A49258:369
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 Exalt arguments of faith against presen• feelings, If so be that you will once enter the lists to dispute with the devil, he will out-cavil you, and Non-plus you. The devil is a cunning Logician, and it is not safe, saith Dr. Preston, to argue with the devil; the devil will out-dispute, and out-argue you. It is a Christians work to exalt arguments of Faith against present feelings. In case you would get assurance, you are to do as Abraham the father of the faithful did, when he was to believe a thing that sense and reason would tell him should never come to pass; It is said of Abraham, Rom. 4.18, 19. That in hope he believed against hope. He would exalt faith against sense. And how was it? God promised Abraham a child; reason and sense would have told Abraham, Abraham, thou art a hundred years old, thy wife ninety nine, her womb is barren, and it is not likely you should have children; but Abraham would not argue thus, but would exalt arguments of faith, and apply Gods Promises, and Gods Word, exalting these; Abraham did believe in hope against hope. Beloved, so must you: though you say you have barren womb, Grace is not likely to grow in you, and though you are old, and decrepit, and feeble Christians, yet advance arguments of faith from Gods love, and from Gods power, and from Gods Providence, and Gods Promises, and that's the way to get your comforts clear and full. I may apply what Fox in his Acts and Monuments reports of a good woman, that was called before Bonner, and the rest in Queen Mary's Reign that sate in Judgement about her Religion; they see her, though a poor and silly woman, yet keep firm to her principles, and would not deny her Religion. At length Bonner sent some learned Doctors to dispute with her, and argue the case about some points she held; they coming to see her she puts them off with this saying, Well, you are Scholars, and you come to dispute; I must needs tell you, I cannot dispute, but I can burn for my Religion. Beloved I would have you answer the devil thus. If he comes to outwit and cavil with you about your comforts, say you cannot dispute, but you can believe; you can lay your help on Jesus Christ, upon one that is mighty, and exalt arguments of faith, and this will much strengthen your ⟨p. 113⟩comforts. Luke 8.42. There came a •uler to Jesus Christ, and besought him for his daughter that lay a dying: