Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

z.a4 Queftions,andCafes of Conrcience Chapz4: I. Reprobate, yet its the foundation of the reft, without which there is no effe- elual Calling. Secondly, the opening of the heart to believe, (as Lydia's was,) when we believe every thing particularly to belong to us, andfo the Promifc of falvation amongft the refl. Thirdly, a change of the whole man. This is effentially neceihiry to falvati- on : for by nature we are {laves of fin : and as long as we continue in our na- tural condition,weare far from falvation. Quell. VVhat are the fruits of this effet}ualCallino? Anfw. Firft, when a man goes aboutthe works of-the fame, and labours to walk worthy of it in an holy life. Secondly, when a manhighly efleems his calling, and the hope of glory thathe is called ro, as Paul accounted all but dung in compo.rifon of the knowledge of Chrifl crucified : and the things which he highly efteemed before his Calling, afterwards he made no reckoning of them. Thirdly, when he will fuffer any thing for the fame, rather then bedrawn from the hope thereof. ueft. What are the mark! ofeffeElual Calling ? Anfw. They are either Negative, or Affirmative. Firft, Negative. As i. Not tohear the Word, and that diligently. 2. Nor tohear joyfully. 3. Not to reform many things, as Herod. 4. Nor to do fome choice duties : as Ananias andSaphira. Secondly,Af- firmative. 1. To feek above all to be at peace withGod, and to have his Spirit to af- fure us of everlaflingfalvation : not CO ferve the times, but above all tobe a{Cu- red ofGods favour. z. That we hate unfeignedly all evil : but efpccially the evils of the times, and of our natures. 3. To affeel heartilyall good : but efpecially thofe good things which the world and times difregard , and that our felvesare molt untoward unto. Mr. Rogers on Pet. ueft. VI/hat otherfgnes are there ofour effetlual Calling ? Anfw. Firft, if we be effebtually called, it fuppofes that we are chofen, and fingled out from others. in the world : and whomGod calls he qualifies : when he called Saul to be King, he gave him a Kingly heart : fo ifGod call us to his heavenlyKingdome, he will give us holy, Kingly, and heavenly hearts and mindes. Secondly, mens tongueswill Phewwhat calling they are of in their difcourfe: A Chriflian will remember that he is a Chriftian, and will walk worthy of his Calling, andwill fay, with Nehemiah, Shallfuch a man as 1 do thus ? fpeak thus? think thus ? Thirdly, this Calling is to glory and thetefore he that is called, will oft thinkof Heaven, andmagnifie and admire Gods goodneffe tohim, faying with David, What is man that thoufhouldeflbe mindful ofhim ? Fourthly, ifa man be thus called by God, he will findea fpiritual anfwering within himfelf toGods Call. If God fay, Thou art myfon, the heart anfwers, Thouart my God. Behold 1 come quickly, (faith Chrift,) Even focome Lord le- flu, faith thy heart. Fifthly, this Calling is an high Calling; Its fromHeaven toHeaven. Its from anheavenlySpirit, by fpiritual means, to Chrift in Heaven, to Saints, to fpi- ritual employments and priviledges. Dr. Sibbs on Phil. CHAP.

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