A brief discourse of justification. Wherein this doctrine is plainly laid down according to…

2. They whose hopes and comforts are measured ⟨p. 140⟩by their enlargements or straitnings in Duty. I know it is the duty of every Child of God to pray to him for Enlargements, and to mourn under Straitnings, his care to live to the Glory of God, and desire to lay himself out to the utmost for the promoting of it, will engage him to this: but when these are made the measure of mens confidence and comfort: when they are carried forth, and find an apprehended fullness of Spirit in their duties, they are now lifted up, and abundantly satisfied in their justified state, and Gods favourable acceptance of them; but if at any time they find a flagging of these, and they drive heavily in Duty, now their hopes also fail them, and they begin to call all in question, and doubt about it: such men do evidently place too much upon their own Righteousness, thinking that it is this which ingratiates them with God; and though there is too much of this frame in such as are justified, by reason of the remains of a legal Spirit which are in them: yet it is too often an Argument of a vain trust, and sign of one that hath not been broken off from himself: and how much of this was to be observed in that unjustified Pharisee? Luk. 18, 17. he doth not thank God for Jesus Christ but only for his attainments and enlargements.

2. They whose hopes and comforts are measured ⟨p. 140⟩by their enlargements or straitnings in Duty. I know it is the duty of every Child of God to pray to him for Enlargements, and to mourn under Straitnings, his care to live to the Glory of God, and desire to lay himself out to the utmost for the promoting of it, will engage him to this: but when these are made the measure of mens confidence and comfort: when they are carried forth, and find an apprehended fulness of Spirit in their duties, they are now lifted up, and abundantly satisfied in their justified state, and Gods favourable acceptance of them; but if at any time they find a flagging of these, and they drive heavily in Duty, now their hopes also fail them, and they begin to call all in question, and doubt about it: such men do evidently place too much upon their own Righteousness, thinking that it is this which ingraciates them with God; and though there is too much of this frame in such as are justified, by reason of the remains of a legal Spirit which are in them: yet it is too often an Argument of a vain trust, and sign of one that hath not been broken off from himself: and how much of this was to be observed in that unjustified Pharisee?