5 2 2 The nature ofyu fii fi.cation, as declared declares. Works, fay force, of the Lam , the Law of Mofes. But what concernment had thefe Ephef ans therein, that the Apoftle fhould inform them, that they were not juflified by thole works. They were never under that Law, never fought for ltighteoufnefs by it, nor had any refpe ± unto it, but only, that they were delivered from it. But it may be he intends only Works wrought in the f rength of our own natural abilities, without the aids of Grace, and before believing. But what were the Works of thefe Ephefansantecedent un- to believing, he before and afterwards declares. For being dead in tref alts and (ins, they walked accordingto the courfe of this World in the lulls of the flefh, fulfilling the derres of the flefh, and of the mind, Tier. t, 2, 3. It is certain enough that thefe works have no influence into our Juftification 9.., and no _let certain, that the Apoftle had no reafon to ex- clude them, from it, as though any could pretend to be ad- vantaged by them, in that which confifteth in a deliverance from them. Wherefore the Works here excluded by the Apoftle, are thole works which the Ephefians now perform- ed, when they were Believers, quickned with Chrifl ; even the Works which God hath fore - ordained, that we fhould walk in them, as he exprefly declared, Tier. -to. And thefe Works he excludeth not only in oppofition unto Grace, but in oppofition unto Faith alfo. Through Faith not of Works. Wherefore he doth not only rejeft -their merit, as incon- lìflent with Grace, but their cointeref on our part with, or fubfequentintereft unto Faith, in the Work of Juftification before God. If we are faved by Grace through Faith in Chrif : exeluftvely unto all works of, Obedience whatever, then cannot finch works be the whole or any part ; of our Aighteouufnef,unto the .. juflifica tion of life.Wherefore another Righteoufnefs we,muft >have or perifh for ever.Many..things [know are hereoffered,and many diftinetions coyned to retain fume intereftof Works in our juftí-
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