Downame - Houston-Packer Collection BX5133 .D76 C551 1608 v.1

The third meatier. §.Sec7.q.. 476 Howwe may knouttbhether webe effectuallycalled. fit in themfeIues to bring forth no fruite but weedes and thií}les,that fo they may bee prepared to receiue the feedof his word, and beemade fruitfull in all grace. And thus our ílubborne and rebellious hearts arefoftned,when as we par- ticularly applyvnto our felues the do.&rineofthe law,where.- by firil wee corn to theknowingand acknowledging ofour fines, originali and affiial. Secondly,ourhearts.arepricked, and ourconfciences woundedby apprehending andapply_ ing to our guiltie foules the curie of the law, the anger of God, and thofefearefull punifhmentsprepared for the wic- ked. Thirdlie,feeing this our miferie,and finding nomeanes ofour owne howwee may come outofthis wretched eflate, -weeare brought todefpaireofourowne ftrength,righteouf_ nelle, and fatisfaion, finding them ofno vertue for our iuftification. By- all which, being throughlie humbled and cal+ downe in our felues, the Lord by the preachingof the Colpel doth remalevino vsaway howwe may efcapeout of this'miferableelate, by applying vnto our felues Chriff Ie- fus, and all his merits and obedience bya true and liuelie faith; after which the humbled fanner feeing his owne wants and miferie by the law, and perceiuing that our Sa- uiour Chrifl is fo rich in merits, that bee can eafily fupplie all hisdefeáis, and fo gratious and powerful!, that hee can and will free him oùt ofhis wretchedneffe,hee, clothplainely difcerne that hee flandeth exceedingly in needof Chrift le- fus and his righteoufiieffe. After which fenfe ofhis owne wants,there is begot inhim an earneft and hungring delire tobee madepartaker oflefus Chrif} his righteoufneffe, me- rits, obedience, and ofall thofe ineflimable benefits which arepurchafedby them. And laflyhee is inooued toappeale from the fentence ofthe law, to the throneofgrace,pleading not hisowne righteoufheffe or fatisfaóiion, but Chrifis me- rits andobedience. The third and1a11 meanes ofour effe6uall calling,isa true and liuely faith, wherebywe apprehend Chrift lefus andall his benefits,giuenand appliedvntovs byGods fpirit, refing vpon him alone for our iuflification and faluation. And thefe are the meanesofour effeauall calling, which whofoeucr

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=