A brief discourse of justification. Wherein this doctrine is plainly laid down according to…

5. Consider from hence, That you must have a Righteousness, and not only so, but such an one as will fully answer the Law too, if ever you hope to be justified at that day: It is a vain thing for any men to pretend to an hope, that they shall do well enough then, and yet never concern themselves about the getting of a Righteousness that may then stand to answer for them: there are many that plead God is merciful, and they feed themselves up with fond hopes, that he will have pity upon and not reject the works of his hands, and this is all they have to comfort themselves with in the contemplation of the day of reckoning: but this is an empty Plea; Justice is one of his Attributes as well as mercy, and he will not be merciful any farther than as he can be just too: and further, remember, it is a Court of Judgment where you must stand, and a Bar of Justice at which you must plead; and if you be not found to have a righteous cause then, all the Pleas for Mercy which you can make will be too late: for the present indeed it is a precious day of Grace, and ⟨p. 127⟩in it Jesus Christ is sitting upon a Throne of Grace, and the humble prostrate confessions of true Penitents may avail for sinners, with him who now delights in mercy; and if men would be persuaded to embrace this opportunity, and improve it in making of their piece with him, it would be well for them: but when once he comes to sit upon the exalted Throne of Judgment, and shall put on righteousness for a Garment, the case will then be altered, and if you shall upon Examination be found too light, there will be no more room for repentance.

5. Consider from hence, That you must have a Righteousness, and not only so, but such an one as will fully answer the Law too, if ever you hope to be justified at that day: It is a vain thing for any men to pretend to an hope, that they shall do well enough then, and yet never concern themselves about the getting of a Righteousness that may then stand to answer for them: there are many that plead God is merciful, and they feed themselves up with fond hopes, that he will have pity upon and not reject the works of his hands, and this is all they have to comfort themselves with in the contemplation of the day of reckoning: but this is an empty Plea; Justice is one of his Attributes as well as mercy, and he will not be merciful any farther than as he can be just too: and further, remember, it is a Court of Judgment where you must stand, and a Bar of Justice at which you must plead; and if you be not found to have a righteous cause then, all the Pleas for Mercy which you can make will be too late: for the present indeed it is a precious day of Grace, and