Good Works.

NULLA Religio vera est, nisi quæ Virtute et Justitiâ constat.

Quod latet et quod patet in Divinis sermonibus tenet, qui Charitatem servat in moribus.

Beatus qui te, Domine, amat; et amicum in te et inimicum propter te!

Opera bona a Charitate tanquam a radice prodeunt; neque conservari possunt, nisi ab eadem Charitate foveantur et nutriantur: quomodo lumen lampadis necessariò extinguitur, si desit alimentum Olei-ideo requiritur ut virgo prudens habeat semper oleum in vase.— Bellarmin,

Rectè in Dei laudem psallit, cujus opera cum voce concordant. Nam finito carmine vox

tacet: in bonis autem operibus Vita permanens numquam reticet Ejus Gloriam, quem in se gaudet operari.

It is not the barely having good resolutions formed in our minds, and doing righteousness now and then, that will be acceptable: but being steady, at all times adhering to the rules of Religion; and being just to God and man in every condition and circumstance of life; and persevering therein to the end. "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." Psal. cxix. 6.

We are ready to catch the terrors of others, to imitate their example and walk in the way of the people around us. We ought to watch against this, and labour after a sober singularity; earnestly praying that God would secure us against the infection of ill examples, and preserve us in the way of holiness and peace.

The Apostles wrought miracles in their time: but now such things are past and gone, whereas good works and a holy conversation are always necessary for those who would be saved.Chrysostom.

The religion of Christians in the primitive times did not lie in abstruse speculations, or numerous rites and ceremonies; but in the worship of the One God through Jesus Christ, and in the practice of moral virtues.

Qui in occulto bene vivit, sed alieno profectui minime proficit, carbo est: qui vero in imi tatione Sanctitatis [Jesu Christi] positus, lumen rectitudinis ex se multis demonstrat, Lampas est: quia et sibi ardet et aliis lucet.

Good works do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith; insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known, as a tree is discovered by the fruit.

The Mosaic law was annihilated only so far as it was of a figurative and temporary character. As to the moral laws, whether those contained in the Decalogue, or those interspersed through the judicial and ceremonial Code, it is evident that (as having in themselves an intrinsic excellence, and as founded on those relations which subsist, as well with reference to our dependence on God, as between man and man reciprocally) these must remain in perpetual force. The Apostles were so far from considering as abolished any part of the Mosaic

law, which has a moral character, that they expressly ratified, and enjoined as necessary, commands which had only a moral tendency. "Evacuatur in Christo, non Vetus Testamentum, sed velamen ejus.”

Let us beware of the sins of omission; for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

How lamentable is it for men to be ignorant of their own characters and declensions! This is sometimes the case of states and kingdoms and churches; often, of particular professors of religion. All about them see their gray hairs, observe that they grow more peevish, covetous, and indifferent to the attendance on public worship and religion. But they see it not: and are displeased if it is hinted to them, or if they are only exhorted to enquire into their state. We have need therefore to watch over ourselves, lest we insensibly decline; and to guard against the first tendency to apostacy.

The consequence of God's departing from men is, the loss of all solid comfort: "Woe unto them when I depart from them!" Hosea ix. 12. Let us dread this as the greatest evil, and keep ourselves in the love of God. The Lord is with us while we are with him: but if

we will not hearken unto Him, he will cast us off for ever.

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy: break up your fallow ground. For it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea x. 12. The heart of man left to itself, is like fallow ground, barren and useless. Yet it is capable of cultivation: and when sinful habits are broken off, carnal affections rooted out, and seeds of righteousness sown there, the produce is invaluable. Let us then follow after righteous. ness, and shun and dread all iniquity: remembering that the connexion between ploughing wickedness and reaping punishment, is as sure and necessary, as between sowing righteousness and reaping mercy.

Men may value themselves upon their speculative knowledge, right opinions, and true and orthodox belief, separate from the practice of virtue and righteousness: but as surely as the Gospel is true, no belief whatsoever shall finally be of any advantage to men, otherwise than so far as it corrects their practice.

Luther calls it an Antinomian conceit, to suppose that the law [i. e. its moral precepts]