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

First, I grant legal sorrows are of good use to prepare the heart, and make it willing to part with its sins, and remove from that term from which it is called in Conversion, but yet give me one ounce (as I may say) of Evangelical ⟨p. 84⟩sorrow for sin, rising from a Gospel-work and principle, before pounds of legal sorrows, rising from slavish and hellish fears: How much of these sorrows, with bitter exclamations against mens lusts, have been known, and yet not long after, men could hug their lusts again? but sorrows which arise from the sense of the enmity of sin against the greatness and goodness of God, against the love and tenderness of Christ in that great work of Redemption, of which the Soul hath had some good hope and taste, and that it should deal so disingeniously with this God, and this Christ, these sorrows being accompanied with reverent filial fear and entire love, do not let the Soul ever close with its lusts again.

Secondly, But art thou a sound Christian, and hast not known what sorrow for sin means? Surely thou art mistaken, thou wrongest thy self in saying so; call over thy life, examine thy self, and thou wilt find it otherwise.

Object. It may be you will say, I have known sorrow for sin, but my sorrow hath not been like sorrow for other things; loss of Relations or Estate, outward afflictions have caused greater afflicting sorrows then sin hath done: Others I see more tender hearted then I, they can mourn, pour out tears, when my heart is like the nether Millstone?

Object. It may be you will say, I have known sorrow for sin, but my sorrow hath not been like sorrow for other things; loss of Relations or Estate, outward afflictions have caused greater afflicting sorrows then sin hath done: Others I see more tender hearted then I, they can mourn, powre out tears, when my heart is like the nether Milstone?