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

but yet it will not give such a conviction as can assure the soul that it is so indeed, men are apt to think that they are satisfied, that there is safety in relying on the righteousness of Christ, only they question whether God does call them as the case is circumstanced with them to rely upon him, but they delude themselves: mans reason does not discover the certainty of this truth by all the helps that the world does afford; yea, though they do partake of some inward common illumination: the nature of man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2.14. There is a twofold defect in natural reason that hinders men from receiving of this Truth.

1. Natural reason cannot apprehend that God can find in his heart to save sinners on the account of Christs righteousness: when men come to be enlightened, and have a sense of the guilt of sin, and wrath of God, it will not enter into them, that God can be free to forgive them, and save them on the account of Christs blood; they are strangers unto the merciful nature of God: and hence are seeking to get some worthiness of their own, to pacify God with: and can't conceive that God is willing to pardon them, who are so unworthy; except they were somewhat better: they think they must have something to commend them to God: they think it would be madness for them as bad as they are to venture on Christs blood. 1 Cor. 1.18. the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness: they have strange and low thoughts of the mercy of God, Isa. 55.8. ⟨p. 117⟩2. Natural reason will not make men believe Gods testimony; natural reason will not beget saith: natural men are in Scripture described to be unbelievers, John 5, 46