1. Illumination. Hereby I mean in special a distinct understanding of the mysteries1 ⟨p. 271⟩of godliness; particularly of the work of the Law and the Gospel on us. Our calling is from darkness to light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. They therefore who still remain in darkness, the darkness of ignorance, and cannot find themselves to be enlightened with true knowledge, are not called. Of those who are called the Lord saith, They shall all know me, Jer. 31. 34. Though this be not sufficient, yet it is necessary.
2. Sense and feeling of that woeful estate wherein by nature men are. Such they2 are whom Christ thus invites and calls, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy •en, Matth. 11. 28. As for such as think themselves righteous, and that their estate i• good enough, such as never were brought to feel the heavy burden of sin, Christ, saith, I am not come to call the righteous, Matth. 9. 13.
3. Detestation and loathing of ones former estate, and wicked course of life,3 together with a true and sound turning from the same, which is repentance: For Christ came to call sinners to repentance, Matth. 9. 13. They therefore that are not brought to repentance, but continue to live, lie, and delight in sin, are not called.
4. Sanctification and renovation of the whole man, and a delight in holiness: For 4God hath called us to holiness, 1 Thess. 4. 7.
5. Contempt of this world, of the promotions, profits and pleasures thereof:5 For Christ gave himself that he might deliver us from this present evil world, Gal. 1. 4. To this purpose tends the call of the Lord, Come out from among them, and be •e separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6. 17.
6. Peace and unity. This the Apostle intends in these words, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called, Col. 3. 15. He calls it the peace of God, because God hath settled and established it among his people▪ God hath called us to peace, 1 Cor. 7. 15.
7. Readiness to bear all manner of afflictions which by God shall be laid on us,6 or persecutions which by man shall be inflicted for the Gospels sake. For even hereunto are we called, 1 Pet. 2. 21.
8. Love of God. Hereby they who are called are described. These two are joined together, them that love God, and them that are called, Rom. 8. 28.
9. Love of the brethren: The Apostle presseth this point by this argument.
1. Illumination. Hereby I mean in speciall a distinct understanding of the mysteries1 ⟨p. 271⟩of godliness; particularly of the work of the Law and the Gospel on us. Our calling is from darkness to light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. They therefore who still remain in darkness, the darkness of ignorance, and cannot finde themselves to be enlightned with true knowledge, are not called. Of those who are called the Lord saith, They shall all know me, Jer. 31. 34. Though this be not sufficient, yet it is necessary.
2. Sense and feeling of that wofull estate wherein by nature men are. Such they2 are whom Christ thus invites and cals, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy •en, Matth. 11. 28. As for such as think themselves righteous, and that their estate i• good enough, such as never were brought to feel the heavy burden of sinne, Christ, saith, I am not come to call the righteous, Matth. 9. 13.
3. Detestation and loathing of ones former estate, and wicked course of life,3 together with a true and sound turning from the same, which is repentance: For Christ came to call sinners to repentance, Matth. 9. 13. They therefore that are not brought to repentance, but continue to live, lie, and delight in sinne, are not called.
4. Sanctification and renovation of the whole man, and a delight in holiness: For 4God hath called us to holiness, 1 Thess. 4. 7.
5. Contempt of this world, of the promotions, profits and pleasures thereof:5 For Christ gave himself that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
- 1•. Illumination
- 22. Sense of sin.
- 33. Detestation of sin.3. Detestation of sinne.
- 44. Renovation.
- 55. Contempt of the world.
- 67. Enduring afflictions.
