The Whole Armor of God, Exegesis · Treatise 2 · Part 4
THE FOVRTH PART.
Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe.
Epheſ. 6. 14.
And hauing on the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe.
§. 1. Of Righteouſneſſe m generall.
THe ſecond peece of our Spirituall Armour is Righteouſneſſe, Veritas vbiq, mater eſt ſanctitatis, Chrylo. hom. 19. in Pſa. 118.compared to a breſt-plate. Fitly is this inferred vponupon the former: for truth is the mother of righteouſneſſe, they cannot be ſeuered. In handling this point, I will ſhew, firſt, what righteouſneſſe is. Secondly, how fitly it is compared to a breſt-plate. Thirdly, how this breſt-plate is put and kept on. Fourthly, what is the benefit of it Fiftly, what are the wiles of the Diuell to keepe vsus from it.
Point 1 Righteouſneſſe is our conformity vntounto Gods Law, what righteouſnes is.an holy quality wrought in vsus by Gods Spirit, whereby we endeauour to ſquare and frame all our thoughts, words, and actions, vntounto the righteous rule of the Law of God. It is that which wee commonly callaforeign. Iuſtitia eſt virtus qua ſua cuique tribuuntur, Aug. de lib, arb. lib. 1. Iuſtice, a vertue whereby is giuen to eueryevery one their due, whether it be to God or man. Righteouſneſſe is often reſtrained to that part of iuſtice, which reſpecteth man, and ſo is the ſumme of the ſecond Table; but then either ſome other word is ioined with it, which hath reference to God, as Holineſſe, Luke 1. 75: or elſe ſome circumſtance of the place reſtraineth it to man, as Deut. 24. 13. But otherwiſe, when there is no other word or circumſtance which reſtraineth it, then it extendeth it ſelfe to the whole Law, as here.
The Law of God is a right and perfect rule, and declareth what is due to God and man, ſo that a conformity thereunto, is righteouſneſſe.
§. 2. Of the kinds of Righteouſneſſe.
Obiect. THis is ſuch a peece of armour, as none in this life can attaine vntounto, but Chriſt Ieſus the true naturall Sonne of God, who by an excellency and propriety, is calledcforeign. Acts 22. 14. That iuſt one. Of him it is properly ſaid;dIſa. 59. 17. That hee put on righteouſneſſe as a breſt plate. Indeed at firſt,eEccle. 7. 31. God made man righteous, and in Heauen the Saints ſhall bee allfHeb. 12. 13. iuſt and perfect: but on earth gRom. 3. 10there is none righteous, no not one.
Anſwer. Legall righteouſneſſe.There is a double righteouſneſſe mentioned in the Scripture, one legall, framed according to the exact rule, and ſtrict rigour of the Law. The other E…angelicall, accepted according to the gracious fauour and limitation of the Goſpell. The Law requireth two things. Firſt, an abſolute perfection in eueryevery part, point, and degree thereof. Secondly, this perfection in that very party who is iuſtified thereby.hRom. 10. 5. For Moſes thus deſcribeth the righteouſneſſe which is of the Law, that the man, (euen the man himſelfe, in and by himſelfe) which doth thoſe things (euen all thoſe things which are written in the Law, according to the vttermoſt extent of them) ſhall liue thereby: but iGal. 3. 10.curſed is eueryevery man that continueth not in all things, &c.
By the Goſpell both thoſe are limited, and the rigour of them mitigated.Euangelicall righteouſnes. For there are two parts of Euangelicall righteouſneſſe, onekRom. 10. 6 of Faith, the other oflHeb. 13. 18 a good conſcience.
The righteouſneſſe of faith is Chriſt himſelfe,Righteouſneſ of faith. with his righteouſnes imputed to vsus, and by faith receiued of vsus▪ in which reſpectmRom. 10. 4. expounded. Chriſt is ſaid to be the end of the Law for righteouſneſſe to eueryevery one that beleeueth. The end of the Law is to iuſtifie and ſaue thoſe which fulfill it. Now we, by reaſon of the fleſh dwelling in vsus, cannot fulfill it. Chriſt therefore ſubiected himſelfe thereto, he perfectly fulfilled it. To them which beleeue, his perfect righteouſneſſe is imputed; ſo as they are iuſtified and ſaued thereby. Thus is Chriſt the end of the Law, and that, which by the Law was exacted of our owne perſons, by the Goſpell is accepted for vsus in Chriſt, who performed it. This Righteouſneſſe of Faith is compriſed vnderunder the fourth peece of Spirituall Armour, verſe 16. Here therefore is eſpecially ment the righteouſnes of a good conſcience.Righteouſnes of a good conſcience.
