Righteousness, which he who is God, has Fulfilled. The Miniftration of which Righteousness Exceeds in Glory. 2 Cor. 3 9. Ꮎ where then is their Senfe, that can admire the Righteoufnefs of a Creatures and not Regard his Righteousness, who is God Blef fed 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 caft their Contempt on the Lamb of God, that takes away the Sins of the World; and fet up fomewhat else 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 Disappointment: And it will be their Portion, who Trust to that, which, in the needful Time, will utterly Fail 'em. Ifa. 5. laft Ver. Behold, 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 Righteoufnefs; which is most Bright and Indefeasible? And therefore our Apoftle counted all things, (not excepting his

own

own Blameless Righteoufnefs of the Law,) not only no better than Filthy Rags; but even Lofs and Dung; if fet in Competition with the Righteoufnefs 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 Virulent 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 paft, now Preaches the Faith, which once he Destroyed.

And that the like may once be faid, of all that yet ftand out from the Faith of Chrift, 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. 5. 1. O that they would come better to bethink themselves, and Confult their own Bleffed Intereft: As ever they hope for any Saving Benefit, by the Redeemer of the World; and Learn to treat him more Honourably; and at last, bring themselves to Submit to the Righteousness of God!

And

And O that all you who read these Lines, may be fo kind to your own Souls, as to provide your felves of a Righteoufnefs; wherein you may appear, and ftand before God in your laft Trial, with Boldness and Comfort! And one would think there fhould not need much ado to Perfuade any, to take the Course of the Gracious God's own prefcribing; that is foVifibly Advantageous to theinfelves. 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 Fuftified 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 fhould every one Receive it; and Bless the God of all Grace for it! That when you are Confcious to your Sin and Wretchedness; and know how Ill you have done; and that with all the beft 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,

Ungodly, his Faith fhould be counted for Righ teousness: (as it is exprefly faid, Rom. 4. f.) 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 most readily be Received: and that there fhould little Oratory be wanting; To Pray Sinners in Chrift's ftead, (upon fuch sweet and happy Terms,) to be Reconciled unto God. You are Wifer than to Refufe any Advantages of the World; when fo eafily 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 blessed 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 affured you, That your Faith fhall be Imputed to you for Righteoufnefs; As Abraham Belisved 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 5: 40. Ye will not come to me, that ye might have Life. But feeing all your Intereft and Felicity Treafur'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 Remiffion, and, all your Salvation at his Hands: Not.

for:

for any thing that you have done your felves; But for the fake of what he has 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 Righteousness.; 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 Righteousness of your 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 Righteousness.].

And what is that? Is it walking Uprightly, and Working Righteoufnefs? Is it Hungring and Thirsting after an Inherent, as well as an Imputed Righteoufnefs? No, For this is an Eternal indifpenfible Duty, incumbent ftill upon all. And no Believers are Exempted from it; but rather more than any else Obliged to it: Even to Live Soberly, Righteoufly, and Godly. And (to allude to that of the Apoftle, 2 Cor. 5. 3.) Being Cloathed with Chrift's Righteoufnefs, they must not be found Naked of their Own: But Refolve with Job, Chap. 27. 6. My Righteousness I

hold