he_o prove_v from_o 2_o pet._n 2._o 20._o where_o the_o apostle_n tell_v they_o that_o if_o they_o have_v escape_v the_o pollution_n of_o the_o world_n through_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v again_o entangle_v therein_o and_o overcome_v if_o they_o return_v to_o their_o old_a vice_n than_o their_o latter_a end_n be_v worse_a than_o the_o beginning_n which_o be_v point_n blank_a contrary_n to_o what_o he_o affirm_v that_o those_o who_o have_v escape_v these_o pollution_n and_o be_v not_o yet_o entangle_v again_o in_o they_o may_v notwithstanding_o that_o be_v swine_n in_o god_n account_n for_o so_o he_o add_v thou_o may_v live_v a_o blameless_a innocent_a honest_a smooth_a life_n and_o yet_o be_v a_o miserable_a creature_n but_o i_o pray_v say_v such_o a_o man_n and_o that_o often_o so_o thou_o may_v and_o yet_o never_o be_v save_v isa._n 1._o 11._o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v the_o multitude_n of_o your_o sacrifice_n to_o great_a purpose_n sure_a when_o they_o be_v offer_v by_o man_n of_o blameless_a innocent_a honest_a smooth_a life_n the_o want_n of_o which_o make_v those_o sacrifice_n abominable_a to_o god_n but_o i_o fast_o sometime_o so_o do_v the_o scribe_n und_fw-ge pharisee_n twice_o a_o week_n but_o it_o be_v to_o devour_v widow_n house_n which_o be_v not_o the_o fast_o of_o a_o honest_a innocent_a man_n but_o i_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o like_o the_o best_a preacher_n so_o do_v the_o stony_a ground_n who_o hear_a the_o word_n with_o joy_n and_o for_o a_o season_n believe_v and_o this_o have_v be_v well_o and_o a_o good_a sign_n of_o grace_n if_o it_o have_v continue_v i_o read_v the_o scripture_n often_o so_o do_v the_o pharisee_n who_o be_v so_o perfect_a in_o the_o bible_n that_o christ_n need_v but_o say_v it_o have_v be_v say_v of_o old_a time_n for_o they_o know_v the_o text_n without_o intimation_n man_n of_o prodigious_a memory_n certain_o better_a than_o any_o concordance_n but_o though_o knave_n may_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o be_v never_o the_o better_a for_o it_o yet_o good_a man_n may_v read_v it_o to_o good_a purpose_n and_o therefore_o i_o hope_v read_v the_o scripture_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o a_o man_n be_v a_o hypocrite_n because_o the_o pharisee_n be_v but_o i_o be_o grieve_v and_o be_o sorrowful_a and_o repent_v of_o my_o sin_n so_o do_v judas_n but_o he_o hang_v himself_o and_o that_o indeed_o be_v no_o repentance_n to_o life_n but_o i_o love_v good_a man_n and_o their_o company_n so_o do_v the_o foolish_a virgin_n but_o they_o sleep_v and_o suffer_v their_o lamp_n to_o go_v out_o which_o i_o hope_v all_o that_o love_v good_a man_n do_v not_o but_o god_n have_v give_v i_o much_o knowledge_n that_o thou_o may_v have_v and_o never_o be_v save_v yes_o and_o twenty_o good_a thing_n more_o but_o if_o a_o blameless_a honest_a man_n have_v the_o keep_n of_o this_o knowledge_n it_o be_v never_o the_o worse_o for_o he_o but_o i_o keep_v the_o lord_n day_n strict_o so_o do_v the_o jew_n who_o yet_o christ_n condemn_v have_v he_o be_v as_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o pharisee_n be_v he_o will_v not_o have_v say_v that_o the_o jew_n keep_v the_o lord_n day_n however_o this_o be_v one_o good_a thing_n which_o do_v well_o in_o the_o company_n of_o more_o though_o it_o will_v not_o justify_v a_o man_n when_o it_o be_v alone_o but_o i_o have_v many_o good_a desire_n and_o endeavour_n to_o get_v to_o heaven_n these_o thou_o and_o thousand_o may_v have_v and_o miss_v of_o heaven_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o gentle_a humour_n he_o tell_v the_o poor_a doubt_a soul_n that_o desire_n nay_o that_o a_o desire_v only_a to_o desire_v at_o two_o or_o three_o remove_n be_v enough_o but_o many_o do_v duty_n without_o life_n or_o zeal_n i_o be_o zealous_a so_o be_v jehu_n to_o destroy_v the_o worship_n of_o baal_n and_o to_o retain_v jeroboam_n calf_n and_o so_o be_v paul_n while_o a_o pharisee_n in_o