And hence it is that all opinions of a self-righteousness, or justifi- cation by works, have always produced licentiousness of life, though
a fi oe
alt aon ee ee an
A PECULIAR DEFECTION FROM THE TRUTH ILLUSTRATED. 155
__ they who assert it clamorously pretend to the contrary. So when
a righteousness of works was absolutely enthroned in the Papacy, before the Reformation, the lives of the generality of men were fla- gitiously wicked, and most of the good works that were performed amongst them were but barterings with God and conscience for horrible vices and impieties. According, also, unto the growth of the same opinion, in its various degrees, among us, is the progress of all sorts of impiety and licentiousness of life. And if the masters
of these opinions would but open their eyes, they would see that
whereas they assert their justification by works under a pretence of a necessity so to do, for the maintenance of holiness and right- eousness among men, unholiness, unrighteousness, intemperance of life, and all abominations, do grow upon them, such as were not heard of in former days among them who made any profession of religion. And the reason hereof is, because the very same notions of God which will allow men to suppose that they may be justified in his sight by their own duties, will also accommodate their lusts with several apprehensions that he will not be so severe against their sins as is supposed. However, this is plain in matter of fact, that the opinion of self-righteousness and looseness of conversation in the practice of sin have gone together generally, from the days of the Pharisees to this present season. And as this proud conceit re- ceives daily advancement in several degrees, under various pretences,
‘it is to be feared the world will be more and more filled with the
bitter fruits thereof. It is grace, and the doctrine of it, as well as its power, that must put a stop to sin. He that drives men into a righteousness of their own at one door opens another unto their sins. And all that we have got hitherto by fierce disputations about justi- fication as it were by works, is only that the faith of some hath been weakened, the peace of multitudes disquieted, differences increased, without the least evidence of holiness improved or the vices of men reformed by them. And it will not be granted that the strictest professors in these days (whether they have imbibed these opinions or no) do in real holiness and fruitfulness of life exceed those of the foregoing age, who firmly, and without hesitation, trusted unto the Lord Christ alone for life, righteousness, and salvation.
2. Suppose the righteousness God requires of us in the law to be intended; the ignorance thereof also is a great reason why men venture on a righteousness of their own, and go about to establish it. Were they indeed acquainted with the purity, spirituality, severity, and inexorableness of the law, they would never be possessed with imaginations that the perfection which they dream of in themselves would endure its trial. But when men shall suppose that the law
respects only outward duties, and those also of the greatest notoriety,
156 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
as to sin and obedience, and can relieve themselves in sundry things by pharisaical distinctions and expositions of it; when they consider not, or understand not, the extent of it,—unto an exacting of the en- tire image of God in us, wherein we were created, unto the regulat- ing of all the frames, figments, and first motions of the heart, and its application of the curse unto the least deviation from it,—they may please or some way satisfy themselves by establishing a righteous- ness of their own, as it were by the works of the law.
3. But the “righteousness of God” in this place is taken principally for that righteousness which he hath provided for us in the gospel; and what this is the apostle declares in the next verse: “ For,” says he, “ Christ is the end of the law for righteousness unto every one that believeth,” Rom. x. 4. And this he calls “The righteousness which is of faith,” chap. ix. 30.. Wherefore, the “righteousness of God” is Christ as fulfilling the law and answering the end of it, received by faith. This is that righteousness of God, which whosoever are ignorant of and submit not unto, they will go about to’establish a righteousness of their own, and trust unto it. And thus hath it openly and visibly fallen out with them concerning whom we treat. They will not deny but that, under their convictions, they were soli- citous after a righteousness with which God might be well pleased; —and if they should deny it, they were not to be believed, because it is impossible it should be otherwise with any in that condition; for conviction is principally a sense of the want of a righteousness. In this state, the gospel which they had, and which it may be they heard preached, presented unto them “Christ as the end of the law for righteousness unto every one that believeth,” as it is fully declared, Rom. iii, 21-26, with chap. v. 18, 19. This divers of them for a season professed themselves to embrace and acquiesce in. But when things came to the trial, it generally appeared that they had all along been ignorant of this righteousness of God; for they have left it for a righteousness of their own, which, had they truly and really known it, they could not have done. He who hath ever truly and really made Christ the end of the law for righteousness unto himself, by believing, will not cast contempt and scorn upon his righteousness imputed unto us, as is the manner of some to do. But herein is the Son of God in some measure “ crucified afresh, and put to an open shame.” When men shall profess that they did look after righteousness by him, and would have received him as the end of the law for righteousness, but not finding that therein which they expected, they have betaken themselves to.a righteousness wholly within them, and so wholly their own, they will not easily con- trive a way whereby they may reflect more dishonour upon him. Whatever pretences may be made to the contrary, whatever maze