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

The Major is plain. What it is that makes Faith saving must be found in all those who are sound believers, else they are not sound believers, it is impossible they should be sound. Definition tells you, quidres sit, what is the essence of a thing; where the Definition is not found, the Definitum cannot be found. Man is Animal rationale (if you will have it, as ^*Lactantius, he is Animal Religiosum; he seemed to doubt, whether the common definition would serve turn, that he is a Rational creature, because he saw so many sparks of Reason in other Creatures: And truly if that definition he true, abundance of men, and those who seem to have in their own esteem most reason, are no men, for they are no Religious Creatures, but plain Atheists) but to keep to the common definition, then a reasonable Soul must be found in all that are men, else it is impossible there should be a man. This definition agrees to the Child in the Cradle, as well as to the Judge on the Bench, to Solomon in his Nurses arms, as well as to Solomon on the Throne, though then his Acts of Reason were high. So must this assurance or particular persuasion that Christ is mine, be found in all believers, though Infant-believers, if sound, else they are no believers.