A88594:607
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.
Fourthly, Because God hath elected the worst of men; when others that have more natural worth and goodness are passed by. 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, &c. and base things of the world, and things that are despised hath God chosen, &c. And Matth. 11.25. I thank thee, O Father, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Those that had the greatest worldly wisdom, and natural abilities, that most excelled in outward strictness, and moral virtues, are rejected, when those that are but babes in understanding, who many times are the worst for their moralities, are elected; which is a clear demonstration, that election is not grounded upon faith, or works foreseen; for then the best had been chosen before the rest.
Fourthly, Because God hath elected the worst of men; when others that have more naturall worth and goodnesse are passed by. 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weake things of the world, &c. and base things of the world, and things that are despised hath God chosen, &c. And Matth. 11.25. I thank thee, O Father, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Those that had the greatest worldly wisdome, and naturall abilities, that most excelled in outward strictnesse, and morall vertues, are rejected, when those that are but babes in understanding, who many times are the worst for their moralities, are elected; which is a cleare demonstration, that election is not grounded upon faith, or works foreseen; for then the best had been chosen before the rest.
Fifthly, Our works carry no proportion to what God hath elected us unto; we are elected to eternal glory, but our works are finite, imperfect, no more then our duty; yea not done by our own strength, but by the power of Gods grace, and therefore cannot be that which moveth God to elect us.