Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

This sentence passeth on the saints according to their works, Rev xx 12 But not for their works, nor f•r their faith neither, as if eternal life were merited by them The sentence itself overthrows this absurd conceit. The kingdom they are called to, was "prepared for them, from the foundation of the world;" not left to be merited by themselves, who were but of yesterday. They inherit it as sons, but procure it not to themselves, as servants do the reward of their work. They were redeemed by the blood of Christ, and clothed with his spotless righteousness, which is the proper cause of the sentence. ⟨p. 282⟩They were also qualified for heaven, by the sanctification of his Spirit; and hence it is according to their works; so that the ungodly world shall see now, that the Judge of the quick and dead does good to them who were good. Therefore it is added to the sentence, For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat, &c. Ver. 35, 36. which doth not denote the ground, but the evidence of their right to heaven; as if a judge should say, he absolves a man pursued for debt; for the witnesses depone. that it is paid already. So the Apostle says, 1 Cor x. 5. "But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness." Their overthrow in the wilderness was not the ground of God's displeasure with them, but it was an evidence of it. And thus our Lord teacheth us the necessary connection betwixt glory and good works, namely, works evangelically good; works having a respect to Jesus Christ, and done out of faith in him, and love to him, without which they will not be regarded in that day And the saints will so far be judged according to such works, that the degrees of glory amongst them shall be according to these works: for it is an eternal truth, He that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly, 2 Cor. ix. 6.

This sentence passeth on the saints according to their works, Rev xx 12 But not for their works, nor f•r their faith neither, as if eternal life were merited by them The sentence itself overthrows this absurd conceit. The kingdom they are called to, was "prepared for them, from the foundation of the world;" not left to be merited by themselves, who were but of yesterday. They inherit it as sons, but procure it not to themselves, as servants do the reward of their work. They were redeemed by the blood of Christ, and clothed with his spotless righteousness, which is the proper cause of the sentence.