A remedy against despair. Or Brief discourse wherein great sinners are encouraged, and directed…

3. This Consideration helps to humble us into a right frame in our coming to God for pardon. There is a right frame, and only the humble Soul hath it, and this is promoved by such thoughts divers ways.

1. It beats us off from our own Righteousness. When we go to God for remission, we would fain carry something of our own with us, to satisfy our pleadings withal, and encourage our hope for acceptance by, and this proceeds from pride, and is the principal reason why awakened Sinners stand off, and are not willing to apply themselves to God for it. But when our sin appears to be exceeding sinful, our hands are now knocked off, we lay aside all such pretensions; and now we are made to come as poor, miserable, blind, and naked Creatures. This makes true beggars of us, and puts us into the posture of the Publican, of whom, Luk. 18.13. The Publican standing afar off, ⟨p. 59⟩would not lift so much as his eyes unto heaven▪ but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. We now see that there is no other hope but what resolves entirely unto Gods mercy.

1. It beats us off from our own Righteousness. When we go to God for remission, we would fain carry something of our own with us, to satisfie our pleadings withal, and encourage our hope for acceptance by, and this proceeds from pride, and is the principal reason why awakened Sinners stand off, and are not willing to apply themselves to God for it. But when our sin appears to be exceeding sinful, our hands are now knocked off, we lay aside all such pretensions; and now we are made to come as poor, miserable, blind, and naked Creatures. This makes true beggars of us, and puts us into the posture of the Publican, of whom, Luk. 18.13. The Publican standing afar off, ⟨p. 59⟩