Question 34

Does God call by his works of creation?

Yes. For there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard,^b

And by his works of providence?

Yes. The Lord’s voice crieth into the city,^c

And by his word?

Yes. He sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden,^d

And by the common motions of his Spirit?

Yes. My Spirit shall not always strive with man,^e

But is this call always effectual?

No. They would not come,^f

Are they attended with the mighty power of God?

Yes. Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power,^h

And yet suitable to the nature of man?

Yes. I drew them with the cords of a man,ⁱ

And are they always effectual?

Yes. They shall come,^j

Are they convinced of sin in the heart?

Yes. They shall know every man the plague of his own heart,^l

And of sin in the life?

Yes. Thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth,^m

Are they especially convinced of gross and leading sins?

Yes. Who was before a persecutor,ⁿ

Do they see sin in the glass of the law?

Yes. For by the law is the knowledge of sin,^o

And in the glass of the divine perfections?

Yes. Now mine eye seeth thee, I abhor myself,^p

And in the glass of Christ’s sufferings?

Yes. They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and mourn,^q

Do they see sin to be exceeding sinful?

Yes. Know therefore and see that it is an evil thing,^r

And exceeding hateful?

Yes. I hate every false way,^s

And exceeding hurtful?

Yes. I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets,^t

And is such a conviction the fruit of the Spirit?

Yes. For when he is come he will reprove the world of sin,^u

And of the equity of God’s judgments?

Yes. O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee,^w

And of their helplessness in themselves?

Yes. We cannot stand before thee because of this,^x

Will such a conviction produce horror?

Yes. The jailer came trembling,^y

And shame?

Yes. We lie down in our shame,^z

And humble silence?

Yes. He putteth his mouth in the dust,^aa

And earnest inquiry?

Yes. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?^bb

But is it all that is necessary?

No. For he has torn, and he will heal us,^dd

Does the same Spirit then that has begun the work carry it on?

Yes. For he will perfect that which concerneth us,^ee

Doth he enlighten our minds?

Yes. He shines into our hearts,^ff

Doth he particularly enlighten them into the knowledge of Christ?

Yes. He gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,^gg

And of the things of Christ?

Yes. He shall take of mine and show it unto you,^hh

Is it attended with the greatest certainty?

Yes. We believe and are sure that thou art Christ the Son of the living God,^jj

Is it an operative and effectual knowledge?

Yes. It bringeth forth fruit,^kk

Is it an abiding knowledge?

Yes. The anointing which you have received of him abideth in you,^ll

Should it therefore be earnestly coveted and sought after?

Yes. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord,^mm

Is the perverse will rendered pliable?

Yes. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh,^oo

And the rebellious will obedient?

Yes. Every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,^pp

And is this also the work of God?

Yes. it is he that worketh in us to will,^qq

And that immediately?

Yes. Christ said follow me; and he rose and followed him,^ss

And resolutely?

Yes. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,^tt

Is Christ proposed in the word as an able Saviour?

Yes. He is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God through him,^uu

And as a willing Saviour?

Yes. This man receiveth sinners,^vv

And do the actions of faith in the soul answer to the discoveries made of Christ in the word?

Yes. So we preach, and so ye believed,^ww

Is this a secret call?

Yes. The kingdom of God cometh not with observation,^yy

And a mysterious one?

Yes. For we know not what is the way of the Spirit,^zz

And a personal one?

Yes. I have called thee by thy name,^aaa

And a free and gracious one?

Yes. Of his own will begat he us,^bbb

Should God therefore have the glory of it?

Yes. Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name, give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake,^ccc