A49258:294
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.
Fifthly, There may be a change in mens lives, arising from a change in the occasions to sin, and not from a change in the heart: As now, A Lion that will go ramping and roaring up and down, devouring his prey when he is at large, yet put this Lion in a Den, there he is quiet, and will offer no hurt: now the Lion is a Lion still, and hath his ravenous disposition still, only he hath not so fair an occasion to show his rage. It is thus with men, many men want a• fions and opportunities to show their wickedness, and the evil ⟨p. 86⟩of their natures, and therefore do not discover them: What's the reason many a man was a drunkard before, and is not so now? It may be drunkenness hath brought beggary, and now he hath not money to sit upon an Ale-bench. What's the reason a man was an Adulterer before, and is not so n•w? It may be he hath spent his stock, and spent his strength upon Whores, and now he hath neither strength nor purse to follow after them. It is no thanks to you, if God take away your occasions of sinning: men may be thus changed, yet have no change in the heart at all.
Fifthly, There may be a change in mens lives, arising from a change in the occasions to sin, and not from a change in the heart: As now, A Lion that will go ramping and roaring up and down, devouring his prey when he is at large, yet put this Lion in a Den, there he is quiet, and will offer no hurt: now the Lion is a Lion still, and hath his ravenous disposition still, only he hath not so fair an occasion to shew his rage. It is thus with men, many men want a• fions and opportunities to shew their wickedness, and the evil ⟨p. 86⟩of their natures, and therefore doe not discover them: What's the reason many a man was a drunkard before, and is not so now? It may be drunkenness hath brought beggery, and now he hath not money to sit upon an Ale-bench. What's the reason a man was an Adulterer before, and is not so n•w? It may be he hath spent his stock, and spent his strength upon Whores, and now he hath neither strength nor purse to follow after them. It is no thanks to you, if God take away your occasions of sinning: men may be thus changed, yet have no change in the heart at all.