persecute_v the_o christian_a church_n and_o therefore_o a_o universal_a and_o religious_a and_o well-governed_a zeal_n for_o god_n can_v be_v no_o sign_n of_o grace_n but_o i_o be_o constant_a and_o persevere_v in_o godly_a course_n so_o do_v the_o young_a man_n all_o these_o thing_n have_v i_o keep_v from_o my_o youth_n only_o he_o leave_v christ_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o his_o riches_n and_o so_o do_v not_o persevere_v but_o some_o man_n be_v conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o their_o own_o hypocrisy_n but_o i_o do_v all_o with_o a_o good_a heart_n for_o god_n so_o thou_o may_v think_v of_o thyself_o and_o be_v deceive_v and_o if_o this_o be_v a_o objection_n let_v a_o man_n have_v what_o mark_n he_o will_v the_o objection_n will_v still_o be_v good_a and_o so_o all_o evidence_n signify_v nothing_o for_o after_o all_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v deceive_v in_o it_o and_o think_v he_o have_v these_o mark_n when_o he_o have_v they_o not_o there_o be_v a_o way_n that_o seem_v right_a to_o a_o man_n but_o the_o end_n thereof_o be_v death_n thou_o may_v live_v so_o as_o to_o deceive_v thyself_o and_o other_o and_o yet_o prove_v a_o hypocrite_n as_o if_o because_o some_o man_n may_v think_v themselves_o good_a who_o be_v in_o a_o bad_a way_n no_o man_n can_v ever_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a and_o thus_o farewell_n all_o evidence_n but_o after_o all_o this_o it_o will_v be_v worth_a the_o while_n to_o know_v how_o to_o distinguish_v a_o regenerate_a from_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n and_o that_o he_o tell_v we_o may_v be_v do_v thus_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n let_v he_o go_v never_o so_o far_o do_v never_o so_o much_o yet_o he_o live_v in_o some_o one_o sin_n or_o other_o this_o now_o be_v very_o strange_a what_o go_v never_o so_o far_o and_o do_v never_o so_o much_o and_o yet_o live_v in_o some_o one_o sin_n or_o other_o what_o live_v a_o blameless_a innocent_a honest_a smooth_a life_n and_o yet_o live_v in_o some_o one_o sin_n or_o other_o and_o yet_o suppose_v he_o do_v a_o regenerate_a man_n may_v be_v in_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o sin_n and_o pray_v what_o be_v the_o difference_n but_o then_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n can_v be_v poor_a in_o spirit_n and_o so_o carry_v out_o of_o all_o duty_n to_o christ_n that_o be_v if_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n do_v good_a he_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o that_o he_o do_v it_o if_o he_o have_v a_o good_a heart_n he_o feel_v a_o good_a heart_n in_o himself_o and_o in_o all_o he_o do_v and_o therefore_o feel_v not_o a_o want_n of_o all_o good_a which_o be_v true_a poverty_n of_o spirit_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o discourse_n the_o sure_a mark_n of_o a_o regenerate_a man_n be_v either_o to_o have_v no_o good_a in_o himself_o or_o if_o he_o have_v any_o to_o be_v mistake_v and_o think_v he_o have_v none_o either_o of_o which_o i_o think_v be_v a_o very_a odd_a sign_n of_o grace_n but_o then_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n come_v unto_o christ_n but_o he_o never_o get_v into_o christ_n never_o take_v up_o his_o eternal_a rest_n and_o lodging_n in_o jesus_n christ_n only_o i_o think_v come_v have_v be_v believe_v and_o that_o believe_a will_v have_v do_v the_o business_n and_o if_o so_o god_n forbid_v that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v damn_v for_o want_v of_o that_o other_o metaphor_n of_o take_v up_o his_o eternal_a rest_n and_o lodging_n in_o christ_n man_n in_o distress_n of_o conscience_n that_o be_v all_o unregenerate_a man_n under_o such_o distress_n if_o they_o have_v comfort_n from_o christ_n they_o be_v content_v if_o they_o have_v salvation_n from_o hell_n by_o christ_n they_o be_v content_v and_o i_o think_v they_o have_v some_o reason_n then_o to_o be_v content_v but_o christ_n himself_o that_o be_v without_o