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The Mystery of Faith and Works, and Reward of Grace and Debt.

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1. Of FAITH and WORKS.

E that in word offendeth not,
Is call'd a perfect man I wot 1;
Yet he whofe thoughts and deeds are bad,
The law-perfection never had. 2

I am defign'd a perfect foul,

Ev'n though I never kept the whole,
Nor any precept 3; for 'tis known,

He breaks them all that breaks but one. 4
By faith I do perfection claim, 5

By works I never grafp the name: 6
Yet without works my faith is nought, 7
And thereby no perfection brought.
Works without faith, will never speed, 8
Faith without works is wholly dead: 9

1 James iii. 2. If any man offend not in word, the fame is a perfe& man, -and able alfo to bridle the whole body.

2. James ii. 10. For whosoever fhall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

3 Rom. iv. 5. 6. To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that juftifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteoufnefs. Even as David alfo defcribeth the bleffedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Job i. 1. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and efchewed evil. Pfalm lxxi. 16. I will go in the ftrength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteoufnefs, even of thine only. Ecclef. vii. 2o. For there is not a juít man upon earth, that doth good, and finneth not. 4 James ii 10. See figure 2. above.

5 Phil. ii. 9. I count all things but dung, that I may win Chrift, and be found in him, not having mine own righteoufnefs, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Chrift, the righteoufnefs which is of God by faith.

6 Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not juflified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jefus Chrift; even we have believed in Jefus Chrift; that we might be juttified by the faith of Chrift, and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law fhall no fleth be juftified.

7 James ii. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man fay h hath faith, and have not works? can faith fave him?

8 Heb xi. 6. Without faith it is impoffible to pleafe God: for he that cometh to God, mutt believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him. Rom. xiv. 23. Whatfoever is not of faith, is fin.

9 James ii. 17. Even fo faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Verfe 26. For as the body without the fpirit is dead, fo faith without works is dead also.

Yet I am juftify'd by faith,
Which no law-works adjutant hath. I
Yea, gofpel-works no help can lend, 2
Though ftill they do by faith attend: 3
Yet faith by works is perfect made,
And by their presence justify'd. 4
But works with faith could never vie,
And only faith can justify: 5
Yet ftill my juftifying faith
No juftifying value hath. 6

1 Rom. iii. 21, 22. But now the righteoufnefs of God without the law is manifefted, being witneffed by the law and the prophets; even the righteoufnefs of God, which is by faith of Jefus Chrift unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. Chap. iv. 4, 5, 6 Now to him that worketh, is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righte oufness. Even as David alfo defcribeth the bleffedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.

2 Phil. iii. 49. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might truft in the flesh, I more:-touching the righteoufnefs which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, thofe I counted lofs for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but lofs, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift Jefus my Lord: for whom I have fuffered the lofs of all things, and do count them dung that I may win Chrift, and be found in him, not having mine own righteoufnefs, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteoufaefs which is of God by faith. Ifa. Ixiv. 9. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteoufnefs are as filthy rags. Hof. xiii. 9. O Ifrael, thou haft destroyed thyself; but in me is thy help. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. Surely fhall one fay, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him fhall men come, and all that are incenfed against him shall be alhamed. In the Lord fhall all the feed of Ifrael be juftified, and shall glory. 3 Tit. i. 8. This is a faithful faying, and these things I will that thou affirm conftantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men. James ii. 18. Yea, a man may fay, Thou haft faith, and I have works: fhew me thy faith without thy works, and I will fhew thee my faith by my works.

4 James ii. 21, 22. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Ifaac, his fon, upon the altar? Seeft thon how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Ver. 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is juftified, and not by faith only.

5 Rom. iv. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be fure to all the feed. Tit. iii. 3,-7. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteoufnefs, which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoft; which he fhed on us abundantly, through Jefus Chrift our Saviour; that being juftified by his grace, we fhould be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Aas x, 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, fhall receive remiffion of fins.

6 Gal. iii, 21, 22. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid : for if there had been a law given, which could have given life, verily righte oufnefs fhould have been by the law. But the fcripture hath concluded all' under fin, that the promife by faith of Jefus Chrift might be given to them that believe. Luke xxi: 31, 32. And the Lord faid, Simon, Simon, behold, + P

Lo! juftifying grace from heav'n

Is foreign ware, and freely giv❜n: I
And faving faith is well content
To be a mere recipient. 2

Faith's active in my fanctity; 3
But here its act it will deny, 4
And frankly own it never went
Beyond a paffive inftrument. 5
I labour much, like holy Paul;
And yet not I, but grace does all: 6
I try to fpread my little fails,

And wait for pow'rful moving gales. 7'

Satan hath defired to have you, that he may fift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are fufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves: but our fufficiency is of God. Chap. xii. 5. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

1 Rom. v. 16, 17.-The free gift is of many offences unto juftification.They which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteoufnefs, shall reign in life by one, Jefus Chrift. Chap. iii. 24. Being juftified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jefus Christ.

2 Rom. v, 11. And not only fo, but we alto joy in God, through our Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom we have now received the atonement. Ver. 17. See figure 1, above cited.

Chap.

