A49258:375
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.
Sixthly, If you would get assurance, spend more time in strengthening your evidences for heaven, then in questioning of them. It is the great fault of many Christians, they will spend much time in questioning and not in strengthening their comforts. They will reason themselves into unbelief, and say, Lord, why should I believe? why should I take hold of a promise, that am so unholy and so unmortified a creature? And so by this they reason themselves to such a pass, that they dare not lay hold upon Christ; whereas it should be your work to reason your selves into Christ as much as you can. Labour to strengthen your comforts, and reason thus, Why should I not believe in Christ? Thus David did, Psal. 42. Why art thou troubled O my soul, and why art thou cast down within me? Is not the mercy of God more then sin in the creature? Is not there free grace where there is guilt? Are not there pardoning mercies, where condemnation is deserved? you should reason up your comforts, rather then reason them down, and spend more time in strengthening, then in questioning ⟨p. 116⟩of them. You would count him a very unwise man, that hath a Leaf of much land, and he himself shall create scruples and doubts, and shall use no means to make his Title good: And truly many Christians are as unwise for heaven; they have, as I may say, good bond and seal that God will bring them to heaven, and yet they will question, and cavil themselves into unbelief. Beloved, this should not be, but you ought rather to strengthen your comforts, then question them.
Sixthly, If you would get assurance, spend more time in strengthening your evidences for heaven, then in questioning of them. It is the great fault of many Christians, they will spend much time in questioning and not in strengthening their comforts. They will reason themselves into unbeliefe, and say, Lord, why should I beleeve? why should I take hold of a promise, that am so unholy and so unmortified a creature? And so by this they reason themselves to such a passe, that they dare not lay hold upon Christ; whereas it should be your work to reason your selves into Christ as much as you can. Labour to strengthen your comforts, and reason thus, Why should I not beleeve in Christ? Thus David did, Psal. 42. Why art thou troubled O my soule, and why art thou cast down within me? Is not the mercy of God more then sin in the creature? Is not there free grace where there is guilt? Are not there pardoning mercies, where condemnation is deserved? you should reason up your comforts, rather then reason them down, and spend more time in strengthening, then in questioning