Chosen,
Redeemed And Called
John
Gill
The subjects of effectual vocation, they whom God calls by His grace to
His eternal glory (I Pet. 5:10) are those who are chosen: "Whom
He did predestinate, them He also called" (Rom. 8:30).
Election and vocation are of equal extent. The objects are the same, neither
more nor fewer. They that were chosen from eternity, are called in time;
and they that are called in time, were chosen in Christ before the foundation
of the world. The "vessels of mercy, afore prepared unto glory" are explained
and described by such whom God hath called; not of the Jews only, but also
of the Gentiles (Rom. 9:23, 24). They are such who are in
Christ, and secured in Him; for they are called according to the grace
given them in Christ Jesus before the world began. And as grace was given
them so early, they themselves in some sense, must then have a being in
Him; which they have through being chosen in Him, and thereby coming into
His hands, they are secured and preserved in Him, in consequence of which
they are called by grace.
Thus stands the order of things as put by the apostle Jude 1. "To
them that are sanctified by God the Father"; that is set apart by Him in
eternal election; "and preserved in Christ Jesus"; being put into His hands
by that act of grace; "and called" in virtue of the foregoing acts of grace.
They are such who are redeemed by Christ; vocation follows redemption,
and is the certain consequent of it: "I have redeemed thee: I have called
thee by thy name; thou art Mine" (Isa. 43:1).
Election, redemption, and vocation, are of the same persons. Those whom
God has chosen in Christ are redeemed by Christ, and who are chosen and
redeemed are, sooner or later, called; and the reason of their being called
is because they are redeemed. "I will hiss for them, and gather them for
I have redeemed them". (Zech. 10:8). Those that are called are for
the most part either the meanest, or the vilest among men, the meanest
as to their outward circumstances. "Not many mighty, not many noble are
called." And the meanest as to their internal capacities; "Not many wise
men after the flesh." The things of the gospel and of grace of God, are
"hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes" (I Cor. 1:26;
James 2:5; Matt. 11:25). And oftentimes some of the worst and vilest
of sinners are called by grace; publicans and harlots went into the kingdom
of God when scribes and pharisees did not; attended the ministry of the
Word, and were called by it, when they were not. Christ came, as He says,
"not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matt. 9:13,
I Cor. 6:11).
Return To Elder Gill's Page
Return To Baptist Authors
Return To PBC Home