A49258:534
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.
I come now to show you how the people of God may be assured in their own hearts that they are eternally elected. And h•r•, to compass this knowledge or assurance of our Election, I do not only carry it so far as the Papists do, ⟨p. 172⟩that say, you may have a persuasion, which they call Fides conjecturalis, a conjectural faith, or hope you may be sav•d; but will not come up so far as the words of my Text, to be sure of it. Now should a man use no more then the words of the Text, in that it is pressed as a command, it is an argument it may be made sure to a mans own self. For no man is bound to an impossible thing; and in that it is a thing required, to be assured of our election,1 the Scripture would never oblige our obedience to that which is impossible in it self. I do not drive so far only, but further. What should an elect man do to be certainly persuaded that he is eternally elected by God to obtain life and salvation. I am now handing a doctrine to be trembled at, while you are attending to it. And in the resolving this query, you must take this rule; that you cannot get assurance by ascending into Gods decree, but by descending into your own hearts, searching them by the word whether those saving effects, which God doth work in an elect person, be wrought in your souls or no: and that is t•e way to come to a sure and certain knowledge of your election. The knowledge of your election is not attainable by ascending into Gods decree; for who hath made you his Counsellors. Nor is it enjoined you by way of Revelation, That is an unsure ground, and you may run into Enthusiasm, as well as persuasion about your election. It is not done by Revelation, neither against nor without the word. What ever testimony there is, if it come not from the word, you may suspect it to be a delusion. Now the safest way, (though I know much cried down) for you to go by in searching whether you are in the number of Gods elect, is to search into your own hearts, whether those things be wrought in you, which are wrought in those whom God hath elected to life and salvation: and here I shall content my self with the naming of six saving effects.
I come now to shew you how the people of God may be assured in their owne hearts that they are eternally elected. And hr, to compasse this knowledge or assurance of our Election, I doe not onely carry it so farre as the Papists doe,