A49258:403
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.
Seventhly, True assurance, it is got and kept with a great deal of diligence and industry. Your best things are hardest to get, and hardest to keep. Stones are to be had in every place; but gold you must dig deep, and take pains to dive into the bowels of the earth, before you can get that. Weeds grow easily, but your fine garden-flowers, they must be often watered, and carefully looked unto, or else they will not grow: Beloved, this weed of false persuasion and assurance, it is a weed that will grow under every hedge, and thrive in every garden without looking after; whereas alas, the flower of true comforts and saving assurance, it is hard to make it grow; and when it is grown, it is hard to keep it from withering and blasting. Assurance it costs a man the waiting many a year, the shedding many a tear, the making of many a prayer, before he can get or keep it; whereas alas, false assurance it is easily gotten, and easily kept. A man may get presumption without any pains at all; the Devil will egg you on both to get and keep it: Therefore you that easily get your comforts without prayers, and keep your comforts without pains, you may be sure your comforts are but false.
Seventhly, True assurance, it is got and kept with a great deal of diligence and industry. Your best things are hardest to get, and hardest to keep. Stones are to be had in every place; but gold you must dig deep, and take paines to dive into the bowels of the earth, before you can get that. Weeds grow easily, but your fine garden-flowers, they must be often watered, and carefully looked unto, or else they will not grow: Beloved, this weed of false perswasion and assurance, it is a weed that will grow under every hedge, and thrive in every garden without looking after; whereas alas, the flower of true comforts and saving assurance, it is hard to make it grow; and when it is grown, it is hard to keep it from withering and blasting. Assurance it costs a man the waiting many a yeare, the shedding many a teare, the making of many a prayer, before he can get or keep it; whereas alas, false assurance it is easily gotten, and easily kept. A man may get presumption without any paines at all; the Devil will egge you on both to get and keep it: Therefore you that easily get your comforts without prayers, and keep your comforts without pains, you may be sure your comforts are but false.