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

In Physic indeed we find, that those things which have gone for Principles for above a thousand years, none so much as questioning them, within less then thirty years are turned out of doors, very few of the ancient Principles standing; but if men will do so in these great points of Divinity, they may prove themselves Fools, but no spiritual Physicians. Mr. Saltmarsh in a book of his, which I read many years since, but have it not now by me, gives these legal Preachers a notable jeer; he tells his Reader, that these Preachers will preach Christ, Gospel and Free-grace also; but they do by these, as some do by Wine, (at Funerals or Baptizings) they offer it freely, and bid the people drink, but the Wine being burnt, they give it so hot, that the people cannot, nor dare drink it, for scalding their mouths: So do these, offer Christ, Grace, Gospel, very freely, bid people take, and drink, but they have so heat the Gospel with legal preaching, that they are afraid to meddle with it. Had there been as much Piety and Truth, as there is wit in the jeer, I should have liked it well: I do not justify men in their errors, want of wisdom, prudence, in preaching of the Law, I condemn them as much as he, but for the Principle I do contend. To win Souls to Christ, by teaching them the Gospel, and overflowings of Christs blood, without preaching the Law to convince men of sin, and make them see and feel the necessity of Gospel and Christs blood; to convince men of sin by the Gospel first, this I look upon as very irrational and immethodical. Take my mind under these heads.

In Physick indeed we find, that those things which have gone for Principles for above a thousand years, none so much as questioning them, within less then thirty years are turned out of doors, very few of the ancient Principles standing; but if men will do so in these great points of Divinity, they may prove themselves Fools, but no spiritual Physitians. Mr. Saltmarsh in a book of his, which I read many years since, but have it not now by me, gives these legal Preachers a notable jeer; he tells his Reader, that these Preachers will preach Christ, Gospel and Free-grace also; but they do by these, as some do by Wine, (at Funerals or Baptizings) they offer it freely, and bid the people drink, but the Wine being burnt, they give it so hot, that the people cannot, nor dare drink it, for scalding their mouths: So do these, offer Christ, Grace, Gospel, very freely, bid people take, and drink, but they have so heat the Gospel with legal preaching, that they are afraid to meddle with it. Had there been as much Piety and Truth, as there is wit in the jeer, I should have liked it well: I do not justifie men in their errors, want of wisdom, prudence, in preaching of the Law, I condemn them as much as he, but for the Principle I do contend. To win Souls to Christ, by teaching them the Gospel, and overflowings of Christs blood, without preaching the Law to convince men of sin, and make them see and feel the necessity of Gospel and Christs blood; to convince men of sin by the Gospel first, this I look upon as very irrational and immethodical. Take my mind under these heads.