The safety of appearing at the day of judgement, in the righteousness of Christ

1. It was foretold that the Church should have their righteousness from Christ, that they should derive their Justification from him, Isai 45.24 Surely shall one say, in the Lord Jehovah have I righteousness and strength: righteousness is not here taken for holiness, or the righteousness of sanctification, but the righteousness of justification: the Church has its sanctification from Christ by infusion and assistance: and their justification from him by the imputation of his righteousness: and hence that Name, The Lord our Righteousness is given to Christ, Jer. 23 6 and the same name is given to the Church, Jer. 33.16. both of them in remembrance that the Church does derive her Righteousness from Christ; accordingly Christ is said to bring in everlasting Righteousness, Dan. 9.24. ⟨p. 63⟩2. It was foretold that Christ should dye for our sins, the death of Christ was not only foretold, but also upon what account it should be, 1 Cor. 15.3. Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures: this we have at large set down in Isa. 53, where we may mind: 1. What he suffered: namely, death, besides many other calamities: he was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, ver 7 he was cut off out of the land of the living, ver. 8. God made his soul an offering, verse 10. 2. Upon what account he suffered: the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all, ver. 6. 3. What benefit redounds to us by his sufferings, by his knowledge: that must not be understood subjectively; but objectively, by the knowledge of him, shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. 3. It was foretold that Christ should effect our salvation, by doing that for us, that sacrifice and burnt offering could not do, Psal. 40 6, 7, 8. sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but mine ears hast thou opened, &c. concerning which Scripture you may observe these things. 1. That the thing that sacrifices could not effect for us, was our reconciliation: there was some imagination in men, that sacrifices should make their peace; but God did not accept them upon that account. 2. When he says mine ears hast thou opened, he