Remains of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…Remaines of that excellent minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine being a collection…

Object. But you will say, are not our good duties signs of our right to Christ? doth not the Scripture say, [he that doth Righteousness is righteous?] I answer, good works are indeed a good sign of faith: but then you must look to this, that they be sincerely good. But ⟨p. 66⟩•ow many do conclude, because the work is done, that therefore they are in Christ, when as they do not look into the bottom of their duties, whether they be done in sincerity or hypocrisy, and so do but deceive their own souls by trusting to them; because their duties are not sincere. O my Brethren, how effectually are many Professors undone by this! That are so hardened in their estate, that it is more hard to bring them into Jesus Christ, than those that are openly profane. Thus it was observed in our Saviours ministry, that it was more hard to bring in the Self-justifying Pharisees, than the Self-condemning Publicans.

Object. But you will say, are not our good duties signs of our right to Christ? doth not the Scripture say, [he that doth Righteousness is righteous?] I answer, good works are indeed a good sign of faith: but then you must look to this, that they be sincerely good. But ⟨p. 66⟩•ow many do conclude, because the work is done, that therefore they are in Christ, when as they do not look into the bottom of their duties, whether they be done in sincerity or hypocrisie, and so do but deceive their own souls by trusting to them; because their duties are not sincere. O my Brethren, how effectually are many Professours undone by this! That are so hardned in their estate, that it is more hard to bring them into Jesus Christ, than those that are openly prophane. Thus it was observed in our Saviours ministry, that it was more hard to bring in the Self-justisying Pharisees, than the Self-condemning Publicans.

Secondly, Another mischief of this, is, this is the cause of so much pride and self-confidence in duty. Had Laodicea but made a due search into her duties, you should have heard another manner of speech from her. O my poverty! Hypocrisy! Deadness! Formality! Lord pity my woeful state! this would have been the language you would have heard from her: but now because she did not search into the bottom, this did lift her up; and made her think so well of her case. The reason why we are so well persuaded of our selves, is, because we do not see into our selves. Did we but throughly reflect upon, and search into our duties, when they are performed, we should run to God for pardoning grace. As Neh. last 22. Remember me O my God, for good. He did thus after his great zeal for God, and work of Reformation. He flies to God to pardon the sins of his duties, O Christian! if thou didst