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

Argument 6.

They that are commanded of God to believe in the righteousness of Christ may safely appear before God in the righteousness of Christ: but we are commanded by God to believe in the righteousness of Christ: though the calls of the Gospel are many times propounded in a way of invitation, they are set before us as gracious offers, wherein God is in a way of grace tendering a great benefit unto us, yet they have the force of commands.

They that are commanded of God to believe in the righteousness of Christ may safely appear before God in the righteousness of Christ: but we are commanded by God to believe in the righteousness of Christ: though the calls of the Gospel are many times propounded in a way of invitation, they are set before us as gracious offers, wherin God is in a way of grace tendring a great benefit unto us, yet they have the force of commands.

I might argue the safety of coming unto Christ, from thence that we are invited to come unto him for help: for surely in those invitations God does not go about to delude men, and lovingly draw them in to take such a method for the salvation of their souls, as would fail them: 'tis not to be imagined, that the glorious God would with great seeming love to the souls of men, draw them into a snare, and with an appearance of good-will to them, advise them to take a course that were not safe: it is not to be thought that God would lovingly, and with a great deal of tenderness persuade men to set their feet on slippery places, and build their hopes upon a sandy foundation: there is no soul delusion in the Gospel: he would not urge men with such compassion to put their trust in Christ, but that the well-fare of their souls is secured ⟨p. 106⟩thereby: they may without fear venture upon the counsel and entreaties of the Lord: being secure in that that God will not lead them into danger: when God advises us to trust in Christ, he commands this way to us as a way of safety: for 'tis no part of love to advise us to put our confidence in a broken reed: but besides what might be argued this way, these invitations have in them, the force of commands, and lay us under duty in obedience unto God, to come unto Christ: as there is love in these calls, so there is authority also; we are not left at liberty, whether we will come to Christ or no, but are required to come. God does prescribe this way, and enforce it both by his love and also his authority: God that has put Jesus Christ into office, doth require us to receive him in all his offices, Psal: 2:12. and among other ways to be putting our trust in him: therefore this is called the work of God,