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.

CHAPTER IV.

HOW CHRIST IS MAD