1. Effectual calling is eminently a work of divine power; for the proof hereof, we have not only many express texts of scripture that sufficiently establish it, but we may appeal to the experience of those who are made partakers of this grace. If they compare their former and present state together, they may easily perceive in themselves, that there is such a change wrought in them, as is contrary to the inclinations of corrupt nature; whereby the stubbornness and obstinacy of their wills have been subdued, and such effects produced in them, as they never experienced before; and the manner of their production, as well as the consequences thereof, give them a proof of the agency of God herein, and the glory of his power exerted, so that they who deny it must be unacquainted with themselves, or not duly observe that which carries its own evidence with it.[16] But we shall principally take our proofs from scripture, in which we have an account of the beginning of this work, which is styled the new birth; wherein we are said to be made _partakers of the divine nature_, 2 Pet. i. 4. that is, a nature that is produced by divine power; and we are said to be _born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God_, John i. 13. And the gospel, which is the instrument that he makes use of in calling effectually, is styled, _The rod of his strength_, Psal. cx. 2. the effect thereof, ascribed to the _revelation of his arm_, Isa. liii. 1. the season in which this is done, is called, _The day of his power_, Psal. cx. 3. and it is, by a metonymy, called, _His power_, 1 Cor. i. 18. Rom. i. 16. The cross of Christ is also, when preached, and made effectual for the answering this valuable end, styled, The _power of God_, 1 Cor. i. 24. Moreover, the progress of this work is ascribed to the _power of God_, 1 Thess. i. 5. it is this that _keeps_ those who are effectually called _through faith unto salvation_, 1 Pet. i. 5. And that this power may appear to be extraordinary, the apostle uses an uncommon emphasis of expression, when he calls it, _The exceeding greatness of his power_, and, _the working of his mighty power_, Eph. i. 19, 20. which words[17] can hardly be translated without losing something of their force and beauty; and, indeed, there is not an expression used in scripture, to signify the efficacy of divine power, that exceeds, or, I may say, that equals them. And that it may appear more strong, the apostle, in the following words, represents it as being no less than _that power which wrought in Christ, when God raised him from the dead_.