauſe thou doubteſt whether thou art his, or no; not with the wicked, becauſe thou art ſtrongly convicted, that their courſes are damnable: now what comfort canſt thou have? when a man cannot tell whether to go, this is the caſe of a man, that knows not whether he be effectually called of God or no.

Nay laſtly, Let me tell thee this, if thou be totally uncertaine, thou wertWe were never effectually called if we totally want it. never effectually called of God to this very day, but ſtill remaineſt under the guilt of thy ſins, and the wrath of God, and the curſe of the law, and the damnation of ungodly men: for if a man be called, he preſently comes to be faithful, choſen and faithful, Rev. 19. it is faith that makes up the effectual call, for this call differs from the other; in that this call makes a man come to God by faith; ſo that a man is a believer, if he be effectually called; now if a man be a believer, there is ſome knowledge in faith, Iſa. 45. 24. Surely ſhall p. 18one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength, ſaith the text: look up and down in all the Scripture, there is ſome ſurety in every believer that he hath righteouſneſs in God, that he hath ſalvation in his name, as the Church ſaith, Iſa. 53. 15. doubtleſſe thou art our Father; it is the ſpeech of people that are marvelouſly troubled with unbelief and doubting, yet at laſt they conclude it, doubtleſſe thou art our Father, they cannot deny it: ſo ſaith David, Pſal. 23. 6. Surely goodneſſe and mercy, ſhall follow me all the dayes of my life. 1 Joh. 5. 19. We know that we are of God, he doth not only ſay it is thus, but we knows it is thus: nay take the doubtfulleſt man that ever was, which was H…m…n, Pſal. 88. 1. O Lord God of my ſalvation ſaith he: he was able in ſome meaſure to ſpeak it, that God was the God of his ſalvation, he was not totally uncertaine of it; whereſoever there is faith, there is ſome knowledge.

But then you will ſay, what is the difference, between the uncertainty that Obj. is in believers, and other people? it is true that all believers are effectually called of God, but yet a man may be uncertaine; now the queſtion is, how differs the uncertainty of a true believer that is called of God, and others? The difference is in theſe ſeveral particulars.

Firſt, A man that is effectually called of God, as it may be he cannot ſay it,Anſw. How the uncertainty of beleevers differs from others. ſo he cannot deny it; and as in part he cannot ſay it, ſo in part he can ſay it, though he hath a great deal of feare and terror and affrightment; and in ſome meaſure he cannot ſay it, yet in ſome meaſure he can, Mark. 9. 24. the man there that came to Chriſt, as he could not ſimply ſay that he did believe, ſo he could not ſimply deny it, but he partly did, and partly did not, Lord I believe, help my unbeliefe; though he could not ſay, he had the grace of faith, ſo he could not deny it: but other men, though they would faine ſay it; yet they cannot in ſpight of their teethes, it makes it appeare (unleſſe they be preſumptuous) that they do but deceive themſelves, and rock themſelves aſleep in a fooles paradice; but the people of God that are called indeed, as they cannot ſay they are ſo, ſo they cannot deny it.

Secondly, They that are called of God effectually, though they do notThe 2 difference. know it; but it may be ſpeak bitter things, as though they were not called, and deny it many times; yet it is only in their haſte, in an odd ſit that is come upon them, I ſayd in my haſte all men are lyars, Pſal 31. 22. it was only in his haſte, it was only in a pang that came upon him: but now other men, they do not ſay it in their haſte, neither is it only in a paſſion, when they queſtion their effectual calling; but they ſpeak it in their ſober witts, nay they are never in their ſober witts but then; for when they think it is otherwiſe, then they are in a paſſion, in their haſte, they are then in their ſober witts and ſpeak moſt judiciouſly, when they ſay it is not ſo.

Thirdly, A godly man as he will ſay he hath no grace, ſo he will let othersThe 3 difference. ſay ſo too; and it will humble him ſo much the more, and he will be the more abaſed, and cauſed to ſeek out more then ever he did before; but an hypocrite, though he will ſay in company ſometimes, I was never yet wrought upon; yet if he hears another ſay ſo, he begins to mince and ſaith you are miſtaken Sir; bleſſed be God I have beeen wrought upon, they cannot endure to heare that another ſhould ſay ſo; but they make as though they had aſſurance, and theſe and theſe gifts and graces, though their own conſciences witneſs to their teeths, that they have it not, yet they cannot abide others ſhould ſay ſo: but a child of God, will not exerciſe himſelf in things that are too high for him; as he is to ſeek, ſo he is content to be taken to be ſuch a one, and when the people of God ſuſpect him, it humbles him, and drives him nearer to God.

Fourthly, Such perſons that are effectually called indeed, though they areThe 4 difference. very ungrounded, and to ſeek in regard of their effectual calling; yet they moſt love and eſteem thoſe that tell them of it, that they may be better p. 19grounded, and ſee God better; when a man comes to them and tells them, you are hypocritical and ſecure and you neglect duties in your families, and you muſt give over this and that: thoſe that are effectually called of God indeed, will love thoſe that are moſt ſound, and moſt rip them up as it was with Paul, when he was converted; at firſt the Diſciples queſtioned him, Act. 9. 26. they would not believe that he was a convert; did Paul now ſtomack them, and ſhew himſelf offended? no, Paul did go on to manifeſt the truth of his grace more and more, till at laſt it did manifeſt it ſelf: ſo thoſe that are effectually called, they love thoſe moſt that are godly, and queſtion moſt their ſincerity, and it humbles them; and they love a life to be in ſuch company, and they cannot abide thoſe that dawbe them up with untempered mo…ter; but an hypocrite though his own conſcience queſtions it, and he is as one in a wilderneſs, and in darkneſs, that knows not whither he goeth, yet he cannot abide another ſhould beare him down ſo.