§. 3. Of that Righteouſneſſe which is here meant.
THis Righteouſneſſe is a powerfull worke of Gods Spirit in the regenerate, whereby they endeauour to approue themſelues vntounto God and man, by performing what Gods Law requireth to be performed vntounto both.
I terme it, Firſt, A worke of Gods Spirit, becauſe it is the nRom. … ▪ 11.Spirit which quickeneth, and enableth vsus to doe what we doe.
2 Powerfull, becauſe we are by natureoEpheſ. 2. 1. Dead in ſins, and p2 Cor. 3. 5.not able of our ſelues ſo much as to think a good thoght
3 In the regenerate, forqIoh. 3. 6. that onelyonly which is borne of the Spirit, is ſpirit.
4rActs 24. 16. Indeauour, for this being true and earneſt with the very vttermoſt of our power,Heb. 13. 18. is the greateſt perfection which in this World we can attaine vntounto.
5 To approue to God and man, becauſeſMat. 22. 37, 39. duties are required towards both.
6 What Gods Law requireth, becauſe that ſheweth what God doth approue, and what man ſhould approue. tLuk. 1. 6.This was that righteouſneſſe for which Zac…ary and Elizabeth were commended.
This conſiſteth of two branches, Firſt, to abſtaine from euill. Secondly, to doe good.uPſal 119. 3. Dauid deſcribing a righteous man, ſaith; Surely he doth none iniquity, but walketh in the way of God. xPſal. 34. 14.Oft doth the Scripture ioine thoſe two together,Iſa. 1. 16, 17. as two eſſentiall parts of righteouſneſſe: except theſe two doe concurre, the breſt-plate is not ſound.
§. 4. Of reſembling Righteouſneſſe to a breſt-plate.
Point 2 THe ſecond point is concerning the fit reſemblance of Righteouſneſſe to a breſt-plate. Righteouſnes fitly reſembled to a breſt-plate.aforeign.The originall word tranſlated breſt-plate, properly ſignifieth that part of the body, wherein the vitall parts, as the heart, lungs, liuer, and the like doe lie: the whole vpper part of a mans body before, euen from the necke to the thighes, is compriſed vnderunder this title. Hence is it, that that peece of armour which couereth this part of the body, hath the ſame name. The vſe of this peece is to keepe ſafe the vitall parts, and preſerue a man from being mortally wounded, or killed downe-right.
Thus doth righteouſneſſe keepe the Chriſtian ſouldier ſafe and ſure,Leo. in retia ſaepe lapſus capitur, ſanctiverò cum ligantur, fortiores ſiunt. Chryſ ad popul…m hom 4 that the Diuell with all his aſſaults cannot pierce his ſoule, and ſo vtterly deſtroy him. A Lyon which is ſtrong among beaſts, (Prou. 30. 30.) may be taken and deſtroied (1 Sam. 17. 3. 6.) but ſo cannot the righteous. This vſe of righteouſneſſe will yet more euidently appeare,Nothing but ſin can wound the ſoule. if wee conſider what it is that doth indeed mortally wound the ſoule, and draw…forth the vitall blood and very life of it. It is ſin, and nothing but ſin, that can deſtroy the ſoule. By it did Satan firſt wound and kil our firſt Parents. By it hath he from time to time preuailed in the World. For ſinne firſt prouoked Gods wrath; procured the curſe of the Law; brought death and all the concomitances thereof:b1 Cor. 15 56 The very ſting of death is ſinne. Sinne firſt kindled hell fire, and ſtill continueth to blow vp and inflame the ſame.
Where the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe is well put on, there ſinne hath no power. Righteouſneſſe is as contrary to ſinne, as water to fire, and it will ſoone quench the heate of ſinne.
