The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Fifthly, Various, as to the continuance or carrying on of his work: Some the Lord layeth hold upon, and holds them fast, will not let them go out of his hand, till he hath done his good work in them, brought them home to himself, uniting them to his Christ: others the Lord lays hold on, and lets them go out of his hand again, they slip, as I may say, out of his hand, not against his will, but according to his counsel; this may be once, twice. I was once called by a Christian to go see a rare sight; and what was it, but a man who had been three times in Gods hands under workings, and gave hopes of true conversion every time, but the work came to nothing; the fourth time God laid hold upon him, held him fast, and let him go out of his hand no more: this is rare indeed. A Kinsman of mine (as I think) the third time God took him into ⟨p. 16⟩hand, before the work stood. I do not speak of stirrings men may have under the preaching of the Word, which cause some resolutions for a day or two, and then vanish as a morning Cloud, but of higher workings, when men give fair hopes of conversion, and yet come no nothing. This I note not only to show the variety of Gods working, but also to help against the secret workings of Satan in some mens hearts. I found in one of my parish (and I doubt not but it may be so in many others) when he came to dye, as I was questioning with him about the state of his soul, it seems the Word had often met with him, and several times put him to a stand in his sinful course, but when company came he could not withstand them; thus it had been with him several times (though it did not come up to that height I am speaking of under this head, to give fair hopes of conversion) till at last, when Christ and Mercy were tendered to him in the Word, he turned away all those offers, they could not concern him who had so often played fast and loose with God: but now he might go on, and take this course, and so it seems he did, concealing those thoughts in his own breast, till at this time he revealed them to me. Oh that people would take heed of dallying with God, while his Spirit especially is striving with their spirits under means: Yet again take heed of giving way to those secret despairing suggestions of Satan, since we see God hath taken men after the third relapse, when hopes were given of true conversion, and made his work to stand.

Fifthly, Various, as to the continuance or carrying on of his work: Some the Lord layeth hold upon, and holds them fast, will not let them go out of his hand, till he hath done his good work in them, brought them home to himself, uniting them to his Christ: others the Lord layes hold on, and lets them go out of his hand again, they slip, as I may say, out of his hand, not against his will, but according to his counsel; this may be once, twice. I was once called by a Christian to go see a rare sight; and what was it, but a man who had been three times in Gods hands under workings, and gave hopes of true conversion every time, but the work came to nothing; the fourth time God laid hold upon him, held him fast, and let him go out of his hand no more: this is rare indeed. A Kinsman of mine (as I think) the third time God took him into