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

Secondly, God in Conversion or drawing to Christ, works upon a rational Creature, and works upon the soul as such: He calls the will and affections off from the objects to which they are glued, to close with other objects: A reason for that, saith the will, and a sufficient convincing reason too, else you may call long enough before I will stir: the will is [Greek or Hebrew], a rational appetite: It is but Potentia caeca, it must have one to lead and guide it; therefore doth the Spirit set up this light in the understanding first. While we are in our natural state, we think we have reasons sufficient for what we do, in following our lusts, so that we wonder at others, think strange if they run not the same excess of riot, 1 Pet. 4.4. they seem to be irrational people, else we would not think it strange; the carnal heart thinks it hath all reason on its side. God preserves the workings of all the faculties of the soul, not the least violence offered to any one in Conversion: the will shall have as good reason given it, to close with Christ, as ever it had to close with its lusts.

Secondly, God in Conversion or drawing to Christ, works upon a rational Creature, and works upon the soul as such: He calls the will and affections off from the objects to which they are glewed, to close with other objects: A reason for that, saith the will, and a sufficient convincing reason too, else you may call long enough before I will stir: the will is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a rational appetite: It is but Potentia caeca, it must have one to lead and guide it; therefore doth the Spirit set up this light in the understanding first. While we are in our natural state, we think we have reasons sufficient for what we do, in following our lusts, so that we wonder at others, think strange if they run not the same excess of riot, 1 Pet. 4.4. they seem to be irrational people, else we would not think it strange; the carnal heart thinks it hath all reason on its side. God preserves the workings of all the faculties of the soul, not the least violence offered to any one in Conversion: the will shall have as good reason given it, to close with Christ, as ever it had to close with its lusts.