The saints everlasting rest

9. There is supposed also, a strong and constant motion, which may reach the end. The lazy world, that think all too much, will find this to their cost one day: they that think less ado might have served, do but reproach Christ for making us so much to do. They that have been most holy, watchful, painful to get to heaven, find, when they come to die, all too little: we see daily the best christians, when dying, repent their negligence: I never knew any then repent his holiness and diligence. It would grieve a man's soul to see a multitude of mistaken sinners lay out their care and pains for a thing of nought, and think to have eternal salvation with a wish. If the way to heaven be not far harder than the world imagines. Christ and his apostles knew not the way: for they have told us, That the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence; that the gate is strait, and the way nar••w; and we must strive, if we will enter; for many sh•• seek to enter, and not be able, (which implies, the faintness of their seeking, and that they put not strength to the work;) and that the righteous themselves are scarcely saved.

I have seen this doctrine also thrown by with contempt by others, who say, What! do ye set us a working for heaven? Doth our duty do any thing? Hath not Christ done all? Is not this to make him an half Saviour, and to preach the law?

Ans. It is to preach the law of Christ; his subjects are not lawless: it is to preach duty to Christ. None a more exact requirer of duty or hater of sin, than Christ. Christ hath done, and will do, all his work; and therefore is a perfect Saviour: but yet leaves us a work too: he hath paid all the price, and left us none to pay; yet he never intended his purchase should put us into absolute title to glory, in point of law, much less into immediate possession. He hath purchased the crown to bestow, only on condition of believing, denying all for him, suffering with him, persevering and overcoming. He hath purchased justification to bestow, only on condition of believing, yea, repenting and believing: though it is Christ that enableth also to perform the condition. It is not a saviour offered, but received also, that must save: it is not the blood of Christ shed only, but applied also, that must fully deliver; nor is it applied to the justification or salvation of a sleepy soul. Nor doth Christ carry us to heaven in a chair of security. Our righteousness, which the law of works requireth, and by which it is satisfied, is wholly in Christ, and not one grain in ourselves: nor must we dare to think of patching up a legal righteousness of Christ's and our own together; that is, that our doings can be the leat part of satisfaction for our sins. But yet ourselves most personally fulfil the conditions of the new covenant; and so have the perfect evangelical righteousness, […] never be saved by Christ's righteousness. Therefore say not, it is not duty, but Christ; for it is Christ in a way of duty. As duty cannot do it without Christ, so Christ will not do it without duty.