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mine own sin, and make some satisfaction. Let sin break thy heart, but not thy hope in the gospel.
Look more at justification than sanctification. In the highest commands consider Christ, not as an exacter, to require, but as a debtor, an undertaker, to work. It thou hast looked at thy resolutions, endeavours, workings, duties, qualifications, &c. more than at the merits of Christ, it will cost thee dear. No wonder thou goest mourning : graces may be evidences, the merits of Christ alone without them must be the foundation of thy hope. Christ only can be the hope of glory, Col. i. 27.
If nature had been to contrive the way of salvation, it would rather have put it into the hands of saints and angels to sell it, than into the hands of Christ, who gives freely, whom therefore it suspects. Nature would set up a way to purchase by doing: therefore it abominates the merits of Christ, as the most destructive thing to it. Nature would do any thing to be saved, rather than go to Christ, or close with Christ, and owe all to him. Christ will have nothing, but the soul would thrust somewhat of its own upon Christ. Here is the great controversy. Consider-didst thou ever yet see the merits of Christ, and the infinite satisfaction made by his death?