comfort_n and_o without_o salvation_n content_v they_o not_o now_o to_o be_v content_v with_o christ_n without_o comfort_n and_o without_o salvation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o unregenerate_a man_n that_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o satisfy_v that_o it_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o unreasonable_a man_n now_o be_v not_o these_o man_n do_v you_o think_v great_a friend_n to_o sanctification_n who_o make_v all_o the_o part_n of_o sanctification_n the_o reformation_n of_o our_o life_n a_o innocent_a &_o blameless_a conversation_n fast_v prayer_n hear_v read_v converse_v with_o good_a man_n zeal_n for_o god_n perseverance_n in_o well_o do_v honest_a and_o sincere_a intention_n in_o all_o we_o do_v no_o more_o than_o the_o mark_n of_o hypocrite_n and_o give_v no_o better_a mark_n of_o a_o regenerate_a man_n than_o to_o be_v sensible_a of_o no_o good_a in_o himself_o and_o then_o he_o must_v either_o have_v none_o or_o
their_o obedience_n to_o their_o great_a creator_n to_o restore_v they_o to_o the_o uprightness_n and_o integrity_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o thereby_o to_o a_o state_n of_o friendship_n with_o god_n this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o his_o holy_a law_n and_o precious_a promise_n and_o exemplary_a life_n and_o meritorious_a death_n and_o glorious_a resurrection_n and_o powerful_a intercession_n for_o we_o to_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o power_n and_o dominion_n of_o sin_n to_o make_v we_o first_o holy_a as_o god_n be_v and_o then_o to_o receive_v we_o into_o that_o bless_a place_n where_o god_n dwell_v but_o now_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n make_v just_o such_o a_o discovery_n of_o sin_n as_o it_o do_v of_o the_o naturalness_n of_o god_n justice_n to_o he_o i._n e._n that_o the_o desert_n and_o demerit_n of_o sin_n be_v such_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v any_o atonement_n or_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o justice_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n but_o only_o by_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n otherwise_o christ_n have_v die_v in_o vain_a that_o be_v that_o god_n can_v not_o forgive_v it_o without_o full_a satisfaction_n which_o nothing_o but_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n can_v make_v thus_o we_o learn_v our_o disability_n to_o answer_v 110._o the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n in_o all_o or_o any_o of_o the_o obedience_n he_o require_v that_o be_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a but_o we_o must_v be_v act_v like_o machine_n by_o a_o external_a force_n by_o the_o irresistible_a power_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n this_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v a_o new_a discovery_n we_o learn_v no_o such_o thing_n from_o the_o gospel_n and_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o he_o prove_v it_o from_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ._n but_o still_o there_o be_v a_o more_o glorious_a discovery_n than_o this_o behind_o and_o that_o be_v the_o glorious_a end_n whereunto_o sin_n be_v appoint_v and_o ordain_v i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v by_o god_n be_v discover_v in_o christ_n viz._n for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o god_n vindictive_a 112._o justice_n in_o measure_v out_o to_o it_o a_o meet_a recompense_n of_o reward_n and_o for_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n glorious_a grace_n in_o the_o pardon_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o it_o that_o be_v it_o can_v not_o be_v know_v how_o just_a and_o severe_a god_n be_v but_o by_o punish_v sin_n nor_o how_o good_a and_o gracious_a god_n be_v but_o by_o pardon_v it_o and_o therefore_o lest_o his_o justice_n and_o mercy_n shall_v never_o be_v know_v to_o the_o world_n he_o appoint_v and_o ordain_v sin_n to_o this_o end_n that_o be_v