9
sin, thou renouncest Christ the righteous, who was made sin for thee, 2 Cor. v. 21.
Satan may quote, and corrupt, but he cannot answer Scripture. It is Christ's word of mighty authority. Christ foileth Satan with it, Matth. iv. 10. In all the Scripture there is not a hard word against a poor sinner, stript of self-righteousness. Nay, it plainly points him out to be the subject of the grace of the gospel, and none else. Believe but Christ's willingness, and that thou canst believe; remember it is Christ's work to make thee believe. He works to will and to do of his good pleasure, Phil. ii. 13. By grace thou art saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God. Plead with him for that gift, Eph. ii. 8. Christ is the author and finisher of faith, put him to it. Mourn for thine unbelief, which is setting up guilt in the conscience above Christ, undervaluing the merits of Christ, accounting his blood an unholy, a common, and unsatisfying thing.
Thou complainest much of thyself; doth thy sin make thee look more at Christ, less at thyself, that is right; otherwise, complaining is but hypocrisy. To be looking at duties, graces, enlargements, when thou shouldst be looking at Christ, is self righteousness, and pitifully looking at them will make thee proud; looking at Christ's
