Page:Believer exalted in imputed righteousness.pdf/20

 And whanwhen [sic] nothing elſe will do, they will make their own act of believing the righteouſneſs on which they lean for acceptance: which is ſtill a ſeeking righteouſneſs in themſelves: whereas, if ever we be juſtified before God, we muſt have it in the Lord Jeſus, ſaying, In him we will be juſtified, and in him alone we will glory. Faith carries the ſoul quite out of itſelf; yes, faith renounces its own act in the point of juſtification. All theſe, and many other rooms and lying refuges bath the devil and our hearts deviſed, to lead us off from Chriſt: But, O ſirs, believe it, theſe are but imaginary ſanctuarys, and the hail will ſweep them away. Nothing but the doing and dying of the Surety, apprehended by faith, will ever exalt you into favour and friendſhip with God; or acquit you from the curſe and condemnation of the broken law; and unleſs ye betake yourſelves to the horns of this bleſſed alter, to this refuge of God's appointing, you are undone; and you may read your doom, Iſa. l. 11. 'Behold all ye that kindle a fire; that compaſs yourſelves about with ſparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the ſparks that ye have kindled. This ſhall ye have of mine hand, ye ſhall lie down in ſorrow.'

Uſe third, of Trial. Is it ſo, that in Chriſt's righteouſneſs we are exalted? O then, ſirs, try if you be really exalted by this righteouſneſs.

There is the more need to try this now, that you are to approach the table of the Lord; this righteouſneſs is the wedding-garment without which ye cannot be welcome gueſts. And, if you adventure to meddle with the ſymbols of Chriſt's