Anonymous on Article XII: Of Good Works

T can never be thought that the Divine Goodness would license us to sin, or encourage us to be wicked; much less can it be pre- sum’d, that it would contrive the Method how we might be reli-

gioully vicious; and under the Pretence of being Servants of Christ,

allow us to be the more base. Our Lord teaches quite the contrary, and commands us to be eminently good, and Exemplary in Righte-

ousness. Let pour Light so shine befoze Men, that they

may see your good Wozks, and glorify your Father which

is in heaven.

Which discovers the Sense of the Twelfth Article: Which says, « Albeit that good Works, which are the Fruit of Faith, and fol- “ low after Justification, cannot put away our Sins, and endure the

Severity of God’s Judgment; yet are they pleasing and accepta- “ ble to God in Chr and do pring out necessarily of a true and

vites, and live as he commands, we spall be pardon’d and sav d. For

« lively Fatth, insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evi- « dently known, as a Tree discerned by the Fruit. Whence learn,

I. What Christian good Works are: They are the Fruit of Faith, and follow after Justification. 5 II. Their Imperfection. Yet they cannot put away Sin, and en- dure the Severity of God’s Judgments. . III. As imperfect as they are, yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God. | IV. From whence they arise and come; they do spring out neces- sarily from a true and lively Faith _ V. Insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known, as a Tree discerned by the Fruit.

[ will treat of these severally. I. We are here inform’d, what Christian good Works are : The Fruit of Faith, they follow after Righteousness.

1. They are the Fruit of Faith, the Product of a firm Belief, that Jesus is the Lord, of a full Perswasion, that if we repent as he in-

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if we verily believe that Jesus is the Son of God; that he came down from Heaven, to seek and to fave that which was lost ; that he shall judge us according to his Gospel ; that if we do good, we shall inherit Everlasting Life ; that if we do evil, we shall perish in Hell Fire: If we unfeignedly believe this, and verily think we shall be thus dealt with, we must (if we love our selves begin an holy Life, and our Faith will produce good Works. How shall we escape, if” we neglef so great Salvation?

2. These good Works follow after Justification. To understand this, we must consider, that there is a Justitication , which is made

Article

Xll. CARS

Heb. 2.3, the first Pare.

over to us at Baptism, when we enter upon Golpel Service, upon

Condition, that we live up to the Covenant of Grace; and there is an absolute Justification, which will be pronouc’d in our Behglf, when we are judged and cleared by the Grace of the Gospel. Now good

Works follow after the first Justification, which we were entitl’d un-

to at Baptism : For if we —— give up our Names, our Hearts, and Lives to Christ, we immediately begin to work out our Salvati- on, and our Faith produces those good Works, which follow our

Justification at Baptism, or that Pardon which was then conditional-

ly granted unto us in the Blood of Jesus, and which we hold our Interest in, upon our good Behaviour till we come to die. And therefore St. Peter exhorts his Hearers, to repent and to be baptiz’d, that they might be pardon’d or justined. Repent and be baptizd

every one of you, in the Name of Tesus Christ , for the Remission of Sins, and ye sball receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. ED

II. Though good Works arise from Faith, they are imperfect, and cannot put away Sin, or endure the Severity of God’s Judgments, for they are no better than what returning Sinners can perform.

1. There is an linperfection attends Christian good Works; for as excellent as they may be, they cannot put away Sin, or attone for

and explate Sin : For to put away Sin, 1s to appease the Divine Wrath, and obtain a Pardon of Sin by some worthy Offering. But good Works cannot thus put away Sin, or procure the Sinner’s Pardon;

for they are perform’d by Sinners, and cannot remove former Guilt, or cover former Transgressions, or make Amends for former Mi- stakes. Because I at last do my Duty, may I challenge my Pardon for former Sins? Or because a Saint lives well, may he thereby ex- cuse his former Guilt 2 How can a little inconsiderable Service put

Act. 2. 38.

away Sins committed against the Eternal Laws of Righteousness?

When a Traytor becomes loyal, does his Loyalty put away his Trea-

son, without the Concurrence of the King’s Mercy ? And if a Sin- ner becomes dutiful, can his Duty merit Acceptance? All that he can do, is but the Performance of a Sinner; and though he does his Duty at present, he must be beholden to a Saviour to procure his Pardon. But now once in the end of the world bath he appeared to put away Sin, by the Sacrifice of himself. .

2. They are so imperfect, that they cannot endure the Severity of

God’s Judgment: For should he be extreme to mark what 1s done a- miss, who can be justified in his Presence? The Angels are not | ..- 0 pure

Heb. 9. 26, the latter bart.

