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

1. Such persons as satisfy themselves that they have believed in Christ, and closed with him, sometime formerly, and don't live in a way of believing they nourish an hope, because they have believed at such a time, but neglect to roll themselves on Christ from time to time; so it is with some dry and unsavoury professors, they have got an hope from some old works they had upon their hearts many years since, they trust that that will carry them to heaven, and don't live a life of faith, but live in a wretched neglect of Christ: many times such mens religion is quite worn out by that time they grow into years, and they are like salt that has lost its favour, Heb. 3.14. 2. Such persons as generally live upon their own righteousness, but only now and then they force themselves to rely on Christ: the general way of their living is upon their good frames and services, but now and then they have a Sermon against their trusting in their own righteousness, or it is given as a sign of an hypocrite to trust in his own duties, and they set themselves to trust in Christ, and think they do somewhat at it: but their way of living is upon themselves, and they are very great strangers to Christ: this is not the guise of the people of God, gal. 2.20. the life that I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. 3. Such persons as cannot venture upon Christ; when they are in the dark about their estate: when they think that they see signs that they are converted, ⟨p. 245⟩then they can believe, they are very forward; but when in the dark no Gospel encouragements will prevail upon them: a saint may find it very difficult at such a time: but a false heart stays till he can discern some more hopes of his good condition before he can believe: such a man does not live a life of Faith.

1. Such persons as satisfie themselves that they have believed in Christ, and closed with him, sometime formerly, and don't live in a way of believing they nourish an hope, because they have believed at such a time, but neglect to roll themselves on Christ from time to time; so it is with some dry and unsavoury professors, they have got an hope from some old works they had upon their hearts many years since, they trust that that will carry them to heaven, and don't live a life of faith, but live in a wretched neglect of Christ: many times such mens religion is quite worn out by that time they grow into years, and they are like salt that has lost its favour,