A88594:596
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.
Another Scripture they abuse is, 1 Cor. 10.12. Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Now, say they, if it were not possible for a man elected to fall, and fall finally, to what end is this caution of the Apostle? it were a needless caution, were it not possible to come to pass.
Another Scripture they abuse is, 1 Cor. 10.12. Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Now, say they, if it were not possible for a man elected to fall, and fall finally, to what end is this caution of the Apostle? it were a needlesse caution, were it not possible to come to passe.
To which I answer two things. First, the Apostle doth not say, Let him that stands, take heed lest, &c. but the Apostle saith, Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. Intimating, that men that think they are elected, and think they are in a good condition, they should take heed, lest they miscarry to all eternity.
Secondly, Take heed lest they fall. This falling here is not meant, a falling from grace finally, and falling into hell, and perishing; but the falling here is only a falling into sin, and so an elect man should do. An elect man, though he stand firm in Gods decree, yet he should take heed all the days of his life, that he fall not into sin. And if you ask me, how I make that appear, I answer, from the context. This is a conclusion, or caution the Apostle gives upon the enumeration of several instances of the people of God, that ⟨p. 230⟩in former ages did sin against God. As some that tempted Christ, and sell in one day 23000. Others that fell to fornication, and provoked him in the wilderness. With many such sins reckoned up, and the sum of all is this, that seeing they that were Gods people fell into sin, and were punished, therefore you that think you stand, and think you are elected, you should take heed you fall not into sin, as they did. And thus I have done with resolving this second query.