A41331:97
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…
The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianism ... / by Giles Firmin ...The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God is drawing the soul to Christ ... : to which is added, in the epistle to the reader, a few words concerning Socinianisme ... / by Giles Firmin ...
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1670
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. The Argument signifies nothing. For it is not the state I am in, be it innocency or nocency, that makes any thing my duty, but the Command of the supreme Law-giver. Take away the Command, there is no Obligation. But the Command being given to fallen man, to believe in Christ his Redeemer, it is as much his duty to believe in him in a state of nocency, as to love God in a state of innocency.
2. Reason doth as well dictate, that fallen, undone man, a slave, a captive under sin, Satan and wrath, should fly to God, embrace a Redeemer revealed and offered, as it doth dictate, he should love his Creator in a state of innocency.
Object. But Christs calls the weary, the laden, the thirsty, &c. which denote a soul qualified.
Answ. What then? doth it follow, it was not their duty, to believe in him, and receive him, before they were laden, weary, &c? No man will love God as he ought, with that love his people do, but there must be a great work first wrought on the heart; but is it not his duty to love him before that work be done?