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

It is against nature when men have this inward light let into them to stay away from Christ: there is a principle put into every man in his first creation to seek his own happiness: and however the nature of ⟨p. 229⟩man be corrupted, yet that principle is not lost, but remains strong in men: however they mistake the way, yet the desire of all men is happiness: the Devil blinds men, and tells one that this is the way, and another that that is the way, but still they are driving an end that design, Psal. 4.6. who will show us any good? and therefore when the Spirit of God shows a man, that Christ is the way to happiness, that there is salvation in Christ, he cannot but come to him, Joh. 6.6.8 to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal Life. 5. When the sinner comes at first to Christ, this inward teaching of the Father works such affections that he cannot but come: when his eyes are opened his affections are so wrought upon, that he cannot but come: when he comes out of darkness into light, his heart is affected with the sight of Christ, and he cannot stay away: there are three affections that are wrought upon: one is hope, he sees a hope of blessedness if he comes to Christ: he sees in that way hopes of pardon and glory, Heb 6.18. who are fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope that is set before us: another is Love, when the soul comes to see Jesus Christ offering himself, he cannot but love him, and look on this way of salvation as a glorious way, he despised Christ before, but now he charges his mind, he prizes him, 1 Pet. 2.7. to them that believe in Christ is precious: and then it works on fear, he dare not lose the opportunity: he does not know whether he shall have another call; so that he dares do no other than take God at his word.

It is against nature when men have this inward light let into them to stay away from Christ: there is a principle put into every man in his first creation to seek his own happiness: and however the nature of ⟨p. 229⟩man be corrupted, yet that principle is not lost, but remains strong in men: however they mistake the way, yet the desire of all men is happiness: the Devil blinds men, and tells one that this is the way, and another that that is the way, but still they are driving an end that design,