A51840:992
A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…
A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture in two parts : part the first containing LXXIV sermons : part the second containing LXXVI sermons : with an alphabetical table to the whole / by ... Thomas Manton ...
London: printed by J. D., 1693
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
III. The Respect and Place of Zeal in good Works, it is a Note of God's People, and a Fruit of Christ's Death.
1. It is a Note of God's People. Unumquodque operatur secundum suam formam. There is in the New Creature a Propensity and Inclination to good Works. As all Creatures are created with an inclination to their proper Operations, such a willing tendency is there in the New Creature to those Actions which are Heavenly. As Sparks fly upwards, and a Stone moves downward; so the New Creature is carried ⟨p. 186⟩to Obedience and Holiness from a free Principle within. The Nature of every thing is the Principle of its Motion. Faith will discover it self; therefore we read of God's fulfilling the Work of Faith with Power, 2 Thess. 1.11. Hope is called lively, from the Effect, 1 Pet. 1.3. He hath begotten us to a lively Hope, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead. Love constraineth; 2 Cor. 5.14. The Love of Christ constraineth us. Good Works are a Note of the New Creature. We are the Workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good Works, Ephes. 2.10. As an Artificer sets a Mark upon his Workmanship that he might know it; so God sets a visible Mark upon his Servants: he doth not make a new Creature for old Works. Good Works are Christianae Fidei quasi testes, Witnesses that you can bring to evidence the Truth and Power of Grace. Luther saith, Good Works are Faith incarnate; that is, Faith is manifested by them, as the Son of God was manifested in the Flesh. They are Witnesses to the World, to your selves, and unto God that you are his. They are Signs and Witnesses to the World. This is the Badge by which God would have his peculiar Children known; not by Pomp and worldly Splendour, not by any outward Excellency, Riches, Greatness and Estate, but by Zeal to good Works. There are no barren Trees in Christ's Garden, it is not for the Honour of God; for our heavenly Father would be glorified in his Servants bringing forth much Fruit;