A88594:131
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.
Object. Yea, but you will say, May be, sometimes God may do thus; to affright men, and trouble men in mind, make them see their sins: but is this Gods usual work?
Object. Yea, but you wil say, May be, sometimes God may do thus; to affright men, and trouble men in mind, make them see their sins: but is this Gods usual work?
Answ. Yes, it is, ver. 29. Lo, these things worketh God oftentimes with men. Mark, it is not a seldom work, but it is Gods work often, he will make you see your sins, see them to be fruitless, and see them to be unprofitable, Lo these things God worketh oftentimes with men. Hence you read, John 16.8. When the Spirit shall come (mark his Office) he shall convince the world of sin: The first act of the Spirit in converting a soul, and calling him, is to convince him of ⟨p. 30⟩sin. And I Remember Piscator thinks this accomplished in Acts. 2.37. When they saw! their sin in crucifying of Jesus Christ; this is the first work of the spirit of God, in your Calling; he will convince you of sin. Now, O Beloved, to how many do I speak this day with: whom God hath never taken this Method, since they were born into the world? How many are there that have been told of their drunkenness, and told of their lusts, and of their deceits, and of their licentious living from day to day; and yet to this day they never saw sin to be exceeding sinful; they never were convinced of sin to purpose? If they did indeed see their sin, 1• it was but a transient sight, soon come and soon gone; or else 2. it was but a general sight, to say we are all sinners▪ or 3. If they did see their sin, it was but a confused sight; no way distinct: or 4. If they did see sin, it was an unhumbling sight; the sight of sin did never humble them in Gods sight. I entreat you, Beloved, do not lay hold or have hopes of being effectually called, if God hath not shown you the heinous and aggravated nature of your sins. There is a speech,