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

2. Such as ventured first upon Christ upon that encouragement that they loved God: they found affections to God and Christ, and that made them think that God meant them in the call of the Gospel, that made them think that it was not presumption for them to come to Christ that made them think that God would not reject them: their first encouragement rises from themselves, and then in a secondary way they take encouragement from the Gospel: that adds to their encouragement: but this faith is a rotten faith, it has not a right foundation: such a faith may make men live more comfortable here, but it will deceive them, Rev. 3: 17.

3. In the first closure with Christ, there is such a light let into the Soul of the sinner, that he cannot b•t come to Christ: when he does come there is a necessity upon him to come: it is thus many times, very remarkable afterwards: but eminently so at first: before he comes he cannot come, and when he does come, he cannot but come▪ the sinner has at that time such a supernatural light let into him, that he is under constraints to come to Christ: all the ⟨p. 227⟩wit in hell can't persuade him to stay away: where God begins to open the eyes, there may be some objecting: but before God has done, the light is so full, that the soul is carried captive by it: Ministers are required to compel men to come in, Luke 14.23. that is to use compelling arguments, such as when God sets the same home will compel men: the light that God puts in to the soul at that time is such that he cannot withstand it: it silences all his carnal reasonings: stops his mouth, answers his objections, so that he cannot stand out any longer, John 6.45. every one that has been taught, and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me.