A Divine Cordial

Then & Now · 13 of 17

Chapter XII

Chapter XII

1. IT shews us the necessity of effectual calling; without it there is no going to p. 158 Heaven: We must be made meet for the inheritance, Col. 1.12. As God makes Heaven fit for us, so he makes us fit for Heaven; and what gives this idoneity and meetness, but effectual Calling? A man remaining in the filth and rubbish of nature, is no more fit for Heaven, than a dead man is fit to inherit. The High Calling is not a thing arbitrary, or indifferent, but as needful as salvation; yet, alas, how is this one thing needfull neglected! Most men, like the people of Israel, wander up and down to gather straw, but mind not evidences of their effectual Calling.

1. IT shows us the necessity of effectual calling; without it there is no going to Heaven: We must be made meet for the inheritance, Col‸ 1:12. As God makes Heaven fit for us, so he makes us fit for Heaven; and what gives this idoneity and meetness, but effectual Calling? A man remaining in the filth and rubbish of nature, is no more fit for Heaven, than a dead man is fit to inherit. The High Calling is not a thing arbitrary, or indifferent, but as needful as salvation; yet, alas, how is this one thing needful neglected! Most men, like the people of Israel, wander up and down to gather straw, but mind not evidences of their effectual Calling.

154 2. Take notice what a mighty power God puts forth in Calling of sinners! God doth so call as draw ▪ John▪ 6.44. Conversion is stiled a Resurrection, Rev. 20.6. Blessed is he that hath part in the first Resurrection; that is a rising from sin to grace. A man can no more convert himself, than a dead man can raise himself. It is called a Creation, Col. 3.10. To create is above the power of nature.

  1. 154. 2 Branch. [moved in the edition]

2. Take notice what a mighty power God puts forth in Calling of sinners135! God doth so call as draw‸, John‸ 6:44. Conversion is styled a Resurrection, Rev‸ 20:6. Blessed is he that hath part in the first Resurrection; that is a rising from sin to grace. A man can no more convert himself, than a dead man can raise himself. It is called a Creation, Col‸ 3:10. To create is above the power of nature.

  1. 135. 2 Branch. [moved here by the editor]

155 But say the Arminians, the Will is not dead, but sleepeth, and God by a moral perswasion does onely awaken us, and then the will can obey Gods call and move of it self to its own conversion.

  1. 155. Object. [moved in the edition]

But say the Arminians, the Will is not dead, but sleepeth, and God by a moral persuasion does only awaken us, and then the will can obey God’s call and move of it self to its own conversion136.

  1. 136. Object. [moved here by the editor]

156 To this I answer, Every man is by sin bound in fetters▪ Acts 8.23. I perceive thou art in the bond of iniquity. A man that is in fetters if p. 159 you use arguments, and perswade him to go, is that sufficient? there must be a beating off his fetters, and setting him free, before he can walk: So it is with every natural man, he is fettered with corruption; now the Lord by converting grace must file off his fetters, nay, give him legs to run too, or he can never obtain salvation.

  1. 156. Answ. [moved in the edition]

To this I answer, Every man is by sin bound in fetters, Acts 8:23137. I perceive thou art in the bond of iniquity. A man that is in fetters if you use arguments, and persuade him to go, is that sufficient? There must be a beating off his fetters, and setting him free, before he can walk: So it is with every natural man, he is fettered with corruption; now the Lord by converting grace must file off his fetters, nay, give him legs to run too, or he can never obtain salvation.

  1. 137. Answ. [moved here by the editor]