The application of redemption

Ground of EXAMINATION and TRIAL:¹ If we would ever gain assurance or bring in evidence and proof to our own souls and others, that indeed our hearts have been broken for our sins and so turned from our sins in a saving manner unto God here in the kingdom of Grace, that we may undoubtedly assure our selves that we shall see his face in glory in another world; try thy heart and condition by the former truth ²lay thy soul level to the doctrine formerly delivered; if thou findest this work of God, thou mayest undoubtedly conclude there is the spirit of God. And however it seems so mean in the eyes of men, yet the greater the power of the Almighty is seen in it, to lay mountains low and level; the hand of the Lord must do this; As the Magicians in Egypt professed touching the lie, that wonder which the Lord then expressed though it were in a thing very little and despicable to the eye, yet they confessed, this the […] finger of God, they were not able to turn their hand to that work. So dost thou upon through search find this disposition of spirit, that thou dost see that infinite loathsomeness in thy corruptions, and in thy heart being tainted therewith; so noisome the plague sore of sin, and thy soul and self, so defiled with running provocations thereof, that in truth thou art loath to see thy heart, to own it or to have it, which hath nothing but loathsomeness in it, and conceivest thou art worthy indeed others should judg so of thee, as thou judgest of thy self; how ever this frame of spirit may seem marvellous mean and despicable in the eye of the world, know thou mayest and conclude thou shouldst, this is the very finger of God; flesh and blood hath not revealed ⟨p. 651⟩this hath not wrought this in thee, but the spirit which is from God. That which is at odds with all the excellency that is flesh and blood, that which is opposite to it and tramples upon the glory and pride of it, that must needs be more than flesh and blood, Ezek. 16. 2. last. I will establish my covenant, and thou shall know I am the Lord, thou shalt know me, and own me, and believe in me, as thy God and thy Lord, then thou shalt remember and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame; When God sets open the fountain of his free grace in the soul, these streams will follow.