Fifthly, The uncertainty of the people of God breaks their hearts, and pullsThe uncertain…y o… it breaks the heart. them down before God, it burſts their hearts, and tears, and rends them, that they are not able to endure; they muſt have the favour of God, and the light of his countenance, and know where they are, and the things given them of God; and they count themſelves to have done nothing till they come to this, as David was in this caſe, Pſal. 55. 5. he was in a miſerable caſe, as if he were quite loſt: what did this make him do? I w…nt to God and mourned in my prayer, and cryed unto him, as you may ſee in the beginning of the Pſalm, it made him mourne before God, till the light of his countenance ſhined upon his ſoul; but a wretched heart that hopes he is called, though his conſcience doubts of it, this breaks not his heart, nor awakens him, but his vaine hopes build him up, and ſo he is kept off from being right as he ought to be.

Againe, thoſe that are effectually called, though they be uncertaine, yetFaith ſupplies this uncertainty they believe they ſhall be certaine, and they follow hard after God, till he give them aſſurance, and they build upon it, that they ſhall have it one day, and this builds them up: as it was with Mr. Moore of Norwich a reverend Divine, in all his Sermons for the moſt part, he would in one paſſage or other move his people to get aſſurance, in the end he ſickened himſelf, and called for all the good people in his pariſh, and told them, you know what Doctrine I have delivered to you; and amongſt the reſt, this was one that I frequently beate upon, that you would labour to be aſſured; now I muſt tell you that I never had aſſurance to my ſelfe, but I did ever look for it; and now by the mercy of God I have it, and as I preached this doctrine to you when I was living▪ ſo now I ſay unto you being a dying man, labour to get aſſurance; ſo that he did verily believe that he ſhould have it in the end, though as yet he had it not, and this ſtayed his ſoul to go on in all his wayes: as David, when he was caſt down, and had much ado to keep his hold, and had no aſſurance at that time; Why art thou caſt down O my ſoul? why art thou diſquieted within me, hope thou in God, for I ſhall yet praiſe him, who is the health of my countenance and my God, Pſal. 42. 11. though he were caſt down and dejected, this was his ſtay, I ſhall yet praiſe him, &c. he did verily believe he ſhould rejoyce in his holy name, and overcome thoſe diſtreſſes, and have the Lords mercy ſealed to his ſoule, and have his mouth filled with his praiſes, Why art thou caſt down O my ſoul? I ſhall yet rejoyce in his holy name, I ſhall yet ſhew forth his prayſes, I ſhall yet be able to apply his promiſes, and be able to ſay he is my God and my Redeemer.

Againe, the children of God, that are effectually called, though they doubtFaith contrary to doubting. never ſo much, yet their faith is of a contrary nature to their doubting, and excludes doubting, Mat. 21. If you believe and have faith, and doubt not, ſaith the text; not as though faith cannot have doubtings ſtand with it, but p. 20faith is of that nature, as excludes, and expells doubtings, and fights againſt it, as fire againſt water, and ſuch a man fights againſt doubtings, as he would …ight againſt temptations; to murther & adultery; he knows that infidelity is the mother of all ſinne, and therefore faith fights againſt doubting, and goeth to the throne of grace to be eſtabliſhed.

Laſtly, Though a child of God doubt of his condition; yet this is certaine, that Chriſt is the power of God to that man, though he know not whether heA child of God may doubt of his condition. be effectually called by Chriſt, yet Chriſt is the power of …od to his ſoul, as 1 Cor, 1. 24. Ʋnto them which are called Chriſt is the power of God, and the wiſdom of God. He is powerful to his ſoul, for the humbling, awakening, quickenning of him, for ſtrengthening of him againſt ſinne, for the making him hold out in the waies of God: he is of power to him in all his ordinances, in prayer, in hearing the Word, and in all his wayes: But it is not ſo with others that queſtion the effectual calling, Chriſt is not the power of God to them, Chriſt is of no effect to them; he may be of ſome effect, for enlightnings, and ſtirrings, and outward reformation; but to bring them to goodneſs, and holineſs indeed, and to hatred againſt ſinne, Chriſt is not the power of God to thoſe perſons, but he is fooliſhneſs to them.

Now the next thing that I will ſhew you, is a point that hath been a little touched; but I will paſſe over what hath been ſpoken, and will ſpeak more at large of it: I deſire to ſpeak more particularly, and punctually of this ſame effectual calling.

