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

Now then I come to my Argument for the negative part; and before I frame any Argument, I should move one Question, and desire humbly an answer from these holy men, had they been living, or from any other Divine, who will maintain what they have written, it is this: I see Mr. Shepherd is often up with these words, If the Soul imagines God will never give or manifest Grace: If it thinks God will never give it his love: My Question is this.

Quest. Ought this Soul prepared thus far, as Mr. Shepherd hath laid down, to entertain such thoughts, admit such imagination, suppositions, If Gods will be so and so, that will give no Grace but damn? So Mr. Hooker puts these Ifs in often?

Quest. Ought this Soul prepared thus far, as Mr. Shepherd hath laied down, to entertain such thoughts, admit such imagination, suppositions, If Gods will be so and so, that will give no Grace but damn? So Mr. Hooker puts these Ifs in often?

This Question I would gladly be resolved in: I know such thoughts will be apt enough to rise from our own hearts, and the Devil is not wanting to help us to them; but ought this poor Soul, now under this work, to admit them, or cast them out? The man doth well or ill in listening to such thoughts, imaginations, suppositions; to be sure here is no indifferency, in an individual Act also: If he doth well, then it is because the admittance of these thoughts (I imagine, I suppose, I think God will never ⟨p. 132⟩give me his Grace, Love, but will give me up to my lusts, and damn me) is agreeable to a Word, to the Will of God revealed; I pray name the Text.

This Question I would gladly be refolved in: I know such thoughts will be apt enough to rise from our own hearts, and the Devil is not wanting to help us to them; but ought this poor Soul, now under this work, to admit them, or cast them out? The man doth well or ill in listening to such thoughts, imaginations, suppositions; to be sure here is no indifferency, in an individual Act also: If he doth well, then it is because the admittance of these thoughts (I imagine, I suppose, I think God will never