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

First, They had this testimony in themselves, Conscience bearing them witness, that they were willing to give up themselves to the working of Gods good Spirit; let him do what he would with them, only make them sound; they did not balk any legal workings, because bitter, sad, uncomfortable, would spoil their sport, hinder their mirth; yea, so far from this, that they did follow God many years, seeking of him to open sin unto them, and make them taste the gall and wormwood; so that sin might be made bitter to them, Christ excellent and precious, and their hearts thereby separated from those sins by which they had offended: this frame for several years proved to be true.

First, They had this testimony in themselves, Conscience bearing them witness, that they were willing to give up themselves to the working of Gods good Spirit; let him do what he would with them, only make them sound; they did not bawk any legal workings, because bitter, sad, uncomfortable, would spoil their sport, hinder their mirth; yea, so far from this, that they did follow God many years, seeking of him to open sin unto them, and make them taste the gall and wormwood; so that sin might be made bitter to them, Christ excellent and precious, and their hearts thereby separated from those sins by which they had offended: this frame for several years proved to be true.

Secondly, They found and observed by experience, that it was not in the power of these legal workings and terrors, to take the Soul off kindly and soundly from sin. If the Spirit indeed be pleased to hold and carry on the work, then they are an excellent and rational means towards it; else though while the Soul is actually under them, a man may be so scared, that he dare not follow his lusts for this time. The dog may be afraid to meddle with his carrion, and stands at a distance while he seeth the oudgel, but will return to it again, and so will these to their lusts, when these fears draw off. It is the work of Redemption, the Cross of Christ, the Spirit of the new Covenant, not the terrors of the old Covenant, which taketh the Soul off soundly from sin. I was once in shipwreck, about one of the clock in the night, in December, the Ship was breaking upon the Rocks, there was a dreadful shout amongst some of the Seamen, I shall be in Hell before the morning; but yet could be drunk within three days after God spared them. I was told by a Reverend Divine, whose Sister a Professor married, I knew the mans Relations; this Professor, it seems, secretly followed his lust of uncleanness; after he had yielded to his lust, it seems, he had such dreadful horrors, his Conscience did so tear him, that he said, had he been thrown at the back of the fire, he thought he could as easily have born that burning, as endure those