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

No, saith holy Hooker and Shepherd, there is something else required to a true preparation. For Mr. Hooker, though I had heard of his Doctrine, yet I had not read his Book before I had read Mr. Shepherd, and had seriously considered him: I see both the Father-in-law Mr. Hooker, with his Son-in-law Mr. Shepherd, go both the same way, yet Mr. Shepherd writing last hath done it more fully, Mr. Hooker not putting forth his Book himself as I conceive: therefore I shall attend Mr. Shepherd, especially being I wrote to him about it, and have his Letter in answer by me.

Let us see then whither we have brought the Soul: the Spirit of God hath convinced it of its sinful, undone, miserable condition, hath made it acquainted with fears and sorrows rising from that Conviction, hath beaten it out of its self-confidence and self-righteousness, it is very poor in its own eyes, he hath made it willing, or not unwilling to be divorced from its sins and lusts, glad to take Christ upon any terms, so it may have him: What is next? Faith in Christ; close with him, poor Soul, say I, take him upon ⟨p. 108⟩those terms the Gospel tenders him, which thou sayest, and that truly, thou doest heartily submit to, and thinkest it is the best bargain that ever thou madest. This Doctrine I dare preach to thee.

No saith Mr. Shepherd, between those preparations and Faith in Christ, there comes in one more, to make up sound preparation. What is that I pray? The Soul in that condition must lye under God, to be disposed of as he please; quietly contented to lye still at his feet, p. 125, 143, 150. But I pray what mean you by this? That is, It must have no sinking discouragements, no secret quarrelling, but content, quiet, though God will never work grace, never manifest grace, never pity it, never help it, never succour it, never give it his Love, p. 140, 154. In one word, saith Mr. Thomas Hooker, if the Soul be rightly humbled, it is content to bear the state of Damnation: Souls Humiliation, p. 112. This then is another requisite to right preparation for Christ,