to Virtue, Knowledge, &c. and so they might come to make their Calling and Election sure. Graces are not discerned by their Habits, but by their Acts and Exercise. Look as in a Tree, the Sap and Life is hid, but the Fruit and Apples do appear; so Zeal of good Works is that which appears, and so it manifests, and clears up your Condition. This is the great Note of Difference between us and the Profane; they are zealous for the Devil's Kingdom, Factors for Hell; John 8.44. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Lusts of your Father you will do. They are known by their Works; they are earnest for Satan, zealous for the Devil, follow Sin with earnestness, and do Evil with both hands earnestly, Micah 7.3. It is the difference between us and civil Men, but unregenerate; they are like Cypress Trees, fair and tall, but fruitless; of a comely Life, but none of these good Works are to be found in them. It is the difference between us and Hypocrites: A Hypocrite, like a Carbuncle, seems to be all on a fire; but when you touch it, it is quite cold: so they pretend to Religion, talk much, but have no true regular Zeal, no spiritual Warmth. It is notable, our Lord himself proves his Divine Original by his Works; John 10.38. Tho ye believe not me, believe the Works, that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. So is this the sensible Evidence you are in Christ, and Christ in you. Graces are not always evident in feeling, but in Fruit; the Effects cannot be hid. Then they are Signs and Evidences to God himself, the Lord will look upon them as Marks and Evidences of his People. Look as the destroying Angel was to be guided by a Sign, Exod. 12.12, 13. by the sprinkling of the Door-posts; not that he needed it, but because God would have it to be so: So the Lord suits his Dispensations, and guides them by a Sign. It is true, God in his Gifts is arbitrary, but in his Judgments he proceeds by Rule, according to our Works. At the last Day God will judg you not by your Profession, but by your Practice, what you have done: he will not say, You have prophesied in my Name, you have eaten and drunk in my Presence; but you have fed me, clothed me, visited me. That the Faith of the Elect might be found to Praise and Honour, he will have Works produced.
to Vertue, Knowledg, &c. and so they might come to make their Calling and Election sure. Graces are not discerned by their Habits, but by their Acts and Exercise. Look as in a Tree, the Sap and Life is hid, but the Fruit and Apples do appear; so Zeal of good Works is that which appears, and so it manifests, and clears up your Condition. This is the great Note of Difference between us and the Prophane; they are zealous for the Devil's Kingdom, Factors for Hell; Iohn 8.44. Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Lusts of your Father you will do. They are known by their Works; they are earnest for Satan, zealous for the Devil, follow Sin with earnestness, and do Evil with both hands earnestly, Micah 7.3. It is the difference between us and civil Men, but unregenerate; they are like Cypress Trees, fair and tall, but fruitless; of a comely Life, but none of these good Works are to be found in them. It is the difference between us and Hypocrites: A Hypocrite, like a Carbuncle, seems to be all on a fire; but when you touch it, it is quite cold: so they pretend to Religion, talk much, but have no true regular Zeal, no spiritual Warmth. It is notable, our Lord himself proves his Divine Original by his Works; Iohn 10.38. Tho ye believe not me, believe the VVorks, that ye may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him. So is this the sensible Evidence you are in Christ, and Christ in you. Graces are not always evident in feeling, but in Fruit; the Effects cannot be hid. Then they are Signs and Evidences to God himself, the Lord will look upon them as Marks and Evidences of his People. Look as the destroying Angel was to be guided by a Sign, Exod. 12.12, 13. by the sprinkling of the Door-posts; not that he needed it, but because God would have it to be so: So the Lord sutes his Dispensations, and guides them by a Sign. It is true, God in his Gifts is arbitrary, but in his Judgments he proceeds by Rule, according to our Works. At the last Day God will judg you not by your Profession, but by your Practice, what you have done: he will not say, You have prophesied in my Name, you have eaten and drunk in my Presence; but you have fed me, clothed me, visited me. That the Faith of the Elect might be found to Praise and Honour, he will have Works produced.
