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They are cleansed in the bath of sanctification.

the Bath, the Interpreter took them, and looked upon them, and said unto them, Fair as the moon. Then he called for the Seal, wherein they used to be sealed that are washed in this Bath. So the Seal was brought, and he set his mark upon them, that they might be known in the places whither they were yet to go. Now the Seal was the contents and sum of the passover which the children of Israel did eat. Exod. xiii. 8, 9, 10. when they were come out of the land of Egypt: and the mark was set between their eyes. The Seal greatly added to their beauty, for it was an ornament to their faces. It also added to their gravity, and made their countenances more like those of angels. (c)

Then said the Interpreter again to the damsel that waited upon the women, Go into the vestry, and fetch out garments for these people: so she went and fetched out white raiment, and laid it down before him; so he commanded them to put it on; (d)

(c) This means the sealing of the Spirit, whereby they were sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. iv. 30. O, this is blessed sealing! None know the comfort and joy of it, but those who have experienced it. It confirms our faith, establishes our hope, and inflames our affections to God the Father for his everlasting love, to God the Son for his everlasting atonement and righteousness, and to God the Spirit for his enlightening mercy, regenerating grace, quickening, sanctifying, testifying, and assuring influences, whereby we know that we are the children of God: for the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. Rom. viii. 16. All the comfort of our souls lies in keeping this seal clear in our view, and constant in our sight. Therefore, grieve not the Holy Spirit.

(d) Mind, they are commanded to put it on. Though God imputes the righteousness of his beloved Son to sinners, yet it is received and put on by faith. Hence it it called the righteousness of God, 2 Cor. vi. 21. and the righteousness of faith, Rom. x. 6. Christ, the God-man, wrought it out, God the father imputes it, and faith receives it, under the influence of God the Spirit. God's

They depart with Great-heart for their Guide.

"it was fine linen, white and clean." When the women were thus adorned, they seemed to be a terror one to the other; for that they could not see that glory each in herself, which they could see in each other. Now therefore they began to esteem each other better than themselves. "For you are fairer than I am," said one; and "You are more comely than I am," said another. The children also stood amazed, to see into what fashion they were brought. (e)

The Interpreter then called for a man-servaut of his, one Great-heart, and bade him take sword, and helmet, and shield; and take these my daughters, said he, conduct them to the house called Beautiful at which place they will next rest. So he took his weapons, and went before them; and the Interpreter said, God speed. Those also that belonged to the family, sent them away with many a good wish. So they went on their way, and sang:

"This place has been our second stage:
"Here we have heard, and seen,

"Those good things that from age to age
"To others hid have been.

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imputation does not supersede faith's acceptation of his Son's righteousness.

(e) This is always the case, when souls are clothed in the robe of Christ's righteousness. They are little, low, and mean in their own eyes, and they esteem each other better than themselves: whereas they, who at all look to, trust in, or depend upon, their own righteousness, in any degree, for their clothing and justification before God, always look down with an air of supercilious contempt upon others, who they think are not so righteous as themselves. This is contrary to living by faith upon, and looking wholly to, Jesus. Lord, hide self-righteous pride from my heart, and sink me into the depth of deepest humility, that I may ever glory of thee, and in thee, in whom I am perfectly righteous!

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The righteousness of Christ.

The dunghill-raker, spider, hen,
"The chicken too, to me,

"Hath taught a lesson; let me then,
"Conformed to it be.

"The butcher, garden, and the field,
"The robin and his bait,
"Also the rotten tree doth yield
"Me argument of weight:
"To move me for to watch and pray,
"To strive to be sincere ;

"To take my cross from day to day,
"And serve the Lord with fear."

Now I saw in my dream, that those went on, and Great-heart before them; so they went and came to the place where Christian's burden fell off his back, and tumbled into a sepulchre. Here then they made a pause; here also they blessed God.— Now, said Christiana, it comes to my mind, what was said to us at the Gate, to wit, that we should have pardon by word and deed: by word, that is by promise; by deed, to wit, in the way that it was obtained. What the promise is, of that I know something: but what it is to have pardon by deed, or in the way that it was obtained, Mr. Great-heart, I suppose you know; which, if you please, let us hear your discourse thereof.

