{"query":"effectual calling","total":83,"results":[{"document":"lye1672","id":"31","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/lye1672/entries/31","question":"What is Effectual Calling?","title":null,"text":"What is Effectual Calling? Effectual Calling, is the work of Gods Spirit, whereby, convincing us, of our sin, and misery, enlightning our minds in the knowledg of Christ, and renewing our Wills, he doth perswade, and enable us, to embrace Iesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel. 1. Effectual Calling is the work of Gods Spirit 2. In effectual Calling, the Spirit of God convinceth us, of sin, and misery. 3. The Spirit of God enlightneth our minds in the knowledg of Christ. 4. The Spirit of God renews our wills. 5. The Spirit of God perswades, and enables us, to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel.","score":12.2794},{"document":"alleine1672","id":"31","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/alleine1672/entries/31","question":"What is Effectual Calling?","title":null,"text":"What is Effectual Calling? Effectual Calling is the work of Gods Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, inlightning our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel. What kind of calling is it that is here described, a common, external, and ineffectual calling? No. A saving, internal, and effectual calling? Yes. May men be externally called by the ministry of the Word, and yet not effectually, and savingly called? Yes. Whose work is effectual calling? The work of Gods Spirit. Is effectual vocation then the proper work of the Spirit, as our Redemption is the proper work of Christ? Yes. What is the first thing the Spirit doth for men in effectual calling? He doth convince them. What doth he convince them of? Of their sin, and misery. What do you mean by convincing them of their sin, and misery? Making them feeling to know what a sinful, miserable, and undone condition they are in. Are none effectually called but they that have been some way or other convinced of their sin, and misery? No. What doth the Spirit do for the Elect, after he hath shewed them soundly their sin, and misery? He doth farther enlighten their minds. Have all that be effectually called their minds enlightened with saving knowledge? Yes. Is gross ignorance then a certain sign of one that remains uncalled, and unconverted? Yes. To the knowledge of whom doth the Spirit lead the convinced sinner? To the Knowledg of Christ. Is it sufficient to our effectual calling to have our minds enlightened and changed from ignorance to knowledg? No. Must there be a change upon our wills too? Yes. What then doth the Spirit do farther for the sinner when he hath enlightened his mind? He doth renew his Will. Do the Wills of men remain unchanged, when they are effectually called? No. Are there new inclinations then in the Wills of those that are effectually called, that they love the good that they hated before, and bate the evil that they loved before? Yes. Why doth the Spirit convince us of our Sins, enlighten our Minds, and renew our Wills? That he may perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ. Doth he no more then perswade our Wills? He doth also enable us. Are not we able of our selves to embrace Christ though he be offered to us? No. Are we as unwilling, as unable to embrace Jesus Christ? Yes. Who is it that perswadeth us, and enableth us, and makes us willing? The Spirit. Doth the upshot of our effectual calling consist in answering Christ’s call, and embracing him? Yes. Is Christ offered to us sinners then? Yes. Where? In the Gospel. How is Christ offered to them? Freely.","score":12.0143},{"document":"bc1695","id":"34","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/bc1695/questions/34","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.","score":11.9853},{"document":"bc1695-modernized","id":"34","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/bc1695-modernized/questions/34","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel.","score":11.9853},{"document":"wsc","id":"31","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/wsc/questions/31","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.","score":11.9853},{"document":"wsc-modernized","id":"31","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/wsc-modernized/questions/31","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.","score":11.9853},{"document":"explicatory1675","id":"31","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/explicatory1675/entries/31","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of Gods Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel. May men be externally called by the Ministry of the Word, or in a common way, and yet not effectually and savingly called? Yes. Whose work is effectuall calling? The work of Gods Spirit. What is the first thing the Spirit doth for us