our own ways that will fail us, when there is such a noble and excellent, and every way satisfying way prepared to our hand. (5.) That our wickedness is so desperate, that the way which is pointed out to us doth not please us, and that we will not enter into it, nor walk in it. (6.) That this way, which is also the truth and the life, is only worth the embracing, and is only safe and sure; we should be convinced and persuaded of the worth, sufficiency, and desirableness of this way.  Reason, with ordinary light from the word, may teach these things; but grace can only carry them into the heart, and make them take rooting there.

3.  We may read here our obligation to those particulars:  (1.) To turn our back upon all other false and deceitful ways, and not rest there. (2.) To enter into this way, though “the gate be narrow and strait,” Matt vii. 13.  Luke xiii. 24, yet “to strive to enter in.” (3.) To resolve to abide in that way as acquiescing in it, resting satisfied with it, and thus to be “rooted in him,” Col. ii. 7, and “to dwell in him,” 1 John iii. 24, and “to live in him,” or “through him,” 1 John iv. 9. (4.) To “walk in this way,” Col. ii. 6. that is, to make constant use of him, and to make progress in the way in and through him; to go from strength to strength in him, drawing all our furniture from him, by faith, according to the covenant; and that the soul should guard against, 1. stepping aside out of this good and pleasant way; 2. backsliding; 3. sitting up, and fainting by the way.

In a word, this pointeth out our duty, to make use of Christ as our way to the Father, and only of Christ; and this leads us to the particulars we shall speak a little to.

There are two main things which stand in our way, and hinder us from approaching to the Father. 1.  Unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we are legally banished, because of the broken covenant, and the righteous sentence of God according to that covenant.  And, 2.  Wickedness, impurity, and unholiness, which is, as a physical bar, lying in our way; because nothing that is unclean can dwell and abide with him, who is of purer eyes than he can behold iniquity; and nothing that is unclean can enter in there where he is.  So then there must be an use-making of Christ, as a way through both these impediments; we need justification and pardon for the one, and sanctification and cleansing for the other.  Now Christ being the way to the Father, both as to justification, in taking away the enmity, in changing our state, and removing our unrighteousness and guilt, whereby we were lying under the sentence of the law, adjudging such sinners as we are to hell; and as to sanctification, in cleansing us from all our pollutions, renewing our souls, washing away our spots and defilements, &c.  He must be made use of in reference to both.

In speaking to the first, we shall be the shorter, because through God’s great mercy, the gospel’s pure way of justification by faith in Christ is richly and abundantly cleared up by many worthy authors, of late, both as concerning the theoretical and practical part.