TeK. 4.] SERMONS UPON HEBBEWS XL 491
tions of tte soul ; all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy might. It is no matter though our meaning be good ; the law would have us bring our duties and acts of obedience not only to the touchstone, but to the balance ; it must hold exact weight, as well as be of a good kind.
2. Consider the holiness of God. The great business of justification is to give us a righteousness that will endure God's sight, that we may be able to stand before God ; hence those phrases, 'justified in his sight," Ps. cxliii. 2, and Kom. iii. 20 ; and 'glorying before God,' Eom. iv. 2 ; and ' the answer of a good conscience towards God,' 1 Peter iii. 21. So that if we would look for a proper righteousness fit for justification, we are to draw the soul into God's sight, and to think of the pure eyes of his glory. Now it is said, Job xv. 15, ' The heavens are not clean in his sight,' that is, the holy ones in heaven, the angels that are con- firmed in their own righteousness, they are not clean in the sight of Gtxl's holiness. They not only cover their feet, that is, that which is the meanest and lowest of the angelical nattire, but their faces, that wliich is most glorious in their nature; they were ashamed of that which was best in their nature, as being abashed at the presence of God's holiness. Oh ! what will become of us vile worms ? ' What is man, that he should be clean ? And he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous ? ' Job xv. 14. If the court of heaven be not clean in his presence, how shall we do for a righteousness that must endure the eyes of God's glory ? — ' Who can stand before this holy God ? ' 1 Sam. vi. 20. Alas ! in the state you are, you can no more expect that God should delight in you than you can delight in a toad, because of the contrariety of nature ; yet this is but a finite com- parison. Now in vain is it to think God should act contrary to his nature, that ever holiness itself should delight in a sinner. Oh ! what shall I do to come before God's holiness ?
3. Consider our proneness to sin. Men that have low thoughts of the degeneration and corruption of nature have as low thoughts of the righteousness of Christ ; therefore consider how corruption is apt to bewi-ay itself in duty, business, recreation, in all conditions and actions of life ; all is tainted: ' Innumerable evils have compassed me about,' Ps. xl. 12. And consider, whoever appears before God must be clothed with some righteousness. Now go to our duties, — ' Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,' Isa. Lsv. 5. The better part of our lives are spotted and defiled. Certainly those works that need pardon themselves can never justify us. Afala mea pure, mala mat et mea ; bona autem rnea, nee 'pure bona sunt, nee mea — our evil works, they are merely evil, and they are ours ; but our good works are neither ours ; nor are they purely good. Certainly a man cannot merit with that which doth not deserve acceptance.
4. Consider the strictness of the last days account. Justification is principally intended for that time. Christ's righteousness was ap- pointed for Christ's judgment : 1 John ii. 28, ' And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.' 'This God aimed at, to establish such a righteousness that we might not be ashamed at Christ's coming : 1 John iii. 21, * If onr hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God ; * and Luke xxi. 36, you have the like expres-
492 SEEMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. [SeR. XVII.
sion, ' That ye may stand before the Son of man.* Now when every idle word shall be weighed in Grod's balance, what will you do then? Things will not be huddled up at that day, but conscience will be extended to the recognition of all the sins you have committed ; and what will you do for a righteousness at that day, when the secret stores of your thoughts and the hidden things of the heart shall be made manifest : 1 Cor. iv. 5, ' Until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness ; and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.' Light words will weigh heavy in God's balance. The comfort of justification is never tried till the last judgment.
5. Consider the danger of resting upon anything in ourselves. Alas I when you go to mix the covenants, you quite undo your hopes in Christ ;. it is plain you hold by the former covenant. If you do but set up anything of self, it makes the promise of Christ of none effect. Here you are put to your choice by what covenant you will be judged ; either the covenant of works, in which there is judgment without mercy, or by the law of liberty. If you set up yoiir.self, you cast off the new covenant. Carnal confidence rendereth you obnoxious to the whole law : Gal. iii. 18. ' For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise.' If you hold by the former covenant, you are quite undone ; you shall not have a drop of grace : Eom. xi. 6, ' If it be of works, it is no more grace.' You are bound to fulfil the whole law ; if in any case you set up self, 'Christ shall profit you nothing,' Gal. V. 2. God will deal with you, either altogether by works, or altogether by Christ ; these things cannot be mixed. When you seek to piece up the righteousness of Christ by any graces or duties of yours, by resting in yourselves, you destroy the whole. It must not be a patched righteousness ; the piece of new cloth maketh the rent the worse.