A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

1. The State of the Person; the Person must be in Christ. Do we gather Grapes of Thorns, and Figs of Thistles? We expect good Fruit from a good Tree. The Person must first be in Christ, as the Apostle saith, Titus 3.8▪ These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good Works. When the Foundation of Faith is first laid, and that is the Root, then good Works flow kindly, as the Fruit that grows upon this Tree. So in the Text, first a peculiar People, and then zealous of good Works. The Leper under the Law, till he was cleansed, all that he touched, and all he went about was unclean: so till you are purified and cleansed by the Work of Grace passing upon your Hearts, all that you do is abominable and filthy in God's Eye. A natural Man cannot be acceptable to God, nor perform an Act of pure Obedience, for he is an Enemy; and therefore his Gifts are giftless Gifts, [Greek or Hebrew]. This Method the Apostle lays down, Ephes. 2.10. For we are his Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good Works. First his Workmanship created in Christ, there is the fitness and preparation for good Works. Works materially good may be done by God's Enemies out of the strength of an unrenewed Will, for carnal Ends, without any Respect and Love to God; therefore first we must be reconciled to God: first we stir up Men to love God, and then serve him. Will you have the Graft or Cion bear Fruit till it be set in the Stock? So, can we bear Fruit to God, until we be planted in Christ? All the Issue that is born before Marriage is illegitimate, the Acts are but Bastard-Acts; and our Graces are but Bastard-Graces, till we are contracted to Christ.

1. The State of the Person; the Person must be in Christ. Do we gather Grapes of Thorns, and Figs of Thistles? We expect good Fruit from a good Tree. The Person must first be in Christ, as the Apostle saith, Titus 3.8▪ These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good Works. When the Foundation of Faith is first laid, and that is the Root, then good Works flow kindly, as the Fruit that grows upon this Tree. So in the Text, first a peculiar People, and then zealous of good Works. The Leper under the Law, till he was cleansed, all that he touched, and all he went about was unclean: so till you are purified and cleansed by the Work of Grace passing upon your Hearts, all that you do is abominable and filthy in God's Eye. A natural Man cannot be acceptable to God, nor perform an Act of pure Obedience, for he is an Enemy; and therefore his Gifts are giftless Gifts, . This Method the Apostle lays down,