A Treatise of Justification, Book 7 · Chapter 1
CAHP. I. To avoid Popish calumniations, it is shewed, that we doe hold the necessity of good works, and doe urge the same by better arguments, than the Popish religion doth afford.
§. I.
AS touching his last argument, which heThe first calumniation, that we deny the necessity of good workes. bringeth to prove, that faith doth not justifie alone, drawne from the necessity of good works, I am now to treat. For this is the sixth capitall Errour of the Papists in the controversie of justification, in that they stiffely hold, that good workes are necessarily required unto justification, as causes thereof and to salvation as the merit thereof. But before I dispute the question, I am to meet with some calumniations of the Papists. The first, that wee by denying the necessity of good workes as being neither causes of justification, nor merits of Salvation, doe dis…ourage the people from wel. doing; and by teaching that by saith alone we are justified and saved, doe animate and encourage them, to the practise of all sinne and iniquity.
I answere, that we doe not deny the necessity of good workes, and that w… use better arguments to deter the people from sin, and to encourage them to well doing, than the Papists by their doctrine can doe. For to teach men to do good works with an opinion either of satisfaction, propitiation, or of merits, which are the three chiefe arguments of the Papists, that they are satisfactory, propitiatory and meritorious, is to teach men to mar good works rather than to make them. Because a good work undertaken with an opinion, either of satisfaction or justification by them, or of merit, though otherwise it were good, becomes abominable unto God, as der…gating from …he alone and al-sufficient merit and satisfaction of Christ. Neither can they encourage men to well doing by these arguments, that by their good workes they are justified, and for them shall be saved; whiles t…eir conscience must needs tell them, that besides the guilt of their manifold sinnes, their good workes are impure, and that they can merit nothing at the hands of God, but punishment These therefore who have just cause to doubt, or rather to despaire of justification by their workes, and of salvation by their merits; cannot by these arguments receive true encouragement to well doing, but rather discouragement there from. But although wee deny good workes to be either causes of justification, or merits of Salvation: yet we affirme them to be not only foreign, good and aTit. 3. 8, 14.profitable, but also foreign, necessary. The which I will shew to prevent both the malitious slanders of the Papists, and also the prophane abuse of carnall Gospellers, who turne bIude 4.the grace of God into wantonnesse. Good, I say, as being commended and commanded of God, and therefore to be ensued, Phil. 4. 8. Rom. 12. 17. Psalm. 34. 13. Profitable, as being rewa…ded both beatitudine vice, c1 Tim. 6. 6.with the blessednesse of this life, and beatitudine patriae with the blessednesse dMatth. 7. 21. 25. 46.of the life to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8.
§. II. Necessary, though not necessitate efficientiae as causes; yet necessitate presentiae, as necessary consequents of justification, and as necessaryGod works necessary: first, by a privative necessity. antecedents of glorification. They are necessary, I say, by a necessity not onelyonly privative (if I may so speake) but also positive. Privative, because without them the profession of faith is not onelyonly vaine and unprofitable, but also hurtfull and pernicious: Vaine, because such a …aith is dead eJam. 2. 14. 20. 26.and counter…eit, justifying neither alone nor at all. Hurtfull, because being planted in the vineyard of God, that wee might become trees fEsai. 61. 3.of righteousnesse; if we bring not foorth good fruit, wee must looke to be gMatth. 3. 10.cut downe, or stocked hLuk. 13. 6.up; or like the figtree which having greene leaves, but no fruit iMat. 21. 19.Christ accursed. Such professours are like the barren ground, kHeb. 6. 8.which receiving the raine often falling upon it, and bringi…g forth thornes and bryars, is rejected, and nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned. Like to the foolish lMat. 25. 3, 12.Virgins, who having a lampe of an externall profession, but wanting the oyle of saving grace, when the Bridegroome commeth, are to be shut out. Like the chaffe mMat. 3. 12.in the floore, which is to be winnowed from the wheat. Like goates nMat. 25. 32, 33.in Christs flocke, which are to bee separated from the sheepe. Like bondservants in Gods house oIohn 8. 34.which are not there to abide, but with the bondwoman and her pGal. 4. 30.sonne are to bee cast out: who having a formall profession of religion q2 Tim. 3. 5., but denying the power of it, which is the faith of hypocrits, must looke to have their portion with hypocrits, rMat. 24. 51. Necessary, by a positive necessity; and so of infallibility: first, in respect of Gods decree.where is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
§. III. They are necessary also by a positive necessity, and that manifold. As first by the necessity of infallibility, in respect of Gods
Decree,
Word,
Oath.
