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

Thus Christian I have done with that which I intended, in giving you a description of a real Christian, without any high strains, or new notions, and endeavouring to take off what hath caused trouble to my self, and others, which I found in those whom I do highly reverence: soundness in the work I have ever desired, since I grew acquainted with the vileness of my own heart; but curstness, sharpness, stumbling work, to cause troubles, fears, sinkings, in poor Christians that were sincere, and did press after sincerity, I could never endure. How these real Christians should walk, I need say nothing, they have their Rule before them, and so many excellent practical books are written for the ordering of Christians conversations, that I think no more can be said, or need to be said, if what is already said were well applied and improved: would but these worthy men be pleased well to weigh all they write, what men of eminent parts and grace write, it passeth for currant with poor Christians, that it is all the Command of God, if it doth concern duty to be done, which right Christians oftentimes more mind than any thing that concerns their comfort, and if they cannot come up to answer that duty, presently they are but hypocrites, and never knew a sound work of conversion. It is an easy matter for men of vast abilities, large affections, who have received ⟨p. 309⟩a Benjamins mess from Christ, influenced from him daily, and possibly never knew what it was to lye groaning ten or twenty years under the burden of strong corruptions, and combating with their discontented spirits, rising from debts, long sickness and pains, poverty, cold, hunger, unequal yokes, debasements from a higher condition of life, I say, it may be easy for such men to write systems of practical Divinity, how Christians should walk in their conversations, and because they can reach them, think others must too.

Thus Christian I have done with that which I intended, in giving you a description of a real Christian, without any high strains, or new notions, and endeavouring to take off what hath caused trouble to my self, and others, which I found in those whom I do highly reverence: soundness in the work I have ever desired, since I grew acquainted with the vileness of my own heart; but curstness, sharpness, stumbling work, to cause troubles, fears, sinkings, in poor Christians that were sincere, and did press after sincerity, I could never endure. How these real Christians should walk, I need say nothing, they have their Rule before them, and so many excellent practical books are written for the ordering of Christians conversations, that I think no more can be said, or need to be said, if what is already said were well applied and improved: would but these worthy men be pleased well to weigh all they write, what men of eminent parts and grace write, it passeth for currant with poor Christians, that it is all the Command of God, if it doth concern duty to be done, which right Christians oftentimes more mind than any thing that concerns their comfort, and if they cannot come up to answer that duty, presently they are but hypocrites, and never knew a sound work of conversion. It is an easie matter for men of vastabilities, large affections, who have received