* Where the great red dragon Satan had his seat.'-Dr. stance of his house for love, it would utterly be Gill's Commentary. See also Rev. xii.—ED.

Oh! when the broken, dying, condemned soul, can but see, by faith, the love of a tender-hearted Saviour, and also see what he underwent to deliver it from under that death, guilt, and hell, that now it feels and fears; which also it knoweth it hath most justly and highly deserved; 'Then bless the Lord, O my soul;' Ps. ciii. 1, 2, 3. and 'What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits?' Ps. cxvi.

1-14.

Thus is faith a prevailing argument to the sinuer, whereby he is fetched off from what he was, and constrained to bend and yield to what before he neither would nor could. 1 Co. ii. 14. Ro. viii. 7. And hence it is, that gospel obedience is called 'the obedience of faith,' as well as obedience to the faith. Ro. xvi. 26. For it must be by the faith of Christ in my heart, that I submit to the word of faith in the Bible, otherwise all is to no profit: as saith the apostle, The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.' He. iv. 2. For faith alone can see the reality of what the gospel saith; and so I say, argue over the heart to the embracing of it.

this world, doth so inseparably follow a principle of faith, that it is both monstrous and ridiculous to suppose the contrary. What, shall not he that hath life have motion! Ga. ii. 20.

He that hath by faith received the spirit of holiness, shall not he be holy? Ga. iii. 2. and he that is called to glory and virtue, shall not he add to his faith virtue? 2 Pe. i. 4, 5. We are by faith made good trees, and shall not we bring forth good fruit? Lu. vi. 43. They that believe are created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and God hath, before the world was, ordained that we should walk in them; and shall both our second creation, and God's foreordination be made frustrate? Ep. i. 4; ii. 10. Besides, the children of faith are the children of light, and of the day. 1 Th. v. 5. Lights upon a hill, and candles on a candlestick, and shall not they shine? They are the salt of the earth, shall not they be seasoning? Mat. v. 13—16.

The believer is the alone man, by whom God sheweth to the world the power of his grace, the operation of his people's faith, &c. The unbelievers read indeed of the power of grace; of the Third, Faith is such a grace, as will represent faith, hope, love, joy, peace, and sanctification of to the soul all things in their proper colours. It the heart of the Christian; but they feel nothing of doth not, as doth unbelief and ignorance, shew us that sin-killing operation that is in these things; all things out of order; putting darkness for light, these are to them as a story of Rome or Spain. and bitter for sweet; but will set every thing in Wherefore to shew them in others, what they find its proper place before our eyes; God and Christ not in themselves, God worketh faith, hope, love, shall be with it, the chiefest good, the most lovely &c., in a generation that shall serve him; and by and amiable; a heavenly life shall be of greater them they shall see what they cannot find in themesteem, and more desirable, than all the treasures selves; and by this means they shall be convinced, of Egypt! Righteousness and sanctification will that though sin, and the pleasures of this life, be be the thing after which it will most vehemently sweet to them, yet there is a people otherwise press; because it seeth not only death and damna-minded; even such a people, that do indeed see tion as the fruits of sin, but sin also in itself, dis- the glory of that which others read of, and from tinct from the punishment belonging to it, a detes- that sight take pleasure in those things which they table, horrible, and odious thing. He. xi. 25—27. Phi. iii. are most averse unto. To this, I say, are Christians called; herein is God glorified; hereby are sinners convinced; and by this is the world condemned. 1 Th. iv. 7. 1 Pe. ii. 12; iii. 1. He. xi. 7.

7-12. Ro. xii. 9.

By faith we see that this world hath no abiding in it for us, nor no satisfaction if it were otherwise. Pr. iii. 35. He. xi. 15, 16; xiii. 14. 1 Co. vii. 29-31. And hence it is, that the people of God have groaned to be gone from hence, into a state that is both sinless and temptationless. And hence it is again that they have run through so many trials, afflictions, and adversities, even because of that love to holiness of life that faith being in their hearts did prompt them to, by shewing them the worth and durableness of that which was good, and the irksomeness and evil of all things else. 2 Co. v. 1—8. He. xi. 33—39.

Fourth, Faith layeth hold of that which is able to help the soul to bring forth good works: it layeth hold of, and engageth the strength of Christ, and by that overcometh that which oppresseth; 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Phi. iv. 13.

Object. But if faith doth so naturally cause good works, what then is the reason that God's people find it so hard a matter to be faithful in good works?

I answer, 1. God's people are fruitful in good works according to the proportion of their faith; if they be slender in good works, it is because they are weak in faith. Little faith is like small candles, or weak fire, which though they shine and have heat; yet but dim shining and small heat, when compared with bigger candles and greater fire. The reason why Sardis had some in it whose works were not perfect before God, it was, because they did not hold fast by faith the word that they have formerly heard and received. Re. iii. 1-3.

