A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

2ly. Neither is countenance given unto the other Imagination in general concerning the merit of works in these words. For (1) The Design of the Apostle is only to let them know that their Labour in the work of the Lord, that their Obedience unto the Gospel should not be lost or be in vain. And hereof he gives them assurance from the Nature of God with whom they had to do, with respect unto that Covenant whereinto he takes them that do believe. They had been sedulous in the discharge of the great Duty of ministering unto the Saints, in particular upon the account of the Name of Jesus Christ that was upon them. These Duties had been attended with trouble, danger and charge. And it was needful to confirm them in a persuasion that they should not-be lost. This they might be two ways. (1) If themselves should fall away and not persist in their course unto the end. (2) If God should overlook, or forget as it were all that they had done. Against both these Apprehensions the Apostle secures them. From the first in that the works mentioned having been truly gracious works, proceeding from Faith and Love, they evidence their Persons to be in that state of Grace wherein they should be effectually preserved unto the End, by virtue of Gods Faithfulness in Covenant, which he further pursues towards the end of the Chapter. Nor secondly, had they the least reason to doubt of their future Reward. For who was it that called them to these Duties, and on what account? Is it not God and that according unto the Tenor of the Covenant of Grace? and hath he not therein promised to accept their Persons and their Duties by Jesus Christ? If now he should not do so, would he not be unrighteous, must he not deny himself, and not remember his Promise? Wherefore the Righteousness of God here intended in his Faithfulness in the Promises of the Covenant. And he is not said to be Righteous in rewarding or not rewarding, but in not forgetting. He is not unrighteous to forget. Now to forget any thing doth not reflect immediately on distributive Justice, but upon Fidelity in making good of some engagement.

2ly. Neither is countenance given unto the other Imagination in general concerning the merit of works in these words. For (1) The Design of the Apostle is only to let them know that their Labour in the work of the Lord, that their Obedience unto the Gospel should not be lost or be in vain. And hereof he gives them assurance from the Nature of God with whom they had to do, with respect unto that Covenant whereinto he takes them that do believe. They had been sedulous in the discharge of the great Duty of ministring unto the Saints, in particular upon the account of the Name of Jesus Christ that was upon them. These Duties had been attended with trouble, danger and charge. And it was needful to confirm them in a perswasion that they should not-be lost. This they might be two ways. (1) If themselves should fall away and not persist in their course unto the end. (2) If God should overlook, or forget as it were all that they had done. Against both these Apprehensions the Apostle secures them. From the first in that the works mentioned having been truly gracious works, proceeding from Faith and Love, they evidence their Persons to be in that state of Grace wherein they should be effectually preserved unto the End, by virtue of Gods Faithfulness in Covenant, which he further pursues towards the end of the Chapter. Nor secondly, had they the least reason to doubt of their future Reward. For who was it that called them to these Duties, and on what account? Is it not God and that according unto the Tenour of the Covenant of Grace? and hath he not therein promised to accept their Persons and their Duties by Jesus Christ? If now he should not do so, would he not be unrighteous, must he not deny himself, and not remember his Promise? Wherefore the Righteousness of God here intended in his Faithfulness in the Promises of the Covenant. And he is not said to be Righteous in rewarding or not rewarding, but in not forgetting. He is not unrighteous to forget. Now to forget any thing doth not reflect immediately on distributive Justice, but upon Fidelity in making good of some ingagement.