A41331:658
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianism ... / by Giles Firmin ...The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianisme ... / by Giles Firmin ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Quest. 1. Whether the Soul, in closing with Christ in effectual Calling, may not lawfully and safely aim at, and eye its own salvation?
Quest. 2. Whether the Lord requires, to the truth of saving Faith, and closing with Christ in the work of effectual Calling, that we eye and aim at the honour of Christ, and exalting of the glory of his Grace above our own salvation?
These two Questions will take in fully what Mr. Rogers and Mr. Shepherd have delivered as to this point, where I pray take the state of the Question aright.
The question is not, whether the glory of Gods Grace, the honour of Christ, be not things above our salvation? that is easily yielded, I know none so simple to deny it: for Gods glory is his ultimate end, and our salvation is but a means to this end: yea, though salvation be sometimes called, or put for the end, yet it is but finis medius, which in respect of the ultimate end is but a means: So then that is not the question. But the question lieth here, whether in faith answering the call of God, in its first union with Christ, doth God require, that now we look that we receive Christ, to exalt that glory of his above our own salvation? For thus Mr. Rogers and Mr. Shepherd have both carried it.