2. There may be a great mistake in our judging In a word, a life of holiness and godliness in of our own fruitfulness. The soul that indeed is

candid and right at heart, is taught by grace to | 15. judge itself, though fruitful, yet barren upon two accounts. (1.) When it compareth its life to the mercy bestowed upon it for when a soul doth indeed consider the greatness and riches of the mercy bestowed upon it, then it must needs cry out, O wretched man that I am,' Ro. vii. 24. for it seeth itself wonderfully to fall short of a conversation becoming one who hath received so great a benefit. (2.) It may also judge itself barren, because it falleth so far short of that it would attain unto, it cannot do the thing that it would.' Ga.

saints and sinners, Christians and heathens, have erred in the business of good works; wherefore every one should be careful to see that their works BE good.

Now, then, to prevent, if God will, miscarriage in this matter, I shall propound unto you what it is for a work to be rightly good. First, A good work must have the word for its authority. Second, It must, as afore was said, flow from faith. Third, It must be both rightly timed and rightly placed. Fourth, It must be done willingly, cheerfully, &c.

First, It must have the word for its authority. Zeal without knowledge is like a mettled horse without eyes, or like a sword in a madman's hand; and there is no knowledge where there is not the word: for if they reject the word of the Lord, and act not by that, what wisdom is in them?' saith the prophet. Je. viii. 9. Is. viii. 20. Wherefore see thou have the word for what thou dost.

Second, As there must be the word for the authorising of what thou dost, so there must be faith, from which it must flow, as I shewed you before: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin;' and 'without faith it is impossible to please God.' Now, I say, without the word there is no faith, Ro. x. 17. as without faith there is no good, let men's pretences be what they will.

Third, As it must have these two aforenamed, so also it must have, 1. Right time; and, 2. Right place.

work is as bad as the mistiming of it. When I say, things, if good, must be rightly placed, I mean, we should not give to any work more than the word of God alloweth it, neither should we give it less. Mint, anise, and cummin, are not so weighty matters as faith and the love of God; as in Mat. xxiii. 23. For a pastor to be exercising the office of a deacon, instead of the office of a pastor, it is misplacing of works. Ac. vi. 2. For Martha to be making outward provision for Christ, when she should have sat at his feet to hear his word, was the misplacing a work; and for her sister to have done it at her request-though the thing in itself was good-had been her sin also. Lu. x. 39–42.

Now, to prevent the misplacing of good works, (1.) They misplace them that set them in the room of Christ. Ro. x. 1—3.

(2.) They also misplace them that make them copartners with him. Ro. ix. 31. 32. Ac. xv. 1. This is setting up our post by God's posts, and man's righteousness by the righteousness of Christ. Eze. xliii. 7, 8. These are said to be teachers of the law, not knowing what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 1 Ti. i. 7.

(3.) They also misplace works, who ascribe to a work of less moment that honour that belongeth to a work more noble. And such are (a) Those who count the ceremonial part of an ordinance as good as the doctrine and signification of it.* (b) Such who account the dictates and impulses of a mere natural conscience, as good, as high, and divine, as the leadings and movings of the Spirit of Christ. (c) Those also who count it enough to do something of what God hath commanded, and that something, possibly the least, instead of all, and the things more necessary and weighty. (d) They also much misplace them, who count things indifferent as high as those that are absolutely necessary in the worship of God. (e) But the grosser, who place men's traditions above them. (f) And they greatest of all, who put bitter for sweet, and darkness for light. All these things we must shun and avoid, as things absolutely obstructive to good works.

1. It must be rightly timed. Every work is not to be done at the same time; every time not being convenient for such a work; There is a time for all things, and every thing is beautiful in its time. Ec. iii. 11. There is a time to pray, time to hear, a time to read, a time to confer, a time to meditate, a time to do, and a time to suffer. Now, to be hearing when we should be preaching and doing, that is, yielding active obedience to that under which we ought to suffer, is not good. Christ was very wary, that both his doings and sufferings were rightly timed. Jn. ii. 3, 4; xiii. 1, 2. And herein we ought to follow his steps. To be at plough in the field, when I should be hearing the word, is not good; and to be talking abroad, when I should be instructing my family at home, is as bad: Whoso keepeth the commandment, shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart dis-order.' 1 Co. xiv. 40. cerneth both time and judgment.' Ec. viii. 5. Good things mistimed, are fruitless, unprofitable, and vain.

2. As things must have their right time, so they must be rightly placed; for the misplacing of any courage, can understand the spirit which dictated such language. Had all dissenters used such faithful words, the church would long ago have been emancipated from persecution in this country.-Ed.

