4 In good works we must not only be wrought upon as patients, but work as agents.1 ⟨p. 827⟩There be three special signs of good works: first, a good work must have it foundation2 in the word, for a good work is grounded on a good word, and every plant, that is not planted in God his Eden, shall be plucked up. In vain we worship the Lord, with our3 own traditions, whatsoever thou doest, do it, because God commandeth thee. Now because wicked men may do good things, as sacrifice, hear the word, pray, build houses, use hospitality, &c. we must next see whether these be apples of the tree of faith or no, which only purifieth the heart, Act. 15. and even makes the actions pure. Kain kneeleth at the altar,4 Habel kneeleth at the altar, both sacrifice, both obey the commandments, in both the same work according to the same word: but the one offers in faith, the other not. Chore offered his sacrifice, Aaron offers his sacrifice, the same work, but not the same faith. Esau losing the blessing wept, Peter losing Christ wept: here are tears alike, but not in truth alike. Judas said peccavi. David said peccavi: here is repentance, the work like, the faith unlike. Yea again, as we must look to have a writ from the Lord, and with a good writ have5 a good heart; so we must beware we look not at these things with a squint eye. The Pharisee prayeth in the market places, he would have a good work in hand, but his heart was not right, it was mixed with a little leaven of vain-glory. Here then falls all the great works of Papists, who will pluck part of their salvation from God, and make the Lord to become debtor to them, whereas even the very works of Christ without the promise could never have merited salvation. We must say rather, my well doing O Lord, extendeth not unto thee, all that I do, is nothing, I am still an unprofitable servant. Now all men must do good works, for the law being written for all, shall be exacted of all. Under the steward we are all contained, we must all appear, we must give an account, every tree, that bringeth not forth fruit, as well the vast oak of Bashan, as the low shrub shall be all cast into the fire. It still runs in an universality, yea the very reprobate must do well, and though he cannot attain heaven, yet his condemnation is not so deep, his worm is not so sore, his stripes are not so many.
4 In good works we must not onely be wrought vpon as patients, but worke as agents.1 ⟨p. 827⟩There be three speciall signes of good workes: first, a good worke must haue it foundation2 in the word, for a good worke is grounded on a good word, and euery plant, that is not planted in God his Eden, shall be plucked vp. In vaine we worship the Lord, with our3 owne traditions, whatsoeuer thou doest, doe it, because God commaundeth thee. Now because wicked men may doe good things, as sacrifice, heare the word, pray, build houses, vse hospitalitie, &c. we must next see whether these be apples of the tree of faith or no, which only purifieth the heart, Act. 15. and euen makes the actions pure. Kain kneeleth at the altar,4 Habel kneeleth at the altar, both sacrifice, both obey the commandements, in both the same worke according to the same word: but the one offers in faith, the other not. Chore offered his sacrifice, Aaron offers his sacrifice, the same worke, but not the same faith. Esau leesing the blessing wept, Peter leesing Christ wept: here are teares alike, but not in truth alike. Iudas said peccaui. Dauid said peccaui: here is repentance, the worke like, the faith vnlike. Yea againe, as we must looke to haue a writ from the Lord, and with a good writ haue5 a good heart; so we must beware we looke not at these things with a squint eye. The Pharisie prayeth in the market places, he would haue a good worke in hand, but his heart was not right, it was mixed with a little leauen of vaine-glorie. Heere then falles all the great workes of Papists, who will plucke part of their saluation from God, and make the Lord to become debtor to them, wheras euen the very works of Christ without the promise could neuer haue merited saluation. We must say rather, my well doing O Lord, extendeth not vnto thee, all that I doe, is nothing, I am still an vnprofitable seruant. Now all men must doe good workes, for the law being written for all, shall be exacted of all. Vnder the steward we are all contained, we must all appeare, we must giue an account, euery tree, that bringeth not forth fruit, as well the vaste oke of Bashan, as the low shrub shall be all cast into the fire. It still runnes in an vniuersalitie, yea the very reprobate must doe well, and though he cannot attaine heauen, yet his condemnation is not so deepe, his worme is not so sore, his stripes are not so many.
- 1Good worksGood workes
- 2Three signs of good worksThree signes of good works
- 31. Word.
- 42. Faith.
- 53. The end, Gods glory.3. The end, Gods glorie.
