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XIV. Of Works of Supererogation. VOLUNTARY Works, besides, over and above God's commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without

* That all men might rightly judge of good works, it hath been declared in the second part of this Sermon, what kind of good works they be that God would have his people walk in, namely, such as he hath commanded in his holy Scripture, and not such works as men have studied out of their own brain, of a blind zeal and devotion, without the word of God: and by mistaking the nature of good works, man hath most highly displeased God, and hath gone from his will and commandments.Sects and feigned religions were neither the fortieth part so many among the Jews, nor more superstitiously and ungodlily abused, than of late days they have been among us: which sects and religions had so many hypocritical and feigned works in their state of religion, as they arrogantly named it, that their lamps, as they said, ran always over, able to satisfy not only for their own sins, but also for all other their benefactors, brothers, and sisters of religion, as most ungodlily and craftily they had persuaded the multitude of ignorant people; keeping in divers places, as it were, marts or markets of merit, being full of their holy relics, images, shrines, and works of overflowing abundance ready to be sold-yea also vain inventions, unfruitful ceremonies, and ungodly laws, decrees, and councils of Rome, were in such wise advanced, that nothing was thought comparable in authority, wisdom, learning, and godliness, unto them; so that the laws of Rome, as they said, were to be received of all men as the four Evangelists, to the which all laws of princes must give place: and the laws of God also partly were left off and less esteemed, that the said laws, decrees, and councils, with their traditions and ceremonies, might be more duly kept, and had in greater reverence. Thus was the people through ignorance so blinded with the godly shew and appearance of those things, that they thought the keeping of them to be a more holiness, a more perfect service and honouring of God, and

a Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;-forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Tim.

iv. 1. 3. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Col. ii. 8. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels-not holding the head.-Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of

arrogancy and impiety: 'for by them men do

more pleasing to God, than the keeping of God's commandments. Such hath been the corrupt inclination of man, ever superstitiously given to make new honouring of God of his own head, and then to have more affection and devotion to keep that, than to search out God's holy commandments, and to keep them. And furthermore, to take God's commandments for men's commandments, and men's commandments for God's commandments, yea, and for the highest and most perfect and holiest of all God's commandments. And so was all confused, that scant well learned men, and but a small number of them knew, or at the least would know, and durst affirm the truth, to separate or sever God's commandments from the commandments of men. Whereupon did grow much error, superstition, idolatry, vain religion, overthwart judgment, great contention, with all ungodly living. Hom. v. 3.

The law of God is the full and, in all points, perfect rule of the righteousness which is required of man, which commandeth those things that are to be done, and forbiddeth the contraries. In this law God hath restrained all things to his own will and judgment, so as no godliness toward him, nor dutifulness toward men, can be allowed of him, but that only which doth in all things agree with the straitness of this rule. Vainly therefore do mortal men invent to themselves forms of godliness and duty after their own fancy for God hath set forth to us his law written in two tables, as a most sure rule both of our worshipping of God, and of our duties to men, and therewith also hath declared that there is nothing on earth more pleasant and acceptable to him than our obedience. Nowell, p. 8.

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"What works shall I do," said a prince, "to come to everlasting life?" (Matt. xiv.) To whom Jesus answered, “If thou wilt come to everlasting life, keep the commandments." But the prince, not satisfied herewith, asked farther, "Which commandments?" The Scribes and Pharisees had made so many of their own laws and traditions, to bring men to heaven, besides God's commandments, that this man was in doubt whether he

the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Col. ii. 18-23.

Be not carried about with di

vers and strange doctrines. For it
is a good thing that the heart be
established with grace; not with
meats, which have not profited
them that have been occupied
therein. Heb. xiii. 9. Their fear
toward me is taught by the precept
of men. Isa. xxix. 13.
Not giving
heed to Jewish fables, and com-
mandments of men, which turn
from the truth. Tit. i. 14. Ye shall
not add unto the word which I

declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake, than of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When

should come to heaven by those laws and traditions, or by the law of God; and therefore he asked Christ which commandments he meant. Whereunto Christ made him a plain answer, rehearsing the commandments of God, saying, "Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother, and Love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt. xix.) By which words Christ declared, that the laws of God be the very way that doth lead to everlasting life, and not the traditions and laws of men. So that this is to be taken for a most true lesson taught by Christ's own mouth, that the works of the moral commandments of God be the very true works of faith which lead to the blessed life to come. Hom. v. 2.

We say also that every person is born in sin, and leadeth his life in sin that nobody is able truly to say, his heart is clean that the most righteous person is but an unprofitable servant that the law of God is perfect, and requireth of us perfect and full obedience: that we are able by no means to fulfil that law in this worldly life: that there is no one mortal creature, which can be justified by his own deserts in God's sight and therefore that our only succour and refuge is to fly to the mercy of our Father by Jesus Christ, and assuredly to persuade our minds, that he is the obtainer of forgiveness for our sins. Jewell.

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For truly there be imperfections in our best works: we do not love God so much as we are bound to do, with all our heart,

command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Deut. iv. 2. Every word of God is pure; add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Prov. xxx. 5, 6. Whatsoever thing I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Deut. xii. 32. In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. xv. 9.

e Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were

commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke xvii. 9, 10. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Job xxii. 2. If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Job xxxv. 7. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chron. xxix. 14.

ye have done all that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.

mind, and power: we do not fear God so much as we ought to do: we do not pray to God, but with great and many imperfections we give, forgive, believe, live, and hope imperfectly: we speak, think, and do imperfectly: we fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh imperfectly. Hom. ii. 2.

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XV. Of Christ alone without sin.

CHRIST in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except; from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the

a

Necessary it was that what man had offended against God, man should atone and satisfy it. Being made man, he did, as it were, put upon him our person, that he might therein take upon him, bear, perform, and fulfil the parts of our salvation. Nowell, p. 45. See also Article II.

It behoved that he who should and could satisfy for sins, and entirely restore wicked and damned persons, should not himself be defiled or blemished with any stain or spot of sin, but be endued with singular and perfect uprightness and innocency. Therefore when the seed of man was wholly corrupt and defiled, it behoved that in the conception of the Son of God there should be the marvellous and secret working of the Holy Ghost, whereby he might be fashioned in the womb of the most chaste and pure Virgin, and of her substance, that he should not be defiled with the common stain and infection of mankind. Christ therefore, that most pure Lamb, was begotten and born by the Holy Ghost and the conception of the Virgin without sin, that he might cleanse, wash, and put away our spots, who, as we were first conceived and born in sin and uncleanness, so do still from thenceforth continue in unclean life. Nowell, p. 45.

He is the pure and undefiled "Lamb of God, which taketh

a God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Tim. iii. 16. The Word was made flesh. John i. 14. In the likeness of sinful flesh. Rom. viii. 3. When he cometh into the world, he saith, A body hast thou prepared me. Heb. x. 5. A Virgin shall conceive and bear a son. Is. vii. 14. Unto us a child is born. ix. 6. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. Gal. iv. 4. Made of the seed of David according to the flesh. Rom. i. 3. Made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself. Phil. ii. 7, 8. Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. Heb. ii. 14. 17. He was in all

points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. iv. 15. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. 1 John iv. 2.

b Which of you convinceth me of sin? John viii. 46. Such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. Heb. vii. 26. He did no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Is. liii. 9. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1 Pet. ii. 22. In him is no sin. 1 John iii. 5. He made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21. The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John xiv. 30.

Whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall

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