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

2. God has declared against that way: it is a presumptuous thing to trust in God without his Word, but more presumptuous to trust in God against his Word: and thus these men do: for God in his word has abundantly witnessed against this way: God sends men word from heaven, that this way by mens own righteousness is insufficient for salvation: he tells us, that that was the reason of the miscarrying of the Jews, because they sought as it were by the works of the Law. Rom. 9.32. he reproves men for conceitedness of their own righteousness, Rev. 3.16. he tells that that if they seek Justification by the Law, they are fallen from the covenant of grace, Gal. 5.4. he tells them that no man living can be justified by the works of the Law, Gal, 2 16. Rom. 3.20. he tells, they will be ruined in this way, behold all ye that kindle a fire, and compass your selves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled, this shall ye have of my hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow, Isa. 50.11. he declares that they are cursed that do so, gal. 3.10. as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: how dare any man then thrust himself upon God in this way: is God wont to discourage men from their duty, and threaten them in way of safety? will men believe the vain imaginations of their own hearts before the positive declarations of Gods Word? do men think that God reproves them when he is not angry, and threatens them in jest? does God speak one thing now, and will he speak another at the Day of Judgment? is there one rule given for conscience to judg ⟨p. 195⟩by here, and another for God to Judg by hereafter? will God curse those at the Day of Judgment, that he blesses now, & bless those that he curses now? will he not judge the secrets of men according to the Gospel? Rom. 2.6. men are too timorous when they dare not trust in God in that way that he has proposed and commended unto them, and men are too bold when they trust in God in that way that he condemns; what assurance can they have of acceptance, where the Word of God gives them assurance of the contrary? it is madness to challenge life in such a way as God has witnessed against: what reason can men give of such declarations, if there were any bottom for Faith in their own righteousness?