The Sincere Convert

Thirdly, that this Salvation is not by any Righteousness in a Christ, but Righteousness from a Christ, only by giving a man power to do; and then dipping mens doings in his blood, he merits their life. Thus the wisest ⟨p. 241⟩and devoutest of them profess, as I am able to manifest; just so do many Christians live. First, They feel themselves full of sin, and are sometimes tired and weary of their lives, for their vile hearts, and they find no power to help themselves. Secondly, Hereupon hearing, that only Christ can save them, they go unto Christ to remove these sins that tyre them and load them, that he would enable them to do better than formerly. Thirdly, If they get these sins subdued and removed, and if they find power to do better, than they hope they shall be saved. Whereas thou mayest be damned and go to the devil at last, although thou dost escape all the pollutions of the world, & that not from they self and strength, but from the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 2. 20. I say woe to you for ever, if you die in this estate, it is with our Christians in this case, as it is with the Ivy, which clasps and groweth about the tree, and draws sap from the tree, but it grows not one with the ⟨p. 242⟩tree, because it is not ingrafted into the tree: so many a soul cometh to Christ, to suck juice from Christ to maintain his own berries, (his own stock of grace,) alas, he is but Ivy, he is no member or branch of this tree, and hence he never groweth to be one with Christ. 2. Now the reasons why men rest in their duties are these.

Thirdly, that this Salvation is not by any Righteousnesse in a Christ, but Righteousnesse from a Christ, onely by giving a man power to doe; and then dipping mens doings in his bloud, he merits their life. Thus the wisest ⟨p. 241⟩and devoutest of them professe, as I am able to manifest; just so doe many Christians live. First, They feele themselves full of sinne, and are sometimes tyred and weary of their lives, for their vile hearts, and they finde no power to helpe themselves. Secondly, Hereupon hearing, that onely Christ can save them, they goe unto Christ to remove these sinnes that tyre them and load them, that hee would enable them to doe better than formerly. Thirdly, If they get these sinnes subdued and removed, and if they finde power to doe better, than they hope they shall be saved. Whereas thou mayest be damned and goe to the devill at last, although thou dost escape all the pollutions of the world, & that not from they selfe and strength, but from the knowledge of Jesus Christ,