A41331:121
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianism ... / by Giles Firmin ...The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianisme ... / by Giles Firmin ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1670
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.
Third Position: The ways of God in converting, or drawing the soul to Christ, are very secret, and in preparatory works very various.
Third Position: The wayes of God in converting, or drawing the soul to Christ, are very secret, and in preparatory works very varions.
What Bildad said to Job, Job 8.8, 10. Enquire I pray thee of the former age, &c. So may I say, call to the Saints of old, ask the children of Abraham in all ages; I do not say, enquire of painted Hypocrites, but real Christians, will they not utter words out of their hearts (as Bildad said) which will confirm this Position? The ways of God are first secret; the union of the soul with Christ is set out by marriage, 1and it is called a mystery, Ephes. 5.32. Mysterium est sacrum secretum, can you lay open this secret before the Sun. Agur, among the things that were too wonderful for him, Prov. 30.19. reckons this, the way of a man with a maid: the mystical sense which Alapide gives I regard not. Most interpreters I see understand this of a wicked man, 2who is enamoured with love, or inflamed with concupiscence, and so to note his witty solicitations, his artificial plots and cunning devices to win consent, &c. yet I see others do not take it so, but think it may as well be understood of lawful love, and said to be wonderful, both in respect of the rare and wonderful uniting of his heart with the Maid whom he loves, and also in respect of the wonderful means used by him for the getting and enjoying of her: This is as true as the former, as experience witnesses: which is the true sense of the words I determine not: but in allusion to it I can say, the ways of Christ with the soul in effectual Calling; how he works in bringing of the soul from its former lovers, how he woos and draws it to himself, and makes it so gladly to come up to married union with himself, this is too wonderful for me, and I think for any one else to lay open; Knowest thou how the bones do grow in the womb of her who is with child?