in effectual calling? He convinceth us of our sin, and misery. What do you mean by Conviction? Making us feelingly know what a sinful, miserable and undone condition we are in by nature. What more doth the Spirit work in us, when he calleth us? He inlightneth our minds in the knowledge of Christ. What doth the Spirit make us know of Iesus Christ? He makes us know the want and worth of him, not in an ordinary, but saving way. What doth the Spirit do farther for us, when he hath inlightned our minds? He reneweth our wills. What is it for our wills to be renewed? To have new inclinations, and dispositions put into them. Are not we able to renew our own wills, and to turn from sin unto Christ of our selves? No. Why doth the Spirit convince us of our sin and misery, enlighten our minds, and renew our wills? That he may perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ. Doth the main business of our effectual calling consist in our answering Christs call, and embracing him? Yes. How, and wherein is Iesus Christ offered to us? He is freely offered to us in the Gospel. What mean you by the Gospel? The Gospel is the glad tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ, contained in the Scriptures.","score":11.9222},{"document":"wlc","id":"67","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/wlc/questions/67","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto ) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.","score":11.794},{"document":"wlc-modernized","id":"67","kind":"question","url":"/api/v1/documents/wlc-modernized/questions/67","question":"What is effectual calling?","title":null,"text":"Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto ) he does, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.","score":11.794},{"document":"vincent1673","id":"31","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/vincent1673/entries/31","question":"What is Effectual Calling?","title":null,"text":"What is Effectual Calling? Effectual Calling is the work of Gods Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightning our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth perswade, and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel. What is the difference between effectual calling, and ineffectual calling? 1. Ineffectual calling is the bare external call of the Word, whereby all sinners are freely invited unto Christ, that they may have life and salvation by him, but in it self is insufficient to perswade and enable them to come unto him, Many are called, but few are chosen. Ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life. 2. Effectual calling is the internal call of the Spirit, accompanying the external call of the Word, whereby we are not only invited unto Christ, but also enabled and perswaded to embrace him, as he is freely proffered unto us in the Gospel, Every one that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me. What is the work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling? The work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling, is two-fold. 1. Upon our minds. 2. Upon our wills. What is the work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling upon our minds? The work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling upon our minds, is, 1. A convincing us of our sin and misery. 2. An enlightning us in the knowledge of Christ. What is it for the Spirit to convince our mind of our sin and misery? The Spirit worketh in our mind a conviction of our sin & misery, when he giveth us a clear sight, and full perswasion of the guilt of our sins, and a feeling apprehension of the dreadful Wrath of God, and the endless miseries of Hell, which we have deserved for sin, and every Hour are exposed unto; which doth wound our hearts and consciences, and filleth us with perplexing care what to do to be saved, And when he is come, he will reprove (or convince) the World of sin. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Men and Brethren, What shall we do? Whereby doth the Spirit convince us of our sin and misery! The Spirit convinceth us of our sin and misery by the Law, and threatnings thereof, By the Law is the knowledg of sin. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them. What knowledg of Christ doth the Spirit enlighten our minds withal after conviction of our sin and misery? The Spirit doth enlighten our minds, after conviction of our sin and misery, with the knowledg; 1. That Christ only can save, and that he is all sufficient to do it, Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given amongst men, whereby we must be saved. Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him. 2. That Christ is willing to save all that come unto him, Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. 