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

Direction, 2.

Get a more clear, large and distinct understanding of this way of salvation by Jesus Christ: many Christians are exposed unto temptation by their ignorance, though they know that that is a sufficient foundation for Faith, yet they are but rude in knowledge, greatly to seek about many things that they need to know for the establishing of their Faith; many Christians fall under that reproof, Heb. 5.12. ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God: it is a great help against Discouragement, to have a clear knowledge of the Gospel: the highest degree of literal knowledge, is not sufficient to make a man believe, but without literal knowledge there can be no Faith, and without a considerable measure of it you will be in great danger to be out bid with such temptations as you might easily see through if you had more knowledge: and therefore the Apostle exhorts them to grow in the knowledge of Christ, 2 Pet. 3.18. Christians should be able to give a reason of the hope that is in them, 1 Pet. 3.15. when they are under doubts, a little information about the way of salvation by the gospel, does remove their doubts: therefore labour to get a distinct knowledge of the gospel: that you may be able to give account of the design of God in it, as it is revealed in the gospel: of the equity of it, and its consistency with the Law: of the absolute freedom of the grace of God, of the true reason why Christ died, of the terms of the covenant of Grace, and of the manner of Gods dealing with his when he brings them into union with Christ, and after their union with him: a clear knowledge of these and such like things are of great advantage unto faith two ways.

Get a more clear, large and distinct understanding of this way of salvation by Jesus Christ: many Christians are exposed unto temptation by their ignorance, though they know that that is a sufficient foundation for Faith, yet they are but rude in knowledg, greatly to seek about many things that they need to know for the establishing of their Faith; many Christians fall under that reproof,