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done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants r; and because, as they are good, they proceed from his spirit 1; and, as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment t.

VI. Yet notwithstanding, the perfons of believers being accepted through Chrift, their good works also are accepted in him v, not as though they were in this life wholly unblameto fupererogate and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do p.

man unto whom God imputeth righteousnesswithoutworks. Eph. 2.8. For by grace are ye saved, thro' faith; and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God. v. 9. Not of works, lest any man should boaft. Tit 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which wehavedone, but according to his mercy, he saved us bythe washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Gholt; v. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. v. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life. Rom. 8. 18. For I reckon, that the fufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglory whichshall be revealed in us. Pfalm 16. 2.

my foul, thou haft faid unto the Lord, Thouart my Lord: mygoodness extendeth not to thee. Job22. 2. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he thatis wise maybe profitable unto himself? v. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy perfect? Job 35. 7. Ifthou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? v. 8, Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art, & thy righteoufness may profit the son of man.

ways

r Luke 17. 10.(See letter p.) in this chapter,

[ Gal. 5. 22. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long- fuf. fering, gentleness,goodness, faith,

2. 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

tIfa. 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, & allour righteoufnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Gal.5.17. Forthefleshlusteth against the spirit, and thetpirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.Rom 7.15. For that which I do I allow not; for what Iwould, that do I not, for what I hate, that do I. v. 18. I know, that in me (that is, in in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present withme, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. Pfalm 143.2. Andenternot into judgment with thy fervant; for in thy fight shall no man living be juftified, Pfal. 120 3. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities; OLord, who shall stand?

VI.v Eph. 1.6. To the praiseof the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Pet. 2.5. Ye alfo, as lively ftones, are built upa spiritualhoufe, an holy priesthood, to offer up fpiritual facrifices, acceptable to God by Jefus Chrift. Exod. 28. 38. And it shall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the chil dren of Ifraelshall hallow in all their holy gifts: and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord

Gen.

V. We cannot, by our best works merit pardon of fin or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great difproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit, nor fatisfy for the debt of our former fins q; but, when we have done all we can, we have done

we defire that every one of you do shewthe same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end : v. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises, 2 Pet. 1. 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. v. 5. And belides, this, giving all diligence,add to your faith, virtue, and to vir tue, knowledge. 2. 10. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election fure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: v. 1 1. For fo an entranceshall beministredunto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. Ifa. 64.7. And there is none that calleth upon thyname, that stirrethuphimself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast confumedus, because of our iniquities 2Tim.1.6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, that thou ftir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands. Acts 26. 6. And now I Itand, andam judged for the hope of the promife made of God unto our Fathers. 7.Unto whichpromile our twelve tribes inftantlyserving God day & night, hope to come, for which hopes fake, king Agrippa, I am acculed of the Jews, Juce 20. But yebe

loved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the holy Ghoff. v. 21. Keep your selves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ onto eternal life.

IV.pLuke17.10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Neh. 13. 22. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, andthat they should come & keepthe gates, to fancify the fabbath-day. Remember me, OmyGod,concerning thisalso, and spare meacccording to the greatness of thy mercy Job 9. 2.1 know it is so of a truth: but how should a man bejustwithGod? 2. 3. If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Gal. 5. 17. For theflesh lusteth againft the spirit and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

V. q Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his fight: for by the law is theknowledge of fin, Rom. 4.2.For if Abrahamwere ju stified byworks, he hath where of to glory, but not before God, v. 4. Now to him that worketh, is, the reward notreckoned of grace, but of debt. 6. Even as David allo defcribeth the blessedness of the man,

7.

done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants r; and because, as they are good, they proceed from his spirit 1; and, as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's judgment t.

VI. Yet notwithstanding, the perfons of believers being accepted through Chrift, their good works also are accepted in him v, not as though they were in this life wholly unblame

2. 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

tIsa. 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, & allour righteoufnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Gal.5.17. Forthefleshlusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.Rom 7. 15. For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that do I not, for what I hate, that do I. v. 18.1 know, that in (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present withme, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. Pfalm 143.2. Andenternot into judgment with thy fervant; for in thy fight shall no man living be juftified, Pfal. 120 3. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities; OLord, who shall stand?

man unto whom God imputeth righteousnesswithoutworks. Eph. 2.8. For by grace are ye saved, thro' faith; and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God. v. 9. Not of works, lest any man should boaft. Tit 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which wehavedone, but according to his mercy, he saved us bythe washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Gholt; v. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. v. 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs, according to the hope of eternal life. Rom. 8. 18. For I reckon, that the fufferings of this present time are not worthy to be comparedwith theglory whichshall be revealed in us. Pfalm 16.2.0 my foul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thouart my Lord: mygoodness extendeth not to thee, Job22. 2. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he thatis wise maybe profitable unto himself? 2. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Job 35.7. Ifthou berigh-stones, are built upa spiritualhoute,

teous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? v. 8, Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art, & thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

r Luke 17. 10. (See letter p.) in this chapter,

[ Gal. 5. 22. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long- fuf. fering, gentleness,goodness, faith,

me

VI.v Eph. 1.6. To the praifeof the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Pet. 2.5. Ye also, as lively

an holy priesthood, to offer up fpiritual facrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Chrift. Exod. 28. 38. And it shall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the chil dren of Ifraelshail hallow in all their holy gifts: and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord

Gen.

