Of .7ufiÇcation by Faith. Is' the love of God. This is to transfer Judaifm, S E R M. not the true religion taught by the Prophets to VI. the Ifraelites, but the pervert notions and fpirit, which prevail'd among them in their wont and molt degenerate times, into chriftianity ; fo much the more inexcufable, as the difpenfation we are under, does in comparifon with the former, bear the cha- raEter of fpirit and truth. Who can think that baptifm, the Lord's fupper, prayer, not to fpeak of ufages merely of human inven- tion, will be any more available, without the new creature and fìzith working Ly love, than circumcifion, facrifices, and the diftinc- tion of meats and days ? It is altogether as unreafonable to expedt acceptance by faith without works, which is really dead. The law of faith indeed excludes boafting ; but not diligence in good works. Let us therefore give all diligence to make our calling and elecion fare, 2 Pet. i. z o. and the way is mark'd out, ver. 5, 6, 7. of the fame chapter ; and let us remem- ber the doarine of the apoftle john, i epift. iii. 7. Little children let no man deceive you, he that doth righteoufnefs is righteous, even as he is righteous. L 4 SER-
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