with him, in all the ways of his commandments. (1)

III. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, (2) which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; (3) yet is it of such neces

thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. See also Joel ii. 12, 13. Amos v. 15, and Ps. cxix. 128.

(1) Ps. cxix. 6, 59, 106. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.—I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Luke i. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. also 2 Kings xxiii. 25.

See

(2) III. Ezek. xxxvi. 31, 32. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God, be it known unto you be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Ezek. xvi. 63. That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.

(3) Hos. xiv. 2, 4. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him. Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Eph. i. 7.

sity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. (1)

IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; (2) so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent. (3)

V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly. (4)

(1) Luke xiii. 3, 5. I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. See also Acts xvii. 30.

(2) IV. Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death. Matt. xii. 36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

(3) Isa. lv. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Isa. i. 18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

(4) V. Ps. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Luke xix. 8. And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 1 Tim. i. 13, 15. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.-This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that

VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; (1) upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy: (2) so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; (3) who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him. (4)

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

(1) VI. Ps. xxxii. 5, 6. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly, pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. See also Ps. li. 4, 5, 7, 9, 14.

(2) Prov. xxviii. 13. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. 1 John i. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

(3) James v. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Luke xvii. 3, 4. Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. Josh. vii. 19. And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. Ps. li. throughout.

(4) 2 Cor. ii. 8. Wherefore I beseech you, that ye, would confirm your love toward him. See Gal. vi. 1, 2.

CHAPTER XVI.

OF GOOD WORKS.

GOOD works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy word, (1) and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention. (2)

II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: (3) and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, (4)

(1) I. Micah vi. 8. He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Rom. xii. 2. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Heb. xiii. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will.

(2) Matt. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Isa. xxix. 13. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men. John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doeth God service. See 1 Sam. xv. 21, 22, 23.

(3) II. James ii. 18, 22. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

(4) Ps. cxvi. 12, 13. What shall I render unto the

strengthen their assurance, (1) edify their brethren, (2) adorn the profession of the gospel, (3) stop the mouths of the adversaries, (4) and glorify God, (5) whose workmanship they

Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 1 Pet. ii. 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

(1) I John ii. 3, 5. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.—But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him. 2 Pet. i. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

(2) 2 Cor. ix. 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Matt. v. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(3) Tit. ii. 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home. good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 1 Tim. vi. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. See also Tit. ii. 9, 10, 11, 12.

(4) 1 Pet. ii. 15. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

(5) 1 Pet. ii. 12. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Phil. i. 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. John xv. 8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.