In respect of of his decree. For whom God hath predestinated to salvation, hee hath predestinated unto sEphes. 1. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 13.sanctification; that they may be conformable to the tRom 8. 29.image of his Sonne. And therefore whosoever doth hope u1 Iohn 3. 3.to become like unto Christ in glory, he must endeavour, in some measure, to resemble him in grace. We exhort therefore our hearers, that they doe not abase the doctrine of predestination, with those who were called predestinatiani, as to thinke, that either because they suppose they are elected, they shall be saved, howsoever they live: or because they thinke, that they are not elected, they cannot be saved, though they should live never so godly: as if godlinesse, if they be elect, were needlesse, or if not, bootlesse. But forbearing to prye into Gods secret counsels, (which are to be adored and not searched into) to have recourse to Gods word. For the *Deut. 29. 29.secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but the revealed things to us, that wee may doe them. For there we shall finde these two things: first, that where God hath ordained the end, hee hath also ordained the meanes. And therefore as it is necessary, that the end should be accomplished, because decreed by God: so it is as necessary in respect of the same decree, that the end should be atchieved by the same meanes which God hath preordained. Now, whom God hath elected, them he calleth xRom. 8. 30., whom he calleth (according to his purpose) them he justifieth by faith, whom hee justifieth by faith, them he sanctifieth by his Spirit▪ whom hee calleth, justifieth, and sanctifieth, them, and no other, he glorifieth. Therefore as it is necessary in respect of Gods decree, that those who are elected shall be saved: so it is as necess…ry in respect of the same decree, that they should attaine to salvation by these degrees: that is, first they must be called and converted unto God, they must bee justified by a true faith, they must in some measure be sanctified by the holy Spirit. The second thing is, that in the word the Lord revealeth his purpose concerning those that live well or ill. Thou thinkest, because thou hast a conceit that thou art elected, thou canst not be damned, though thou live never so wickedly. But be not deceived, for God hath revealed his purpose concerning impenitent sinners, who live and dye in sinne unrepented of y1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Gal. 5. 21. Ephes. 5. 5, 6., that there is no inheritance for them in the kingdome of God. As for example, thou art a drunkard and wilt not be reclaimed from this sinne, and yet presumest that thou shalt be saved, because thou hast a conceit, that thou art elected. But be not deceived; no drunkards shall inherit the kingdome of God. On the other side, thou hast a conceit, that because thou art not elected, thou canst not be saved, though thou shouldest live never so godly. But the Scripture is plaine, that whosoever truely beleeveth in Christ, whosoever unfainedly repenteth him of his sinnes, whosoever walketh uprightly before God making Conscience of his wayes, hee shall bee saved. Therefore whatsoever thy conc…it may bee, concerning thine election, or not election, if thou doest truely beleeve in Christ, and repenting of thy sinnes doest endevour to lead a good life, as sure as God is true, thou shalt be saved.
§. IV. Secondly, in respect of Gods Word which is infallibly true.Secondly, in respect of Gods Word. Now the word plainely testifieth, that whosoever is in Christ,a2 Cor. 5. 17. is a new creature; that those who are in Christ,bRom. 8. 1. live not after the flesh but after the Spirit: that they who are Christs, doe crucifiecGal. 5. 24. the flesh with …he lusts thereof: that Christ was made unto us, not onelyonly righteousnessed1 Cor. …. 30. and redemption, but also sanctification: that Christ came not with water alone,e1 Ioh. 5. 6. Ioh. 19. 34, 35. or bloud alone, but with water and blood: the bloud of redemption to cleanse us from the guilt of sinne: and the water of ablution to purge us from the pollution of sinne: that in whom Christ dwelleth by faith,fEph. 3. 17. hee dwelleth in them by his Spirit, and that if any man have not the SpiritgRom. 8. 9. of Christ, he is none of his: that faith being a fruit of the Spirit, and a grace of regeneration, it cannot bee where the Spirit of grace and regeneration is not, and that unlesse men bee regenerate and borne a-new,hIoh 3. 3. they cannot see the Kingdome of God.
§. V. Thirdly, in respect of Gods Oath, in which it is impossibleThirdly, in respect of Gods Oath. iHeb. 6. 18.that he should lye. Now God hath sworne, that whom he redeemeth from the hand of their spirituall enimies,kLuk. 1. 73, 74, 75. he will give them to worship him in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of their life. For redemption is as well from the dominion of sinne, as from the guilt of it. As for those, who commit sinne,lIoh. 8. 34. that is, in whom sinne raigneth, they are the servants of sinne, and therefore not actually redeemed by Christ; for whom the Sonne freeth,mvers. 36. they are free indeed. Those that are freed from sinnenRom. 6. 18. become the servants of righteousnesse. Those that are delivered from the hand, that is, the power of their spirituall enemies, are ipso facto made the servants of Godo1 Cor. 6. 19. Servi quia servati. whose service is true freedome. Thus much of the necessity of infallibility.
