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

The Major is plain. The works of Faith, or the grace of Faith, is as cross to the corrupt heart of man, as any ⟨p. 189⟩Grace required; the second branch proves it; for it doth so empty a man of himself, it empties him of his evil-self, and empties him of his good-self, which other Graces do not so directly, (I mean as to good-self) and what hath a man more to be emptied of? Were not Faith so cross, it should not be called so much the gift of God; nor the faith of the operation of God, Col. 2.12.

The Minor. But this particular persuasion and assurance Christ is mine, &c. Is,

The Minor. But this particular perswasion and assurance Christ is mine, &c. Is,

First, Not cross to corrupt nature. For it is that which any carnal wretch, that owns there is such a one as Christ, and that he is a Saviour, would have: Christ is mine, forgiveness mine, who will refuse it? Nay, we find men are aforehand here with the Ministry: Doth the Minister preach of Faith? People have it: How hard a matter is it for Ministers to unbottom men from their false grounds? When you have preached one Glass out, turn it again, preach another, yea, and twenty hours more if you will, you shall never move them from this good hope and persuasion that Christ is theirs: it were well if men could be taken off from these groundless persuasions and assurances: so that to be persuaded and assured that Christ is theirs, this is not cross to their nature. And if Mr. Shepherd had meant this, in mens catching hold of Christ before they be fit, that is, their persuasions and assurances Christ is theirs, then would I heartily have joined with him, that mens fingers had need be rapped off from catching hold of Christ, in this sense, till they be fit.