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

Answ. Our Fathers, who defined Faith by a particular persuasion and assurance, &c. had here a mighty advantage; for their assurance is grace, and those who had it not must want saving grace, for they wanted faith, without which no salvation; and this, I believe, did put on many Christians, that they dared not to deny the conclusion, that Christ is mine, forgiveness is mine, because therein lay their work of saving faith, and the contrary to it was unbelief, the great Gospel damning sin. Few Christians then, and many now, I believe, knowing no other faith but this, or unbelief, but what is contrary to this.

Answ. Our Fathers, who defined Faith by a particular perswasion and assurance, &c. had here a mighty advantage; for their assurance is grace, and those who had it not must want saving grace, for they wanted faith, without which no salvation; and this, I believe, did put on many Christians, that they dared not to deny the conclusion, that Christ is mine, forgiveness is mine, because therein lay their work of saving faith, and the contrary to it was unbelief, the great Gospel damning sin. Few Christians then, and many now, I believe, knowing no other faith but this, or unbelief, but what is contrary to this.

Hence rose that Position, which hath been so stiffly maintained, If a Christian should fall into a scandalous foul sin, yet he must not let go his assurance of his interest in Christ, of the love of God, but that he ought to hold firm. Very true, if faith be the particular persuasion and assurance, that Christ is mine, then it ought to be so; for every mans duty, and so his duty, is to believe; he must not be an unbeliever, though he hath fallen: But what danger lies in this? Some rotten bold Hypocrite may be will say, he holds his assurance at such a time; but show me that real sound Christian that ever did so, till by sound repentance, and laying hold upon the blood of Atonement with true faith, he had recovered himself, and made up ⟨p. 286⟩his peace with God. When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren, said Christ to Peter