The LORD our Righteousness.
JEREMIAH xxiii. 6.
_The LORD our Righteousness_.
WHOEVER is acquainted with the nature of mankind in general, or the propensity of his own heart in particular, must acknowledge, that _self-righteousness_ is the last idol that is rooted out of the heart: being once born under a covenant of works, it is natural for us all to have recourse to a covenant of works, for our everlasting salvation. And we have contracted such a devilish pride, by our fall from GOD, that we would, if not wholly, yet in part at least, glory in being the cause of our own salvation. We cry out against popery, and that very justly; but we are all Papists, at least, I am sure, we are all Arminians by nature; and therefore no wonder so many natural men embrace that scheme. It is true, we disclaim the doctrine of merit, are ashamed directly to say we deserve any good at the hands of GOD; therefore, as the Apostle excellently well observes, “we go about,” we fetch a circuit, “to establish a righteousness of our own, and,” like the Pharisees of old, “will not wholly submit to that righteousness which is of GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”
This is the sorest, though, alas! the most common evil that was ever yet seen under the sun. An evil, that in any age, especially in these dregs of time wherein we live, cannot sufficiently be inveighed against. For as it is with the people, so it is with the priests; and it is to be feared, even in those places, where once the truth as it is in JESUS was eminently preached, many ministers are so sadly degenerated from their pious ancestors, that the doctrines of grace, especially the personal, _all-sufficient righteousness of_ JESUS, is but too seldom, too slightly mentioned. Hence the love of many waxeth cold; and I have often thought, was it possible, that this single consideration would be sufficient to raise our venerable forefathers again from their graves; who would thunder in their ears their fatal error.
The righteousness of JESUS CHRIST is one of those great mysteries, which the angels desire to look into, and seems to be one of the first lessons that GOD taught men after the fall. For, what were the coats that GOD made to put on our first parents, but types of the application of the merits or righteousness of JESUS CHRIST to believers hearts? We are told, that those coats were made of skins of beasts; and, as beasts were not then food for men, we may fairly infer, that those beasts were slain in sacrifice, in commemoration of the great sacrifice, JESUS CHRIST, thereafter to be offered. And the skins of the beasts thus slain, being put on _Adam_ and _Eve_, they were hereby taught how their nakedness was to be covered with the righteousness of the Lamb of GOD.
This is it which is meant, when we are told, “_Abraham_ believed on the LORD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” In short, this is it of which both the law and the prophets have spoken, especially _Jeremiah_ in the words of the text, “The LORD our righteousness.”
I propose, through divine grace,
I. To consider who we are to understand by the word LORD.
II. How the LORD is man’s righteousness.
III. I will consider some of the chief objections that are generally urged against this doctrine.
IV. I shall shew some very ill consequences that flow naturally from denying this doctrine.
V. Shall conclude with an exhortation to all to come to CHRIST by faith, that they may be enabled to say with the Prophet in the text, “The LORD our righteousness.”
I. I am to consider who we are to understand by the word LORD. The LORD our righteousness.