Vox Dei & hominis.: God's call from heaven ecchoed [sic] by mans answer from earth. Or a survey of effectual calling. In the [brace] explication of its nature. Distribution of it into its parts. Illustration of it by its properties. Confirmation of it by reasons. Application of it by uses. Being the substance of several sermons delivered to the people of Heveningham, in Suffolk. / By J. Votier, minister of the gospel.

CHAP. IV. III. The parts of this calling.

And they are two.

• 1. Tendring. Or 1. Reaching out.
• 2. Taking. Or 2. Receiving in.

1. THere is a tender, or offer of Christ, and [S. 1] grace: God lifts up his Son upon the pole of the Gospel. Isai. 55. 1. Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no Money come; come ye buy, and eat. Christ comes and woos, and invite's to him∣self. John 1. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not: When he was on Earth, he made as gracious Offers as could be. John 7. 37. Jesus stood and cryed, because he would have all hear; and what was the matter? why, even this. If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink: Would it not melt a stony heart to take notice of such an Invitation? Neither is Christ silent since he went to Heaven. Revel. 22. 17. And let him, that is a thirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the Water of life freely. These Words were spoken to John by Christ, since he left Earth?

Is not this able to dissolve a Rock? Doth * 1.1 not Wisedom dayly send forth her Maidens to call in Souls? God comes to Souls with Christ, grace, Holiness, a new heart; and saith, what doest want? what wouldest thou have? doest blush at the thoughts of thy condition? I have

that will fit thee; there is nothing can help thee but Christ and grace; here they are, I pray thee take them: Here is all in my Son, accept of him, and say not nay; to embrace my Offer is my desire, your duty: it will much please me, and pleasure you to take my tender; how many Motives in Scripture doth God use to force this his precious kindnesse upon us? Is not the Gospel for this very end to invite, call, allure? yet the Preaching of the Law is * 1.2 useful thereunto, and ordinarily precedes and goes before, that so people seeing the worst of themselves, may the better apprehend the worth of Christ; and knowing their own po∣verty, may the better know the price of Christ; that understanding the nature of sin, they may be brought out of conceit with themselves, and be willing to be made gracious; then doth the white of grace most appear, when the black of sin is set by it; and the excellency and need of goodnesse, when we see the danger of our own badnesse: a sence of distresse put's on to fighing for deliverance; and what Saints ex∣perience almost tells them not, that conviction is Mid-wife to conversion.

2. There is taking, or receiving: The for∣mer [S. 2] was Gods Act, this latter is the Soules, * 1.3 yet not so the Soules, but that it is beholding to God for it: It hath not such propriety in it, but that it depends upon Gods efficiency. It is he that worketh in us both to will, and to do of his good pleasure.

God hath reached out his hands in offering, and now the Soul reacheth out it's hands to

accept. The Soul now giveth consent, and no longer saith nay: now Christ and the Soul are made one, and of his fulnesse doth it receive * 1.4 grace for grace: Now it drinks an hearty draught of the Waters of Life, now it opens the door of it's heart, and let's in Christ and grace, who have stood knocking there a great while, and bids them welcome with a kisse of hearty and sincere Love. John 1. 12. As many as received him: Now the Soul receiveth Christ; now the womb of it's heart is not capacious e∣nough to receive; now it's stomack is come down, and fall's to feed heartily upon Spiri∣tual viands, the bread of life. John 6. 56. He that eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. Now it admires the gracious condescensions of the Lord, and blames it self for being stubborn so long.

Now it is willing to open it's mouth wide, yea that it's heart be opened, that it may be * 1.5 filled with good things. It hearkeneth inward∣ly as well as outwardly: The Lord hath open∣ed it's ear, and it is not rebellious, now it yeelds, stoopes, submits to, and closeth with God in his grace; it answeres Gods call, and saith, Lord thy Face will I seek. Ps. 27. 8. and sub∣scribes for God. Isai. 44. 5.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro v. 9. 3
• * 1.2

  Ames. 1. lib. Med. 26. c. 12. 12. Thes. Rom. 7. 7.
• * 1.3

  Conversio ad bonum non homi∣ni, sed Deo adscriben∣da. Aust. Ep. Phil. 2. 13. Bov. 1. 24.
• * 1.4

  John 1. 16.
• * 1.5

  Psa. 81. 10.