and the general promulgation of the Gospel ; but since that period, under the New Testament dispensation, the Jews for their perverseness, except a single believing remnant, have been rejected, and the Gentiles called. Now, therefore, Vocation is common to all Nations to whom the word of the Gospel has hitherto been carried, and will be universal when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in. The Invitation to partake of the privileges and benefits of the Covenant of Grace, is as general as the command, that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be preached among all nations in the name of Christ.

ng speaks and

§ 3. Calling is of the Free Grace of God the Father, through and for the Son, and by that influence of the Holy Spirit which accompanies the ministration of the word and Sacraments. Being called as well as elected into that universal Church of which Christ is the head, the "Spirit of Truth" who works by the promises and threatenings of the Gospel, will give unto those who are willing to hear and receive him, sufficient Grace to "lead them into all truth." The external call through the instrumentality of the word preached by the Ministers of Christ, and the inward call which is effected by the operation of the Spirit, are not to be considered separate; for all who are called have the offer of such a portion of Grace, as, if they will accept it, shall enable them to co-operate with God in working out their own Salvation.

§ 4. The called are all to whom the Gospel has been preached-all Christians, whether true and faithful, or merely nominal and outwardly professing; but

to those whose Vocation is salutary, who not only hear the Call of God, but are willing to embrace, learn, and profit by the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is efficacious in the further work of justifying and sanctifying them, in order to fit them for future glory.

§ 5. Vocation must necessarily succeed Election into the Church, and precede Election to everlasting life -for whom God elects he calls; and whom he calls he justifies; and whom he justifies he glorifies: none, therefore, can be glorified, according to the Gospel scheme, but they who are justified, called, and elected.

§ 6. All who are called are called by the Word and Spirit, but all are not savingly called, because they obey not the call. The inefficacy does not arise from a deficiency of grace offered, but from man's own perverse rejection of the offer. To him that believeth and is baptized, Vocation by the preaching of the Gospel and ministry of the Sacraments, is effectual to his salvation-" he shall be saved:" but to him that believeth not, his Vocation is not only unproductive of beneficial fruits, but encreases his condemnation-" he shall be damned."

§ 7. It is the will of God that his Grace in Vocation, as in other operations of the Holy Spirit, should not be irresistible. If it be not resisted it leads the Elect to final Glory; but if it be resisted in this, or in either of the preparatory stages which it has pleased the Almighty to ordain, or predestinate, as essential to the perfection of the Christian character, it is no longer efficacious. Were it irresistibly efficacious. when conferred, notwithstanding the blindness and

ingratitude of man, he would cease to be a free-agent and a responsible subject of reward or punishment,

§ 8. The called, then, constitute the Universal Church of Christ; having been made members of it by participation in the Sacraments, and the hearing of the Word. In this Church, and only herein, are to be found those who remain in the number of the Elect in Christ, those who fulfil the terms of the Covenant of Grace, and who by perseverance unto the end make their calling and Election sure.

§ 9. Calling sometimes signifies the choosing and appointing of certain Persons to particular offices, under both the Mosaic and the Christian dispensation, such as those of a Priest,-an Apostle,-a Minister of the Word of God.

From Scripture,

SECTION I.

EPHES. iv. 6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Rom. viii. 28, 29, 30. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 2 Tim. i. 9, 10. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which .was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth; whereunto he called you by a Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. ix. 15. And for this cause, he is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 1 Pet. ii. 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth

the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

SECTION II.

Heb. xi. 10. 13, 14. 26. 35. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Women receive their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting de-. liverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Gal. iii. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 1 Pet. i. 8-12. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Matt. x. 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Rom. xi. 7-12. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that