The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Answer. It is a constant earnest desire of the pardon of sin flowing from an humble heart, joined with a conscionable use of the means, I say, constant, to difference this desire from the moody passions that are in natural men, to whom God disclosing the fearfulness of the vengeance to come, they do for the instant desire a remove all of their sins. I say earnest, with respect to the ⟨p. 249⟩sluggish wishes that are in the unregenerate; as also to that fervency of desire which experience shows in the godly, Psal. 42.2.¹ my soul is a thirst for God. I say further, that it is set on work by an humbled soul, a soul touched with his own miseries, a wounded spirit, a broken heart, Psalm. 10.17.² thou hast heard the desire, but it is the desire of an humbled soul, of the poor in spirit. Last of all, this desire expresseth it self in a careful and diligent use of the means, whereby it may be increased, as Prayer, hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments. This is that faith which is termed by the smoking flax; and bruised reed, Matth. 12.20.³ which promise of Christ is, not to break the one, nor quench the other. This to be in Gods acceptation, as saving faith appears, in that God rewards this hungering desire with everlasting life, Matth. 5.6. Luke 1.33.⁴ he fills the hungry with good things, John 7.37. If any man thirst; let him come to me, and drink,