A88594:334
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.
Secondly, and more particularly, That though ordinarily preaching, and hearing of the Word preached be ordained by God, and crowned by him chiefly to be a means instrumental to convert souls, yet God sometimes hath blessed the reading of the Word to be a means of converting souls likewise. Yet Beloved, I would not do as the Prelates did, who would fain have brought in reading to jostle out preaching. Preaching is the more noble work, and must be highest in our thoughts, yet if God will go out in an unusual way, who can control him? If God will do it by a Chapter, ⟨p. 116⟩read, when not by a Sermon preached, who can resist God? if he will show his power by weaker means. Who shall gainsay it? God sometimes honours the reading of the Word, to give encouragement to reading, to be a means of some mens call. I have read of S. Austin that he was converted not by hearing a Sermon, but by opening the Bible, and reading that place. Rom 13.13. Let us walk honestly as in the day time, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness: and the reading of this verse wrought upon him. I have read of Cyprian, that he was converted by reading the Prophecy of Jonah, hearing of Gods mercy to save such a wicked people, and of Gods mercy to Jonah, when he was in so pettish a mood as to be angry with God. I have known likewise another famous Minister, that going by a Book-binders shop, he was converted by reading a Sermon of Repentance that cost but two pence; & hath bin a famous Minister since for the conversion of many hundreds to Jesus Christ. Junius was converted by reading the first of John; so the Eunuch was converted by reading Isa. 53.7. Beloved, God is not bound up to any one way in saving man; He that wrought upon Austin by a verse reading & upon another by a Sermon, he can do so by thee Reading is an ordinance of God, and God is not bound up, but may use that as a means of thy effectual call likewise.
Secondly, and more particularly, That though ordinarily preaching, and hearing of the Word preached be ordained by God, and crowned by him chiefly to be a means instrumental to convert souls, yet God sometimes hath blessed the reading of the Word to be a means of converting souls likewise. Yet Beloved, I would not do as the Prelates did, who would fain have brought in reading to justle out preaching. Preaching is the more noble work, and must be highest in our thoughts, yet if God will go out in an unusual way, who can controll him? If God will do it by a Chapter,