Secondly, There is self-judging in it also. This the Apostle invites the Corinthians unto, 1 Ep. Chap. 11. 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged. This is a persons pronouncing sentence on himself according to the tenor of the Law. The soul brings not only its sin, but it self also to the Law. It puts it self as to merit and desert under the stroke and severity of it. Hence ariseth a full justification of God, in what sentence soever he shall be pleased to pronounce in the case before him. And these three things which we have passed through, compose the frame and first actings of a gracious soul, rising from its depths. They are all of them signally expressed in that place where we have a signal recovery exemplified, Hos. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4. And this makes way for the exaltation of grace, the great thing in all this dispensation aimed at by God. Ephes. 1. 6. That which he is now doing, is to bring the soul to glory in him, 1 Cor. 1. 31. which is all the return he hath ⟨p. 64⟩from his large and infinitely bountiful expense of Grace and Mercy. Now nothing can render Grace conspicuous and glorious, until the soul come to this frame. Grace will not seem high, until the soul be laid very low. And this also suits or prepares the soul for the receiving of mercy, in a sense of pardon, the great thing aimed at on the part of the sinner. And it prepares it for every duty that is incumbent on him in that condition wherein he is. This brings the soul to waiting with diligence and patience. If things presently answer not our expectation, we are ready to think, we have done what we can; if it will be no better we must bear it as we are able; which frame God abhors. The soul in this frame is contented to wait the pleasure of God, as we shall see in the close of the Psalm? Oh saith such an one; if ever I obtain a sense of Love, if ever I enjoy one smile of his countenance more, it is of unspeakable Grace. Let him take his own time, his own season; it is good for me quietly to wait, and to hope for his salvation. And it puts the soul on prayer; yea a soul always in this frame, prays always. And there is nothing more evident, than that want of a through engagement into the performance of these duties, is the great cause why so few come clear off from their entanglements all their days. Men heal their wounds slightly;
Secondly, There is self-judging in it also. This the Apostle invites the Corinthians unto, 1 Ep. Chap. 11. 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged. This is a persons pronouncing sentence on himself according to the tenor of the Law. The soul brings not only its sin, but it self also to the Law. It puts it self as to merit and desert under the stroke and severity of it. Hence ariseth a full justification of God, in what sentence soever he shall be pleased to pronounce in the case before him. And these three things which we have passed through, compose the frame and first actings of a gracious soul, rising from its depths. They are all of them signally expressed in that place where we have a signal recovery exemplified, Hos. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4. And this makes way for the exaltation of grace, the great thing in all this dispensation aimed at by God. Ephes. 1. 6. That which he is now doing, is to bring the soul to glory in him, 1 Cor. 1. 31. which is all the return he hath ⟨p. 64⟩from his large and infinitely bountiful expence of Grace and Mercy. Now nothing can render Grace conspicuous and glorious, until the soul come to this frame. Grace will not seem high, until the soul be laid very low. And this also suits or prepares the soul for the receiving of mercy, in a sense of pardon, the great thing aimed at on the part of the sinner. And it prepares it for every duty that is incumbent on him in that condition wherein he is. This brings the soul to waiting with diligence and patience. If things presently answer not our expectation, we are ready to think, we have done what we can; if it will be no better we must bear it as we are able; which frame God abhors. The soul in this frame is contented to wait the pleasure of God, as we shall see in the close of the Psalm? Oh saith such an one; if ever I obtain a sense of Love, if ever I enjoy one smile of his countenance more, it is of unspeakable Grace. Let him take his own time, his own season; it is good for me quietly to wait, and to hope for his salvation. And it puts the soul on prayer; yea a soul alwayes in this frame, prayes alwayes. And there is nothing more evident, than that want of a through engagement into the performance of these duties, is the great cause why so few come clear off from their entanglements all their dayes. Men heal their wounds slightly;
