Some conceive that the Apostle alludes to those that are bit wit an Asp if that Serpent doth prick them they doze slumber and die away The Old Serpent did not only Poyson us by his bite but also stupifie us that we might not be sensible of our danger Some are so deep asleep that though they are pricked yet it will not rouse them up even so many are in such a profound sleep that though God pricks them daily with his Threat'nings yet they are not awakened to a serrious Consideration and dread of approaching destruction God threatens it as a sore Judgement to the Jews that the Prophet Ezekiel should be dumb and that he should not be a Reprover to them Ezek. 3.26 And how long was he dumb it was till Jerusalem was taken and smitten Ezek. 33.21 22. It was but the Evening before a Messenger came with these bad tidings that Ezekiel's mouth was opened and he was no more dumb Ezekiel was dumb till the Judgement denounced was executed on the Jews and then it was too late to warn and Reprove them And wilt thou provoke God to lay thee under such a Spiritual Judgment Shall Conscience be dumb and not Reprove thee til Divine Vengeance fall on thee for thy destruction Take heed that thou dost not fortify and intrench thy self in Natural Religion Morality and Formal Duties and so bear the Siege and storm of powerful Preaching God complains of the Jews by Zechary that they made their Hearts as an Adamant Stone least they should hear the Law The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Signifies a Stone that keeps it self from being broken though it have knocks yet it preserves it self Even so the Heart of Sinners keeps it self from being broken under the many Admonitions and Reproofs of the Word Beware that such a Heart be not found in thee Do not make light of or a mock at Sin Do not put the thoughts of thy Iniquity and of God's Wrath far from thee Sin lies at the door if not sooner it will arrest thy Soul when it goes out of the Body Gen. 4.7 Solomon saith That he that rolleth a Stone it shall return upon him Prov. 26.27 So if you Presumptuously roll away your Sins from you God will Righteously return them upon you God's Threat'nings are not an empty sound Sinners shall know to their cost that God hath not said in vain That he would poure out his Fury on them Ezek. 6.10 The day of Vengeance is in God's Heart Isa 63.4 The Cup of Fury is in his Hand Psal 75.8 Though there be a mixture of all fatal and deadly ingredients yet it is without any mixture of Mercy Rev. 14.10 The storm of Vengeance hangs over the Heads of Sinners Though it is said that now God's Judgments are far above out of the sight of Sinners Psal 10.5 yet they shall be so visible that their eyes shall see their Destruction Job 21 20. thy breath is in thy Nostrils Isa 2. last and may soon go forth the Judge stands at the door and may quickly enter in James 5.9 Wilt thou run on the point of God's Sword Wilt thou venture into Eternal Burnings 5. Beware and take heed of Carnal Reason that is enmity to God and to the Righteousness of God As the Israelites slighted the Bread that God gave them from Heaven did account it as no Bread Numb 21.5 There is no Bread and then they call it light Bread as if there were nothing solid in it or as if it did afford no substantial nourishment yea Numb 11.6 they complain that their Souls was dried away as if they did grow lean weak and feeble by reason of this poor and low sort of Food So Carnal Reason misrepresents the Righteousness of Christ as if it were nothing solid or substantial The Blasphemous Papists call Imputed Righteousness Putative Righteousness as if it did only spring up in and were born from the Fantasies of Protestants Proud Nature thinks the Righteousness that is wrought and brought forth by our selves to be the only substantial and valuable Righteousness but the Spiritual-minded as Paul do account the Righteousness of God the Righteousness that is by the Faith of Christ to be the most Rich Possession and valuable Food of the Soul Phil. 3.8 9. My flesh saith Christ is Meat indeed and my Blood is drink indeed John 6.55 This is the true Bread John 6.32 6. Beg the Spirit to convince thee of sin John 16.8 9. to cut thy stock that the Graft of the Free Promise of Righteousness may be let into thy heart to raise a Storm in thy Soul that all thy Carnal Confidence and Fleshly Righteousness may be Ship-wrackt In a great and dangerous Storm Mariners will throw Silks and Satins over-board rather than perish themselves Confidence in thy best Works must be cast out that thy Soul may be preserved and brought to the desirable Haven of Christ's Righteousness As the Angel that was the Son of God Wrestled with Jacob and put his Thigh out of Joynt Gen. 32.25 even so Christ by his Spirit must powerfully Wrestle with us to Mortisie our Carnal Confidence and put our Thigh out of Joynt We are apt to trust in our selves that we are Righteous as those Luke 18.9 While we thus trust in our selves our Bone is in Joynt we are at ease and have a Carnal Feace but our Bones must be put out of Joynt that we may have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 Our Heaven of Religion and our Earth of Morality must be shaken to pieces before we will come to Christ Hag. 2.6 7. we must see our selves cast away or else we will not enter into Christ as an Ark of Salvation 7. We must fly to and trust on Christ for Justification Gal. 2.16 17. as God is said to pardon Iniquity Transgression and Sin Exod. 34.67 so it is said of Christ That he came to finish the Transgression to make an end of Sins and to make Reconciliation for Iniquity God Pardons but it is through Christ He remembers Iniquity no more Jer. 31.34 but it is because the clean Water of Christ's Blood is sprinkled upon us Ezek. 36.25 We must look off from our selves and look only to Christ there is not any thing Inherent in us or performed by us that is our Righteousness we are not Justified by what we find in our selves but by what we know in Christ Is 53.11 not by what we have done but by what the Lord Jesus Christ hath suffered Christ's Obedience and Righteousness is contradistinguished from and opposed to our Inherent Righteousness Phil. 3.8 9. we are not to stay in our selves but to be found in him We are to be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 Christ did not Merit or procure that we should have a Righteousness of our own and in our selves to be Justified by We are to renounce our own Righteousness as filthy rags and to trust only on Christ's Righteousness as our next
They that go a whoring from God shall be destroyed 2. Consider what is the great hindrance the grand obstruction of your Salvation Whether some Sin is not so sweet some Lust so pleasant and delightful that you will rather venture a miserable Eternity than part with it What is it that holds you Rom. 7.6 And what is it that you hold fast Jer. 9.5 There is some Adulterous League between you and your Lusts between your Hearts and the Creatures that hinders a lawful Marriage with Jesus Christ and an interest in his Salvation Do you not delight in some Abomination and therefore are unwilling to be made clean and set free from it 3. We must fly to Christ enter into this Ark get into this City of Refuge Men are said to be saved in the Lord with an everlasting Salvation Isa 45.17 We must look to Christ for Salvation Isa 45.22 Come to him for Life John 5.40 There is a believing to Salvation Heb. 10. last Salvation is in Christ 2 Tim. 2.10 Redemption is in Christ Rom. 3.24 and everlasting Life 1 John 5.11 Trust on Christ and not on the pieces of the Shipwrack as they Acts 27. last Some have Civility Morality a little Form of Religion all these are but the broken Planks of our old Shipwrackt state do not mistake a Truce for a Peace Embalming for Quickening it is Christ only that can be our Salvation and our Life We must see the Son and believe on him John 6.40 Acts 16.31 that we may see Salvation Luke 3.6 Though Noah was a Righteous Man yet he must leave his own Home and enter into the Ark that he might be saved from the Flood So those that have most of an inherent Righteousness must not stay at Home nor trust in themselves but fly to Christ the Ark of Salvation that they may be deliver'd from an Eternal Storm of Fire and Brimstone Psal 11.6 4. We must repent unto Salvation 2 Cor. 1.10 wash our Hearts from wickedness that we may be saved Jer. 4.14 We cannot fly from wrath Mat. 3.7 If we do not escape that Corruption that is in the World through Lust 2 Pet. 1.4 how can we drink Spiritual Poyson wallow in our Mires serve those Lusts that war against our Souls and yet be saved 1 Pet. 2.11 We must crucify the Flesh with its Affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 It is these hurtful Lusts that do drown Men in Perdition and Destruction 1 Tim. 6.9 10. How can we be saved and yet retain that which keeps open the Breach keeps up the enmity between God and us Lusts do war against our Souls in good earnest and we must not be in jest with Sin or fight as those that beat the Air 1 Pet. 2.11 1 Cor. 9.26 5. We must work out our Salvation with Fear and Trembling 2 Phil. 12 13. We must work upon and about our Salvation we must work more to perfect it there are things lacking in our Faith 1 Thes 3.10 We are defective in our Love and Holiness we must nor think we are rich enough are saved enough live enough we must not set any limits to Christ's Kingdom or bounds to our growth God bids us open our Mouth wide that he may fill it Psal 81.10 11. Christ came that his Sheep might have Life and have it more abundantly John 10.10 Saints should daily be drawing Spiritual Waters at the Wells of Salvation Isa 12.3 We must draw or else be dry we must draw or else decay and decline run behind hand and become poor What pains did Noah take in preparing for and building of the Ark and yet this was but the means of Temporal Salvation Noah