Sermons preached

SERMON XIX.

EPH. 2. 10. For we are his Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good Works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

EPH. 2. 10. For we are his Workmanship, created in Christ Iesus unto good Works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Apostle in the Context asserteth that our whole Salvation is of Grace, not of Works, he now proveth it. That which is the Effect of Salvation, cannot be the Cause of it: but our well-doing is the Effect of Salvation, if you take it for our first recovery to God; but if you take it for full Salvation, or our final deliverance from all Evil, Works go before it indeed, but in a way of Order, not meritorious Influence. To think them altogether ⟨p. 372⟩unnecessary, would too much depreciate and lessen their presence or concurrence; to think they deserve it, would as much exalt them, and advance them beyond the Line of their due Worth and Value. The Apostle steereth a middle Course between both Extremes: they are necessary, not meritorious; they go before Eternal Life not as a Cause, but a Way; for they are wrought in us by God, and are Effects of the begun Salvation; so that the good that we do, is a part of the Grace that we have received, a fruit of Regeneration; For we are his Workmanship, &c.

THe Apostle in the Context asserteth that our whole Salvation is of Grace, not of Works, he now proveth it. That which is the Effect of Salvation, cannot be the Cause of it: but our well-doing is the Effect of Salvation, if you take it for our first recovery to God; but if you take it for full Salvation, or our final deliverance from all Evil, Works go before it indeed, but in a way of Order, not meritorious Influence. To think them altogether