A88594:115
A treatise of effectual calling and election. In XVI. sermons, on 2 Pet. 1.10…
A treatise of effectual calling and election. In XVI. sermons, on 2 Pet. 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 Lawrence Jury, London.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1653
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.
4. Its said of Effectual Calling, that it is from the dominion of sin; but External Calling is only from the external acts of sin. Indeed by an external calling the word may have that power over a man, as to restrain and keep in the visible and external actings of sin, but it no way works upon the inclination to take off the affection from sin: whereas this effectual Calling works upon the heart, and works to the subduing and destroying of the power of sin, as well as the actings of it.
4. Its said of Effectual Calling, that it is from the dominion of sin; but External Calling is only from the external acts of sin. Indeed by an external calling the word may have that power over a man, as to restrain and keep in the visible and external actings of sin, but it no way works upon the inclination to take off the affection from sin: wheras this effectual Calling works upon the heart, and works to the subduing and destroying of the power of sin, as well as the actings of it.
Secondly, Why doth God require, that we should put forth such great diligence in making sure that we are effectually called, by the Spirit of Jesus Christ in the Gospel? There are three Reasons why this should be?
Reas. 1 First, Because there are many professing the Gospel, that do harbour ungrounded persuasions that they are effectually called, when they are not. Now if many men be deceived, why may not you? And if many are apt to be deceived about this matter, have not you great cause to be diligent, lest you are deceived also? The Jews of old, they boasted of their Calling; and said, We have Abraham ⟨p. 25⟩to our father: but Christ confutes that; If you were Abraham's children (saith he) you would do the works of Abraham: but you seek to kill me, which Abraham did not. But then they go higher,