By the like Consequence, we call many things necessary in common Offices of Civility and Humanity; as when Kindnesses are received, what is more necessary, and according to Justice, than a thankful remembrance of a Favour received, and a readiness of Mind, to give evidence of thankfulness, not only in Words, but also by repaying Kindness with Kindness, if there be Opportunity? Which thankfulness was nevertheless 1no cause of the Kindness that was done. Let us here compare other kinds of Offices: Who knows not, that a Son and Heir ought of necessity to be dutiful to his Father? But again, who can be ignorant, that this is no cause in him, why he should receive the Inheritance? The same also may be observed in Marriage, where the Wife being tied to her own Husband, of necessity owes Subjection to him, which nevertheless she shows to him, not so much for any Law of necessity that extorts it, as of her own accord, and willingly, being provoked by a Principle of Love; moreover when she shows him the greatest Subjection, this necessity is no cause of the Marriage bond: Just so it is in the performance of Godly Works, which Paul commands us to maintain for necessary uses, not that necessity of 2Works is any cause of Justification, but because it cannot otherways be, but that where true Faith is, there of necessity good Works are required, and yet they are not so much required, as they are a necessary Consequence; ⟨p. 431⟩for who was ever endued with the true Knowledge of Christ the Son of God, or had the secret breathings of his Spirit, or had a lively sense of his unsearchable Power, and the unspeakable Glory of his Majesty, but is drawn after him with the Cords of Love, and cleaves unto him with all his Heart, setting light by all the Vanities of this World? Moreover who hath a true savour of Christ, but he despises the World, and all the things of the World, as the dirt under his Feet? So that now there is no need of any Law to exact Works of Righteousness of him, who is truly planted in Christ, because he is a Law to himself, and does more of his own accord, than can be commanded by any Compulsion.
By the like Consequence, we call many things necessary in common Offices of Civility and Humanity; as when Kindnesses are received, what is more necessary, and according to Iustice, than a thankful remembrance of a Favour received, and a readiness of Mind, to give evidence of thankfulness, not only in Words, but also by repaying Kindness with Kindness, if there be Opportunity? Which thankfulness was nevertheless 1no cause of the Kindness that was done. Let us here compare other kinds of Offices: Who knows not, that a Son and Heir ought of necessity to be dutiful to his Father? But again, who can be ignorant, that this is no cause in him, why he should receive the Inheritance? The same also may be observed in Marriage, where the Wife being tyed to her own Husband, of necessity owes Subjection to him, which nevertheless she shews to him, not so much for any Law of necessity that extorts it, as of her own accord, and willingly, being provoked by a Principle of Love; moreover when she shews him the greatest Subjection, this necessity is no cause of the Marriage bond: Iust so it is in the performance of Godly Works, which Paul commands us to maintain for necessary uses, not that necessity of 2Works is any cause of Iustification, but because it cannot otherways be, but that where true Faith is, there of necessity good Works are required, and yet they are not so much required, as they are a necessary Consequence; ⟨p. 431⟩for who was ever endued with the true Knowledge of Christ the Son of God, or had the secret breathings of his Spirit, or had a lively sense of his unsearchable Power, and the unspeakable Glory of his Majesty, but is drawn after him with the Cords of Love, and cleaves unto him with all his Heart, setting light by all the Vanities of this World? Moreover who hath a true savour of Christ, but he dispises the World, and all the things of the World, as the dirt under his Feet? So that now there is no need of any Law to exact Works of Righteousness of him, who is truly planted in Christ, because he is a Law to himself, and does more of his own accord, than can be commanded by any Compulsion.
- 1Necessity of Consequence.
- 2Tit. 2.
