The Method of Grace

As it is a blind and ignorant heart, so it's a selfish heart by nature: all its designs and aims terminate in Self: this is the Centre and weight of the soul, no righteousness but its own is sought after, that, or none, Rom. 10. 3. now for a soul to renounce and deny Self in all its forms, modes, and interests, as every one doth that cometh to Christ; To disclaim and deny natural, moral, and religious Self and come to Christ, as a poor, miserable, wretched, empty creature; to live upon ⟨p. 80⟩his righteousness for ever, is as supernatural and wonderful, as to see the hills and mountains start from their bases and Centres, and fly like wandering Atoms in the Air.

As it is a blind and ignorant heart, so it's a selfish heart by nature: all its designs and aims terminate in Self: this is the Centre and weight of the soul, no righteousness but its own is sought after, that, or none, Rom. 10. 3. now for a soul to renounce and deny Self in all its forms, modes, and interests, as every one doth that cometh to Christ; To disclaim and deny natural, moral, and religious Self and come to Christ, as a poor, miserable, wretched, empty creature; to live upon ⟨p. 80⟩his righteousness for ever, is as supernatural and wonderful, as to see the hills and mountains start from their bases and Centres, and flye like wandering Atomes in the Air.

Nay this heart which is to come to Christ is not only dark and selfish, but full of pride. O 'tis a desperate proud heart by nature, it cannot submit to come to Christ as Benhadad's servants came to the King of Israel with sackcloth on their loins, and ropes upon their heads. To take guilt, shame and confusion of face to our selves, and acknowledge the righteousness of God in our eternal damnation; to come to Christ naked and empty as one that justifies the ungodly; I say nature left to it self, would as soon be damned as do this: the proud heart can never come to this, till the Lord have humbled and broken it by his power.