each PERS ON dUtinc7ly. 273 by it enemies to the righteoufnefs of God. The ground of this going about to eftablifh their own righteoufnefs, was, that theywere ignorant of the righteoufnefs of God , had they known the righteoufnefs of God, and what exalt conformity to his will he requireth, they had never undertaken fuch a fruitlefs bufinefs, as to havecotnpaflèd it, as it Were by theworks of the law, yet this many will flick on a long time. Something they do, fomething they hope for; fume old faults they will buyoff with new obe- dience. And this pacifies their confciences for a feafon ; but when the fpi- rit comes to convince themof righteoufnefs, neither will this hold ; where- fore, 3.) The matter comes at length to this due, they look upon themfelves under this twofold qualification ; as, (t. Sinners ; obnoxious to the lawof God, and the curfethereof, fo that unlefs that be fatisfied, that nothingfrom thence Gall ever he laid to their Charge, it is altogether in vain, once to feek after an appearance in the pre- fence of God. (2. As creatures, made to a fupesnatural and eternal end, and therefore bound to anfwer the whole mind and will Of God in the obedience requir- ed at their hands. Now it being before difcoveied to them, that both there are beyond the compafs of their own endeavours, and the aífiftance which they have formerly refted. on, if their eternal condition be of any concern- ment to them, their wildem is, to find out a righteoufnefs that may anfwer both there to the utmoft. Now both there are to be had only in the Lord Chrift, who is our righ- teoufnefs; this wifdom, and all the treafures of it, axe hid in him. (t:) He expiates former iniquities, he fatisfies for fin, and procures re- miffton of it, Rom. iii. 24, 25. Being jufified freely by his grace, thro' the redemption that is iu MISChris, whomGodbath fee firth to he apropitia- tion, thro' faith in his blood, to declare his righteoiaficefs for the remìi fon of fins that are pall, thro' the forbearance of God. All we like'beep, &c. Ifa. 5., 6. In his blood we have redemption, the forgivenefs offins, Ephe; i. 7. God fpared not him, but gave him, &c. Rom. viii. 32. Fbis, even this alone is our righteoufnefs, as to that firft part of it, which confifts in the removal of the whole guilt of fia, whereby we are come fhort of the glory of God. On this account it is, that we are affixed, that none Gall ever lay any thing to our charge, or condemn us, Rom. viii. 31, 34. there being sto condemnation to them that are in Chri/l yefns, v. 1. we are purged by the facrifice of Chrift, fo as to bave no more confcience offin, Heb. X. 2. that is, troubles in confcience about it: This wifdom is hid only in the Lord Jefus; in him alone is there an attonement difcovered: and give the the wifdom which Gall cut all fcores concerning fin, and let the ,world take what remains. But, (2.) There is yet fomethingmore required, it is not enoughthat we are not guilty. We mutt alfo he a&wally righteous, not only all fin is to be anfwered for, but all righteoufnefs is to be fulfilled; by taking away the guilt of fin, we are as perlons innocent, but fotething more is required to make us to be confidered as perfons obedient: I know nothing to teach me that an Gnocent perfon Gall go to heaven, be rewarded, if he be no more but fo. Adam was innocent at his firft creation, but he was to do this, to keep the commandments before he entered into life, he had no title to life by innocency: This then moreover is required, that the whole law heful- filled, and all the obedience performed that God requires at our hands: Z z z This
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