The safety of appearing at the day of judgement, in the righteousness of Christ

Answer,

In general it is wrought by conviction: it is not wrought by the infusion of any new principle into him, the soul under this work is in a state of nature, neither is it wrought by mens own endeavours, Humiliation is not the fruit of mans industry, but is a thing forced on him by conviction: as men under the first work of the Spirit are by conviction forced to fear, and so by a work of conviction, they are compelled to yield themselves to God: their strong holds are pulled down, and they necessitated to resign themselves: God works this work by conviction.

In general it is wrought by conviction: it is not wrought by the infusion of any new principle into him, the soul under this work is in a state of nature, neither is it wrought by mens own endeavours, Humilation is not the fruit of mans industry, but is a thing forced on him by conviction: as men under the first work of the Spirit are by conviction forced to fear, and so by a work of conviction, they are compelled to yield themselves to God: their strong holds are pulled down, and they necessitated to resign themselves: God works this work by conviction.

Particularly 1. By giving him experience of the failing of all means: he sees no other way left, he has been trying to wring himself out of the hands of God: he has been turning every way, and refuge fails him: he sees all his carnal hopes fall flat to the ground: his carnal hopes vanish and dye away: he has been waiting for light, and behold obscurity: he has been trying all conclusions, every way he could devil and think of, turning every stone, he hoped by his prayers to make his heart better, and by his fastings and by his watchfulness: sometimes he thought if he had more terrors that would do, sometimes if he had more encouragements, then his heart would be better: he has tried the utmost ⟨p. 213⟩