CHAP. X.

Of Effectual Calling.

1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, ¹⁷⁹¹⁷⁹ Rom. 8.30. Rom. 11.7. Eph. 1.10,11. 2 Thes. 3.13,14. [Note: It appears that the reference to 2 Thessalonians 3:13-14 in the original manuscript is an error. Most modern versions have 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, which seems more relevant.]effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation ¹⁸⁰¹⁸⁰ Eph. 2.1-6.by Jesus Christ; inlightning their minds, spiritually, and savingly to ¹⁸¹¹⁸¹Act. 26.18. Eph. 1.17.18.understand the things of God; taking away their ¹⁸²¹⁸²Ezk. 36.26.heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his Almighty power determining them ¹⁸³¹⁸³ Deut. 30 6. Ezek. 36.27. Eph. 1.19.to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come ¹⁸⁴¹⁸⁴Ps. 110.3. Cant. 1.4.most freely, being made willing by his Grace.

2. This Effectual Call is of God’s free, and special grace alone, ¹⁸⁵¹⁸⁵ 2 Tim. 1.9. Eph. 2.8.not from any thing at all foreseen in man, nor from any power, or agency in the Creature, coworking with his special Grace, ¹⁸⁶¹⁸⁶1 Cor. 2.14. Eph. 2.5. Joh. 5.25.the Creature being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickned & renewed by the holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it; and that by no less ¹⁸⁷¹⁸⁷ Eph. 1.19,20.power, then that which raised up Christ from the dead.

3. Elect Infants dying in infancy, are ¹⁸⁸¹⁸⁸ Joh. 3.3 5,6.regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and ¹⁸⁹¹⁸⁹Joh. 3.8.how he pleaseth: so also are all other elect persons, who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the Ministry of the Word.

4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the Ministry of the word, ¹⁹⁰¹⁹⁰Mat. 22 14. ch. 13.20,21. Heb. 6.4,5.and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will, nor can truly ¹⁹¹¹⁹¹ John 6.44,45.65. 1 Joh. 2.24,25.come to Christ; and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian Religion ¹⁹²¹⁹²Act. 4.12. Joh. 4.22. ch. 17.3.be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the Law of that Religion they do profess.