decree_n that_o man_n shall_v sin_v that_o he_o may_v make_v some_o of_o they_o the_o vessel_n of_o his_o wrath_n and_o the_o example_n of_o his_o fierce_a vengeance_n and_o displeasure_n and_o other_o the_o vessel_n of_o his_o mercy_n to_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o his_o free_a grace_n in_o christ_n this_o indeed_o be_v such_o a_o discovery_n as_o nature_n and_o revelation_n can_v not_o make_v for_o nature_n will_v teach_v we_o that_o so_o infinite_o a_o glorious_a be_v as_o god_n be_v need_v not_o sin_n and_o misery_n to_o recommend_v his_o glory_n and_o perfection_n and_o that_o so_o holy_a a_o god_n who_o so_o perfect_o hate_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v wicked_a will_v not_o truckle_n and_o barter_n with_o sin_n and_o the_o devil_n for_o his_o glory_n and_o that_o so_o good_a a_o god_n have_v much_o rather_o be_v glorious_a in_o the_o happiness_n and_o perfection_n and_o obedience_n of_o his_o creature_n than_o in_o their_o sin_n and_o misery_n and_o revelation_n tell_v we_o the_o same_o thing_n that_o as_o much_o as_o sin_n be_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o vindictive_a justice_n yet_o god_n take_v no_o pleasure_n in_o punish_v delight_v not_o in_o the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n but_o rather_o that_o he_o shall_v return_v and_o live_v that_o be_v he_o have_v rather_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o punish_v than_o be_v make_v glorious_a by_o such_o act_n of_o vengeance_n and_o therefore_o though_o god_n be_v so_o holy_a as_o to_o punish_v incorrigible_a sinner_n and_o so_o merciful_a as_o to_o forgive_v all_o true_a penitent_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o ordain_v and_o appoint_v and_o decree_v sin_n to_o this_o end_n for_o vindictive_a justice_n and_o pardon_v mercy_n be_v but_o secondary_a attribute_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o god_n can_v primary_o design_v the_o glorify_v of_o they_o for_o that_o can_v be_v without_o primary_o design_v the_o sin_n and_o misery_n of_o his_o creature_n which_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o holiness_n of_o his_o nature_n thus_o nature_n and_o revelation_n teach_v though_o these_o man_n pretend_v to_o have_v learn_v otherwise_o from_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ._n thus_o much_o for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o with_o respect_n to_o sin_n which_o be_v hide_v only_o in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n but_o then_o we_o learn_v what_o our_o righteousness_n be_v wherewith_o we_o must_v appear_v before_o god_n from_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ._n we_o have_v already_o learn_v how_o unable_a we_o be_v to_o make_v atonement_n for_o our_o sin_n without_o which_o they_o can_v never_o be_v forgive_v and_o how_o unable_a we_o be_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o yet_o nothing_o can_v deliver_v we_o from_o the_o justice_n and_o wrath_n of_o god_n but_o a_o full_a satisfaction_n for_o our_o sin_n and_o nothing_o can_v give_v we_o a_o title_n to_o a_o reward_n but_o a_o perfect_a and_o unsinning_a righteousness_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v in_o this_o case_n how_o shall_v we_o escape_v hell_n or_o get_v to_o heaven_n when_o we_o can_v neither_o expiate_v for_o our_o past_a sin_n nor_o do_v any_o good_a for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v why_o here_o we_o be_v relieve_v again_o by_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o christ_n his_o death_n expiate_v former_a iniquity_n and_o remove_v the_o whole_a guilt_n of_o sin_n but_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o we_o be_v not_o guilty_a we_o must_v also_o be_v actual_o righteous_a not_o only_o all_o sin_n be_v to_o be_v answer_v for_o but_o all_o righteousness_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v now_o this_o righteousness_n we_o find_v only_o in_o christ_n we_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n