1. Self-dependence upon our own Virtues and Duties for the obtaining the Favour of God, and the Eternal Reward, is very natural to Men: it was the Condition of the first Covenant, to which they cleave. Men of a fair Conversation, and unblemished in the Eyes of the World, have some Sparks of the Pharisee in them, who justified himself, that he was no Extortioner, nor Unjust, nor an Adulterer, nor as the profane Publican; and that he fasted and paid Tithes. Upon such Reasons many presume of the Goodness and Safety of their Spiritual State: they take Pride and Content in themselves, in their Moral Goodness, and do not feel the want of a Saviour, nor apply themselves with humble mournful Affections to him for Reconciliation to God. Others think by the Worthiness of their Works to compensate for the Unworthiness of their Sins, to commute ⟨p. 240⟩one Duty for another, and balance their Accounts with Heaven, not considering that if their Works were perfectly good, they are but the Performance of their Duty, if they had never sinned. It was one great Obstruction that hindered the Jews from receiving the Gospel: They being ignorant of 1God's Righteousness, and going about to establish their own Righteousness, did not submit themselves to the Righteousness of God. One of a high Spirit will rather wear a mean Garment of his own, than a rich Livery, the Mark of Servile Dependence. Pride resists Grace, and Grace resists Pride. The Law of Faith requires us to renounce not only our Unrighteousness, but our Righteousness, even the most excellent Graces and the Fruits of them, in comparison of Christ, and as a Foundation of obtaining the Pardon of Sin▪ and Salvation for ever. Our ⟨p. 241⟩Righteousness is defective and defiled, and cannot endure the trial of God's enlightening Tribunal. All our Doings and Sufferings cannot expiate the least Sin; we must only rely upon the Lord our Righteousness, to reconcile us to God, and that we may stand in Judgment. He was made Sin 2for us, who knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him, not in our selves.
1. Self-dependance upon our own Vertues and Duties for the obtaining the Favour of God, and the Eternal Reward, is very natural to Men: it was the Condition of the first Covenant, to which they cleave. Men of a fair Conversation, and unblemish'd in the Eyes of the World, have some Sparks of the Pharisee in them, who justified himself, that he was no Extortioner, nor Unjust, nor an Adulterer, nor as the profane Publican; and that he fasted and paid Tithes. Upon such Reasons many presume of the Goodness and Safety of their Spiritual State: they take Pride and Content in themselves, in their Moral Goodness, and do not feel the want of a Saviour, nor apply themselves with humble mournful Affections to him for Reconciliation to God. Others think by the Worthiness of their Works to compensate for the Unworthiness of their Sins, to commute ⟨p. 240⟩one Duty for another, and ballance their Accounts with Heaven, not considering that if their Works were perfectly good, they are but the Performance of their Duty, if they had never sinn'd. It was one great Obstruction that hinder'd the Jews from receiving the Gospel: They being ignorant of 1God's Righteousness, and going about to establish their own Righteousness, did not submit themselves to the Righteousness of God. One of a high Spirit will rather wear a mean Garment of his own, than a rich Livery, the Mark of Servile Dependance. Pride resists Grace, and Grace resists Pride. The Law of Faith requires us to renounce not only our Unrighteousness, but our Righteousness, even the most excellent Graces and the Fruits of them, in comparison of Christ, and as a Foundation of obtaining the Pardon of Sin▪ and Salvation for ever. Our ⟨p. 241⟩Righteousness is defective and defiled, and cannot endure the trial of God's inlightning Tribunal. All our Doings and Sufferings cannot expiate the least Sin; we must only rely upon the Lord our Righteousness, to reconcile us to God, and that we may stand in Judgment. He was made Sin 2for us, who knew no Sin, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him, not in our selves.
- 1Rom. 10. 3.
- 22 Cor. 5. 21.