Au EXPOSITION of the

Article

XII. — RS/

Psal. 1. 5.

pure in his Eye ; how then can we, that are made out of the Dust, find Acceptance , upon the Account of any Performance ? Can we stand in Judgment, or clear our selves when we are judged 2 Our good Works indeed, because enjoin’d by the Gospel , may find Ac- ceptance through Christ ; as a repenting Rebel stands fairest for the King’s Mercy; but they cannot abate of that Severity of Judgment that is due to Sin, unless Mercy steps between, and prevails for their Acceptance, and our Pardon. If God be angry, yea but a little,

v ho is able to stand before him? The Earth trembles,the Hills melt

like Wax, at the Presence of the Lord of the whole Earth. We must not therefore pretend to endure the Severity of his Judgments, but must flee for Refuge to the Lord Jesus, till his Severity abates,

and his Judgments are over. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in

Judgment, nor Sinners in the Congregation of the righteous.

II. As imperfect as our good Works are, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God through Christ ; for he hath purchas’d that Cove-

nant of Grace in which we stand, and by which our imperfect good

Works are commanded, and shall be rewarded.

1 Joh. 3. 22.

1. Such good Works are pleasing toGod , as he hath commanded. “ For we are created in Christ Jesus to good Works. This is the « Will of God, even our Sanctification“ . The Grace of God hath undertaken to teach us to deny Ungodliness and worldly Lusts ; and

to live godly, righteously, and soberly, in this present World; that

we may abound in all good Works, and think of and practice eve-

ry thing that is vertuous and of good Report; which may testify a

Change of Heart and Life, and produce in us a Disposition and

Temper truly Christian, When we conform our selves to the Com-

mands and Example of our Lord, we do that which God approves of, and will reward in the future State. This made St. John con- fident, that his and the Church’s Prayers wou’d be heard. And whatsoever we ask, wwe receive of bim; because we keep his Command- ments, and do those things that are pleasing in his Sight.

2. Such good Works are acceptable through Christ ; for his Sake, God will accept of our imperfect Obedience, and reward our good Works. We are by his Grace enter d under the Discipline of

his Son, and are allowed Opportunities to qualify our selves for a

better State: And our good Behaviour does only shew, what Profi- cients we are, and what Preparation we are in for Mercy. For we must pass through the different Stages, allotted for our Discipline ; we must be Penitents, Believers, Obedient, and continue in well-doin

for a time, that we may recover a pious Frame and Temper, and be

in an acceptable Condition. And whilst we are thus engag’d , God is delighted with our Proficiency and good Works, and will accept of us upon our Faithfulness to the End, and crown all our Endea- vours with Happiness and Glory. But though our good Works thus

perform’d in Obedience to Christ, are acceptable through his Blood;

they no more deserve or merit God’s Acceptance, than the putting on a decent Garment merits that Honour from a King, who receives a penitent Rebel to Mercy, and raises hun to Places of Trust ; for

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

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tis Christ alone that puts the Value upon what we do. VD gave %% for us, that be might Redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar People, zealous of good Works.

IV. These good Works do {pring out necessarily from a true and lively Faith, as was said at first ; they are the Fruits of Faith, and 2 true and lively Faith will neceslarily produce them. But be- cause there is so much stress laid upon the Word Neceslarily ; It

will be convenient for me to give you a clear and distin& Apprehen-

sion of it, that ye may lye under no Mistake, and may not Imagine

that ye are forced, or necessitated to bring forth good Works. As

Faith is a Christian Vertue, ye cannot pretend, that Faith physically or naturally produces good Works, as Fire Burns; but that when it

is allow’d to operate upon the Heart and Life, it does produce

them, and the Truth and Life of it may be discerned by them: And yet, as it is the Faith of Man, who is changeable in his Reso-

Article XII.

Tit. a 14.

lutions and Choice; sometimes influenced by Conviction, and some-

times led aside « $4 Lusts: The true Faith that is in him may degenerate ; the Life of it may grow Weak and expire; and he that

begun well, may fall away and perish in his Sins; and therefore

when we say that a true and lively Faith Necessarily produces good

Works, it must be understood with this Caution, that whilst it

remains True and Lively, it will produce such good Effects; but if

the Truth of it should abate, and the Vigour of it should cease;

It cannot be expected that it should have that Influence upon the Heart or the Life, as to engage the Man in Obedience, or continue

him in it ; and we have Reason to fear, that a true Faith may thus Fail, and that a lively Faith, may thus Expire: For we find that

many that Believe in Jet do fall away from him, or at least, are not so careful as they have been, to keep his Commandments :

And therefore, it mult be granted, that either they never had a

true and lively Faith, or that a true and lively Faith way Fail, and Cease to be what it was. But our Lord puts this beyond any Ex- ception, when he tells St. Peter, That he had prayed, that his 4 Faith might not fail: All will allow, that St. Pefer’s Faith was

a true and lively Faith, such as was acceptable and saving, and yet he

was in danger of failing in his Faith; and had not our Saviour prayed for him, it might have failed, and he might not only have deny’d his Lord, as he did, but might have perish’d in his Sin:

