A49258:523
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.
That fear a•d trembling •here spoken of, is not a fear and trembling in opposition to the assurance of our election; but in opposition to that carnal security, and sinful dependence upon our own strength; This is apparent in the next words, For it is God that worketh in you the will and the deed: And therefore, because you have no strength of your own, and no power of your own to do any thing, therefore fear and tremble in that regard.
That fear a•d trembling •here spoken of, is not a fear and trembling in opposition to the assurance of our election; but in opposition to that carnal security, and sinfull dependance upon our own strength; This is apparent in the next words, For it is God that worketh in you the will and the deed: And therefore, because you have no strength of your own, and no power of your own to doe any thing, therefore fear and tremble in that regard.
Secondly, fear and trembling may very well be consistent with this grace of assurance; for we read, Psal. 2.11. Rejoice in the Lord with trembling. You may fear, and yet rejoice also. So Psal. 5.7. As for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercies, and in thy fear I will worship towards thine holy Temple. Here is fear, and confidence in the mercies of God joined together; to show, that fear and assurance may very well be consistent each with other. But then they object, how can this be? for John saith, perfect love casteth out fear. I answer, that though John saith, perfect love casteth out fear: yet John doth not say, that imperfect love casteth out fear. Now in this life our love is imperfect, and therefore mixed with fear; but in Heaven our love is perfect, and so casts out all fear. So that still this makes nothing against us, but that • man may have a grounded assurance of his eternal Election.