2. The most eminent saints have no ground to boast —
[There never was a creature that had any righteousness of his own to plead. And if God has had mercy upon any, it was purely and entirely for his own name's sake^. Could we ascend to heaven, and ask the glorified saints what had been the ground of their acceptance, they would all " cast down their crowns at the feet of Jesus," and shout, with one consent, " Salvation to God and to the Lamb'M" Let the saints on earth then lie low before God, and say continually, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy na7ne be the praise."]
3. Persons of every description must guard dili- gently against pride and unbelief —
[Sin, of whatever kind, is both evil in itself and dangerous to us. But the consequences of pride and unbelief are peculiarly fatal. There is not any other sin which may not be forgiven, provided we seek mercy with real penitence and faith. But if we be too proud to confess our sins, and to plead the name and merits of Jesus for the forgiveness of them, we insure and seal our own condemnation. Let us then guard against all sins ; but especially against sins which rivet all our other sins upon us. So shall we obtain favour with God, and " be to him for a name and for a praise for evermore'."]
g Ezek.xxxvi.22,32. ^ Rgv.iv. 10. andvii. 10. ■Jer.xiii.ll.