Doct. That the prize of eternal glory is set before those whom God hath effectually called in Christ.
1. There is a twofold calling, outward and inward.
[1.] Outward and external, when a man is by the word invited to the communion of Christ and all his benefits : so ' Many are called but few are chosen,' Mat. xxii. 14.
[2.] Inwardly, when a man is by the effectual operation of the Holy Ghost actually translated and brought into this fellowship and com- munion : 1 Cor. i. 9, ' God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.' These two are so distinct, that a man may have the one without the other, the external without the internal ; but the inward call is by the outward, and he that slighteth the outward cannot well expect the inward. Some have only heard the invitation of the gospel, but obeyed it not : Mat. xxii. 3, ' He sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding, but they would not come/ To these God offereth heaven, but to these he will not give heaven, for he will save none against their will, nor without their consent. Some seem to comply with the external invitation, but yet are not effectually called, as the man that came to the marriage-feast without a wedding-garment, Mat. xxii. 11. But those have noUthe prize, for God is not deceived with shows ; but those that mind the message, choose the happiness offered for their
VER. 13, 14.] SERMONS UPON PHTLIPPIANS II r. 95
portion, pursue after it with all diligence and perseverance, in short, turn to God with all their hearts and souls, these are the called, that 1 receive the promise of the eternal inheritance,' Heb. ix. 15.
2. In this calling God in Christ hath the greatest hand ; it is termed in the text f) avco /cXf/crt?, ' the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' This calling is from above, that is, from heaven. The grace cometh from above ; it hath its rise from the Lord's goodness and compassion, and is conveyed to us by the merits of Christ through the power of the Spirit ; certainly it hath not its rise from man. Yea, the external call may be said to be from above. In Paul's instance especially ; Christ called to him from heaven : Acts ix. 4, ' He heard a voice from heaven, saying, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? ' Yea, the ordinary call of every christian is in a sense from above ; with respect to the original authority, the voice is from heaven : Heb. xii. 25, ' See that ye refuse not him that speaketh from heaven.' He speaketh to you by his word in the mouth of his messengers ; but he in whose name and authority this message is brought, and by whose power it is made effectual, is in heaven.
3. The nature of this calling. Three things are considerable in it — (1.) The work of God ; (2.) The duty of man ; (3.) The benefits following on both.
[1.] The work of God (for he beginneth) is his giving grace by his divine power, whereby the heart of man is changed and sanctified, and turned to himself. God by his call giveth a real being to things which were not before : Bom. iv. 17, ' He calleth the things that are not as though they were.' Verba Dei sunt opera — God's words are works. As in the first creation he called for those things to appear which lay in the dark womb of nothing, and they presently came forth : ' Let there be light, and there was light ; ' so of graceless he maketh us holy and gracious, of enemies to become friends, of self-lovers to be lovers of God. He bringeth light out of darkness : 2 Cor. iv. 6, ' For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' This is the act of God's great power and grace whereby he freely prevents man ; and if he did not prevent him, he would be for ever miserable ; for we have neither ears to hear God's call, nor a heart to turn to him. Yet his call to the deaf is not in vain ; for lie giveth ears to hear, and quickens our dead hearts. It is past man's skill to change himself, but not above the great power and mercy of God.
[2.] The duty of man is to be obedient to the heavenly call ; for besides God's invitation, there is man's acceptation. God calleth us to Christ as the only remedy for our lost souls, and we receive him by faith : John i. 12, ' To as many as received him.' God calleth to repentance : Mat. ix. 13, ' I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' And we consent to return to God : Jer. iii. 22, ' Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God.' God calleth to obedience, and we say, Ps. xl. 8, ' Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.' It is fulfilled in christians as well as in Christ. God calls to communion with himself in holy worship : Ps. xxvii. 8, ' When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, 0 Lord,