(3.) There is Spiritual Self: Which is valuable, either in point of Justification, or Acceptance with God; or in point of Sanctification, and Conformity to him. Now as these Blessings cannot be severed from God's Glory, where they are really enjoyed; so they must not be severed in our Prayers, nor preferred before it. To ask Pardon as a separate Benefit, as it concerns our Ease and Quiet, not as it concerns God's Glory, is a Perversion and a Diversion of our Prayers. The main thing, which God intends should be the main thing in our Requests, is, the Praise of his glorious Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted ⟨p. 134⟩in the Beloved. Eph. 1. 6. And therefore this is the main thing which the Soul intends: Psal. 79. 9. Help us, O God of our Salvation, for the Glory of thy Name; and deliver us, and purge away our Sins, for thy Names sake. The Argument is not taken from themselves merely, or from their own Misery, but from God's Glory. If God could not be more glorified in our Pardon, and Acceptance with him, than in our Death and Damnation, it were an evil thing to desire Pardon. But now when God hath abundantly cleared up this to us, he is no Loser by Acts of Mercy; that this conduceth more to the exalting of his great Name, to accept poor Sinners to Mercy: the Soul goeth with the more confidence to beg it of God, that he would purge us from our Filthiness for his Names sake. But now Mens Thoughts are wholly taken up with their own Peace and Safety, and take no care for God's Honour; this is but a Selfish Request, or an Offer of Nature after Ease. For the other part, to ask for Grace, and Conformity to God's Will, merely as it is a Perfection of our Nature, abstractly from God's Glory; it is not a right Request: It is contrary to the very Nature of Grace, whose Tendency is to God in the first place, that his Name may be glorified, that we should be to the praise of his glorious Grace. Grace wrought in us, is but a Creature, and not to be preferred before the Creator. See how the Apostle prays, 2 Thess. 1. 11, 12. We pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this Calling, and fulfil all the good Pleasure of his Goodness, and the Work of Faith with Power:
(3.) There is Spiritual Self: Which is valuable, either in point of Justification, or Acceptance with God; or in point of Sanctification, and Conformity to him. Now as these Blessings cannot be severed from God's Glory, where they are really enjoyed; so they must not be severed in our Prayers, nor preferred before it. To ask Pardon as a separate Benefit, as it concerns our Ease and Quiet, not as it concerns God's Glory, is a Perversion and a Diversion of our Prayers. The main thing, which God intends should be the main thing in our Requests, is, the Praise of his glorious Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted ⟨p. 134⟩in the Beloved. Eph. 1. 6. And therefore this is the main thing which the Soul intends: Psal. 79. 9. Help us, O God of our Salvation, for the Glory of thy Name; and deliver us, and purge away our Sins, for thy Names sake. The Argument is not taken from themselves meerly, or from their own Misery, but from God's Glory. If God could not be more glorified in our Pardon, and Acceptance with him, than in our Death and Damnation, it were an evil thing to desire Pardon. But now when God hath abundantly cleared up this to us, he is no Loser by Acts of Mercy; that this conduceth more to the exalting of his great Name, to accept poor Sinners to Mercy: the Soul goeth with the more confidence to beg it of God, that he would purge us from our Filthiness for his Names sake. But now Mens Thoughts are wholly taken up with their own Peace and Safety, and take no care for God's Honour; this is but a Selfish Request, or an Offer of Nature after Ease. For the other part, to ask for Grace, and Conformity to God's Will, meerly as it is a Perfection of our Nature, abstractly from God's Glory; it is not a right Request: It is contrary to the very Nature of Grace, whose Tendency is to God in the first place, that his Name may be glorified, that we should be to the praise of his glorious Grace. Grace wrought in us, is but a Creature, and not to be preferred before the Creator. See how the Apostle prays, 2 Thess. 1. 11, 12. We pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this Calling, and fulfill all the good Pleasure of his Goodness, and the Work of Faith with Power:
