Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

The second difference is in the beginning and ending of ¹that strength, that is it hath another Alpha and Omega: for the strength of the spiritual man is wrought by the spirit and word of God, as thus, the principles of Religion being taught him out of Gods word, hence there is spiritual strength secretly conveyed into the soul: for I say no man can receive the spirit, or this spiritual strength but by the Gospel, therefore consider what the goodness is that you have, and how you came by it, whether it came by the Gospel or no; if it did you shall know it by these particulars.

1. 12. Differ.

First, Examine whether ever thou wert humbled: that is ¹examine whether by the Preaching of the Law you have had such a fight of sin, that hath broken your hearts. If thus in the first place you came by it, it is a sign that it is the true growth, for this is the first work of the spirit when it comes to change the heart of a Christian, and to make him a new creature it deeply humbleth him.

1. 11.

Secondly, Examine whether there hath followed a comfortable conviction and manifestation of Gods love in Christ, which hath not only wrought joy and comfort against the former fear, but also a burning and affectionate desire after Christ and Holiness. Therefore if the Holiness that is in you be thus wrought it doth proceed from the spirit, for this orderly proceeding of the spirit doth make it manifest. But as for the natural strength, it hath no such beginning: it is not wholly wrought by the word: it may be he hath been a little humbled and comforted by the word, but it is not throughly and soundly, but it is a overly habitual strength of nature picked out of observations and example.