And the firſt point we will take out of it is this; that effectual calling is theEffectual calling is the firſt gathering of men unto Chriſt. firſt gathering of men unto Chriſt, the firſt making of men to come to Chriſt, the firſt putting of a man into the eſtate of grace, it is the very portall …o religion, the very entry into eternal life; it is the firſt bringing of a man to pertake of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to have fellowſhip with him: ſo it is called in Scripture, the gathering of the elect home, Iſa. 56. 8. I will gather (ſaith the Lord) the out caſts of Iſrael: he propheſieth there of the effectual calling of the Gentiles; and God ſaith here, this is the firſt thing that I will do, I will gather them to my people, I will make them come home to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt… this is ſet forth unto us by our Saviour Chriſt in two principal parables, one of the Net. Mat. 13. 47, 48. againe, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a N…t, &c. So that here ſpeaking of the effectual calling of people, this is ſaid to be the firſt act of God in it; namely, the gathering of them for the Kingdom of heaven by the preaching of the Word, and this net is the Goſpel that is preached▪ the ſea is this world, the fiſhes are men, and the good and bad are elect, and reprobate; (not as though the elect were good before they are effectually called, but they are called good, becauſe of Gods deſignation and decree to make them good; and he looks upon them as ſuch as ſhall be good, and ſuch as he hath purpoſed to make good in his time) Now the Goſpel doth draw out of the world Gods elect (by a general call, it calls both elect and reprobate) but effectual calling, is the gathering of good fiſhes, that in the end of the world ſhall be put into veſſels by themſelves, ſo that effectual calling, the firſt act of it, is the gathering of men home to God; the other parable is, Luk. 15. 4, 5. What man having loſt an hundred ſheep, &c. all the loſt ſheep of Iſrael, and of Gods election that are in their loſt eſtate, as well as other people, before God takes them in hand: here you ſee the firſt act God doth towards them, before which they were altogether loſt, and are now found againe; is the fetching of them home, the taking of them upon Chriſt his ſhoulders, and bringing them home unto him: I ſay, effectual calling, it is Gods firſt making of a man to come to Chriſt, you may ſee it, 1 Pet. 2. 4. To whom coming as to a living ſtone, ye alſo are built up, &c. he alludes unto their firſt effectual calling, when God did firſt deale with them, he made them to come to him to be put into this building; the children of God after that they are effectually called, are ſaid to be in p. 21this building, but this firſt act of God, is the putting of them into this building; the bringing of them to be laid into this excellent edifice, for there is no ſuch building in the world, is it a building, whoſe foundation is Chriſt, and all the Saints of God are built upon it; it is the moſt admirable building in the world: now effectual calling brings a man, and layes him into this building; before a man is effectually called he is as a ſtray ſheep, as a ſheep ſcattered abroad, and roaming and ranging up and down the waies of ſin, and of death, whom the devil hath po…nded as a ſtray; he is departed from God, and is roaming up and down in the world; he is in a loſt eſtate, till God come with this effectual calling and bring him home, 1 Pet. 2. 25. For ye were as ſheep going aſtray, but are now returned to your ſhepheard; that is, ever ſince your effectual calling you are come home to God, that was your returning time; before you were as chickens ſubject to the kite, till this …hen gathered you under her wings, and made you ſafe: ſo againe, it is called the drawing of a man unto Chriſt, Joh. 6. 44. No man cometh to me, except the Father draweth him; that is except the Father effectually call him, he cannot come unto me; now this bare and naked calling cannot do it without drawing, therefore it is here called drawing of a man, before which a man was altogether out of Chriſt: therefore this is the firſt act God performes upon a man, to draw him to Chriſt; the man is as unwilling to come to Chriſt naturally, as any elſe; his luſts draw him another way, and he is as heavy as a milſtone, and his heart is lumpiſh to the things of God, till the father draws him, and pulls his affections, and thoughts, and minde to come home unto Chriſt; this is the firſt act God doth; and againe, it is called the bringing of a man to Chriſt, Joh. 10. 16. other ſheep alſo have I, ſaith Chriſt, which I muſt bring unto this fold, he ſpeaks here how that he means to call the Gentiles, (all the elect of God among them) now becauſe they cannot come, they have no ſtrength of their own to come, therefore he ſaith, he muſt bring them unto him.

Againe, there muſt be application of Chriſt unto a man; now effectual calling is the firſt ſtep to the application of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to a man;There muſt be applying of Chriſt to a man. we know the Lord Jeſus is the Redeemer of the world, he hath taken away the ſinnes of the world, ſatisfied the wrath of God, wrought righteouſneſs for Gods elect, he hath overcome death, and ſinne, and Satan, and hath expiated for us, and wrought an everlaſting ſalvation by his own death and paſſion, in the daies of his fleſh, Chriſt hath done this; now except this be applied to a man, what is a man the nearer? now the firſt ſtep of the application of the redemption of Chriſt is wrought by this effectual calling of a man unto him: then the Lord begins to make a man have union with Jeſus Chriſt, before a man was like a branch out of the vine, a dead branch that could do nothing, he could not repent, or ſerve God, or pleaſe God, or do any thing, he was eſtranged in minde and heart, and will: but when God doth effectually call a man, he doth firſt work this application of Chriſt, that a man may have union with him, and effectual calling is the firſt putting of a man into the eſtate of grace; the firſt eſtating of a man into eternal life, it is the firſt ingraffing of a man into the Son of God, it is the putting on of Chriſt; the Saints of God, after they are called weare Chriſt, and walke in Chriſt: but at a mans firſt effectual calling, there is the putting of him on: it is the firſt notice that a man hath of ſalvation, the firſt tydings that comes to the ſoul of eternal redemption by Jeſus Chriſt; people heare it with their outward ears before, but never do they come to heare this in their ſouls and ſpirits till now; this is the firſt notice and inkling of it; when God doth effectually call them, then he begins this work, as Col. 1. 6. which Word is come unto you (ſpeaking of the Goſpel) it is come unto you, and bringeth forth fruit, ſince the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth; that is, ſince the day you were effectually called, then was the firſt time of hearing this bleſſed Goſpel; your p. 22ears were deaf till then, your hearts were dead in ſins and treſpaſſes till then; but when you were effectually called, then was the firſt knowing of the grace of God in truth; therefore it is called in Scripture, the firſt beginning of God to do a man good: it is the firſt beginning of all the goodneſs of God towards a man, as Phil. 1. 6. being confident in this, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it till the day of Jeſus Chriſt; that is, he that did effectually call you, as he did begin a good work in you, and did begin to put forth his eternal good will and pleaſure in you, and powred forth the beginning of his mercy, and grace and favour into your ſouls; now he that hath done this, will never leave it, till he hath brought it to perfection. So againe, it is called the firſt building of a man for heaven, this is done in effectual calling, Acts 15. 14. Sim…on hath declared how God at the firſt did viſit the Gentiles (ſaith the text) to take out of them a people for his name; that is, the Word had effectually called the Gentiles, and this ver. 16. is called the firſt building of the Gentiles, and the firſt plucking of them out of the other people of the world, to be a people of God. This is the firſt day of a child of Gods conſecration, it is called the forming of Chriſt in a mans heart, when a man comes to be formed in the womb of the Church, before he was a non ens, he had no being in the world, he was but a natural man; but this new workmanſhip never came into the world till now, when a man is effectually called. So againe, it is called a mans firſt entring into Chriſt, enter in at the ſtraight-gate, as who ſhould ſay, obey the call of God, come in; a mans effectual calling, is a mans firſt entring into the eſtate of grace (I ſpeak the more largely of it, becauſe I would have you underſtand the Scripture that ſpeaks of it in theſe phraſes) I ſay, effectual calling is the firſt ſtep to the application of Jeſus Chriſt, the firſt ſtep of putting a man into the eſtate of grace, the firſt bringing of a man to Chriſt.

