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

When the Gospel is first preached, what particular Sin doth it convince a man of? how doth that make him appear to be guilty? but the Law will tell him his particular Sins, and this must be done, else men will hardly come to a thorough and saving Conviction that they are Sinners indeed. After men have had the Gospel preached, and refuse to embrace it, then there is a particular Sin against the Gospel, this is true; but I think never was it heard that any man was convinced of this Sin against the Gospel, who was not first convinced of Sin against the Law: what cares he for the Gospel, that seeth not himself in his sin and misery, and condemned under the Law? Grant it, that Repentance to life, and Faith in the Righteousness of Christ imputed to our justification, be not comprehended under the Law but the Gospel, so that impenitency and unbelief, opposite to that Faith, are Sins against the Gospel, not the Law [as a Covenant of works.] Yet before a man is convinced of his necessity of this justifying Faith and Repentance, he must be convinced he is a Sinner, and so need these; but this must be by the Law, which will convince him of his particular Sins.

Let these Reasons suffice (though more might be added) to prove that the preaching of the Law to these ends I have mentioned, is both Scriptural and rational, and the contrary opinion is both against Scripture and reason. As to Mr. Saltmarsh his jeer, though there seem to be wit, yet there is more sophistry in his Similitude: For those legal Preachers did not make Christ and Gospel so hot by their preaching of the Law, but by that preaching they laboured to make mens lusts so hot, that they might not any longer drink iniquity like water; but their hearts being scorched with the apprehension of the wrath of God due for their Sins, they might now be glad to listen to, and answer that blessed Call of Christ, Let him that is athirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of ⟨p. 55⟩life freely, Rev. 22.17. By this I hope it will appear, Mr. Shepherd had no just ground to suspect me to be against the preaching of the Law, unto right ends, though I know many serious Christians have gone many years troubled about the want (as they apprehend) of these legal works; to whom, as I have spoken already, which I hope may give some ease; so I have more yet to speak, towards their satisfaction, in due place. I think it not amiss to give the Reader the close of Mr. Shepherd's Letter to me in these words: Dear Brother, let my love end in breathing out this desire. Preach Humiliation; labour to possess men with sense of wrath to come and misery: The Gospel consolations and grace, which some would have only dished out as the dainties of the times, and set upon the Ministry's table, may passibly tickle and ravish some, and do some good to them that are humbled and converted already: But if Axes and Wedges withal be not used to how and break this rough, unhewn, bold, yet professing Age, I am confident the work and fruit of all these mens ministry will be at best but mere hypocrisy, and they shall find it, and see it, if they live to see a few years more.