followed and an Execution have taken hold of us It is God's Right and Royal Prerogative That his Will should be our Supream Law and his Glory our last End but how have we debased God to exalt our selves how have we as it were spoiled him of his Soveraignity and justled him out of his Throne to establish our wicked wills and obtain an absolute unlimited and an independent liberty But Jesus Christ died to make satisfaction for the wrong Man had done God Psal 69.4 Then restored I that which I took not away The first Adam affected to be as God in Knowledge and Independency the second Adam was condemned for saying he was the Son of God Mat. 27.64 65 66. and making himself equal with God John 5.18 John 10.36 So Christ paid the Debt he did not contract and pacified the Wrath be did not provoke And how much should pardoning mercy engage our hearts to God The best of men are but reconciled Enemies released Prisoners pardoned Malefactors What mercy is it that he who seeth our sins with indignation should yet himself cover them in mercy Jer. 13. last Psal 85.2 That the God that wrote down sin Isa 65.6 should himself blot it out Isa 43.25 Sin is a terrible writing it self and it draws after it another more dreadful writing Job 13.25 Thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possess the sins of my Youth The Sentence of Death did use to be written and then read to Criminals Sin recorded will procure a written Sentence of Condemnation Punishment is the Eccho of sin In this sense Sanctius takes the Hebrew word Isa 59.12 Our sins answer to us How bad will it be to possess the sins of Youth The word rendred Youth Job 29.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies also Reproach It is too often that Youth is perverted so that it is a Reproach to God and to us too How necessary therefore is a Pardon to cross God's Book cancel our Bond and reverse the Sentence of Death God that wounds us with the threatnings of his Law heals us by the stripes of Christ He received Wounds that God might be Just in justifying them that believe in Jesus Rom. 3.25 26. How gracious is God that at once removes from us the Incentives of Wrath and presents to us the Fuel of Love Luke 7.47 48. How precious should Justification be to us that hath a sweet retrospect to Election and as accompanied with a comfortable prospect of Glory Whom God predestinated and called them he justified Thus we may with admiration look back And whom God justifies them he glorifies Rom. 8.30 And so we may with Joy look forward Pardon springs from everlasting Love flows to and issues in eternal Life What Thankfulness therefore doth it call for If he justifies we are no more to fear Crimes past so they are no more to go on in sin for time to come Hath not Christ born sufferings enough on the Cross that men will load him with new Affrints and Provocations Those do not think Christ's Sufferings to be bitter and heavy that can make light of and take delight in sin The Heart is to be Christ's habitation Eph. 3.17 and not the receptacle of any sweet and secret Lust We that daily need mercy should not daily provoke anger As the work of Creation is attended with providence which is a continual Creation so the new pardon we need and God bestows is a continual Justification as the Creation would sink without a day by providence to uphold it so Justification would cease without a daily pardon to continue it There may be a Pardon before a Trial to prevent Condemnation as well as a pardon after Sentence to hinder Execution That the Blood of Christ which meritoriously purged sin on the Cross Heb. 1.3 may be applied to you and sprinkled on you to purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God is the unfeigned and servent desire of Your Lordship 's most Humble and Obliged Servant SAMVEL TOMLYNS Hilcot July 1. 1696. A SERMON PREACHED On the late Fast on the 26th Day of June 1696. PSAL. LI. 9. Hide thy Face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities IN the Text we have the Psalmist's Petition for Pardon but it may be objected 1. What need had David to beg Pardon had not God given it already Nathan told David the Lord had put away his iniquity 2 Sam. 12.13 I answer Though God had pronounced the Sentence of Justification by his Prophets yet it seems not to be pronounced in and sealed to David's Conscrence by the Spirits Peace is the Fruit of the Lips as spoken by God's Ministers yet it is the Effect of the Spirit as created in the Soul by it Isaiah 57.19 The Priest did use to sprinkle the Leper Lev. 14.7 But though David looked on himself as a Spiritual Leper yet he was not satisfied with the Priest's sprikling him with the Blood of the Sacrifice but he sues to God himself to sprinkle him with the Blood of his Son the thing signified so it is not enough for Ministers in God's Name to pronounce Pardon but the Spirit must Ratify it and Establish Peace in the Soul else the storm will not cease the wound be healed the burden be removed and the Soul land at the Port of Assurance The Psaimist in the Text doth in an humble way Address to God That he would hide his Face from his Sins and blot out his Iniquities he doth imply that if God's Eye was fixed on his Sins his Anger might be fired by them there was Fuel for God's wrath if God would but behold it there was matter enough for Accusation cause enough for Condemnation if God would but read it but he begs God would turn away his Face and shut his Eyes not observing or imputing what would be destructive to him the latter expression in the Text enlarges and encreases the Sense and heightens the Mercy he doth not only Pray that God would hide his Face from his Sins but that he would blot out all his iniquities A Man may turn away his Face from an Object and yet the thing still remain as it was and be as visible as legible as before but David sues to God not only to hide his Face from seeing sin but that he would so blot it out that it may not any more be visible legible or remain to be imputed Doctrine Awakened humbled Souls do cry for this as the most valuable Mercy that God would hide his Face from their Sins and blot out all their iniquities But what is it for God to hide his Face from Sin Answer It is not to see and observe it with the Eye of Vindictive Justice So it is said God doth not behold Iniquity in Jacob nor see Perverseness in Israel Numb 23.21 God passes by Sin as if he did not see it Mic. 7.18 and he passes over the sinner as if he did not observe his iniquity God covers
of Sin and the Spirit that was signified by the Water that flowed out of Christ's side is a sovereign Remedy against the Filth and Reigning power of Sin And Jesus Christ the Tree of Life beares Leaves for the Healing of the Nations Revel 22.2 No other Tree hath Healing Leaves but only Jesus Christ his Word Doctrine Promises are Healing Leaves We do not Work to Cure our selves tho' we are Patients yet we cannot be our own Physitians but we are Justified by Christ's Condemnation and live by his Death 4. We are not Washed in any Water of our own providing or in any Bath of our own making but God the Father hath opened a Fountain for sin and uncleanness Zech. 13.1 and this Fountain is opened where we could never have thought of or imagined any such thing even in the pierced side and wounded heart of the Son of God His Head was Crowned with Thornes his Hands and Feet were nailed to the Cross his Side was pierced and Blood did flow from thence to Purifie our Souls This is noble and precious Blood indeed that affects Conscience and reaches so far as to purifie it The Blood of Sacrifices the Ashes of an Heifer and Clean Water availed only to the Purification of the