Chapter 12. Two Inferences Drawn from the Proposition
1. It shows us the necessity of effectual calling; without it there is no going to Heaven: We must be made meet for the inheritance, Colossians 1:12. As God makes Heaven fit for us, so he makes us fit for Heaven; and what gives this idoneity and meetness, but effectual Calling? A man remaining in the filth and rubbish of nature, is no more fit for Heaven, than a dead man is fit to inherit. The High Calling is not a thing arbitrary, or indifferent, but as needful as salvation; yet, alas, how is this one thing needful neglected! Most men, like the people of Israel, wander up and down to gather straw, but mind not evidences of their effectual Calling.
2. Take notice what a mighty power God puts forth in Calling of sinners! God doth so call as draw, John 6:44. Conversion is styled a Resurrection, Revelation 20:6. Blessed is he that has part in the first Resurrection; that is a rising from sin to grace. A man can no more convert himself, than a dead man can raise himself. It is called a Creation, Colossians 3:10. To create is above the power of nature.
But say the Arminians, the Will is not dead, but sleeps, and God by a moral persuasion does only awaken us, and then the will can obey God's call and move of itself to its own conversion.
To this I answer, Every man is by sin bound in fetters, Acts 8:23. I perceive you are in the bond of iniquity. A man that is in fetters if you use arguments, and persuade him to go, is that sufficient? There must be a beating off his fetters, and setting him free, before he can walk. So it is with every natural man, he is fettered with corruption; now the Lord by converting grace must file off his fetters, nay, give him legs to run too, or he can never obtain salvation.
