Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things

First, Righteousness, and that is either active or passive; holiness of life, or (the cause of this holiness) our righteousness in Christ: If the first be meant, no sooner is man born again, but he enters into the holy path, he declines all evil, and stands at the sword point with his most beloved sin; or if ever any sin (through the violence of temptation) seize on him again, he is presently put again into the pangs of the new birth, and so renewing his sorrow, and repairing repentance, he becomes more resolute and watchful over all his ways: ¹And as he abhors evil, so he cleaves to that which is good; his faith like the Sun, sets all those gracious heavenly stars on shining, as hope, and love, and zeal, and humility, and patience; in a word, universal obedience, and fruitfulness in all good works: not one, but all good duties of the first and second Table, begin to be natural and familiar to him, and though he find some duties more difficult, yet he resolveth, and striveth to do what he can, and is much displeased and grieved, if he do not as he should. Or if by righteousness is meant passive righteousness, ²to wit, our righteousness in Christ, no sooner is a man born again, but he is clothed with this righteousness; the other (God knows) is but weak and full of imperfection, ³and therefore to speak properly, It is the righteousness in God, that makes us appear righteous afore God: would you have a plain case? as Jacob to procure the blessing of his father, hid himself into the apparel of his brother, and so received it to his own commodity, under the person of another: thus the new man puts on the righteousness of Christ, with which being clad as with a garment, God accepts him in his stead, his faults being covered with his Saviours perfection.

First, Righteousness, and that is either active or passive; holiness of life, or (the cause of this holiness) our righteousness in Christ: If the first be meant, no sooner is man born again, but he enters into the holy path, he declines all evil, and stands at the sword point with his most beloved sin; or if ever any sin (through the violence of temptation) seize on him again, he is presently put again into the pangs of the new birth, and so renewing his sorrow, and repairing repentance, he becomes more resolute and watchful over all his ways: