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

This light depends not upon the strength of men, natural parts: We shall observe among Christians, that are weak in understanding compared with others, yet the notions of God, of sin, and creature, which they have, are more clear, lively, powerful and practical, then are the notions of other Christians (really such I mean) that have greater parts and natural abilities. Let us observe Children, whom God hath sanctified from their tender age, and we shall find this work of illumination; they have their notions and apprehensions of the evil of sin, of the dread of Gods wrath; if we tell them, this is sin, God will be angry, God will not love you, we see they understand these things, and are affected with them; one Child will tell another Child thus, if he seeth him do a thing which he apprehends is evil: Who will say, these are not the workings of the good Spirit in little ones, when as we see these notions grow up with them? this Sun riseth higher, as it doth in all that are truly wrought upon, it is not only an abiding light, but a growing light, though as the Sun and air were darkened with the smoke that arose out of ⟨p. 44⟩the pit, Rev. 9.2. So this Sun is too often darkened, through the smoke that riseth from our woeful hearts, a bottomless pit of iniquity, yet it clears again.

This light depends not upon the strength of men, natural parts: We shall observe among Christians, that are weak in understanding compared with others, yet the notions of God, of sin, and creature, which they have, are more clear, lively, powerful and practical, then are the notions of other Christians (really such I mean) that have greater parts and natural abilities. Let us observe Children, whom God hath sanctified from their tender age, and we shall find this work of illumination; they have their notions and apprehensions of the evil of sin, of the dread of Gods wrath; if we tell them, this is sin, God will be angry, God will not love you, we see they understand these things, and are affected with them; one Child will tell another Child thus, if he seeth him do a thing which he apprehends is evil: Who will say, these are not the workings of the good Spirit in little ones, when as we see these notions grow up with them? this Sun riseth higher, as it doth in all that are truly wrought upon, it is not only an abiding light, but a growing light, though as the Sun and air were darkened with the smoak that arose out of