( 8 )
with gospel-grace, wrought on them, issuing in a thorough humiliation; breaking down their natural self-conceit; tumbling down their towering imaginations about themselves, which they had in their state of blindness, bringing them, in their own eyes, from the consistence of mountains to that of worms, and convincing them they are, have, and can do nothing, Luke xv. 17. I Cor. x.4,5.
2dly. Actually humbled, in respect of their frame; as the worm dill retains its creeping way, on the mountains as in the valley; so God's people do difficulties to be happily surmounted, still keep up the sense of their own utter emptiness and weakness for them, 2 Cor. iii. 5. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God." If the worm Jacob, being so well again, he will be so unwieldy, that he will thresh the mountains till he fall anew, 2 Cor. xiii. II.
3dly, Despising creatures. As the lofty mountains cover the crawling worms, so doth the carnal world contemn worm Jacob, Psal. xxii. 6. "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." And, Psal. xxxii. 4. "Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." Though they may value worm Jacob for his gifts, which he has in common with themselves, they will
