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

So that, sinner, ¹here is the question before you enter into the City, or close with Christ, Is it the glory of Gods grace which you seek, above your own salvation? If your salvation be not aimed at in a subordinate way to his glory, Self love only acts you, and that will undo you.

1. 1Mr. Shepherd in two or three places of his Sincere Convert, speaks to the same effect, which I shall take notice of in its proper place.Mr. Shepheard in two or three places of his Sincere Convert, speaks to the same effect, which I shall take notice of in its proper place.

Good Lord, saith the poor sinner, how shall I know this? I am glad of a Saviour to deliver me from Hell and wrath, which I so fear, yea, and willing to be saved from my own heart, and lusts, and enmity against God, are drunkards and swearers so too? if so, then I am lost indeed: while my soul is thus pressed and oppressed with the sense of my undone, miserable, lost, sinful and damned estate I see it is rich grace which only can save me through Christ, and I shall for ever adore his grace; but whether the glory of it is now above my own salvation, I fear it.

One block more lies in the way, sinner, there is no union with Christ without Faith, and if no union, then no communion; do you then understand what this Faith is? ¹I must tell you, It is a wonderful grace of God, by which a man doth apprehend and apply Christ and all his benefits unto himself. But Sir, how doth a man apply Christ to himself? I tell thee, This applying is done by Assurance, when a man is verily persuaded by the boly Spirit, of Gods favour towards himself particularly, and of the forgiveness of his own sins. Thus also Mr. John Rogers of Dedham,