mystically, yet really and inseparably joined to Christ as their Head and Husband ; which is done in their effectual calling.h

Q. 67. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto,k) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit, savingly enlightening their

of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body. For, we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

h 1 Pet. v. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the followship of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

67. i John v. 25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. Eph. i. 18, 19, 20. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. 2 Tim. i. 8, 9. Be not thou, therefore, ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner : but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began.

Tit. iii. 4, 5. But after that the kindness and love of God, our Saviour, toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. ii. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved;) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kind ness towards us through Christ Jesus. For, by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom. ix. 11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

12 Cor. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Compared with 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2. We then, as work ers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. John vi. 44:

minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills," so as they, (although in themselves dead in sin,) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein. Q. 63. Are the elect only effectually called?

A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called ;P although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit ; who, for their wilful neglect and conNo man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him and I will raise him up at the last day. 2. Thess. ii. 13, 14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

m Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1 Cor. ii. 10, 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Now, we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

n Ezek. xi. 19. I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man, therefore, that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

o Eph. ii. 5. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. Deut. xxx. 6. And the Lord, thy God, will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord, thy God, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

68 p Acts xiii. 43. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

q Mat. xxii. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Mat. vii. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and în thy name done many wonderful works? Mat. xiii. 20, 21. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for, when tribulation or persecution ariseth, because of the word, by and by he is offended. Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6. For, it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the

tempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ s

Q 69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

V

A. The communion in grace, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification,t adoption, sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.w

Q. 70. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God's free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and

Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.

s John xii. 38, 39, 40. That the saying of Esaias, the prophet, might be fulfilled which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed; therefore, they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Acts xxviii. 25, 26, 27. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias, the prophet, unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing, ye shall see, and not perceive. For, the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. John vi. 64, 65. But there are some of you that believe not. For, Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore, said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Psal. lxxxi. 11. 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice: and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own heart's lust and they walked in their own counsels.

69. t Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them le also called and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

:

Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. w 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

70. x Rom. iii. 22, 24, 25. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Rom. iv. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth en

accounteth thier persons righteous in his sight,y not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them ; but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them,a and received by faith alone.b

Q. 71. How is justification an act of God's free grace?

A. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in the behalf of them that are justified; yet in as much as

him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. y 2 Cor. v. 19, 21. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. iii. 22, 24, 25, 27, 28. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference. Being jus tified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

z Tit. iii. 5, 7. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

a Rom. v. 17, 18, 19. For, if by one man's offence, death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For, as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners: so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. iv. 6, 7, 8. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

b Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ; that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for, by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

71. c Rom. v. 8, 9, 10, 19. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath

God accepteth the satisfaction from a Surely, which Le might have demanded of them, and did provide this Surety, his own only Son,d imputing his righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith,f

through him. For, if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. For, as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made right

eous.

d 1 Tim. ii. 5, 6. For, there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Heb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Mat. xx. 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Dan. ix. 24, 26. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come, shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary, and the end thereofTM shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Isa. liii. 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many; and made intercession for the transgressors. Heb. vii. 22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Rom. viii. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.

e 2 Cor. v. 21. For, he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew not sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. f Rom. iii. 24, 25. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.