A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 6 Of the rewards of good works.

Lastly, let us consider, that the Lord will richly of his free grace reward these works with glory and happiness in his Kingdom. For though the strength of our title stand upon Gods free gift, yet we are entered into the possession of it by the works of mercy, as being infallible signs that we are the true and lawful heirs unto whom this heavenly patrimony doth belong, by right of Covenant: according to that of our Saviour, Come ye ¹blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink, &c. So the Apostle saith, that at the day of Judgement, Christ will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance ²in well-doing seek for glory honour, and immortality, eternal life, but to them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, &c. Whereby it appeareth, that if ever we mean to attain unto everlasting happiness, we must not content our selves with an opinion of our inward piety and sincerity, nor with an outward profession of Religion, but we must bring forth the fruits of them, both in the works of holiness and righteousness; For not every one that saith, Lord, ³Lord, shall enter into Gods Kingdom, but they that do his will. And they only are pronounced happy, who hear the Word of God and keep it. As for those who please themselves with the profession of piety, & neglect the practice in the fruits of obedience, and duties of a godly life, they are presently in danger to be cut off like hypocrites & dead branches with Gods judgements, according to that of John the Baptist; Now is the axe laid to the root of the trees;