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

We have been before you, and know your Objections very well, having had the same thoughts in our own hearts against the work of God, which you have now uttered, and so can tell the better what answer to give. I know it to be a frequent Objection made against the work of God, That it makes men melancholy, mopish, if not mad. I heard it once my self, being in company amongst some Gentlemen and Scholars; one of whom God had pulled out; and being now under this work, the discovery of his sinful and miserable estate, was dejected, being before cheerful, and too too vain in his mirth, now was as sad; the other Gentlemen, his Companions, threw this in his teeth presently, this is the fruit of your Religion; when once men begin to be Puritans, they must loose all their mirth and cheerfulness; now nothing but mopishness, sadness, and sour faces, and were much offended.

We have been before you, and know your Objections very well, having had the same thoughts in our own hearts against the work of God, which you have now uttered, and so can tell the better what answer to give. I know it to be a frequent Objection made against the work of God, That it makes men melancholy, mopish, if not mad. I heard it once my self, being in company amongst some Gentlemen and Scholars; one of whom God had pulled out; and being now under this work, the discovery of his sinful and miserable estate, was dejected, being before chearful, and too too vain in his mirth, now was as sad; the other Gentlemen, his Companions, threw this in his teeth presently, this is the fruit of your Religion; when once men begin to be Puritans, they must loose all their mirth and chearfulness; now nothing but mopishness, sadness, and sowr faces, and were much offended.

But are you in earnest? Do you verily think, if God should indeed enlighten you to see your self, sin, guilt, misery, that it would spoil your sport, and hazard a divorce between you and your Lovers? Then if thou beest a man, hast the use of thy reason, let us grapple a little, as I have felt your Objection, so I can give you a feeling Answer.