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

But it were well if none else did reject this Doctrine, but only those that do professedly plead against it: there be multitudes that do join in making this confession that are far from entertaining it: how high so ever mens professions be, there are no more that do thoroughly believe this than are regenerated and effectually called: there is a kind of persuasion of it which carnal men may have, which persuasion the Scriptures sometime calls Faith; but it is such a persuasion as leaves men really ignorant of this Truth: some men ⟨p. 5⟩have a persuasion of it wrought by tradition, because it is handed down to them from former Generations, and generally received in the places where they live; or by those that they have particular esteem for: upon the same account that a Turk gives credit unto the principles of his Religion: Jer. 2.11. the Doctrine is received upon the authority and testimony of man, which leaves the Soul under such uncertainty as quite obstructs the spiritual efficacy of the truth upon their hearts. There is a persuasion that arises from rational convictions, their reason tells them that other ways of acceptance are frivolous; that of all ways that are pretended this must needs be the true way: and they can strongly argue that there is acceptance to be obtained in this way: from the accomplishment of the covenant of works by Christ from the design of God to magnify his Grace, &c. but this persuasion is not sufficient to encourage a foul to venture himself on Jesus Christ. There fs also a persuasion that ariseth from common illumination: besides that light which is let into the hearts of men in their conversion: there is a more than ordinary illumination bestowed upon some sinners, the spirit of God gives an affecting sight of the way of Salvation, enlightening natural Conscience with a great discovery of the way of life by Jesus Christ: this is called a tasting of the good Word of God, Heb 6.5. the fruit whereof is a rejoicing in the Gospel, Mat. 13.20. this illumination is only by an extraordinary assistance of mens natural reason, not by giving an eye of Faith unto them: neither is this light sufficient to satisfy all the objections which may afterwards arise in the heart: hence such men if afterwards they have a thorough sight of their hearts;

But it were well if none else did reject this Doctrine, but only those that do professedly plead against it: there be multitudes that do joyn in making this confession that are far from entertaining it: how high so ever mens professions be, there are no more that do thorowly believe this than are regenerated and effectually called: there is a kind of perswasion of it which carnal men may have, which perswasion the Scriptures sometime calls Faith; but it is such a perswasion as leaves men really ignorant of this Truth: some men