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

because Conversion (in adult persons of whom we now speak) is wrought in us, secundum modum judicii; then certainly there is some difference of the Spirits work in the intellectual part. I know the Hypocrite, as to the notional light and knowledge of Divine things, may be equal with, yea, he may far excel a sound Convert; he may be as quick-sighted as an Eagle, as to the notional knowledge; but as to the spiritual and saving knowledge as blind as a Beetle. Conversion (saith the Learned and Judicious Doctor Preston)^*) is wrought not always by making us know new things, which we knew not before (which yet is true in some) but by knowing things otherwise then we did before: This is a certain truth, and therefore a vast difference in the knowledge. To conclude this head, let works of or in an Hypocrite be what they will, yet I doubt not to say, the first flaw in the Hypocrite is in his illumination; and this lays the foundation for all the rest.

because Conversion (in adult persons of whom we now speak) is wrought in us, secundum modum judicii; then certainly there is some difference of the Spirits work in the intellectual part. I know the Hypocrite, as to the notional light and knowledge of Divine things, may be equal with, yea, he may far excel a sound Convert; he may be as quick-sighted as an Eagle, as to the notional knowledge; but as to the spiritual and saving knowledge as blind as a Beetle. Conversion (saith the Learned and Judicious Doctor Preston)^*) is wrought not alwayes by making us know new things, which we knew not before (which yet is true in some) but by knowing things otherwise then we did before: This is a certain truth, and therefore a vast difference in the knowledge. To conclude this head, let works of or in an Hypocrite be what they will, yet I doubt not to say, the first flaw in the Hpyocrite is in his illumination; and this layes the foundation for all the rest.

1. *New Covenant, p. 277.