1Secondly, There is a two fold doing of Gods work; either the work of his providence, as passive instruments, or the work of his commands, as active instruments. This is a necessary distinction, God hath raised up many men, as instruments to bring about the works of his providence; but because they did not know God or propound godly ends in doing so; therefore though they did the work of the Lord, yet they shall meet with no reward in Heaven. You have a notable instance for this, Isa. 10.5, 6, 7. where the King of Assyria is called a rod, or a staff in Gods hand; God did use him as an instrument to scourge the Israelite; howbeit he meaneth not so, he thinketh it not in his heart; here he was a passive instrument, he did Gods work without any heart, or love to God; and therefore vers. 12. When I have performed my whole work (saith God) against Jerusalem, I will punish him. Here you see, a man may do Gods work, and yet be punished for it. So Jehu, he was immediately raised up by God, to destroy Ahab, and his whole family; and God tells him, He had done all that was in his heart; a great expression; yet Hos. 1.4. God (saith he) will be avenged upon the house of Jehu, for all that blood he had shed. For though he did the work of Gods providence, yet because he did it upon ambitious and sinful grounds, not keeping close to Gods way, therefore was he punished. Thus you see, there is a great difference between doing the work of Gods providence, and the work of his command, out of faith and obedience to him. For this later is, when we do not only the matter God commands, but out of love and obedience to him, with that godly frame of heart, that is acceptable unto him.
1Secondly, There is a two fold doing of Gods work; either the work of his providence, as passive instruments, or the work of his commands, as active instruments. This is a necessary distinction, God hath raised up many men, as instruments to bring about the works of his providence; but because they did not know God or propound godly ends in doing so; therfore though they did the work of the Lord, yet they shall meet with no reward in Heaven. You have a notable instance for this, Isa. 10.5, 6, 7. where the King of Assyria is called a rod, or a staff in Gods hand; God did use him as an instrument to scourge the Israelite; howbeit he meaneth not so, he thinketh it not in his heart; here he was a passive instrument, he did Gods work without any heart, or love to God; and therefore vers. 12. When I have performed my whole work (saith God) against Jerusalem, I will punish him. Here you see, a man may do Gods work, and yet be punished for it. So Jehu, he was immediately raised up by God, to destroy Ahab, and his whole family; and God tels him, He had done all that was in his heart; a great expression; yet Hos. 1.4. God (saith he) will be av•nged upon the house of Jehu, for all that blood he had shed. For though he did the work of Gods providence, yet because he did it upon ambitious and sinfull grounds, not keeping close to Gods way, therefore was he punished. Thus you see, there is a great difference between doing the work of Gods providence, and the work of his command, out of faith and obedience to him. For this later is, when we do not only the matter God commands, but out of love and obedience to him, with that godly frame of heart, that is acceptable unto him.
- 1There is a two-fold doing of good works.
