A41331:450
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.
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.
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 Soveraignty and justice of God, if it be attainable. In order to which I add the next Argument.
Fourth Argument. That condition which is cross to the nature of man as man, to a Christian as a Christian, cannot possibly be a requisite to Faith, and right preparation for Christ.