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

1. All that have this inward light and teaching do come unto Christ: 'tis true, there is an illumination that is not effectual to work saith, Mat. 13.20. 2 Pet. 2.21. that light is only the irradiation of the natural understanding; but there is an inward light that is always attended with faith: such men as have a thorough conviction of the gospel do ever close with it: that light that is sufficient in order to saith is always efficacious; the inward call of the gospel is always answered, Rom. 8.30. whom he called, them he also justified, all those that God draws do run after him, Cant. 1.4. they that know Christ will come to him, John 17.35 Psal 9.10 and this shows that they cannot but come; if this inward light could be resisted, some would resist it: among so many thousands some would refuse to come: this way would not be universally successful with men of all tempers and inclinations, if it did not necessitate them: some or other would be found that would refuse. ⟨p. 228⟩2. This inward light is said to come with power upon the soul: it has a persuading overcoming power with it: it has power to gain the will, and draw the consent of the heart: the gospel where the Spirit does inwardly teach, it has a prevailing power: therefore it is called a rod of strength, Psal. 110.2. it comes with power upon the heart, 1 Thes. 1.5. when God convinces men of the truth of it, it always works effectually upon them, 1 Thes. 2.13. let but the truth of it sink into a mans soul, and Christ will be precious unto him, 1 Pet. 2.7. the light of the gospel, turns about the wills of men, Psal. 110.3. 3. If the sinner could stay away from Christ, the corruption of his heart would make him stay away from Christ: if men were able to stay away, they would not be able to come: there is a great deal of opposition in the heart of a sinner to believing in Christ, men are as great enemies to the gospel as they are to the law,: sinners are dreadful averse to come to Christ: how many objections and cavils have men to keep them from Christ: how many by-paths will they turn into before they come to Christ: how much sorrow will they endure before they come to Christ?