Christ's certain and sudden appearance to judgment

17. Come forth all ye civil and moral persons, who have had moral righteousness, and been upright in your dealings, but wholly strangers unto the power of godliness; who have observed some Precepts of the second Table of the Law in reference to your selves and ⟨p. 109⟩others externally; but have grossly neglected the duties of the first Table, which have had reference to God; who have had no knowledge of God, nor fear of him, nor love to him, nor delight in him; who have never sanctified his name or day in your hearts, nor worshipped him in a spiritual manner according to the prescriptions of his words; who never yielded obedience to the Gospel, never saw your need of me, and obtained interest and acquaintance with me, what ever calls and opportunities you had: and do you think I should know you, and own you now, when you are none of mine? will your moral righteousness stand you now in any stead, when you are to give so strict an account? did not I tell you in my word, that unless your righteousness did exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye should in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? that you must be born again, or else you could not be saved? that you must be holy, or else you could not be happy? did you not hear of the young man, who had as much moral righteousness as you, and yet mist of Heaven, because he would not obey my other commands? hath your moral righteousness been so perfect, that it hath had no flaw? have you lived free from sin, in regard of the second Table of the Law, besides your breaches of the first? will not Conscience tell you of some slips, some stumbles and falls, as to your external walking? were you never guilty of unrighteous dealing? never distempered your selves with drink? never were lustful and wanton? never told any lies, nor uttered any slanders? and if you have been fair in your outward carriage and converse, have you not had •oul insides? had you not need of pardon for your sins, and my blood to wash you from your filthiness? have not the best of your works been sinful, in regard of the principal, and end, and manner of performance? did you think the ⟨p. 110⟩works of nature would save you, when the works of grace cannot, without the imputation of my righteousness, because of their imperfection? must not Gods Justice be satisfied for your sins?