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

But I have done with this; hoping that God will stir up those to whom he hath given abilities, and have time for studies, to appear against these Doctrines, so destructive to the Christian Religion, and tending so much to the perdition of mens Souls.

As to this Treatise, I know it is that Subject upon which several men of better heads and hearts than mine have already written: But that which is the main thing in it, and without which I had no thoughts of ever setting Pen to paper, I have not met with any man that hath spoken to it; yet the consequence is so great, that the soundness or unsoundness of our Conversion depends upon it: Whether that which I have written be satisfactory to the judicious Reader, I must leave it, being willing to be taught if I have erred.

As to this Treatise, I know it is that Subject upon which several men of better heads and hearts than mine have already written: But that which is the main thing in it, and without which I had no thoughts of ever setting Pen to paper, I have not met with any man that hath spoken to it; yet the consequence is so great, that the soundness or unsoundness of our Conversion depends upon it: Whether that which I have written be fatisfactory to the judicious Reader, I must leave it, being willing to be taught if I have erred.

If the Reader be offended at the language, being so plain, I shall not be much troubled at that, it hath been ever my unhappiness, to prefer an Apodictic Syllogism, before a Jingling Paranomasie; my business is with those who are troubled about their Spiritual state whether it be sound or false; and Silken language suits not those who are clothed in Sackcloth. I am much encouraged as to this Point, by the stile in which the Holy Spirit guided his Servants to write, also by observing whom they ⟨image 21⟩