A49258:194
A treatise of effectual calling and election In XVI. sermons, on 2 Peter 1.10.…
A treatise of effectual calling and election In XVI. sermons, on 2 Peter 1.10. Wherein a Christian may discern, whether yet he be effectually called and elected. And what course he ought to take that he may attain the assurance thereof. Preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Laurence Jury, London.A treatise of effectual calling and election In XVI. sermons, on 2 Peter 1.10. Wherein a Christian may discern, whether yet he be effectually called and elected. And what course he ought to take that he may attain the assurance thereof. Preached by that faithfull servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love, late minister of Laurence Jury, London.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1655
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. That Jesus Christ doth effectually call a poor sinner, before that sinner doth look after Jesus Christ. Should God entail heaven upon this condition, that you that had been first in the transgression, should be first in seeking reconciliation, we should never have the difference ended betwixt God and us; but behold, here is mercy, and here is a ground of comfort, that though we are the first in the transgression, Christ is ⟨p. 53⟩the first in suing out Reconciliation: Jesus Christ doth effectually call poor sinners, before they either call or look after Jesus Christ at all. Isa. 65.1. I am sought of them that asked not for me, I am found of them that sought me not; I said, Behold me, Behold me, to a Nation that was not called by my name. Here you see, Jesus Christ goeth out first to call thee, before thou goest out to call him. And O what comfort is this? Christ doth not stay till thou look after a Christ, but Christ casts an eye upon thee before thou look after him. We read of Matthew the Publican, that while he was looking after his money at the receipt of custom, at that time Jesus Christ was looking after his soul. We read of the Disciples of Christ, whilst they were mending their ne•s, and looking after their fish, Jesus Christ takes this occasion with the hook of the Gospel to catch them. We read of Paul, that whilst he was breathing out persecution against the Church of God, and raging with malice against the Saints of God, at that time he was even called to be a Saint: So that this is very comfortable. God doth first look after a sinner in his effectual calling, before a sinner looks out after Christ. God doth first look after thee, enlightening thee by a Sermon, and seizing upon thy conscience by a command, before thou look after him.
1. That Jesus Christ doth effectually cal a poor sinner, before that sinner doth look after Jesus Christ. Should God entail heaven upon this condition, that you that had been first in the transgression, should be first in seeking reconciliation, we should never have the difference ended betwixt God and us; but behold, here is mercie, and here is a ground of comfort, that though we are the first in the transgression, Christ is ⟨p. 53⟩