A49258:607
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.
Secondly, because then it would follow, that children dying in infancy could not be elected; for the child being in the mothers womb, if it hath life, it hath a soul, and so must either be saved, or damned. But a child, while it is in the womb, neither acts good or evil. Now if God did elect persons to life upon foresight of works, then children dying in the womb could not be elected; because there are no works God could foresee in them. And then this would be a very uncomfortable doctrine for parents that have children dying young.
Secondly, because then it would follow, that children dying in infancy could not be elected; for the childe being in the mothers wombe, if it hath life, it hath a soule, and so must either be saved, or damned. But a childe, while it is in the wombe, neither acts good or evil. Now if God did elect persons to life upon foresight of works, then children dying in the wombe could not be elected; because there are no works God could foresee in them. And then this would be a very uncomfortable doctrine for parents that have children dying young.
Thirdly, then would man have somewhat whereof to boast before his God, as if he could lay claim to salvation from him. If God were bound to choose men to salvation upon foresight of good works, then man might say, I thank not God, but I thank my believing, and thank my good works, for these were the motives for which he chose me to glory; and thus would poor man boast against his Maker.
Thirdly, then would man have somewhat whereof to boast before his God, as if he could lay claim to salvation from him. If God were bound to chuse men to salvation upon foresight of good works, then man might say, I thank not God, but I thank my believing, and thank my good works, for these were the motives for which he chose me to glory; and •hus would poor man boast against his Maker.