4. A sure effect of our having formed this right judgment, of the sinfulness and helplessness of our nature, is a disregard of that _honour which cometh of man_, which is usually paid to some supposed excellency in us. He who knows himself, neither desires nor values the applause which he knows he deserves not. It is therefore _a very small thing with_ him, _to be judged by man’s judgment_. He has all reason to think, by comparing what it has said either for or against him, with what he feels in his own breast, that the world, as well as the God of this world, was _a liar from the beginning_. And even as to those who are not of the world, though he would chuse, if it were the will of God, that they should account of him as of one desirous to be found a faithful steward of his Lord’s goods, if haply this might be a means of enabling him to be of more use to his fellow-servants, yet as this is the one end of his wishing for their approbation, so he does not at all rest upon it. For he is assured, that whatever God wills, he can never want instruments to perform; since he is able, even of these stones, to raise up servants to do his pleasure.
5. This is that lowliness of mind, which they have learned of _Christ_, who follow his example and tread in his steps. And this knowledge of their disease, whereby they are more and more cleansed from one part of it, pride and vanity, disposes them to embrace, with a willing mind, the second thing implied in _circumcision of heart_, that faith which alone is able to make them whole, which is the one medicine given under heaven to heal their sickness.
6. The best guide of the blind, the surest light of them that are in darkness, the most perfect instructor of the foolish, is faith. But it must be such a faith as is _mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong-holds_, to the overturning all the prejudices of corrupt reason, all the false maxims revered among men; all evil customs and habits; all that _wisdom of the world_ which _is foolishness with God_; as _casteth down imaginations_ (reasonings) _and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringeth into captivity every thought to the obedience of_ Christ.
7. _All things are possible to him that_ thus _believeth: the eyes of his understanding being enlightened_, he _sees_ what is his calling, even to _glorify God_, who hath _bought him with_ so high _a price, in his body and in his spirit, which now are God’s_ by redemption, as well as by creation. He feels what is _the exceeding greatness of his power_, who as he raised up _Christ_ from the dead, so is able to quicken us, _dead in sin, by his Spirit which dwelleth in us. This is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith_: that faith which is not only an unshaken assent to all that God hath revealed in scripture, and in particular to those important truths, _Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; he bare our sins in his own body on the tree; he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world_: [2]But likewise the revelation of _Christ_ in our hearts; a divine evidence or conviction of his love, his free, unmerited love to me a sinner, a sure confidence in his pardoning mercy, wrought in us by the Holy Ghost: a confidence, whereby every true believer is enabled to bear witness, _I know that my Redeemer liveth_; that _I have an Advocate with the Father_; that _Jesus Christ the righteous is_ my Lord, and _the propitiation for_ my _sins_. I know he _hath loved_ me, _and given himself for_ me. He _hath reconciled_ me, _even_ me _to God_; and I _have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins_.
8. Such a faith as this, cannot fail to shew evidently the power of him that inspires it, by delivering his children from the yoke of sin, and _purging_ their _consciences from dead works_: by strengthning them so, that they are no longer constrained to _obey sin in the desires thereof_; but instead of _yielding their members unto_ it _as instruments of unrighteousness_, they now _yield_ themselves entirely _unto God, as those that are alive from the dead_.