The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fourthly, Another rotten foundation is, The goodness, yea supposed perfection of the work they do: Especially if men be poisoned with Popish Doctrines about the ability to keep all the Commandments of God, and that what they do is meritorious of salvation. Some Popish Interpreters do greedily catch at that expression, 2 Tim. 6.19 where rich men are exhorted to works of liberality, that thereby they may lay up in store for themselves a good foundation. But by this good foundation is meant a certain and sure happiness, which is not merited by such actions, but graciously promised as a reward. This is a most presumptuous and arrogant foundation, thus to build upon thy own self, and with the Pharisee to trust in thy own righteousness. How different was Paul from this? he laid another foundation, when he desired to be found, not in his own righteousness, but in that of Christs, Phil. 3.18. Now all this ariseth from a great ignorance of that total and universal pollution of man by nature.

Fourthly, Another rotten foundation is, The goodnesse, yea supposed perfection of the work they do: Especially if men be poisoned with Popish Doctrines about the ability to keep all the Commandments of God, and that what they do is meritorious of salvation. Some Popish Interpreters do greedily catch at that expression, 2 Tim. 6.19 where rich men are exhorted to works of liberality, that thereby they may lay up in store for themselves a good foundation. But by this good foundation is meant a certain and sure happiness, which is not merited by such actions, but graciously promised as a reward. This is a most presumptuous and arrogant foundation, thus to build upon thy own self, and with the Pharisee to trust in thy own righteousness. How different was Paul from this? he laid another foundation, when he desired to be found, not in his own righteousness, but in that of Christs, Phil. 3.18. Now all this ariseth from a great ignorance of that total and universal pollution of man by nature.

Use of Admonition▪ to be awakened in this point. What is the foundation that you have laid for a godly life? How are all your duties and actions built? Are they founded upon Christ for strength, upon Scripture for direction, upon justification for acceptance upon a sanctified nature for the root of all? Then blessed, and thrice blessed art thou; blessed now in this life, but more at thy death, and the day of Judgment, when the condition of wicked men will be most cursed and miserable. But to whom hath the Lord revealed this? Whose ear doth God open to understand this? Oh what a confusion will it be, to see all thy Religion, all thy morality thrown into hell, for want of a sure foundation? It's a matter of heavenly skill and wisdom so to do thy duties, as they shall eternally live with thee. What is a tree without a root in the midst of a storm? What is a ship without an anchor? The same art thou, who hast no sound bottom to stand upon. Think then, whether this Sermon may not make thee to begin all anew? Thou must pull down all thy old building, and raise up a new one.