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

Third Argument. If the end of God in preparatory works may be, and have been attained without this condition, then this condition is not requisite. But Gods end in preparatory works may be and hath been attained, without this condition: Ergo, It is not requisite.

For the Antecedent: What is the end of God in those works? Is it not to make the Soul to see its need of Christ, and now come up to his terms, and accept him? Is not this owned by all Divines? Let Mr. Shepherd speak, p. 138. The next end of humiliation is faith, or coming to Christ: So then in his Answer to the Question, What measure of humiliation is here necessary? Thus he answers: Look as ⟨p. 141⟩so much Conviction is necessary which begets Compunction, and so much Compunction as breeds humiliation: so, so much humiliation is necessary, as drives the Soul out of it self to Christ. Very good, then Christ is the business in all this work.

For the Minor: That this end may be attained, and hath been attained without this condition, I appeal to thousands, and ten thousands of precious Believers, who never so much as heard of this dreadful condition, till these holy men printed it. Yea, if men can attain to such high pitches, to be content, satisfied without the Love of God (I do not mean a careless content, I do not call that a high pitch) Grace, though given up to lusts and damned, so long as God hath the glory of his power and justice; I think these may be more like, not to be driven to Christ, then those who cannot endure to hear of content and quietness without the Love of God, without Christ, without Grace and Holiness: examine it well, and this condition speaks not one whit of better preparation for Christ, but a subjection to the Sovereignty and justice of God, if it be attainable. In order to which I add the next Argument.