A88594:603
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 now to add some reasons, why it cannot be that God should determine in his own counsel, to save man upon the foresight of his works. I shall name three or four. As,
But now to adde some reasons, why it cannot be that God should determine in his own counsell, to save man upon the foresight of his works. I shall name three or foure. As,
First, because the inferior privileges that God bestows upon his people, as vocation, and justification (though they are in actual being) are not for their good works, therefore much less is election for good works only foreseen. First, for Vocation, 2 Tim. 1.19. We are called, not according to our own works, but according to the purpose of his own grace. And then for justification, we are not justified for works neither. Rom. 3.34. We are justified freely by his grace, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Now, if vocation and justification be not for works, much less is election for works, and for works foreseen, not in being in us.
First, because the inferiour priviledges that God bestows upon his people, as vocation, and justification (though they are in actuall being) are not for their good works, therefore much lesse is election for good works onely foreseen. First, for Vocation, 2 Tim. 1.19. We are called, not according to our own works, but according to the purpose of his own grace. And then for justification, we are not justified for works neither. Rom. 3.34. We are justified freely by his grace, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Now, if vocation and justification be not for works, much lesse is election for works, and for works foreseen, not in being in us.
Secondly, because then it would follow, that children, dying in infancy could not be elected for the child being in the mothers womb, if it hath life, it hath a soul, and so must either be saved, or damned. But a child, while it is in the womb, neither acts good or evil. Now if God did elect persons to life, upon foresight of works, then children dying in the womb could not be elected; because there are no works God could foresee in them. And then this would be a very uncomfortable doctrine for parents, that have children dying young.