The firſt reaſon of this is, becauſe, before effectual calling, a man was withoutBefore effectual calling no intereſt in Chriſt out Chriſt, and had no intereſt in Chriſt, no communion or fellowſhip with Chriſt, he was altogether dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, a curſed creature, a damned creature, in the eſtate of ſinne and condemnation; whatever parts or gifts he had, all were no better then may be in a reprobate, Eph. 2. 12. before that time you were without Chriſt, aliens and ſtrangers from the commonwealth of Iſrael; may be you were civil, but you had no union with Chriſt; though you were conſtant hearers of the Word (which is a laudable thing) yet you had no union with Chriſt; may be you were decked with admirable qualities and jewels, as the Prophet ſhews; a man may be decked with golden vertues, and afterwards turne to droſſe; a man may have admirable things in him, before he hath this; but there was nothing of God in a man, nothing of Chriſt in a man, no ſaving operation of Gods Spirit at all in a man, no union with Chriſt: this is the firſt paſſage of a man from death to life, from nature to grace, from the devil to God, we are paſſed from death to life (ſaith the Apoſtle) this is an alluſion to a mans effectual calling, afterwards a man brings forth the fruits of life, and is alive to God; but when a man is firſt effectually called, there is his paſſage from death to life, he was a dead man before. Now this effectual calling therefore is the firſt work that is wrought in a man, becauſe it is the firſt paſſage of a man from death to life; it is a tranſition from ſinne, hell, and damnation, to be in Chriſt; therefore marke how Peter ſpeaks, when he had a hope that his hearers were effectually called, Acts 8. 40. Save your ſelves (ſaith he) from this untoward generation; as who ſhould ſay, this is your firſt parting from the world, the firſt ſhaking of hands, and bidding them farewell, if you be effectually called as you ſeem to be, come out from among them, and ſave your ſelves from this untoward generation, this is the firſt burſting of the bonds between you and ſin; the firſt breaking of the league between you and carnal company; now ſave your ſelves from this untoward generation, p. 23and make it appeare that you are called, this the Apoſtle ſheweth, Gal. 1. 13. that before he was called he had nothing in him at all; you have heard ſaith he, how in times paſt beyond meaſure I perſecuted the Church, &c. I confeſſe I had goodly things in me, and I profitted in the jewiſh Religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more jealous for the traditions of my fathers; I was marvellous ſtrict and forward, and for the letter of the law; I was marvellous zealous and blameleſſe: there were excellent good things in me; but I had nothing of Chriſt all this while, but when it pleaſed God, who ſeperated me from my mothers womb, and called me by his grace, &c. as who ſhould ſay, now here was the firſt dawning of that bleſſed light in my heart, now begun that to appeare when God called me by his grace, and firſt revealed his Son in me, then was the deed done, and never till then: ſo alſo he ſhews that he was a curſed creature living in iniquity; it may be himſelf, and his companions, took him to be as good a man as any was in all Iſrael, but ſee how he caſts his own water, Tit. 3. 3. We our ſelves alſo, were ſometimes fooliſh, ſerving divers luſts, &c. but after that the kindneſs and love of God appeared, &c. from thence he began to be in the eſtate of grace, when God called him out of that bad eſtate, when God made a breach between him, and his old courſes; when he made the firſt rent, and diviſion, and revoke, then grace began to appeare, from that time forward I was in Chriſt: thus you ſee that effectual calling is the firſt work of God in a mans ſoul, it is the firſt bringing of a man to Chriſt, and the firſt making of a man to put him on.