§. 5. Of putting on the breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe.
Point 3 THis breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe is put on by the right practice of true repentance, How Righteouſnes is put on.which, according to the proper notation, and true meaning of thecforeign. word, is a change of the minde, namely, ſuch a change as bringeth forth a reformed life. This true alteration of the minde and heart, firſt cauſeth a thorow deteſtation of our former wicked courſe, together with an vtter abiuration, and renouncing of the ſame: and then an holy reſolute purpoſe to leade another kind of life, and inſteed of former ſinnes to practiſe contrary duties: as if a man in former times hauehave beene profane, to bee ſo much the more religious for the time to come: if a blaſphemer before, more carefull to honour the Name of God; if riotous, ſo much the more ſober, &c. Theſe aredMat. 3. 8. fruits worthy of repentance. So long as theſe two fruits of repentance, Firſt, an vtter deteſtation of all former wickedneſſe, Secondly, a conſtant reſolution, and faithfull endeauour, to performe new obedience, remaine in our hearts, the Diuell cannot eaſily, if at all preuaile againſt vsus. But if the minde bee not altered, and a thorow change wrought therein, though there ſhould bee ſome meanes to reſtraine vsus from ſinne, and prouoke vsus to doe many good things, yet would the Diuell ſoone get aduantage againſt vsus. eHeb. 3. 13.Sinne is deceitfull;f1 Pet. 5 8. Satan is ſubtill and buſie; if therefore wee bee not altered in our hearts, the meanes of reſtraint being remoued, ſoone ſhall wee be brought to returne vntounto our old wicked courſe, like theg2 Pet. 2. 23. dogge to his vomit, and the ſow to the mire: for though the ſow be outwardly waſhed neuer ſo cleane, yet becauſe her ſwiniſh nature is not altered, ſo ſoone as ſhee commeth at mud, ſhee beſmeeres her ſelfe againe by wallowing in the mire.
§. 6. Of the benefits of Righteouſneſſe.
Point 4 THe benefits of putting and keeping on this holy and ſpirituall breſt-plate, The benefit of righteouſnes.are many and great.
1 It keepeth vsus from being mortally wounded, as we heard before: for ſo long as we retaine a true purpoſe, and faithfull endeauour anſwearable thereto, wee ſhall neuer giuegive our ſelues ouer to commit ſinne.
Obiect. They who hauehave had the moſt holy reſolution hauehave beene wounded, and that very deepely: witneſſe many of the beſt Saints, as Neah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, & others.
Anſwer. 1. At ſuch times as they fell ſo fouly, they forgot their reſolution; their breſt-plate was laid aſide. 2. Though the ſinnes of ſuch ſeemed groſſe and mortall in the kind or outward act, yet were they not ſo in their manner of performing them: they did them not with a full ſwinge & ſway of will; their ſoule was not (to ſpeake properly) mortally wounded: for all their wounds (though they ſeemed very ſore and deepe) were cured; yea, many times their ſlips and fals were like vntounto the breaking of a mans arme, or leg; which being well ſet againe, is the ſtronger.
2 It bringeth great aſſurance of our effectual calling, and ſpirituall vnion with Chriſt, yea euen of our eternall election, and ſaluation. ForhChap. 1. 4. God hauing choſen vsus that we ſhould be holy, they that indeede are holy, may bee ſure they are choſen of God, and borne of God. To this purpoſe ſaithiIoh. 2. 29. Saint Iohn, If ye know that he is Righteous, ye know that eueryevery one which doth Righteouſneſſe, is borne of him. Being ſure of theſe, how can wee bee mortally wounded?
3 It procureth ak2 Cor. 8. 18. good name in Gods Church while we liue, andlProu. 10. 7. a bleſſed memory after we are dead,m1 Pet. 3. 16. if any ſpeake euill of vsus, they ſhall be aſhamed. Thus this Breſt-plate keepeth them from many skars and ſcratches.
4 It confirmeth the truth of Religion, and ſo it may be a meanesn1 Pet. 3. 1. to win ſuch as are without,o1 Theſ. 1. 6, 7 to ſtrengthen thoſe that ſtand, andp2 Cor. 9. 2. to ſtirre vp all to an holy emulation.