was probably longer in building the Ark then we do live bere in the World and he did not give over till he had wrought out and finished this Vessel for his Temporal Salvation and shall we not all our Life long be working out and perfecting our Spiritual Salvation O tremble to neglect any means of Salvation or to use them slightly It is God that works in us both to will and do of his own meer good pleasure therefore we must not displease affront or provoke him by our Laziness or Slightness This is the great end and the proper improvement of God's long-suffering to account it Salvation 2 Pet. 1.15 that God spares us not that we might rise to Honour gather Wealth drink in sensual Pleasures and delight but that we might mind and pursue an Everlasting Salvation As God exercised long-suffering towards the Old World while the Ark was building 1 Pel. 3.20 so God lengthens out his Patience while the Elect are building up themselves on their most holy Faith and are perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 1 Cor. 7.1 Be therefore more renewed in the Spirit of your Minds Ephes 4.23 Let the word of God root deeper and let the Temple of God rise higher in you Let your Weeds be more rooted out your Filthiness be more purged away your Dross be more burnt up take heed of minding of and doting on Earthly things and of forgetting and neglecting your Eternal Salvation 6. We should order our Conversations aright Psal 50. last walk with God walk worthy of God to all well-pleasing 1 Col. 10.11 1 Thes 2.12 We must keep the way of Salvation walk in the path of Life and in the way everlasting Psal 159. last If we are guided by God's Counsel Psal 73. Psal 24. and led by his Spirit we shall be certainly received to his Glory 7. We should often consider that our Salvation draws every Day nearer Rom. 13.11.12 We advance in our Race we draw nearer to the Mark and Prize and this should mightily quicken and influence our Souls O think often of this that you are near the end of Time the Borders and Confines of Eternity you draw nearer to the glorious Presence of God and to an immediate and full Communion with him Should you flag or faint near the end of your Race should you grow drowsy and sleep at the Door of your Father's House near the Borders of Immanuel's Land O how should you rouse up your selves and consider you will soon be gone from the Lion's Den and Mountains of Leopards You will get out of this Barren Wilderness into the delicious pleasant Canaan that is above Salvation is ready to be revealed 1 Pet. 1.5 a full and perfect Salvation Christ will come as a Saviour from Heaven Phil. 3.20 His Life shall then perfectly be derived to the Soul and his Image be impressed on the Body Phil. 3.21 1 Cor. 15.48 Then you will be satisfied with his likeness and be fitted to have an immediate and everlasting Communion with him O think upon and make sure your Interest in this Salvation you will loose the greatest good and suffer the worst Evil if you come short of this Salvation Consider whether you have the things that accompany Salvation Heb 6.9 Have you the Graces that are joined with a state of Salvation
say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my Sin Prov. 20.9.3 Who can understand his errours Psal 19.12.4 If thou Lord should mark Iniquity who shall stand Psal 130.3 4. Though Saints as Job in their pleadings with Men held fast their Integrity Job 27.6 yet they have let go all confidence in their own Works in their approaches to God We are all as an unclean thing and our Righteousnesses are but Filthy rags Isa 64.6 10. Abraham was long before he offered up Isaac a Beleiver and a Justified person Gen. 15.6 Abraham Believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for Righteousness it is very observable that we have no mention or Record made of Abraham's Faith and Justification till now though he was called effectually near Twenty years before And why is the mention of Abraham's Faith and Justification reserved till now I answer God now promises him that the Son that should come out of his own Bowels should be his Heir and that from this Son should Spring a Seed as Numerous as the Stars of Heaven Gen. 15.45 And in Isaac Christ was Typified and promised as Isaac was a Child Raised from the dead body of aged Abraham and the dead womb of old Barren Sarah so Jesus Christ should be raised from the Dead the Apostle Paul plainly parrallels these two things Rom. 4.19.24 Abraham saw Christ's day in the Promise and Birth of Isaac John 8.56 Therefore it was exceeding proper for Moses then to record Abraham's Faith in God when Jesus Christ was promised by whom we Believe in God 1 Pet. 1.21 As Abraham could not Believe in God but by the Promised Seed so we could not be Justified but through Christ Now Would Abraham go from trusting in the perfect Righteousness of the promised Seed to trust in his own defective Works and imperfect Righteousness Certain it is that there is but