Secondly, Becauſe before effectual calling, all was within God; whatEffectual calling declared in the heart. God would do with this or that man; may be he meant to ſave him, may be he meant to dam him, may be he meant to open his eyes, ma… be he meant to let him go on, and live and dye in blindneſs, may be he meant to turne his heart, may be he meant to let him go on with the world; all was within his own boſom, there was no inkling, that ever this man ſhould have grace, and eternal life, nor man, nor Angel, nor himſelf, could perceive any ſuch thing: a man might have vaine hopes, and falſe conceits; but no inkling from heaven, but he was as faire to be a reprobate, as the devils in hell? but when God effectually calls a man, then he begins to declare what he intends to this or that man, he begins to open his breſt, and ſhew what purpoſe he had in himſelf from all eternity, as Eph. 1. 9. having made known unto us (ſaith the Apoſtle) the myſtery of his will, which he purpoſed in himſelf, &c. it was all in himſelf before, ſhut up in his own ſecret and privy boſom, but when God did effectually call us ſaith he, then did he make known unto us the myſtery of his will; it was a myſtery locked up, it was a ſecret thing that ever he had a purpoſe to bring us to ſuch things, to let us ſee ſuch mercies; now here was the breaking open of this ſeale, now it began to ſhew it ſelf, now the Lord declared what purpoſe he had in himſelf, now he makes it appeare, that we are his elect and choſen, and his beloved ones, as Paul ſaith of the Romans, to all that are at Rome, beloved of God called to be Saints, &c. Rom. 1. 7. you will ſay, how do you know we are beloved ones? If you be called to be Saints, I dare be bold to ſay, you are beloved of God, God hath made it to appeare that he loves you: I could not ſpeak thus before, you were as vile drunkards and profane perſons, as any were in Rome; but now I dare be bold to ſay, you are beloved of God; nay more, grace and peace be to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, you are called to be Saints, and if you are once called, then it doth appeare you are the beloved of God; it is Gods golden ſcepter, no man could tell whom the King would call to him, no man could tell, this or that man ſhould be called rather then another, till he held out his golden ſcepter, Heſt. 4. 11. So it is with God; when God doth hold out this golden ſcepter to a man, now a man hath an inkling that the Lord hath choſen him, and will be good to him, p. 24and hear him, and help him in all his wayes and pardon him, and do every good thing for him, as Mark. 3. 13. (I uſe it onelyonly as a ſimilitude) our Saviour Chriſt was there in the mount, and the people were below in the vally, now ſaith the Text, he called unto him, whom he would, and they came unto him; he was in the mount, and all his Diſciples were in the vally; now no man could tell, who ſhould be an Apoſtle: Andrew ſaith Chriſt, come up; now he was one who ſhould be next no man could tell, Peter come up, then they knew he was one too, &c. Therefore this calling was the firſt intimation of Chriſts purpoſe to them, it was ſecret in his own boſom, whom he would make Apoſtles before; but when he called them, it came forth, Andrew ſees he is the man, and Peter ſees he is the man, &c.

Thirdly, Becauſe all other works, follow this work of effectual calling;All works follow the work of effectual calling. there be abundance of works that God doth work upon his people, that he hath choſen to his Kingdom and glory; he doth juſtifie them, and pardon their ſins, and ſanctifie and cleanſe them from iniquity, makes them grow in grace, hears their prayers, makes them depend upon him in all their needs and neceſſities, he makes them deny themſelves, and works the grace of humiliation more and more, and a trade of godlineſſe, and a courſe of holineſs and piety; now not one of theſe works are, till a man is called, all things work together for the beſt to thoſe that are called, Rom. 8. 28. this is a lea…ing work, now all works come in; now the word works, and prayer works, and the Sacrament works, and afflictions work, and ſinne works, when a man is effectually called; this is the great wheele of motion, now all things work together for the good of him that is called according to Gods purpoſe: this is the firſt ground work, the firſt breaking of the ice, the firſt ſetting of a man forth towards heaven; therefore we ſhall ſee when the Apoſtle is to write to any man or Churches, commonly before ever he bids them do this or that, the firſt thing he ſpeaks to them about, is this; he tells them they are effectually called, as Rom. 1. 7. afterwards he bids them yield their members, as weapons to righteouſneſs, and adviſeth them to walk in the Spirit, and give up their bodies and ſouls, as a living ſacrifice to God; not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed in the ſpirit of their minds, and to walk in love, and redeem… the time; and abundance of other works he ſets them about: but firſt of all he names their effectual calling; as who ſhould ſay, I take it for granted that …o…re called; it is a folly for me to bid you do this or that, if you were not effectually called, elſe I ſhould alwaies be beating, what damned and …iſerable creatures you are; ſhall I bid you pray, and profeſſe Religion, and you not effectually called, you can never do this: therefore this is the firſt thing, … called of God. So when he writes to the Corinths, 1 Cor. 1. 2. called …e Saints, it is the fore front of all his Epiſtles; as who ſhould ſay, I ſhall ſpeak abundance of things to you, but you are called of God; therefore he bids them do this and that, and the other, all works come after this effectual calling, as it is in other particular callings; ſuppoſe a man be called to be an Apoſtle, all the acts and performances that an Apoſtle doth, they come after he is called, elſe they are not the acts of an Apoſtle, but a medler; therefore in all the Apoſtles writings, when he doth the acts of an Apoſtle, to exhort them, and rebuke them in the Lord, he ſhews his calling, Paul called to be an Apoſtle; as who ſhould ſay, do not judge amiſs of me; you may think, what have I to do with you? we have a Miniſter already, what have you to do in Corinth? meddle with your own places where you live; miſtake me not, I am called to be an Apoſtle; ſo that his calling to be an Apoſtle, is before all other actions; firſt he is called, and then exhorts, inſtructs, reproves, &c.Several names given to effectual calling.

