(3.) They approve of, value, and rejoice in, this
righteousness, for their acceptation, which the Lord Jesus hath
wrought out and provided for them; this being discovered
to them, they approve of it with all their hearts, and rest in it.
Isa. xlv. 24, “Surely, shall one say,
in the Lord have I
righteousness and strength.” This is their voice and language, when once
the righteousness of God in Christ is made known unto them: “Here is
righteousness indeed; here have I rest for my soul. Like the merchant man
in the gospel (Matt. xiii. 45, 46) that finds the
pearl of price, I had been searching up and down; I looked this and that
way for help, but it was far away; I spent my strength for that which was
not bread: here is that, indeed, which makes me rich for ever!” When first
the righteousness of Christ, for acceptation with God, is revealed to a
poor labouring soul, that hath fought for rest and hath found none, he is
surprised and amazed, and is not able to contain himself: and such a one
always in his heart approves this righteousness on a twofold account:—