5 It doth highly honour our Lord and captaine, whoſe ſouldiers we are.aMat. 5. 16. This motiue doth Chriſt vſe to ſtirre vsus vp to put on the Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe.
§. 7. Whether mans Righteouſneſſe be meritorious.
MAny and ſundry are the wyles which the diuel hath againſt this Breſt-plate,V. Pomt. Satans wyles againſt righteouſneſſe. and thoſe either to make it of no vſe, or to make vsus either not regard it, or to waxe weary of it.
He draweth on ſome to cracke and breake this Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe,1. Suggeſt. that righteouſneſſe is meritorious. by beating it out further then the mettall thereof will beare it, that is, (to ſpeake plainely) by making Righteouſneſſe to be meritorious. Heerewith he beguiled the Scribes and Phariſees, and ſuch as imbraced their doctrine, and egregiouſly hath he beſotted the Papiſts herewith.
For auoiding this decent, we are duly to conſider what things are required to cauſe merit,Anſwer. What things are required to merit. and how farre ſhort our righteouſneſſe commeth thereof.
Merit reſpecteth both the parties that giuegive and receiue the reward, and alſo the worke for which the reward is giuen.
He that vponupon merit rewardeth, muſt receiue ſomthing for that he giueth, and in that reſpect is bound in Iuſtice, to giuegive the recompence which he giueth.
He that meriteth, muſt
1 Be free, and not bound by duty to doe that which he doth.
2 Be able of himſelfe, and by himſelfe, euen by his owne power to doe it.
3 Doe nothing afterwards whereby he forfeiteth that which once he hath merited.
The worke muſt both be perfect eueryevery way, ſo as no iuſt fault can be found with it, and alſo worth the reward that is giuen for it.
Our righteouſneſſe can attaine to the height and pitch of none of theſe.Mans righteouſneſſe cannot be meritorious. For
1 It is God who giueth the reward. ButaIob 22. 3. is it any thing to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it profitable to him that thou makeſt thy wayes vpright? b& 35. 7.if thou bee righteous, what giueſt thou to him, or what receiueth he at thine hands? If God receiue… nothing by our righteouſneſſe, what is the bond whereby he is indebted and obliged to vsus?Mat. 20. 15. Cum Deus coronat merit a noſtra, aibil aliud coronat quam munera ſua. …ug Epi…t. 105. Marke the anſwer of the Lord himſelfe, Is it not lawfull for me to doe what I will with mine owne? Whatſoeuer the Lord giueth, vponupon meere mercy and fauor he giueth, and in rewarding our righteouſneſſe, he rewardeth his owne worke.
2 It is man who worketh righteouſneſſe: butdLuk. 17. 10. man is a ſeruant vntounto God, many wayes bound to performe all the ſeruice that hee can: yet is hee note2. Cor. 3. 5. ſufficient of himſelfe to thinke any thing as of himſelfe: but his ſufficiency is of God,fPhil. 2. 13. It is God who worketh in him both to will, and to doe. Beſides, if it were granted that a man had at any time of himſelfe, through his owne power done any thing, whereunto he were not bound, yet in other things hath he ſinned, (forgRom. 3. 23. all hauehave ſinned) and thereby made forfeiture of his former merit.
3hIſai. 64 6. All our righteouſneſſe being as filthy clouts, what ſhew of perfection can there be: if otherwiſe it were perfect, yet this conceit of merit would make it vnperfect: for this is not the end why it was commanded. If Adam in his innocency, had had any conceit of merit, hee had thereby ſtained his obedience: this conceit doth ſo de face the beſt worke, that it maketh it moſt odious: for it is directly contrary to the free grace and All ſufficient merit of Chriſt Ieſus. But if notwithſtanding all this it were perfect, yet ſuch is the glory which God g…ueth, that our righteouſneſſeiRom. 8. 18. can no way be worthy of it.k2 Cor. 4. 17. foreign It is a farre moſt excellent and an eternall weight of glory.
