A88594:128
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. That of the Familists; and they hold this, That Gods method in calling a sinner is not by the outward Ministry of the word, but it is by raptures and revelations, and by divine inspirations, and extraordinary ways of working: but this is not Gods usual method, though God sometimes take this way, as he did by Paul, who was called this way after an extraordinary manner: Yet this is not Gods ordinary rule.
4. That of the Familists; and they hold this, That Gods method in calling a sinner is not by the outward Ministrie of the word, but it is by raptures and revelations, and by divine inspirations, and extraordinarie waies of working: but this is not Gods usual method, though God sometimes take this way, as he did by Paul, who was called this way after an extraordinarie manner: Yet this is not Gods odinarie rule.
5. There is another Mistake, and that is of those who press a necessity of such measures of legal horror and terror upon the consciences of men, else they can never be saved. Sometimes Ministers have been so harsh now and then, (though indeed no such cause to blame them as is pretended) yet sometimes lashes break out, that men must be so and so humbled, in such a measure, and so long for duration. Now this is not Gods method to press for measure, but a great mistake about Gods manner of calling a sinner; though I must confess, this is the nearest of all the five, to that rule God takes in calling a sinner to glory. Having thus laid down the mistakes, 'tis the easier now to find out the truth. I come now to speak of that method God takes in calling a sinner. And here I shall lay down a sixfold method, in which God proceeds with those whom he doth effectually call, which if he doth so with you, you may go home with a seal upon your hearts, that you are effectually called to grace, and you shall one day come to glory.
5. There is another Mistake, and that is of those who press a necessitie of such measures of legal horrour and terror upon the consciences of men, else they can never be saved. Sometimes Ministers have been so harsh now and then, (though indeed no such cause to blame them as is pretended) yet sometimes lashes break out, that men must be so and so humbled, in such a measure, and so long for duration. Now this is not Gods method to press for measure, but a great mistake about Gods manner of calling a sinner; though I must confess, this is the nearest of all the five, to that rule God takes in calling a sinner to glorie. Having thus laid down the mistakes, 'tis the easier now to find out the truth. I come now to speak of that method God takes in calling a sinner. And here I shall lay down a sixfold method, in which God proceeds with those whom he doth effectually call, which if he doth so with you, you may go home with a seal upon your hearts, that you are effectually called to grace, and you shall one day come to glorie.