3. That Christ hath undertaken to save us, and is faithful to perform it, That he might be a merciful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the People. Whereby doth the Spirit enlighten us with the knowledg of Christ? The Spirit doth enlighten us with the knowledg of Christ, by the discoveries of Christ in the Gospel, opening our eyes to discern him there discovered, To whom I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, &c. What is the work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling upon our wills? The work of the Spirit of God in our effectual calling upon our wills is to renew them. What is it for our wills to be renewed? Our wills are renewed, when the Spirit doth put new inclinations, and dispositions into them, A new heart will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you, and will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Are not we able to renew our own wills, and to turn from sin unto Christ of our selves? No. It is the all-mighty power of the Spirit of God, that doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ by Faith, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward, who believe according to the working of his mighty Power; which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead.","score":11.7664},{"document":"flavel1692","id":"41","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/flavel1692/entries/41","question":"Of Effectual Calling","title":null,"text":"What is effectual Calling? Effectual Calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing one wills, he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Iesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel. What makes the difference between effectual and ineffectual Calling? Ineffectual calling is when men have nothing but the external sound of the Gospel. For many be called, and few chosen. Effectual is, when the Spirit works in conjunction with the Word. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God; every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the father, cometh unto me. What is the First act of the Spirit in Effectual Calling? Conviction of Sin. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin. Do the Called of God hear any voice from Heaven? Ordinarily it is a call without sound, yet as efficacious as an audible Voice from Heaven. What is the Second act of the Spirit in our Effectual calling? The illumination of the mind in the knowledge of Christ. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. In what things doth it enlighten them? In this, That Christ is their only remedy. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And their all-sufficient remedy. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. What is the Third Act? His renewing of the Sinner’s will, and making it flexible. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Can no man come to Christ till thus enabled? No, it’s not in the power of man’s nature or will, till thus renewed and enabled. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right hand in the heavenly places. No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him. What sort of men are most ordinarily called? The poor and mean ones in the world. For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. What is the first Instruction from it? Souls effectually called are never lost. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. What is the second Instruction? All things co-operare to their good. For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. What is the third Instruction? It is dangerous to refuse God’s call. Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded. What is the last Instruction? That Christians are obliged to walk suitable to their heavenly calling. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.","score":11.6782},{"document":"lye1672","id":"30","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/lye1672/entries/30","question":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ?","title":null,"text":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ? The Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ, by working Faith in us; and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our effectual calling. The Spirit applies to us the Redemption purchased by Christ. 1. By working Faith in us. 2. By uniting us to Christ by Faith. 