one way of Justification The Righteousness of God is Revealed from Faith to Faith Rom 1.17 It is not from Faith to Works but Faith at first and all along and at last apprehends this Righteousness of Christ and builds on it Therefore the Just is said to live by Faith Abraham was a Believer and Justified at his first effectual call yet Moses Testifies that many years after he Believed in God and he counted it to him for Righteousness so that Abraham's Faith acted on God through the promised Seed from first to last for Justification Here the Apostle might take ground for his assertion that the Righteousness of God was revealed from Faith to Faith Did Abraham begin in the Spirit as to his Justification and would he after this resort and repair to the Flesh to be perfected Did the Righteousness of the Messiah begin his Justification and was his own Righteousness to compleat it What would this be but to go from a Son of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 to a candle of Righteousness From a compleat ship to a broken plank From a beautiful and glorious garment to a Filthy Rag Gal. 3.27 Isa 64.6 From a sweet smelling Sacrifice to stinking and lothsom Dung Ephes 5.2 Phil. 3.8 9. 11. To assert a Second Justification before God by Works What is it but to confound the two Covenants to blend the Covenant of Works and Grace together and to form up a Bastard-Covenant that is not purely of Grace or wholy of Works but mixed and Compounded of both which the Scripture dis-claims as inconsistent Rom. 11.6 As Hagar and Sarah Ismael and Isaac could not quietly Dwell or peaceably abide together in one Family Hagar dispised Sarah Gen. 16.4 and Ismael mocked at Isaac Hagar first fled Gen. 16.6 7. and afterwards both Hagar and Ismael were cast out of Abraham's Tent Gen. 21.10 It is this seems to point at and Type out this great truth that the Covenant of Works and Grace of which these two Mothers were Types Galat. 4.24 Cannot be reconciled cannot consist together He that Beleives hath Everlasting Life John 5.24 John 6.54 And is this Title to Everlasting Life weak or crazy Must it be waved or needs it to be fortified by our Works Is it a good Title for one that begins but must another or better be sought in his progress 2. Object A second Objection is Raised by some against Christ's being our Righteousness that then we should be as Just and Righteous as Christ yea that we might be styled Saviours and Redeemers of the World I Answer This doth not follow for 1. The First Adam's Sin is imputed to us yet it is not true that we are as Great and Heinous Sinners as the First Adam We did not Exist in our own Persons as he did We did not receive a Law from God Immediately as he did or were in our own persons invested with a Lordship over all the Creatures and placed in Paradise as he was he was a publick but we are particular and private persons he Sinned in his own person we but in him Therefore though his Sin be imputed to us yet his guilt was greater than ours This parallel between the First and Second Adam may somewhat answer the Objection 2. Jesus Christ is the Author and Subject of this Righteousness but we are neither only it is imputed to us and bestowed on us 3. Jesus Christ's Righteousness is not imputed to us according to its full Value but our particular necessity as a pretious Jewel given for the Redemption of a hundred Captives None of them hath the whole Jewel given for him but it is given for every one of the hundred Captives according to his particular Exigence to obtain his liberty So Christ is said to give himself for the Church in general Ephes 5.25.26 yet every Believer according to his own need applies Jesus Christ to himself in particular as Paul did Christ he saith Loved me and gave himself for me Galat. 2.20 The Righteousness of Christ is not accounted our intrinsick Righteousness so indeed we should be Reputed Saviours It is imputed to us not according to its universal value but according to our particular necessity that we by it may be accounted Righteous It is imputed to us as the subjects have benefit by it but not as the causes of it as Amesius doth judiciously express it Object 3. Bellarmine further Objects that we may be perfect in this Life and so not at all need Christ's Righteousness We may see by this from whom our Quakers have taken their doctrine of Perfection It came out of Anti-Christ's Forge not out of Christ's School Answ 1. This Assertion that we may be perfect in this Life is most false and expresly contradicts the Scripture That there is not a Just Man on Earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the Truth is not in us 1 John 1.8 We cannot say we have no sin for we have Original sin yet remaining and dwelling in us The Leprosy of sin is not perfectly purged out of
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
