A88594:593
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.
But then they object further from Revel. 22.19. If any man shall take away from the words of this book, God shall take away his part in the book of life. Here, say they, by book of life, is unquestionably meant, Gods decree; and the Scripture saith, they that take any thing from this book, God will blot him out of the book of life, and will undoubtedly damn him.
But then they object further from Revel. 22.19. If any man shall take away from the words of this book, God shall take away his part in the book of life. Here, say they, by book of life, is unquestionably meant, Gods decree; and the Scripture saith, they that take any thing from this booke, God will blot him out of the book of life, and will undoubtedly damne him.
To which I answer. I confess in this place the book of life is taken for Gods decree; and that a man may be said to be blotted out of this book, and yet this no way follow, that a man elected may be damned. And here, let me give you Austins words upon the place, which is a very clear and satisfactory answer. That a man may be said to be blotted out of ⟨p. 229⟩the book of life in two regards: First, it is equivalent to this phrase, that his name shall never be written in the book of life. And you have often such phrases in Scripture. As it is said in Matthew. He that doth evil himself, and teacheth men so to do, he shall be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. Intimating, not as if he should come to heaven, but that he should not come there at all. To be least there, is never to be there. So here, To be blotted out is equivalent to this, that they were never in.
To which I answer. I confesse in this place the book of life is taken for Gods decree; and that a man may be said to be blotted out of this book, and yet this no way follow, that a man elected may be damned. And here, let me give you Austins words upon the place, which is a very cleare and satisfactory answer. That a man may be said to be blotted out of