Appello evangelium for the true doctrine of the divine predestination concorded with the orthodox doctrine of Gods free-grace and mans free-will / by John Plaifere ... ; hereunto is added Dr. Chr. Potter his owne vindication in a letter to Mr. V. touching the same points.

This Doctrine is to bee examined.

I distinguish not two Callings, but com∣pound one Calling of the Word and Spirit, as it were of a Body and a Soule, supposing it to have in it selfe power to bring forth Effect in all that are under it; and if it doe not so, the cause not to arise from the Calling, but from the Called that obey not.

1. For declaration of this Point, it must not be thought, that the Spirit goeth with the Word, to make the hearer performe that which he can doe by naturall strength (for the Spirit is given to helpe where nature faileth) as to keepe waking, and to be attentive; for that which Men can bring of their owne strength, God expecteth to finde and to meete. One case then where to many the Spirit is not present to the Word, is, when they are not present to the very Word, through their sottish care∣lesnesse.

2. Againe, it must not be thought that the concurrence of the Word and Spirit is as it were naturall, necessary and insepa∣rable, but voluntary and arbitrary, in the Will and good Pleasure of God; and as grace is annexed to the Sacraments, so is it to the Word, onely by Divine Institution

and Ordination. Hence the Church pray∣eth before Sermons, for the illumination and power of the Spirit to come with the Word; God expecting to have this asked of him by them that can pray, both for themselves and others: Another case then where the Spirit is not co-working with the word many times, is, when it was not duly and diligently asked.

3. There are men that are past grace, to whom the Spirit is not present with the Word, such as for their former neglect and contempt of the time of their visita∣tion, when God did call them, are now given up to blindnesse and hardnesse; and have the light of the Spirit, and the dew of grace held back from that Word which is Preached in their hearing by accident, not for their sakes (though we know them not in particular, and so admit all.)

4. It must not bee thought, that the Spirit goes with the Word, to worke any grace in any person whatsoever, but ac∣cording to the order of Divine Providence, which dispenseth his grace wisely: which is thus to be declar'd.

Wee are to distinguish the Word that calleth; the Persons that are called; and operations of the Spirit by the Word in those persons.