Serro. CLIV. 3 55 SERMON CLIV, Of the Neceffity of Good. Works. T i T. III. 8. This is á faithful fling, and thefe things I will that thou airm con- .ßantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to main- tain good works. Theft things are goad andprofitable unto men. RO M thefe words I have propofed to handle thefe two points. The Tama Firfl, The certainTruth or credibility of this flying and Propoftion, That =hK 4.' they whichhave believed in God, ought to be careful to maintain good works. This I have fpoken to, and come now to the Second, Thegreat fitnefs and neceffity of inculcating frequently upon all that profefs themfelves Chriftians, the indifpenfable neceffity of the pra&tce of the Vir- tues of a good life. In the handling of this point, I (hall do thefe two things. Firfl, I (hall Phew the great Fitnefs andNeceffity of preffing upon People the in- difpenfible neceffity of the Virtues of a good life. And, Secondly, Anfwer an Obje&ion or two, to which the preaching of this kind of bo&rine may feem liable. I begin with the Firfi of thefe, viz. To Phew the great Fitnefs and Neceflity of inculcating an preffing upon all Chriftians the indifpenfible neceffity of the Virtues of a good life. And this will appear to be very fit and neceffary upon thefe two accounts. I. BecaufeMen are fo very apt to deceive themfelves in this matter, and fohardly brought to that wherein Religion mainly confifts, viz. thepra&ice ofreal goodnefs. II. Becaufe of the indifpenfible Neceflity of the thing to render us capable of the divine Favour and Acceptance, `and of the reward of eternal Life and Hap- pinefs. I. Becaufe Men are fo very apt to deceive themfelves in this matter, and fo hardly brought to that wherein Religion mainly confifis, viz. the práfticeof real goodnefs. They are extremely defirous to reconcile (if it be potfable) the hopes of eternal Happinefs in anotherWorld, with a liberty to live as they lift in this pre- fent World; they are loth to be at the trouble and drudgery of mortifying their tufts, and fubduing andgoverning their Pallions, and bridling their Tongues, and ordering their whole converfation aright, and pra&ifing all thofe Duties which are comprehended in thofe twogreat Commandments, the loveof God and our Neigh- bour, They would fain get into the favour of God, and make their calling and election f re, by force eafier way, than by giving all diligence, to add to their frith virtue, and knowledge, and temperance, and patience, and brotherly kindnefs, and charity. The plain truth of the matter is Menhad rather Religion fhould be any thing, than what indeed it is, the thwarting and croffing of our vicious inclinations, the curing of our evil and corrupt affeftions; the due careand government of our un- ruly appetites and paffions, the fuicere endeavour and confiant pra&ice of all Holi- nefs and Virtue in our lives; and therefore they had much rather have fomething that might handfomely palliate and excufe their evil inclinations, than to extir- pate them and cut them up; and rather than reform and amend their vicious lives, make God an honourable amends and compenfation for them in force other way. This bath been the way and folly of mankind in all Ages, to defeat the great 3 Z z n end
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