> For the more distinct handling of this preparatory work, we shall shortly hint the most ordinary ways by which the Lord leadeth people in unto the covenant savingly, and draweth them unto Christ.

First, There are some called from the womb, as John the Baptist was, Luke i. 41. 44. or in their very young years, before they can be deeply engaged actively in Satan's ways, as Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 15. It cannot be supposed that those have such a preparatory work as we are to speak of. And because some persons may pretend to this way of effectual calling, we offer these marks of it, whereby those who have been so called may be confirmed.

1st. Such use from their childhood to be kept free of ordinary pollutions wherewith children usually are defiled: as swearing, lying, mocking of religion and religious persons, &c. Those whom God calleth effectually he sanctifieth them from the time of that effectual calling: "Sin cannot have dominion over them" as over others, "because they are under grace," Rom. vi. 14.

2dly. Religion is, as it were, natural to them; I mean they need not be much pressed to religious duties even when they are but children; they run willingly that way, because there is an inward principle of "love constraining them," 2 Cor. v. 14. so as "they yield themselves servants of righteousness," without outward constraint, Rom. vi. 16.

3dly. Although such know not when they were first acquainted with God, yet they have af terwads such exercises of spirit befalling, as the

saints in scripture, of whose first conversion we hear not, do speak of. They are shut out from God, upon some occasion, now and then, and are admitted to come nearer again to their apprehension; their heart is also further broken up by the ordinances, as is said of Lydia, Acts xvi. 14. And ordinarily they do remember when some special enjoyment of religion and duty, or when some sin, of which they were not taking notice before, was discovered to them. They who can apply these things to themselves, have much to say for their effectual calling from their youth.

Secondly, Some are brought into Christ in a Sovereign gospel way, when the Lord, by some few words of love swallowing up any law-work, quickly taketh a person prisoner at the first, as he did Zaccheus, Luke xix. and others, who, upon a word spoken by Christ, did leave all and follow him; and we hear no noise of a law-work dealing with them before they close with Christ Jesus.

And because some may pretend to this way of calling, we shall touch some things most remarkable in that transaction with Zaccheus, for their clearing and confirmation. (1.) He had some desire to see Christ, and such a desire as made him wave that which some would have judged prudence and discretion, whilst he climb. eth up upon a tree that he might see him. (2.) Christ spoke to his heart, and that word took such hold upon him, that presently with joy he did accept of Christ's offer and closeth with Christ as Lord, whilst few of any note were following him. (3.) Upon this his heart doth open

to the poor, although it seems he was a covetous man before. (4.) He hath a due impression of his former ways, evidencing his respect to Moses' law, and this he doth signify before all the company then present, not caring to shame himself in such things as probably were known to the world. (5.) Upon all these things, Christ confirmeth and ratifieth the bargain by his word: recommending to him that oneness of interest which behoved to be between him and the saints, and the thoughts of his own lost condition if Christ had not come and sought him and found him all which are clear, Luke xix. 3. 10.

We grant the Lord calleth some so, and if any can lay claim to the special things we have now hinted, they have a good confirmation of God's dealing with them from that scripture; neither are they to vex themselves because of the want of a distinct preparatory law-work, if their heart hath yielded unto Christ; for a lawwork is not desirable, except for this end. Therefore Christ doth offer himself directly in the scripture, and people are invited to come to him and although many will not come to him who is the cautioner, until the spirit of bondage distress them for their debt, yet if any, upon the knowledge of their lost estate, would flee and yield to Christ, none might warrantably press a law-work upon them.

As for others, whom Christ persuaded by a word to follow him; whatsoever he did, or howsoever he spake to them, at his first meeting with them, we must rationally suppose that then he discovered so much of their own neces

sity, and his own fulness and excellency to them as made them quit all and run after him: and i he do so to any, we crave no more, since there is room enough there for the Physician.

So that from all this, as some may be confirmed and strengthened, with whom God hath so dealt, so there is no ground nor occasion for deluded souls to flatter themselves in their condition, who remain ignorant and senseless of their own miseries, and Christ's all-sufficiency, and

hold fast deceit.

Thirdly, There are some brought in to Christ, in a way yet more declarative of his free grace; and this is, when he effectually calleth men at the hour of death. We find somewhat recorded of this way in that pregnant example of the "thief on the cross, "" Luke xxiii. 39-43. Although this seems not very pertinent for the purpose in hand, yet we shall speak a little of it, that on the one hand men may be sparing to judge or pass sentence upon either themselves or others before the last gasp; and we shall so circumstantiate it, that, on the other hand, none may dare to delay so great a business to the last hour of their life.

We find these things remarkable in that business between Christ and the thief. 1. The man rebuketh his former companion. 2. He dareth not speak a wrong word of God, whose hand is on him, but justifieth him in all that is befallen him. 3. He now seeth Jesus Christ persecuted by the world without a cause, and most injuriously. 4. He discovereth Christ to be a Lord and a King, while enemies seem to have him under their power. 5. He believeth a certainty of glory

after death so really, that he preferreth a portion of it to the present safety of his bodily life, which he knew Christ was able to grant to him at that time, and might have chosen that with the other thief. 6. Although he was much abased in himself, and so humbled, that he pleaded but that Christ would remember him, yet he was nobly daring to throw himself upon the covenant, on life and death; and he had so much faith of Christ's all-sufficiency, that he judged a simple remembrance from Christ would satisfyingly do his business. 7. He acquiesced sweetly in the word which Christ spoke to him for the ground of his comfort. All which are very clear in the case of that poor dying man, and do prove a very real work of God upon his

heart.

As this example may encourage some to wait for good from God, who cannot as yet lay clear claim to any gracious work of his spirit; so we conjure all, as they love their souls, not to delay their soul's business, hoping for such a cast of Christ's hand in the end, as too many do; this being a rare miracle of mercy, with the glory whereof Christ did honourably triumph over the ignominy of his cross; a parallel of which we shall hardly find in all the scripture beside. Yea, as there be but few at all saved, Mat. xx. 16. "Many be called, but few chosen;" and most few saved this way; so the Lord hath peremtorily threatened to laugh at the calamity, and not to hear the cry of such as mocked formerly at his reproof, and would not hear when he called to them; Prov. i. 24, 25, 26. "Because I have called and ye refused, I have