The warnings and exhortations on this subject has caused the "Narrator" to lose a lot of sleep. But maybe this is a good thing.

When men find their affections are still quick, active, and intent on other things, such as the lawful enjoyments and comforts of this life, it is in vain to relieve themselves by thinking the decays they find are in their natural affections, and not (as they ought to be) gracious. If we see a man in his old age grow more in love with the things of this world, and less in love with the things of God, it is not through the weakness of nature, but through the strength of sin.

My reason for confining the query to the grace of faith, is from the difficulty that I find in ascertaining the truth of my love, repentance, opposition to sin, and even my obedience itself, unless all of these appear to flow in me from faith in Christ as their principle. "Another reason is, in examining myself as to my state or frame, I find that if my conscience is mistaken or ignorant of the rule of God's word, then all the conclusions resulting from comparing my heart and ways with it, must be wrong and uncertain in the same degree as my conscience is erroneous, and its testimony false.

The extraordinary nature of this fire, it consumed "the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench," thus making it quite obvious that this was a fire whose agency nothing could resist. In each instance the action of this fire was downwards, which is contrary to the nature of all earthly fire. No trickery was at work here, but a supernatural power that removed every ground of suspicion in the spectators, leaving them face to face with the might and majesty of Him they had so grievously slighted.

Persons every day fall under great and effectual convictions of sin, and of their danger or certain misery thereby. This stirs up and acts all their affections, especially their fears, hopes, desires, sorrow, self-revenge, according as their condition calls for them. Hence sometimes they grow restless in their complaints, and turn themselves every way for relief, like men that are out of the way and bewildered in the night.