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A34992 A practical and polemical commentary or exposition on the whole fifteenth Psalm wherein the text is learnedly and fruitfully explained, some controversies discussed, sundry cases of conscience are cleared, more especially that of usurie : many common places succinctly handled ... / by Christopher Cartwright ... ; the life of the reverend and learned author is prefixed. