erf. 2q the Epifíle tò the Romans. begin obedience to the Law of God,even from the heart, and throughout in one thing afwell as in another, though not perfe&Iy: Fifthly, to have a Spirit of difcerning, to put difference between the voyce of Chrift which calleth us to himfelf, and the voice of hangers, jab. i o.. Sixthly, an earneft delire with con flan prayer to have others brought to the participation of this heavenly calling, fpecially fuch as be under our charge, as family, fervants, children, wife, &c. Lally, to love the Brethren called, becaufe they belong to Chciff ; and the Minifters and inffruments of our calling, being thankful to them as to the Meflingers of God, and means of our good.To the which may be added the prayer offaith,and the teli many of the Spirit ofGod and ours, Rom. 8. 15, 16. and our zeal for our Fathers glory guided by knowledge, 2 Cor. 7. I r. T I M; Have ye any further ufe of this former DoSirine? S t L.Yea : it ferves for Chriftian con- folation, even to comfort at the heart, all fuch weary, heavie laden, hungry and thirty fouls, as docovet above all things to be certified of Gods love to- wards them, and to finde ref!, and per- ceive the affurance of their own falva- tion. Let thefe never fear their own elate, ifthey can finde in truth Gods effe &ual calling to be upon them by thefe marks ( though in weak mea- lure :) for thereby any of thefe fhall clearly and firmly fee their own prede- ffinatioir: which being an unchangeable purppfe of God that alters not, it can- not be that fuch fhould perifh. T I M. What other inflru&rion árifeth out ofthe firfßpart of thin verfe f S I L. That fuch as have the word preached muff thankfully receiveit.The reafön is, becaufe it is the ordinary means of an effe&ual calling to bring men to Chrift, filch as are (Adulti) of years and llature able to hear. T I M. What ufe hereof? S I L. It fhewes the wretched elate of Recufants, Papifts, and profane Atheifis, which defpife the Mini - fiery of the word: allo of careleffe I i world- Simili- Laflly,this do&rine may be fet forth by fader. comparifon ;for as the fag. within the Tree is known by the fruit without, and a mans fecret thought, it manifefled by his voyce,and the Sun is difcerned to be lightfome by the beams;fo the decree of ele &ion is in it felf fecret, but is opened by a true calling,.which is as it were the beams,the fruit, the manifefia- don of Gods counfel towards the ele&. T i Ia. What is the ufe of this Dclirine? S a L. Firl, it confutes the Pápifis, who teach that no man can ordinarily . be affured of his own falvation, but by extraordinary revelations. Secondly,it reproves fuch as leek the certainty df theirele&ion by diving deeply into the fecret connfel of God, as if they could know his minds, which is not to be known but by the effe &s of it. Third- ly, it checks fuch as rafhly cenfure the do&rine ofpredeflination, as if it drive men to defpair, becaufe then can ne- ver find the ferret will of God, whereas a fpecial vocation is a mean to under- land it. Fourthly, it reproves filch as fay predeftination cannot be known, and therefore ought not to be taught: whereas our calling is as it were a hand to lead us to the very fecret place of God. Fifthly, this do &ring ferveth to admonifh all thegodly ( laying afide all other means, when they leek for proof oftheir own eleEtion) to go down.into their own hearts, to finde out that pre- cious work of Gods grace in their cal- ling to Chrift. T I M. Tea, but this may deceive us, for Hypocrites and wicked men fay they have a calling : And fuck as have a true calling can- not alwayes difcern ii. S I L. It is true : therefore there be Come few tokens, by which a faving vocation is to be difcerned from that which is common. As firft, a Jilin& fpecial knowledge of the word, not confufedly and generally. Seçondly,,to beleeve the promités of the Gofpel with fincere love to them, and joy in them. Thirdly, to take found delight in the whole Word of God, even the threat - nings, reprehenfions,and exhortations, as well as confolations. Fourthly, to Vfes. A doubt. Solution . Masks ofa calling, which is ; effeQual. 3.63 2 ma. Reafon. vfer.
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