Fourthly, Another reaſon is taken from the names that are given unto effectual calling: firſt it is called a mans gathering unto Chriſt, as Joh. 11. 50, p. 2551, 52. it is the prophecy of Caiphas, though he ſpake he knew not what, yet he ſpake right, as the place doth imply, it is expedient, ſaith he, that one man ſhould dye for the people, and gather together the children of God that were ſcattered; as who ſhould ſay, this is the firſt act that the Lord Jeſus doth upon thoſe that are his, they were ſcattered till then; and now when he comes effectually to call them, he puts his firſt act upon them, and gathered them to himſelf; ſo alſo it is called a drawing unto God, Joh 12. 32. When I am lifted up▪ I will draw all men unto me; that is when he was lifted up upon the croſſe, he would call the Gentiles, all his elect people unto him; he doth not ſpeak of all men, but he ſpeaks of the elect, he will draw all them to him▪ he will call them home. So againe, it is called in Scripture, the entring of a man into Chriſt, as a Scholar that is admitted into a Colledge, his name is firſt entred; ſo effectual calling is a mans firſt entring into the Schoole of Chriſt, into the family of Chriſt; when a man is firſt entred into that bleſſed ſociety, as Joh. 10. 9. I am the doore, if any man will enter by me, he ſhall be ſaved, and go in and out, and finde paſture; he ſpeaks here of the firſt act of a mans coming before that he was quite out of doors: this is the firſt act, his firſt entring into Chriſt to be of his ſheepfold, and flock, to feed upon his paſtures, and to have the benefit of his Scepter, and be governed and guided by him, as the true ſhepheard: effectual calling enters a man into Chriſt. Againe it is called a mans coming in, Rom. 11. 25. untill the fulneſs of the Gentiles is come in, that is, until the elect Gentiles be effectually called; now becauſe he would expreſſe what effectual calling is, he calls it the coming of a man in; he was without before, as other dogs were, that had no part in the tree of life, no intereſt in the ſalvation purchaſed, as far off as thoſe that were reprobates; but now is his coming in▪ and ſo I might inſtance in other names.

Laſtly, Becauſe it is the firſt extract of election, and predeſtination unto eternal life, as Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predeſtinate, them alſo he called. there was the firſt impreſſion of the ſeale upon the wax, there was the firſt image that he made, whom he did predeſtinate, them he called; afterwards he juſtified them, &c: therefore you ſhall finde in Scripture, that election & calling are put together, becauſe this is the firſt bluſh of it, as Rev. 17. 14. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and they that are with him are called and choſen, he puts them both together; what a marvelous comfort is this to thoſe that know they are effectually called of God! election and vocation, are individual companions, and cannot be ſeparated one from the other; that man that is elected, it is certaine he ſhall be called; this is that which makes a man actually elected; my meaning is this, though a man were elected before all worlds, though now living in the eſtate of ſinne and death, and damnation, a vile wretched ſinner; he was elected it may be, but not actually elected in himſelf, there was nothing of election in him, there was no image nor ſeale of election ſtamped upon him, nothing of it put forth in him; therefore this is the reaſon, why in Scripture vocation is called election, 1 Cor. 1. 26, 27. You ſee your calling brethren, not many wiſemen after the fleſh, not many mighty, &c. are called, but God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe; the one is the image and the effect of the other, he puts one for the other, you ſee your calling; how? becauſe God hath choſen the fooliſh and baſe people, and not thoſe that are more noble and excellent; this is the reaſon, for as election is before all times, ſo vocation is in time; it is the electing, or chooſing, or calling of a man out of the world; ſo that vocation and election are very much a kinne the one to the other; it is juſt as Gods decree of creating and creating; the creating of the world was juſt according to the idea he had framed in his decree, ſo the calling of a man is juſt the image and idea of what God had decreed to a party from all eternity; therefore it muſt needs be the firſt work that is wrought upon a man.

p. 26Ʋſe 1. This ſheweth us why it is ſuch a dangerous thing for any man inDangerous to erre about our effectual calling the world to miſtake his effectual calling, and think he is called of God, when he is not; becauſe it is the firſt work of all, therefore very dangerous to erre in it! what, to erre in the very firſt work of all, in the maine and principal, in the very beginning of all the whole workmanſhip! it is a very grievous thing: The Apoſtle St. James, writing to Chriſtians profeſſing Religion, to take heed they think not they have grace, when they have not; he bids them take heed they do not erre, Iam. 1. 16. he ſpeaks not there in regard of particulars, but in the general it is dangerous to erre in any point; but to erre in ſuch a thing as is of this nature, it is moſt woeful.

Reaſ. 1. Becauſe this is the foundation; now it is a horrible thing in intellectuals,Becauſe this is the foundation. in matters of theory to erre in fundamentals: ſo it is in practicals; it is an horrible thing for a man to erre in the very foundation of Religion, in the firſt acquaintance with God, in the very ground and bottom of all, a man had need lay the foundation well, becauſe elſe the whole building falls; effectual calling is the very ground of a mans going to God, it is the very ground of a mans laying hold upon God, and of the profeſſion of Religion, and all the building muſt come to nothing, if this be not well laid; God forbid I ſhould go about to ſhake any man, or call in queſtion any mans Religion, or hope or comfort; I deny not people the profeſſing of Gods name, or the calling upon God, or the coming to the Sacraments, I do not deny th… this; but I beſeech you, be ſure that you have a good foundation for all, for all will come to nothing elſs; you remember what became of the mans houſe that was built upon the ſands, that had no foundation, Mat. 7. 26. When the winds came, and the floods beate upon that houſe, it fell, the houſe came falling down as if it had never been built: ſo have a care of the foundation, it is a moſt miſerable thing, if the foundation be not well laid.

