A Practical Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism; Exhibiting a System of Theology in a Popular Form, and Particularly Adapted for Family I (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... XXXII. THE RESULTS OF EFFECTUAL CALLING. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. It is a common but very false opinion, that whatever may be the happy result of conversion in a future world, few are the advantages which flow from it in this; and that, so far from benefiting man as to the present, it calls him to all the privations and sacrifices of the most rigid austerity. Such is the picture drawn of it by those who know it not, or who wilfully misrepresent it to defend their hostility to it. Godliness, we are assured on the testimony of God, and of all who have chosen its ways, is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Those who are effectually called partake here of justification; for " to him shall men come, and in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." They are adopted, for God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and they are sanctified, for Paul having prayed that the very God of peace might sanctify the Christians at Thessalonica wholly, and that their whoJ spirit, and soul, and body, might be preserved Blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, adds, " Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." When men confer one great favour, it is often considered as barring all future application or hope; but God's noblest gift is our best security for every Isa. xlv. 25. 1 Cor. i. 9. 1 Thess. v. 23, 84. other blessing. A man may forfeit a benefactor's favour; and notwithstanding all his warnings and counsels, may act so...