Flesh to take off Ceremonial Uncleanness but Christ poured out his own Blood and thereby made a Precious Laver a Costly Bath This Blood purgeth Conscience from sins that are dead Works as they are the Fruits of Spiritual Death and the Seeds of Eternal Death Though Conscience be stupid and doth not feel the weight of these dead Works yet if they remain unpurged they will revive and sting the Soul to death they will return upon it and sink it to Hell There is no other means to purifie and pacifie Conscience but this Blood and we exceedingly need it There is a Fountain of Iniquity in us that continually flows to defile us Jer. 6.7 As a Fountain casts out its Waters so Jerusalem casts out her Wickedness It is well for us that there is a Fountain without us in Christ to take off that Guilt that is contracted by the Flowings of that Filthy Fountain that is within us Christ's Blood though it is little in quantity yet it is mighty in Virtue There is a deep Sea of Merit in it Micah 7.18 19. Thoug it was poured out of his Body but a few hours yet it is a Fountain that Flowes in all Ages and Generations to take away Sin And is not this most sweet and comfortable that Jesus Christ did not only shed his Blood but sprinkles it also Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness Clean Water to wash the Body is common but clean Water to purifie the Soul is rare and no where to be found but in Christ This is wonderful Grace that Christ would not only shed his Blood but undertakes also to sprinkle it He shed it with unexpressible Pain and Anguish but he Sprinkles it with much Pleasure and Delight As he pitied Souls and shed his Blood for them so he Loves Soules and Sprinkles it on them and Washes them in this Fountain from their Uncleanness Revel 1.56 We are not clothed by our own Works or Righteousness Our Webs cannot become Garments Isa 59.6 Our best Performances cannot clothe us Our Righteousnesses are as filthy Rags they cannot hide our Shame cover our Nakedness they are too narrow and short to do it Isa 64.6 Shall we be proud of or trust upon filthy Rags Our own Righteousness is but a Garment full of Patches So Piscator renders the Hebrew words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vestimentum frustrorum panni veteris attriti A Garment of Pieces of old and worn-out Cloth How long have we been serving in the Oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 and so our Garment may be called Old Cloth Sometimes we do good Works and then are apt to turn aside and to commit evil Works There are interruptions in our obedience Sin doth too often intervene so that these patches of the Old Man do much blemish and disfigure the Garment of our Righteousness There are Breaches in our Walls and Spots in our Garments As we need clean Water to Purisie us Ezek. 36.25 so we also want clean Linnen to Clothe and Adorn us Revel 19.8 Jesus Christ invites us to come to him to buy White Rayment that the shame of our Nakedness may not appear Revel 3.18 Christ was the Angel that commanded the Filthy Garments to be taken from Joshuah the High-Priest he caused his Iniquities to pass away and Clothed him with change of Rayment Zech. 3.4 The Garments of our Bodies do put us in mind of our Sins and bring to Remembrance our Transgression therefore they are called in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bidge from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bagad that signifies to Rebel Because if Man had not Apostatized from and Rebelled against God he had not needed Clothing or Garments But the Righteousness of Christ may well be called the Garment of Praise Isa 61.3 It is a Garment for Beauty and Glory and so to be exceedingly praised when God puts it on us then we begin heartily to praise God Christ is stiled the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 he hath healing Beames for wounded Consciencies The Church is said to be Clothed with the Sun Revel 12.1 And is not this a Glorious Garment Doth it not deserve praise in it self and call for the highest Praises from us God provided Coats of Skins and Clothed our First Parents with them Gen. 3.21 The matter of those Coats was the Skins of Beasts that probably were slain and offered in Sacrifice to God This might instruct and teach them that the Spiritual Cloathing of their Souls was to be borrowed from the Obedience and Righteousness of the Great Atoning Sacrifice As many as are Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 Our First Parents did sow Fig-leaves together to make Aprons to hide their shame Gen. 3.7 but when God provided Coats of Skin for them then they threw away their Aprons of Fig-leaves as useless So every Man Naturally seeks some Aprons of Works and righteousness of his own to cover his Nakedness when Conscience accuses them for sin and the Law of God Condemns them for Iniquity The Whore in Prov. 7.14 pleads That she had Peace-offerings with her and that day she had paid her Vowes and with this Apron she thought to hide the Filthiness of her Adultery But when Men come acquainted with Jesus Christ and have that Glorious Clothing revealed to them which he hath proved for Souls then they cast away their Aprons of Works and their own Imaginary Righteousness Paul saith That those things that he reputed his Gains that he thought would gain him the Favour of God Acceptance with God a Title to Everlasting Life these he counted loss for Christ Phil. 3.7 8 9. that is he cast them away not only as unprofitable
but as likely to be pernicious and fatal to him as they would be to him instead of Christ and so rob him of an Interest in him which would be a Ruining and utterly undoing loss to him Paul saith farther Yea doubtless I account all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord Phil. 3.8 The Apostle seems to me to refer to that Scripture Isa 53.11 By his knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justifie many When Paul knew that excellent Righteousness that Christ had provided for the Justification of the Ungodly this made him to Contemn Loath and Cast away his own Rigteousness as a Man that flotes on a broken Plank or a piece of a Shipwreck will cast it away when he meets with a whole Ship that will take him in and carry him safe to the Shore 6. We are shadowed from the Scorching Wrath of God and secured from the Storm of Divine Vengeance not by our own Righteousness but by the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ The Church saith she sate down under the Shadow of Christ with Great Delight Cant. 2.3 Mr. Terry in the History of his Travels in the East Indies observes That where the Heat is exceeding great as it is in the East Indies there the Trees do bear far larger and longer Leaves than in these parts of the World and that thereby they afford a stronger shadow against the vehement heat of the Sun Since the Fall we need a strong shadow against the Scorching Wrath of God and it is our Lord Jesus Christ the Tree of Life that hath such broad and long Leaves as to afford a most sweet Cooling and Reviving Shadow When the Israeites Travelled through the Black Burning Sands of Arabia where in some places there grew no Trees to shadow them God did by a continual Miracle of his Grace for Forty years spread a continual Cloud over them Psal 105.39 and this was designe for a Covering to secure them from the fiery burning heat of the Sun that they might not Faint under it and be killed by it Lithgow that did Travel through Arabia doth inform us that the Heat is so great by the Reflexion of the Sun-beams on those Sands that he saw two Germans that were of their Company and in their Caravan to drop down dead being overcome by