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

1. See the greatness of the sin by the many laws and rules that are broken by it: men do violate many Commandments at once in this sin; it is a complicated iniquity, it is not a single sin, but many evils are twisted together in it: the rejecting of Christ crosses a great many rules; men by their unbelief do cast abundance of dishonour upon God, and lie in the breach of many Precepts.

There are many Rules broken by this sin; For 1. You break that particular command of believing in Christ: believing in Christ is not only according ⟨p. 266⟩to many general rules, but there is a special command for it: we may not only argue this duty by consequence from some general Precepts: but here is an express commandment for it; it is in terminis required: as we are beseeched to believe and invited, so we are required, John 6.29. this is the work of God, that we believe on him whom he hath sent, 1 Joh. 3.23. this is his Commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ: so that by neglecting to come to Christ, you break a plain express Precept; you carry contrary to the very letter of the Word of God: if it were not so expressly set down, there might be more pretence for cavilling: you might have more to plead that there was some mistake in mens arguing this to be a duty: but now you do oppose a plain direct precept: what colour can men have to question whither it be their duty, when it is set down in the Scripture in so many letters and syllables: some awakened sinners that have reformed their former ways of sin, and taken up a course of Religion, are apt to please themselves that they don't live in any known sin, whereas they live all the while in the neglect of coming unto Christ: but how can you sooth up your selves with this, when you neglect a plain and express Commandment? 2. You deny to Jesus Christ the honour of his Mediatorly Office; and of that great Sacrifice that he has offered up unto God: God had made Christ Mediator; he has committed the work of reconciliation unto Christ, and Jesus Christ has undertaken it: he was every way furnished for it, and has discharged it: and upon that account he is worthy to be depended upon: Faith in him is an honour due to him,