"The Lawful Captive Delivered" p 72

James Osbourn labored under the conviction of sin for many months and attempted to appease God's wrath by keeping the law of God, but to no avail. Again, his testimony is a reminder of what God's word expresses to us; that righteousness cannot come by our efforts to keep the law. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20). The sweetness of a sinner that confides in Christ's righteousness and finds complete and perfect salvation cannot be properly described. But the sweetness is delightful and refreshing to the soul. Below is Osbourn's account of trusting in Christ's righteousness for justification.

"I now saw so much beauty and worth in Christ and the gospel, as no man can see, or feel, or know anything of, but by the Spirit of the living God. It was more than mere motion or whim, or a simple flight of the imagination. And it was more than a dream or an idle fancy, or the animal passions roused. It also was more, much more, than a false light, or a fantastical faith, or an historical faith, or a delusive impression. Yes, it was more, and a vast deal more, than what any carnal professor, or hypocrite, or impostor, as such, ever saw, or felt, or found, or tasted, or handled, for it was Christ in me the hope of glory, Col. 1:27."