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

TO THE WORSHIPFUL AND My much honoured Friend, Mr. JOHN BARRINGTON OF REDGEWELL

SIR,

The Subject of this Treatise, is the best or worst ^(a)of Men, a Christian. A name, though once so odious, that it was crime enough to be a Christian, ^(b)yea, to say Christianus sum, ⟨image 3⟩was the same way to cruel, but glorious Martyrdom, ^(c)yet in our days many are content to own it; but whether according to the name, they be indeed Anointed, is the enquiry (I fear) but of a few. It was said of old, Fiunt, non nascuntur Christiani, ^(d)Christianus non generat Christianum: quia non generatio, sedregeneratio facit Christianos, ^(e)But now, men being born in a Nation where Christianity is professed, they profess they are born Christians, many (if not most) knowing no other reason for their Christianity. To undeceive these nominal Christians, hath been the labour of the Pulpit and the Press. Our works being something different from the ancient Fathers, they laboured to convert Heathens, we to convert Christians. To this end serveth the ensuing Discourse,