It is gathered from this, that faith is to work together in and with good works, and by good works to be brought to its end. Now good works are necessary to a believer: 1. By necessity of precept, because God from that right and power he had to do so, was pleased to command us them. 2. By necessity of means without which we cannot attain the end: And that 1. In respect of God, or his glory, as the end, because without them we cannot attain to the enjoyment of God, nor to glorify him, as we should and must for that attainment. 2. In respect of the Church and others without the Church, whose edification without good works we cannot attain: and good men are edified by good works, as by examples, more and more; and to others a hoping light is as it were held out, whereby they may discern their right way. Let your light so shine before men, &c. 3. In respect of our own salvation, because good works are necessary to salvation though not as meritorious ⟨p. 165⟩causes, yet as dispositions, qualifications, and ways, that must be had and insisted in, because our election and calling is to them, and by them our salvation, and these other are made surer to our consciences. For in them consists that way of a new obedience, and Gospel thankfulness, which only leads unto life; also as holiness not only internal, but also external, is such an inseparable disposition or qualification from such as are to be saved, as that without it, none shall ever see God to his comfort, or happiness. 3. They are necessary by necessity of the end; because election, redemption, vocation, tend and look to this end, that we may live to God, and to Christ, in all holiness and righteousness: And a necessity as well of thankfulness as of covenant lies upon us, that with all our vigour and with all our strength, we endeavour to attain unto this end. 4. Good works are necessary by a certain sort of natural necessity. For just as good fruits come of a good tree, and sweet waters come from a sweet fountain, by a like manner and necessity, good works come from true faith. Or as our vital operations and motions do always accompany natural life; so also spiritual life, which is from faith, whereby the just man liveth, puts forth it self always in good works, as the proper operations and acts of a spiritual life.
It is gathered from this, that faith is to work together in and with good works, and by good works to be brought to its end. Now good works are necessary to a believer: 1. By necessity of precept, because God from that right and power he had to do so, was pleased to command us them. 2. By necessity of means without which we cannot attain the end: And that 1. In respect of God, or his glory, as the end, because without them we cannot attain to the enjoyment of God, nor to glorify him, as we should and must for that attainment. 2. In respect of the Church and others without the Church, whose edification without good works we cannot attain: and good men are edified by good workes, as by examples, more and more; and to others a hoping light is as it were held out, whereby they may discerne their right way. Let your light so shine before men, &c. 3. In respect of our own salvation, because good works are necessary to salvation though not as meritorious ⟨p. 165⟩causes, yet as dispositions, qualifications, and wayes, that must be had and insisted in, because our election and calling is to them, and by them our salvation, and these other are made surer to our consciences. For in them consists that way of a new obedience, and Gospell thankfulnesse, which onely leads unto life; also as holinesse not onely internal, but also external, is such an inseparable disposition or qualification from such as are to be saved, as that without it, none shall ever see God to his comfort, or happiness. 3. They are necessary by necessity of the end; because election, redemption, vocation, tend and look to this end, that we may live to God, and to Christ, in all holinesse and righteousnesse: And a necessity as well of thankfulnesse as of covenant lies upon us, that with all our vigour and with all our strength, we endeavour to attain unto this end. 4. Good works are necessary by a certain sort of natural necessity. For just as good fruits come of a good tree, and sweet waters come from a sweet fountain, by a like manner and necessity, good works come from true faith. Or as our vital operations and motions do alwayes accompany natural life; so also spiritual life, which is from faith, whereby the just man liveth, puts forth it self alwayes in good works, as the proper operations and acts of a spiritual life.
