The Soul's Conflict with Itself

And for grace though it be the beginning of a new creature in us, yet it is ⟨p. 326⟩but a creature, and therefore not to be trusted in, nay by trusting in it we embase it, and make it more imperfect; so far as there is truth of grace, it breeds distrust of our selves, and carries the soul out of it self to the fountain of strength.

And for grace though it be the beginning of a new creature in us, yet it is ⟨p. 326⟩but a creature, and therefore not to be trusted in, nay by trusting in it we imbase it, and make it more imperfect; so farre as there is truth of grace, it breeds distrust of our selves, and carryes the soule out of it selfe to the fountaine of strength.

And for any works that proceed from grace, by trusting thereunto they ¹prove like the reed of Egypt, which not only deceives us, but hurts us with the splinters: Good works are good, but confidence in them is hurtful; and there is more of our own in them (for the most part) to humble us, then of Gods spirit to embolden us so far as to trust in them. Alas they have nothing from us, but weakness and defilement, and therefore since the fall, GOD would have the object of our trust to be (out of our selves) in him; and to that purpose he useth all means to take us out of our selves, and from the creature, that he only might be our trust.

And for any workes that proceed from grace, by trusting thereunto they ¹prove like the reede of Aegypt, which not only deceives us, but hurts us with the splinters: Good workes are good, but confidence in them is hurtfull; and there is more of our owne in them (for the most part) to humble us, then of Gods spirit to embolden us so farre as to trust in them. Alas they have nothing from us, but weaknesse and defilement, and therefore since the fall, GOD would have the object of our trust to be (out of our selves) in him; and to that purpose he useth all meanes to take us out of our selves, and from the creature, that he only might be our trust.