A41331:421
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianism ... / by Giles Firmin ...The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianisme ... / by Giles Firmin ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 ⟨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.
Secondly, If the Soul do well to admit them, how then can the Soul believe the reality of God in his offering of Christ, a Jesus, calling of the Soul to him to embrace him, commanding him to believe in him, and threatening him if he doth not accept him? Can I believe God is in earnest, real, in what he offers, &c. when at the same time I am bound to think, suppose, imagine, he will never give me Christ, Grace, Love, but give me up to my lusts and damn me? Let them untie this knot.
Secondly, If the Soul do well to admit them, how then can the Soul believe the reallity of God in his offering of Christ, a Jesus, calling of the Soul to him to embrace him, commanding him to believe in him, and threatning him if he doth not accept him? Can I believe God is in earnest, real, in what he offers, &c. when at the same time I am bound to think, suppose, imagine, he will never give me Christ, Grace, Love, but give me up to my lusts and damn me? Let them untye this knot.