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

So thick is that Cataract which is grown over the eye of our understanding, that none can couch it but God himself. Christ was sent, Isa. 42.6, 7. to be a light to the Gentiles, so he enlightens the medium; and to open the eyes of the blind, so he heals the organ: he is the only Oculist, he hath that eye-salve, Rev. 3.17. which healeth the blindness of our understandings. He must be taught of God, he must be [Greek or Hebrew], John 6.45. whoever comes to Christ. Cathedram in Caelo habet, &c. as B. Austin several times saith: He hath his Chair in Heaven, who teacheth the converting Soul those Lessons effectually, which it must learn before it can come home to God. Who teach like him? said Elihu, Job 36.22. none teach like him, nor none beside him, as to effectual and saving teaching. Let a man be what he will as to his understanding, hath he a head fit for a Jesuit, he shall never learn the truth as it is in Jesus, unless he be taught by him, Ephes. 4.21. The wise and the prudent man, if but a natural (a [Greek or Hebrew]) man, and of wants this Teacher, shall never be able to know things of eternal concernment to his own salvation, Mat. 11.25. 1 Cor. 2.14. It is a terrible Proverb, but I believe too true, Hell is paved with the souls of great Scholars, and paled in with the bones of rich men. The things of God are too low for great heads to exercise themselves about them; and the sovereignty of God is so high, that he will not give them eyes to see, Deut. 29.4. But he blindeth their eyes, and hardeneth their hearts, that they should not see ⟨p. 31⟩with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and be converted,