§. VI. Secondly, they are necessary necessitate pracepti, imposing aSecondly, by necessity of precept or of duety. necessity of duety, towards
God.
Our Neighbour.
Our Selves.
Towards God: that wee may bee not onelyonly obedient,pRom. 12. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 5. 9. Heb. 12. 28. obsequious and well pleasing unto him: but also (which ought to be the chiefe respect of all our actions) that wee may shew our selves thankefull untoThat we may shew our selves thankefull, first by loving him. him, who hath been so gracious unto us. First, by loving him againe, who hath lovedus firstq1 Ioh. 4. 19. For when the love of God is shed abroad in our heartsrRom. 5. 5. by his spirit, that is, when by faith wrought in us by his spirit we are perswaded of Gods infinite and unspeakable love towards us: it cannot be, but that our hearts should reflect some love towards him; which is to be shewed in a willing observations1 Ioh. 5. 3. Ioh. 14. 15. of his Commandements. Secondly in bringing forth those fruits, which God expecteth, and in atchieving that end, which God propoundeth to himselfe in all his benefits bestowed upon us. This is the will of Godt1 Thess 4. 3. even our sanctification: that fruit,uRom 6. 22. which he expecteth, that end, wh…ch hee aimeth at in all his blessings. This is the end of our el…ction*Eph. 1. 4. that we may bee holy: of our vocation 1 Thess. 4. 7. of our redemption 1 Pet. 2. 24. Tit. 2. 14. Ephes. 5. 26, 27. Of our reconciliation Col. 1. 21, 22. Of our regeneration, Ephes. 2. 10. Of all his temporall benefits, Psal. 105. 45▪ Thirdly, by adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour, Tit. 2. 10. Fourthly and principally, by glorifying God who hath been so good unto us, and propounding his gloryx1 Cor. 10. 31. Esa 61. 3. unto us in all things. For herein God is glorified, if we bring forth much fruit, Ioh. 15. 8.
§. VII. Secondly, towards our Neighbour: first, for avoiding ofTowards our Neighbour. offence, 1 Cor. 10. 32▪ Phil. 1. 10. making straight pathesyHe…. 12. 13. unto our feet, that others treading in our steppes need not stumble or fall, providing things honestzRom. 12. 17. in the sight of all men, labouring and endevouring to have a good con…cience void of offenceaAct. 24. 16. towards God and towards men. Secondly that wee may edifie our neighbours by a godly example and provokebHeb. 10. 24. 2… Cor. 9. 2. them to good workes, and winne them unto Christ, 1 Pet. 3. 1. Thirdly, that wee may stoppecTit. 2. 8. Rom. 2. 24. 2 Sam. 12. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 12. the mouthes of the adversaries, which otherwise would bee open to blasphem… the truth, Tit. 2. 5. Fourthly, that wee may cause them also to glorifie God, Matth. 5. 16. Fifthly, that wee may doe them gooddGal. 6. 10. in exercising judgment,eMic. 6. 8. and in practising the dueties of charity and merciemercy towards them.
Thirdly, towards our Selves. First, that wee may avoid those judgementsTowards our selves. which are threatned against all sinnes both of omission and commission. Deut. 28. 15▪ &c. Matth. 3. 10 & 25. 41, 42. Secondly, that wee may be made partakers of those blessings which are promisedfDeu. 28. 15, &c. Psal 84. 11. Luk. 1…. 28. to those who a…e obedient to the will of God, Psal. 84. 11.
§. VIII. Thirdly, they are necessary, necessitate signi, as necessaryThirdly, by necessity of the signe. signes and evidences, whereby wee are to gather assurance to our selves of our justification, whereby our faith isgJam. 2. 18. to bee demonstrated, whereby wee are to make our calling, and our electionh2 Pet. 1. 10. sure. Our election can not bee knowne à priori, by any foregoing thi…gs, but à posteriori, and namely by the fruits of sanctification, which are also the fruits of our election. For by a godly life our faith and justification is manifested 1 Ioh. 3. 7. (…n respect wherof the faithfull are said to be justified by their workes, Iam. 2. 21, 25.) being justified,iRom. 8▪ 30. it is certaine, that they are called according to his purpose: and i… so called, then elected: are they elected? then undoubtedly they shall bee saved. They are the cognizances of themkPsal. 15. Psal. 24. 3, 4. that are to bee saved; for by faith wee receive the inheritance among them that arelAct. 26., 8. & 20. 32. sanctified. They are the evidences, by which we shall be judged at the last day: at which time God will judge menm1 Pet. 1. 17. Mat. 16. 27. Rom. 2. 6. Apoc. 22. 12. according to their workes. For wee must all appeare before the judgement seat of Christ, that wee may receive according to those things which we have done in the body,n2 Cor. 5. 10. whether it bee good or evill. Those that have done good,oMat. 25. 46. Ioh. 5. 29. shall goe into everlasting life: and they that have done evill, into everlasting punishment. For good workes, though wee are not justified by them, nor saved for them: yet they are the evidence, according to which our Saviour will pronounce the sentence of salvation Matth. 25. 34, 35. According to that Psal. 62. 12. And to thee Lord, merciemercy, for thou rewardest a man (meaning the godly man) according to his workes.
