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

But by preaching of the condition in the question, Ministers cannot draw Souls to Christ. Ergo, it is not requisite in preparation.

The Major is plain: Gospel-Ministers must endeavour ⟨p. 144⟩to win Souls and draw them to Christ; they are Ambassadors for him; they woo for him: the Father draws, and the Soul comes, John 6.44. the Soul comes as surely as if it were drawn with many Horses and Ropes; yet it comes, there is the freedom: to draw by coaction of the will, God doth not, cannot; so Ministers they must endeavour to draw Souls: with what Cords is the question? I believe the condition in the question will not be found to be one; all the former works in preparation did but tend to this end, to take off that renitency, resistance of the Soul, whence the Soul would not come, Christ will not force a Match: take the Soul come to that degree of preparation I have mentioned, and now with all its Soul it would get a Christ if it could, come to him, ay with all my heart, draw and I come. I will help draw you, Thou knowest how thou hast played the rebel against God, now you feel the smart of it: 'tis true, now you would have Christ, the Love of God, Grace, these things would cure and ease you; but I must tell you, God is Sovereign of his own Grace, gives it where he pleaseth, and if he will have the glory of his Power and Justice upon you, and deny you Christ, Grace, Love, and damn you, you must be content, quiet, satisfied, and willing to be at his disposal as to this point. O how sweetly doth this Cord draw to Christ? it may prove a Cord indeed, but not to draw the Soul to Christ, (for there is not the least spiritual Logic in it to draw the Souls to Christ) but to help to hang it: however reverend Mr. Hooker thinks it is the only way to save from the halter: let those that will try it; blessed be God for the Cords of the Gospel, of which, I am sure, this is none. Is this the way to beget good thoughts in the Soul, of God and Christ? that must be one way, if ever we intend to draw to Christ. This is wooing with a witness, to tell the Soul this story.