Serm.CLIII. Of theNecellity ofgoódWork,c. 347 Be careful to maintain good works. This Phrafe feems in the latter end of this Epift e, to be ufed in a very reftrained fenfe ; for labouring in an honeft calling, Verri4. Let ours alto learn to maintain good works for neceffary ufes, that they be not unfruitful. In the margin of your Bibles you will find it render'd, to profefs bonefl trades, Let ours alto learn to profefs honefl trades for necefary, ufes, that. is, for the fupply of their neceflities: but in the Text it feems more agreeable to the fcope ofthe. Apoftles Difcourfe, to underhand the Phrafeof maintaininggood works, for the practice of all Chriftian Virtues, efpecially thofe which are more ufeful and beneficial to human Society; among which, diligence and induftry in anhoneft calling is none of the leaft confiderable, becaufe it follows, thefe things aregood and.profitable untomen. And indeed thefe are properly works of goodnefs, which , redound to the publick benefit and advantage. But good works may well be taken in a larger fenfe for all fortsof vertuous acti- ons. And fo it is certainly ufed feveral times in thisEpiftle, Chap.r.16. Untoevery goodwork reprobate, fpeaking, of all profligate Perfons who were loft to all Virtue and.Goodnefs. Chap. a.7. In all things 'hewing thyfelfa patternof good works, that is, an example of all kind ofVirtue. And Chap. 3. 1. Put them in mind tobe fubjefìt: to Principalities and Powers, to obey Mag /rates, and to be ready to every good work, that is, to the pra&ice of all goodnefs, of whatfoever is honeft and vir- tuous in it felf, amiable and commendable in the fight of others, ufeful and bene- ficial to any. Having thus explained the words, I corbe now to confider the two points conä tamed in them. Firel, The certain Truth and Credibility of this flaying or propofition, that they which have believed in God, ought to be careful to maintain good works. This is afaithfulPaying, that is, a molt evident and credibleTruth. And, Secondly, The great Fitnefs and Necefhty of inculcating this upon all Chriftianst that the Chriftian Religion (loth indifpenfably require die Virtues of a good lifer .Thefe things Iwill that thou affirm conflantly, &c. I begin with the Firf of thefe points, viz. The certain truth and evident credibility ofthis faying br propofition, that they which have believed in God, fhould be careful to maintain good works. This is a faithful fraying, wilds MIC.., a frying ,worthy ofcredit, a moll certain and credible truth. And it will appear to be fo, whether we confider the great End and Deign of Religion In general, or of the Chriftian Religion in particular. I. If we confider the great End andDeign of Religion in general,. which is to make us happy, by poffeffing our minds with the belief of a God, and thofe o- ther Principles which have a neceffary connexionwith that belief; and by obliging us to the obedience and practice of his Laws.. t. By poffefling our minds with the belief of a God, and of thofe otherPrin- ciples which have a neceffary connexion with it. Stich are the belief of the Di- vine Perfelhons, of the infinite Goodnefs, and Wifdom, and Power, and Truth; and Juftice, and Purity of the divine Nature; a firm perfuafibn ofhis Providence, that he governs and adminifters the affairs of theWorld, and takes notice of the actions of Men, and will call them to an account for them; of the, immortality of our Souls, and their endlefs duration after death, and confequently of the e- ternal Rewards and. Punifhments of another life. Thefe are the great principles of natural Religion, which mankind are in foie meafure poffefl with, and per- fuaded of, without any external Revelation from God ; and thefe are neceffary,and fundamental to Religion, as theApoftle to the Hebrews declares, Heb. 11. 6. With-, our faith it is impoffible to pleafe God; that is, there can be no fuch thing as the pradiceof Religion, without the belief of the Principlesof it; and what thefe are he tells us in the next words. He that cometh to God -mutt believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently Peek him. But then we mull not reft here, in the belief of -a God, and 'the principles of Religion; for this Faith is not required ofus for it felf, but in order to foine farther end, which if it benot attained by us, the mere belief of the Principlesof Religi 3 Y a otR
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