the Heat of the Sun This History instructs us how absolutely necessary God's Cloud was which he spread over them It was not the Tents of the Israelites that were sufficient to keep off the Burning Heat else God would not have provided this Miraculous Cloud so it is not the Tents of our Works or Righteousness that can keep off the Scorching Wrath of God but it must be the Righteousness that the Clouded Son of God wrought out in the state of his Humiliation and Abasement As those that went from under the Shadow of this Cloud were presently Scorched by the Sun so those that wave and decline Christ's Righteousness must needs sooner or later feel the Burning Wrath of God That Cloud that Skreen'd the Israelites from the Beames of the Sun was it self still exposed to the burning Heat but the Cloud did not feel it But our Lord Jesus Christ that is our Shadowing Cloud had a tender Sense a sharp feeling of the Wrath of God for a time that he might be a lasting and perpetual Cloud to protect and secure us from it As the Israelites continually for near Forty years Travelled under the Shadow of this Cloud so we must all our days Journey under the Shadow of Christ and his Righteousness I have Read in Varenius his Geography of this Great Wonder of Providence and Mercy of God to the People in the East Indies that they have their Winter when the Sun is over their heads and their Summer when the Sun is most remote from them Then the Sky is continually clear and the Sun shines so hot that in some places they keep their Fairs and Markets and do their Business in the Night and sleep in the Day But when the Sun is in the Zenith and just over their heads then they have perpetual Clouds and much Rain and that if it were not for this the Country could not be tolerably inhabited by reason of the Great Excessive Heat So were not the Lord Jesus the Mediator as a perpetual Cloud over us to shadow us by his Righteousness the most Holy Souls could not possess and inhabit a cool and comfortable place in the Church It is Christ and his Satisfactory Sufferings that is the Tilt and Covering of the Chariot in which we Ride with Christ to Heaven King Solomon that is Christ made himself a Chariot and the Covering of it was Purple A Chariot must have something over it to keep off the Wind Rain and Scorching Sun The Covering of this Chariot was Purple that is Cloth of a Purple Colour and this signified the Obedience of Christ which was signally expressed in the shedding of his Blood His Righteousness was as Cloth died in Purple Blood as Christ paved his Chariot with Love a soft Seat for Doubting Trembling Souls to sit on so he Tilted it over with Righteousness Died in Blood that Believers might be safe and have a sure Covering that would keep off the Scorching Heat of God's Wrath. We cannot move towards Heaven till we get up into Christ's Chariot so we cannot Travel safely but under its Purple Covering this must be our Protection all our days Though the Church be a Garden open towards Heaven to receive Influences of Grace from thence yet it Rides in a Chariot that is Covered and guarded from scorching Beams and dreadful storms from Heaven 7. We are not secured from Revenging and Destroying Justice by any Good or Righteousness that dwells in us but by the Blood of Christ Sprinkled from without and applied to our Consciences Exod. 12.22 23. The Destroying Angel did not pass over the Houses of the Israelites and spare their First-born because of the Righteousness of the Persons within but because of the Blood sprinkled from without The Israelites were Idolaters in Egypt Ezek. 23.2 and therefore were not worthy to be delivered from thence but fitted to be destroyed there It was therefore the Blood of the Paschal Lamb an eminent Type of Christ that was their Security from Destruction Judicious Calvin thinks that God alludes to this in Isa 66.19 God saith I will set a Sign among them that is on those Jews that should escape the Wrath of God and Destruction by it And what is this Sign but the Blood of Christ applied to the Soul for we are said to be Justified by his Blood and so to be saved from the Wrath to come Rom. 5.9 it is not our Inherent Righteousness that will protect us from Revenging Justice The Spirit that dwelleth in us even in us Saints James saith lusteth unto Envy James 4.5 In me even in this flesh of mine dwelleth nothing at all that is good saith Paul
bitter a Cup for and pluck so Heavy a Burden on Christ and exposed him to so grievous a storm and Tempest of Divine Vengeance That should not be sweet to us that was so bitter to Christ That should not be Light to us that lay so Heavy on Christ Did God forsake his Son Psal 22.1 And shall not we forsake our sins Isa 55.7 The Blood of Christ purgeth Conscience from dead works Heb. 9.14 yet with our Faith in this Blood we must joyn Repentance from dead works Heb. 6.1 As a Guilty so also a Filthy Conscience must be purged away Heb. 10.22 yet here we must be cautious Repentance doth not interest us in Christ's Righteousness neither doth it earn or deserve Pardon As Moses turned the Waters of Egypt into Blood Exod. 7.19 so the Law would turn our very Tents into Blood if there were not a Mediator and a New Gracious Covenant Repentance is the Gift of God Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 If this Gift doth oblige us to God Can the exercise of it Indebt God to us We are not Justified by or for our Repentance we shall greatly mistake if we think that Repentance and New Obedience do come in the Room and place of a Perfect Legal Righteousness by Divine Acceptance but only the wise and gracious God hath so ordained it that there shall be an Order in disposing of the Benefits of the New Covenant God gives Faith and Repentance first to prepare Men to receive other Benefits of the Covenant One Grace makes way for another God strikes the Rocky hearts of Sinners and breaks them he turns the Flint into a Fountain of Water Psal 114. last And when God hath broken the Hard heart then Christ binds up the Broken heart and drops in the precious Balsom of his Blood by wounding Sinners with his Arrows and the Sword of his Word he prepares them to be his Patients and doth a Cure on them Men must be Mourners first before Christ can comfort them Isa 61.1 2. they must become Guilty in their own eyes Hos 5.15 and confess God's Actions to be Just and his Indictments to be True before Christ doth purge their Consciences and roll away their Guilt When the Sinner is Plowed with the Spirit of Contrition then Christ Sows it with the Seed of his Righteousness and the Promise of Pardon Object A great Objection is raised from James his Doctrine and words against all that I have asserted concerning Jehovah his being our Righteousness and our being Justified by his Righteousness Was not Abraham our Father justified by Works when he offered up Isaac James 2.21 Was not Rahab the Harlot justified by works when she received the Messengers and sent them out another way James 2.25 Again in the 24th v. it is said Ye see then how that by works a Man is justified and not by Faith only Doth not James seem to contradict Paul Rom. 4.9 We say that Faith was reckoned to Abraham for Righteousness Rom. 4.2 If Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory but not before God that is Abraham hath not Righteousness of his own or Works done by himself to glory in before God therefore he cannot be Justified by Works To him that worketh not but Believeth on him that Justifieth the Ungodly his Faith is counted for Righteousness God imputeth Righteousness without Works Rom. 4.5 6. To this Objection I shall Answer many things 1. We must distinguish between the several