The sound believer, or, A treatise of evangelical conversion discovering the work of Christs…The sound beleever, or, A treatise of evangelicall conversion discovering the work of Christs…

SECT. IV. The third Act of Christs power, which is Humiliation.

The Lord Jesus having thus broken the heart by compunction, is not like a foolish builder that leaves off his work before he hath fully finished it, and therefore ⟨p. 124⟩having thus wounded a poor sinner, he goes on to humble him also; for though in a large sense a wounded contrite sinner is an humble sinner, yet strictly taken there is a great difference between them; and therefore, he is said to dwell with the contrite and humble, ¹i. e. not only with those that be wounded with sin, but humbled for sin; although it is certain the soul is seldom or never effectually wounded, but it is also humbled at the same time. A man may be wounded sore even unto death, and yet the pride of the man is such that he will not fall down before him that smites him: so it is with many a poor sinner, the Lord hath sorely wounded him that he will resist no more, yet he will rather fly to his duties to heal him, or dye alone and sink under his discouragements, then stoop. Oh beloved, man must down, before the Lord Christ will take him up: and therefore in Isay 40.5, 6, 7. the glory of the Lord is promised to be revealed; but what means must be used for this end? Cry, saith the Lord; what should I cry? saith he; the Lord answers that all flesh is grass, and that the glory of it fades, and that the people are this grass; i. e. not only that mens sins are vile, but that themselves also are grass, nay their glory and excellency is withering and fading; and therefore not only mountains must be pulled ⟨p. 125⟩down, but all flesh, and the glory of it wither, before the Lord shall be revealed.

THe Lord Jesus having thus broken the heart by compunction, is not like a foolish builder that leaves off his work before he hath fully finished it, and therefore ⟨p. 124⟩