A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Again, this work may be discovered by its Effects. There is something that is produced by it in the soul, which may also be considered either with respect unto its Being and Existence, or unto its Actings and Operations; in the first regard it is Spirit, Joh. 3. 6. That which is born of the Spirit, which is produced by the effectual operation of the Spirit of God, it is Spirit; A new Creature, 2 Cor. 15. 17. He that is in Christ Jesus, who is born again, is a new Creature, a new life, a spiritual life, Gal. 2. 20. Ephes. 2. 1. In brief, it is an habitual furnishment of all the faculties of the soul, with new spiritual vital principles, enabling a person in all instances of Obedience, to lead a spiritual life unto God. This principle is by this work produced in the soul; and in respect of its Actings, it consists in all the gracious operations of the Mind, Will, Heart or Affections in the duties of Obedience which God hath required of us. This is that which gives life unto our duties (without which the best of our works are but dead works) and renders them acceptable unto the Living God. It is not my business at large to pursue and declare these things; I only mention them, that persons who are kept back from a participation of the Consolation tendered from the forgiveness that is with God, because they cannot comfortably conclude that they are born again, as knowing that it is unto such persons alone unto whom these Consolations do truly and really belong, may know how to make a right judgement of themselves. Let such persons then not fluctuate up and down in Generals and Uncertainties, with heartless complaints, which is the ruin of the peace of their souls; but let them really put things to the trial, by the examination of the Causes and Effects of the work they enquire after. It is by the use of such means whereby God will be ⟨p. 347⟩pleased to give them all the Assurance and Establishment concerning their State and Condition which is needful for them, and which may give them encouragement in their course of obedience. But supposing all that hath been spoken; what if a man by the utmost search and enquiry that he is able to make, cannot attain any satisfactory persuasion that indeed this great work of Gods Grace hath passed upon his soul;