24 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [VeK. 1.
4. Again, you may know your calling by the concomitant disposi- tions of the soul that go along with such a return and answer. Wher- ever Christ is received, he is received with worthy and suitable a.ffec- tions; these are most notable : — (1.) Godly sorrow: Jer. xxxi. 9, ' They shall come with weeping and supplication, and I will lead them.' It is spoken of the Jews' conversion ; when Grod cometh to lead them, they shall bewail their hardness of heart and unbelief. Such kind of workings there are in the heart of every returning sinner ; as, that God should look upon such a worthless creature as I am, that have all this while gainsayed and stood out many an invitation ! that ever God should care for sucli a vile and stubborn wretch ! seek to reclaim such a wayward heart ! Usually there are such mournful and self- humbling reflections that get the start of faith and comfort, and do more sensibly bewray themselves. Never did any child of God get home to him, but smiting on the thigh, Jer. xxxi. 18, and complaining of themselves before they could take comfort in God. (2.) Holy wonder, which ariseth from comparing their own wretchedness with God's rich mercy in Christ ; and therefore the apostle saith, 1 Peter ii. 9, ' Who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light ;' im- plying that God's grace is most wonderful at first conversion, as light is to a man that cometh out of a dungeon ; woful darkness maketh it marvellous light. In this change there is nothing but what is wonderful ; both the sweetness and the power of that grace by which it is wrought. The sweetness of grace : When God came to offer Abraham the grace of the covenant, he fell upon his face. Gen. xvii. ' 3, in a humble adoration and reverence. The power of grace : If Peter wondered at his deliverance by the angel out of that strong prison, we have much more cause to wonder that the yoke is broken, and that we are set free by Christ ; the sweet effects of this grace cause wonder : ' The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,' &c. (3.) A free resolution and confidence; come whatever cometh, they will obey God ; as ' Abraham, being called, obeyed God, not knowing whither he went,' Heb. xi. 8. So when they have a warrant, they will make adventures of faith, though they know not the success ; as Peter would cast out the net at Christ's command, though there were little likelihood of taking fish : ' Howbeit at thy command,' &c., Luke v. 5. So it is unlikely God will receive me to grace, yet I will adventure ; I know not what will come of it. Where faith is sensible of a com- mand, it doth not dispute a duty, but accomplish it. The Spirit speaketh to the soul as the disciples did to the blind man, Mark x. 49, ' Be of good comfort ; rise, because the master calleth thee.' I instance in these dispositions because they are most sensible.
5. It may be evidenced by the fruits and effects of a call ; the call inferreth a change of the former estate, both in heart and life.
[1.] There will be a change in the whole heart. In the mind and judgment ; there the activity of the new nature is first discovered : Eph. iv. 23, ' Renewed in the spirit of the mind ;' in that which is most intimate and excellent there. In our discourse and reason ; all the discourses, debates, purposes, and cares of the soul will be to please God. The mind is made a forge for holy uses, wherein to debate and contrive how to carry on the work of grace, how to glorify
VeR. 1.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. 25
God in our relations, concernments ; certainly this will be found in all those that are called and converted. So in the will and affections there will be a constant inclination towards God as the chiefest good : Ps. cxix. 57, ' Thou art my portion, 0 Lord ; I have said that I will keep thy words/ The soul is resolved ; there is a decree issued forth in that behalf to dedicate itself to God and his will. This is the great difference between men and men in fixing their chiefest good and utmost end. The soul, finding comfort in God, setteth the whole bent of her endeavours towards him. So for the other affections which attend upon the other act of the will, aversion and loathing ; a soul that is called and converted hateth sin, its own beloved sin, as the greatest evil : Hosea xiv. 8, ' What have I any more to do with idols ?' Isa. XXX. 22, ' Thou shalt say to it as to an abominable rag, Get thee hence.' A keen displicency and hearty indignation is kindled in the soul against sin : when God changeth a soul, he putteth a disposition into it somewhat like his own nature. God cannot abide sin, and a sanctified heart cannot abide it ; ' Get thou hence,' &c. ; the new life hath an antipathy to that which is contrary to it.