Use 2. But to proceed in the next place : This is a prize of calling. We must be called to it. Who can take a calling on him, unless God calls him ? And who can be enabled but those that he enables ? This calling of his is the beginning of his golden chain of salvation. He calls us from a cursed estate to a happy communion ; from death and bondage under the devil, to be kings and princes. And this is done b}' outward means, and inward work of the Spirit. This calling is a powerful calling, enabling them to come that are called.
And hereby we may try whether we have any title to heaven or not.
Sign 1. For, first, if we be effectually called, it supposeth we are chosen, called, and singled out from others of the tvorld ; and therefore all swearers, and those that are given to drunkenness and profaneness, they aro not called nor singled ; they remain as they were. For this singling out is the first part of the execution of God's decree of election. And whom God calls, he qualifies. Princes they may call men to places, but they cannot qualify them. But God, when he calls Saul to be a king, he gives him a king's heart ; so if we be called to this heavenly kingdom, we shall have holy and kingly hearts and minds given us.
Sign 2. Secondly, Men's tongues xoill sheu) what calling they are of in their discourse. A Christian will remember he is a Christian, and will walk worthy of his calling ; and with Nehemiahhe will reason, ' Shall such a man as I do thus ?' Neh. vi. 11 ; speak thus? think such vile sinful thoughts ? And those that are not of this carriage shew no great religion in them. And just it is with God to give such over to a great measure in sin.
Sign o. Thirdly, This calling is to glory ; and therefore he that is called, he will think of heaven, and magnify and admire God's goodness to him. What thing is man, Lord, that thou shouldst be mindful of him ? and there- fore those that admire the pomp and glory of this world, it is a sign their calling is worldly, and that they are called by the world.
Sign 4. Fourthly, If a man be called by God, he shall find a spiritual answering ivithin himself to God's call. If God say, ' Thou art my son,' the heart answereth, * Thou art my God.' ' Behold I come quickly,' saith Christ ; ' Even so come. Lord Jesus,' saith the Christian heart. And there- fore a rebellious disposition shews that God's Spirit is not there.
Thirdly, This calling of ours is a high calling. It is from heaven to heaven. It is from a heavenly spirit, by spiritual means, to Christ in heaven, to saints, to spiritual employments and privileges. ' Use 1. Hence, therefore, we may learn who are the greatest men. Sen- sual men think those in outward place the greatest men of all other. Alas ! they are nothing to a prince of heaven. He is a spouse to Christ ; shall judge all the world, and triumph over Satan. All other callings end in the dust with our bodies. Kings shall I'ise as peasants, and it may be in a worse estate than many of the meanest. There is no difference in death. All other callings are by men, from men to men, to earthly purposes. Let us make, therefore, a difference, and know whence our calling is, that we may be thankful ; and whither it is, that we may be joyful.
* Qu. ' Sun ' ?— Ed.
PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 15. 113
Use 2. We may also, in the next place, hence gather, v:ho arc of the highest sjjirits. It is a Christian, and only he. He overlooks all these base things. His way, his mind, is ever upwards ; and with Paul, he thinks all ' dross and dung' that is here. It is the disposition of the world to mind high matters. Here in religion are the true aspiring thoughts ; as if men will be covetous of honour, here is the right honour, and these are the honourable persons. * Who honour me, I will honour,' saith God. Only a Christian is partaker of his desire ; other men desire high matters. God knows to what end, but they leave them in the dust. But when a Christian dies, he is then partaker of his desires in fulness.
Quest. But it will be questioned, Does a Christian ever know he is called ?
Ans. I answer. Sometimes a Christian staggers a little, either being not an experienced Christian, or through sight of corruptions and temptations. But setting these aside, a Christian knows his calling, and will live by his rules. For it is not only a calling, but it works a disposition. And, there- fore, if we find it not, attend we on the means of the gospel, which is called the kingdom of heaven, and it will bring us into a good estate, and shew us our estate also, which being once made known to us, we may assure ourselves it will remain with us for ever ; which also may be gathered from this, that it is a high calling. For nothing can break any one link of that chain made by God, and demonstrated in the 8th of the Romans.