The souls vocation or effectual calling to Christ. By T.HThe soules vocation or effectual calling to Christ. By T.H

Quest. But you will say, if this be so, that neither a mans endeavours, nor the means will make a man ⟨p. 381⟩able to believe, then what will it avail a man to do any duties, or to use any means?

Quest. But you will say, if this bee so, that neither a mans endevours, nor the means will make a man ⟨p. 381⟩able to beleeve, then what will it availe a man to doe any duties, or to use any means?

Answ. I answer, it is very profitable and useful, as the Apostle saith, because though we cannot work faith in the use of the means, yet God by the use of the means can do what he will: the beggar must come to the door, though the man in his love and bounty provides to give the dole, yet the beggar must come to the door to wait till it be given him. Acts 18.27. The Apostle confirmed those which had believed through grace: So that the Word of God, & the mean of grace, and all the duties that we do, these are but as Conduit pipes to convey what God is pleased to bestow; he may stay the Conduit when he will, he may work with means and without means, but let us wait upon God in the use of them. The Lord in them may and haply will work upon thee: So that if the best means, and the chiefest privileges, and the best duties cannot work faith, then I presume it is not only difficult, but in regard of parts, and privileges, and all duties and means of themselves, it is impossible ever to have this faith wrought, and therefore it is not easy to get this faith into the soul.

Answ. I answer, it is very profitable and usefull, as the Apostle saith, because though wee cannot worke faith in the use of the means, yet God by the use of the means can doe what he will: the begger must come to the doore, though the man in his love and bounty provides to give the doale, yet the begger must come to the doore to wait till it be given him.