God's Throne was like the fiery flame and his wheeles as burning fire God's Throne hath wheels to pursue Guilty Creatures a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him This is a dreadful description of God's Throne as a Tribunal of Justice But now as it is sprinkled with the Blood of Christ we have a most sweet discovery of it Revel 22.1 There is a pure River of Water of Life clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and the Lamb and there is a Rain-bow round about the Throne Revel 4.3 signifying the flood of God's Wrath is abated and that Christ is near the Throne to prevent a condemning Sentence issuing out of it and a storm of Vengance falling from it 5. Jesus Christ's Blood is still speaking in Heaven and never silent Heb. 12.24 And this speaking Blood drowns the voice of the accuser and the cry of our Iniquities Christ's representing and pleading his Sacrifice in Heaven is his burning Incense before the throne Revel 8.3 to take away the stink of our Sins from the Nostrils of God 6. Christ by his death hath dedicated consecrated and confirmed a new Testament Heb. 9.15 16. The threatnings were in force before for our destruction but the promises could not be in force for our Salvation but by the death of Christ God might have confirmed his threatnings by our death but he hath confirmed his promises by the death of Christ How different is the Language of the Law and of the Gospel The Law saith where there is an Offence there must be of Necessity the death of the Offender But the Gospel speakes thus where there is a Testament there must of Necessity be the death of the Testator Though Christ seemed to die as a Malefactor in the eye of the World yet he died as a Testator in the eye of God and Believers Though he was emptied and impoverished stript of all of his Liberty Garments good Name and Life by his Enemies yet even then he did Bequeath all good things and died as a Testator to enrich others O! that Jesus Christ should as it were put himself out of Possession of all to put us into Possession of all good things Heb. 9.11 A Covenant could not be made between God and Sinners but by Blood Heb. 13.20 Those words may be rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Shepherd of the Sheep great through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant That Shepherd was indeed great that by his blood could Establish an Everlasting Covenant Covenants used to be made by killing Sacrifices and cutting them in twain and the Covenanting persons passed between the pieces of the Sacrifices Gen. 15.9 10.17 18. Jer. 34.14 Now Christ the great Sacrifice was cut in twain his Soul and Body were Separated from each other and by our passing through the parts of his Sacrifice by Faith we pass as the Hebrew phrase is into Covenant with God Deut. 29.12 God might have torn us in pieces for our Covenant breaking Psal 50.22 But O! what Grace is this that Jesus Christ should be cut in twain for the Renewing of the Covenant between God and us Christ's Blood is of such efficacy that it makes the Covenant Everlasting always new It is styled a New Covenant Heb. 8.8 that which will never be Antiquated or Abrogated God hath now put his Covenant into the best and most Excellent form It was first a promise then a Covenant but now it is stiled a Testament God hath finished his Covenant-Dispensations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will finish or perfect a New Covenant It is so finished that there is never to be any other Edition of the Covenant Heb. 8.8 it hath its last and final Sanction it hath the strongest Confirmation by the Blood and Death of Jesus Christ God hath spoken in these last days by his Son Heb. 1.12 and there is nothing beyond this but seeing Face to Face Jesus Christ by his Righteousness hath Merited the application of his Blood and the bestowing of all good things on us this seems the fairest sence of those words in 2 Pet. 17. as they ly in our Translation Simon Peter to those that have obtained like precious Faith with us through the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that is through the Mighty Merit of Christ's Righteousness the Elect obtain Faith it self the Spirit or Sanctification the New Heart these are the good things that our High-Priest brings Heb. 9.11 Christ having fulfilled to the Father his Promise in the Covenant of Suretyship and Redemption he gives to the Elect a right to all the Promises of the Covenant of Grace 8. This Righteousness of Christ gives us a Title and Right to the Heavenly Inheritance it is called Justification of Life Rom. 5.18 The Righteousness of God and his Kingdom are joyned together Matth. 6.33 God's Righteousness gives us a title to and a fitness for God's Kingdom Glory it self seems to be styled The Hope of Righteousness Galat. 