A88594:660
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.
First, when as men say, God is a merciful God, therefore they hope they are elected, I answer: It is true, God is a merciful God, yet God is as just as merciful; he is mercifully just, and justly merciful; his mercy cannot intrench ⟨p. 253⟩upon his justice, nor shall his justice intrench upon his mercy; one Attribute shall not clash with another; he is no more merciful, then he is just, nor is he more just then he is merciful.
First, when as men say, God is a mercifull God, therefore they hope they are elected, I answer: It is true, God is a mercifull God, yet God is as just as mercifull; he is mercifully just, and justly mercifull; his mercy cannot intrench ⟨p. 253⟩upon his justice, nor shall his justice intrench upon his mercy; one Attribute shall not clash with another; he is no more mercifull, then he is just, nor is he more just then he is mercifull.
Secondly, though God be a merciful God, yet Gods saving mercy is not so large as to extend to all creatures that live, that he hath made. You read Isaiah 27.11. This is a people of no understanding, therefore he that made them will not have mercy upon them, and he that formed them will show them no favour. Here you see, the Prophet tells them, that that God that made them will damn them, and that God that formed them, that God will show them no favour. So that Gods mercy extends not so far, as to reach to all the works of his hands; for if so, the devils might claim salvation as well as man; for God made them when they were glorious Angels, as well as man: and therefore, if all the works of Gods hands should plead for salvation, they might as well come within the compass of Gods election, as wicked men do.
Secondly, though God be a mercifull God, yet Gods saving mercy is not so large as to extend to all creatures that live, that he hath made. You read Esay 27.11. This is a people of no understanding, therefore hee that made them will not have mercy upon them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour. Here you see, the Prophet tels them, that that God that made them will damne them, and that God that formed them, that God will shew them no favour. So that Gods mercy extends not so farre, as to reach to all the works of his hands; for if so, the divels might claime salvation as well as man; for God made them when they were glorious Angels, as well as man: and therefore, if all the works of Gods hands should plead for salvation, they might as well come within the compasse of Gods election, as wicked men doe.