Again, The LORD JESUS CHRIST brought in this righteousness, as he wrought it out for sinners upon the cross. Some Antinomians, for want of a proper distinction, run into a grievous error, telling us, Because GOD intended to justify by the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST, therefore man is justified from all eternity: which is absurd: a person cannot be justified, till he is actually existing; therefore, though man is justified, as it lies in GOD’s mind from all eternity, yet it was not actually brought in till the LORD JESUS CHRIST pronounced those blessed words, “It is finished;” the grand consummation! then JESUS brought it in. A new and a living way was to be opened to the Holy of Holies, for poor sinners, by the blood of CHRIST. But I do not think that the expression, _brought in_, is to be limited to this sense, though I suppose it is the primary one; it implies not only CHRIST’s bringing it into the world, as promulgating, and having it written in the word of GOD, and as having wrought it out for sinners in his life, and on the cross; but he brings it in, in a manner, which, I pray GOD may take place this night; I mean, bringing it, by his blessed Spirit, into poor believers hearts. All that CHRIST hath done, all that CHRIST hath suffered, all CHRIST’s active obedience, all CHRIST’s passive obedience, will do us no good, unless by the Spirit of GOD, it is brought into our souls. As one expresses it, “An unapplied CHRIST is no CHRIST at all.” To hear of a CHRIST dying for sinners, will only increase your damnation, will only sink you deeper into hell, unless we have ground to say, by a work of grace wrought in our hearts, that the LORD JESUS hath brought this home to us. Hence it is, that the Apostle, speaking of CHRIST, says, “Who loved me, and gave himself for me.” O that dear, that great, that little, but important word, _me_. Happy they, who can adopt the Apostle’s language! Happy they that can apply it to their own heart; and when they hear that CHRIST has brought in an everlasting righteousness, can say, Blessed be GOD, it is brought in by the blessed Spirit to my soul!
Are there any here that can go along with me on this doctrine? But why do I ask this question, when preaching to numbers, who, I hope, have tasted of the grace of GOD long ago? I do not know; I cannot distinguish you; you are just like other people, as to your looks and habits; but if I do not, and if your neighbours cannot know you, that great GOD, in whose presence you are, knows you; He, before whose tribunal we are shortly to appear, knows you. If CHRIST JESUS hath brought his everlasting righteousness into your heart; if it is applied by the Spirit of GOD to your soul, what shall I say to you? I will say as the Angel to _John_, “Come up hither,” thou child of GOD! Come up hither, thou son, thou daughter of _Abraham_! Come and join with me, in calling upon angels and archangels, in calling upon the spirits of just men made perfect, to help thee to praise that loving Redeemer, that has brought in an everlasting righteousness. O was ever love like this! When _Abraham_ was about to offer up his son, GOD said, “Now I know that thou lovest me, since thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” Now may each child of GOD say, “Now, O GOD, I know that thou hast loved me, since thou hast not withheld thy Son, thy dear Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, from dying for me.” If thou hast got CHRIST brought into thy soul by faith, O look forward, look towards a happy eternity; O look towards those everlasting mansions, into which GOD will bring thee after death. My dear friends, I could say much from this text to comfort GOD’s people: But