sorts of Persons that Paul and James had to do with Paul's Discourse is bent against proud Justiciaries that thought to build up a Righteousness of their own by which they designed both to adorn themselves in the eye of God's Holiness and to secure themselves from the Sword of his Justice And therefore Paul Teacheth that no Righteousness of Man can weigh in God's Balance or is pleadable at the Bar of Justice We are all as an unclean thing and our Righteousnesses are but as filthy rags By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh living be Justified Rom. 3.20.21 Our Works before Regeneration are all as Brass Money our Works after Regeneration are as Mixt Mettal therefore neither of them both will pay our Rent of Obedience or satisfie our Great Landlord But James hath to do with Boasting and self-deceiving Hypocrites that pretend to Faith but it is a barren idle dead Faith They did say they had Faith but they had no Works James 2.14 they could not shew or evidence their Faith because they had no Works As the Body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is without breathing is dead James 2.18 so is Faith if it doth not breath in Works James his design was to shame confound and silence these Hypocrites and to demonstrate that they had no true Faith at all but did grasp a Lie and hug an Idol of their own instead of True Faith Strong Faith in Abraham did shew it self in Offering up Isaac James 2.21 and weak Faith in Rahab did discover it self in aiding the Israelitish Spies and sending them safe away though this might have proved dangerous to her own Life James 2.25 2. Paul speaketh of Faith as it respects Christ's Righteousness and builds and is acted only on this before God James speaks of Faith as it is to come forth and to be demonstrated before Men. Luther compares Faith to a Queen that is in the Bride-chamber alone with Christ the Bridegroom But as this Queen comes forth and walks abroad before Men so it is attended with many Good Works that are its Handmaids that wait on it it is Faith alone that Justifieth but yet that Faith that Justifieth is not solitary or alone but always is fruitful in Good Works and hath influence on the whole Life to guide and direct it by the Light of God's Word The life that I live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God Galat. 2.20 Faith animates the very Natural Life and runs through all the acts and parts of it and so subordinates them to God's Will and refers them all to his Glory Luther says Faith sweeps the House and Milks the Goats 3. The Justification that James speaks of is not a Justification of the Person but of the Faith of Abraham of his sincerity and integrity Gen. 22.12 Now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son thy onely Son from me Not that God acquired any new knowledge that he had not before concerning Abraham but it is an expression in which God condescends to our weakness and intimates that if God had not known Abraham's Faith and Sincerity before this Illustrious Fact this Eminent Self-denying Obedience of Abraham would evidently and notoriously prove the Truth of Abraham's Faith and the sincerity of his heart towards God When Abraham did shew such readiness to offer up his Son the Scripture was then fulfilled That Abraham believed God and that it was counted to him for Righteousness This demonstrated that the
control vile affections subdue and yield your Spirits to God You also are Priests first offering up your selves and then offering up Prayers and Praises to God Under Christ's Priesthood of Attonement there Springs up another Priesthood of Gratitude and Thanksgiving As on Christ the Altar God presents the Flesh and Blood of Jesus as Sustenance to us So on the same Altar we offer our Souls and Bodies and all Spiritual performances as precious Sacrifices to God Justification is joined with strength to resist and overcome Sin Isa 45.24 Surely shall one say in the Lord I have Righteousness and strength Jesus at once Satisfied for Sin and also curcified our old Man Rom. 6.6 Christ ruined the Natural Life of the First Adam he destroyed that Life and Body that is the Subject of Sin and the Members by which it is executed The animal Life is a great Temptation to Sin we are enticed by the Pleasures Profits and Honours that belong to it Christ therefore abolished it as an imperfect Life in himself that he might destroy it as a Sinful Life in us He pulled away the Earth in which this weed growes and pulled down as Sampson the very house in which our Lusts as Spiritual Philistines dwell as the first Adam's corrupt Nature passes with the guilt of Adam's first Sin so the new Nature of Jesus Christ passeth to Souls together with his Righteousness In the same Testament that Christ doth dispose Remission of Sins he doth also Bequeath a new Heart Ezek. 36.25 26. If God blots Sins out of his Book he will write his Laws also in our Hearts If he Reverse the Sentence of Death passed on us he will breath the Spirit of Life into us Those that are sprinkled with Christ's Blood are Redeemed from all Iniquity and consecrated to God As a Redeemed People they are obliged to be first Fruits to God Revel 14.4 and as a Regenrated People they are enabled to be First-fruits to God Jam. 1.18 Where Christ washes with his Blood he doth also anoint with his Spirit Are we adopted John 1.12 Have we power and right to be called the Sons of the living God Hos 1.10 Are we the Children of the Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6. last Justification is alwayes attended with Adoption Those that receive a white stone that is are absolved acquitted Justified from all their Sins they have also in this white Stone a new Name Revel 2.17 What is this new Name but the Name of a Child of God Adoption is an Amplification of our Justification We are not only pronounced as Righteous and owned as Friends but reputed and accepted as Sons and Daughters are nearly Related and greatly endeared to God Are you the Children of God not by Hagar the Bond Woman but by Sarah the Free Woman Do you serve with a free Spirit and not as slaves that have no delight in God and could wish his Law were totally abrogated 5. Do you love God and Christ Luk. 7.47 She loved much because much was Forgiven her When great debts are Remitted Heinous crimes are Pardoned deep Spots and Stains are fetched out this calls for highest and hottest Love He that covereth Transgessions seeketh Love Prov. 17.9 Then surely God and Christ have sought our Love by covering our Sins Psal 32.1 2. Our Iniquities are many ways aggravated and so are of a Scarlet and Crimson Dye Isa 1.18 And for this deep dye to be washed and fetched out and for them to become as white as Snow and Wool this is wonderful Mercy For a Sinner to be as much accepted with God as if he had never Offended and Transgressed Our Sins as Commited against God are Talents and as they have been multiplied 't is a debt of Ten Thousand Talents and for this whole debt to be freely Forgiven 2 Col. 13. And for the Blood of Christ to be the clean Water to purge away Sin Ezek. 36.25 Revel 1.5 this must needs warm and inlarge the Heart heighten and inflame the affections towards God If you do not give your Hearts to God if you do not set your Love on Christ it is a plain Sign that you have not Tasted of the Grace of God or experienced the Kindness of Christ in Forgiving your Sins 6. What free access have you to God and what joy and Delight have you in him Are your Consciences so perfected that is so perfectly purged that you dare to draw nigh to God and that with confidence Heb. 7.19 Heb. 10.19 It is a great thing to have boldness to enter into the Holiest