A88594:531
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.
IN the prosecution of this subject, you may remember, the last Doctrine I drew forth was this, That Christians should put forth a great deal of diligence to make this sure to their souls, that they are eternally elected by God the Father. In the handling of which, I have shown you, 1. what election is. 2. That the people of God may make sure their own election, though done from all eternity.
IN the prosecution of this subject, you may remember, the last Doctrine I drew forth was this, That Christians should put forth a great deale of diligence to make this sure to their soules, that they are eternally elected by God the Father. In the handling of which, I have shewn you, 1. what election is. 2. That the people of God may make sure their own election, though done from all eternity.
I come now to show you, how the people of God may be assured in their own hearts that they are eternally elected. And here, to compass this knowledge or assurance of our election, I do not only carry it so far as the Papists do, that say, you may have a persuasion, which they call, fides conjecturalis, a conjectural faith, or hope you may be saved; but will not come up so far as the words of my Text, to be sure of it. Now should a man use no more then the words of the Text, in that it is pressed as a command, it is an argument it may be made sure to a mans own self. For no man is bound to an impossible thing; 1and in that it is a thing required, to be assured of our election, the Scripture would never oblige our obedience to that which is impossible in it self. I do not drive so far only, but further. What should an elect man do to be certainly persuaded that he is eternally elected by God to obtain life and salvation. I am now handling a doctrine to be trembled at, while you are attending to it. And in the resolving of this query, you must take this rule; that you cannot get assurance by ascending into ⟨p. 208⟩Gods decree, but by descending into your own hearts, searching them by the word, whether those saving effects, which God doth work in an elect person, be wrought in your souls or no: and that is the way to come to a sure and certain knowledge of your election. The knowledge of your election is not attainable by ascending into Gods decree; for who hath made you his Counsellors. Nor is it enjoined you by way of Revelation. That is an unsure ground, and you may run into Enthusiasm, as well as persuasion about your election. It is not done by Revelation, neither against nor without the word. What ever testimony there is, if it come not from the word, you may suspect it to be a delusion. Now the safest way, (though I know much cried down) for you to go by, in searching whether you are in the number of Gods elect, is to search into your own hearts, whether those things be wrought in you, which are wrought in those whom God hath elected to life and salvation. And here I shall content my self with the naming of six saving effects.