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

she was under a hedge picking up sticks in a cold morning (as I remember) the man passing by, and speaking to her, calling him by his name, said she, O pray, that God would save you out of straits. You Christians, who set by your warm fires, think of these Christians, let not Ministers or others reprove or rebuke too sharply poor Christians under these temptations, though they do not quit themselves as they should do.

The second thing I should request of these Worthies is this, that what duties they urge upon Christians, and in such a manner, that you do as it were make them no Christians, if they answer them not: if you will make what ⟨p. 312⟩you say a true distinguishing note between sound and unsound Christians, then put such Texts of Scripture to prove the duty you urge to, and that for the performance of it in such a manner as you urge, that you are sure will carry it: make it clear from the Scriptures you quote, that this as you preach and write is the Command of God. I deny not but the things are very good, that I read in the excellent works of some men, if Christians can reach them, but are they absolutely necessary, that if a Christian reach them not, he is not a good Christian? I wish I had seen clear Scriptures for some things I read, and pressed with vehemency of Spirit. If I meet with a particular practise of one Saint in the Scripture, shall I presently take that Scripture, and make it a ground, to preach that all Christians are bound to that practise? David saith, Psal. 119.148. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy Word: That is, saith Piscator, Expergiscor ante excubias. The Comment that goeth under the name of Jerome thus glosseth, Non eum lux soporatum reperit, sed vigilantem strenuè: & circa divina eloquia oculorum spiritualium intentione meditantem. Diodati thus, I have awaked of my self in the night, before I have been called upon by the watchmen, &c. Shall we hence gather, that all Christians are bound to awake before day-light, to break their rest, that they may meditate in Gods Word? Some Christians indeed have had such Meditations upon it, that they were bound to it, because David did it, and it hath caused trouble to their spirits: What work would this make amongst Christians, some through their cold and moist brains, others through hard labour, others who find such want of sleep, esteem it for such a common mercy if they can get it, their heads fit for nothing if they want it. Being once in company with an eminent Divine, and the best Casuist that ever I met with, he put a question to us (there being several present) about the performance of a Christian duty; as I remember, he told us the Question was sent from some foreign Divines to be resolved from the Scripture: