A88594:658
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.
Secondly, many men are outwardly called by the word into a profession of Christ, when they are not eternally elected by God to salvation. Matth. 22.14. Many are called, but few are chosen. Many are called, but all those that are externally called by the word, are not chosen, nor all ordained to life. A man may be called from ignorance to knowledge, yet not elected. Heb. 6.4. After they were enlightened, and had tasted the word of God, and the power of the world to come, yet they fell away. A man may be called from profaneness to profession, from the world into the Church, as Simon Magus was, yet not elected, but remain in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity.
Secondly, many men are outwardly called by the word into a profession of Christ, when they are not eternally elected by God to salvation. Matth. 22.14. Many are called, but few are chosen. Many are called, but all those that are externally called by the word, are not chosen, nor all ordained to life. A man may be called from ignorance to knowledge, yet not elected. Heb. 6.4. After they were enlightned, and had tasted the word of God, and the power of the world to come, yet they fell away. A man may be called from profanenesse to profession, from the world into the Church, as Simon Magus was, yet not elected, but remaine in the gall of bitternesse, and bond of iniquity.
Thirdly, A third delusion, whereby men are deceived by the devil, to think they are elected, when they are not is this, If they cannot plead their education, and moral manner of living, or if they cannot plead their vocation, their last plea is, the mercy of God; they hope God is a merciful God, and God made them not all to damn them; they are Gods creatures, made by him, and God that made them, will save them; and hereupon they fasten their hopes, that they are in the number of Gods elect ones. This is a strong delusion, especially amongst ignorant people. And to this I shall answer in two particulars.