by_o his_o death_n 117._o and_o save_v by_o his_o life_n that_o actual_a obedience_n he_o yield_v to_o the_o whole_a law_n of_o god_n be_v that_o righteousness_n whereby_o we_o be_v save_v we_o be_v innocent_a by_o virtue_n of_o his_o sacrifice_n and_o expiation_n and_o righteous_a with_o his_o righteousness_n now_o this_o be_v a_o mighty_a comfortable_a discovery_n how_o we_o may_v be_v righteous_a without_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a or_o righteous_a and_o i_o confess_v we_o can_v never_o have_v know_v this_o but_o by_o a_o acquaintance_n with_o his_o person_n for_o his_o gospel_n make_v a_o different_a representation_n of_o it_o tell_v we_o express_o that_o he_o be_v righteous_a who_o do_v righteousness_n that_o without_o holiness_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v god_n that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o obtain_v the_o pardon_n of_o our_o sin_n be_v to_o repent_v of_o they_o and_o forsake_v they_o and_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o give_v a_o right_a to_o the_o promise_n of_o future_a glory_n be_v to_o obey_v the_o law_n and_o imitate_v the_o example_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o to_o be_v transform_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o likeness_n of_o god_n and_o though_o our_o obedience_n be_v not_o in_o every_o thing_n exact_a and_o perfect_a if_o it_o be_v sincere_a we_o shall_v be_v accept_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n of_o grace_n which_o he_o have_v seal_v with_o his_o blood_n which_o admit_v of_o a_o evangelical_n instead_o of_o a_o strict_a legal_a perfection_n such_o different_a discovery_n do_v a_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o gospel_n and_o with_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n make_v the_o three_o part_n of_o our_o wisdom_n be_v to_o 119._o walk_v with_o god_n and_o to_o that_o be_v require_v agreement_n acquaintance_n a_o way_n strength_n boldness_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o end_n and_o all_o these_o with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o they_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o in_o short_a be_v this_o that_o christ_n have_v expiate_v our_o sin_n and_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n for_o we_o though_o we_o have_v no_o personal_a righteousness_n of_o our_o own_o but_o be_v as_o contrary_a to_o god_n as_o darkness_n be_v to_o light_n and_o death_n to_o life_n and_o a_o universal_a pollution_n and_o defilement_n to_o a_o universal_a and_o glorious_a holiness_n and_o hatred_n to_o love_v yet_o the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n
neither_o of_o they_o can_v relish_v that_o plain_a simple_a doctrine_n of_o a_o crucify_a christ_n but_o whatever_o these_o man_n think_v of_o it_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o be_v the_o most_o powerful_a method_n which_o be_v ever_o use_v by_o god_n for_o the_o reform_v the_o world_n and_o the_o contrivance_n and_o effect_n of_o excellent_a wisdom_n and_o thus_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v call_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n to_o they_o that_o believe_v rom._n 1._o 16._o and_o by_o this_o foolishness_n of_o preach_v that_o be_v by_o preach_v this_o foolish_a doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v account_v by_o the_o wiseman_n of_o the_o world_n of_o a_o crucify_a christ_n it_o please_v god_n to_o save_v they_o that_o believe_v christ_n indeed_o be_v now_o exalt_v to_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o the_o majesty_n on_o high_a may_v in_o a_o proper_a sense_n be_v call_v the_o power_n of_o god_n because_o all_o power_n be_v give_v to_o he_o both_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o he_o have_v the_o supreme_a government_n of_o all_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o spiritual_a kingdom_n and_o this_o be_v a_o personal_a power_n inherent_a in_o he_o which_o all_o good_a man_n