13. And how much sin, if their conscience is throughly awake, may they find _cleaving to their actions_ also? Nay, are there not many of these, which though they are such as the world would not condemn, yet cannot be commended, no nor excused, if we judge by the word of God? Are there not many of their actions, which they themselves know, are not _to the glory of God_? Many, wherein they did not even aim at this, which were not undertaken with an eye to God? And of those that were, are there not many, wherein their eye is not singly fixt on God? Wherein they are doing their own will, at least as much as his, and seeking to please themselves as much, if not more than to please God? And while they are endeavouring to do good to their neighbour, do they not feel wrong tempers of various kinds? Hence their good actions, so called, are far from being strictly such, being polluted with such a mixture of evil! Such are their works of _mercy_! And is there not the same mixture in their works of _piety_? While they are hearing the word which is able to save their souls, do they not frequently find such thoughts, as make them afraid, lest it should turn to their condemnation, rather than their salvation? Is it not often the same case, while they are endeavouring to offer up their prayers to God, whether in public, or private? Nay, while they are engaged in the most solemn service. Even while they are at the table of the Lord, what manner of thoughts arise in them? Are not their hearts sometimes wandering to the ends of the earth, sometimes filled with such imaginations, as make them fear, lest all their sacrifice should be an abomination to the Lord. So that they are more ashamed of their best duties, than they were once of their worst sins.
14. Again. How many _sins of omission_ are they chargeable with? We know the words of the apostle, _To him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin_. But do they not know a thousand instances, wherein they might have done good, to enemies, to strangers, to their brethren, either with regard to their bodies or their souls, and they did it not? How many omissions have they been guilty of, in their duty toward God? How many opportunities of communicating, of hearing his word, of public or private prayer have they neglected? So great reason had even that holy man archbishop _Usher_, after all his labours for God, to cry out, almost, with his dying breath, “Lord, forgive me my sins of omission.”
15. But besides these outward omissions, may they not find in themselves, _inward defects_ without number? Defects of every kind: they have not the love, the fear, the confidence they ought to have toward God. They have not the love which is due to their neighbour, to every child of man: no, nor even that which is due to their brethren, to every child of God; whether those that are at a distance from them, or those with whom they are immediately connected. They have no holy temper in the degree they ought: they are defective in every thing: in a deep consciousness of which they are ready to cry out with Mr. _de Renty_, “I am a ground all overrun with thorns:” or with _Job_, _I am vile: I abhor myself, and repent_ as _in dust and ashes_.
16. A conviction of their _guiltiness_ is another branch of that repentance which belongs to the children of God. But this is cautiously to be understood, and in a peculiar sense. For it is certain, _there is no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus_, that believe in him, and in the power of that faith, _walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit_. Yet can they no more bear the _strict justice_ of God now than before they believed. This pronounces them to be still _worthy of death_, on all the preceding accounts. And it would absolutely condemn them thereto, were it not for the atoning blood. Therefore they are throughly convinced, that they still _deserve_ punishment, altho’ it is hereby turned aside from them. But here there are extremes on one hand and on the other, and few steer clear of them. Most men strike on one or the other, either thinking themselves condemned, when they are not, or thinking they _deserve_ to be acquitted. Nay, the truth lies between: they still _deserve_, strictly speaking, only the damnation of hell. But what they deserve does not come upon them, because they _have an Advocate with the Father_. His life and death and intercession still interpose between them and condemnation.