A49258:327
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, A second ground that makes men doubt of their effectual calling, is upon the apprehension of some seeming defect that may be in the means of their calling. As thus: Think they, I have read in the Word, that it doth please God to use preaching as the ordinary means to call and convert sinners to Christ. It pleased God by preaching to save them that believe. I read this also that faith comes by hearing. (Now many a poor soul hath this that gravels his conscience, and troubles his spirit) but alas I find a defect in this means. For my part I cannot say I was converted by hearing a Sermon, that which did work upon me was some other means. One of these three, either I was converted (saith one) by living in a godly family, among good Christians, seeing their example, that first gained upon me: Or, saith another, I was gained upon by reading a Chapter in the Bible, or in some good Book, and that first wrought upon me: Or, saith a third, it may be, if it was the Word, it was the Word preached by a wicked man, that is now turned either erroneous in judgment, or profane in practice: and this occasioneth a great deal of jealousy. The word preached by ⟨p. 97⟩the mouth of a godly Minister is Gods ordinary way, but I was altogether out of this way, and therefore this doth make him suspect the truth of his effectual calling. Now Beloved, I beseech you lend me your thoughts a little, for I would fain make this Doctrine as comfortable to every called one as I can. I shall speak of all these in order, and show you, that put case either of these have been the means of thy calling, yet thou hast no reason to doubt of thine effectual calling.
Secondly, A second ground that makes men doubt of their effectual calling, is upon the apprehension of some seeming defect that may be in the means of their calling. As thus: Think they, I have read in the Word, that it doth please God to use preaching as the ordinary means to call and convert sinners to Christ. It pleased God by preaching to save them that beleeve. I read this also that faith comes by hearing. (Now many a poor soul hath this that gravels his conscience, and troubles his spirit) but alas I finde a defect in this means. For my part I cannot say I was converted by hearing a Sermon, that which did work upon me was some other means. One of these three, either I was converted (saith one) by living in a godly family, among good Christians, seeing their example, that first gained upon me: Or, saith another, I was gained upon by reading a Chapter in the Bible, or in some good Book, and that first wrought upon me: Or, saith a third, it may be, if it was the Word, it was the Word preached by a wicked man, that is now turned either erroneous in judgment, or prophane in practice: and this occasioneth a great deal of jealousie. The word preacht by