we that we are in him. 2 Pet. i. 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; Ver. 6. And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; Ver. 7. And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. Ver. 8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Ver. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, creatWherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. 1 Pet. i. 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. Rom. x. 2. For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kill eth you will think that he doeth God service. 1 Sam. xv. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. Ver. 22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Ver. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry, Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

II. James ii. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Ver. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

d Ps. cxvi. 12. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Ver. 13. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 1 Pet. ii. 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. Ver. 5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know

f2 Cor. ix. 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Matt. v. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

s Tit. ii. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Ver. 9. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Ver. 10. Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Ver. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Ver. 12. Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. 1 Tim. vi. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

hi Pet. ii. 15. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

i1 Pet. ii. 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:

ed in Christ Jesus thereunto; that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end eternal life.'

III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure:" yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.

IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Phil. i. 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. John xv. 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

k Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 1 Rom. vi. 22. But now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

III. John xv. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Ver. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. Ver. 6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. iv. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth mg. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.

• Phil. ii. 12. Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Ver. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 2 Pet. i. 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Ver. 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; Ver. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Ver. 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Isa. lxiv. 7. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 2 Tim. i. 6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. Acts xxvi. 6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Ver. 7. Unto which promises our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come: for which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Jude, ver. 20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Ver. 21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.P

V. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life, at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit; and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment.*

according to the hope of eternal life. Rom. viii. 18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Psal. xvi. 2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee. Job xxii. 2. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Ver. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Job xxxv. 7. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Ver. 8. Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

Luke xvii. 10. [See letter P in this Chapter.]

IV. P Luke xvii. 10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Neh. xiii. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbathday. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Job ix. 2. I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? Ver. 3. If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. V. Rom. iii. 20. 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. Rom. iv. 2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. Ver. 4. Now to t Isa. lxiv. 6. But we are all as an him that worketh is the reward not unclean thing, and all our righteousreckoned of grace, but of debt. Ver. nesses are as filthy rags; and we all 6. Even as David also describeth the do fade as a leaf: and our iniquities, blessedness of the man, unto whom like the wind, have taken us away. God imputeth righteousness without Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against works. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are the Spirit; and the Spirit against the ye saved through faith; and that not flesh and these are contrary the one of yourselves: it is the gift of God: to the other; so that ye cannot do the Ver. 9. Not of works, lest any man things that ye would. Rom. vii. 15. should boast. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works For that which I do I allow not: for of righteousness which we have done, what I would, that do I not; but but according to his mercy he saved what I hate, that do I. Ver. 18. For us, by the washing of regeneration, I know that in me (that is, in my and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Ver. 7. That, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs

8 Gal. v. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Ver. 23. Meekness, temperance against such there is no law.

flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ps. cxliii. 2. And enter not into judg ment with thy servant for in thy

VI. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreproveable in God's sight; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.*

W

VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the

sight shall no man living be justified. Ps. cxxx. 3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

VI. Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Exod. xxviii. 38. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. Gen. iv. 4. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering. With Heb. xi. 4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh.

Job ix. 20. If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Ps. cxliii. 2. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Matt. xxv. 21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Ver. 23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

VII. y 2 Kings x. 30. And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. Ver. 31. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart; for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. 1 Kings xxi. 27. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. Ver. 29. Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will * Heb. xiii. 20. Now the God of not bring the evil in his days; but in peace, that brought again from the his son's days will I bring the evil dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shep- upon his house. Phil. i. 15. Some inherd of the sheep, through the blood deed preach Christ even of envy and of the everlasting covenant, Ver. 21. strife; and some also of good will. Make you perfect in every good work Ver. 16. The one preach Christ of to do his will, working in you that contention, not sincerely, supposing which is well-pleasing in his sight, to add affliction to my bonds. Ver. through Jesus Christ; to whom be 18. What then? Notwithstanding, glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 every way, whether in pretence, or in Cor. viii. 12. For if there be first a truth, Christ is preached; and I therewilling mind, it is accepted according in do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Heb. vi. 10. For

Gen. iv. 5. But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect. And

word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.d

CHAP. XVII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

THEY whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called

I. whom Gd by his spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall

Amos v.

Cain was very wroth, and his coun- and conscience is defiled. tenance fell. With Heb. xi. 4. By 21. I hate, I despise your feast-days, faith Abel offered unto God a more and I will not smell in your solemn excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which assemblies. Ver. 22. Though ye offer he obtained witness that he was right- me burnt-offerings, and your meateous, God testifying of his gifts; and offerings, I will not accept them; by it he, being dead, yet speaketh. neither will I regard the peace-offerVer. 6. But without faith it is im- ings of your fat beasts. Hosea i. 4. possible to please him: for he that And the Lord said unto him, Call his cometh to God must believe that he name Jezreel; for yet a little while, is, and that he is a rewarder of them and I will avenge the blood of Jezthat diligently seek him. reel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. Rom. ix. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

a 1 Cor. xiii. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Isa. i. 12. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Matt. vi. 2. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver. 5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver. 16. Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

d Ps. xiv. 4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. Ps. xxxvi. 3. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. Job xxi. 14. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Ver. 15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Matt. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver. 42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Ver. 45. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matt. xxiii. 23. Woe unto you, scribes