EXHORTATION TO BELIEVE. 255 that this way is built upon, render it secure and safe for sinners ; for, 1. It is founded on the purpose of God, " The Scripture foreseeing that God would jus- tify the heathen through faith." Gal. 3 : 8. God would do so, he had purposed and determined to proceed this way ; and all the purposes of God are attended with immutability. 2. His promise also is engaged in it, and that given out in the way of a covenant, as has been already declared. And, 3. This promise is con- firmed by an oath ; and it may be observed that God doth not in any thing interpose with an oath, but what relates to this way of coming to himself by forgiveness. For the oath of God, wherever it is used, respecteth either Christ typically or personally, or the covenant established in him : for, 4. This way is confirmed and ratified in his blood ; from whence the apostle at large . evinceth its absolute security and safety. FIeb. 9. What- ever soul, then, on the invitation under consideration, shall give up himself to come toGod by the wayproposed, he shall assuredly find absolute peace and security in it. Neither our own weakness from within, nor the oppo- sition of any or all our enemies from without, shall be able to turn us out of this way. See Isa. 35 : 4-10. In the other way of salvation by our good deeds, every individual stands upon his own foundation, and must do so to the last and utmost of his continuance in this world. You are desirous to go to God, to obtain his favor, and come to an enjoyment of him. What will you do? what course will you fix upon for obtain- ing these ends l If you were so holy, so perfect, so righ- teous, so free from sin, as you could desire, you should have some boldness in going to God. But if this be the way you choose, then remember, you stand upon your own personal account all your days, and if you fail in the least, you are gone for ever : for " whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
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