First, It endeavours to draw it off from a due consideration, apprehension and sensibleness of its own vileness, and the danger wherewith it is attended. This in the first place we shall instance in. ⟨p. 110⟩A due constant consideration of sin in its nature, in all its aggravating circumstances, in its end and tendency, especially as represented in the Blood and Cross of Christ ought always to abide with us. Jer. 2. 19. Know therefore and see, that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. Every sin is a forsaking of the Lord our God. If the heart know not, if it consider not, that it is an evil thing and a bitter, evil in it self, bitter in its effects, fruit and event, it will never be secured against it. Besides, that frame of heart which is most accepted with God in any sinner, is the humble, contrite, self-abasing frame: Isa. 57. 15. Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit: to revive the spirit of the humble, to revive the spirit of the contrite ones. See also Luk. 18. 13, 14. This becomes a sinner, no garment sits so decently about him. Be clothed with humility, saith the Apostle, 1 Pet. 5. 5. It is that which becomes us, and it is the only safe frame. He that walketh humbly walketh safely. This is the design of Peters advice, 1 Epist. 1. 17. Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. After that he himself had miscarried by another frame of mind, he gives this advice to all Believers; It is not a bondage, servile fear, disquieting and perplexing the soul, but such a fear as may keep men constantly calling upon the Father, with reference unto the final judgement, that they may be preserved from sin, whereof they were in so great danger, which he advises them unto. If ye call on the Father, who without respect of ⟨p. 111⟩persons judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. This is the humble frame of soul▪ and how is this obtained? how is this preserved? No otherwise but by a constant deep apprehension of the evil, vileness, and danger of sin. So was it wrought, so was it kept up in the approved Publican: God be merciful, saith he, to me a sinner: Sense of sin kept him humble, and humility made way for his access unto a testimony of the pardon of sin.
First, It endeavours to draw it off from a due consideration, apprehension and sensibleness of its own vileness, and the danger wherewith it is attended. This in the first place we shall instance in. ⟨p. 110⟩A due constant consideration of sin in its nature, in all its aggravating circumstances, in its end and tendency, especially as represented in the Blood and Cross of Christ ought alwaies to abide with us. Jer. 2. 19. Know therefore and see, that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast for saken the Lord thy God. Every sin is a forsaking of the Lord our God. If the heart know not, if it consider not, that it is an evil thing and a bitter, evil in it self, bitter in its effects, fruit and event, it will never be secured against it. Besides, that frame of heart which is most accepted with God in any sinner, is the humble, contrite, self-abasing frame: Isa. 57. 15. Thus saith the high and losty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit: to revive the spirit of the humble, to revive the spirit of the contrite ones. See also Luk. 18. 13, 14. This becomes a sinner, no garment sits so decently about him. Be cloathed with humility, saith the Apostle, 1 Pet. 5. 5. It is that which becomes us, and it is the only safe frame. He that walketh humbly walketh safely. This is the design of Peters advice, 1 Epist. 1. 17. Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. After that he himself had miscarried by another frame of mind, he gives this advice to all Believers; It is not a bondage, servile fear, disquieting and perplexing the soul, but such a fear as may keep men constantly calling upon the Father, with reference unto the final judgement, that they may be preserved from sin, whereof they were in so great danger, which he advises them unto. If ye call on the Father, who without respect of ⟨p. 111⟩persons judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. This is the humble frame of soul▪ and how is this obtained? how is this preserved? No otherwise but by a constant deep apprehension of the evil, vileness, and danger of sin. So was it wrought, so was it kept up in the approved Publican: God be merciful, saith he, to me a sinner: Sense of sin kept him humble, and humility made way for his access unto a testimony of the pardon of sin.