3. The Spirit unites us to Christ in our effectual calling.","score":10.6355},{"document":"explicatory1675","id":"30","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/explicatory1675/entries/30","question":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ?","title":null,"text":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ? The Spirit applieth the Redemption purchased by Christ, by working Faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. What doth the Spirit work in us, that we may apply this Redemption? The Spirit works Faith in us. What is the fruit and effect of Faith? It unites us to Christ. What is this union betwixt Christ and us? It is that whereby Christ and we are joyned together and made one. When is this done? In our effectual calling.","score":10.4711},{"document":"henry1703","id":"31","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/henry1703/entries/31","question":"What is Effectual Calling?","title":null,"text":"What is Effectual Calling? Effectual Calling is the Work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our Sin and Misery, enlightning our Minds in the Knowledge of Christ, and renewing our Wills, he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel. Is the common Call given by the Word? Yes. He sent forth his Servants to call them that were bidden, Can Ministers make that Call effectual? No. For who hath believed our report? Is it the Work of the Spirit to make it effectual? Yes. For it is God that giveth the increase, Doth he do it in a way suitable to our Nature? Yes. I drew them with Cords of a Man, Is it necessary to our Salvation that the Call should be effectual? Yes. Who hath saved us, and called us with a Holy Calling, Are all that are effectually call’d convinc’d of Sin? Yes. I was alive without the Law once, but when the Commandment came, Sin reviv’d, Is it the Spirit’s Work to convince? Yes. When he is come he will convince the World of Sin, Is the Word the ordinary Means of Conviction? Yes. For by the Law is the Knowledge of Sin, Is it necessary we should be convinc’d of Sin? Yes. For they that are whole need not a Physician, Must we be convinced of the Fact of Sin? Yes. These Things thou hast done, And of the Fault of Sin? Yes. Know therefore and see that it is an evil thing, And of the Folly of Sin? Yes. Herein thou hast done Foolishly, And of the Filth of Sin? Yes. For how canst thou say, I am not polluted? And of the Fruit of Sin? Yes. Your Sins have separated between you and your God, And of the Fountain of Sin? Yes. They shall know every Man the Plague of his own Heart, Must we also be convinc’d of our Misery? Yes. Thou art Wretched and Miserable, And of our Danger? Yes. Flee from the Wrath to come, Must we be convinc’d of our Helplessness in our selves? Yes. When Sin reviv’d, I died, And of the Possibility of our being help’d by the Grace of God? Yes. How many hired Servants of my Father have Bread enough, and to spare, Will these Convictions put us in pain? Yes. When they heard this they were pricked to the Heart, And bring us to be at a loss within our selves? Yes. Men and Brethren, what shall we do? And put us upon Enquiry? Yes. They shall ask the way to Sion with their Faces thitherward, Are these Convictions necessary to prepare us for an Invitation to Christ? Yes. Come unto me all ye that Labour, and are heavy Laden, Doth the Spirit when he hath convinced us of Sin and Misery, leave us so? No. For he has Torn, and he will Heal us, When he has shewed us our Wound, doth he shew us our Remedy? Yes. O Israel, thou hast destroy’d thy self, but in me is thy help, Doth he enlighten our Minds? Yes. The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation is given, that the Eyes of our Understandings may be enlightned, Doth he enlighten them with the Knowledge of Christ? Yes. He gives the light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ, Doth he discover to the Soul Christ’s Ability to save? Yes. I have laid help upon one that is Mighty, And his willingness to save? Yes. I will, be thou clean, Should we be most Ambitious of the Knowledge of Christ? Yes. Counting all Things but loss for the excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, Doth the Spirit direct convinced Sinners to Christ? Yes. Turn ye to the strong Hold ye Prisoners of Hope, Is it enough to have the Mind enlightned? No. For we are call’d into a professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ, Must the Will therefore be renew’d? Yes. For it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good Pleasure, Is it the Work of the Spirit to incline the Will to that which is good? Yes. Incline my Heart unto thy Testimonies, And is that the renewing of the Will? Yes. A new Heart will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you, Doth that make the Will pliable? Yes. I will take the stoney Heart out of their Flesh, and will give them a Heart of Flesh, Doth it bring it into Subjection to the Will of God? Yes. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And is that a chearful Subjection? Yes. Because the Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost, Is Christ offer’d to us in the Gospel? Yes. Behold I stand at the Door and knock, Is he freely offer’d? Yes. Come Buy without Money, and without Price, Are we concern’d to embrace that Offer? Yes. Come eat of my Bread, and drink of the Wine that I have mingled, Are we by Nature averse to it? Yes. Ye will not come to me that ye might have Life, Do Sinners perish then through their own Wilfulness? Yes. I have call’d, and ye refused, Doth the Spirit in effectual Calling overcome this averseness? Yes. With Loving-kindness have I drawn thee, Doth he perswade us to embrace this Offer? Yes. For every Man that hath heard, and learned of the Father, cometh unto me, Doth he enable us? Yes. For you hath he quickened who were dead in Trespasses and Sins, Can we turn to God by any Power of our own? No. For we are not sufficient of our selves, Is it the Grace of God that turns us to him? Yes. Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, Is it Free Grace? Yes. He went on frowardly in the way of his Heart, I have seen his Ways, and will Heal him, Doth it turn us by a Work upon the Will? Yes. The Lord open’d the Heart of Lydia, Is it special Grace? Yes. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth Mercy, Shall this Grace be given to all the Elect? Yes. All that the Father hath given me shall come unto me, Shall it be Effectual? Yes. His Grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, May we in Faith pray for this Grace? Yes. I will for this be enquired of by the House of Israel, Can any turn to God without this special Grace? No. For no Man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me, draw him, Must that Grace therefore have all the Glory? Yes. We must shew forth the Praises of him that hath called us,","score":10.4046},{"document":"alleine1672","id":"30","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/alleine1672/entries/30","question":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ?","title":null,"text":"How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ? The Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. What doth the Spirit work in us in order to the applying of Christs Redemption to us? He works Faith in us. Can we believe of our selves? No. Will not the word of it self work faith in us without the Spirit? No. Nor the Spirit ordinarily without the Word? No. What doth the Spirit do for us by Faith? He doth thereby unite us to Christ. Are believers then united to Christ? Yes. By whom? By the Spirit. By what? By Faith. When is it that the Spirit works faith in us, and by faith unites us unto Christ? In our effectual Calling.","score":10.1698},{"document":"watson1692","id":"34","kind":"entry","url":"/api/v1/documents/watson1692/entries/34","question":"Effectual Calling","title":null,"text":"*ROM. 8.30.* Them he also called.\n\nQuest. XX. *What is effectual Calling?*\n\nAnsw. *It is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causeth us to embrace Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel.*\n\nIn this Verse is a golden Chain of Salvation, made up of four Links; this is one *Vocation, Them he also called.* Calling is *nova Creatio,* a new *Creation,* the first *Resurrection.*—There is a twofold Call: 1. An extrinsick or *outward* Call; 2. An intrinsick or *inward* effectual Call.\n\n1\\. An *extrinsick* or *outward* Call, which is God’s offer of Grace to sinners, inviting them to come in and accept of Christ and Salvation, *Matth.* 20.16. *Many are called, but few chosen.* This outward Call shews Men what they ought to do in order to Salvation, and renders them inexcusable in case of Disobedience.\n\n2\\. There is an *intrinsick* or *effectual Call,* when God with the offer of Grace works Grace; by this Call the Heart is renewed, and the Will effectually drawn to embrace Christ. The outward Call brings Men to a profession of Christ, the inward to a possession of Christ.\n\nQuest. *What is the means of this effectual Call?*\n\n*Resp.* Every Creature hath a Voice to call to us. The Heavens call to us to behold God’s glory, *Psal.* 19.1. Conscience calls to us, God’s Judgments call to us Repent, *Mic.* 6.9. *Hear ye the Rod.* But every Voice doth not convert. There are two means of our effectual Call:\n\n1\\. The *preaching of the Word,* which is the sounding God’s silver Trumpet in Mens Fears; God doth not speak by an *Oracle,* he calls by his *Ministers. Samuel* thought it had been only the Voice of *Eli,* that called to him, but it was *God’s voice,* 1 Sam. 3.6. So perhaps you think it is only the Minister speaks to you in the Word, but it is God himself speaks. Therefore *Christ* is said, (*Now*) to speak to us from Heaven, *Hebr.* 12.25. How doth he speak but by his Ministers? as a King speaks by his Ambassadors. *Know,* that in every Sermon preached, God calls to you, and to refuse the Message we bring, is to refuse God himself.\n\n2\\. The other means of our effectual Call, is the *Holy Spirit.* The Ministry of the Word is the Pipe or Organ, the Spirit of God blowing in it, doth effectually change Men’s hearts, *Acts* 10.44. *While* Peter *spake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word of God.* Ministers knock at the door of Men’s hearts, the Spirit comes with a Key and opens the door, *Acts* 16.14. *A certain woman named* Lydia, *whose heart the Lord opened.*\n\nQuest. *From what doth God call Men?*\n\n*Resp.* 1. From *sin*; He calls them from their *Ignorance* and *Unbelief,* 1 Pet. 1.14. By Nature the Understanding is inveloped with Darkness, God calls Men *from darkness to light,* Eph. 5.8. as if one should be called out of a Dungeon to behold the Light of the Sun.\n\n2\\. From *Danger.* As the Angel called *Lot* out of *Sodom,* when it was ready to rain fire; so God calls his People from the Fire and Brimstone of Hell, and from all those Curses they were exposed to.\n\n3\\. He calls them *out of the World,* as Christ called *Matthew* from the Receipt of Custom, *John* 17.16. *Ye are not of the world.* Such as are Divinely called, are not *Natives* here, but *Pilgrims,* they do not *conform to the world,* or follow its sinful fashions. They are not of the world, though they live here, yet, they trade in the heavenly Country. The World is a place where Satan’s *Throne* is, *Rev.* 2.13. a Stage on which sin every day acts its part; now such as are called are *in,* but not *of* the World.\n\nQuest. *To what God calls Men?*\n\n*Resp.* 1. He calls them to *Holiness,* 1 Thess. 4.7. *God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Holiness* is the livery, or *silver star* the Godly wear, *Isa.* 63.18. *Knam kodsheca, The people of thy holiness.* The *called of God* are anointed with the consecrating Oil of the Spirit, 1 *John* 2.20. *Ye have an Unction from the holy One.*\n\n2\\. God calls them to *Glory,* as if a Man were called out of a Prison to sit upon a Throne, 1 *Thess.* 2.12. *Who hath called you to his Kingdom and Glory.* Whom God *calls,* he *crowns.* It is a *weight of Glory,* 2 Cor. 4.17. The Hebrew word for Glory (*Kauod*) signifies *pondus,* a weight: The weight of Glory adds to the worth. The weightier Gold is, the more it is worth. And this Glory is not *transient,* but *permanent,* an *eternal weight:* ’tis better *felt* then *expressed.*\n\nQuest. *What is the cause of the effectual Call?*\n\n*Resp.* God’s electing Love; *Rom.* 8.30. *Whom he predestinated, them he also called.* Election is the Fountain-cause of our Vocation. It is not because some are *more worthy* to partake of the heavenly Calling then others, (as the *Arminians*) we were *all in our blood,* Ezek. 16.6. and what worthiness in us? What worthiness was there in *Mary Magdalen,* out of whom seven Devils were cast? What worthiness in the *Corinthians,* when God began to call them by his Gospel? they were Fornicators, Effeminate, Idolaters, 1 *Cor.* 6.11. *Such were some of you, but ye are washed,* &c. Before effectual Calling, we are not only *without strength,* Rom. 5.6. but *Enemies,* Col. 1.21. So that the Foundation of Vocation is Election.\n\nQuest. *What are the Epithites or Qualifications of this Call?*\n\n*Resp.* 1. It is a *powerful* Call. *Verba Dei sunt opera,* Luther: God puts forth infinite power in calling home a sinner to himself: He doth not only put forth his *Voice,* but his *Arm.* The Apostle speaks of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the exceeding greatness of his power *he exerciseth towards them that believe,* Ephes. 1.19. God rides forth conquering in the Chariot of his Gospel, he conquers the Pride of the Heart, and makes the Wiil, which stood out as a Fort-Royal, to yield and stoop to his Grace; he makes the stony heart bleed: It is a mighty powerful Call. Why then do the *Arminians* seem to talk of a *Moral Perswasion?* That God in the Conversion of a Sinner, doth only *morally perswade,* and no more. He sets his Promises before them, to allure them to Good, and his Threatnings to deter them from Evil; and here is all he doth. But sure Moral Perswasions alone are insufficient to the effectual Call. How can the *bare Proposal* of Promises and Threatnings convert a Soul? This amounts not to a new *Creation?* or that Power which raised Christ from the *dead.* God doth not only *perswade,* but *inable,* Ezek. 36.27. If God in Conversion should only morally perswade, that is, set Good and Evil before Men, then God doth not put forth so much power in saving Men, as the Devil doth in destroying them. *Satan* doth not only propound tempting Objects to Men, but doth concur with his Temptations, therefore he is said to *work in the children of disobedience,* Ephes. 2.2. The Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, *to work,* signifies *imperii vim, Cameron,* the power Satan hath in carrying Men to sin. And shall not God’s Power in converting be greater then Satan’s Power in seducing? The effectual Call is mighty and powerful; God puts forth a Divine *Energy,* nay, a kind of *Omnipotency.* It is such a powerful Call, that the will of Man hath no power to resist.\n\n2\\. It is an *high* Calling. *Phil.* 3.14. *I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God.* It is an high Calling, 1. Because we are called to *high Exercises of Religion.