_Secondly_, It is called an everlasting righteousness, because the efficacy of CHRIST’s death took place immediately upon _Adam_’s fall. Christianity, in one sense, is as old as the creation. Great Professor _Franck_, of _Germany_, says, “That CHRIST is the sum and substance of all righteousness.” Mr. _Henry_ observes, “That the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the treasure hid in the field of the Old Testament, under the types and shadows of the _Mosaic_ dispensation.” We have the Sun of Righteousness shining in his full meridian in the New Testament dispensation. Now the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, may be called an everlasting righteousness, because all the saints that have been saved, or that ever will be saved, are all saved by the righteousness of CHRIST. A great many censorious people are mighty inquisitive to know, what will become of the heathens, that never heard of JESUS CHRIST. I would say to such persons, as the LORD JESUS CHRIST did to another curious enquirer, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” Pray, for what should you and I trouble ourselves about the heathens? Are not we heathens? It is too true, that we have too much of the heathens temper and practice with us. But why should we lose our time in enquiring about what will become of the heathen, and not rather enquire what will become of our own souls? We may be sure GOD will deal with heathens according to their light: if he has given them no revelation, they will not be judged by a revelation; if they have not had a law, they will be judged without law. But as for the _Jews_ and _Gentiles_, who have the gospel revealed to them, however Deists may argue contrary to it; however they may set up reason in opposition to divine revelation; we may be sure none were ever saved, or will be saved, but by the righteousness of CHRIST. It was through faith in him, that _Abel_ was saved; it was through the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST, that _Abraham_ was accepted, and that all the prophets of old were accepted; and there is none other name given under heaven, whereby we can be saved, but that of CHRIST. And therefore, since persons under the law, and under the gospel, are to be saved only through CHRIST; therefore, CHRIST’s righteousness may properly be called an everlasting righteousness. But this is not all.
_Thirdly_, The righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, is not only to be called an everlasting righteousness, because that all persons under the law, and all persons under the gospel, are saved by it; but because the efficacy thereof, blessed be GOD for it! is to continue till time shall be no more. Blessed be GOD for JESUS CHRIST! the efficacy of whose blood, death, and atonement, is as great and as effectual now to the salvation of poor sinners, as when he bowed his blessed head, and gave up the ghost: “JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;” and whosoever believes on him now, whosoever comes to, and accepts of him, shall now see his power, shall taste of his grace, and shall be actually saved by him, the same as if he had been in company with those who saw him expiring.