A49258:645
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 this is nothing else but a temptation, and not a truth; and it was the very controversy that Jobs friends had with him; they would fasten this upon Job, that he was a Reprobate, and an Hypocrite, because God did so afflict him: yet Job maintained his sincerity, and shows his grounds, that God was his friend, and that he did not reject him, though he did afflict him. But to speak more particularly.
That this is nothing else but a temptation, and not a truth; and it was the very controversie that Jobs friends had with him; they would fasten this upon Job, that he was a Reprobate, and an Hypocrite, because God did so afflict him: yet Job maintained his sincerity, and shews his grounds, that God was his friend, and that he did not reject him, though he did afflict him. But to speak more particularly.
First, no man can infallibly and certainly judge of Gods purposes about mans election, or reprobation, by any of the dispensations of God toward their bodies in the things of this life. Eccl. 9.1, 2. No man knows either love or hatred by any thing that is before him. All things fall alike to all. The same event to him that feareth God, and to him that feareth him not, to him that sweareth, and to him that feareth an oath.
Secondly, Afflictions from God are so far from being grounds, or evidences that a man is not elected, that in some cases they may prove evidences that they are the very elect of God. Heb. 12.6, 7. He chasteneth every son whom he receiveth; they are bastards, and not sons, whom he chastiseth not. As •any as I love, I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore and repent.