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

4 This way of salvation by mens own righteousness is contrary to Gods providence in providing a perfect righteousness for us in Jesus Christ: God has prepared a righteousness to our hand by ⟨p. 199⟩Christ Jesus: Dan. 9.24. he brings in everlasting Righteousness: this Righteousness is altogether complete, and there is no defect either in the doing or sufferings of Christ: and it was for us, Heb. 10.14. by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified: and it was by wonderful providences this righteousness was provided for us: this is the most observable and glorious work that ever God did in the World: this lay much upon the heart of God from everlasting, 1 Pet. 1.20. he was fore ordained before the foundation of the World: and is the most remarkable among all the births of time: besides other providences for the accomplishment of this, there were those two exceeding eminent ones, the incarnation of the Son of God, whereby God became man, a mysterious work and of infinite condescension: wherein the greatest glory is bestowed upon the humane nature of Christ, that any creature is capable of: the other is Gods inflicting his wrath on Christ Jesus: and executing the curse of the Law upon his dearest Son: a thing that would never have entered into the heart of man to conceive of, had it not been revealed unto us: and when we see Gods making such preparation for the salvation of sinners, and in so costly a way providing a righteousness for them; may we not conclude that they stood in necessity of this righteousness, that they were uncapable of providing one for themselves: surely we had ground to conclude that they were in a perishing condition, and would be lost for ever, if God did not take care for them, who would imagine that these sinners could provide a righteousness for themselves, and earn their own salvation: but these are the workings of the hearts of self-righteous men: and herein you cast an imputation upon the wisdom of God, in troubling himself to provide a righteousness for you, ⟨p. 200⟩when with some assistance and strengthening from him, you could provide one for your selves: men herein are reproaching of God, as if he had put himself to needless expense, they are blemishing this great work of God as if it were in vain: