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

Thirdly, Let the works of God in the former Heads be various, yet in this work of self-unbottoming, taking off the Soul from its own goodness, righteousness, abilities, all converted Souls meet.

The reason is this; unless this be done, the end of Gods call will never be attained; his call will not be effectual: for no man will come to Christ for life, John 5.40. Who can find life in one hand by his own duties and workings. All the sin against the Law, as a Covenant of works, all a mans badness by reason of this sin, is not so opposite and cross to Christ, as is this self-righteousness, self-confidence, a mans own goodness. Consider God and Christ as being holy, so indeed sin directly opposeth him; but consider Christ as Redeemer, Mediator, High Priest, Righteousness, Jesus; so it is not sin, but self-righteousness that is most directly cross to him; for not sin, but our self-righteousness, nulls and makes void his Righteousness, and whole work of Redemption: Mans nature had rather turn to God [if he must turn] directly by himself, then turn to God by Christ: So that all believers meet in this work.

The reason is this; unless this be done, the end of Gods call will never be attained; his call will not be effectual: for no man will come to Christ for life, John 5.40. Who can find life in one hand by his own duties and workings. All the sin against the Law, as a Covenant of works, all a mans badness by reason of this sin, is not so opposite and cross to Christ, as is this self-righteousness, self-considence, a mans own goodness. Consider God and Christ as being holy, so indeed sin directly opposeth him; but consider Christ as Redeemer, Mediator, High Priest, Righteousness, Jesus; so it is not sin, but self-righteousness that is most directly cross to him; for not sin, but our self-righteousness, nulls and makes void his Righteousness, and whole work of Redemption: Mans nature had rather turn to God [if he must turn] directly by himself, then turn to God by Christ: So that all believers meet in this work.