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

3. Hence. If this be the way of the Spirit in drawing the Soul to Christ, how rational and necessary is it for those who indeed would have Christ, and would have a sound work, to beg this Light and Conviction from God; to pray with Job, (though I know the scope of Job in that place something differs) Job 13.23. How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. It was part of that counsel Christ gave to the luke-warm Angel of Laodicea, To anoint his eyes with eye-salve, that he might see, Apocal. 3.18. What should he see? Among other things, he should see himself to be wretched, miserable, poor and naked, ver. 17. which for want of this work of Illumination and Conviction, he did not see, and therefore mistook himself (as do most who are called Christians) thinking he was rich, and had need of nothing: Was this counsel of Christ good? Deny it if thou canst: If it were good, then my Use cannot be bad, ⟨p. 56⟩for it calls for the same thing; that God would make thee see thy self, Sin, Creatures, all as they are; What I see not teach thou me, Job 34.32. I am sure none of us naturally see Sin and Creatures as they are, nor ever will, unless God be the Teacher.

I know this counsel will not take with a carnal heart, though it be that which converted Souls daily follow God for, to have themselves, Sins and Creatures opened and discovered unto them as they are: Let Sin be Sin, and Creature be Creature, and let me see the misery of being a slave to Sin and the Creature, as I feel my self enslaved too much unto these daily. But for others, I know they like it not; And what is the matter? Alas this would spoil all the sport; should we once have Sin, guilt, and our misery discovered, we must never see merry day after; and that which we fear, must follow, our Lovers and we must part; and that we find a hard thing, yea, impossible, to bid farewell to those lusts, companions and ways, which have brought us in so much pleasure and profit in our days. These or such like were the thoughts of him, who would not hear Doctor Sibbs, for fear he should convert him, he said.