Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the moral law and the covenants, from the…Vindiciae legis, or, A vindication of the morall law and the covenants, from the…

2. These are not absolutely necessary in every one. We know how Matthew and Lydia did follow Christ; and God saith, he was found of some that did not seek him. Paul was in a most cursed ⟨p. 89⟩indisposition when the Lord called him: but generally God takes this way.

3. These are not necessary antecedents, so as the grace of conversion doth necessarily follow. We read of Cain and Judas troubled for sin. These are a wilderness that a man may dye in, and never go into Canaan: There may be throes and pangs, when yet no child, but wind is to be delivered. Hence a people that have been civill, have not been called: but Publicans and Harlots. The object of election is for the most part few for number, infirm for power, and sinful for conversation: though in the godly these are needles that will draw in the thread, yet this state must not be called a third middle estate between regenerate and unregenerate, as some feign.

3. These are not necessary antecedents, so as the grace of conversion doth necessarily follow. Wee reade of Cain and Judas troubled for sin. These are a wildernesse that a man may dye in, and never goe into Canaan: There may be throes and pangs, when yet no childe, but wind is to be delivered. Hence a people that have been civill, have not been called: but Publicans and Harlots. The object of election is for the most part few for number, infirme for power, and sinfull for conversation: though in the godly these are needles that will draw in the threed, yet this state must not be called a third middle estate between regenerate and unregenerate, as some feigne.

Lastly, none of these workings can be called so properly preparations, or dispositions in themselves, but only intentionally in God. Our Saviour looked on a young man, and loved him, and said, he was not far from the Kingdom of heaven: that is, the life he lived was not far from the Kingdom of heaven; yet this was no preparation in it self to it: nay, he may be further off, as two high hills may be near in the tops to one another, but the bottoms some miles asunder. And this is so great a matter, that great sins are made by God a preparation to some mans conversion, which yet of themselves they could never be: As a child, whose coat is a little dirty, hath it not presently washed; but when he falls wholly all over in the dirt, this may be the cause of the washing of it: so that they are preparations only so far as God intendeth them.