Wherefore touching good works; obedience is better than sacrifice; that is, to do things according to the word of God, is better than to do them according to my fancy and conceit. 1 Sa. xv. 22. Wherefore, let all things be done decently and in

Fourth, Again, as good works should be ordered and qualified, as before is touched, so they should be done from the heart, willingly, cheerfully, with simplicity and charity, according to what a man

*This is a very extensive and awful delusion. Baptismal regeneration, as believed by the churches of Rome and of England, and the viaticum, or fitting the soul to appear before God by administering the Lord's supper to a dying sinner, have done infinite mischief to the souls of men.-ED.

hath. 1 Jn. v. 3. 2 Co. ix. 7. Ro. xii. 8. Col. iii. 12. 1 Co. x. 24. 1 Co. of the glory of God, Ro. v. 2, we that look, I say,

viii. 12.

Farther, there are three things that a man should have in his eye in every work he doth. 1. The honour of God. 1 Co. vi. 20. 2. The edification of his neighbour. 1 Co. xiv. 26. 3. The expediency or inexpediency of what I am to do. 1 Co. vi. 12. And always observe it, that the honour of God is wrapped up in the edification of thy neighbour; and the edification of thy neighbour in the expediency of what thou dost.

Again, if thou wouldst walk to the edification of thy neighbour, and so to God's honour, in the midst of thy observers, beware,

for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Tit. ii. 13, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness.' 2 Pe. iii. 11.

To conclude, for your farther edification, take a plain rehearsal of your several general duties and works, to which God engageth you in his word, according to your places, callings, and relations in this world;

DUTIES OF THE MASTER OF A FAMILY.

If thou have under thee a family, then thou art 1st. That thou in thy words and carriages dost to consider the several relations thou stan dest so demean thyself, that Christ in his precious bene- under; and art to know, that thou in each of fits may be with clearness spoken forth by thee; them hast a work to do for God, and that he exand take heed, that thou dost not enter into doubt-pecteth thy faithful deportment under every one of ful points with them that are weak. Ro. xv. 1. But them. As, in general; deal chiefly, lovingly, and wisely, with their consciences about those matters that tend to their establishment in the faith of their justification, and deliverance from death and hell. • Comfort the feeble-minded,' confirm the weak. 1 Th. v. 14.

2ndly. If thou be stronger than thy brother, take heed that thou do not that before him, that may offend his weak conscience; I mean, things that in themselves may be lawful. All that is lawful is not expedient; all that is lawful edifieth not. 1 Co. vi. 12. Wherefore here is thy wisdom and love, that thou in some things deny thyself for thy brother's sake. I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,' saith Paul, 'lest I make my brother to offend.' 1 Co. viii. 13. Wherefore have this faith to thyself before God. Ro. xiv. 22. But if thou walk otherwise, know, thou walkest not charitably, and so not to edification, and so not to Christ's honour, but dost sin against Christ, and wound thy weak brother, for whom Christ died. Ro. xiv. 15. 1 Co.

viii. 12.

But I say, all this while keep thy eye upon the word; take heed of going contrary to that under any pretence whatever; for without the word, there is nothing to God's glory, nor thy brother's edification. Wherefore, walk wisely in a perfect way.'

Ps. ci. 2, 3.

Having thus, in few words, shewed you what are works rightly good, I beseech you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you put yourselves into a conscientious performance of them, that you may, while you live here, be vessels of honour, and fit for the master's use, and prepared to every good work. 1 Ti. vi. 18. Study to approve things that are excellent, that you may be sincere, and without offence, until the day of Christ.' Phi. i. 10. Covet communion with God: 'covet earnestly the best gifts.' 1 Co. xii. 31. Ah! we that are redeemed from among men, Re. xiv. 4, and that rejoice in the hope

DUTY TO THE FAMILY IN GENERAL.

He that is the master of a family, he hath, as under that relation, a work to do for God; to wit, the right governing of his own family. And his work is twofold. First, Touching the spiritual state thereof. Second, Touching the outward state

thereof.

First, As touching the spiritual state of his family; he ought to be very diligent and circumspect, doing his utmost endeavour both to increase faith where it is begun, and to begin it where it is not. Wherefore, to this end, he ought diligently and frequently to lay before his household such things of God, out of his word, as are suitable for each particular. And let no man question his rule in the word of God for such a practice; for if the thing itself were but of good report, and a thing tending to civil honesty, it is within the compass and bounds even of nature itself, and ought to be done; much more things of a higher nature; besides, the apostle exhorts us to Whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, pure, lovely, and of good report, to think of them,' that is, to be mindful to do them. Phi. iv. 8. But to be conversant in this godly exercise in our family, is very worthy of praise, and doth much become all Christians, This is one of the things for which God so highly commended his servant Abraham, and that with which his heart was so much affected. I know Abraham, saith God, I know him' to be a good man in very deed, for he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.' Ge. xviii. 19. thing also which good Joshua designed should be his practice as long as he had a breathing time in this world. As for me,' saith he, I and my household, we will serve the Lord.' Jos. xxiv, 15.

This was a

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