A49258:291
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.
Secondly, There may be a change in the life, when there is no change in the nature, or in the heart, Matth. 23. they may wash the outside of the cup, when within it is full of pollution. The life may be changed, the external acts and course may be changed, when the heart may not be changed, and the nature the same still.
Thirdly, There may be a great change in a mans life, proceeding, not from a change in their nature, but from the times wherein they live: the times are changed, therefore they are changed; the times do not favour superstition, therefore they will not show their superstitious hearts; the times countenance not profaneness, therefore they will not be profane. Beloved, a change in a mans life may flow many times from a change of the times wherein they live, and yet this change no Argument of a heart change, or of effectual calling by Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, There may be a great change in a mans life, proceeding, not from a change in their nature, but from the times wherein they live: the times are changed, therefore they are changed; the times do not favour superstition, therefore they will not shew their superstitious hearts; the times countenance not profanenesse, therefore they will not be profane. Beloved, a change in a mans life may flow many times from a change of the times wherein they live, and yet this change no Argument of a heart change, or of effectual calling by Jesus Christ.
Fourthly, A change in your life may proceed from a change in your sin, not from a change in your heart: As thus. A man may be a Drunkard, may be an Adultery, may be a profane liver in times past, and may change these sins for other sins. He may change his Drunkenness into Covetousness, and be a covetous Worldling. He may change his Adultery for Idolatry, and be a superstitious mn. He may change Profaneness into Hypocrisy, and be an hypocritical man. He may change his loose practice into a loose judgement, and be an erroneous man. Now this is no change of the heart, but only a change of the sin; you have not the same sins you had, but you have other sins in place of them; and men may thus have a change in their life, flowing from a change in their sin, yet no Argument of effectual clling.