Place and to approach to the Highest Majesty Heb. 12.23 Jisus Christ died to bring us to God 1 Pet. 3.18 Dare we to come to God the Judge of all as being assured he will not Condemn us Heb. 12.23 Do we rejoyce in God through our Lord Jesus Christ having now received the Atonement Rom. 5.11 Do we rejoyce in what God is to us in what he hath done for us and in what he farther designs towards us Can we Feast on Mount Ebal Deut. 27.7.13 14 15. where the Curses were Proclaimed Can we there Triumph because Christ Jesus hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law by being made a Curse for us Gal. 3.13 Are we so Justified in the Lord as to glory Isa 45. last In the Lord shall all the Seed of Israel be Justified and Glory Can you Glory over all Accusers and Accusations Do you glory in the Person in whom and in the Righteousness by which you are Justified there is no exception against the Person that Justifieth and there is no flaw or defect in the Righteousness that is imputed Surely shall one say in the Lord I have Righteousness so it is in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is a full and compleat Righteousness in Christ as Christ Rising from the dead did carry away our Sins so he propagates a new Nature to the Redeemed Is our Justification matter of greatest joy to us Isa 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord and joy in my God for he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness 7. Do you much Praise and Bless God for Reconciling and Pardoning of you Psal 103.12.3 Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me Bless his Holy Name who forgiveth all thine iniqutites O Lord I will Praise thee For thou wast angry with me but thine anger is turned away and thou dost comfort me Isa 12.1 In the times of the Gospel it is said Men shall shew forth the Praises of the Lord Isa 60.6 The time of the Gospel is as a Pleasant and Delightful Spring The Winter is past the Rain is over and gone the time of the Singing of Birds is now come Cant. 2.11 12. The Spring is as it were a mediator between the extreme cold of Winter and the excessive heat of Summer and so is a fit Emblem of the times of the Gospel in which Christ is Revealed as a Mediator between us that are so cold as
explicit acts of Faith be put forth What is become of a state of Justification Was David under Condemnation and the Curse while he lay long in a stupid state Surely he was a Justified Man or else he was out of Christ and fallen under the Curse It is said that God hath given Believers everlasting life 1 John 5.11 and that he who believeth hath everlasting life John 5.24 Is the Sentence of life Rom. 5.18 revoked by new acts of sin Is this gift of life retracted Is the blood of Christ wiped away from the Conscience by new Transgressions We read that the blood of Christ purgeth away sin 1 John 1.7 but never that sin purgeth away the blood of Christ and wipes it off from the Conscience Let not any here mistake me I am no Patron of Sin I do not plead for careless and loose walking if any indulge the Flesh they shall feel to their smart and cost that God hath Fatherly Anger Justice and Severity and the fruits of it are terrible God hides his Face suspends the comfortable and quickning Influences of his Spirit so that the heart is hardened Isa 63.17 the Church thus complains Why hast thou hardened our hearts from thy Fear Jesus Christ withdraws himself and leaves the Soul in a dark doubting and disconsolate state Cant. 5.45.6 There are also sharp Temporal Afflictions laid on believers as that the Sword should not depart from David's House and that his Concubines should be defiled by Absalom 2 Sam. 12.10 11. yea there may be much Trouble and Terror of Conscience because Unbelief is strengthened by this new Guilt contracted and the Spirit of God is grieved and doth not powerfully apply testifie and seal Pardon till explicit acts of Faith and Repentance be put forth Yet I must assert this with the Scripture That Believers do not again a second time or more receive the Spirit of bondage to fear Rom. 8.15 The Spirit in the Word doth not testifie to a Believer that he is a Condemned Man in a state of Hostility with God and that God is his Enemy as it testifies to Unregenerate Men. Besides this is much to be considred that a Believer doth not Sin according to the New Man but according to the remainders of the Old Man It is not the new Graft that bears corrupt fruit but the old Stock Rom. 7.17 Now it is no more I that do it but Sin that dwelleth in me The New Man hates Sin consents to and delights in the Law of God as good Rom. 7.15 16.19.22.25 I my self serve the Law of God He that is born of God committeth not Sin He cannot Sin because born of God 1 John 3.9 How then can guilt redound on the whole person when the New Man that is the predominant party doth not Sin If it be said that Sin committed redounds on the person according to the Old Man this will amount to no more than Fatherly anger and Temporary Chastisements that fall on the Old Man that must decay be pulled down to the dust and perish but they shall not hinder the Salvation of the person according to the New Man It is true that Christ doth direct us dayly to pray for Pardon of Sins Matth. 6.12 And David did earnestly and frequently sollicit for Forgiveness Psal 51.1.7.9 But these Scriptures may be thus understood that Believers for it is of them only that I speak do deprecate the Fruits and effects of Gods Fatherly anger both in Temporal and Spiritual Judgments They petition for the turning away of God's Fatherly displeasure the removing of outward Afflictions and Spiritual Punishments the return of the sweet sense of Gods Favour the lifting up of the light of his Countenance on them the shedding abroad of his Love in them The removing of Temporal and Spiritual Judgements is both a proper and excellent Pardon If any be otherwise minded let them Answer a little Piece of Mr. Gilbert's written on this Subject Justified persons have a sure and strong standing in the Grace and Favour of God Rom 5.2 By Faith we have an entrance into this Grace in which we stand and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Justified persons are Established firmly in the favour of God Though Hagar and Ismael were cast out of Abraham's House Gen. 21.10 12 13. yet Isaac the Child of the promise was still retained God loves Believers with the same love that he loves Christ with John 17. last And God's love to Christ is not mutable and changeable but fixed and certain Justified persons may therefore challeng all accusers Who shall lay any thing to the Charge of God's Elect It is God that Justifieth Is there any higher Judge Is there any other Superiour Tribunal to which the person may be cited and his cause drawn It is Jesus Christ that Died and Rose again He was arrested and is released and discharged He was Baptized in a deep Sea of Sorrows and Sufferings yet was not drowned but Swam out to the Shores of a Blessed Eternity Yea he is ascended into the Heavenly Sanctuary to plead his blood and Represent his Righteousness And will not this stop the mouths of all gain-sayers and Silence all accusers We may now draw near to God the Judge of all as being assured he will not only Justifie us but also plead our cause against those that wrong us Christ now being ascended he lives to execute his own Testament and bestow his own Legacies Acts 5.31 To give Repentance and Remission of Sins The Mercies of the new Covenant are sure Mercies Isa 55.3 Acts 13.34 35. Because Christ is Dead and Risen again to give them Faith Jesus Christ in Heaven asks for the Travel of his Soul and the Purchase of his Blood and cannot be denied He interceeds with Authority There was a Crown of pure Gold about the Altar of incense Exod. 30.3 to intimate that our High-Priest doth interceed effectually and with Authority John 17.24 Father I will that those thou hast given me may be with me that they may see my Glory The Apostle Paul proposeth a Farther Question Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ and he thus answereth it himself I am perswaded that neither Life nor Death things present or things to come shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Love of God is fixed the Heart of God is centred on Jesus Christ and shall never depart or remove from him Christ is the strong and everlasting bond whereby Gods Love is secured and assured to us What greater security can God give us than his Oath to perswade us of the Immutability of his counsel God hath twice sworn that the Heires of promise might have strong Consolation God saith thus to the Church I have sworn that I will not be Wroth with thee that is to destroy thee nor Rebuke thee so as to disinherit thee Isa 54.9 And as God hath Sworn to secure us from the
