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

Sixth Position. To say of a man under Gods working, that he is but under a preparatory work, and no more, is a difficult thing.

Who can say there is no more but preparation in such a person? Mr. Shepherd makes his preparatory works to consist, 1. In Conviction; there he saith the light is clear, real, constant, p. 32. 2. In Compunction: fear, sorrows, separation from sin, p. 65. 3. In Humiliation: taken off from self-confidence, &c. p. 125. Is there a preparatory state, in which the soul stands for a time, not as yet in a converted state? May not the Lord at the very first stroke convey an immortal seed of grace into the soul? the light, which is so clear, constant and real, as he saith, may it not be as the Lightning which cometh out of the East and shineth even to the West, Matth. 24.27. so this shines into the whole soul, will, and all affections, be so bright and clear at the first darting in, that the Spirit withal ⟨p. 19⟩quickens the will? We know grace at first lieth in a narrow compass, a seed, a Mustard-seed, is but a small thing.

Who can say there is no more but preparation in such a person? Mr. Shepherd makes his preparatory works to consist, 1. In Conviction; there he saith the light is clear, real, constant, p. 32. 2. In Compunction: fear, sorrows, separation from sin, p. 65. 3. In Humiliation: taken off from self-confidence, &c. p. 125. Is there a preparatory state, in which the soul stands for a time, not as yet in a converted state? May not the Lord at the very first stroak convey an immortal seed of grace into the soul? the light, which is so clear, constant and real, as he saith, may it not be as the Lightning which cometh out of the East and shineth even to the West, Matth. 24.27. so this shines into the whole soul, will, and all affections, be so bright and clear at the first darting in, that the Spirit withall ⟨p. 19⟩