A88594:514
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.
To this I shall answer briefly. You must know the fear that the holy Ghost here presseth, that men should pass their time in fear, is not meant of a fear about our election; but it is meant of a fear of sin; that we must not sin against God, but fear God, and fear to provoke God by our sin. And if you ask how this appears, I make it appear plainly thus; for vers. 18. it is said, Knowing beloved, that you are not redeemed with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, but with the precious ⟨p. 203⟩blood of Christ, &c. Now this verse proves clearly, that they knew they were redeemed by Christs blood, and so by consequence knew their election. Therefore the Apostle did not press a fear, to beat down the knowledge of their election; but, pass your time in fear, i. e. fear to offend God, and fear to sin against him.
To this I shall answer briefly. You must know the feare that the holy Ghost here presseth, that men should passe their time in feare, is not meant of a feare about our election; but it is meant of a feare of sinne; that we must not sinne against God, but feare God, and feare to provoke God by our sinne. And if you ask how this appeares, I make it appeare plainly thus; for vers. 18. it is said, Knowing beloved, that you are not redeemed with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, but with the precious ⟨p. 203⟩blood of Christ, &c. Now this verse proves clearly, that they knew they were redeemed by Christs bloud, and so by consequence knew their election. Therefore the Apostle did not presse a feare, to beat down the knowledge of their election; but, passe your time in feare, i. e. feare to offend God, and feare to sinne against him.
Another objection they urge is this. The Scripture, say they doth often commend fear to us; and surely fear and assurance cannot stand together. Prov. 28.14. Blessed is the man that feareth always. Now, if a man must always fear, then the most a man can have is hope; and so hang between hope and fear all our days. To which I answer.