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

Secondly, I grant that is a true sign, as Mr. Perkins saith, if persons do as he says in their godly sorrow; but if there be no other sign but this, and as he saith, for no other cause but this only, then I know not how we shall be sure of our repentance, or Sonship, until I saw and were sure there were neither Heaven nor Hell, and then saw what my heart would do; whatever it may say now it would do, I dare not trust it.

Secondly, I grant that is a true sign, as Mr. Perkins saith, if persons do as he sayes in their godly sorrow; but if there be no other sign but this, and as he saith, for no other cause but this only, then I know not how we shall be sure of our repentance, or Sonship, until I saw and were sure there were neither Heaven nor Hell, and then saw what my heart would do; whatever it may say now it would do, I dare not trust it.

Thirdly, The only cause, saith Mr. Perkins, is this, Because by his sin he hath displeased God, who hath been to him a most merciful and loving Father. Very good: Wherein did God show himself to be so merciful and loving? Was it not in delivering him from the misery (for mercy always suppose misery) he had brought himself into? And is not guilt, hell, and damnation, a part of that misery? It seems then the man being delivered from hell, calls God his loving and merciful Father, for redeeming his Soul from death; and from this love and mercy of God to him, if he offends, he mourns and grieves, and would do though there were no hell; and by this judge his state: But had God been looked upon so merciful and loving if he had not delivered him from Hell, and given him a Title to Heaven? I doubt not: So that when a man is sure of deliverance from the one, and Title to the other, now he repents and serves God, though there were neither one nor the other: This is the Divinity I cannot understand.

Thirdly, The only cause, saith Mr. Perkins, is this, Because by his sin he hath displeased God, who hath been to him a most merciful and loving Father. Very good: Wherein did God shew himself to be so merciful and loving? Was it not in delivering him from the misery (for mercy alwayes suppose misery) he had brought himself into? And is not guilt, hell, and damnation, a part of that misery? It seems then the man being delivered from hell, calls God his loving and merciful Father, for redeeming his Soul from death; and from this love and mercy of God to him, if he offends, he mourns and grieves, and would do though there were no hell; and by this judge his state: But had God been looked upon so merciful and loving if he had not delivered him from Hell, and given him a Title to Heaven? I doubt not: So that when a man is sure of deliverance from the one, and Title to the other, now he repents and serves God, though there were neither one nor the other: This is the Divinity I cannot understand.