March 5 AM

Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling. 2 Tim. 1:9.

Such as our natural notions of sin and danger are, such is our judgment of salvation and deliverance. In our natural state we see only the fruits of sin in outward actions, but consider not the corrupt, cursed root from whence they spring. Hence poor souls think it no great and difficult matter to be saved: especially if they have some specious shew of the external adornings of sobriety, morality, and religion. Happy souls, who have escaped this dangerous rock of pride and self- deceit! for when the scales of ignorance fall from the eyes, and the veil of unbelief is taken off the heart; when the true light shineth in the mind, and the purity and spirituality of God's holy law is made manifest in the conscience, then the sinner sees his state truly desperate. Sin appears exceeding sinful; justly deserved hell and wrath are most dreadful; and most deplorable of all, he finds he must utterly sink into despair, and perish, for any thing he is able to do to save his soul. "God be merciful to me a sinner!" is the cry of his heart. "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book; and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity," saith the Lord. Isa. 29:18. The book of God's eternal counsel shall be disclosed; his purpose and decree of salvation shall be made known by his revealed truth to the heart; the joyful sound of salvation by Jesus shall be heard in the soul, and the poor sinner shall see Christ's finished work as his only hope. Love presided in the counsel. Grace shall reign to salvation. The gospel trumpet sounds reconciliation to ungodly sinners, salvation for lost souls. Their good works produced it not; their sins, however numerous and great, shall not deprive them of it. We are first saved, then called to know it, and glorify God for it.

When called with an effectual calling to Jesus, by the word and power of the Spirit, we possess and enjoy hope in God, and comfort from him. Effects prove their cause. A bold, confident assurance 'that I am elected, I know my sins are pardoned,' is not of the essence of gospel faith, or that applies the comforts of gospel salvation to the soul; but election to salvation is made manifest by "a holy calling." Paul did not only confidently assert he was an apostle; but, says he, "truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you." 2 Cor. 12:12. And verily, disciple, if thou art saved in purpose and decree from eternity, redeemed by Jesus in time, effectual vocation is the consequence; whereby thou art called to the knowledge of a holy Saviour by a holy faith; art a partaker of a holy nature, and wilt "shew thy faith by thy works." Inward purity of heart and outward holiness of life will ever be the study and joy of thy soul. "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." Heb. 12:14.