Our Divines answer is, That if our justification be of grace, it is not of works; and if it be of works, it is not of grace: so in like manner, if the Lord do show himself in a matter of grace, let all our works be silent; for if Abraham hath whereof to glory, it is not before God: so then, if grace appear, it is not in our works: and therefore if God do speak any comfort unto sanctification, he will put his servants quite off from the conceit of their own holiness. Thus we find it, 2 Sam. 7.18. Lord (saith David) what am I, or what is my fathers house? &c. though at that time the Lord took notice of his sanctification; and so indeed it is usual with the faithful, when the Lord pronounceth any mercy to them, they see no reason in themselves why the Lord should vouchsafe it: as you see when the light of the Sun shineth upon a candle, it damps the light thereof; so it is in this case, when the riches of Gods mercy shineth upon the soul, he is not so taken up in the consideration of his own works and holiness, because his heart is lifted up higher in the consideration of the grace of God: and yet let me say thus much; There is a kind of revelation that is under the Law, Ezek. 18.5, 6. If a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, and hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lift up his eyes to the ⟨p. 198⟩idols of the house of Israel, &c. he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God. Thus a man is pronounced just upon his righteousness, that is to say, so far just as the Law declares him just: if either he keep the Commandment, or if he break the Commandment, and come and bring his Sacrifice, then his sin shall be forgiven him, Lev. 5.10, 13, 16. somewhat suitable unto what we read, Mat. 18.23, 24, 25. &c. when the servant was required to make payment to his Lord, and had nothing to pay; he falleth down and worshippeth his Lord, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all; so out of compassion he forgave him the debt: just as when the Lord taketh hold of a man by sickness, and is ready to expose him to death; then he crieth, Lord be merciful to me, and I will become a new man, and all the world shall know it, and all my friends shall see it: then the Lord out of compassion delivereth him from his sickness, according to Psal. 78, 34, 35. &c. when God slew them, then they sought him, and returned, and required early after God;
Our Divines answer is, That if our justification be of grace, it is not of works; and if it be of works, it is not of grace: so in like manner, if the Lord do shew himself in a matter of grace, let all our works be silent; for if Abraham hath whereof to glory, it is not before God: so then, if grace appear, it is not in our works: and therefore if God do speak any comfort unto sanctification, he will put his servants quite off from the conceit of their own holiness. Thus we finde it, 2 Sam. 7.18. Lord (saith David) what am I, or what is my fathers house? &c. though at that time the Lord took notice of his sanctification; and so indeed it is usual with the faithful, when the Lord pronounceth any mercy to them, they see no reason in themselves why the Lord should vouchsafe it: as you see when the light of the Sun shineth upon a candle, it dampes the light thereof; so it is in this case, when the riches of Gods mercy shineth upon the soul, he is not so taken up in the consideration of his own works and holiness, because his heart is lifted up higher in the consideration of the grace of God: and yet let me say thus much; There is a kinde of revelation that is under the Law, Ezek. 18.5, 6. If a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, and hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lift up his eyes to the ⟨p. 198⟩idols of the house of Israel, &c. he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God. Thus a man is pronounced just upon his righteousness, that is to say, so far just as the Law declares him just: if either he keep the Commandment, or if he break the Commandment, and come and bring his Sacrifice, then his sin shall be forgiven him, Lev. 5.10, 13, 16. somewhat sutable unto what we read, Mat. 18.23, 24, 25. &c. when the servant was required to make payment to his Lord, and had nothing to pay; he falleth down and worshippeth his Lord, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all; so out of compassion he forgave him the debt: just as when the Lord taketh hold of a man by sickness, and is ready to expose him to death; then he cryeth, Lord be merciful to me, and I will become a new man, and all the world shall know it, and all my friends shall see it: then the Lord out of compassion delivereth him from his sickness, according to Psal. 78, 34, 35. &c. when God slew them, then they sought him, and returned, and required early after God;
