A88594:474
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.
Fifthly, In your searching work examine your selves, what you would do in case God should restore to you your former evidences; could you bring your hearts to this temper, that you would think no pains too much to take, no cost too much to give, nothing should be irksome to you that God would have you perform, in case he would give you your wonted comforts? If you find this temper of spirit in you, this is a very ready way to bring on your comforts, and restore the joys of your salvation to you.
Fifthly, In your searching work examine your selves, what you would do in case God should restore to you your former evidences; could you bring your hearts to this temper, that you would think no pains too much to take, no cost too much to give, nothing should be irksom to you that God would have you perform, in case he would give you your wonted comforts? If you finde this temper of spirit in you, this is a very ready way to bring on your comforts, and restore the joyes of your salvation to you.
Secondly, Set upon humbling work: the only way to gain what you have lost, is to mourn over your losses. Jer. 31.18, 19, 20. See how Ephraim comes to have his comforts restored, when he wept over his own discomforts: I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself, saith God, and I said, Is Ephraim my dear son, I saw him smiting upon his thigh, humbling his soul for his sins; and since I saw him, I do earnestly remember him, and I will show mercy to him. Here you see lamenting Ephraim; God in the very time of his bemoaning himself, restored his comforts to him: we hear many lament for their outward losses, but who laments for the loss of inward comforts? And David after he had lost his comforts by that great sin of adultery, makes seven penitential Psalms, Psalms of lamentation or repentance; and he calls one of them, A Psalm to call to remembrance. And as an Author well notes, when David came to renew his comforts, he makes a Psalm to call to remembrance those sins that might provoke God to take away his comforts from him: So Beloved, let it be your work to make such Psalms in your Closets, and make it your practice to call to remembrance those evils that provoke God to eclipse your comforts to you, and let that humble you. If you cannot find out the Particular sin, labour to