This would not apply to Reformed Baptists who generally have been influenced by Martyn Lloyd-Jones critique of the alter call.To the degree certain Baptist churches have maintained an old "revivalist" streak, and made the "altar call" a fixture of their services, you might be able to argue that those churches "continually called the attendees to faith and repentance," regardless of the typical sermon content. Did this help? That's the very point of contention, that assumes what must be proved.
AmenI preach the gospel every single week (by God's grace), and every week summon the whole congregation to confession of sin under the Law, and offer them pardon for sin through repentance and faith in Christ. I'm not unusual within our stable and confessional tradition.
So do you think this statement from the 1689 Baptist Confession [7:3] is not really consistent with Vos' comment on the Covenant of Redemption?Because covenant is larger/broader than the individual. When "active faith" (here, Vos seems to make room for the possibility of a "seed of faith"), which is the only discernible faith, takes in the reality of salvation--and his salvation--he views it in the covenant context. He takes in that ancient promise of God to his parents, and maybe his grandparents, and to a whole church replete with spiritual ancestors, and going all the way back to Abraham. "So, God has been interested in my salvation, ever since?"
"This covenant is based on the eternal covenant transaction between the Father and the Son concerning the redemption of the elect. Only through the grace of this covenant have those saved from among the descendants of fallen Adam obtained life and blessed immortality. Humanity is now utterly incapable of being accepted by God on the same terms on which Adam was accepted in his state of innocence."