If theſe points be ſeriouſly weighed, and if withall wee daily take a view of our righteouſneſſe, and compare it with the rule of Gods Law, and bee truely humbled for the defects and imperfections thereof this erronious and arrogant conceit of merit will not eaſily …eaze vponupon vsus.
§. 8. Of the vſe of Righteouſneſſe.
IF Satan preuaile not that way,2 Suggeſt. that righteouſneſſe is needleſſe. hee will labour to perſwade men that this Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe is needleſſe, becauſe Chriſt hath wrought a full and perfect redemption, and left nothing for them to doe: by his Righteouſneſſe they ſhall be iuſtified and ſaued: ſo as they which hauehave the ſhield of Faith, need not this Breſt-plate. By this wyle did Satan beguile many Chriſtians in the Apoſtles time, taking aduantage by Saint Pauls ſound and orthodoxall doctrine of iuſtification by faith without workes: for the redreſſe whereof Saint I ames, and Saint Iude were moued to write their Epiſtles. Here▪ by alſo hath he beguiled many in theſe our daies, who hauehave beene deliuered from the darkeneſſe of Popery.
For auoiding this,Anſwer. Righteouſnes is needfull to ſaluation. we are duely to weigh what is the end and vſe of Righteouſneſſe. Though it be not a meritorious cauſe of ſaluation, yet is it a meanes of attaining to ſaluation, the way appointed of God for vsus to walke in thereunto; ſo that although we bee not ſaued for our Righteouſneſſe, yet we cannot be ſaued without it;l1 Cor. 6. 9. The vnrighteous ſhal not inherite the Kingdome of God, mHeb. 12. 14.Without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee God. FornEpheſ. 1. 4. God hath choſen vsus that we ſhould be holy: andoLuke 1. 75. Chriſt hath redeemed vsus that we ſhould ſerue him in holineſſe and Righteouſneſſe. For this end appeared the grace of God, which bringeth ſaluation vntounto all men,pTit. 2. 11, 12. that we ſhould liue righteouſly. q1 Theſ. 4. 7.VntoUnto holineſſe God hath called vsus: andrEpheſ. 2. 10. we are created vntounto good workes. Thus we ſee how falſe a ſuggeſtion it is, that Righteouſneſſe ſhould be needleſſe; It is cleane contrary to the expreſſe charge of the Apoſtle,ſTit 3. 14. that we ſhould learne to ſhew forth good workes for neceſſary vſes.
Whereas it is pretended,Faith and righteouſnes hauehave their diſtinct vſes. that the ſhield of Faith is ſufficient, we are to hold it for a ruled caſe, that God maketh nothing in vaine,tMat. 19. 6. Thoſe things which God hath ioyned together, let no man put aſunder. Wherefore though we ſaw no diuerſe and diſtinct ends of Faith and Righteouſneſſe, yet God hauing appointed both, both muſt be vſed. But there are diuers vſes, apparent to all that will obſerue them. Righteouſneſſe is needfull to teſtifie our obedience and thankfulneſſe to God, to profit our brethren, to proue our faith, to giuegive euidence of our election, vocation, and iuſtification, and to maintaine our cauſe againſt the cauils of profaneſſe, impiety, wickedneſſe, &c. Faith is needfull to apply Chriſts Righteouſnes, to ſupport vsus againſt the imperfections, and defects of our Righteouſneſſe, and for many other good vſes, whereof wee ſhall heare on the 16. verſe.
§. 9. Of the iſſue of Righteouſneſſe.
A Third ſleight that the diuell hath,3. Suggeſt. that Righteouſnes is likeſome. is to perſwade men that this Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe is very comberſome and toileſome, and it wil make vsus weary; for it is againſt our naturall diſpoſition, and wil be an hinderance of honour, wealth, eaſe, pleaſure, &c. Herewith he beguiledHeb. 12. …6. Eſau, b2 Tim. 4. 10.Demas, and many other. I may too truely ſay it, that herewith he beguileth moſt which profeſſe the truth of Religion. Some caſt away this Breſt-plate for promotion ſake, not caring how they bribe, flatter, pleaſe and fawne vponupon great men: others for wealth, oppreſſing, defrauding, and may wayes wronging their neighbours: others for their pleaſures, profaning the Sabbath, ſwearing, eating & drinking, vntounto gluttony and drunkenneſſe, vſing vnlawfull games, immoderately purſuing lawfull paſtimes, attyring themſelues in ſtrange apparrell aboue their eſtate, vnbeſeeming their place, &c. Others to auoid outward reproch, for feare, directly againſt their heart and conſcience (I ſpeake it with great horror of heart) are profane and vnrighteous,Anſwere. An eye muſt behad to the iſſue of Righteouſneſſe. becauſe it is counted a diſgrace to be Righteous.
