A41331:729
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.
Answ. I recall nothing of what I said; but in answer to your Objection I say,
First, Such do show this work of Grace in their childhood as they do grow up; observe them, and you shall see such actings, that will give good grounds to hope God hath begun the work of Grace.
First, Such do shew this work of Grace in their childhood as they do grow up; observe them, and you shall see such actings, that will give good grounds to hope God hath begun the work of Grace.
Secondly, Few, if any of these, living to years of understanding, and hearing of these things, but it hath been a trouble to them, and made them question themselves, whether they had Grace, because they have not found them.
Thirdly, None of them all, who live to riper years, but do experience all the preparatory works, though in them, I conceive, the work doth loose that relation, as preparatory, ⟨p. 232⟩because they had Grace infused into them in their infancy or childhood: So that I will not contend about the word preparatory, so the works be found. Tell me that Real Christian (let God have begun his work when he pleased) that is not enlightened to see, and convinced of his sinful and miserable state, that hath not known fears and troubles because of it; hath not been made willing, that Christ should separate him and his sin; that is not taken off from resting in his own duties, reformations and doings: They do all experience these, let the Lord work them when and how he pleaseth. But for others, where the work begins in riper years, there they are known more distinctly, and properly preparatory, though God hath his variety of working even amongst such also. Hence preparatory works I did not at all oppose, nay, I maintained them, only my scope was to help Christians who were in the dark as to their own work, searing they were not sound and real Christians, because they had not experienced those workings as others had.