A88594:516
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.
That the fearing always, which Solomon annexed blessedness unto, is not meant of the fear about a mans election, but only a fear to sin against God. And if you ask me how that appears, read the whole verse, Bl•ss•d is the man that feareth always, but he that hardens his heart shall run into mischief. Now mark, by the Antithesis it is apparent, that fear there, is not a fear of our everlasting estate, but only a fear in opposition to hardness of heart in wicked men, that go on in a course of sin.
That the fearing alwaies, which Salomon annexed blessednesse unto, is not meant of the feare about a mans election, but onely a feare to sinne against God. And if you ask me how that appeares, read the whole verse, Bl•ss•d is the man that feareth alwaies, but he that hardens his heart shall runne into mischiefe. Now mark, by the Antithesis it is apparent, that feare there, is not a feare of our everlasting estate, but onely a feare in opposition to hardnesse of heart in wicked men, that goe on in a course of sin.
Another place they urge is, 1 Cor. 10.12. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Now, say they, the Scripture tells us, that every man, though never so firm, as he thinks, about his election; yet he must take heed, he may fall from grace, and be damned for all this. Now by way of answer to this, I would lay down two things.
First, The Apostle doth not speak of men that have a grounded assurance of their election; but to men that lie in carnal security, and have deluded persuasions of their good estate; and this appears by the Text; for he saith, let him that thinks he stands. He doth not say, let him that stands; for he cannot fall, but he that thinks he stands. Those men that nourish presumptuous, and ungrounded persuasions, that they are in a good estate, and in a happy condition, let them take heed, lest they fall.