Thus, being ignorant of God’s righteousness; the way of becoming righteous, or justified, which he hath appointed, he went about to establish his own righteousness, expecting to be justified by the works of the law, and not by the faith of Jesus Christ.
He became wearied in the multitude of his counsels, and seeking not in God’s way it fared with him accordingly. For still, although he sought for rest, he found it not, because he sought it not aright. These were indeed the days of his invincible ignorance, at which therefore the God of love graciously winked. He knew not, because as yet he had no one to teach him. “How (as he says) could I do otherwise? I had not the bible to instruct me; for I never had read it, except a little at school, when I was about eleven years old. Woe to you (he adds) ye blind guides (meaning the Romish clergy) ye have taken away the key of knowledge, that is, the word of God from the people. It is this which unfolds the hidden treasures of his will, and free grace towards mankind. While therefore I remained ignorant of this, no wonder that I went on in error, and fought as one that beateth the air.”
But now the true teacher began more powerfully to manifest himself to him, although as yet he knew him not. The spirit of truth proceeding from the Father and the Son, wrought in him daily, a still deeper solicitude about his salvation. Among others of his reflections in reference thereto, he began to think more seriously than ever, of the doctrine of the church of Rome, and of his own connexions with her; resolving that whatever might be the consequence, he would, both do, and avoid, whatever appeared to him, nay in any measure contribute to the true life of his soul. Thus, hitherto
“Drawn by a secret power he flew,
Nor stay’d to prop the papal throne,
The truth determined to pursue,
And panting for a God unknown;
By works of legal righteousness,
He blindly sought the grace t’obtain,
But could not find the paths of peace,