3 Gal. v. 6. For in Jefus Chrift, neither circumcifion availeth any thing, nor uncircumcifion, but faith which worketh by love. Acts xv. 9 God put no difference between us and them, puritying their hearts by faith. xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of fins, and inheritance among them which are fanctified by faith that is in me. 4 Rom. iv. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace. Chap. xi. 6. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.

5 Eph. ii. 8, 9. For by grace are ye faved, through faith; and that not of yourfelves; it is the gift of God: not of works, left any man should boast. 1 Cor. iv. 7. For, who maketh thee to differ from another? and what haft thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why doft thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Heb. xi. 11. Through faith alfo Sarah herself received ftrength to conceive feed, and was delivered of a child when the was paft age, because the judged him faithful who had promifed. Ver. 17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Ifaac, and he that had received the promifes, offered up his only begotten fon. Ver. 19. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence alfo he received him in a figure. Ver. 35. Women received their dead raised to life again and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better refurrection.

61 Cor xv. 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

7 Pfalm lxxi. 16. I will go in the ftrength of the Lord God: 1 will make mention of thy righteoufnefs, even of thine only. Song iv. 16. Awake, O north wind, and come thou fouth; blow upon my garden, that the fpices thereof may flow out.

When pow'r's convey'd, I work; but see,
'Tis ftill his paw'r that works in me.
I am an agent at his call,

Yet nothing am, for grace is all. I

II. Of Rewards of GRACE and DEBT.
IN all my works I fill regard

The recompence of full reward; a
Yet fuch my working is withal,
I look for no reward at all. 3

God's my reward exceeding great,
No leffer heaven than this I wait: 4
But where's the earning work fo broad,
To fet me up an heir of God? 5
Rewards of debt, rewards of grace,
Are oppofites in ev'ry cafe; 6
Yet fure I am, they'll both agree
Most jointly in rewarding me. 7

1 Phil. ii. 12, 13. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my prefence only, but now much more in my abfence; work out your own falvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Chrift: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Chrift liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh. I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, 2 Cor. xii. 9. And the Lord faid unto me, My grace and gave himself for me. is fufficient for thee: for my ftrength is made perfect in weaknefs. Molt gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Chrift may reft upon me.

2 Heb. xi. 24,-26 By faith Mofes, when he was come to years, refused to be called the fon of Pharaoh's daughter; chuting rather to fuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of fin for a feafon; esteem. ing the reproach of Chrift greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had relped unto the recompence of the reward.

3 2 Tim i. 9. God hath faved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Chrift Jefus, before the world began. Titus iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us by the wathing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

4 Gen. xv. 1. After thefe thing the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vifion, faying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy fhield, and thy exceeding great reward. Plalm lxxiii. 25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I defire bfides thee. My flesh and my heart faileths but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

5 Ezek. xxxvi. 32. Not for your fakes do I this, faith the Lord God, be it known unto you: be athamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Ifrael Rom. viii. 16, 17. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our fpirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

6 Rom. iv. 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

7 Pfalm lvii. 11. Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is

Though hell's my juft reward for fin, I
Heav'n as my juft reward I'll win. 2
Both thefe my juft rewards I know,
Yet truly neither of them fo. 3
Hell can't in juftice be my lot,
Since juftice fatisfaction got; 4
Nor heav'n in juftice be my fhare,
Since mercy only brings me there. 5
Yet heav'n is mine by folemn oath,

In juftice and in mercy both: 6

God that judgeth in the earth. Ifaiah lxii. 11. Behold, the Lord hath pro claimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughters of Zion, Behold, thy falvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And xl 10. Behold, the Lord God will come with ftrong hand, and his arm fhall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

1 Rom. vi. 21. What fruit had ye then in those things, whereof ye are now afhamed? For the end of thofe things is death. Verfe 23. The wages of fin is death. Eph. v. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of difobedience. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curfe : for it is written, Curfed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

2 Gal. iii. 13. 14. Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a curfe for us: for it is written, Curfed is every one that hangeth on A tree: that the bleffing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jefus Chrift; that we might receive the promife of the Spirit through faith. Eph. i 13, 14. In Chrift alio, after that ye believed, ye were fealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchafed poffeffion, unto the praife of his glory. Rom. v. 21. Grace reigns through righteoufnefs unto eternal life, by Jefus Chrift our Lord, And vi. 23. The gift of God is eternal life, through Jefus Christ our Lord. 3 Viz. Through these opposite voices of law and gospel.

4 Rom. iii. 25, 26. Whom God hath fet forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteoufnefs for the remiffion of fins that are pait, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I fay, at this time his righte oufness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 5 Rom. ix. 15, 16. God faith to Mofes, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compaffion on whom I will have compallion.So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that fheweth mercy. T.t. iii. 4,—7. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoft: which he fhed on us abundantly, through Jefus Chrift our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

6 Pfalm lxxxix. 35, 35. Once have I fworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David. His feed fhall endure for ever, and his throne as the fun before me. Heb vi. 17, 18. Wherein God willing more abundantly to thew uoto the heirs of promile the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things, in which it was impoffible for God to lie, we might have a strong confolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope fet before us. Palm lxxxix. 14, Juftice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth thall go before thy face. Verse 16. In thy name frall they rejoice all the day and in thy righteoufhefs fhall they be exalted. Verfe 24. But my faithfulaefs and my mercy fhall be with him

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