A88594:235
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.
Now, O how should this beat off this temptation that you are too young to follow Christ, because Christ takes it so kindly at your hands, if you embrace his call in time: nay, Christ doth take it so kindly, that he doth love bare Morality and Civility in young men; and therefore it is said in Matthew, when Christ saw the young man, and he told him, 1I have observed these things from my youth, Christ looked upon him, and loved him: Christ showed a general love to the young man, that was but a Moral man from his youth; and if Christ love Morality, he will much more love Piety, and true Sincerity. It is observed of Timothy, that of one particular man, Paul expressed more love to Timothy, then any other: Read over all the book of God, you shall never find Paul express so much love to any, as to Timothy; he calls him Timothy my son, Timothy, who serveth me as a child, and Timothy my dearly beloved; and why was all this? Why the reason is, because Timothy from a child was converted, and knew the Scriptures. 2 Tim. 3.6. He was from a child converted and called by the Ministry of the word in Paul's mouth; and this did more endear the heart of Paul unto him. You read in the book of Leviticus, that when God did require a Sacrifice, he would not have an old Sheep, but a young Lamb, a Lamb of a year old, and a Kid of the youngest ⟨p. 70⟩of the Flock: And it was significative in this, not only to show that Christ our Sacrifice should die and suffer for our sins in the flower of his age, but also to show that Jesus Christ looks upon that as an abominable Sacrifice, when you will not be of his Fold, while you are as young Lambs; O Beloved, Christ takes it wonderful kindly, if in your youth you do embrace his call.
Now, O how should this beat off this temptation that you are too young to follow Christ, because Christ takes it so kindly at your hands, if you imbrace his call in time: nay, Christ doth take it so kindly, that he doth love bare Morality and Civility in young men; and therefore it is said in Matthew, when Christ saw the young man, and he told him, 1I have observed these things from my youth, Christ look'd upon him, and loved him: Christ shewed a general love to the young man, that was but a Moral man from his youth; and if Christ love Morality, he will much more love Piety, and true Sincerity. It is observed of Timothy, that of one particular man, Paul expressed more love to Timothy, then any other: Read over all the book of God, you shall never find Paul expresse so much love to any, as to Timothy; he cals him Timothy my son, Timothy, who serveth me as a child, and Timothy my dearly beloved; and why was all this? Why the reason is, because Timothy from a child was converted, and knew the Scriptures.