Secondly, Becauſe effectual calling is a thing that a man muſt have a thouſandBecauſe man moſt often have recourſe to it. references unto before he die; if he lives, he muſt every day have a reference to this, a man can do nothing, but he muſt ſtill have a reference to his effectual calling, he muſt ever and anon be looking back to this; God hath called me to his glory and vertue; he will be driven to this whether he will or no; it is like a mans evidence, when any wrangling companion ſhall queſtion his right in his eſtate, he muſt have reference to his evidences, and if he find them hardly currant, what a ſtound will he be put unto, if he find his evidences rotten and unſound, he knows not what courſe to take: why! effectual calling is that which a child of God muſt have reference unto all the dayes of his life, from the firſt eſtating of him in the Kingdom of God, from the firſt bringing of him to partake of eternal life: when David was in affliction in body and minde, and doubts came upon him thick and threefold, he was faine to have reference to his effectual calling, and that comforted him, Pſal. 1 9. 50. This is my comfort in affliction▪ for thy Word hath quickened me, when he was …n affliction of conſcience, and minde, and body, he began to look back; time was when I was dead in ſinnes and treſpaſſes, I never looked after God, but thy Word hath quickened me; this raiſed him up, this was his comfort in his affliction, the Lord had called him to his Kingdom, and made him partaker of the work of grace, and this cheared him; had he not had reference to this, he could have had no hold; without this a man is as in a wilderne…s, a loſt man: therefore what a feareful thing is it for a man to take himſelf to be effectually called when he is not? it is as it were to lay a ſpringe for a mans ſoul, it is as a net for the devil to take a man, and to carry him on in hopes and expectations; and then when he looks back, and ſees his bottom and foundation he ſtands upon is nothing but conceit, this is a miſerable thing.Becauſe it is the beginning of Gods works on the ſoul.

Thirdly, Becauſe it is the beginning of the works of God; now what a thing is it for a man to ſtrike out of the way at his beginning? if a man have p. 27a journy to go, if he go out of the way as ſoon as ever he goes out of doores; he muſt needs be wide, he had been better have ſtayed at home; a man were better go out of his way at any time, then at the beginning, if he go ten miles, and then go out of his way, there is ſome hope; it is not all in vaine, he hath gone ten miles onward of his journy; but for a man to go out of his way, as ſoone as ever he ſteps out of doors, he is caſt further off, then if he had never ſtirred a foot; it is an excellent thing when a man begins well, Gal. 3. 3. Ye began in the Spirit, &c. though they ſtruck out of the way afterwards, and yielded to a great deale of carnal doctrine and fleſhly propoſitions, and were a world out of the way, yet this was to great purpoſe that they began well; St. Paul durſt not but call them the children of God, he could hardly tell what to make of them; yet he ſaith, little children ye have put on Chriſt, and done thus and thus, and went out to eternal life in a right manner, therefore God will bring you in againe certainly, you muſt come againe, you began well you began in the Spirit; but when a man in his very beginning ſhall erre, his error was in principi…, as ever he ſet out of doors, he went clean contrary, this man hardly ever returnes, nay he had been better never to have ſtepped forth; when a man ſteps into a way which ſeems good to him, commonly that way is death to him; when he hath gone a thouſand miles, as he thinks, in the profeſſion of Religion, and hath gotten the apprehenſion in his ow… ſoul to be the child of God then to lay it down▪ it goes to the heart of him; he will build an high wall in his own imagination, certainly it is thus; indeed it is better to turne then go forward, but it is the corruption of a mans heart he cannot abide to returne, it will be a ſhame to him, and there muſt be ſuch a do, that he is not able to beare it; I do not deſire to unſettle any man, if a man hath but his fingers ends to lay hold upon Chriſt, any truth to hang upon him, let him hang, God for bid I ſhould ſhake ſuch a one; but if your error be in the beginning, and if you have gone out of the way, you were better to returne, for you will never go right.

Ʋſe 2. Here we may ſee the reaſon why the Scripture is ſo urgent toSee why Scriptu…e u…ge… us to make out calling ſure. make our calling ſure, becauſe this is the firſt entrance, and admiſſion into Jeſus Chriſt; there is an excellent place, 2 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Wherefore the rather brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure, for he that doth theſe things ſhall never fall; for ſo an entrance ſhall be made unto you, into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; make it ſure▪ why? for if you do, you ſhall never fall; that is not all neither, though this is a great matter, is not this a great matter for a man to be ſure never to fall away? but he ſhall ſtand and hold our for ever, what a mercy is this? yet this is not all; for ſaith he, ſo ſhall an emrance be made unto you, into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, as who ſhould ſay, your effectual calling is the very entrance into the Kingdom and glory of Jeſus Chriſt, it is the very firſt entring into the way of eternal life, if you are aſſured of this, you are in a faire way, you are in the gates of heaven, you are in an excellent way, if you have made this ſure; therefore make that paſtlal peradventure, that you were called indeed of God to partake of Jeſus Chriſt.

Reaſ. 1. The reaſon to urge this, is firſt, becauſe effectual calling is ſuch a Reaſ. 1 firſt work, that as God doth it at firſt, ſo it ſtands for all, a man ſhall never be called more: God doth it once, and will never do it againe; look what God gives a man at firſt, he gives him once for all, you may ſee it, Jud 1. ſaith he I would have you earneſtly contend for the faith, which was once delivered to the Saints; when God did effectually call his Saints, he delivered to them faith, and he delivered it to them then once for all, never to give it to them againe; but then they had it once for all, as it is ſaid of Chriſt, he was once offered for all, Heb 9. So when God doth effectually call a man, he doth give him this call once for all, he gives him faith once for all, and grace once for all; but you p. 28will ſay when God gives grace he reneweth it every day, and affoards new helps, and new aſſiſtances; 'tis true, and without this, no man can ſtand without ſupply from God continually, the very elect could not perſevere unto the end; but yet God gives them no new graces, he gives them more of the ſame love to God, and more of the ſame faith, and more of the ſame deſires, and endeavours after goodneſs; but the thing is never to do againe, as Chriſt ſaith to the woman of Samaria, 1 Joh. 4. 14. Whoſoever drinketh of the water that I ſhall give him ſhall never thirſt; when Chriſt brings a man to this well, and gives him the firſt draught, he ſhall never thirſt more, he ſhall never have it to do againe; God doth it once for all? that is, that man that is once effectually called, is never uncalled, if he hath once faith given him, he is never totally deprived of it, it is once delivered to him, for all times afterwards: now this ſhews us, that it concerns us nearly to be aſſured of this, when a man hath done a thing, that can be but once done, it muſt ſtand for all; and the thing is good and neceſſary, would he not be ſure of it? ſuch a thing is effectual calling.

