Q. 2. What is the first act of the Spirit in effectual calling ?
A. Conviction of sin ; John xvi. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin.
Q. 3. Do the called of God hear any voice from heaven ?
A. Ordinarily it is a call without sound, yet as efficacious as an audible voice from heaven.
Q. 4. What is the second act of the Spirit in our effectual calling?
A. The illumination of the mind in the knowledge of Christ; Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.
Q. 5. In what things doth it enlighten them ?
A. In this; That Christ is their only remedy; Acts iv. 12. Nei- ther is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And their all-sufficient remedy; Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.
Q. 6. What is the third act ?
A. His renewing of tlie sinner's will, and making it flexible ; Psal. ex. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I
put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of yowT iiesh, and 1 will give you an heart of flesh.
Q. 7. Can no man come to Christ till thus enabled ?
A. No ; it is not in the power of man's nature or will, till thus re- newed and enabled ; Eph. i. 19, 20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right-hand in the heavenly places. John vi. 44. No man can come to me except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him,
Q. 8. What sort of men are most ordinarily called ?
A. The poor and mean ones in the world ; 1 Cor. i. 26. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called ; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.
Q. 9. What is the first instruction from it ?
A. Souls effectually called are never lost ; Rom. xi. 9Q. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Q. 10. What is the second instruction ?
A, All things co-operate to their good ; Rom. viil. 28. For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Q. 11. What is the third instruction.^
A. It is dangerous to refuse God's call ; Prov. i. 24. Because I have called, and ye have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.
Q. 12. What is the last instruction ?
A. That Christians are obliged to walk suitably to their heavenly calling; 1 Thess. ii. 12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory.
Of the Concomitants of Vocation.
Quest. 32. Vf HAT benefits do they that are efi*ectually called partake of in this life ?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partak'e of jus- tification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benejits which in this life do either accompany or jiowfrom them.
Q. 1. Are all that be effectually called, justified "^
A. Yes; God justifies all, and every soul that obeys and answers his call ; Rom. viii. 30. Whom he called, them he also justified.
Q. 2. What other benefits have the called in this life .?
A. They are all the adopted children of God ; Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Q. 3, Are those all the benefits the called receive ?
AX EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. IQS
A. No ; they are not only justified and adopted, but also sanctified ; 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Q. 4. Do these three blessings come singly to the called ?
A. No; they are all accompanied with multitudes of other blessings flowing from them ; Eph. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of ourLord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ.
Q. 5. What are the mercies flowing from justification ?
A. They are great and manifold ; Rom. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There- fore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Q. 6. What are the benefits flowing from adoption ?
A. Free access to God ; Eph. iii. 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. And a title to heaven; Rom. viii. 17. If children, then heirs.
Q. 7. What blessings accompany sanctification ?
A. Union with Christ; Heb. ii. 11. For both he that sanctifieth^ and they who are sanctified, are all of one. And right to the in- heritance ; Acts XX. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Q. 8. What is the first lesson from hence ?
A. That they are enemies to their own souls, who obey not the gospel call ; 2 Thes. i. 8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 9. What is the second lesson from hence ?
A. That the estate of believers abounds with spiritual privileges ; 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Q. 10. What is the third lesson from hence.'*
A. That all the believer's privileges are not in hope, but some in hand; 1 John iii. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
Q. 11. What is the fourth lesson from hence.?
A. The greatest sufferers for Christ have no reason to repent their call ; Rom. viii. 18. For I reckon, that the suff*erings of this presen. time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
Q. 12. What is the last lesson from hence ?
A. That we have infinite reason to bless God for the gospel, by which we are called; 2 Thes. ii. 14. Whereunto he called you bj our gospel. Vol. VL N
196 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISJf.
Quest. 33. W HAT is justification ?
A. Justification is an act of God! s free grace ^ wlierein he par^ doneth all our sins^ and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q. 1. What are the parts of justification ?