The greatest sinners exhorted and encouraged to come to Christ, and that now without…

Answ. 1. We must in the first place make sure of our Union with Christ. Remember that without Him we can do nothing, as in this context the Lord hath declared, Joh. 15.4, 5. As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches, he that abideth in Me, and I in him; the same bringeth forth much fruit. And the Apostle saith We must be married to Him that was raised from the dead, that so we might bring forth fruit unto God. Rom. 7.4. Tho' a man should do never so many good works in the account of men, tho he should pray never so often, tho he should give his Estate to the poor, if he is not in Christ, all that he does is no fruit unto God. It was a truly christian Reply of that Pious Minister, who when some told him of the good Works he had done in the time of his health, and that therefore in case he should dye, his Reward in Heaven must needs be very great; These (said he) are good works, if they be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. If a man be in Christ, then his ⟨p. 117⟩good Works will be fruit, otherwise not. Hence the Apostle speaks of being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God. Phil. 1.11. No man did ever bring forth fruits of Righteousness, but it was by Christ Jesus, and therefore no man will be full of those fruits, Except he be in Christ.

Answ. 1. We must in the first place make sure of our Vnion with Christ. Remember that without Him we can do nothing, as in this context the Lord hath declared, Ioh. 15.4, 5. As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches, he that abideth in Me, and I in him; the same bringeth forth much fruit. And the Apostle saith We must be married to Him that was raised from the dead, that so we might bring forth fruit unto God. Rom. 7.4. Tho' a man should do never so many good workes in the account of men, tho he should pray never so often, tho he should give his Estate to the poor, if he is not in Christ, all that he does is no fruit unto God. It was a truly christian Reply of that Pious Minister, who when some told him of the good Works he had done in the time of his health, and that therefore in case he should dye, his Reward in Heaven must needs be very great; These (said he) are good works, if they be sprinkled with the blood of Iesus Christ. If a man be in Christ, then his