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

Let not the Reader be troubled, though I mention my godly Parents with my baptism; thinking thus, alas, my parents were not godly, I cannot make use of my baptism: Yes, yes, Christian, thou hast room to plead it, make use of it, though they were not so; the force of it depends upon Gods institution. I marvel what use Mr. Hooker and Mr. Shepherd would have us make of baptism, (they being so strong for Infant-baptism) if we must study to be content to be damned.

Let not the Reader be troubled, though I mention my godly Parents with my baptisme; thinking thus, alas, my parents were not godly, I cannot make use of my baptisme: Yes, yes, Christian, thou hast room to plead it, make use of it, though they were not so; the force of it deponds upon Gods institution. I marvel what use Mr. Hooker and Mr. Shepherd would have us make of baptisme, (they being so strong for Infant-baptisme) if we must study to be content to be damned.

His third Head is drawn from his observations of Christians, the experiences he hath seen, when Christians have been brought to his point, to be content and quiet without Grace, without Gods Love, and so be damned: He saith, p. 140. I have seen it constantly, that many a chosen vessel never hath been comforted till now, and ever comforted when now. So p. 154. The Lord hath kept you (and it may be a long time) from sight and sense of his peculiar love: one would wonder why the Lord should hide ⟨p. 125⟩his love so much from those to whom he doth intend it; the great reason is, because there is in many a heart desirous of his love, and this would quiet them if they were sure of it: but they never came to be quieted with Gods will, in case they think they shall never partake of it.

So then it seems, if they did come to be quieted without his Love, they should have the sense of his Love, because the great reason that hindered was removed.