Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

Our Saviour prescribes this indispensable Rule to his Disciples, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me. This is a comprehensive Fundamental Duty, and the natural Man has a strong Reluctancy to every part of it.

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⟩