A88594:94
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, This diligence, could you put it forth by your own strength, you had somewhat wherein to boast; but all your diligence is put forth by a borrowed strength, by a strength derived from Jesus Christ, by a strength from the Covenant of grace; it is thence you fetch power to perform all acts of obedience, and spiritual diligence.
Thirdly, It cannot merit, because it is not perfect: nay, you are so far from meriting by your obedience, that you merit nothing but hell for the defects in your obedience, and the imperfections that are remaining in your best services.
Caut. 4 4. Take this Caution, That though all the diligence you can put forth cannot be meritorious for God to save you; yet take this for truth, that the more you abound in spiritual industry in the matters of the Soul, the more likely you are to receive fuller income of joy, and fuller increase of grace in your souls: To him that hath shall be given, and it shall be given him much more abundantly: That is, to him that hath improved his graces, and used them well, they shall be given more abundantly: Thou hast been faithful in a little, thou shalt be ruler over much. The more you act, and the more diligent you are in the matters of your soul, the more likely you are to be eminent and increasing in grace above others. It is a note that an Author hath upon the Apostle Paul. Paul was the most eminent of all the Apostles; no Apostle like Paul, none outstripped him. Now Divines ask the reason, why Paul should be more eminent then the rest of the Apostles, who saw Christ in the flesh; whereas Paul saw him only in a vision, and ⟨p. 20⟩no where else; yet Paul was more eminent then any other Apostle? and they give this reason: Paul was in labours more abundant; Paul was more industrious, putting out his gifts and graces, and God did bless that industry with a fuller increase of the graces of Gods Spirit then others had: So that, though God gives us not heaven for our growth in grace; yet ordinarily God entails a greater measure and increase of gifts upon the well using of them while we are in the world: Open your mouths wide, and God will fill them. The more wide we are in our desires and expectations, the more we shall be filled.