An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ,…

But how shall a poor humbled Sinner ⟨p. 519⟩know when he is called, that then he may come to Christ? You must not mistake the general offers of the Gospel for this special call, for they are not a sufficient foundation for our Faith, though they are made to the weary and heavy laden: Men cannot, will not come at such a call, and they have no reason to do it, for Christ is not intended for all; therefore though he be offered to all in the Gospel, yet it would be presumption for every one to lay hold on him, for Christ doth not immediately offer himself to all Men as a Saviour, whereby they may be encouraged to serve him as a King (that is he does not promise Salvation and Eternal life in the Gospel, with a design that every one that will, should take encouragement from these promises, to obey and serve him.) But first, as a King commanding them, to cast away their weapons, and stoop under his Sceptre, acknowledging that if ever he save me, I will bless him; if he damn me, his Name is righteous in so dealing with me, that is, every Man is invited in the Gospel to submit himself to the mercy of Christ; but then Christ reserves a liberty to himself to save or damn as he pleases; these are hard terms, and such as sound wore like the arbitrary ⟨p. 520⟩will of an haughty Lord, than the conditions of a gracious Saviour.

But how shall a poor humbled Sinner ⟨p. 519⟩know when he is called, that then he may come to Christ? You must not mistake the general offers of the Gospel for this special call, for they are not a sufficient foundation for our Faith, though they are made to the weary and heavy laden: Men cannot, will not come at such a call, and they have no reason to do it, for Christ is not intended for all; therefore though he be offered to all in the Gospel, yet it would be presumption for every one to lay hold on him, for Christ doth not immediately offer himself to all Men as a Saviour, whereby they may be encouraged to serve him as a King (that is he does not promise Salvation and Eternal life in the Gospel, with a design that every one that will, should take encouragement from these promises, to obey and serve him.) But first, as a King commanding them, to cast away their weapons, and stoop under his Scepter, acknowledging that if ever he save me, I will bless him; if he damn me, his Name is righteons in so dealing with me, that is, every Man is invited in the Gospel to submit himself to the mercy of Christ; but then Christ reserves a liberty to himself to save or damn as he pleases; these are hard terms, and such as sound wore like the arbitrary