What was that Apolile’s Case, is the Case of every Christian ; they

may have a true and lively Faith, which unless they take heed, may fail ; for their Faith 1s their own Consent to that which 1s ctedible,

their own Belief and Perswasion ; and though they Believe at pre-

sent, unless they Watch, Pray, and take Heed, they fall away in the Time of Temptation, and lose their Reward ; For this Reason our Saviour calls upon us, To Watch and Pray, to strive to en-

ter in at the streight Gate, to labour for the Meat which endureth

« to everlasting Life; That we may not depend upon avy fatal Neceslity, or trust to any necessary Operations: But as Faith is our

Act, we may keep it up by true Reasoning and Devotion, and may 09 MN

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Au EXPOSITION of the

Article XII. Luke 22. 32.

live according to it; for whilst it is such an active Principle in us,

good Works will necessarily spring from it; but if that Fails, our

Obedience will Fail, and we may fall away from our Lord, and in-

cur his Displeasure for ever. Hut I have prayed for thee, that thy

Fr fail not; and when thou art Converted, strengthen thy ret hren.

V. A lively Faith may be as evidently known by good Works, as a Tree by the Fruit; for as when we see the Fruit good, we

know that the Tree was good that bare it: So when we find the

Christian’s Life to be Fruitful in good Works, that he carefully per-

forms his Duty, faithfully Works out his Salvation, and conscien- tiously goes forward in well doing; we have Cause to believe that his Faith is true and lively, that he is Sincere and Upright ; and that like a Tree planted by the River Side, he bringeth forth his Fruit in good Season ; and discovers that he is in earnest a Servant of the Lord Jesus. Not that he as Necessarily brings forth good Works, as a Tree good Fruit; for the Tree cannot but bear that sort of Fruit that belongs to it; but Man is a free Agent, at Li- berty to believe or not believe, and when he believes, at Liberty

to persevere in Well-doing, and to bring forth good Works, or not to persevere ; and therefore we find, that Hypocrites will pretend to

Luk. 6. 43, 44-

Believe, and disguise themselves under the Appearance of good Works, and that too many that were really active in Religion, grow weary in well doing ; but if Faith remains lively, and the Man sincere, he will as certainly abound in good Works, as he is

under the Government of an active Principle, and as a Tree pro-

duces good Fruit. For a good Tree bringeth not forth corrupt Fruit, neither doth a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit For every Tree

is known by his own Fruit; for of Thorns Men do not gather Figs,

nor of a Eramble-Bush gather they Grapes. From this Account 1 must take occasion to caution vou, that ye

do not trust to bare Faith ; that ye examine your Faith by your

Behaviour ; and that upon your Sincerity in keeping God’s Com-

mandments, ye have Cause to hope for Mercy.

I. Ye may not trust to a bare Faith, or think your selves safe,

| because ye Believe; for Truth is of that Nature, that it forces Conviction upon Evil Men; nay, upon evil Spirits, who Believe and Tremble, and cannot but own the Power and Judgments

of God; but your Faith must proceed farther, it must put you

upon Christian Action and Obedience, as ye design it should bring

ou to Salvation, and must Oblige you to remain Faithful to the nd. What will it avail you to Believe as Evil Men Believe > Can

their Faith save them? Or what will it profit you to Believe and

Tremble with Evil Spirits > Can their Faith’ deliver them from Chains and Torment? Your Faith must be true and lively, fi xed upon the Lord Jesus, and fruitful in good Works, and then throu gh him it will be found saving to the Soul. Consider therefore t he Nature of your Faith, that it may be found to your Praise, and the

Glory

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Thirty Nine Ax ric LES 8

Glory of God. hat doth it profit, my Brethren, though a Man Article say be hath Faith, and have not Works, can Faith save bim? XII.

2. Judge of your selves by the Nature of your Faith, and never —4 Lf presume to flatter your selves in the Commission of any known 244. Sin, as if the same was consistent with a saving Condition, For if your Faith 1s not true and sound enough to break off your Sins, and to engage you in a vertuous Life, it cannot profit you in the Day of

Wrath. Or if your Faith is not such an active Principle in you, as

produces good Works, and quickens you in your Christian Obedience, what Advantage can ye 1n earnest expe& from it ? Judge therefore your selves, compare your Lives with your Faith, and pass a righteous Sentence. Do ye really live as those that believe in Jesus Christ ? Walk as those that expect him in Judgment. If ye do not, all your

Faith will avail but little in the Sight of God. For as the Body Jam. 2. 26.

without the Spirit is dead, so Faith without Works is dead also. 3. If ye are sincere in keeping God’s Commandments, ye have cause to hope for Mercy. For your Faith is then true and lively, and your Actions are pleasing and acceptable; and there is nothing wanting to compleat your Happiness, but Faithfulness to the End. t in well-doing, and bring forth more Fruit. Te are my Friends, if ye do whatsoever I comman Jon. Joh. 15+ 14.

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An EXPOSITION if the

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