These propositions being thus set down, let the conscience assume them to it self in such demands as these. Do I find in my self a Freedom from that spirit of fear, and bondage, which maketh a man like Adam to fly from the presence of GOD in his Word? do I find my self able with affiance, and firm hope to fly unto God, as unto an Alter of refuge in time of trouble, and to call upon his Name? and this not only with an outward battology, and lip-labour but by the spirit to cry Abba Father? doth the testimony of Gods Spirit settle, and compose such doubtings in me as usually arise out of the War between Flesh, and Faith? do I find a change, and transformation in me from the vanity of my old conversation unto the Image of Christ, and of that original Justice wherein I was created? do I find my self distinguished, and taken out from the World by Heavenly mindedness, and raised affections, by renouncing the delights, abandoning the corruptions, suppressing ⟨p. 199⟩the motions of secular, and carnal thoughts? solacing my soul, not with perishable, and unconstant contentments, but with that blessed hope of a City, made without hands, immortal, undefiled, and that fadeth not away? do I find in my heart an habitual tenderness, and aptness to bleed, and relent, at the danger of any sin, though mainly crossing my carnal delights, and whatever plots and contrivances I might lay for furthering mine own secular ends, if by indirectness, sinful engagements, and unwarrantable courses, I could advance them? do I find my self in reading, or hearing Gods Word, inwardly wrought upon, to admire the Wisdom, assent unto the truth, acknowledge the holiness, and submit my self unto the obedience of it? do I in my ordinary, and best composed thoughts prefer the tranquility of a good conscience, and the comforts of Gods Spirit before all out-side and glittering happiness, notwithstanding any discouragements that may be incident to a concionable conversation? Lastly, are the graces of God operative, and stirring in my soul? Is my conversation more heavenly, my zeal more fervent, my corruptions more discovered, each faculty in its several Sphere more transformed ⟨p. 198⟩[…] ⟨p. 199⟩[…] ⟨p. 200⟩into the same Image with Christ Jesus?
These propositions being thus set downe, let the conscience assume them to it selfe in such demands as these. Doe I finde in my selfe a Freedome from that spirit of feare, and bondage, which maketh a man like Adam to fly from the presence of GOD in his Word? doe I finde my selfe able with affiance, and firme hope to fly unto God, as unto an Alter of refuge in time of trouble, and to call upon his Name? and this not onely with an outward battology, and lipp-labour but by the spirit to cry Abba Father? doth the testimony of Gods Spirit settle, and compose such doubtings in me as usually arise out of the Warre betweene Flesh, and Faith? doe I finde a change, and transformation in me from the vanity of my old conversation unto the Image of Christ, and of that originall Justice wherein I was created? doe I finde my selfe distinguished, and taken out from the World by Heavenly mindednes, and raised affections, by renouncing the delights, abandoning the corruptions, suppresing ⟨p. 199⟩the motions of secular, and carnall thoughts? solacing my soule, not with perishable, and unconstant contentments, but with that blessed hope of a City, made without hands, immortall, undefiled, and that fadeth not away? doe I finde in my heart an habituall tendernes, and aptnes to bleed, and relent, at the danger of any sinne, though mainly crossing my carnall delights, and whatever plots and contrivances I might lay for furthering mine owne secular ends, if by indirectnes, sinfull engagements, and unwarrantable courses, I could advance them? doe I finde my selfe in reading, or hearing Gods Word, inwardly wrought upon, to admire the Wisdome, assent unto the truth, acknowledge the holines, and submit my selfe unto the obedience of it? doe I in my ordinary, and best composed thoughts preferre the tranquility of a good conscience, and the comforts of Gods Spirit before all out-side and glittering happines, notwithstanding any discouragements that may bee incident to a concionable conversation? Lastly, are the graces of God operative, and stirring in my soule? Is my conversation more heavenly, my zeale more fervent, my corruptions more discovered, each faculty in its severall Sphere more transformed ⟨p. 198⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 199⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 200⟩into the same Image with Christ Iesus?