5.5 This Righteousness of God gives us ground to hope for Heaven and the possession of it is Executive Justification in the fullness of it Ainsworth understands those words of the Psalmist as meant of imputed Righteousness Psal 17. last In Righteousness I will behold thy face This Righteousness of Christ assures us we shall see God's Face we must first come to the Fountain set open for sin and uncleaness that we may arrive at the Fountain of Life We must touch at the Purifying Fountain that we may have access to the quickening Fountain Psal 36.9 We must first draw Waters at the Wells of Salvation Isa 12.3 and then the Lamb will lead us to Living Fountains of Water and God will wipe all Tears from our eyes Rev. 7. last 4. Consider the great benefits that they obtain who have the Lord to be their Righteousness 1. They are not only Pardoned but Justified Pardon may be given by a Prince's Prerogative where there is no Compensation made for a wrong but Justification is properly by an Obedience given and satisfaction made to the Law Our Pardon is not only a Fruit of Mercy but an Act of Justice God is Just in Justifying Rom. 3.25 26. Blood is sprinkled on the Mercy-Seat Levit. 16.14 to intimate that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5.19 God did not in a way of Sovereign Prerogative reconcile the World to himself He did it not alone by himself or by a meer act of his own Will but he was in Christ reconciling the World to himself Grace reigns but it is through Righteousness Rom. 5. last God is highly pleased by Christ he honoured God's Holiness by Obedience to the Commands of the Law and Glorified God's Justice by his enduring the Curse Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to them that believe Rom. 10.4 All that the Law could aim at or require is fulfilled in Christ he obeyed the Precept and felt the edge of the Threatning because Believers are
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
to resist and contradict the Law of God This was very strange and surprizing to Paul he was decived in this he thought the Law would have repressed beaten down and mortified Sin but it rather fortified it As a Man that doth not know the Nature of Burning Lime thinks by pouring a little water on it to quench it but when he seeth that this water makes it to burn more vehemently and fiercely How would he as amazed cry out How am I deceived that the water should increase the Fire that I thought would extinguish it So the Law doth not weaken Sin but rather strengthen it and render it more violent 4. The Law punishes every Sin with Death Every Lust is mortal every wrong step is fatal and corrupt Fruit is pernitious and destructive Though Ismael might be guilty of many other offences yet for a weighty reason Moses mentions but one and that was his mocking at Isaac and for this he was cast out and cast off Gen. 21.8 9 10 11. Ismael was Hagar's Child and so a Type of them that cleave to the Covenant of Works The Law Curses for every act of Disobedience Deut. 27. last One offence according to the Covenant of Works is enough to undo and Ruin a Man to Eternity 5. There is no access to God by the Covenant of Works When the Law was given Bounds were set about Mount Sinai to keep off the people of Israel they were charged not to break through Death was denounced as the Punishment of those that touched the Mountain Exod. 19.12.13.21 The people therefore removed and stood a-far off Exod. 20.18 None of the other Priests or Worshiping Israelites might enter into the Tabernacle till Atonement was made for their Sins by Aaron the High-Priest Levit. 16 17. But after that Sacrifices were Slain Offered and their Blood Sprinkled on the Altar and the People then Moses Aaron and Seventy of the Elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai and saw the Glory of the God of Israel Exod. 24.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. These Sacrifices were but Types of Christ's Death he died the Just for the Unjust to bring us to God 1 Pet. 3.18 else we are shut out of the Glorious Presence of God and cut off from all Gracious and Blessed Communion with him God is not accessible by the Covenant of Works guilty Creatures are kept off from him 6. The Law genders to Bondage Galat. 4.22 a Spirit of Bondage to Fear attends it Rom. 8.15 as Hagar and Ismael had a slavish Fear of Abraham as a Master rather than a Conjugal Love to him as a Husband or a Filial Love to him as a Father Those under the Covenant of Works are still doubting of God's Favour questioning his Love dreading of his Wrath They do not know whither Death will carry them and where Judgment will fix them and therefore through the Fear of Death they are all their Life-time subject to Bondage Heb. 2.15 the fear of the evil that is future doth embitter to them all present Good The Law was given in such a Manner that it was designed to strike Fear and Terror into Sinners The Israelites were then alone with God in the Wilderness separated from all other Nations This might intimate that God and the Sinner shall be alone together and all pleasing Company and delightful Enjoyments shall be shut out The Thunder did roar in their Ears and the Lightning did flash