THE RESULTS OF EFFECTUAL CALLING.

They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. IT is a common but very false opinion, that whatever may be the happy result of conversion in a future world, few are the advantages which flow from it in this; and that, so far from benefiting man as to the present, it calls him to all the privations and sacrifices of the most rigid austerity. Such is the picture drawn of it by those who know it not, or who wilfully misrepresent it to defend their hostility to it. Godliness, we are assured on the testimony of God, and of all who have chosen its ways, is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Those who are effectually called partake here of justification; for “to him shall men come, and in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” They are adopted, for God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and they are sanctified, for Paul having prayed that the very God of peace might sanctify the Christians at Thessalonian wholly, and that their whole spirit, and soul, and body, might be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, adds, “Faithful is he that you, who also will do it.” " When men confer one great favour, it is often considered as barring all future application or hope; but God's noblest gift is our best security for every other blessing. A man may forfeit a benefactor's favour; and notwithstanding all his warnings and counsels, may act so improperly as to make it necessary that he should withdraw from him his countenance; but God has made an everlasting covenant with his people, that he will not turn away from them to do them good, and has put his fear into their hearts, that they may not turn away from him. Let it not be said, that these fruits of effectual calling are all of a spiritual kind, and that nothing is stated of its influence on our temporal condition; for with such blessings, no room is left to the most destitute for envy or repining. These blessings shed the care of mercy over our whole lot; and how wonderful is that statement of the Apostle, “We know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God, and to them who are the called according to his purpose:” like the frosts of spring cooperating with its dews and sunshine, to prepare for the beauty and abundance of the summer; or like the tides and storms of the ocean, uniting in accelerating the seaman's course, and enhancing the security and repose of the haven.Henry Belfrage

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