Whole systems of religion are devised to facilitate our understanding of salvation-by-increments.

Roman Catholics in the Middle Ages feared sudden death more than anything else because they lived with the awful uncertainty about their final salvation.

Augustine begins with "It's a long long road" (Neil Diamond, "He Ain’t Heavy"). Sixteenth century reformers and the classical Anglican position agree, but they are clear that Jesus Christ walked it for us.

"The Lord our Righteousness" was the sermon preached March 20, 1757 at St. Mary's Church in Oxford. The preacher, William Romaine, so offended just about everyone that he was invited to never preach there again.