though not from the Eye of Omnisciency yet from the Eye of Vindictive Justice 3. I shall inquire how we are interested and partake of the Righteousness of Jehovah manifested in our flesh how we are Entitled to it and Invested with it Answ It is by Faith The Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that Believe The Gentiles have attained unto the Righteousness which is of Faith Rom. 9.30 With the heart man believeth unto Righteousness Rom. 10.10 The Righteousness of God is said to be Revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 This is the Righteousness from first to last that Faith cleaveth to and buildeth on The Just do not for a Day a Month or a Year only subsist by Faith but they all their days live by Faith So the same Righteousness is revealed to Faith at first when it is weaker and to Faith at last when it is stronger It is said We are Justified by Faith Rom. 5.1 This Phrase is used of no other Grace It is not said We are Justified by Love Repentance or Obedience It is exceeding observable that it is not said Abraham left his Countrey quitted his Idolatry abandoned his Relations or that he Offered his Son and it was imputed to him for Righteousness but that Abraham Believed God and it was counted to him for Righteousness Gen. 15.6 which sheweth the peculiar dignity and excellency of Faith It is singularly fitted and suited to take hold of Christ and his Righteousness as a Beggar 's hand to receive an Alms. When as Love brings something to the Person beloved it is a grateful Eccho to his Love it doth Retalliate and as it were Recompense Requite and Re-pay him that Loves But Faith brings nothing L. Com. cap. 11. Justif but receives all things from Free-Grace Love poures it self out but Faith takes in Peter Martyr thinks that God chose Faith to this Office because it is a less noble Grace than Love and so all the Glory is given by it to God Love Gives and Faith Receives and it is more noble to Give than to Receive Faith looks to Christ Psal 45.22 Look unto me all ye ends of the earth and be saved We must look unto Christ and be healed John 3.14 15. we must run to Christ Heb. 6.18 we must lean on Christ by Faith Cant. 8.5 and lean hard lean strongly on Jesus Christ we must put the very stress of our Souls on Jesus Christ and not trust partly on our selves and partly on Christ As in the Old Testament Men stretched out the hand of Faith and laid their Sins on the Head of the Sacrifice as a Type and on Christ in Truth So we must now stretch out the hand of Faith to Christ come and receive Righteousness from him Rom. 5.17 We have that Phrase of coming into the Righteousness of God Psal 69.27 This may be farther cleared by that expression Heb. 12.24 Ye are come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament and to the Blood of Sprinkling By coming unto Christ and his Blood we come into his Righteousness we come into it as our Garment we put on Christ we are clothed with the Sun Revel 12.1 We come into this Righteousness as into our Castle Fortress City of Refuge wherein we are secure from the Lash of Conscience the Accusations of Satan the Threatnings and Curse of the Law God will not come into Judgment as an Accuser as a Witness against us Psal 143.2 Come not into Judgment with thy Servant Lord. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Do not come Ne Venias as Pagnine renders Lord come not into Judgment with me do not bring any Charge or Accusation against me God will not come into Judgment as a Plaintiff against those that are come into the Righteousness of Christ These are passed from Death to Life and shall never come into Condemnation John 5.24 When we are dismaid by looking down on and into our selves when we are full of Confusion by reason of the Deformity Filth Nakedness and Diseases of our Souls when we know not what to do and are ready to Despair Sink and be Over-whelmed then Christ Graciously calls us to look off from our selves to him for Righteousness and Salvation This is the will of the Father that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have Everlasting Life John 6.40 It is this sight of Christ and his Righteousness that revives us when our hearts were dying within us If we fix the eye of Faith on Christ God himself will fix his eye on Christ our High-Priest for our comfort and advantage The High-Priest did bear this Inscription in a Plate of Gold on his Forehead Holiness to the Lord Exod. 28.36 37 38. God doth now look on the Face and Forehead of our High-Priest who is now near to him always before him he beholds him as perfectly Holy and Devoted to God for us John 17.19 For their sakes I sanctifie my self So the eye of a Believing Man and of a Righteous God do meet on Christ Believers Feel and Run to Christ Isa 55.5 Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee As the Man-slayer was to flee to the City of Refuge and stand in the entry of the Gate of it and there declare his Cause and claim the Priviledge and Benefit of the City of Refuge Then the Elders of the City having heard his Case were to take him in and to give him a Place that he might dwel among them Josh 20.4 So an enlightned awakened humbled Sinner being sensible of his danger flies to Jesus Christ gets to the Gates of this Blessed City of Refuge there pleads his Cause God's Invitations Offers and Promises and claims the Benefit of the City of Refuge And will not Christ receive and take such into him as Noah stretched out his hand and plucked the Dove into him into the Ark Gen. 8.9 God provided by his Law that if a Servant did fly from a hard Master those that received and entertained him should not restore him again to his severe Master Deut. 23.15 Even so Convinced Broken-hearted Sinners do fly from the Law as a hard Master It was given at Horeb this is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Drought or Dryness it gives no Water of Grace Comfort or Refreshment It was delivered in Sinai which is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seneh signifying a Bramble or Brier For the Law Scratches Wounds Gores us by its Terrible Threatnings Surely those that fly from this hard Master to Christ shall not be restored to or put under the Covenant of Works again Those that receive the Peace-maker shall also receive the Atonement But the main Influence that Faith hath on our Justification is as it joyns us to and interests us in Christ By Faith we joyn our selves to Christ Zech. 2. xi Jer. 50.5 and Christ dwells in our hearts by Faith Ephes 3.17 But how doth Faith act towards Christ Answ 1.
