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

First, It implies no contradiction, nor is contrary to any principle of right reason, that the infinite Creator, and Sovereign Law-giver, in revealing his Mind and Will; should give to his Creature Propositions, or Articles, to be assented to, barely upon his Authority revealing them, though his Creature is not able, by his created reason, to demonstrate how these Propositions can be true.

First, It implies no contradiction, nor is contrary to any principle of right reason, that the infinite Creatour, and Soveraign Law-giver, in revealing his Mind and Will; should give to his Creature Propositions, or Articles, to be assented to, barely upon his Authority revealing them, though his Creature is not able, by his created reason, to demonstrate how these Propositions can be true.

I read indeed the Socinians affirming the contrary all of them in effect, and in particular Schlichtingius, Nothing can be believed, which cannot be apprehended and understood by reason, saith he: And again, It implies a contradiction, while he (that is, Meisner, against whom he disputes) affirms, it exceeds the reach of reason, and yet owns it for an Article of Faith: But I wish he had proved it, as he hath said it. What Contradictions are, whether Topical or Axiomatical, I know; but how this should imply a Contradiction (That I assent to this Proposition of my infinite Creator, and Sovereign Law-giver, because he hath spoken it, I believe it therefore, and receive it for an Article of my Faith, though my Reason is not able to grasp it, or demonstrate how it is true) I cannot yet understand: I challenge all the Socinians Logic to make it good. That the Socinians can impose upon us Contradictions to be assented to, and those gross ones too, is well known; Christ is a Dependent God, a Made God; What is this but a Contradiction? A Dependent God is as true, as Corpus infinitum. God may give his Creature a Command to be obeyed, of which Command he gives no reason, nay, the Command appears contrary to reason, and yet his Creature is bound to obey that Command. God commands Abraham to offer his Son, Gen. 22.2. Whether it was his Intention, Decree, that Abraham should offer his Son, was none of his duty to enquire into; a Reason for this Command he gives none; What reason Abraham could find out for this Command, I cannot tell. It appeared quite contrary to the