Great-heart. Pardon by the deed done, is pardon obtained by some one, for another that hath need thereof, not by the person pardoned, but in the way, saith another, in which I have obtained it.— So then, to speak to the question more at large, the pardon that you and Mercy, and these boys have attained by another; to wit, by him that let you in at the Gate; and he hath obtained in this double way. He hath performed righteousness to cover you, and spilt blood to wash you in. (f)

(f) This, this is the comfort, joy, and glorying of a pilgrim's heart. Hath Jesus performed righteousness to cover us, and spilt blood to

Great-heart discourses on the Nature of Pardon,

Christ. But if he parts with his righteousness to us, what will he have for himself?

Great-heart. He hath more righteousness than you have need of, or than he needeth himself. Christ. pray make that appear.

Great-heart. With all my heart; but first I must premise, that he, of whom we are now to speak, is one that has not his fellow. He has two natures in one person, plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. Unto each of these natures, a righteousness belongeth, and each righteousness is essential to that nature. So that one may as easily cause the nature to be exstinct, as to separate its justice or righteousness from it. Of these righteousnesses, therefore, we are made partakers; so that they, or any of them, should be put upon us, that we might be made just, and live thereby. Besides these, there is a righteousness which this person has as these two natures are joined in one. And this is not the righteousness of the Godhead, as distinguished from the manhood; nor the righteousness of the manhood, as distinguished from the Godhead; but a righteousness which standeth in the union of

wash us? Have we the faith of this? O, how ought we to love him, glory of him, rejoice in him, and study to glorify him in every step of our pilgrimage! But Satan will envy us the comfort of this, and strive to spoil our rejoicing in it. And corrupt teachers will separate here. Many will speak highly of the blood of Christ being shed for our redemption, but oppose bis righteousness being imputed to us, to cover, adorn, and justify us; and, instead of this, they will set up an inherent righteousness of their own, in opposition to the righteousness of Christ. As we love our souls, value our peace, comfort, and joy, springing from the belief of the truth; and as we regard the honor and glory of our dear Lord, let us be on our guard against such proud, self-righteous, self-justifying, souldeceiving, teachers; for they err, not knowing the scriptures.

The righteousness of Christ.

both natures, and may be properly called the righteousness that is essential to his being prepared of God to the capacity of the mediatory office which he was entrusted with. (g) If he parts with his first righteousness, he parts with his Godhead: if he parts with his second righteousness, he parts with the purity of his manhood: if he parts with his third, he parts with that perfection which capacitates him to the office of mediation. He has, therefore, another righteousness, which standeth in performance, or obedience to a revealed will: and that is, that he puts upon sinners, and that by which their sins are covered. Wherefore he saith," As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so, by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous." Rom. v. 19.

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(g), Pray attend closely to this scriptural distinction and definition of Christ's righteousness.

(h) Here Mr. Bunyan gives a very clear and distinct account of that righteousness of Christ, as mediator, which he wrought out by his perfect obedience to the law of God, for, and in behalf of, all his seed; and which righteousness is imputed to them by God the Father, through faith and in this one righteousness, and in no other, believers in Christ are made perfectly righteous before God. And by this righteousness, and in no other, are they fully justified from all condemnation in the sight of God. Of this righteousness, therefore, they glory, and their souls make their boast of it, saying, IN the Lord Jehovah Jesus have I righteousness. Isa. xlv. 24. Reader, study this point deeply, so as to be established in it. It is not of a speculative nature, but is of the essence of the gospel, enters into the life and joy of our faith, brings relief to the conscience, and influences to the love of the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, and to bring forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by him to the praise and glory of God, Nothing can be of greater importance to our souls than to be fully informed, and spiritually assured, how we, who are sinners before God, are made perfectly righteous, and everlastingly justified in his sight. This will bring comfort to our

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