A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 18. Of Signes of Saints Calling.

THe excellency, utility and necessity of the heavenly calling, gives us all 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 cause thorowly to search and examine our selves thereabout; that we be no•…•… deceived in a matter of so great consequence, and think we are internally and effe∣ctually called, when our calling is only externall and formall.

This use is the rather to be made of this point, because the evidences of an effe∣ctuall calling are especially inward, in the soul and spirit of a man, and what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knoweth the things of a man, (namely such as are within him) save the spirit of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is in him? It will be therefore not unseasonable to give some signes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 Calling. They are such as follow.

• 1. Illumination. Hereby I mean in speciall a distinct understanding of the my∣steries* 1.3

• of godliness; particularly of the work of the Law and the Gospel on us. Our calling is from darkness to light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. They therefore who still remain in darkness, the darkness of ignorance, and cannot finde themselves to be enlightned with true knowledge, are not called. Of those who are called the Lord saith, They shall all know me, Jer. 31. 34. Though this be not sufficient, yet it is ne∣cessary.
• 2. Sense and feeling of that wofull estate wherein by nature men are. Such they* 1.4 are whom Christ thus invites and cals, Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy •…•…en, Matth. 11. 28. As for such as think themselves righteous, and that their estate i•…•… good enough, such as never were brought to feel the heavy burden of sinne, Christ, saith, I am not come to call the righteous, Matth. 9. 13.
• 3. Detestation and loathing of ones former estate, and wicked course of life,* 1.5 together with a true and sound turning from the same, which is repentance: For Christ came to call sinners to repentance, Matth. 9. 13. They therefore that are not brought to repentance, but continue to live, lie, and delight in sinne, are not called.
• 4. Sanctification and renovation of the whole man, and a delight in holiness: For* 1.6 God hath called us to holiness, 1 Thess. 4. 7.
• 5. Contempt of this world, of the promotions, profits and pleasures thereof:* 1.7 For Christ gave himself that he might deliver us from this present evil world, Gal. 1. 4. To this purpose tends the call of the Lord, Come out from among them, and be •…•…e separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6. 17.
• 6. Peace and unity. This the Apostle intends in these words, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called, Col. 3. 15. He cals it the peace of God, because God hath setled and established it among his people▪ God hath called us to peace, 1 Cor. 7. 15.
• 7. Readiness to bear all manner of afflictions which by God shall be laid on us,* 1.8 or persecutions which by man shall be inflicted for the Gospels sake. For even here∣unto are we called, 1 Pet. 2. 21.
• 8. Love of God. Hereby they who are called are described. These two are joyned together, them that love God, and them that are called, Rom. 8. 28.
• 9. Love of the brethren: The Apostle presseth this point by this argument. As ye are called in one hope of your calling, Eph. 4. 4.
• 10. A cheerfull expectation of eternall happiness. For God hath called us to eternall glory, 1 Pet. 5. 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Examination a•…•…out our cal∣ling▪
• * 1.2

  Signs of Saints calling.
• * 1.3

  •…•…. Illumination
• * 1.4

  2. Sense of sin.
• * 1.5

  3. Detestation of sinne.
• * 1.6

  4. Renovation.
• * 1.7

  5. Contempt of the world.
• * 1.8

  7. Enduring afflictions.