3q.6 Ofthe Neceffity of goodWorks. Vol: II. fhould becareful to maintaingoodworks. By which you fee that it is not a Form which the Apoftle ufeth ofcourfe, and applies to any thing, but only to things of more than ordinary confederation and regard, fuch as are of the effence of Chri- ftianity, and fundamental to the belief and praftice ofit. This is afaithfulfaying, ,risós A461,, a credible faying, that which every Man that, trulyunderftands the Nature and defign ofReligion will readily affent to. /bad this I will that thou affi'rm confiantly. He chargethhim to preach this upon all occafions, left the Doctrine. ofJuftification by Faith and by Grace, without any works of Righteoufnefs preceding, fhould be turned into licentioufnefs, as it had been by force, and Men fhould falfly conclude, that becaufe works of Righteoufnefs were not neceffary before Juftification, and to bring Men into that Rate, theywere not neceffary neither afterwards to our continuance in that Rate. The Apoftle indeed did teach that God did juflfe the ungodly, by the grace of the Gofpel, andfaith in Chrifi; that is, that thofe who did fincerelÿ believe and embrace the Gofpel, tho' they had been never fo great fanners before, were jufti- fied upon that F ith, that is, all their former fins were forgiven and they were re- ceived into the favour ofGod. But tho' works ofRighteoufnefs were not neceffary before their Juftification, yet they areneceffary afterwards, becaufe the Faith ofthe Gofpel, and the embracing ofChriftianity doth imply a ftipulation and engagement on our part, to liveaccording to the laws and rules ofthe.Gofpel, which do ftrittly enjoin all kindofVirtue andGoodnefs. TheCovenant ofBaptifm, by which weare enter'd intoChriftianity,dothcontain on ourpart, only a Profellìon ofFaith in Chrift, but a folemn promife todeny ungodlinefs and worldly lufls,and to live foberly,and righ- teoufly,andgodly in this yrefent world. So that it is the greateft miftake in the world to think, that becaufe we are juftified by Faith and the Profeffion of Chriftianity without works of Righteoufnefs, therefore we are under no obligation to a good life: for Faith in Chrift, and the fincere Profeffion of the Chriftian Religiondoth imply a good life, and an engagement tothe praftice -of all Virtue and godnefs, which if we do not perform and make good, we fail in our part of the Covenant, and thereby forfeit all the Bleffings and Benefits promifed therein on God's part. Therefore it is obfervable, that the Apoftle,. after he had fpoken of our juftifi- cation by Grace without works of Righteoufnefs, gives this charge to Titus, to prefs the necefiìty ofgood works upon thofe who did believe and embrace the Pro- feffion of the Gofpel, asit were on purpofe toprevent all miftake and abufeofthe Doctrine of Juftification byFaith, and the free Grace and Mercy of God in Jefus Chrift, ver. 5. 6,7. Not by works of Righteoufnefs which we bave done; but accor- ding to his mercy he faved us, by the writhing ofregeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghofi, which be flied on us abundantly through jefus Chrill our Saviour, that is, by our folemn Profeffion ofChriftianity at our Baptifm ; that being juftified Py hisgrace, we fhouldbe made heirs, according to the hope ofeternal life. And thenhe adds, ver. 8. This is afaithful faying, and thefe things I will that thou af- firm conflantly, that they which havebelievedin God, might hecarefultomaintain good works; that is, that they who are thus juftified by the Faith of the Gofpel, fhould be fo far from thinking themfelves hereby excufed from good works, that they íhould upon this account be the more careful to maintain and praftice them, be- caufe by the very profeffion of the Chriftian Faith and Religion they have fo- lemniy engaged themfelves fo to do. That they which believed in God, that is, who have taken upon them the Pro- feflion of Chriftianiay in their Baptifm. For it is not improbable, that the Apo- ftle having fpoken ofBaptifin juft before, may by this phrafe of believing in God, refer to that Profefliort, ofFaith made in Baptifm, which began with thefè words, I believe in God ; and then, they which have believed in God, are thofe who in Baptifm have made a folemn Profeffion of Chriftianity; as if he had Paid, There things Iwill that thou affirm conflantly, that all that profefs themfelves Chriftians be carefid to maintain good works. Or if by the Phrafe of believing in God, we will underftand an afiènt to all Divine Revelations, more efpecially that of the Gofpel, and the Chriftian Religion, the molt perfett that ever God made of his Will to Mankind, the tnatter will come much to the fame iffue. Be
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