and flame in their Eyes and the Earth did tremble under their Feet Exod. 19.16 18. Whither shall a Guilty Sinner betake himself when the Heavens do threaten Vengeance over his head and the Earth seems sinking under his feet The Mountain did burn with fire Exod. 19.16 18. with Deut. 5.23 this did represent the fiery Throne of God and his burning Wrath wherewith as a Judge he is Armed to punish and destroy those that trust in their Works and will have to do with God according to the Covenant of Works But though the Mountain did burn yet it was not consumed So guilty Creatures shall burn in the fire of God's Wrath yet never be consumed or cease to be There was Blackness Darkness and Tempest Heb. 12.18 These pointed at the perplexed state of a Sinner the horrour and consternation of the Soul when God the Judge doth shew his Justice and Wrath for the Violation of the Condition of the Covenant of Works O what black darkness will cover Sinners O what a Terrible Storm and Tempest will one day be raised in and fall upon their Souls The sound of the Trumpet that was exceeding loud Exod. 19.19 Heb. 12.19 did signifie that Sinners must be cited to and presented before the Tribunal of God neither can any decline or avoid appearing before God's Justice-Seat Yet the Apostle calls this Mount Sinai a Mountain that was in it self Tangible or might be touched that so it was an Earthly and Material Mountain because the Dispensation of the Law and Covenant of Works is but a low Dispensation A Natural Man may Touch and Reach this that God will inflict evil on those that rebel and do evil When as the Covenant of Grace is a Spiritual and Invisible Mountain far above the reach and comprehension above the sight and ken of a Natural Man And what did all this Terror in giving the Law tend to but to raise a Spirit of Bondage in sinners and by Fear to drive and force sinners to some External Obedience to the Letter of the Law which yet they perform with Regret and Reluctancy and not with Love and delight 7. There is no enjoyment of the Eternal Inheritance by the Law the Bond-woman and her Son were to be cast out Galat. 4.20 21. Gen. 21.8.10 Ismael was not admitted or allowed to be an Heir with Isaac He did not Inherit Abraham's Rich Estate Moses could not bring the Israelites into or give them possession of the Land of Canaan this Joshua the Type of Christ did Hagar and Ismael were turned out with a small pittance they had but a few Loaves and a Bottle of Water It may seem strange that Rich Abraham should provide no better for his Wife and Child but there was a Mystery in it it served to instruct us that those that are of the works of the Law cannot be Heirs of Heaven cannot possess any Spiritual Riches or an Eternal portion in Glory but are put off with Temporary Momentary Comforts and Enjoyments What are the best things that this World affords What are Earthly Riches Honours or Pleasures compared with an Eternal Happiness they are but as a few Loaves of Bread and a Bottle of Water When Hagar and Ismael were turned out they wandered in a Wilderness Gen. 21.14 O what a difference was there between the plenty and abundance of Abraham's Family and the wants of a Barren Wilderness The World it self is but a Wilderness compared with the Paradise of God Revel 2.7 A Legal state under the Covenant of Works What is it but a wretched
immediate and only Righteousness for Justification Christ is not only the Meritorious cause of our Justification but the very matter of our Righteousness The Israelites did not look to the Brazen Serpent in part and partly to a Plaister of their own providing for help against the Bite of the Fiery Serpents but wholly took off their eye from themselves and Fixed it only on God's Remedy The Man that brought a Sacrifice was to lay his hand on the head of it Levit. 1.4 The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is rendred Fulciet he shall prop up his hand by leaning strongly on the Head of the Sacrifice the same word is used of Aaron laying or leaning his hand strongly on the Head of the Scape-Goat Levit. 16.21 So we must trust stedfastly on Christ our Sacrifice we must stay our selves from sinking and falling by leaning on the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ this must be our only support The Names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel were put and carried on the two shoulders of the High-Priest Exod. 28.12 to point at these sweet Truths that we must be born on the Shoulders of Christ our Great High-Priest that we may not fink down to Hell but be carried up to Heaven by him We must therefore greedily catch at and strongly take hold of the Righteousness of Christ It is said of the Gentiles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Took hold of the Righteousness that is by Faith as a Racer that grasps and holds fast the Prize We must strike the Root of Faith deep into the Righteousness of Christ An Anchor will not hold a