shall_v find_v the_o bless_a effect_n of_o but_o then_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o have_v power_n to_o save_v those_o who_o believe_v and_o obey_v he_o and_o he_o have_v power_n to_o destroy_v his_o enemy_n to_o accomplish_v all_o the_o promise_n and_o to_o execute_v all_o the_o threaten_n of_o his_o gospel_n so_o that_o this_o personal_a power_n in_o christ_n can_v give_v we_o no_o great_a encouragement_n than_o the_o gospel_n do_v it_o can_v save_v any_o man_n who_o the_o gospel_n condemn_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o trust_v to_o his_o personal_a power_n unless_o we_o first_o obey_v his_o gospel_n for_o how_o omnipotent_a soever_o he_o be_v his_o gospel_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o his_o act_n if_o that_o condemn_v we_o his_o omnipotent_a power_n will_v not_o save_v we_o but_o the_o chief_a personal_a grace_n which_o these_o man_n most_o vehement_o contend_v for_o be_v still_o behind_o viz._n the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n now_o no_o christian_a will_v deny_v that_o christ_n be_v very_o righteous_a a_o great_a example_n of_o universal_a holiness_n and_o purity_n and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o his_o righteousness_n be_v not_o a_o imaginary_a impute_a righteousness_n but_o inherent_a and_o personal_a but_o what_o comfort_n be_v this_o to_o we_o that_o christ_n be_v righteous_a if_o we_o continue_v wilful_a and_o incorrigible_a sinner_n yes_o say_v the_o doctor_n have_v thou_o 55._o the_o sense_n of_o guilt_n upon_o thou_o christ_n be_v complete_a righteousness_n the_o lord_n our_o righteousness_n this_o make_v christ_n suitable_a to_o the_o want_n of_o a_o sinner_n indeed_o that_o he_o have_v a_o righteousness_n for_o he_o which_o god_n infinite_o prefer_v before_o any_o homespun_a righteousness_n of_o his_o own_o this_o be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a notion_n for_o bad_a man_n and_o such_o as_o i_o will_v not_o part_v with_o for_o all_o the_o world_n do_v i_o resolve_v to_o live_v wicked_o and_o yet_o intend_v to_o get_v to_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v good_a to_o be_v sure_a in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o importance_n and_o therefore_o let_v we_o consider_v in_o what_o sense_n christ_n be_v call_v our_o righteousness_n and_o what_o the_o scripture_n intend_v by_o these_o phrase_n of_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n or_o the_o righteousness_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n by_o faith_n to_o begin_v then_o with_o that_o famous_a place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n jerem._n 23._o 6._o where_o christ_n be_v express_o call_v the_o lord_n our_o righteousness_n in_o his_o day_n judah_n shall_v be_v save_v and_o israel_n shall_v dwell_v safe_o and_o this_o be_v his_o name_n whereby_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o lord_n our_o righteousness_n a_o very_a express_a place_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n be_v our_o righteousness_n that_o be_v as_o these_o man_n expound_v it_o that_o the_o only_a righteousness_n wherewith_o we_o must_v appear_v before_o god_n be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n impute_v to_o we_o but_o be_v there_o no_o other_o possible_a sense_n to_o be_v make_v of_o this_o phrase_n righteousness_n in_o scripture_n be_v a_o word_n of_o a_o very_a large_a use_n and_o sometime_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o mercy_n kindness_n and_o beneficence_n and_o so_o the_o lord_n our_o righteousness_n be_v the_o lord_n who_o do_v good_a to_o we_o who_o be_v our_o saviour_n and_o deliverer_n which_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o name_n that_o in_o his_o day_n judah_n shall_v be_v save_v and_o israel_n shall_v dwell_v safe_o and_o righteousness_n signify_v that_o part_n of_o justice_n which_o consist_v in_o relieve_v the_o injure_a and_o oppress_v thus_o david_n speak_v in_o psalm_n 4._o 1._o hear_v i_o