1I answer, it is true indeed, we must lead a holy life,2 a religious, sober, and righteous life, for, for this end hath the grace of God appeared, saith the Apostle: yet you must know withal, that we cannot work in our selves this holiness, this religious and sober conversation, that must be Gods work altogether, we are only to take this righteousness, and the other is but a consequent that followeth upon it. To illustrate this unto you by a similitude; A Wheel or a Bowl runneth,3 not that it may be made round, that is the business of the workman, who makes it round, that it may run: So it is in this case, GOD doth not look that we should bring holiness and piety with us, for we have it not to bring: we are at the first only to believe and accept this righteousness that is offered us; when that is done, it is Gods part to frame us, and to fit and fashion us for a holy life: such a kind of speech you have it expressed in, Eph. 2.10.4 We are Gods workmanship, fashioned in Christ Jesus to walk in good works, which he hath ordained, &c. Mark it: it is not an action of our own, but GOD is the workman, we are the materials, as the clay, and the wood, that he takes into his hands; when we have but taken this righteousness that is offered, it is Gods work to cast us into a new Mould, to give us a new heart, and to frame a new spirit within us, that so we may walk in good works before him: this is the great mystery ⟨p. 41⟩of godliness: for we have much ado to persuade men to believe that the righteousness prepared by CHRIST should be offered to them, and nothing be required but receiving of it: this will not sink into the hearts of men by nature, they think they must do something precedently, or else this righteousness is not offered them. But, my beloved, we must learn to believe this, and know that it is the work of GOD to sanctify us after he hath justified us. I confess, it is not so in other things, there is still some action of our own required to gain this or that habit or ability, as you see in natural things, there are some kind of habits that we get by some precedent actions of our own,5 as the learning of Arts and Sciences, to learn to write well, &c. here there is some action of our own required to fit us for it, and then we get the ability to do it.
1I answer, it is true indeede, we must lead a holy life,2 a religious, sober, and righteous life, for, for this end hath the grace of God appeared, saith the Apostle: yet you must know withall, that we cannot worke in our selues this holinesse, this religious and sober conuersation, that must be Gods worke altogether, we are onely to take this righteousnesse, and the other is but a consequent that followeth vpon it. To illustrate this vnto you by a similitude; A Wheele or a Bowle runneth,3 not that it may be made round, that is the businesse of the workeman, who makes it round, that it may runne: So it is in this case, GOD doth not looke that we should bring holines and piety with vs, for we haue it not to bring: we are at the first onely to beleeue and accept this righteousnesse that is offered vs; when that is done, it is Gods part to frame vs, and to fit and fashion vs for a holy life: such a kinde of speech you haue it expressed in, Eph. 2.10.4 We are Gods workmanship, fashioned in Christ Iesus to walke in good workes, which he hath ordained, &c. Marke it: it is not an action of our owne, but GOD is the workeman, we are the materials, as the clay, and the wood, that he takes into his hands; when wee haue but taken this righteousnesse that is offered, it is Gods worke to cast vs into a new Mould, to giue vs a new heart, and to frame a new spirit within vs, that so we may walke in good workes before him: this is the great mystery ⟨p. 41⟩of godlinesse: for we haue much adoe to perswade men to beleeue that the righteousnesse prepared by CHRIST should be offered to them, and nothing be required but receiuing of it: this will not sinke into the hearts of men by nature, they thinke they must doe something precedently, or else this righteousnesse is not offered them. But, my beloued, we must learne to belieue this, and know that it is the worke of GOD to sanctifie vs after hee hath iustified vs. I confesse, it is not so in other things, there is still some action of our owne required to gaine this or that habit or ability, as you see in naturall things, there are some kinde of habits that we get by some precedent actions of our owne,5 as the learning of Arts and Sciences, to learne to write well, &c. here there is some action of our owne required to fit vs for it, and then we get the ability to doe it.
- 1Ans.
- 2Though holiness be required, it is Gods work.Though holinesse be required, it is Gods worke.
- 3Simile.
- 4Eph. 2.10.
- 5Habits.
