The souls humiliationThe soules humiliation

In the next place, you are to be desired,¹ to try your selves by the former truth: and let every man try his own heart, whether ever God hath given him this gracious disposition of Soul or no? You must come to this truth: for there is no justification nor acceptation without this; Nay, there is no faith can be infused into the Soul, before the heart be thus fitted and prepared: no preparation, no perfection. Never humbled, never exalted; therefore let every man and woman, lay their hearts to the former truth, and consider this one thing in the general. So far as the heart is from this contentedness, to be at Gods dispose, so far it is from true preparation for Christ. You must be empty, if ever Christ fill you: you must be nothing, if you would have Christ all in all to you. Thus much in the general. But, now let us come to the particular trials: and herein let us consider two things. First, the truth, and soundness of our Humiliation. Secondly, the measure of it: both of these, this Doctrine doth discover to us. It is very profitable to handle them both, that they which have not this work may ⟨p. 146⟩be humbled, and that they which have it, may see how far they come short of the measure which they should and might have, the want of which is the cause of much sorrow, and the want of much comfort.

In the next place, you are to be desired,¹ to try your selves by the former truth: and let every man try his owne heart, whether ever God hath given him this gracious disposition of Soule or no? You must come to this truth: for there is no justification nor acceptation without this; Nay, there is no faith can be infused into the Soule, before the heart be thus fitted and prepared: no preparation, no perfection. Never humbled, never exalted; therefore let every man and woman, lay their hearts to the former truth, and consider this one thing in the generall. So farre as the heart is from this contentednesse, to be at Gods dispose, so farre it is from true preparation for Christ. You must be empty, if ever Christ fill you: you must be nothing, if you would have Christ all in all to you. Thus much in the generall. But, now let us come to the particular trials: and herein let us consider two things. First, the truth, and soundnesse of our Humiliation. Secondly, the measure of it: both of these, this Doctrine doth discover to us. It is very profitable to handle them both, that they which have not this work may