* To be crucified to the World, to live by Faith, to do Angels Work, to love God, to be living Organs of his Praise, to hold communion with the Father and the Son, 1 *John* 1.3.\n\n2\\. It is an high Calling, because we are called to *high Priviledges*; to Justification and Adoption, to be Kings and Priests unto God; *We are called to the fellowship of Angels, to be co-heirs with Christ,* Rom. 8.17. They who are effectually called, are Candidates of Heaven, they are Princes in all Lands, *Psal.* 45.16. though Princes in disguise.\n\n3\\. It is an *immutable Call,* Rom. 11.9. *The gifts and calling of God are without repentance*; that is, those *gifts* which flow from *Election,* (as Vocation and Justification) these are without Repentance. God repented he called *Saul* to be King; but he never repents that he calls a Sinner to be a Saint.\n\n*Use* 1. See the necessity of the effectual Call, a Man cannot go to Heaven without it. First we must be *called* before *glorified, Rom.* 8.30. A Man uncalled can lay claim to nothing in the Bible but Threatnings; a Man in the state of Nature is not fit for Heaven, no more then a Man in his filth and rags is fit to come into a Kings presence: a Man in his pure Naturals, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a God-hater, *Rom.* 1.30. and is he fit for Heaven? will God lay his Enemy in his bosom?\n\n*Use* 2. *of Trial.* Whether we are effectually called? We may know it by the Antecedent, and Consequent of it.\n\n1\\. By the *Antecedent.* Before this effectual Call, an humbling work passeth upon the Soul. A Man is convinced of sin, he sees he is a sinner, and nothing but a sinner; the fallow-ground of his heart is *broken* up, *Jer.* 4.3. As the Husband-man breaks the Clods, then casts in the Seed; so God by the convincing work of the Law breaks a sinners heart, and makes it fit to receive the Seeds of Grace. Such as were never convinced, were never called, *John* 16.8. *He shall convince the world of sin.* Conviction is the first step to Conversion.\n\n2\\. By the *Consequents:* Two. 1. He who is savingly called, *Answers to God’s Call.* When God called *Samuel,* he answered, *Speak Lord, thy servent heareth,* 1 Sam. 3.10. When God calls thee to any Act of Religion, thou dost run at God’s Call, *Acts* 26.19. *I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.* If God calls to Duties contrary to flesh and blood, we obey his voice in every thing. True Obedience is like the Needle which points that way which the Loadstone draws. Such as are deaf to God’s Call, a sign they are not called by Grace. 2. He who is effectually called doth stop his Ear to all other Calls, which would call him off from God: as God hath his Call, so there are other contrary Calls; Satan calls by a Temptation, Lust calls, evil company calls: But as the Adder stops its Ear against the Voice of the Charmer; so he who is effectually called stops his Ear against all the Charms of Flesh and Devil\n\n*Use* 3. Of Comfort to them who are the called of God; This Call evidenceth Election, *Rom.* 8.30. *Whom he predestinated, them he also called.* Election is the cause of our Vocation, and Vocation is the sign of our Election. Election is the first Link of the golden Chain of Salvation, Vocation is the second; he who hath the second Link of the Chain, is sure of the first Link. As by the Stream we are led to the Fountain, so by Vocation we ascend to Election; Calling is an *earnest* and *pledge* of Glory. 2 *Thess.* 2.13. *God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification.* We may read God’s predestinating love in the work of Grace in our heart.\n\n*Branch* 2. To such as are called, to be thankful to God for this unspeakable Blessing; be thankful to all the Persons in the Trinity, to the Father’s *Mercy,* to the Son’s *Merit,* to the Spirit’s *Efficacy.* To make you thankful, consider, when you had *offended* God that he should call you, that when God *needed you not,* he had Millions of glorified Saints and Angels to praise him, yet he called you. Again, consider what you were before God called you, you were *in your sins*; when God called *Paul,* he found him persecuting; when he called *Matthew,* he found him at the Receipt of Custom; when he called *Zacheus,* he found him using Extorsion. When God calls a Man by his Grace, he finds him seeking after his Lusts, as when *Saul* was called to the Kingdom, he was seeking the Asses. That God should call thee when thou wert in the hot pursuit of sin, *admire* God’s Love, *exalt* his Praise. Again, that God should call you, and *pass by others,* what Mercy is this? *Matth.* 11.26. *Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight.* That God should pass by the wise and noble Persons of sweeter disposition, acuter parts, guilty of less Vice, and that the Lot of Free-grace should fall on you, O astonishing Love of God. It was a great favour of God to *Samuel,* that God call’d to him, and revealed his Mind to him, and passed by *Eli,* though a Priest and a Judge in *Israel,* 1 *Sam.