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

As to quarrelling, discontent, and impatience, if God denies his Love and Grace; because it shall not trouble us when I come to give my Arguments against Mr. Shepherd, this being another question, I shall speak a few words here: I said before, as I will not study how to be content ⟨p. 127⟩without Grace, and be damned, so I would not quarrel; impatience with God I will not justify: O no, I will and do beg pardon of my God; I do admire and adore his Patience and long-suffering towards me, that he can bear so with my frowardness, it shall be his eternal praise: But O how hard a thing is it, when Souls are pressed and oppressed with temptations long and strong, whether from apprehensions of guilt, wrath, and lye looking and listening for a little favour from God, but none come; or are pestered and plagued with the perpetual motions of some imperious lust, that dogs them every day, year after year, long time together; and though the Soul prays, begs, useth all means, yet can get no relief from God, who could with as much ease remove it as I can move a finger, and will not; but here lies the lust striking at the root of Grace, and makes the Soul question whether there be one spark in it or no: I say, how hard is it now for the Soul to keep from impatience and quarrelling? Jonah and Jeremiah could quarrel, Jer. 15.18. and 20.14, 15. for things of less concernment then damnation, denial of Grace, and Love of God; these were not their questions: If they so impatient, no wonder though these be, though none should be.

As to quarrelling, discontent, and impatience, if God denies his Love and Grace; because it shall not trouble us when I come to give my Arguments against Mr. Shepherd, this being another question, I shall speak a few words here: I said before, as I will not study how to be content ⟨p. 127⟩without Grace, and be damned, so I would not quarrel; impatience with God I will not justifie: O no, I will and do beg pardon of my God; I do admire and adore his Patience and long-suffering towards me, that he can bear so with my frowardness, it shall be his eternal praise: But O how hard a thing is it, when Souls are pressed and oppressed with temptations long and strong, whether from apprehensions of guilt, wrath, and lye looking and listning for a little favour from God, but none come; or are pestered and plagued with the perpetual motions of some imperious lust, that dogs them every day, year after year, long time together; and though the Soul prayes, begs, useth all means, yet can get no relief from God, who could with as much ease remove it as I can move a finger, and will not; but here lies the lust striking at the root of Grace, and makes the Soul question whether there be one spark in it or no: I say, how hard is it now for the Soul to keep from impatience and quarrelling? Jonah and Jeremiah could quarrel,