this is a general unknown ill that destroys the world, and yet few are
convinced of it, how hard it is to be driven out of ourselves, and to seek
life in another. O know, that it is in a manner the crucifying of a man's
self thus to deny himself,--to have a sort of righteousness, and not to
trust in it. Who is he that cannot endure to look upon himself for moral
vileness? Alas, men flatter themselves in their own eyes, and look with a
more favourable eye on their own actions, than they ought! Who is he that
abhors himself even for abominable works? But who shall be found to abhor
himself for his most religious and best actions? Who casts these out of
his sight as unclean and menstruous things? Therefore, I say, though thy
righteousness were equal to, or exceeded any Pharisee's righteousness,
thou canst not enter into heaven. The poor publican, that was a vile and
profane sinner, yet had a righteousness exceeding the Pharisee's. Though
he had none of his own, yet he had a righteousness without blemish, of
Christ's purchasing, having by faith fled to the mercy of God, in and
through a Mediator. It is not more doing, more praying, more exact
walking, that can make you more righteous in God's account, in order to
absolution from law-condemnation, than the profanest and most wretched
sinner. But the baser and viler thou be in thine own eyes, the more thou
hidest thy best doings from thine eyes, and lookest on thy uncleanness,
and betakest thyself to Christ, his unspotted and perfect righteousness,
the more honourable and precious thou art in his eyes. Therefore, God is
said to dwell in the heart of the humble and contrite one, not for the
worth of his humility and repentance; no, no, but for the pleasure he hath
in the Well-beloved's righteousness. That is the beautiful garment, only
in the eye of a humbled soul, that seeth nothing in itself desirable.

Therefore, I wish that this conjunction which is made in the gospel, were
also engraven in your hearts, and on your practices, that is, that you
would seek after holiness, without which no man shall see God. Seek to
perfect it in the fear of God, but not as though ye were to be thereby
justified. Seek it with that diligence and earnest study, as if ye were to
be saved by it, and yet seek it, so as to be denied to your diligence, or
as if ye sought it not at all. How sweet a conjunction were this in the
Christian's practice, to walk and run so after the prize, as if his
walkin