For auoiding this, we muſt hauehave more reſpect to the aſſured iſſue of Righteouſneſſe, then to ſome preſent ſeeming inconueniences thereof. We know that the Armour which ſouldiers weare on their bodies, is for the time comberſome and heauy: yet for ſafety they refuſe not to weare it: they conſider that it is much better to endure a ſmal burthen for a while, then to endanger their liues, and loſe the victory. Now ſuch is the bleſſed fruit and iſſue of Righteouſneſſe, that all the honour, profit, and pleaſure that can be loſt, or all the reproch or ſhame that can be endured for it, are not worthy of the Crowne of Righteouſneſſe, which the Lord the righteous Iudge will giuegive vntounto his righteous ſeruants. It were almoſt an infinite taske to declare what the Scripture, the word of Truth hath deliuered concerning the iſſue of Righteouſneſſe. Generally it ſaith,cPſal. 11. 7. The Lord loueth Righteouſneſſe. dPſal. 58. 11.Verily there is a reward for the Righteous: *Pro. 10. 6.Bleſsings are on the head of the Righteous, &c. Particularly for the righteous perſon himſelfe in this life, it is ſaid, thatePſal. 34. 15. The eyes of the Lord are vponupon the Righteous. fPro. 10. 24.God will grant the deſire of the Righteous gPſal. 34. 19.The Lord deliuereth the Righteous out of all trouble. h…ſal. 27. 25.The Righteous ſhall neuer be forſaken. iPſal 68. 3.The Righteous ſhall be glad. kPſal 92. 12.The Righteous ſhall flouriſh like a Palme tree. lPro. 28 1.The Righteous are hold as a Lyon. mPro. 4. 18.The way of the Righteous ſhineth as the light, &c. For his death, nPro. 14. 32.The Righteous hath hope in his death. oIſa. 57. 1.The Righteous are taken away from the euill to come. After death,pPro. 10. 7. The memortall of the Righteous ſhall be bleſſed. qPſal. 112. 6.The Righteous ſhall be had in euerlaſting remembrance. At the reſurrection, rMat. 25. 46.The Righteous ſhall goe into life eternall. ſMat. 13. 43.The Righteous ſhall ſhine as the Sunne in the Kingdome of their Father. For their poſterity,tPſal. 112. 2. The generation of the Righteous ſhall bee bleſſed. u& 37. 25.Their ſeed ſhall not begge their bread, &c.
Heere we ſee matter enough to anſwere all the diſcommodities that may be obiected againſt Righteouſneſſe. Moſes hauing an eye to the recompence of the reward,Heb. 11. 24. &c. forſooke the honours, pleaſures, and riches of Aegypt: three ſuch baits as all the world moſt greedily ſnap at. Chriſt for the ioy which was ſet before him, endured the croſſe, and deſpiſed the ſhame. Heb. 12. 2.Thus if we ſet the end and iſſue of Righteouſneſſe before vsus,O quanta ſanctorum virtus! omnia ipſorum ſunt venerabilia. Chryſ…ſt. ad pop. hom. …. it will make vsus to let goe all earthly matters to hold it faſt: for our ſoules find much eaſe through the burthen that the fleſh feeleth hereby. In a word, great is the dignity, and admirable are the priuiledges of the Righteous.
§. 10. Of the Comfort of Righteouſneſſe.
OVt of the anſwer to his firſt ſuggeſtion,4 Suggeſt. that righteouſneſſe is nothing worth. (if the diuell preuaile by none of the former) he will ſeeke to perſwade vsus that this Breſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe can ſtand vsus in no ſteed: becauſeyIſa. 64. 6. All our Righteouſneſſe is as a menſtruous cloath: all is butzPhil. 3. 8. dung and loſſe. Thus hee beguileth many weake Chriſtians, and often bringeth them to vtter deſpaire.
