A30136:55
A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice
A confession of my faith and a reason of my practice, or, With who, and who not, I can hold church-fellowship, or the communion of saints
London: printed for Francis Smith, 1672
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Confession of my Faith; and a reason of my practice in worship, &c. › Of Calling.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Of Calling.
1. I believe, that to effectual Calling the holy Ghost must accompany the word of the Gospel, and that with mighty power: I mean that calling, which of God is made to be the fruit of electing love. I know saith Paul, to the Thessalonians, brethren, beloved your election of God: for our Gospel came not unto you in word only; but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance, &c, 1 Thes. 1.4.8. Otherwise men will not, cannot, hear and turn. Samuel was called four times, before he knew the voice of him that spake from heaven. It is said of them in Hosea, That as the Prophets called them so they went from them; And instead of turning to them, sacrificed to Balaam, and burnt incense to Graven Images. 1 Sam 4.6.10. Hos. ⟨p. 32⟩11.2. The reason is, because men by nature, are not only dead in sins, but enemies in their minds by reason of wicked works: The call then is; Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph. 5.14. Understand; therefore that effectual calling is like that word of Christ that raised Lazarus from the dead: A word attended with an arm, that was omnipotent. Lazarus come forth: was a word to the dead; but not only so: It was a word for the dead; a word that raised him from the dead; a word that outwent all opposition; and that brought him forth of the grave, though bound hand and foot therein. Joh. 11.43. Eph. 2 1, 2. Heb. 10.32.