The second Proposition, namely, that, Justification by Faith (in the sense before explained) is the aptest medium to establish solid peace in the bosom of a poor sensible Sin••r, may appear by comparing Works and Faith together. Send a poor Sinner to his own Righteousness, which is of the Law, sc. his own good works, Holiness, Fasting, Prayer, or the best Service that ever he did for God, they can afford him little ground of Confidence; alas, hinc illae lachry•ae, hence his fears, and doubts, and diffidence do arise; His Prayers need Pardon, his Tears need washing, 1his very Righteousness will Condemn him; here is no place for the sole of his foot to stand upon If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord, 2who shall stand? 3This was that which scared Paul from coming to the Law for Justification. Why, saith he, I through the Law, am dead to the Law, q. d. That I seek not to the Law for Justification and Life; The Law may thank it self; I come to the Law for Justification, and it convinceth me of sin: I plead my innocence, that I am not so great a Sinner as others are; I plead my Righteousness, my duties, and good meanings, and good desires; and it tells me, They are all too light; the best of my duties will not save me, but the least of my sins will damn me. It tells me, mine own Righteousnesses do, 4as filthy rags, defile me; and my duties themselves do witness against me: I plead Repentance, and it laughs me to scorn; It tells me, my Repentance needs Pardon, and my Tears need washing: Besides, if they were never so good, What careth it for my Repentance? It looketh for my Obedience, perfect, and personal, which, because I have not, it tells me, I am Cursed, and pronounceth Sentence; and when it hath so done, it hath no mercy at all for me, though I seek it carefully with ⟨p. 156⟩Tears. What can I expect from so severe a Judg? I'll come no more at that Tribunal: Behold, I appeal to the Gospel; there Repentance will pass, and Tears will find pity; there imperfect obedience (so sincere) will find acceptance, (though not to Justification.) There, there is a better Righteousness provided for me; an exact perfect Righteousness; as perfect, as that of the Law; for it is (indeed) the very Righteousness of the Law; though not performed by me, yet by my Surety for me, The Lord my Righteousness. I, here's a foundation for the feet of my Faith to stand upon;
The second Proposition, namely, that, Justification by Faith (in the sense before explained) is the aptest medium to establish solid peace in the bosom of a poor sensible Sin••r, may appear by comparing Works and Faith together. Send a poor Sinner to his own Righteousness, which is of the Law, sc. his own good works, Holmess, Fasting, Prayer, or the best Service that ever he did for God, they can afford him little ground of Confidence; alas, hinc illae lachry•ae, hence his fears, and doubts, and diffidence do arise; His Prayers need Pardon, his Tears need washing, 1his very Righteousness will Condemn him; here is no place for the sole of his foot to stand upon• If thou, Lord, should'st mark iniquity, O Lord, 2who shall stand? 3This was that which scared Paul from coming to the Law for Justification. Why, saith he, I through the Law, am dead to the Law, q. d. That I seek not to the Law for Justification and Life; The Law may thank it self; I come to the Law for Justification, and it convinceth me of sin: I plead my innocence, that I am not so great a Sinner as others are; I plead my Righteousness, my duties, and good meanings, and good desires; and it tells me, They are all too leight; the best of my duties will not save me, but the least of my sins will damn me. It tells me, mine own Righteousnesses do, 4as filthy rags, defile me; and my duties themselves do witness against me: I plead Repentance, and it laughs me to scorn; It tells me, my Repentance needs Pardon, and my Tears need washing: Besides, if they were never so good, What careth it for my Repentance? It looketh for my Obedience, perfect, and personal, which, because I have not, it tells me, I am Cursed, and pronounceth Sentence; and when it hath so done, it hath no mercy at all for me, though I seek it carefully with ⟨p. 156⟩Tears. What can I expect from so severe a Judg? Il'e come no more at that Tribunal: Behold, I appeal to the Gospel; there Repentance will pass, and Tears will find pitty; there imperfect obedience (so sincere) will find acceptance, (though not to Justification.) There, there is a better Righteousness provided for me; an exact perfect Righteousness; as perfect, as that of the Law; for it is (indeed) the very Righteousness of the Law; though not performed by me, yet by my Surety for me, The Lord my Righteousness. I, here's a foundation for the feet of my Faith to stand upon;
- 1Job. 10.
- 2Psal. 30.3.
- 3Gal. 2.19.
- 4Job. 9.20.21.
