A41331:471
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.
Also he may observe, that I have not mistaken the sense of the question, disputing against careless content: For then I would not have called such a Soul a damned Saint, if such a thing be attainable: Yet a strange Riddle, if the thing be attainable in this Soul, under that preparation we have mentioned, and the question speaks of, that the highest Act of quiet subjection to the Justice of God, which no rational Creature can imagine the like, can be performed by one where there is no Grace as yet.
So that there is nothing added in Mr. Shepherd's answer to my Argument but only this, A man may earnestly seek for the favour of God, and yet at that time be quietly content to be denied if his pleasure be to deny it: this he proves from Christs earnest prayer against the Cup, yet content, &c. This is all I have to reply to.
Now to this Answer I reply: It is very true, that a man may pray earnestly for favour from God, or favour of God (taken in a large sense) and yet at the same time may, and I will add ought, at the same time labour for a quiet, meek, contented frame if God will deny it: but this hits not my Argument:
I argued thus: Here is a Command of God lies upon me, my duty is to answer it: Here is a threatening of damnation, if I do not perform my duty: yet at the same time here is a duty lies upon me, to be quietly content without the duty, which I am commanded, and threatened if I obey not: one duty clasheth against the other. As Grace is my duty, I must have it, or damned. It is your duty, saith Mr. Shepherd, to be quietly content, though God will never give you Grace, at the same time. It is my duty to seek my union with God and his Love, he is my summum bonum; if I have him not I am damned. It is your duty to be quietly content without your summum bonum, without God, without his Love, if he will have it so. So it is my duty to believe in Christ, else I am damned if I obey not. It is your duty to be quietly content without Faith and Christ, if God will not give him to you, saith Mr. Shepherd: So that I cannot see where the strength of my Argument is touched at all.