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

This is a certain truth which I will justify, that, in all Gods Bible there is not one duty that God requires of his Creatures, which is contrary or cross to his Creatures bappiness. Name one. I know the duty of self-denial, relations goods, liberty, life, honours, name, &c. must all be parted with, when the truths of the Gospel call for them for Christ: very true; but still I am happy, for I have God and Christ for my portion. But this condition cuts off all happiness.

This is a certain truth which I will justifie, that, in all Gods Bible there is not one duty that God requires of his Creatures, which is contrary or cross to his Creatures bappiness. Name one. I know the duty of self-denial, relations goods, liberty, life, honours, name, &c. must all be parted with, when the truths of the Gospel call for them for Christ: very true; but still I am happy, for I have God and Christ for my portion. But this condition cuts off all happiness.

First, It is contrary to man as man. I know God requires many duties contrary to the corrupt nature of man, so all holiness, all duty is cross; but to require such a duty as destroys the very nature of man, as he is a rational creature, it is most absurd to fancy such a duty. Voluntas de necessitate appetit finem ultimum, ¹ut non possit ipsum non appetere. It is determined by a natural inclination to its ultimate end, that is, blessedness; it cannot but necessarily (not with the necessity of coaction) desire and court after blessedness: So that it is impossible for any man to will not to be happy; he must cease to be a rational Creature in so doing. The Soul then under this work stands convinced without any contradiction, the will is fully carried after the dictate of the practical judgment, that in union with God, lieth my blessedness; attain but this once, I have the thing I am so necessarily inclined to; here is my summum bonum, in union with him who is summum bonum; to enjoy him, love him, delight in him, and bless him for ever.

First, It is contrary to man as man. I know God requires many duties contrary to the corrupt nature of man, so all holiness, all duty is cross; but to require such a duty as destroyes the very nature of man, as he is a rational creature, it is most absurd to phansie such a duty. Voluntas de necessitate appetit finem ultimum,