Chap. 9. AnExpofition non the Sookaf j O II Verf. 35. and I doubt not but I fhd be what I am ; ,fillperfect beforeGod, and uprightwith men. Andif fo, why may. rot I have boldnefs to come unto God, and fpeak, freely with him? They who are fincere withGod, mayhavegreat boldnefs in coming.unto God. upright- tiers bath boldnefs with men ; and uprightnefs hath boldnefs towards God. Though no uprightnefs or righteoufbefs in man can give him boldnefs in himfelf, : yet it may give him boldnefs in another. He may be affured, that though he cannot be ac- cepted for his uprightnefs, yet being upright be /ball be accept- ed. SecOndly,Others read it negatively, I wouldfpeak, andnot fear him, for I am not right in,or with myfelf, And fo the fenfe may be made out thus, I have not gone about tojuJtifte myPelfall this while, I have not flood upon my own righteoufnefspleading with God; if my righteoufneJi were inmyfelf,then I mightfear tofpcakwith God, though his fear fhou'd notterrifie me, and though be (hould takeaway his rodfrom me ; but Ihavea better bottom then my own, I am not right in myPelf, I am right only in the free grace ofGod, and in the righteoufnefs of my redeemer. According to this expofitionhe re- turneth to his firtt propolition, laid down in the fecond verle of this Chapter, Now fhouldman be pelf or righteous withGod?, I ant not right inmyfelf ; as I laid in the beginning:ofmy anfwer, Man is not righteous fo I now conclude in my own particular cafe, I am not righteous in my felf : and being righteous in another, if God would but giveniea little refpit from thefe lorrows,I would (peak and not be afraid. This teaches us, Firil, That the confidence and holy boldnefr which theSainte bave in coming unto God, is grounded upon the righteoufnefs of Gbrijf, not upon any worthinefsin tbemfehes. Secondly, Obferve, He that is moll upright in heart, is moll forwardto acknowledge, andmff conflantrn acknowledgingbis-ownunrighteoufnefs. They whoare moil proud, are moll empty. And they who have lead, ufually fpcak with themot}. Sincerity rates it fell low; I am not right, that is, righteous, faithupright fob. Thirdly, (Say others) I am not right inmyPelf; that is, I am at prefent uncompofed and t nfettled inmy own fpitit : As ifJ,b had Paid, I defire that-the-Lordwould remove his fear andmitigate my affiallons,tbat I might f pea with himandnot fear, for asyeti am not right inmyfelf,myfpirit isfo overwhelmed, andmy thought: are 407
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