Anſw. Righteouſnes acceptable vntounto God.For auoiding this, we are to be informed that though our Righteouſneſſe, conſidered in it ſelfe, and compared with the perfect rule of the law, be exceeding defectiue; or oppoſed to the Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, be dung and loſſe; yet as it is a worke of Gods holy Spirit in vsus, proceeding from an heart purified by faith, all the imperfections therof being couered with the perfect Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, it is acceptable vntounto God, and ſuch a thing as we may receiue much comfort in. Therefore though our Righteouſneſſe in it ſelfe, affoord no matter of boaſting, yet in regard of Gods gracious acceptation, it is a thing much to be laboured after; yea alſo to be reioyced in.
§. 11. Of all the parts of Righteouſneſſe vnited.
IF the diuell cannot by any meanes bring vsus wholly to reiect all Righteouſneſſe,5. Suggeſt. that partiall righteou…nes is ſufficient. he will endeuour to make vsus careleſſe in ſome parts thereof, or at leaſt negligent in taking the preſent opportunity: as if it were ſufficient only in ſomethings to be righteous, becauſeaPſal. 103. 3. God is merciful to forgiue vsus all our defaults: or vponupon our death-beds to turne from our vnrighteouſneſſe, becauſebEzek. 18. 27. When the wicked turneth away from his wickedneſſe, hee ſhall ſaue his ſoule aliue. Herewith in all ages he hath beguiled many thouſands.
Againſt the firſt part of this ſuggeſtion,Anſwer. The parts of righteouſnes may not be ſeuered. we are to know that the ſeuerall parts and branches of Righteouſneſſe, are ſo firmly and inſeparably knit together, that the parts cannot be ſeuered without the deſtruction of the whole. For Righteouſneſſe is as a chaine of many links,Qui vnam iuſtitiam fecerit cunctas virtutes impleſſe dicatur, quae inuicē ſe ſequuntur, & ſibi haeren: …ita vt qui vnam habuerit omnes habeat & qui vna carucrit cunctis careat. Hier. in Iſa. 56. the ſeueral links of this chaine, are thoſe ſeuerall duties which the law requireth to be performed to God & mā: let any one of the links be takē away, the chain is broke; if the chain be brokē, that which did hāg by it muſt needs fal down. To this purpoſe ſaith the Apoſtle.*Iam. 2. 10. Whoſoeuer ſhall keep the whole Law, and yet faileth in one point is guilty of all. Righteouſneſſe is compared to aaIob. 29. 14. garment, as well as to a Breſt-plate. A garment muſt couer vsus all ouer: yea our Righteouſneſſe muſt be likebIoh. 19. 23, 24 Chriſts coate that may not be diuided: If it be cut in the middle, it cannot but make vsus aſhamed, asc2 Sam. 10. 4, 5. Dauids ſeruants were when their coats were cut.
Obiect. If this were ſo, who ſhould be ſaued? fordIam. 3, 2. in many things we ſinne all.
Anſw. Indeed all ſinne in many things: but all ſin not after the ſame manner. The righteous when they ſinne, are drawne into ſinne either through their owne weakeneſſe, or thorow the violence of ſome temptation: they take not liberty wittingly and willingly to nouriſh any ſinne, or omit any duty: in which reſpect they are ſaid d1 Ioh. 3 9.not to commit ſinne: and it is noted as a property of the righteous toc2 Kin. 23. 25. Luk. 1. 6. walke in all the Commandements of God. When a righteous man is thus carefull and watchfull in auoiding ſinne, and doing his duty, then will the Lord be mercifull to pardon him his infirmities: but if any wilfully continue in any ſinne, what remaineth but a fearefull looking for of iudgement?
§. 12. Of the danger of deferring repentance.
