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

First, Something he must conclude, else to what end is his self-examination? Either then he must conclude, Christ ⟨p. 289⟩is mine, and pardon is mine, or the contrary, Christ is not mine, &c. For him to conclude, Christ is not mine, pardon is not mine, is to give the lye to the Word of God, and conclude that to be none of Gods Word. I pray, Christian, go along with me, and wind out if you can: I say, thou givest the lye to thy Bible; for though it is true, I cannot prove from the Bible by necessary consequence, that I am a Believer, as I can prove I am an undone Sinner, and unbeliever naturally, from the Scripture, though my name be not in it: but this being cleared, I stand convinced, and dare not deny the work of faith in me; now for me to deny that Christ is mine, or pardon mine, is to give the lye to the Word of God; for you say and suppose a man may be a believer in Christ, and yet not justified, nor united to Christ, and so Christ his, which is directly against the Word, Rom. 3.26. That he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. Acts 14.39. By him all that believe are justified from all things, &c.

Yet once more: If the Bible tell us this is saving faith, you upon examination, or others skilful in the work, help you to examine, and there you find that which agrees with that work mentioned in your Bible for saving faith, if you will yet deny that you have saving faith, or that you are a believer, I cannot see but that implicitly at least you give the lye to your Bible; for that which your Bible says is saving faith, you cannot deny but you have it, yet deny you have saving faith, or are a believer. Christians should be more careful in their denials.

Yet once more: If the Bible tell us this is saving faith, you upon examination, or others skilful in the work, help you to examine, and there you find that which agrees with that work mentioned in your Bible for saving faith, if you will yet deny that you have saving faith, or that you are a believer, I cannot see but that implicitely at least you give the lye to your Bible; for that which your Bible sayes is saving faith, you cannot deny but you have it, yet deny you have saving faith, or are a believer. Christians should be more careful in their denials.