out of Prison Isa 49.9 that he should be wounded to heal us and be bruised to bind us up Isa 53.9 10. Isa 61.1 that a Vail should be cast over Christ's Innocency by our Iniquity taken on him that a Vail might be cast over our sins by his Righteousness imputed to us There was an Offence committed that might have remained on us and have destroyed us But O what kindness is this that there should be a Free Gift of Righteousness to relieve and justifie us Rom. 5.15 Christ Redeemed us from Destruction by devoting himself to Death for us in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to Redeem in the Arabick Fada fignifies to Devote ones self to Death This Fada is the same word with the Hebrew Phada and by comparing the two significations of the word in the two Languages we learn this excellent Truth †Vid. Oriental Lexicon That we are Redeemed by Christ's devoting himself to Death for us What we our selves should have fully wrought out that Christ hath bought and freely gives us Dan. 9.24 Rom. 5.19 O how should we admire God Who is a God like to him glorious in Holiness Exod. 15.11 Yet who is a God like to him pardoning iniquity and passing by Transgression and Sin Mic. 7.18 19. As he is Holy he hates sin yet as he is Gracious he pities Sinners His Holiness doth not hinder or obstruct his Mercy 3d. Vse Examine your selves whether you can truly call Jehovah by this sweet and comfortable Name Is he your Righteousness Are you invested with this Righteousness and discharged from your Sins Put these following Questions to your selves for Trial. 1. Did you ever come to your selves Luke 15.17 Did you ever feel your selves to be bound with Cords of Guilt laden with Iniquity ready to sink into the Bottomless Pit Men must be Condemned before they are Justified be cast down before they are lifted up apply the Curse to themselves before they apply the Blessing hear the Sentence of Death denounced against them by the Law before they partake of Justification of Life by the Gospel as the World was first without the Law and then the Israelites were under the Law and then Christ came with Righteousness and Peace So every Justified Sinner is first without the Law he is alive and full of hopes because he is without the Law Rom. 7.9 he knows not the Spirituality of the Commands of the Law nor the Severity of its Threatnings he hath a Calm and Peace because he never imputed his Numerous sins to himself or bound his Heinous Iniquities on himself The Soul is a dead Sea without motion towards God and yet is a calm and quiet Sea without dread and fear of God But when God intends good to the Soul first the Commandment comes Rom. 7.9 and then Sin Revives and a Storm is raised in the Soul but in due time Faith comes Gal. 3.25 and then the Soul is calmed and quieted being Justified by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 If you were nevere burdened you cannot be eased if you were never broken you cannot be bound up if you were never mourners you cannot be Comforted if you never tasted the bitterness of Sin you cannot tast the sweetness of the Grace of Christ and experience his purifying Blood and his reviving Righteousness If you are Justified How did you come by Pardon and Peace Can you call them Naphtali that you got them by wrestling It is said Israel shall be Justified and saved Isa 45.17 last Jacob wrestled with the Angel for a Blessing his Conscience might accuse him for Fraud and Lying in procuring the Blessing from blind Isaac yet he held the Angel fast said he and would not let him go except he did Bless him Gen. 32.26 And for this his Name was changed and he was called Israel Gen. 32.28 When we find Sin stirring in us when Conscience accuses the Law curses God according to the first Covenant condemns To Believe on Christ for Righteousness is as Peter's walking on the Sea in a storm If we have ever felt the smart of our wounds the Schorching heat of God's Wrath the Burning Poyson of the old Serpent in our Consciences If 〈◊〉 were ever arrested arraigned condemned shut up surely in the anguish of your Souls you have cryed out We are destitute of Righteousness and where shall we find it we have contracted guilt and provoked Wrath And where shall we be Found 2. Were you ever divorced from and dead to the Law and Covenant of Works as your First Husband and then Married to Christ we are first joined to the Law and the Covenant of Works as our First Husband and it makes us a jointure of Life upon condition of perfect Obedience The Apostle compares the Law to a Husband but the froward Heart of Man is not subject to this Husband The more the Commands of the Law are urged on it the more it contradicts and Rebels The motions of Sin are said to be by the Law Rom. 7.5 but the Fruits of Righteousness are by Jesus Christ Phil. 1.11 The Law cannot Sanctifie or Justifie us this is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.3 the thing that is impossible to the Law Have you therefore been divorced from and become dead to the Law Rom. 7.4 as it is a Covenant of Works Have you despaired of finding righteousness in your selves and of obtaining a Blessing from the Law and so have looked and fled to Jesus Christ †Heb. 12.24 as those that have been pursued by sin and the wrath of Ged Paul saith Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Works of the Law but by the Faith of Christ Even we have Believed in Jesus Christ that we might be Justified by the Faith of Christ and not by the Works of the Law For by the Works of the Law shall no Flesh be Justified 3. Are you Sanctified Justification and Sanctification always go together as in the Natural Body the Blood and Spirits do flow out together so the Blood and Spirit of Christ are always joined John 19.34 Blood and Water Signifiing the Spirit came together out of Christ's Side He comes by Water and Blood 1 John 5.6 else he would be but half and imperfect Saviour As the same day that the Waters went off form the Earth and were gathered into the Sea the Earth was adorned with Grass Herbs Flowers Trees Gen. 9.11 So when a deluge of Wrath goeth off from the Soul it is presented adorned with the grace of the Spirit and called a Tree of Righteousness Isa 61.2 Those that are Justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus are also Justified by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 If God Loves the Soul he makes it Lovely If Christ washes you he also makes you Kings and Priests Revel 1.5 6. You are no longer Vassals to your Lusts but as Kings rule in your own Hearts You check vain thoughts
