A88594:229
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.
Case. 2 Secondly, What temptations doth the Devil suggest to men, who are uncalled, that they should not give entertainment to, or embrace the call of Jesus Christ unto grace and glory? And in answer to this, I shall lay down only four suggestions of the Devil, wherewith he entangles a man, that he should not yield to the call of Jesus Christ. And as I lay them down, I shall labour to take them away. As
Case. 2 Secondly, What temptations doth the Devil suggest to men, who are uncalled, that they should not give entertainment to, or embrace the call of Jesus Christ unto grace and glory? And in answer to this, I shall lay down onely four suggestions of the Devil, wherewith he entangles a man, that he should not yeeld to the call of Jesus Christ. And as I lay them down, I shall labour to take them away. As
1. The first temptation the Devil will suggest, is to you that are young men; and to you he will suggest, that you are yet too young to embrace the call of Jesus Christ, 'twill be time enough hereafter, and you may do it soon enough hereafter; you are too young now to be abridged of your pleasure, and to mortify your lusts, and to betake your selves unto so serious a course as Christ calls you to: and by this temptation, the Devil prevails with young men more especially. And I remember Austin saith, that this temptation of the Devil, made him keep off for seven years together, from embracing the call of Jesus Christ; the Devil would still tell him in his heart, thou art too young to leave thy Drunkenness, and too young to leave thy Harlots; till at last he cried out, How long shall I say, it is too soon? Why may I not repent to day? This temptation I say, it hath fastened upon many before you, that they were too young to come in to Jesus Christ; and to this end, the Devil will suggest to you that old and false Proverb, A young Saint, and an old Devil: Whereas indeed, if you are young Devils, you will be old Beelzebubs. And therefore this being a suggestion, prevailing with many hearts, I shall lay down six considerations, to take off this temptation, that it may not prevail with you.
1. The first temptation the Devil will suggest, is to you that are young men; and to you he will suggest, that you are yet too young to imbrace the call of Jesus Christ, 'twill be time enough hereafter, and you may do it soon enough hereafter; you are too young now to be abridg'd of your pleasure, and to mortifie your lusts, and to betake your selves unto so serious a course as Christ cals you to: and by this temptation, the Devil prevails with young men more especially. And I remember Austin saith, that this temptation of the Devil, made him keep off for seven years together, from embracing the call of Jesus Christ; the Devil would still tell him in his heart, thou art too young to leave thy Drunkennesse, and too young to leave thy Harlots; till at last he cryed out, How long shall I say, it is too soon? Why may I not repent to day? This temptation I say, it hath fastened upon many before you, that they were too young to come in to Jesus Christ; and to this end, the Devil will suggest to you that old and false Proverb, A young Saint, and an old Devil: Whereas indeed, if you are young Devils, you will be old Beelzebubs. And therefore this being a suggestion, prevailing with many hearts, I shall lay down six considerations, to take off this temptation, that it may not prevail with you.