God hath commanded? No; for they go entirely contrary to it. Therefore, if we wish to have our lives well framed, let us not ground ourselves upon the works of men, but let us follow that which God enjoins upon us.

The

If we regulate our lives by the instructions contained in the holy scripture, we shall be justified thereby but the doctrine of men is but folly, and an abomination to God. Then let us remember it is not without cause that St. Paul saith, to instruct in righteousness. Again, he giveth us to understand, that to be good divines, we must live holy lives. word of God is not given to teach us how to talk, to make us eloquent and subtle, but to reform our lives, that the world may know we are the servants of God. If we wish to know whether a man profiteth by the gospel or not, let us mark his life: men may know how to talk, they may make a fair profession of godliness, and yet not have their lives correspond with the written word of God.

St. Paul informeth us that we must make the word of God our counsellor, that we may walk uprightly, and form our lives by it: thus, the man of God may be perfect, and furnished unto all good works. In this manner we must be instructed in righteousness, and reject the inventions of men, for with them God is not well pleased. Men wish to serve God according to their own notions, and therefore bring their own works into the account; but God will not allow them. St. Paul, seeing such impudent boldness in men, that they cannot keep themselves within the bounds which God hath set them, points out the disease, that it may be healed: he saith, if we have the word of God in our hearts, we shall be upright in life, and furnished unto all good works.

Men may boast as much as they please, that their works are virtuous and holy; but when they shall appear before the heavenly judge, all will be as chaff.

When we mix our inventions with that which God hath commanded, we injure all: Therefore we may. conclude, that whatever things are forged by men, are nothing but corruptions. The papists call these good works to fast upon a saint's eve; to eat no, flesh upon Friday; to keep Lent; to serve saints; to go from altar to altar, and from chapel to chapel, to attend mass; to go on pilgrimage, &c. they have forged so many laws and statutes, that a man cannot understand them. But we must at last appear before the great judge, to give an account of all our

actions.

It is said here that we shall be furnished unto all good works, if we profit by the holy scripture. But what will become of the traditions and inventions of the papists in which the word of God seemeth to be buried. They make not one hundredth part as much of the word of God, as they do of men's traditions. Therefore let us not deceive ourselves willingly, considering we shall have the measure of our perfection: God shutteth out whatsoever is added to the holy scripture, and showeth that it shall not be reckoned or received by him; therefore men make their items in vain; it will but double their condemnation.

A man might ask, of what use is the gospel, seeing there is so much uprightness in the law and the prophets? This may be easily answered; the gospel was not given to add any thing to the law or the prophets; let us read the New Testament; we shall not find one syllable added to either; it is only setting forth that which was taught before more plainly. is true that God hath been more gracious to us, than to the fathers who lived before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; matters being more clearly set forth to us, although there is nothing added. So then, when St. Paul saith that we shall find uprightness

It

and perfect righteousness in the law and in the prophets, it diminisheth not the gospel.

There is an agreement in all the holy scripture; of the Old, and New Testament. The doctrine which was contained in the law, has been expounded so familiarly to us by the apostles since Jesus Christ, that we cannot say we must do this or that, but we must confine ourselves to that which was commanded from the beginning. God hath made known his will in such clear terms, and hath given so many reasons why we should believe it, that we must be convinced of its truth, unless we are monsters in wickedness. Therefore, if we will profit by the holy scripture, we must study holiness of life, knowing that God will not be served after our own fancy; for he hath given us a certain rule whereby we should regulate our lives, and such a one as cannot be found fault with. Let us then direct our hearts, thoughts, and affections, to that which is contained in the holy scripture; and then the heavenly judge will receive us. We must be the more induced to attend to these things, because our good God draweth so nigh, and setteth forth his will in such a plain manner to us, that we cannot excuse ourselves, unless we cleave wholly to him.

SERMON X.

2 TIMOTHY, Chap. ii. verses 20 and 21.

20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

WHEN We see contemners of God, who set bad examples, we sometimes depart from the right way, thinking we have somewhat to excuse ourselves be

fore God; not knowing that these snould serve as an exercise of our faith. Therefore, St. Paul not only exhorteth us to separate ourselves from all iniquity, that we may not be like the contemners of God, but he exhorteth us not to be offended, nor take occasion to doubt, when we see men wickedly disposed. He hath before illustrated this matter, but now confirmeth it by a fit similitude. And first, that we may not think ourselves worthy of pardon if we do evil and follow those who despise God, St. Paul saith, in a great house there are divers vessels. If the cupboard or table be furnished with vessels of gold and silver, in the kitchen may be seen vessels of wood and stone. When we see such a variety, we marvel not at it; for if a man should cast his gold and silver among the refuse of his house, what should we think of him? Should we not say he was mad? If it is not improper to have vessels appointed to an unseemly use in a great house, shall we not be content with it in the house of God? Shall we allow greater privileges to mortal man than to the living God?

St. Paul exhorteth the children of God, though they be placed among the wicked, not to defile themselves with their wickedness; but rather be moved to a carefulness by this means, that they may shun evil examples and separate themselves from their company; that they may dedicate themselves the more diligently to God. Thus in few words we have the apostle's meaning. As we have already shown, the lesson given us here by St. Paul, is very profitable for if there be wicked men and hypocrites in the church of God, who continue among us for a season, and are highly esteemed, it must not trouble us; for the house of God is great.

:

Some understand this to include all the world; and it might reasonably be taken so however, of this we shall speak more at large hereafter. St. Paul had just made mention of backsliders, who fell away,

after they had made a profession of their belief in the gospel. This matter bringeth us great comfort t; seeing the church of God is spread throughout all the world, and many being called to the gospel. Let us put the case to those here assembled; are there not vessels of gold and silver enough to furnish a cupboard or table? and are there not likewise vessels of wood and earth, which, after they have served awhile, are to be cast away, or burnt, or no account made of them.

Although we might wish for nothing but purity in the church of God, for nothing that could be found fault with, yet notwithstanding, we must expect to see stumbling-blocks. And why so? Because God assembleth together a great variety of vessels. It is said, Mat. xiii. 47. that the church of God or kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, where all sorts of fishes were gathered; which, when it was full, was drawn ashore, and the good gathered into vessels, but the bad cast away: so it is when the gospel is preached; many will seem to receive it, yea, and for a season appear to be of the number of the faithful; but they soon turn aside and become separated from them.

The church of God is also compared to a floor, where wheat is mixed with chaff: but the floor is to be purged, the wheat gathered into the garner, and the chaff burnt with unquenchable fire. Mat. iii. 12. and Luke iii. 17. This is to show us, that during this life, the church of God shall never be without mixture. There always will be hypocrites, who will assent to the doctrine of faith; or at least will have a place in the church, and be taken for christians: but in the end it will be ascertained that they are not sons, therefore they will be disinherited. We have a figure of this in the case of Ishmael; who, for a season, was above Isaac; being the elder son but he was