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

Thirdly, It depends upon the strength of habitual Grace received, and the influences which that habitual Grace hath from the Spirit of Grace. Men who have received great Grace, and whom the Lord doth influence daily with second Grace, those who are exempted from those woeful sinking troubles and temptations which others labour under; those who have benign kind Aspects from God, these may hold longer, and delight more in meditation, than those whose Grace received is but little, and influence of second Grace but little, every day lye groaning and oppressed under vile temptations or corruptions, can see but little, if any thing, of Gods favour towards them.

Thirdly, It depends upon the strength of habitual Grace received, and the influences which that habitual Grace hath from the Spirit of Grace. Men who have received great Grace, and whom the Lord doth influence daily with second Grace, those who are exempted from those woful sinking troubles and temptations which others labour under; those who have benign kind Aspects from God, these may hold longer, and delight more in meditation, than those whose Grace received is but little, and influence of second Grace but little, every day lye groaning and oppressed under vile temptations or corruptions, can see but little, if any thing, of Gods favour towards them.

For some men God kills the fatted Calf, (Luke 15.) puts on the Robe, the Ring, they have their Music, when other Christians may say (as once a good Christian did, though not in a murmuring way as the elder Brother) the Lord was never pleased to give them one Kid to rejoice. How heartily have we seen poor people at the door feeding upon the Scraps, which these within at the Feast have left upon their Trenchers? How thankful ⟨p. 324⟩would some poor Christians be, might they but enjoy the scraps of other Christians, that is, such things as they neither ask God, nor thank God for; yet though they have begged them ten years, and ten twice told, could not prevail with God for such favours. These may meditate indeed, but what do they meditate? Thy heart shall meditate terror,