Sermons preached

II. How new Creatures are obliged to these good Works.

1. With respect to God. He hath ordained that we should walk in them. If you refer it to his Decree, he will have his Elect People distinguished from others by the Good they do in the World, that they may be known to be followers of a good God, as the Children of the Devil are by their Mischief. His Eternal Decree is made evident to us by our making Conscience of good Works, and so we make our Calling and Election sure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. If you take it for his Precept and Command, surely we should make Conscience of what our Father giveth us in charge; he hath appointed us to do so, sent us into the Vineyard to work, and shall we say, I will not? Mat. 21. 29, 30. or loiter and neglect when we have given our Consent, or pretend to go, and never set about it? To a gracious Heart the Signification of God's Will is instead of all Reasons. 1 Thess. 5. 18. In every thing give thanks, for this is the Will of God concerning you. 1 Pet. 2. 15. For this is the Will of God, that with well-doing you may put to silence the Ignorance of foolish Men.

2. With respect to Christ, who died to restore us to a Capacity and Ability to perform these good Works. Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar People, zealous of good Works; not only to do them, but do them with Alacrity and Zeal. As Christ came to raise the Comfort of the Creature to the highest, so also the Duty of the Creature to the highest, that his People might be eminent in Holiness, Justice, Goodness, and Truth, above all others.