Nothing can be more plain than the Apostle's statement : he tells us, both negatively/, what our calling does not arise from ; and positively, what it does :
1. It is not founded on our works —
[It cannot be founded on any good works already done.; for we never had done, or could do any, till we were called by grace. It could not be founded on good works foreseen : for they were to be the fruits of our calling, and therefore could not be the ground or occasion of it. Had our works, whether done or foreseen, been the proper ground- of our calling, we should have had a ground of boasting before God. Hence God has repeatedly and expressly declared, that they never operated in any respect or degree as inducements with him to confer upon us his converting grace ^J]
2. It is founded solely on his purpose and grace — [God formed his purposes from all eternity ^ ; and agreeably
to them he acts^ In consequence of them we were given to Christ, as his purchased possession*; and a promise of life was given to us in him, and for his sake". It was in conformity to them that the Jews were made God's peculiar people-"^ ; and in conformity to them we Gentiles also are called to a partici- pation of his favour y.]
From hence we shall take occasion to answer some important questions :
1. How shall I know whether I have been effec- tually called ?
[It cannot be determined by any dreams, or visions, or fanciful experiences. It can be known only by the fruits which we produce^.]
2. What have I to do on the supposition I have been called?
[You are not at liberty to indulge supineness, as though you were sure of heaven at all events. You should exceed all others in holiness, as much as you profess to surpass them in your prospects. You should walk worthy of the favours con- ferred upon you% and of the Benefactor who conferred them^]
. q Rom. xi. 5, 6. Eph. ii. 9. Tit. iii. 5. ' Acts xv. 18.
8 Eph. i. 11. t John xvii. 6. with Eph, 1. 4.
u Tit. i. 2. X Deut. vii. 6—8. y Rom. ix. 11, 16.
^ 1 Thess. i. 4 — 10. St. Paul judged by the change wrought in the life and conversation of his converts, a Eph. iv. 1. b 1 Thess. ii. 12.