The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

2. We are not duly ashamed of our selves for our Sin. And this follows upon the former for all excuses are but fig-leaves to cover o• own nakedness with; they are but pretence on which we may hold up our heads with the more confidence, whiles our mouths are no• stopped, but we have something to plead for our selves, we do not express the due abasement that God looks for of us, till we can come to say as he, Ezra. 9. 6. I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face, &c. A proud confession will never find acceptance with him, who seeth th• proud afar off: the lower we lie in the du•• the nearer we are to find him.

2. We are not duly ashamed of our selves for our Sin. And this follows upon the former for all excuses are but fig-leaves to cover o• own nakedness with; they are but pretence on which we may hold up our heads with the more confidence, whiles our mouths are no• stopt, but we have something to plead for our selves, we do not express the due abasement that God looks for of us, till we can come to say as he, Ezra. 9. 6. I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face, &c. A proud confession will never find acceptance with him, who seeth th• proud afar off: the lower we ly in the du•• the nearer we are to find him.

3. We do not duly Justify God in our acknowledgements. When we think our selves not […] much to blame as others, when we lay the fa•• on Satan or his Instruments, when we complain of Gods withdrawings, or Providential exposing us to Temptation, when we charge him for not affording us his assistances, and thereupon think it over severe for him to proceed with us according to the rigour of the Law; in all which we reflect on, and do not Justify him: how then should be receive such a Confession.