John Owen: How unsafe it is to stand before God's tribunal pleading anything within ourselves

"There was of old a direction for the visitation of the sick, composed, as they say, by Anselm, and published by Casparus Ulenbergius, which expresses a better sense of these things [i.e., on what grounds we might or could be justified in the sight of God] than some seem to be convinced of: . . . 'Dost thou believe that thou canst not be saved but by the death of Christ? The sick man answers, "Yes," then let it be said unto him, Go to, then, and whilst thy soul abideth in thee, put all thy confidence in this death alone, place thy trust in no other thing; commit thyself wholly to this death, cover thyself wholly with this alone, cast thyself wholly on this death, wrap thyself wholly in this death. And if God would judge thee, say, "Lord, I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and thy judgment; and otherwise I will not contend or enter into judgment with thee." And if he shall say unto thee that thou art a sinner, say, "I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and my sins." If he shall say unto thee that thou hast deserved damnation, say, "Lord, I put the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between thee and all my sins; and I offer his merits for my own, which I should have, and have not." If he say that he is angry with thee, say, "Lord, I place the death of our Lord Jesus Christ between me and thy anger."' Those who gave these directions seem to have been sensible of what it is to appear before the tribunal of God, and how unsafe it will be for us there to insist on any thing in ourselves." (John Owen, Justification)