Secondly, Becauſe all the promiſes meet here, as all the ſtreams meet whereAll the promiſes of God, meet in a mans effectual calling the fountaine opens its ſelf, ſo all the promiſes of God meet in a mans effectual calling; when God effectually calls a man, he ſaith, take my Son, come unto me, caſt thy ſelf upon me; and be ruled by me, he doth this effectually, and ſaith thus to him; thou ſhalt have my Son, and with him all things, pardon of thy ſins, the peace of a good conſcience; I will give thee power againſt …ll thy luſts, the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile againſt thee; I will keep thee here in this world through faith unto ſalvation, take my y…ak upon th…, and learne of me, and thou ſhalt have all theſe things, and therefore, Rev. 19. 9. Bleſſed is he that is called to the ſupper of the Lamb, theſe are the true ſayings of God, as who ſhould ſay, though you may queſtion it, and doubt it, and call it into controverſy, I tell you it is true; theſe are the true ſayings of God and you may build your ſelf upon it, you are bleſſed if you be once effectually called of God, all the promiſes of God belong unto you, Acts 2. 39. the pr…miſes belong to you, and to your children, to as many as God ſhall call; all that are called of God, all the promiſes of God belong unto them; as ſoon as ever Chriſt hath effectually called a man, he opens his liver-veine, and lets out all his heart blood upon him, all belongs to that man, it is like the firſt joyning of hands between man and wife, with all my goods I thee …ndow: when God firſt takes a man out of the world, to live unto him, and ſeek his Kingdom, and labour to pleaſe him, and from this time forward to believe in his name, with all his goods he him endows, he gives him title to eternal life, to all the help… and furtherances, that ever he ſhall need for this life or eternal life, he ſhall have all: now what a needful thing is it, when all the promiſes meet here, as at a fountaine head; here is the ſpring let forth, how needful is it I ſay, that a man ſhould labour that he be effectually called of God; we ſhould look for i… every day, and pray to God to have it, and ſtrive to have it appeare unto us▪ that our calling is ſound: here is the very in-let of all the comforts of the holy Ghoſt, and all the hope that the ſoul can have, here is all the ſatisfaction and content of the ſoul of man; they are beſtowed upon a man, when he is effectually called, there is a way ſet open unto him, that he may have the ſame.

Thirdly, Becauſe this is the firſt of all obedience, a man cannot obey God,Effectual calling is the firſt point of obedience till he be effectually called; nay, it is not obedience till he be called, if a man ſhould heare Sermons, come to the Sacraments, give to the poore, it is no obedience till a man be effectually called: when once a man is bound apprentice, and his indentures are drawn, his running of errands, and all he doth is ſervice to his Maſter; when thou art bound apprentice to Chriſt, and thy indentures are ſealed, and thou art called to be a ſervant unto him; now all p. 29thy works are obedience to him, Come ſaith Chriſt, learne of me, &c. Mat. 11. 28. firſt he would have them come to him, and beare his yoak, and then learn of me; then be meek as I am meek, and humble as I am humble, and then bear my burthen; then it is obedience and you are able to go through, Faithful is he that hath called you, who will alſo do it; effectual calling is the fill-horſe of the cart, that bears up the cart, this is the firſt draught; a Painter cannot lay any colour, till the firſt draught be made: this is the very ground of a mans workings; this is the ground of all obedience, of all prayer, and hearing; here is the ground of doing all aright, otherwiſe God will ſay, what haſt thou to do, to take my name into thy mouth, unleſſe thou wilt ſubmit to my Covenant and be bound apprentice with me; a man that is yet in his ſins, he hath nothing to do as yet, but to lye at the throne of grace, crying that God would give him a call, for he can do nothing till he is effectually called of God.

Fourthly, This is the only way to go forward; a man cannot go forward,Effectual calling is the only means to go forward. there is no proceeding unleſſe the beginning be well done, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Heb. 6. 1. leaving the principles of the doctrine of Chriſt, let us go on unto perfection; as who ſhould ſay, taking it for granted, that you are effectually called of God, that the principals of Religion are laid in your ſouls, let us go on unto perfection, let us wax better and better, and pray to God that we may encreaſe in grace, let us walk in holy and ſincere obedience to all Gods Commandements, let us labour and ſtrive to out-ſtrip our ſelves, and amend our ſelves from day to day; if we have laid the foundation well, if that be firſt well laid, a man may go on to perfection, a man cannot otherwiſe go on well; nay, the further a man goeth on, the more miſchief he pulls upon his ſoul.

Laſtly, This is the maine ſtud in the houſe, the very ground a man is toEffectual calling the very ground to ſtand faſt upon. ſtand faſt upon; this is the ground to keep a man from falling away, that God hath effectually called him, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 2 Theſ. 2. 13, 14. We are bound to give God thanks for you brethren, becauſe God hath from the beginning choſen you to ſalvation, through the ſanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our Goſpel, therefore brethren ſtand faſt; when a man is effectually called, a man may ſay ſtand faſt, otherwiſe he cannot perſevere unto the end.