Wilson on Article XIV: Of Works of Supererogation

a That all men might rightly judge of good works, it hath been declared in the second part of this Sermon, what kind of good works they be that God would have his people walk in, namely, such as he hath commanded in his holy Scripture, and not such works as men have studied out of their own brain, of a blind zeal and devotion, without the word of God: and by mistaking the nature of good works, man hath most highly dis- pleased God, and hath gone from his will and commandments. — Sects and feigned religions were neither the fortieth part so many among the Jews, nor more superstitiously and ungodlily abused, than of late days they have been among us : which sects and religions had so many hypocritical and feigned works in their state of religion, as they arrogantly named it, that their lamps, as they said, ran always over, able to satisfy not only for their own sins, but also for all other their benefactors, bro- thers, and sisters of religion, as most ungodlily and craftily they had persuaded the multitude of ignorant people ; keeping in divers places, as it were, marts or markets of merit, being full of their holy relics, images, shrines, and works of overflowing abundance ready to be sold — yea also vain inventions, unfruitful ceremonies, and ungodly laws, decrees, and councils of Rome, were in such wise advanced, that nothing was thought compara- ble in authority, wisdom, learning, and godliness, unto them; so that the laws of Rome, as they said, were to be received of all men as the four Evangelists, to the which all laws of princes must give place : and the laws of God also partly were left off and less esteemed, that the said laws, decrees, and councils, with their traditions and ceremonies, might be more duly kept, and had in greater reverence. Thus was the people through ignorance so blinded with the godly shew and appearance of those things, that they thought the keeping of them to be a more holiness, a more perfect service and honouring of God, and

• Now the Spirit speaketh ex- iv. 1. 3. Beware lest any man spoil

pressly, that in the latter times you through philosophy and vain

some should depart from the faith, deceit, after the tradition of men,

giving heed to seducing spirits, after the rudiments of the world,

and doctrines of devils; — forbid- and not after Christ. Col.ii.8. Let

ding to marry, and commanding to no man beguile you of your reward

abstain from meats, which Cod in a voluntary humility and wor-

hath created to lie received with shipping of angels — not holding

thanksgiving of them which be- the head. — Wherefore if ye be dead

lieve and know the truth. 1 Tim. with Christ from the rudiments of

aiTogancy and impiety : bfor by them men do

more pleasing to God, than the keeping- of Cod’s command- ments. Such hath been the corrupt inclination of man, ever superstitiously given to make new honouring of God of his own head, and then to have more affection and devotion to keep that, than to search out God’s holy commandments, and to keep them. And furthermore, to take God’s commandments for men’s commandments, and men’s commandments for God’s command- ments, yea, and for the highest and most perfect and holiest of all God’s commandments. And so was all confused, that scant well learned men, aud but a small number of them knew, or at the least would know, and durst affirm the truth, to separate or sever God’s commandmeuts from the commandments of men. Whereupon did grow much error, superstition, idolatry, vain religion, overthwart judgment, great contention, with all un- godly living. Horn. v. 3.

b The law of God is the full and, in all points, perfect rule of the righteousness which is required of man, which commandeth those things that are to be done, and forbiddeth the contraries. In this law God hath restrained all things to his own will and judgment, so as no godliness toward him, nor dutifulness toward men, can be allowed of him, but that only which doth in all things agree with the straitness of this rule. Vainly therefore do mortal men invent to themselves forms of godliness and duty after their own fancy : for God hath set forth to us his law written in two tables, as a most sure rule both of our worship- ping of God, and of our duties to men, and therewith also hath declared that there is nothing on earth more pleasant and accept- able to him than our obedience. Nowell, p. 8.

” What works shall I do,” said a prince, ” to come to ever- lasting life ?” (Matt, xiv.) To whom Jesus answered, ” If thou wilt come to everlasting life, keep the commandments.” But the prince, not satisfied herewith, asked farther, ” Which com- mandments r” The Scribes and Pharisees had made so many of their own laws and traditions, to bring men to heaven, besides God’s commandments, that this man was in doubt whether he

the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordi- nances, (touch not ; taste not ; han- dle not ; which all are to perish with the using-;) after the com- mandments and doctrines of men ? Which things have indeed a shew of will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body ; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Col. ii. 18—23.

■ Be not carried about with di-

vers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace ; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Heb. xiii. 9. Their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. Isa. xxix. 13. Not giving heed to Jewish fables, aud com- mandments of men, which turn from the truth. Tit. i. 14. Ye shall not add unto the word which I

declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake, than of bounden duty is required : c whereas Christ saith plainly, When

should come to heaven by those laws and traditions, or by the law of God; and therefore he asked Christ which command- ments he meant. Whereunto Christ made him a plain answer, rehearsing the commandments of God, saying, ” Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother, and Love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt, xix.) By which words Christ declared, that the laws of God be the very way that doth lead to everlasting life, and not the traditions and laws of men. So that this is to be taken for a most true lesson taught by Christ’s own mouth, that the works of the moral commandments of God be the very true works of faith which lead to the blessed life to come. Horn. v. 2.

c We say also that every person is born in sin, and leadeth his life in sin : that nobody is able truly to say, his heart is clean : that the most righteous person is but an unprofitable servant: that the law of God is perfect, and requireth of us perfect and full obedience : that we are able by no means to fulfil that law in this worldly life : that there is no one mortal creature, which can be justified by his own deserts in God’s sight : and therefore that our only succour and refuge is to fly to the mercy of our Father by Jesus Christ, and assuredly to persuade our minds, that he is the obtainer of forgiveness for our sins. Jewell.

For truly there be imperfections in our best works : we do not love God so much as we are bound to do, with all our heart,

command you, neither shall ye di- minish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Deut. iv. 2. Every word of God is pure ; add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Prov. xxx. 5, 6. Whatsoever thing I command you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, uor diminish from it. Deut. xii. 32. In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. xv. 9.

e Doth he thank that servant be- cause he did the things that were

commanded him ? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say, We are un- profitable servants : we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke xvii. 9, 10. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Job xxii. 2. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Job xxxv. 7. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chron. xxix. 14.

ye have done all that are commanded yon, say, We are unprofitable servants.

mind, and power : we do not fear God so much as we ought to do: we do not pray to God, but with great and many imperfec- tions : we give, forgive, believe, live, and hope imperfectly : we speak, think, and do imperfectly : we fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh imperfectly. Horn. ii. 2.