The Lord does not tie Himself to a particular way, or use the same order with
16:6). The fancy coins earthly thoughts; the heart is the devil's forge, where the sparks of lust fly.
(v.) We are in a state of damnation. We are born under a curse. The wrath of God abides on us (John 3:36). This is our condition before God is pleased by a merciful call to bring us near to Himself, and free us from that misery in which we were before engulfed.
3. The means of our effectual call. The ordinary means which the Lord uses in calling us, is not by raptures and revelations, but is,
(i.) By His Word, which is "the rod of his strength" (Psalm 105:2). The voice of the Word is God's call to us; therefore He is said to speak to us from heaven (Heb. 12:25). That is, in the ministry of the Word. When the Word calls from sin, it is as if we heard a voice from heaven.
(ii.) By His Spirit. This is the loud call. The Word is the instrumental cause of our conversion, the Spirit is the efficient. The ministers of God are only the pipes and organs; it is the Spirit blowing in them, that effectually changes the heart. "While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the word" (Acts 10:44). It is not the farmer's industry in ploughing and sowing, that will make the ground fruitful, without the early and latter rain. So it is not the seed of the Word that will effectually convert, unless the Spirit put forth His sweet influence, and drops as rain upon the heart. Therefore the aid of God's Spirit is to be implored, that He would put forth His powerful voice, and awaken us out of the grave of unbelief. If a man knock at a gate of brass, it will not open; but if he come with a key in his hand, it will open: so when God, who has the key of David in His hand (Rev. 3:7) comes, He opens the heart, though it is ever so fast locked against Him.
4. The method God uses in calling sinners.
The Lord does not tie Himself to a particular way, or use the same order with all. He comes sometimes in a still small voice. Those who have had godly parents, and have sat under the warm sunshine of religious education, often do not know how or when they were called. The Lord secretly and gradually instilled grace into their hearts, as the dew falls unnoticed in drops. They know by the heavenly effects that they are called, but they do not know the time or manner. The hand moves on the clock, but they do not perceive when it moves.