Christian Classics
‹ Two Short Catechisms
Contents
Two Short Catechisms wherein the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ are Unfolded and ExplainedPrefatory NoteThe Epistle DedicatoryThe Lesser CatechismChapter I — Of the ScriptureChapter II — Of GodChapter III — Of the Holy TrinityChapter IV — Of the Works of God; and, First, of those that are Internal and ImmanentChapter V — Of the Works of God that outwardly are of HimChapter VI — Of God’s actual ProvidenceChapter VII — Of the Law of GodChapter VIII — Of the State of Corrupted NatureChapter IX — Of the Incarnation of ChristChapter X — Of the Person of Jesus ChristChapter XI — Of the Offices of Christ; and, First, of His KinglyChapter XII — Of Christ’s Priestly OfficeChapter XIII — Of Christ’s Prophetical OfficeChapter XIV — Of the Two-fold Estate of ChristChapter XV — Of the Persons to whom the Benefits of Christ’s Offices do belongChapter XVI — Of the ChurchChapter XVII — Of FaithChapter XVIII — Of our Vocation, or God’s Calling usChapter XIX — Of JustificationChapter XX — Of SanctificationChapter XXI — Of the Privileges of BelieversChapter XXII — Of the Sacraments of the New Covenant in particulalr, — a holy right whereunto is the Fourth Privilege of BelieversChapter XXIII — Of BaptismChapter XXIV — Of the Lord’s SupperChapter XXV — Of the Communion of Saints, — the Fifth Privilege of BelieversChapter XXVI — Of Particular ChurchesChapter XXVII — Of the Last Privilege of Believers, — being the Door of Entrance into Glory

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Chapter XVIII — Of our Vocation, or God’s Calling us

Chap. XVIII. — Of our Vocation, or God’s Calling us.

Q. 1. How come we to have this saving faith?

A. It is freely bestowed upon us and wrought in us by the Spirit of God, in our vocation or calling. John vi. 29, 44; Eph. ii. 8, 9; Phil. i. 29; 2 Thess. i. 11.

Q. 2. What is our vocation, or this calling of God?

A. The free, gracious act of Almighty God, whereby in Jesus Christ he calleth and translateth us from the state of nature, sin, wrath, and corruption, into the state of and union with Christ, by the mighty, effectual working of his Spirit in the preaching of the Word. Col. i. 12, 13; 2 Tim. i. 9; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xxxvi. 26; Matt. xi. 25, 26; John i. 13, iii. 3, 8; Eph. i. 19; Col. ii. 12; 1 Cor. iv. 7; James i. 18; 2 Pet. ii. 20; Acts xvi. 14.

Q. 3. What do we ourselves perform in this change, or work of our ?

A. Nothing at all, being merely wrought upon by the free and Spirit of God, when in ourselves we have no ability to any thing that is spiritually good. Matt. vii. 18, x. 20; John i. 13, xv. 5; 1 Cor. xii. 3, ii. 5; 2 Cor. iii. 5; Eph ii. 1, 8; Rom. viii. 26; Phil. i. 6.

Q. 4. Doth God thus call all and every one?

A. All within the pale of the church are outwardly called by the Word, none effectually but the . Matt. xxii. 14; Rom. viii. 30.