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The book of God's decrees is closed against the curiosity of man. "The lion of the tribe of Judah 'only' hath prevailed to open the book and break the seven seals thereof." How then am I to know whether I am predestinated or no? Until this question be answered my heart cannot rest. The answer is that God has published that page of the sacred decree whereon the character of the predestinated is recorded in His Word: "Whom He did predestinate, them He also called." And if thou be called, it follows as a natural inference thou art predestinated. There are two kinds of callings. The first is the general call, which is given to every one that heareth the Word (Matthew; Isaiah 55:1; Proverbs 8:4); but the call of the text is personal. It is one that is heard and obeyed. Note: —

I. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE CALL.

1. It is precisely similar to the case of Lazarus. The sinner is dead in sin. Sovereign mercy comes and cries, "Come forth!" and that man lives. "Well," cries one, "but what are the words which Christ uses when He calls a sinner from death?" Why, any words. There came unto this hall a man to whom the simple reading of the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul," was the means of his quickening. He said within himself, "Does Jesus love me? then I must love Him."

2. While the sinner is dead in sin, he is alive enough to oppose God, as we see in the case of Saul of Tarsus. Let Peter say, "Saul, why dost thou oppose Christ? The time shall come when thou shalt yet be His disciple," and Saul would laugh him to scorn. But when Christ dealt with him, he fell to the ground, and in a few days the persecutor becomes the preacher.

3. The effectual call may be illustrated in its sovereignty by the case of Zaccheus. There were many better men in the city than he. Why call him? Simply because the call of God comes to unworthy sinners.

4. To illustrate this call in its effects, take the case of Abraham. What a trial to Abraham's faith when he had to leave all that was so dear to him, and go he knew not whither! And yet God had a goodly land for him, and intended greatly to bless him.

5. When effectual calling comes to a man, at first he may not know it. You remember the case of Samuel, who mistook God's voice for Eli's.

II. And now as a matter of EXAMINATION let each man judge himself by certain characteristics of the calling. It is —

1. A holy Calling (2 Timothy 1:9). If you are living in sin, you are not called.

2. A high calling (Philippians 3:13, 14). Has then your calling lifted up your heart and set it upon things above?

3. A heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1). Is thy calling a call to heaven as well as from heaven?

4. A call, not to the righteous, but to sinners.

5. A call out of darkness into God's marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

6. A call to liberty (Galatians 5:15).

7. A call to the fellowship of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9).

III. CONSOLATION.

1. If I am called, then I am predestinated, there is no doubt about it. The scheme of salvation is like the chain which we see at horse-ferries, fixed into one staple on this side of the river, and into another at the other side, but the greater part of the Chain is under water. You only see it as the boat moves on, and as the chain is drawn out of the water by the force that propels the boat. I can see that part of the chain, which is named "calling," but blessed be God, that is joined to the side that is called "election," and to the side called "glorification."

2. If a man be called, he will certainly be saved at last (Romans 11:29).

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

WEB: Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.