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

3. Hence they think that out of a respect to their own righteousness; and upon the account thereof, ⟨p. 178⟩God will bestow salvation upon them: they think that this is that which interests them, in all the good of the covenant: their own prayers and reformations, and affections and zeal in the cause of God is that which makes them heirs of glory, and gives them a title to the eternal inheritance. They look upon their own righteousness as the price of heaven, and think they have done something to the earning of glory, they are at work for God, and look upon heaven to be their wages.

3. Hence they think that out of a respect to their own righteousness; and upon the account therof, ⟨p. 178⟩God will bestow salvation upon them: they think that this is that which interests them, in all the good of the covenant: their own prayers and reformations, and affections and zeal in the cause of God is that which makes them heirs of glory, and gives them a title to the eternal inheritance. They look upon their own righteousness as the price of heaven, and think they have done something to the earning of glory, they are at work for God, and look upon heaven to be their wages.

And herein they attribute that to their own righteousness that ought to be attributed unto the righteousness of Christ. This was the very design of the active obedience of Christ, to give us a claim to glory: because we were very unworthy, and could not fulfil the condition of the Law, Jesus Christ undertook for us, and has performed the righteousness of the Law, and merited eternal life, Rom. 6.23. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.