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

Thirdly, As it is an advised and free, so it is a full choice, understand me rightly; by the word full I do not mean such a perfection, as if the whole of the Soul did so close with Christ, and embrace him, that there were nothing in the will cross to this reception of Christ; for we are but in part renewed, though we are quickened, Ephes. 2.1. yet so quickened, as there remains a body of death behind, Rom. 7.24. and the unrenewed, dead part will never make this choice: but what Philip said to the Eunuch, Acts 8.37. If thou believest with all thine heart. So here the Believer chooseth with all his heart: Such is the prevalency of the will in its choice, that there is not many times so much as any actual resistance of the unrenewed part felt, to oppose this choice; but as if there were no such thing as a corrupt unrenewed part to oppose, the whole Soul comes off fully in the choice of Christ; the heart is not divided, there is not a heart and a heart; as in those hypocritical penitents, Jer. 3.10. Her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned to me with her whole heart, but feignedly. Here was no full turning, the whole heart went not after God, but was divided, and to be sure God had the least part. As in repenting, so in believing, the whole heart comes to Christ. If a rich person, and every way an object of love, should ask a poor woman, wilt thou have me for thy Husband? and is in earnest; as if Boaz should have put that question to Ruth, what would have been her answer? Yea, with all my heart; there is a full ⟨p. 249⟩choice: So doth the Soul answer to this question, wilt thou have Christ; Yea, with all my heart, the best bargain that ever I made. The fullness of the choice is felt in this, that this choice is made with complacency, the heart is exceedingly well pleased, delighted, satisfied in its choice, and finds it self at rest in Christ. What David said, Return to thy rest, O my soul, Psal. 116.7. This Soul saith to it self, can I but get this Christ, that I have real union with him, and he once undertakes for me, I shall then be at rest, I am satisfied fully with him. What the Father said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,