We paid nothing for God's love; nothing for Christ, the Son of his love; nothing for his Spirit, the fruit of his love; nothing for sanctifying grace and faith, the effects of his Spirit dwelling and working in our hearts; nothing for pardon, we have all freely; nothing for daily bread, protection, maintenance; and shall pay nothing for glory, when we come to receive it: "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21). It is all without our merit, and against merit: we should regard this, especially when we are apt to say in our hearts, This is for our righteousness; as Haman thought none so fit for honour and preferment as himself: Haman thought so in his heart (Esther vi. 6). So proud-hearted, self-conceited sinners say in their hearts, God seeth more in them than in others. Alas! you are not only unworthy of Christ, the Spirit, grace, and glory, but the air you breathe in, and the ground you tread upon. What did the Lord see in you to judge you meet for such an estate? "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth" (Gen. xxxii. 10).
—Thomas Manton
