Mr. Shepherd gives this as the fourth general Reason of mans ruin, 1false Faith. Of this I doubt not, false faith in Christ is the cause of the destruction of many Christians: but for those words of this reverend Author, We cannot rap off mens fingers from catching hold on Christ before they are fit for him, need a little examining; for some poor Christians will soon apply this to themselves: Catching hold of Christ, is meant faith; this is plain from the thing it self, and the Head he is upon. Some men should have their fingers rapped off from catching hold on Christ, but Ministers cannot do it: What is the reason their fingers should be rapped off? Not the error in their catching hold, but because they are not fit for Christ: then it seems they ought not to catch hold on Christ, it is not their duty; for if it be, then their fingers must not be rapped off, but guided and helped in laying hold. Secondly, Till they be fit: But what is that fitness? Is it not preparedness? And when prepared? Is it not when made willing to lay hold upon him, and take him as he is offered? because they will not else come to Christ for life, John 5.40. By this expression he plainly shows, that it is not mens duty to believe in Christ till they are fitted: which upon the former Reasons I deny. I see not one Scripture or Reason given to prove what he insinuates: what men will do is one thing, what men ought to do ⟨p. 187⟩another. Besides, the end of preparing is to make men come to Christ, and lay hold of him; if now the Soul will venture upon Christ, catch hold of him, take him as God tenders him, (then they are fit I think) why must their fingers be rapped off, if their error be in catching hold? that they do not take Christ right, let the falseness of their faith in catching hold be discovered; but not say it is not their duty, because not fit: For fit, or not fit, is every mans duty to whom the Gospel is preached, to believe in Christ, as much as it is his duty to repent.
Mr. Shepherd gives this as the fourth general Reason of mans ruine, 1false Faith. Of this I doubt not, false faith in Christ is the cause of the destruction of many Christians: but for those words of this reverend Author, We cannot rap off mens fingers from catching hold on Christ before they are fit for him, need a little examining; for some poor Christians will soon apply this to themselves: Catching hold of Christ, is meant faith; this is plain from the thing it self, and the Head he is upon. Some men should have their fingers rapped off from catching hold on Christ, but Ministers cannot do it: What is the reason their fingers should be rapped off? Not the error in their catching hold, but because they are not fit for Christ: then it seems they ought not to catch hold on Christ, it is not their duty; for if it be, then their fingers must not be rapped off, but guided and helped in laying hold. Secondly, Till they be fit: But what is that fitness? Is it not preparedness? And when prepared? Is it not when made willing to lay hold upon him, and take him as he is offered? because they will not else come to Christ for life, John 5.40. By this expression he plainly shews, that it is not mens duty to believe in Christ till they are fitted: which upon the former Reasons I deny. I see not one Scripture or Reason given to prove what he infinuates: what men will do is one thing, what men ought to do ⟨p. 187⟩another. Besides, the end of preparing is to make men come to Christ, and lay hold of him; if now the Soul will venture upon Christ, catch hold of him, take him as God tenders him, (then they are fit I think) why must their fingers be rappped off, if their error be in catching hold? that they do not take Christ right, let the falseness of their faith in catching hold be discovered; but not say it is not their duty, because not fit: For fit, or not fit, is every mans duty to whom the Gospel is preached, to believe in Christ, as much as it is his duty to repent.
- 1Sincere Convert, p. 266.
