Page:Believer exalted in imputed righteousness.pdf/5

 owing to the complete obedience, and meritorious death of the ever-bleſſed Surety.

This the foundation, which God hath laid in Zion, upon which all our happineſs in time and through eternity is built. I have not time now to adduce parallel texts of ſcripture for the confirmation of this doctrine, neither can I ſtand upon a long proſecution of it conſidering what great work you have before you thro' the day: All I ſhall do, ſhall be only in the first place.

I. To offer a few propoſitions anent this righteouſneſs, that you may underſtand both the nature and neceſſity of it.

II. Give you a few of its properties, to clear its excellency.

III. Speak a little of the believer's exaltation by virtue of this righteouſneſs.

IV. Apply.

For the Firſt. To offer a few propoſitions anent this righteouſneſs, for clearing its nature and neceſſity. 1ſt, Then, you would know, that God having made man a rational creature, capable of moral government, he gave him a law ſuited to his nature, by which he was to govern himſelf in the duties he owed to God his great Creator. This law was delivered to man in the form of a covenant, with a promiſe of life upon the condition of perfect obedience. Gen. ii. 17. Thus ſtood matters between God and man in a ſtate of innocency.

2dly. Adam, and all his poſterity in him, and with him, having broken the covenant, are become liable to the curſe, and penalty of it; ſo that our ſalvation become abſolutely