Section 3. The Means of Our Blessed Call

3. The means of our Effectual call. The ordinary means which the Lord uses in calling us, is not by raptures and revelations, as the Familists hold, but is,

1. Partly by his Word, which is Virga virtutis, The Rod of his strength, Psalm 110.2. The voice of the Word is God's call to us; therefore he is said [now] to speak to us from Heaven, Hebrews 12.25. that is, in the Ministry of the Word. When the Word calls from sin, it is as if we heard a voice from Heaven.

2. Partly by his Spirit; this is the loud call. The Word is the instrumental cause of our conversion, the Spirit is the efficient. The Ministers of God are only the pipes and Organs; it is the Spirit blowing in them, that does effectually change the heart, Acts 10.44. While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word. It is not the Husbandman's industry in plowing and sowing, will make the ground fruitful, without the early and latter rain. So it is not the seed of the Word will effectually convert, unless the Spirit put forth its sweet influence, and drops as rain upon the heart. Therefore the help of God's Spirit is to be implored, that he would put forth his powerful voice, and awaken us out of the grave of unbelief. If a man knocks at a gate of Brass, it will not open; but if he comes with a key in his hand, it will open. So when God, who has the key of David in his hand, comes, he opens the heart, though it be never so fast locked against him.