A88594:492
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.
Use. There remains now only one Use more to dispatch about this subject, and then I pass to the third point drawn from these words. And the Use shall be of Consolation; from all that hath been said touching the assurance of our effectual Calling, I shall only direct my discourse to lay down six or seven Consolatory Conclusions, to those Christians who are effectually called, yet happily have not a sensible assurance of their own calling.
Ʋse. There remains now onely one Use more to dispatch about this subject, and then I passe to the third point drawn from these words. And the Use shall be of Consolation; from all that hath been said touching the assurance of our effectuall Calling, I shall onely direct my discourse to lay down six or seven Consolatory Conclusions, to those Christians who are effectually called, yet happily have not a sensible assurance of their own calling.
First, take this for a truth; that Assurance is necessary, not for the being, but for the well-being of a Christian. It is not necessary to his estate, but to his comfort. It is not necessary as food is to the life, but only as physic is to the body. A man cannot live without food; a man may live without Physic. Assurance is but as a comfortable Cordial to the soul; Grace is as food to keep the soul alive; though you do want assurance, this Cordial to bear you up.
First, take this for a truth; that Assurance is necessary, not for the being, but for the wel-being of a Christian. It is not necessary to his estate, but to his comfort. It is not necessary as food is to the life, but onely as physick is to the body. A man cannot live without food; a man may live without Physick. Assurance is but as a comfortable Cordiall to the soule; Grace is as food to keep the soule alive; though you doe want assurance, this Cordiall to beare you up.