A41331:158
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.
Hence, if you have not what you desire in these works, called preparatory, it is not too late, now to get, or increase them, though they loose that respect; now to one who is actually in Christ, they are not properly preparatory.
Ninth Position. In order of nature one work must go before another; so Ministers must preach and write (if they will keep to the Rules of Method) but in order of time they may go all together.
Illumination must in order of nature go before Conviction, and Conviction before Compunction, &c. but in order of time they may go together: the Spirit of God at the same time lets in a clear light, convinceth and strikes the heart with fears, sorrows, &c. it is not thus, that the Soul is one week, or one day under the work of Illumination, another comes under Conviction, the third week or day comes under Compunction: I know there may be light and conviction many weeks and years, when there is no Compunction: but it is not so, when the Spirit of the Covenant is at work: How often have men come home from one Sermon, with these works wrought? As for the work of Humiliation, whether that be always at the first stroke, I do not determine, but shall speak to it in its due place.
Illumination must in order of nature go before Conviction, and Conviction before Compunction, &c. but in order of time they may go together: the Spirit of God at the same time lets in a clear light, convinceth and strikes the heart with fears, sorrows, &c. it is not thus, that the Soul is one week, or one day under the work of Illumination, another comes under Conviction, the third week or day comes under Compunction: I know there may be light and conviction many weeks and years, when there is no Compunction: but it is not so, when the Spirit of the Covenant is at work: How often have men come home from one Sermon, with these works wrought? As for the work of Humiliation, whether that be alwayes at the first stroak, I do not determine, but shall speak to it in its due place.