A49258:331
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.
First, that God is not tied to any means, but can work with the meanest means to bring home people to Jesus Christ. If ⟨p. 99⟩Peters conversion was by a Cock; a Cock crowing, and a look of Christs eye, why may not Christ use the Scriptures read to be a means of a mans call? If from stones God can raise up children unto Abraham, why cannot God do it by the Word also? to make the Word read a means in his own hands to effect it? God that can do all things with nothing, without means, can bring to pass great things by weak means.
First, that God is not tyed to any means, but can work with the meanest means to bring home people to Jesus Christ. If ⟨p. 99⟩Peters conversion was by a Cock; a Cock crowing, and a look of Christs eye, why may not Christ use the Scriptures read to be a means of a mans call? If from stones God can raise up children unto Abraham, why cannot God do it by the Word also? to make the Word read a means in his own hands to effect it? God that can do all things with nothing, without means, can bring to passe great things by weak means.
Secondly, and more particularly, That though ordinarily preaching, and hearing of the Word preached be ordained by God, and crowned by him chiefly to be a means instrumental to convert souls, yet God sometimes hath blessed the reading of the Word to be a means of converting souls likewise. Yet, Beloved, I would not do as the Prelates did, who would fain have brought in reading to jostle our preaching. Preaching is the more noble work, and must be highest in our thoughts, yet if God will go out in an unusual way, who can control him? If God will do it by a Chapter read, when not by a Sermon preached, who can resist God? if he will show his power by weaker means. Who shall gainsay it? God sometimes honours the reading of the Word, to give encouragement to reading, to be a means of some mens call. I have read of S. Austin that he was converted, not by hearing a Sermon, but by opening the Bible, and reading that place,