Chap. 34. 40 #xpoJition upon the Book, of Jos. Verf. r r. 567 Further, God will not render to man according to the opini- on he hath ofhimfelfe. (A bad man and the worflitg his workes maybe good in his owne conceit ; He may flatter hinofelfe inhis' owne eyes, umil' his iniquity be found to be loateful!, Pfal: 36. a. ) But God will render untoman according towhat hisworkes are in truth. Secondly , God will not render to man according to the thoughts which others have ofhim and ofhis work(fome are high in the opinion not onlyof the world, but offorce Good men,they have a name to be alive while they are dead, and their workes " dead workes) but God will render to man according to' cleare, certaine, and infallible knowledge, which himfelfe (by whom allions are weighed, r Sam: z. 3. )hath of them. Thirdly , Godwill not render to. man according CO his good, meanings, when his workes are evil' ; many will confefle they have done amifhe, but theyhad good intendments init. A right end will not excufe us, if our waybewrong ; There is noplead- ing of meanings againft commandements ; nor will fincerity of intentions, cover the deformity and irregularity of a&&ions. The Apofile pronounceth a fearefull dome againft thofe who fayd (Rom: 3. 8. ) Let m doe evill thatgood may corne,.whoJe. damnart on is juft , Fourthly, As God will not render according to amans good ends, ifhis worke be evill ; foremember, God will not render to man according to his good workes, ifhis ends are bad. There- fore, confider your end when you' enter your way.,and beginyour worke. ( Pro: 21. 27.) "Thefacrifaeeofthe wicked is an abomina- tion to theLord ; how muchmore whenhe bringeth it with an .evil'` mind ; that is, when he bath force bad end indoing it ;. A wicked mans facrifice is an abomination to the Lord at the bet',but much; more when he bath bate defignes in his facrifices or holy fervices.. Herod fayd to the wife men ( Math: 3.8.) Çoe andfearch dili- gentlyfor theyoung child,, and when ye havefound him bring me wordagaine, that 1 may come andworfhtp hintalfa It was a good' worke toenquire after Chrift, and worlhip him, but hisend was todefiroy him. Jezebelpretended a holy faft, but her end was to feat' her felfe with revenge upon innocent Naboth, The bell, workes ofhypocrites wilt have an ill returner becaufe they doe' themWith anevill mind. There are three forts of good workes,. which wilLnever turne to a good account. Firf',,
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