AGainſt the ſecond part of the ſuggeſtion,Man cannot when hee liſt repent. wee are to know that although whenſoeuer an vnrighteous man truly repenteth, he ſhall be pardoned, yet he cannot truly repent whenſoeuer hee will. Hee that refuſeth to turne when God calleth him, prouoketh God to giuegive him ouer to the hardneſſe of his heart. As for ſuch as thinke to repent at their death, how know they what warning they ſhall hauehave of their death? May they not ſuddenly bee taken away asgDan. 5. 30. Belſhazzar, andhLuk. 12. 20. the rich foole? But what if ſome ſickneſſe come before as Deaths haruinger? Surely there is little hope that ſuch as before hauehave not, ſhould then turne vntounto God: For then commonly is the body weake, the ſpirits faint, the heart dull, the mind troubled, and the Diuell moſt buſie about vsus: and God hath giuen no promiſe to the vnrighteous to ſuccour him at that time, but ratheriProu. 1. 27. &c. the contrary.
Obiection. kLuk. 23. 43.Chriſt was mercifull to a theefe at the time of his death.
Anſwer. 1. That one example of that kind is recorded, that none ſhould vtterly deſpaire: 2. OnelyOnly that one, that none ſhould preſume: 3. It cannot be proued that purpoſely he put off his repentance to that day▪ 4. It is not ſafe to make an extraordinary action (as this was) a patterne: for Chriſt did then miraculouſly worke on that theefe, to giuegive in that moment of his humiliation an euidence of his diuine power.
§. 13. Of being ouer-iuſt.
LAſtly,6. Suggeſt. That a man may be oueriuſt. hee beguileth many by ſuggeſting that they may belEccl. 7. 18. ouer-iuſt, and ſo maketh them the leſſe carefull in putting on the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe.
Anſwer. Anſwer.For auoiding this, know for an vndoubted truth,Who are ouer-iuſt. that in true righteouſneſſe a man cannot be oueriuſt: that is, too ſtrict in auoiding any ſinne, or too conſcionable in performing any bounden duty. For why? mRom. 6. 23.EueryEvery ſinne is mortall. And of eueryevery duty an account is to be giuen: for they are the Talents which God hath committed to our charge.
But for a man to make a righteouſneſſe vntounto himſelfe which is not grounded on Gods word,Si quem ̄ ad omnia fratrum peccata cōſpexeris, hunc ſcito plus eſſe iuſtum, quam iuſtū eſt. Hi…r. and therein to be ſtrict, is to be ouer-iuſt. To count ſuch things to be ſinne, which by Gods Law are not made ſinne, is to bee ouer-iuſt: to be a buſie-body, is to be ouer-iuſt: to bee cenſorious without iuſt ground, is to be ouer-iuſt, &c. But goe along by Gods word, which is the rule of righteouſneſſe, hold cloſe to it, and thou canſt not be ouer-iuſt.
Thus wee ſee how Gods word is able to make vsus wiſe againſt all the wiles of the Diuell. Let our care be to make good vſe of that wiſdome.
§. 14. A direction for the vſe of Righteouſneſſe.
1. LEarne we what is true Righteouſneſſe, that we truſt not to a counterfeit breſt-plate, and bee pierced thorow while we thinke our ſelues ſafe.
2 Acquaint wee our ſelues with the vſe, end, beauty, benefit, and neceſſity of Righteouſneſſe, that we may be the more deſirous to get it if we hauehave it not: or if we hauehave it, the more carefull in keeping it faſt on, and cloſe to vsus.
3 Let a daily examination bee made of our life paſt, that of all our former vnrighteouſneſſe wee may truly and ſoundly repent: and with the true euidences of our former righteouſneſſe, our conſciences may be comforted in the day of triall.aActs 23. 1. & 24. 16. The Apoſtle comforted himſelfe in the middeſt of his troubles with the teſtimony of his good conſcience.Heb. 13. 18.
4 Let there be an holy reſolution for the time to come to walke on in the way of righteouſneſſe,bDeut. 5. 32. without turning to the right hand or to the left. BeholdcPſa. 119. 106 Dauids reſolution, anddPhi. 3. 13, 1… Pauls practiſe.
For the better performance of this moſt holy reſolution,
1 Put on Righteouſneſſe with all the parts thereof.
2 Remoue all impediments at the firſt, and giuegive no place to the Diuell.
3 Waxe not weary, but bee conſtant.