(Mark xvi. 16. John xvi. 8, 9, Born. vii. 24.) This sight and sense of things worketh in him sorrow and shame for sin; he findeth, moreover, revealed in him the Saviour of the world, and the absolute necessity of closing with him for life; at the which he findeth hungerings and thirstings after him; to which hungerings. etc, the promise is made. (Ps. xxxviii.18. Jer. xxxi. 19. Mattiv. 6. Acts iv. 12. Gal. i. 1.5, 16. Rev. xxi. 6.) Now, according to the strength or weakness of his faith in. his Saviour, so is his joy and peace, so is his love to holiness, so are his desires to know him. more, and also to serve him in this world. But though I say it discovereth itself thus unto him, yet it is but seldom that he is able to conclude that this is a work of grace; because his corruptions now, and his abused reason, make his mind to misjudge in this matter: therefore in him that hath this work there is required a very sound judgment before he can with steadiness conclude that this is a work of grace.
To others it is thus discovered:—
First, By an experimental confession of faith in Christ. Secondly, By a life answerable to that confession; to wit, a life of holiness—heart-holiness, familys holiness (if he hath a family), and by conversation-holiness in the world: which in the general teacheth him inwardly to abhor his sin. and himself for that, in secret; to suppress it in his family, and to promote holiness in the world; not by talk only, as a hypocrite or talkative person! may do, but by a practical subjection in faith and love to the power of the word. (Ps. 1. Ezek. xx. 43, 44. Matt. v. 8. John xiv. 15. Rom. x. 9, 10. Phil. iii. 17–20.) And now, sir, as to this brief description of the work of grace, and also the discovery of it, if you have aught to object, object; if not, then give me leave to propound to you a second question.
Talk. Nay, my part is not now to object, but to hear: let me, therefore have your second question.
Faith. It is this: Do you experience this first part of the
