Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

Experience taught them that many gave no evidences of the new life until after they had
heard the gospel for many years.
4. REASONS FOR A SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF EXTERNAL CALLING AS PRECEDING
REGENERATION.
a. Clearness of presentation. External and internal calling are essentially one; yet they
can and should be carefully distinguished. A dispute may arise respecting the one that
does not directly concern the other. It may be doubted, whether internal calling logically
precedes regeneration in the case of adults, while there is no uncertainty whatsoever in
this respect concerning the external calling through the gospel. Hence it may be
considered desirable to treat of the external calling first, and then to take up the
discussion of internal calling in connection with that of regeneration.
b. The preparatory nature of external calling.. If we proceed on the assumption that the
ordo salutis deals with the effective application of the redemption wrought by Christ, we
feel at once that the external calling by the Word of God can, strictly speaking, hardly be
called one of its stages. As long as this calling does not, through the accompanying
operation of the Holy Spirit, turn into an internal and effectual calling, it has only a
preliminary and preparatory significance. Several Reformed theologians speak of it as a
kind of common grace, since it does not flow from the eternal election and the saving
grace of God, but rather from His common goodness; and since, while it sometimes
produces a certain illumination of the mind, it does not enrich the heart with the saving
grace of God. 38
c. The general nature of external calling. While all the other movements of the Holy
Spirit in the ordo salutis terminate on the elect only, the external calling by the gospel has
a wider bearing. Wherever the gospel is preached, the call comes to the elect and the
reprobate alike. It serves the purpose, not merely of bringing the elect to faith and
conversion, but also of revealing the great love of God to sinners in general. By means
of it God maintains His claim on the obedience of all His rational creatures, restrains the
manifestation of sin, and promotes civic righteousness, external morality, and even
outward religious exercises. 39
38 Cf. references above, pp. 304 f. and also a Marck, Godgeleerdheid. XXIII. 3.
39 Cf. Bavinck, Geref. Dogm. IV, pp. 7 f.
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