BY effectuall vocation, we have the first entrance into the state of saving grace; But here (in generall) arise foure questions, which doe neerely belong to Conscience, The first question is, whether he that hath Faith, may by ordinary means certainly know, that he is effectually called of God and in the state of grace?

Ans. He that hath Faith, may, and is wont to know certainly that he is in the state of grace. Divers reasons of this assertion, (besides those which before were, delivered in the questions of the state of man in generall) may be produced.

1. It is the office and the worke of the spirit of God which

the faithfull have received, to certify and assure them of those things which God of his free grace hath conferd upon them, 1 Cor. 2. 12. Ro. 8. 15.

2. The faithfull are commanded to make their calling and election sure, neither is this a legall precept but an evangelicall, 2 Pet. 1. 10.

3. That grace which we have received hath the nature and force of an earnest, in respect of that inheritance which is promised to us, Es. 1. 1, 4. & 4. [gap]0. 1 Cor. 13. 14. 2 Cor. 1 21. 22. For asmuch therefore as it serves for the assuring us of the certaine of something which is to come, it ought not it selfe to be uncertaine: for no certainty can be grounded upon an uncertainty.

4. A certaine knowledge of the grace of God is required, as a necessary foundation for that joy and thankfulnesse which God requires of us, in regard of that grace, 1 Peter 1. 6. 8.

5. A Conscience purged from dead works doth necessarily bring with it a certaine knowledge of grace, Heb. 10. 20. Rom. 8. 16. & 9. 2.

6. The faithfull are expresly said to have had this assurance, and that by such arguments as are common to all believers, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1 Iohn 3. 14. & 4. 16. &▪ 5. 20.

The second question is by what signes the certainty of this effectuall vocation, and grace may be confirmed.

7. Ans The first signe is, a constant inclination of the will towards God, as towards the chiefe good, Psal. 119. 57. For there is no man that can indeed place his chiefest good in the injoying God, but such a one as is called by God out of the world, and converted from his idolls, which before he had set up to himselfe in his heart.

8. The second signe is a purpose, and readinesse of mind to hearken unto God in everything, 1 Sam. 3. 10. Acts 9. 6. Psa. 40. 8 9. For in so doing a man answers to the call of God, and becomes call'd▪ Ps. 27. 8.

9. The third signe is, a vehement longing after the word of God, 1 Pet. 2. 2. For by this word the faithfull are call'd, and regenerated▪ 1 Pet. 1. 23.

10. The fourth signe is a singular love towards them which

are borne of the same seed, and bloud, 1 Iohn 3. 14.

The third Quest. is, what a man ought to do that he may be partaker of this grace?

11. Ans. Although God of his unspeakable Grace be often times found of them that seeke not after him, yet there be diverse duties, which ly upon a man about his vocation, and which both ought, and are wont ordinarily to be performed before the certainty of this grace can be gotten.

12. He therefore that desires to apply himselfe to Gods Call ought to settle in his mind an estimation of the Word of God, above all riches, Psal. 119. 14. The reason is, because a man will never seeke the Kingdome of God to purpose, unlesse he esteeme it so highly that he judge all other things to be set after it, Mat. 10. 37. Luke 14. 26.

13. Secondly, hee ought to imploy his greatest care labour and industry, about this businesse, Iohn 6. 27. Pro. 2. 4. & 8. ver. The reason is because there can be no serious, and solid estimation of a thing, where there is not an answerable indeavor to obtaine it.

14. Thirdly, he ought with all diligence, care, and constancy, to apply himselfe to the use of all those meanes which God hath sanctifyed for the communicating of his grace. Pro. 8. 34. The reason is, because God only who is the author of grace, can appoint meanes, and make them effectuall. He ought therefore to imitate those sick persons which lay at the poole of Bethesda, waiting for the moving of the water, Iohn 5. 3 4 7.

15. Fourthly, he ought to bring himselfe to that passe that he may sell all that he hath to buy this pearle, Pr. 23. 23. Mat. 13. 45, 46. For although God doth freely bestow life upon us, and receive nothing at our hands in liew of it, Esa. 55. 1. 2. Yet we ought to forsake all unlawfull things actually, and all externall and naturall goods also, in the purpose, and disposition of our minds, else we cannot obtaine the grace of God.

The fourth Question is by what motives a man may be stird up to embrace the call of God.

16. Answer, first if he do seriously, and much consider with himselfe, who it is that calls him: for it is an omnipotent God

to whom we ought to hearken and give eare; although we should not know what the event would be, Heb. 11. 8.

17. Secondly, if he do consider attentively often what it is to which God calls him: For it is no small matter, or light thing, but even eternall happinesse, and glory, 1 Pet. 5. 10. Ep. 1. 18.

18. Thirdly, if he do also waigh what that is out of which he is call'd: For he is perswaded to forsake nothing, besides sin, and death, Acts 26. 18▪ Luke 3. 7.

19. Fourthly, if he doe also consider what the cause is that moves God to call him, which he shall finde to be nothing else but Gods incomprehensible mercy towards his enemy▪ Rom. 8. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 10. He must have a heart of Iron, that is not moved with such goodnesse as this, as we may see by Saul, 1 Sam. 24. 17. 19.

20. Fiftly, if hee doe humbly compare himselfe with others, to whom this grace of vocation is denied. 1 Cor. 1. 26.

21. Sixtly, if he doe call to mind how hainous an offense it is to neglect this call of God, much more to despise it, Mat. 22. 7. 8. L[gap]. 4 24.

22. Seventhly, if he do also consider of that misery, which he doth by the Law of equity bring upon himselfe by this sin, Pr[gap]. 1. 24—32.