eaten by them Christ counts it an Honour to him when we come to feed at his Table and Feast on his Righteousness then his Name is Glorified in us 2 Thes 1.11 12. 6. What Grace is this that Jesus Christ should not only prepare and bring Righteousness but also apply it as Parents provide Clothes for their little Children and also put them on Christ is God's Righteous Servant that Justifieth many Isa 53.11 Christ's Righteousness Merits the very Faith that applyes it that sense seems to be offered by Peter's words as they ly in our Translation We obtain pretious faith through the Righteousness of God even our Saviour Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 this procures the Spirit to plant and work Faith Jesus Christ by his Spirit draws us to himself John 12.32 he not only opens the Fountain but also washes Souls in it Zech. 13.1 Revel 1.5 he not only provided the Medicine but also dresses the Wound and binds up the broken in heart Isa 61. Christ presents his Sacrifice and Sufferings continually before God which is his Burning Incense in the Heavenly Sanctuary Revel 8.3 his Blood speaks in Heaven Heb. 12.24 and by the Spirit as the Finger of our Great High-Priest Levit. 16.14 it is continually without intermission according to the Promises sprinkled on the Consciences of Believers on Earth Ezek. 36.25 7. O Bless God for the admirable effects the excellent fruits that are joyned with or do follow after Christ's being made Righteousness to us 1. That there is not only Peace but Good-will Luke 2.14 not only Enmity is quenched but Love burns Sin 's place and the Believing Sinner's too is changed Sin was before God's Face Hos 7.2 but is now cast behind his back Isa 25.17 and Reconciled persons are set before his Face Psal 41.12 This is matter of Praise that there are such admirable effects or consequences of Christ's being made the Lord our Righteousness 1. That though the Curse do fall on the Creatures for our sakes yet it falls not on those that are Justified When God made a Promise of Christ to Adam he does not say Cursed art thou but Cursed is the Ground for thy sake Gen. 3.15.17 God speaks to Cain a Reprobate in other Language Now thou art Cursed Gen. 4.11 God may Curse the Creatures for our Sin yet the Curse may not light on our persons and Souls 2. That we are not only pardoned for the present but secured for the future God did not only preserve Noah from being drowned by the Flood but doth assure him that his Sins and the World's should not provoke him to send a Second Flood on the World Gen. 8.10.21 Gen. 9.11 So here Christ stands in the breach to keep out an Inundation and Flood of Venegance and appears at the Bar to prevent the going forth of a Condemning Sentence As God doth see his Rainbow in the Clouds and looks on it and remembers his Covenant Gen. 9.13 14 15. So Christ is a Rain-bow round about the Throne to secure us from future storms and Floods of Evils That God doth not only hide his Face from our Sins but also blot out our Iniquities that they may not cannot be seen or read for the time to come Psal 51.9 3. That not only God pronounces a Justifying Sentence in the Court of Heaven but the Spirit also pronounces this Sentence in the Court of Conscience Causing the penitent Believer to hear the voice of Joy and Gladness Psal 51.8 and sheds abroad the Love of God in the Heart Rom. 5.5 and seals him unto the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 4. As Jesus did Engage his Heart to come nigh to God as a Surety and Priest Jer. 30.21 so he now came and doth bring us near to God as Freinds Supplicants and Worshippers 1 Pet. 3.18.5 That there is not only Peace but also Good-will Luke the 14. There is Grace to Establish our Hearts against the dread of Vengeance and the horrours of Eternal Death Heb. 13.9 It is sweet when no storm of Vengeance hovers and hangs over the Sinners Head no matter of Accusation springs up in his Heart to make him a burden to himself and a terrour to others O what sore Temptations are guilty Creatures in the anguish of their minds exposed to Sometimes they could wish there were no God or desire themselves rather to be annilalated then to see his frowning Face and feel his punishing Hand to Eternity But the Grace of God guards and Establishes the Heart against such dreadful wishes as these 2. That we are precious in God's eyes Isa 48.4 Though we are vile in our selves yet we are presented to God as Pretious Stones on the Shoulders and Brest-plate of our High-Priest Exod. 28.12 21 28 29. 3. Though we are unclean in our selves yet by virtue of Christ's Righteousness we are undefiled The Church confesses her Infirmity and acknowledges her Sin yet Christ calls her Undefiled no spot or blemish did cleave to her because She had put on Christ for Righteousness Cant. 5.2 4. Jesus Christ gives an Inherent Righteousness as well as an Imputed Righteousness as God gives us for our Cloathing both Flax and Wooll to cover our Nakedness Hos 2.9 Flax is for inward and Wool for outward Garments Inherent Righteousness may be compared to Flax this is near to and dwells in the Soul Imputed Righteousness may be compared to Wool as it is a warm upper-Garment We need Christ's Righteousness as a Garment over all our Graces to cover the Imperfection and Defects that are in them Our own Righteousness is compared to a Breast-plate Ephes 6.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet above all over all or upon all we are bid to take the Shield of Faith Ephes 6.16 Faith that takes hold of Christ's Righteousness is compared to a Shield this is a Guard and Defence for all the other Pieces of Armour We are liable to many Accusations because of the weakness of and the defects that are in our Breast-plate of Righteousness This may be pierc't by Satan's Darts and our Souls be wounded with Trouble and Terrour but it is the Shield of Faith taking hold of the Righteousness of Christ that must Ward our Accusations and Guard us from Terrors Surely shall one say in the Lord I have Righteousness Isa 45.24 in the Hebrew it is I have Righteousnesses in the Plural Number We have a Robe of Righteousness Isa 61.10 this is Righteousness Imputed and we have a Breast-plate of Righteousness Ephes 6.14 and this is Righteousness Imparted When we call the Lord our Righteousness then we our selves are called Trees of Righteousness Isa 61.3 as we cannot stand alone but are carried on the Shoulders of Christ our High-Priest Exod. 28.12 and in the Arms of Christ our Shepherd Isa 40.11 so we do not grow alone by our selves but as Branches on Christ our Root and Vine John 15.1.5 5. 'T is a great Mercy that our Sins are blotted out Isa 43.25 and God will not enter into the City