* 3.9. so that God should call to thee, a flagitious sinner, and pass by others of higher birth, and better morals, here is that calls aloud for Praise. As God so governs the Clouds, that he makes them rain upon one place, and not upon another, so doth he dispence his Grace, it shall drop its sweet dew upon one, and not another. Two at a Sermon, one his heart the Lord opens, the other is no more affected with it, than a deaf Man with the sound of Musick. Here is the Banner of Free-grace display’d, and here should be the Trophies of Praise erected. *Eliah* and *Elisha* were walking together, on a sudden there came a Chariot of Fire, and carried *Eliah* up to Heaven, but left *Elisha* behind; so when two are walking together, Husband and Wife, Father and Child, that God should call one by his Grace, but leave the other, carry one up in a triumphant Chariot to Heaven, but let the other perish eternally: O infinite rich Grace! how should they that are call’d be affected with God’s discriminating Love; how should the Vessels of Mercy run over with Thankfulness; how should they stand upon Mount *Gerizim,* blessing and praising God: O begin the work of Heaven here! Such as are Patterns of Mercy, should be Trumpets of Praise: Thus S. *Paul* being call’d of God, and seeing what a Debtor he was to Free-grace, breaks forth into Admiration and Gratulation, 1 *Tim.* 1.13.\n\n*Use* 4. To the Called, walk worthy of your high Calling, Eph. 4.1. *I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called*; in two things:\n\n1\\. Walk *compassionately,* pity such as are yet uncalled: Hast thou a Child that God hath not yet called, a Wife, a Servant? Weep over their dying Souls. They are *in their Bloud,* under the Power of Satan; O pity them! Let their sins more trouble you then your own Sufferings: If you pity an Ox or Ass going astray, will you not pity a Soul going astray. Show your *Piety* by your *Pity.*\n\n2\\. Walk *holily*; yours is an *holy Calling,* 2 Tim. 1.9. You are called to be Saints, *Rom.* 1.7. Show your Vocation by a *Bible-conversation.* Shall not Flowers smell sweeter than Weeds? Shall not they who are ennobled with Grace, have more Fragrancy in their Lives than Sinners? 1 Pet. 1.15. *As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.* O dishonour not your high Calling by any sordid Carriage. When *Antigonus* going to defile himself with Women, one told him, *He was a King’s Son:* O remember your Dignity, *Called of God!* of *the Bloud-Royal of Heaven*; do nothing unworthy of your Honourable Calling. *Scipio* refused the Embraces of an Harlot, because he was General of an Army. Abhor all Motions to sin, because of your high Calling. ’Tis not fit for them who are the Called of God, to do as others: tho’ others of the *Jews* did drink Wine, it was not fit for the *Nazarite,* because he had a *Vow of Separation* upon him, and had promised Abstinence. Though Pagans and loose Christians take liberty to sin, yet it is not fit for them who are called out of the World, and have the Mark of Election upon them, to do so: You are *consecrated Persons,* your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, and your Souls must be a *Sacrary,* or Holy of Holies.","score":10.1512},{"document":"lbcf1689","id":"15.1","kind":"paragraph","url":"/api/v1/documents/lbcf1689/paragraphs/15.1","question":null,"title":null,"text":"Such of the Elect as are converted at riper Years, having sometimes lived in the state of Nature, and therein served divers Lusts and Pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling giveth them Repentance unto Life.","score":9.7007},{"document":"lbcf1689-modernized","id":"15.1","kind":"paragraph","url":"/api/v1/documents/lbcf1689-modernized/paragraphs/15.1","question":null,"title":null,"text":"Such of the Elect as are converted at riper Years, having sometimes lived in the state of Nature, and therein served various Lusts and Pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling gives them Repentance unto Life.","score":9.7007},{"document":"lbcf1677","id":"15.1","kind":"paragraph","url":"/api/v1/documents/lbcf1677/paragraphs/15.1","question":null,"title":null,"text":"Such of the Elect as are converted at riper years, having sometimes lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling giveth them Repentance unto Life.","score":9.7007},{"document":"phila1742","id":"15.1","kind":"paragraph","url":"/api/v1/documents/phila1742/paragraphs/15.1","question":null,"title":null,"text":"Such of the Elect as are converted at riper Years, having sometimes lived in the State of Nature, and therein served divers Lusts and Pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling, giveth them Repentance unto Life.","score":9.7007}]}