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

Though assurance be not saving grace, yet I may be bound, and it may be my duty, to conclude according to the Question: there are many things which are my duty to do, yet the doing of them is not saving grace: to pray, to partake of the Sacraments, to hear the Word, &c. they are my duty; but praying, receiving, hearing, are not saving grace: the principles that move me to these duties may argue grace; the manner of my performance of them may be gracious; but the doing of the things do not argue grace; yet I am bound to the duty, as well as to the principles and manner of doing: not to do these duties argue no grace, say the bastard-spiritualists of our times what they please: Let them tell God one day they were so spiritual, that they had no need of, but were above his Ordinances and Appointments, see if this will satisfy their Judge, for such contempt of his Institutions. Thus to apply this, my drawing up this Conclusion, that Christ is mine, and that my sins are pardoned, may be my duty, which I may be bound to assent unto, though it be no saving grace; a man may from a gracious principle draw up the Conclusion, and graciously possess it, and that he must do, if possess it at all.

Though assurance be not saving grace, yet I may be bound, and it may be my duty, to conclude according to the Question: there are many things which are my duty to do, yet the doing of them is not saving grace: to pray, to partake of the Sacraments, to hear the Word, &c. they are my duty; but praying, receiving, hearing, are not saving grace: the principles that move me to these duties may argue grace; the manner of my performance of them may be gracious; but the doing of the things do not argue grace; yet I am bound to the duty, as well as to the principles and manner of doing: not to do these duties argue no grace, say the bastard-spiritualists of our times what they please: Let them tell God one day they were so spiritual, that they had no need of, but were above his Ordinances and Appointments, see if this will satisfie their Judge, for such contempt of his Institutions. Thus to apply this, my drawing up this Conclusion, that Christ is mine, and that my sins are pardoned, may be my duty, which I may be bound to assent unto, though it be no saving grace; a man may from a gracious principle draw up the Conclusion, and graciously possess it, and that he must do, if possels it at all.