The application of redemption

1. Do not set too high a price upon our own performances, and overween our worth, and over value the services ⟨p. 275⟩we do, for that is a root of bitterness, and a cause of these Hellish risings; when we secretly conceit God doth not consider our care, and the weight of our work and endeavour; if he did, he would otherwise reward us: As Taul saith, Rom. 9. 20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? 2. Beware, I say, beware of bringing the righteous Command, and holy Law of God, which discovers our sins, and requires our Duties, and our ability and feebleness together; as though the power and principle of the Work must come from us, and we go out in that. For there will follow bigh and hellish provocations, fierce and fell rebellions against the Lord, when out of thine own heart thou dost tug against thine own heart and corruption: for instead of the first principle of working (which is not in us, but in the Lord Jesus) we become the first principle of sinning; and then direful and dreadful effects will follow, which I profess I am afraid to speak, lest I should occasion some tender hearts through mistakes to question. 3. Check and […] all those risings with that of the Apostle, Rom. 9 21, 22. What if God will not? and deny any Spiritual power of thine own, and stand still, and expect no principle of any performance in thy self, but that which is from God, in and by his Word, and let him alone with thy heart: Say, I have nothing, it's fit I should have nothing it's righteous that God should give me nothing. I do not expect to do any Spiritual good of my self, nor yet expect that God should give me Grace for what I do (because all that I do is sin) only I know it is with him to do what he will; the will, the power, and the work is all from him; therefore I will lie in his way, and be at the pool, it may be he will cast me in: I know he can, and who knows but he may, if not, I have no reason to rise up against him.

1. Do not set too high a price upon our own performances, and overween our worth, and over value the services ⟨p. 275⟩we do, for that is a root of bitterness, and a cause of these Hellish risings; when we secretly conceit God doth not consider our care, and the weight of our work and endeavor; if he did, he would otherwise reward us: As Taul saith,