Free justification - Second.

Herman Witsius has written:

“2dly. This doctrine is likewise calculated for the humility of the sinner, from whom it cuts off all boasting, that the glory may remain unstained to God alone. “What hast thou, O man, to boast of? What, wherewith thou canst stand before the tribunal of God? Good works? But all thy righteousnesses are as filthy rags, Isa. lxiv. 6. If thou leanest on them, they are, Pope Adrian VI, himself being Judge, like the staff of a reed which shall break, and pierce thy leaning hand. Perhaps thou wilt boast of thy faith, as if by the excellency of that thou canst please God. But even that is like a shaken and shattered reed, to which thou canst not safely trust; and whatever it be, it is the gift of God, Phil. i. 29. Thou hast received; why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received? 1 Cor. iv. 7. Thou hast nothing of thine own to present to God. Indeed thou hast a great deal of thine own, but it is either sin, or at least what is stained with sin; for which if thou has deserved any thing, it is only hell, or that which is worse than hell, if any such thing can be. And canst thou, O most wretched creature, boast of any such vanity!” Rom. iii. 27.”

(Witsius, Herman. The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man, Volume I, Kingsburg, CA: den Dulk Christian Foundation, 1990, p. 425-426)