! !

blemeable and unreprovable in God's fight w; but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is fincere, altho' accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections x.

VII. Works done by unregenerate men, altho' for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others y: Yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith z; nor are done in a right manner, according to the word as nor to a right end, the glory of God b; they are therefore finful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God c. And yet their neglect of them is more finful, and displeasing unto God d.

Gen.4.4. And Abel, he alsobrought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof; and the Lord had refpect unto Abel, and to his offering. With Heb. 11.4. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent facrifice than Cain by whichheobtained witness that he was righte ous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead, yet speaketh.

w Job 9. 20. If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemnme; If I fay I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Pfal. 143. 2. And enter not intojudgment with thy fervant: for in thy fight shall no man living be justified.

x Heb. 13. 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the theep, through the bloodof the everlasting covenant, 2. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his his wi will, working inyou that which is well-pleafing in his fight, through Jesus Chrift; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.2 Cor. 8. 12. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that aman hath, and not according to that he hath not. Heb. 6. 10. For God is no tunrighteous, to forget your work and labour oflove, which ye hath shewed toward his name, in that yehave miniftred to the faints and do minifter. Mat. 25. 21. His Jordsaidunto him, Well done, thou good and faithful fervant; thou halt beenfaithfulover a few things, I will make thee ruler over many

caufe

things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. v. 23. His lord faid unto him, Well done good andfaithful fervant; thou hast been faithful over afew things, I will make thee rulerover many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

VII. y 2 Kings 10. 30. And the Lord faid unto jehu, because thou haft done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and haft done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall fit on the throne of Ifrael.v. 31. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Ifrael, with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Ifrael to fin. Kings 21. 27. And it came to pass when Ahab heard those words, that herenthisclothes and put fackcloth upon his fl esh, and fasted, and lay in fackcloth, and went foftly. v. 20. Seeft thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his fons days will I bringtheevil upon his house: Phil. 1. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and fome alfo of good-will. v. 16. The one preach Chrift of contention, not fincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. v. 18. What then? notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Chrift is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice. zGen.

CHAP

z Gen 4.5. But into Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. With Heb. 11.4. By faith Abel offered unto Goda more excellent sacrificethan Cain, by which he obtained witness that he wasrighteous, God teftifyingof his gifts: and by it he being dead, yctspeaketh. Heb. 11.6. Butwith out faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God,. 22. Though you offer me burnt

must believe, that he is, and that he is are warder of them that diligently teek him.

a 1 Cor. 13.3. And though I bestow allmy goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Ifa. 1. 12. When ye come to appear before me, whohath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

b Mat 6. 2. Therefore, when thou dost thine alms, do not found a trompet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have gloryofmen Verily Isay unto you, they have their reward. v. 5. and when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men, Verily Isay unto you, they have their reward. 2.16. Moveover when ye falt, be not as the hypocrites, of a fadcountenance; forthey disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to faft. Verily, I say unto you, they have their re. ward.

c Hag. 2. 14.Thenanswered Hag gai, and faid, So is this people,

and so is this nation before me, faith the Lord; and so is every workoftheirhands, and that which they offer there is unclean. Tit. I. 15. Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled, andunbelievingis nothingpure, but even their mindand confcience is defiled. Amos. 5. 21. I hate, I despise your feaft-days, and I will not smell in your folemn alsemblies. offerings, and your meat offerings, I will not acceptthem, neither will I regardthe peaceofferings ofy our fat beaits. Hof 1. 4. Andthe Lord faid unto him, call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Ifrael. Rom. 9. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Tit.3.5. Not by works of righteoufnels, which we have done, but accord ing to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghoft.

d Pial 14.4. Have alltheworkers of iniquity no knowledge? whoeat up my people as they eat bread, & call not upon the Lord. Pfal.36.3. The words of his mouthareiniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wife,andto dogood. Job.21.14. Therefore they lay unto God. de part from us for we defire not the knowledgeof thy ways..15 What is the almighty, that we thould serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him. Mat. 25.41.Thenshallhefay alio untoall themon the left hand, Depart from

me,

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