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

This was Pauls sheet-anchor before his conversion, that he was touching the righteousness of the law blameless, Phil. 3.6. the self-righteous man comforts up his heart with this, that surely God will have some ⟨p. 165⟩respect unto his pains, his affections, his charity, his strict walking: this is his fort that he retires unto in time of danger: he has not been so bad as other men, and he hopes God will not deal in rigour with him: he thinks that his duties do lay some engagements upon the love of God, and compassion, he hopes his prayers and tears have some constraining efficacy upon the compassionate heart of God.

Sometimes he thinks that his duties lay some bonds upon the justice of God, he thinks it equal that he should be spared, and that it would be extreme rigour, for God to cast him off at last, when he has done so much for him. Sometimes he thinks his duties have laid a tie upon the faithfulness of God, God has made promises to them that seek, and he claims an interest in them; he makes his duties th• lay of his soul, and when conscience is pursuing of him, he takes sanctuary here.

Sometimes he thinks that his duties lay some bonds upon the justice of God, he thinks it equal that he should be spared, and that it would be extream rigour, for God to cast him off at last, when he has done so much for him. Sometimes he thinks his duties have laid a tye upon the faithfulness of God, God has made promises to them that seek, and he claims an interest in them; he makes his duties th• lay of his soul, and when conscience is pursuing of him, he takes sanctuary here.