when_o i_o call_v o_o god_n of_o my_o righteousness_n i._n e._n thou_o o_o god_n who_o maintaine_v my_o right_a and_o my_o cause_n psalm_n 9_o 4._o thus_o in_o isaiah_n 54._o 17._o no_o weapon_n that_o be_v form_v against_o thou_o shall_v prosper_v and_o every_o tongue_n that_o shall_v rise_v up_o against_o thou_o in_o judgement_n thou_o shall_v condemn_v this_o be_v the_o heritage_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o their_o righteousness_n be_v of_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n which_o be_v a_o parallel_a expression_n to_o the_o lord_n our_o righteousness_n and_o signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o god_n will_v avenge_v their_o cause_n and_o deliver_v they_o from_o all_o their_o enemy_n the_o like_a we_o have_v in_o isaiah_n 45._o 24._o sure_o shall_v one_o say_v in_o the_o lord_n have_v i_o righteousness_n and_o strength_n even_o to_o he_o shall_v man_n come_v and_o all_o that_o be_v incense_v against_o he_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a in_o the_o lord_n shall_v all_o the_o seed_n of_o israel_n be_v justify_v and_o shall_v glory_v that_o be_v the_o lord_n be_v that_o just_a and_o righteous_a judge_n who_o will_v justify_v good_a man_n i._n e._n deliver_v they_o from_o the_o violence_n and_o injury_n of_o their_o enemy_n he_o be_v their_o righteousness_n and_o strength_n their_o righteous_a strong_a and_o powerful_a deliverer_n which_o agree_v with_o that_o promise_n in_o verse_n 14._o in_o righteousness_n thou_o shall_v be_v establish_v thou_o shall_v be_v far_o from_o oppression_n thou_o shall_v not_o fear_v and_o from_o terror_n for_o it_o shall_v not_o come_v near_o thou_o and_o to_o name_v but_o one_o place_n more_o isaiah_n 61._o 10_o 11._o i_o will_v great_o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n my_o soul_n shall_v be_v joyful_a in_o my_o god_n for_o he_o have_v clothe_v i_o with_o the_o garment_n of_o salvation_n he_o have_v cover_v i_o with_o the_o robe_n of_o righteousness_n as_o a_o bridegroom_n deck_v himself_o with_o ornament_n and_o as_o a_o bride_n adorn_v herself_o with_o jewel_n for_o as_o the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o her_o bud_n as_o the_o garden_n cause_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v sow_v in_o it_o to_o spring_v forth_o so_o the_o lord_n will_v cause_v righteousness_n and_o praise_n to_o spring_v forth_o before_o all_o nation_n this_o sound_v very_a like_o a_o impute_v righteousness_n for_o what_o can_v be_v mean_v by_o the_o robe_n of_o righteousness_n but_o that_o pure_a and_o spotless_a robe_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n which_o cover_v all_o our_o sin_n and_o deformity_n and_o make_v we_o appear_v as_o beautiful_a and_o lovely_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n as_o a_o bride_n do_v who_o adorn_v herself_o with_o jewel_n this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o our_o espousal_n with_o christ_n that_o we_o be_v cover_v and_o adorn_v with_o his_o righteousness_n but_o if_o we_o will_v attend_v to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n and_o not_o to_o the_o bare_a sound_n of_o word_n we_o need_v seek_v no_o far_o for_o the_o confutation_n of_o this_o fancy_n for_o the_o garment_n of_o salvation_n and_o the_o robe_n of_o righteousness_n signify_v those_o great_a deliverance_n god_n promise_v to_o israel_n in_o the_o former_a verse_n which_o shall_v make_v they_o as_o glorious_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n as_o a_o splendid_a garment_n will_v that_o righteousness_n and_o praise_n which_o god_n will_v cause_v to_o spring_v forth_o before_o all_o nation_n even_o as_o the_o earth_n bring_v forth_o her_o bud_n and_o as_o the_o garden_n cause_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v sow_v in_o it_o to_o spring_v forth_o that_o be_v that_o god_n will_v work_v such_o great_a deliverance_n for_o they_o by_o such_o improbable_a mean_n and_o in_o such_o plenty_n and_o abundance_n as_o if_o they_o spring_v