§. IX. Lastly, they are necessary necessitate medij, and as that, whichFourthly, necessitate medis. though it be no cause, is called causa sine qua n…n. And thus they are necessary, first, as the way, which leadeth to life eternall, via qua nos perducturus est ad finem itsum quem promisit, pAug. in Psal. 109.the way by which hee will bring us unto that end which he hath promised, saith Augustine. For those that are justified, and by justification entituled to the Kingdome of heaven, they are to goe in the way of sanctification towards their glorification, E…h. 2. 10. good workes therefore though they bee not the cause of raigning yet they are the way to the Kingdome. And so saith Bellarmin… himsel…e,qDe gratia & lib. arbitr. lib. 2. cap. 13. that although God in predestination hath determined to give the Kingdome of heaven to certaine men whom he loved without any prevision of workes: notwithstanding hee did withall ordaine that in respect of the execution, the way to come to his Kingdome, should be good workes. I say then with the Prophet Esay, rEsa. 30. 21.this is the way let us walke in it. Secondly, as necessary fruits of our election, for wee are elected to that end that we should bee holy, Ephes. 1. 4. as necessary fruits of faith, without which it is judged to bee dead, …am. 2. 26. as unseparable consequents of our redemption and justification, Luk. 1. 74. And as they are necessary consequents of our justification, so they are necessary forerunners of salvation, by which wee are fitted for Gods Kingdome, because no uncleane thing can enter into the Kingdome of heaven, Apoc. 21. 27. and finally so necessary is a godly life, that without it no man shall see God. Heb. 12. 14. I conclude with Bernard, sDe gratia & lib. arbitr in sine…that good workes are occulia predestinationis jndicia, futur… f…licitatis presagia, via regni, non ca…saregnandi, tokens of our secret predestination, presages of our future happinesse, the way to the Kingdome, but not the cause of our obtaining that Kingdome. For howsoever good workes are necessary in many respects, as I have shewed, necessitate presentiae; yet they are not necessary necessitate efficientiae, as causes of our justification.
§. X. Secondly, the Papists calumniate us, as if wee taught thatThe second calumniation. good workes are not necessary to sanctification, which slander, as all the rest, ariseth from their willfull and pernicious errour in consounding justific…tion and sanctification. In the question of justification we hold, according to the Scriptures, that if our owne workes or righteousnesse should bee obtruded unto the Lord as the matter or merit thereof, whereby wee should bee both acquitted from our sinnes and so delivered from hell and also entituled to the Kingdome of heaven, they are not onelyonly to bee rejected, but also detested astEsa. 64. 6. menstruous clouts, as dung,uPhil 3, 8, 9. as losse. But in the question of sanctification, where they are considered, both as fruits of faith and the Spirit, as consequents of justification, whereby wee testifie our thankefulnesse to God, gather testimonies to our selves of our justification, benefit and edifie our brethren… and also as necessary forerunners of glorification, whereby we are fitted and prepared for Gods Kingdome (unto which by justification wee are entituled) and as the way wherein we are to walke towards our heavenly countrey, and as the evidences according to which our Saviour will judge us at the last day, &c. wee doe acknowledge they are highly to be esteemed of, as those things wherein our sanctification doth in good part consist. For wee doe teach, that our sanctification is partly habituall, consisting in the habits of sanctifying graces, faith, hope, charity, humility, the feare of God, &c. which is the first justification of the Papists: and partly actuall consisting in our new obedience, or, which is all one, in good workes; which is their second justification. This then is that which we doe hold, that although good works doe not concurre with faith unto the act of justification, as any cause thereof: yet of necessity they must concurre in the subject, that is, the party justified, as necessary fruits of faith, as necessary consequents of justification, as necessary antecedents of salvation. And this is that, which not only we, but Bellarmine himselfe often citeth out of Augustine: Bona opera accedunt justificato, non praecedunt justificandum: or thus, bona opera non praecedunt justificandum sed sequantur justificatum, good workes doe not goe before, but follow after justification, which is a pregnant proofe, that they are no causes thereof.