Here therefore not only Turks and Jews are excluded: but this also showeth many Papists, and many carnal Gospellers in our Church, how short they come of that religion which must save their souls. For this is the conceit of the most men, that if they do some good works, which carry a fair show to the world, as liberality to learning, or charity to the poor; straight they think they have leave to live as they list, and God is bound to forgive their sins, and to give them heaven: and this they imagine, though they know not what it is to believe in Christ, or to repent of their sins. One of this religion came to the Prophet Micah in his days, and asked him this question (uttering that plainly which all such men think in their hearts) Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord, 1and bow my self before the high God? shall I come before him with thousands of Rams, and ten thousand rivers of oil? (He makes the question, and would fain make answer himself: nay, he goeth further, and offers more) Shall I give my first borne for my transgression, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? But the Prophet answers him, showing him his folly, and how little God regards such works without a contrite heart; He hath showed thee O man what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: Surely to do justly, to love mercy, to humble thy self, and walk with thy God. Mark how that answer fits this example of Enoch. He pleased God, he walked with God, and was taken away: So, answereth the Prophet, if thou wouldest please thy God, and come to heaven by his favour; never stand upon thousands of Rams, and Rivers of oil, upon thy gay and glorious works: but humble thy self and walk with thy God. No walking with God (saith Micah) no pleasing of God: what is it but all one, as if he had said, Without faith it is impossible to please God? Here then is no disallowance ⟨p. 75⟩of good works, but of works without faith and true repentance: which though they be never so fair and flourishing; yet is it impossible, that without faith they should please God.
Here therefore not onely Turkes and Iewes are excluded: but this also sheweth many Papists, and many carnall Gospellers in our Church, how short they come of that religion which must saue their soules. For this is the conceite of the most men, that if they doe some good workes, which carie a faire shew to the world, as liberality to learning, or charity to the poore; straight they thinke they haue leaue to liue as they list, and God is bound to forgiue their sinnes, and to giue them heauen: and this they imagine, though they knowe not what it is to beleeue in Christ, or to repent of their sinnes. One of this religion came to the Prophet Micha in his dayes, and asked him this question (vttring that plainely which all such men thinke in their hearts) Wherewithall shall I come before the Lord, 1and bowe my selfe before the high God? shall I come before him with thousands of Rams, and tenne thousand riuers of oile? (Hee makes the question, and would faine make answere himselfe: nay, hee goeth further, and offers more) Shall I giue my first borne for my transgression, and the fruite of my body for the sinne of my soule? But the Prophet answers him, shewing him his follie, and how little God regards such workes without a contrite heart; Hee hath shewed thee O man what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: Surely to doe iustly, to loue mercie, to humble thy selfe, and walke with thy God. Marke how that answere fits this example of Henoch. Hee pleased God, he walked with God, and was taken away: So, answereth the Prophet, if thou wouldest please thy God, and come to heauen by his fauour; neuer stand vpon thousands of Rams, and Riuers of oile, vpon thy gay and glorious workes: but humble thy selfe and walke with thy God. No walking with God (saith Micha) no pleasing of God: what is it but all one, as if hee had said, Without faith it is impossible to please God? Here then is no disallowance ⟨p. 75⟩of good workes, but of workes without faith and true repentance: which though they be neuer so faire and flourishing; yet is it impossible, that without faith they should please God.
- 1Micah. 6.7.8.Micha. 6.7.8.
