A49258:512
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.
Election is an eternal decree or purpose of God, whereby he hath freely chosen out of the mass of mankind, a small eompany of men and women, that shall come to everlasting life and salvation by Jesus Christ. This is election.
Election is an eternal decree or purpose of God, whereby he hath freely chosen out of the mass of mankinde, a small eompany of men and women, that shall come to everlasting life and salvation by Jesus Christ. This is election.
And here in this description there are these things to be taken notice of. First, I call it an eternal purpose; because, though a man be not justified from eternity; yet he is elected from eternity. God from eternity had a purpose that man should be justified, and should be called, and should be saved. Election is from eternity, though vocation, justification, and glorification be not so. Hence you read in Scripture, when it speaks of Election, Eph. 1.4. He hath elected us in Christ, before the foundation of the world. But it is never said so of Justification. God had a purpose to make us happy, and a purpose to call us in time, and a purpose to justify us from eternity, though the acting of this purpose is in due time fulfilled. Secondly, I call it a purpose, whereby he doth freely choose. And this I do in opposition to that Papistical Tenet, that God doth predestinate or elect men to salvation upon the foresight of good works. A most abominable opinion, and takes off the freeness of this act of Gods election, 2 Tim. 1.9. Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace: so I say thirdly, Whereby God doth freely choose out of the mass of mankind a few to obtain life and salvation. In opposition to those that hold for universal redemption, and universal Grace; As Origen, and from him many more have been tainted with this ⟨p. 166⟩error, to hold Election universal. And so many of the Papists: Now the Scripture tells us, that many are called, but few are chosen. Election signifies a choice; now a choice, the very word imports a rejecting of some, and a culling out of others. The word Election imports, that all shall not be saved. Origen held this, that all men should be saved; that Election shall extend to every man. Yea, the very Devils at the day of judgment shall be saved: which is an opinion among Christians not to be named; for Election belongs but to a few. Fourthly, I say, that tis to bring them to eternal life and salvation; therefore called ordination to eternal life,