A49258:545
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.
Fourthly, I do not press the having of these effects sensibly ⟨p. 176⟩to be an evidence of election, if so be you have them really. There are many men have these really, when they have them not in their own apprehension.
Fourthly, I do not presse the having of these effects sensibly ⟨p. 176⟩to be an evidence of election, if so be you have them really. There are many men have these really, when they have them not in their own apprehension.
Fifthly, I do not press the having of these effects gradually, so you have them sincerely. My meaning is this, that a man may be elected; yea, and he may not only be chosen in Gods eternal decree, but the execution of that decree may be passed upon him, that he may be effectually called, and yet he may not have all these six effects in a great measure in the highest degree, yet he may have them sincerely, and so be a pledge to his own heart of his eternal election.
Fifthly, I do not presse the having of these effects gradually, so you have them sincerely. My meaning is this, that a man may be elected; yea, and he may not onely be chosen in Gods eternal decree, but the execution of that decree may be passed upon him, that he may be effectually called, and yet he may not have all these six effects in a great measure in the highest degree, yet he may have them sincerely, and so be a pledge to his own heart of his eternal election.
And thus having finished this third Query, I come now to enter upon another, depending upon the former; which indeed is a very dreadful subject, and a point to be trembled at, while it is handling, and that is this: what probable guess may be given of a man, that he is not within the compass of Gods election? This is a very high point, and must be handled with a great deal of seriousness, and sadness; it being a point concerning the salvation or damnation of all the men upon earth. And therefore I would entreat you to look about you. Gods decrees they are in Heaven, and it is only a real, work of grace upon your hearts on earth, that can give you evidence that those decrees are for good to you, As good wrought is an evidence of Gods purpose to save you; so the contrary work may be an evidence of Gods purpose never to save you, but of leaving you without the compass of his eternal election. There can be nothing laid down absolutely and certainly, yet there may be many probable guesses given of the men that are not within the compass of Gods election: Of which I shall name but six or seven sorts. And I wish to God that none of you that are before the Lord this day, have your names written in this black book lest you have just cause to fear your names are no written in the book of life.