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

If you ask me, of what use is this Position to a gracious heart troubled about its state? I answer, If it be made good [as I doubt not but I shall make it good] it is the best answer thou canst give to the objections which thy timorous heart, and a cavilling devil do make against thy believing in Christ, or thy Faith, from the want of these preparations: no answer like it, experience you what I say.

Satan, you have a long time been battering of my poor Faith, and beating me off from Christ; but here Christ is offered to me, I am called to receive him, is it my duty or not my duty to close with him? Yes, saith he, I never denied it was your duty, if you were prepared for him, as your own Ministers preach, by conviction, great terrors, fears, sorrows, humblings, which thy unbroken heart was never acquainted withal. But Satan, where doth the holy Scripture [by which I must be judged] put that condition, prepared, into the Command, to make it my duty? I know very well why Ministers preach these preparations; but do any understanding Ministers preach them as things antecedent, to make Faith in Christ my duty? As for my Will, Christ hath it, whatever my preparations were: My soul embraceth him as he is offered; his terms please me well. If I do not believe, I disobey the great Command: Why then do you endeavour to beat me off from my duty, by suggesting to me this my want of preparations?

Satan, you have a long time been battering of my poor Faith, and beating me off from Christ; but here Christ is offered to me, I am called to receive him, is it my duty or not my duty to close with him? Yes, saith he, I never denied it was your duty, if you were prepared for him, as your own Ministers preach, by conviction, great terrors, fears, sorrows, humblings, which thy unbroken heart was never acquainted withall. But Satan, where doth the holy Scripture [by which I must be judged] put that condition, prepared, into the Command, to make it my duty? I know very well why Ministers preach these preparations; but do any understanding Ministers preach them as things antecedent, to make Faith in Christ my duty? As for my Will, Christ hath it, whatever my preparations were: My soul embraceth him as he is offered; his terms please me well. If I do not believe, I disobey the great Command: Why then do you endeavour to beat me off from my duty, by suggesting to me this my want of preparations?