of his free and especial love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto)" he doth in his accepted time invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, P renewing and powerfully determin

of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. 2 Tim. i. 8, 9.-Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began.

■ Tit. iii. 4, 5. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. ii. 4 to 10. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved)—not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom. ix. 11.-According to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

• 2 Cor. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. vi. 2. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth; whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

P Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn

ing their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able, freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein. *

Q. 68. Are the elect only effectually called?

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A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called; although others may be, and often are outwardly called by the ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit, who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.

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them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

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q Ezek. xi. 19. And I will put a new spirit within you and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27.

John vi. 45. And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Deut. xxx. 6. Eph. ii. 5.

Acts xiii. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.

↑ Matt. xxii. 14.

chosen.

For many are called, but few are

Matt. xiii. 20, 21. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the wordyet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for awhile; for when tribulation or persecution,ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6.

▾ Psa. lxxxi. 11, 12. But my people would not

Q. 69. What is the communion in grace, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

A. The communion in grace, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification," adoption,* sanctification, and whatever else in this life. manifests their union with him.

Q. 70. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God's free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all

hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust; and they walked in their own counsels. John xii. 38, 39, 40. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report! and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart; and be converted, and I should heal them. Acts xxviii. 25, 26, 27. John vi. 64, 65. Prov. i. 24 to 32. Psa. xcv. 9 to the end.

Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glo rified.

Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.

y 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

Rom. iii. 22, 24, 25. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference-being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, &c. Rom. iv. 5.

b

their sin, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, ° and received by faith alone. d

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Q. 71. How is justification an act of God's free grace?

A. Although Christ by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in the behalf of them

2 Cor. v. 19, 21. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.-For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. iii. 22, 24, 25. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe, &c.

Eph. i. 6, 7. Wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Rom. iii. 28. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

c Rom. iii. 24, 25. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood. Rom. v. 17, 18, 19.-Much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.-So by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. iv. 6, 7, 8. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, &c.

d Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Gal. ii. 16. Phil. iii. 9. Rom. iii. 25, 26.

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that are justified: yet inasmuch as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them; and did provide this surety, his only Son, imputing his righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith," which also is his gift, their justification is to them of free grace.

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• Matt. xx. 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom (or price of redemption) for many. 1 Tim. ii. 6.

1 Pet. i. 18, 19. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold -but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Rom. v. 8, 9, 10.— ́ While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, &c.

f Dan. ix. 24, 26. Isa. liii. 6, 10, 11, 12.-And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.-Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.— Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many. Heb. vii. 22. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Rom. viii. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

2 Cor. v. 21. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Rom. iv. 11. 1 Cor. i. 30.

h Rom. iii. 24, 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood. Acts xvi. 31.

i Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through