A49258:599
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.
To which I answer two things. First, the Apostle doth not say, Let him that stands, take heed left, &c. but the Apostle saith, Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Intimating, that men that think they are elected, and think they are in a good condition, they should take heed, lest they miscarry to all eternity.
Secondly, Take heed lest they fall. This falling here is not meant a falling from grace finally, and falling into hell, and perishing; but the falling here is only a falling into sin, and so an elect •an should do. An elect man, though he stand firm in Gods decree, yet he should take heed all the days of his life, that he fall not into sin. And if you ask me, how I make that appear, I answer, from the context. This is a conclusion, or caution the Apostle gives upon the enumeration of several instances of the people of God, that in former ages did sin against God. As some that tempted Christ, ⟨p. 191⟩and fell in one day 23000. Others that fell to fornication, and provoked him in the Wilderness. With many such sins reckoned up, and the sum of all is this, that seeing they that were Gods people fell into sin, and were punished, therefore you that think you stand, and think you are elected, you should take heed you fall not into sin, as they did. And thus I have done with resolving this second query.
Secondly, Take heed lest they fall. This falling here is not meant a falling from grace finally, and falling into hell, and perishing; but the falling here is onely a falling into sinne, and so an elect •an should doe. An elect man, though he stand firme in Gods decree, yet he should take heed all the dayes of his life, that he fall not into sinne. And if you aske me, how I make that appeare, I answer, from the context. This is a conclusion, or caution the Apostle gives upon the enumeration of several instances of the people of God, that in former ages did sin against God. As some that tempted Christ, ⟨p. 191⟩