284 ofGods Workmat+fhiQ. SE C T. VÍ. and quijus baba ad rem, rem ipfam videtur habere : forne underhand falvation , as much as a purgation , or deliverance from fin ; for as fin iscalled death, fo free- dome from it, may be called life and falvation: is comes all to one. In the next place we have the ínftrumental caufe ofour falvation , and that is Faith : And left wefbould be thought to have this faith of our (elves , as if God indeed gave his mercy & grace to thofethat believe, but we did believe byour own power ; God giveth the Oyl, and webring the veffcl toteceive it , he prefently addeth, andthat not of your'elves , it if thegift ofg.d; And as if the fpirit of God would. herein exprefly provide againft all thofe fubtile opinions that craftily undermine Grace , he further addethby way ofoppofition , Notof works, giving alto a reafon of the whole, left any manfhould boaft : Whereuponmy Text is brought in as a reafon toproveall is of Grace , Forwe are hie workmanfhip. The [frengrh of this argu- ment lyeth uponthat rule in Logick , Nothingcanbea caufeanddrab too , in the fameconftdcratiun, But our worksand holinefs, they are the effeas of his grace : Weare hieworkman/hip, therefore they cannot be a caufe ; and yet left bymagnify- ingof Grace , and letting upof faith , excludingall that we do, hemight Teem to ¡title out good works, and anholy life, he faith, We are created in Cbrift to doe them, onely they are effetis Bowing from grace; not caufes producing grace. I (hall at this time ouely infili upon theApoftles reafon let down generally in the Text. We arehis workmanj'bip , =dom,, his figment, eradiatefome, his Creature, others; our tranfiators well, His workmanfhip. HeBoth not (peakofour naturall making, the forming of embodies in thewomb, and infu6ng a foul , but of our fpiritual renovation. Neither dothitliignifie anykindeof workman(hip; but a cu- rious, and exalt one: In which fence, aeries are called Poems, ascoddling of ex. aft meafure , and quantity. It may be an allulaon to thofe expreflions the Old Tehament ufeth aboutthe people ofIfrael, which Godformed apeople to bimfelfe, Deut. 32.6, 11543. at. elpecially that place, Ifs43.7. is remarkable, 1 have created himfir tn)' glory, 1 haveformed him, yea 1 have made him : where (.Mer- cer obfervetha gradation ; God by degrees did make Ifrael a glorious people, as he made the world by degrees , he created them , he formed them, that was a furtherwork upon them ; yea he made them, that was the fulneffe and comple- ment ofall. Todf, Doti. That alleho(e who are renewed inafpiritual manner by God, are his work: man/hip, For the openingofthis, confider theft thingsas introdutiory. t. We become Fitlt , ThatWe become gods workmanfhip, orhie people (for it it all One) 112onfe- Gods work- veralgrounds andtitles : as manlhip or a. Byconefneft andvitfory. Satan is called 7'he prince of the world, John za.3r. peopleupon fe- Andhe tules in the hearts ofthe difobedient, Ppbefs. He kept the wholeworld as vets1 omnnds his own Caille; but when Chrili a ftron er thenhe comes, the princecf this world and rides. iejudged, andca oseto his o e ton John 6.u. And now Cleft having thus I. ß f Prlf.J g By conqueft. conquered , we become wholly his : Even as the people of Ifrael are faid to be the people that God hadmade forhimfelf , becaufe hedc(ftoyed all their enemies for them, and delivered them from the handsof Pharaoh: Soit is here , The people ofGod are his wotkman(hip, becaufe delivered by the mighty power of God fromall their fpiritual adverfaries, that we being delivered from cur enemies, might ferve himwithoutfese all the dales of our life, Luke i,74.Theretore never think thouart Gods workmanfhip, till thou fee thy felf let at liberty and free- dome from thofe fnaresof Satan thouwert held captive in. II God hashnot full- dued thole lulls that war againit thy foul, thouart as yet fins and Satans, not the Lords. Obfervethat expreflìon of Peter, a Pee, a. id. eflbftairs few lofts which War againfi thefoul: Thy ungodline(fe is a war-like adverfary again(} thee : Thou fearelt the enemy that may take away thy life, thygoods; but thoufeareft notthy finsthat are in battei aray to deprive thee of God. Oh therefore fay unto thy foul, Ohmy foul, Why love(} thou tobe in this dark Dungeon ? Why are thole cords
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