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

Further, to make good my Position, how opposite the heart of man is to Christ; how men choose to live upon themselves, rather then to go out to him. I forbear the names of persons; but one that had lived many years, I think almost all his life time, in a Town, where Christ had been as clearly preached as in any Town in England, and I think as long; when he was about threescore and sixteen years of age, he came in to visit a sick Neighbour, a Christian friend of mine came to see him also, and observing this old man there, whom he judged to be one who lived upon his own stock, civility, good works, &c. he purposely fell into that discourse, to show how many persons lived upon their duties, &c. but never came to Christ; the old man sitting by the bed-side heard him, and God was pleased to convince that man, that he was such a person, who had lived upon himself without Christ to that day; and would say afterwards, had I died before ⟨p. 98⟩score and sixteen, I had perished, for I knew not Christ. Another man, lived a civil life, kept his Church on the Lords days, went often to hear Mr. John Rogers of Dedham on Tuesdays, and so attended other Lectures; thus he lived in a fine civil course, till he was about fourscore and seventeen years of age; then the Lord opened his eyes, and showed him that he was not acquainted with Christ at this time, and then revealed Christ unto him: he lived after this I think four years; when any asked him, how old are you? he would answer, two or three, and according to the number of years were from the time that he knew Christ, for then began his life in his own esteem; all his years before he did not live.

Further, to make good my Position, how opposite the heart of man is to Christ; how men chuse to live upon themselves, rather then to go out to him. I forbear the names of persons; but one that had lived many years, I think almost all his life time, in a Town, where Christ had been as clearly preached as in any Town in England, and I think as long; when he was about threescore and sixteen years of age, he came in to visit a sick Neighbour, a Christian friend of mine came to see him also, and observing this old man there, whom he judged to be one who lived upon his own stock, civility, good works, &c. he purposely fell into that discourse, to shew how many persons lived upon their duties, &c. but never came to Christ; the old man sitting by the bed-side heard him, and God was pleased to convince that man, that he was such a person, who had lived upon himself without Christ to that day; and would say afterwards, had I died before