A49258:85
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.
11. Now is it true, that in all matters of soul Concernment, you must put forth a great deal of diligence? Then first in applying this Doctrine, I must proceed by way of Caution, and I shall lay down four Cautions, that you may not run into any mistakes about this point.
11. Now is it true, that in all matters of soul Concernment, you must put forth a great deal of diligence? Then first in applying this Doctrine, I must proceed by way of Caution, and I shal lay down four Cautions, that you may not run into any mistakes about this point.
- 1Use 1.Ʋse 1.
First, That though God calls for a great deal of diligence at your hands in the matters of your souls,1 yet this doth no way presuppose, as if you could draw out, or put forth this diligence by your own native power; but that God that commands your strength, that God must give you strength to do what he commands. Psal. 68.28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: What then? can a man therefore put forth his own strength? No, but the prayer follows; Strengthen O God, that which thou commandest us. Implying, that though God did command their strength, they could not put it out by their own power: but they would make a prayer to back the command, Lord thou commandest us to be strong, Lord, strengthen that which thou commandest. So that though God call for your diligence, & call for your strength; yet cannot you put forth any strength by your own power. Austin upon this consideration hath this passage; when I have a will, saith he, to do good, I have not a power; and when I have power, I have not a will; and herein I see my own weakness, and that I must be beholding to Christ for strength. You can as well carry on the work of Creation, as the work of Conversion by your own strength. You can as well conquer a world of armed men alone, as conquer one Suggestion of the Devil by your own power. Though God doth call for your obedience, and to put forth your diligence, yet this supposeth not, as if you could do this by your own strength; but that God that Commands you diligence, that God must stir it up in you.