Ship fast if it only ly on the ground and do not pierce deep into it So Faith will not establish our hearts if it doth not penetrate and pierce deep into Christ We must Marry Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 that he may spread his Skirt over us Ezek. 16.8 and cover our Nakedness that he may secure us from our Debts and protect us from God's Arrest By Faith we must Feed on and eat Christ and be Incorporated into him John 6.53 54 57. Surely then Christ's Righteousness will Cloth and Cover his own Body We must be engrafted into Christ as our Stock and then we shall partake of Christ's Righteousness as the Fruit that this Noble Vine doth bear as we partake of the Vital Sap of Christ for our Sanctification so we feed on the Food of Christ his Active and Passive Obedience for our Justification If the Guilt of Sin doth not set close to and press hard on our Consciences the Hand of Faith will not press and lean hard on the Head of Jesus Christ our Atoning Sacrifice 8. We must be Humble and Repent 1. We must be Humbled We think our selves to be Rich and to want nothing Rev. 3.17 till the Spirit doth as it were sue out the Statute of Bankrupt against us and shew us our Poverty that we are nothing have nothing can do nothing that is Spiritually Good till Christ doth quicken us and live in us We have a Mountain of Pride and Carnal Confidence that must be levelled Isa 40.4 Men are naturally so high and stout that they are not willing to stoop submit and be beholding wholly to the Righteousness of Christ Rom. 10. v. 3. The Israelites in the Wilderness did Murmur and Complain because it was no place of Seed Numb 20.5 But did they not receive Bread in a more easie way Was it not Rained down from Heaven on them yet they speak as if they had rather to go to Plow Sow earn and get their Bread by their own Labour than to receive it of God's free gift God is said to humble them and feed them with Manna Deut. 8.3 they did not get their Bread by the Sweat of their Face but received it as a daily Almes from God and in this sense God humbled them when he fed them with Manna Proud Sinners like the Israelites had rather Plow Sow raise Bread and Righteousness out of themselves than to receive it as a Gift from Heaven But this Tympany of Pride must be prickt our Rags our Fig-leaves our Plaisters must be pluckt away that our Shame Nakedness and Sores may appear We must come to God in the most submissive manner A Begger must not Cloath himself with Satins or Silks or put on Rings or Chains of Gold this is a Garb that contradicts his Requests as a Begger and will frustrate his design We must come to God in the most humble way to beg an Alms and sue for the gift of Righteousness Rom. 5.17 we must not boast of any Righteousness or plead any Works of ours but acknowledge our Sores Nakedness and Poverty 2. We must Repent and turn from Sin If thou wilt not renounce the filth and dominion of sin God may justly retain the Guilt of it and bind it on thee We must not love what we should loath retain that which we should cast away continue in that which we should break off from We must feel the weight and tast the bitterness of sin Christ only did bear our sins for Expiation but we must bear them by Remorse and Godly sorrow Ephraim said When he Repented he bear on him the Reproach of his Youth Jer. 31.19 We must take our fins to us charge and bind them on us before Jesus Christ will put them away if we see but little evil that we have committed we shall account that God had but few Faults of ours to lay on Jesus Christ and so we shall make light of Christ's Sorrows and Sufferings How can we desire God to put away our sins 2 Sam. 12 13. if we will keep sin and not put it away Job 20.12 13. Isa 1.16 17. Jer. 44.15 16 17. Was Christ's Body broken for sin 1 Cor. 11.24 And shall not our hearts be broken for it and from it Psal 51.17 A broken heart will set a price on and be a meet Patient for a bleeding and broken Christ Christ hath little Practice and few Patients in the World because Men are so hard-hearted and so few are broken in heart We must cast out our Lusts as Jonah that we may not be drowned in Perdition we must suffer in our flesh that is in our corrupt Nature 1 Pet. 4.1 that we may not suffer in our Souls and Bodies to Eternity Tho' God will be Reconciled to Sinners yet not to Sin though Christ came to shew Mercy to Offenders yet his design is to exercise Severity on the Devil's Work in us and to destroy Iniquity 1 John 38. yet it is not Repentance but Faith that receives God's Gift and Christ's Righteousness Rom. 5.17 Acts 26.18 yea Repentance being Christ's Gift Doth not Faith receive it Some say there cannot be a Fiducial act of Faith before Repentance But must we not trust on God through Christ for a new heart of flesh to be given to us Ezek. 36.26 And is not this a Fiducial Act of Faith Can we trust on Christ for any Spiritual
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