Page:Believer exalted in imputed righteousness.pdf/18

 their own, like the Jews, Rom. x. 3. 'Who went about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs ofand [sic] would not ſubmit to the righteouſneſs of God.' There are ſome of the hearers of the goſpel, who exalt themſelves in a native righteouſneſs: they are not ſo bad as others; they are free of groſs out-breakings, being no common drunkards, ſwearers, or ſabbath-breakers, and therefore conclude that all is right with them: but, ſirs, the Phariſee could make theisthis [sic] brag, and Paul before converſion could ſay that touching the law he was blameleſs; and yet, when God opened his eyes, he found himſelf lying under the arreſt of juſtice: For, when the commandment came, ſin revived, and he died. Others are exalting themſelves in a moral kind of righteouſneſs: they not only ceaſe to do evil, but do many things that are materially good: They are ſober, temperate, juſt, in their dealings, libralliberal [sic] to the poor, good peaceable neighbours; they love every body, and every body loves them; they keep the commandments as well as they can; and this is the ground they are ſtanding upon. But I may ſay to you, as Chriſt ſaid to the young man, who told him. All theſe things have I kept from my youth upOne thing thou yet lackeſt. O what is that? ſay you, I anſwer, it is to be brought off from that rotten bottom of a covenant of works that ytye [sic] are ſtanding upon. Ye want to ſee that ye are ſpiritually dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, and that ye are legally dead, condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on you. Ye want to ſee, that all your own righteouſneſs is as filthy rags, and to be made