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

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.

Try those who are called Christians by the next thing we were upon, their receiving of Christ, when prepared for him, see if the number of them be greater than we mention. Receiving of Christ, what is that? Do you mean Faith? Yes, I do mean Gospel-faith in Christ: nay, then your Conclusion which you drew, that the number of Real Christians was but small, is very false. For your preparations, we cannot say much for them, but for faith in Christ, we can speak enough for it; all the Ministers in England shall not make us believe but we have faith, ay and it may be will swear by their faith they shall not. Define faith which way you will, they are for you. If you will call it an Assent to what Truths soever God reveals, &c. in a lax way: they do assent to their Bible, that it is the Word of God; that all which is contained in it is the Mind and Will of God; they did never doubt of it in all their lives; and it may be will say, it were no matter though he were hanged that doth doubt of it: but if you come more close to tell them, what the ablest of the Popish