II. They are Ignorant of the incomparable Excellence of this Righteousness; that think of Setting up their Own. When 'tis a Righteousness which Exceeds not only that of Innocent Adam; but that of all the Glorious Angels. Because it is the Righteoufnefs of God: And not only the Righteousness, which God has Appointed; but the Righteousness, which he who is God, has Fulfilled. The Miniftration of which Righteoufneß Exceeds in Glory. 2 Cor. 3.9. O where then is their Sense, that can admire the Righteoufnefs of a Creature; and not Regard his Righteousness, who is God Blessed for ever? Sure, to them that Believe, he is more Precious. 1 Pet. 2. 7. For Faith has an Eye, to fee that Glory, which proud Reafon fets at Naught. And though the Contempt fhall once come to be their own: who now cast their Contempt on the Lamb of God, that takes away the Sins of the World; and fet up fomewhat elfe Above Him; and think to come off, as well, or Better, Without him: Yet he that Believeth on him shall not be Confounded. 1 Pet. 2.6. No, for Confufion arifes from Difap pointment: And it will be their Portion, who Truft to that, which, in the needful Time will utterly Fail 'em. Ifa. V. laft Ver. Bebald, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass your felves about with Sparks: Walk in the Light of your Fire, and in the Sparks which ye have kindled: This fhall ye have of my hand, ye shall lye down

in Sorrow. All other Righteoufnefs, what is it, but like a little Blaze in a Wifp of Straw Compar'd with this Glorious holding Light of the Sun of Righteousneß; which is moft Bright and Indefeifible? And therefore our Apostle counted all things, (not excepting his own Blameless Righteoufnefs of the Law,) hot only no better than Filthy Rags; but even Loßs and Dung; if fet in Competition with the Righteoufnels of his Saviour: And for Juftification, he would make mention of this, and of this only. But he did not think at this rate, before his Eyes were opened, and he was Enlightned with the Revelation from Above. No, before that, he had as contemptible an opinion of Christ, and Faith in Chrift; as any of his Vi rulent Blafphemers among us now can have. And fo it was fpoken, as a wonderful Effect of his happy Converfion; Gal. 1. laft Ver. He who Perfecuted us in times past, now Preaches the Faith, which once he Destroyed.

And O that the like may once be faid, of all that yet stand out from the Faith of Christ, and Oppose their own Peace with God; which is built only upon their Juftification by this Faith! For being Juftified by Faith, we have Peace with God, through our Lord Jefus Chrift. Rom. V. I. O that they would come better to bethink themfelves, and Confult their own Bleffed Interest: As ever they hope for any Saving Benefit, by the Redeemer of the World and Learn to treat him more Honourably: and

at

at last, bring themselves to Submit to the Righteousneß of God!

And Ŏ that all you who read thefe Lines, may be fo kind to your own Souls, as to provide your felves of a Righteoufnefs; wherein you may appear, and stand before God in your laft Trial, with Boldneß and Comfort! And one would think there fhould not need much ado to Persuade any, to take the Course of the Gracious God's own prefcribing; that is fo Visibly Advantageous to themselves. When all the World is become Guilty before him. Rom. 3. 19. And there's no pleading, Not Guilty; Nor any Escape to be made, by the Plea of Legal Righteoufnefs. Ver. 20. But the Righteousneß of God, which is by Faith of Jefus Chrift, is to all, and upon all them that Believe: Yea, we are Juftified freely by his Grace, through the Redemption that is in Jefus Chrift. Ver. 22. and 24. O how worthy of all Acceptation is fuch rich Grace and Mercy! And instead of fhewing any Backwardness to Submit to it; O with what Gladneß and Thankfulneß should every one Receive it; and Bleẞ the God of all Grace for it! That when you are Conscious to your Sin and Wretchednefs; and know how Ill you have done; and that with all the best you can do Anew there's no making Amends for what is paft; nor getting in again with the Offended Majefty of Heaven : Yet that to him who Worketh not, but Believeth on him that Juftifies the Ungodly, his

Faith fhould be counted for Righteousness: (as it is exprefly faid, Rom. 4. 5.) This is a Favour to the poor Sinner, Such as might be thought, indeed, too Great to be Believed; But whenever Offered, One would think, it fhould with both hands be Received: and that there fhould little Oratory be wanting; To Pray Sinners in Chrift's stead, (upon fuch fweet and happy Terms,) to be Reconciled unto God. You are Wifer than to Refute any Advantages of the World; when fo easily you may have 'em: O do not then imitate the Perverfeneß of thofe, who Reject the Tenders of Pardon, and Life Eternal; and will not Accept all the most bleffed Benefits, to be enjoyed for ever in the World to come: When the Father of Mercies offers them Freely; but upon Believing in the Name of his Son : and has affur'd you, That your Faith fhall be Imputed to you for Righteoufnefs; As Abraham Believed God; and that was counted to him for Righteousneß. Rom. 4. 3, 24. O leave not the Saviour any caufe then to Complain of you, as of thofe ; John V. 40. Te will not come to me that ye might have Life. But feeing all your Intereft and Felicity Trea fur'd up in him, Devolve and caft your felves upon him. And let the Lord Jefus be your only Hope And look for all your Remiffi on and all your Salvation at his Hands: Not for any thing that you have done your felves; But for the fake of what he has D done,

done, on your Account. And thus will you do the Beft thing that ever you can do, for your own dear Souls; and fhew your good Understanding in the way of Salvation: That you are not Ignorant of God's Righteoufnefs; But have been Taught, and heard, and Learn'd of the Father, to Come unto his Christ. John 6. 29. and are better inftructed, than to Set up a Righteoufnefs of your Own, Own, wherein to place your Confidence.

And fo I pafs to

The Second Obfervation,

How Abfurd is the Attempt to Engage in fuch a Defign; [ going about to Eftablish their Own Righteoufnefs. ]

And what is that? Is it walking Uprightly, and Working Righteousness? Is it Hungring and Thirsting after an Inherent, as well as an Imputed Righteoufnefs? No, For this is an Eternal indifpenfible Duty, incumbent still upon all. And no Believers are Exempted from it; but rather more than any elfe Obliged to it: Even to Live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly. And to allude to that of the Apostle, 2 Cor. V. 3.) Being Cloathed with Chrift's Righteousness, they must not be found Naked of their Own: But Refolve with Job, Chap. 27. 6. My Righteoufnefs I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not Reproach.

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