[2.] Why is it called ' the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ ?'
(1.) It is purchased by Christ. We were redeemed or bought by the price of his blood, that we might attain to this glory : Eph. i. 7, ' In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.'
(2.) It is promised by Christ: John x. 28, 'I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.' All that obey this call have eternal life already begun, nay, completed : 1 John ii. 25, ' And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.'
(3.) It is prayed for by Christ, which is a copy of his intercession : John xvii. 14, ' Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that tliey may behold my glory which thou hast given me.'
(4.) It is actually bestowed by Christ on his followers and called people. He receiveth our departing souls as soon as they flit out of the body : Acts vii. 59, ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' They are with him : Phil. i. 23, and 2 Cor. v. 8, when ' absent from the body,' they are ' present with the Lord,' which is a mighty comfort to us. At the last day he will solemnly introduce us into heaven : John xiv. 3, ' I will come again, and receive you to myself ; that where I am, there ye may be also.' The great shepherd of the sheep will lead the flock into their everlasting fold.
(5.) We have not only glory by Christ, but with Christ. We shall have the same glory Christ now hath, but in our measure ; the same glory in kind whereunto Christ's humanity is advanced, referring to him only his privilege in the degree. So Rom. viii. 17, ' And if children, then lieirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ : if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together ;' Rev. iii. 21, 'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.' We share with him in his own blessedness, so far as we are capable.
II. That all those who are elected and chosen by God are thus called. Election and vocation have a great respect one to another ; and though we cannot say that none are called that are not elected, for the Lord calleth others not only by the voice of nature, but the gospel : Mat. xxii. 14, ' Many are called, but few are chosen ; ' yet we may say that none are chosen, but they are in time called, so that vocation is, as it were, actual election. They are often put one for another ; as John XV. 19, ' I have chosen you out of the world ; therefore the world hateth you ;' that is, called them, or pursued his choice. iSo 1 Cor, i. 2G, ' Ye see your calling, brethren, that not many wise men alter the flesh,
120 THE TWELFTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 14.
not many noble, not many miglity are called : for God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the wonlc things of the world to confound the things which are mighty,' ver. *27 ; as if choosing and calling were all one. So Rom. xi. 28, 29, ' As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake ; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father's sake : for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.' So that calling is an infallible consequent of election. And Rom. viii. 30, * Whom he did predestinate, them he also called.' Reason showetli it. (1.) Effectual calling is that powerful operation of God, wherein he beginneth to execute the purposes of his grace : Rom. viii. 28, ' 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' {Kara r-podeaiv). The first discovery of it to the creature is by drawing us to him.self. (2.) This act proceedeth immediately from his choice, as anteceding all that we can do, all worthiness of ours, or supposed worthiness : 2 Tim. i. 9, ' 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,' Nothing induced God to do it on our part, for what good thing could we do before we were made good by calling? (3.) The effect doth infallibly follow: John vi. 37, ' All that the Father hath given me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out' In due time they are called, and are obedient to the call, Rom. viii. 28.
Use 1. If it be so, then here is advice to all.
1. Let us apply our.selves to the means with reverence and serious- ness; because God's power is shown in them, in converting souls to himself : Ps. Ixv. 4, * Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to draw nigh unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts.' It is a good thing to be in grace's wa}^ The means have a ministerial efficacy: Acts xiv. 1, 'They so spake, that a great multitude of the Jews and Greeks believed;' with such clearness and force; so far God is with the minister. A dart flung by a skilful hand will pierce deeper than by its own weight. But yet, if you can but tarry, the hand of the Lord may be with you also. You do not know the seasons of tlie Lord's grace ; all are not called at the first hour ; some lie long at the pool, but yet wait still. Ere ever you are aware, the Holy Gho.st may fall upon you and open your hearts. That heavenly doc- trine m;iy have its effect upon you.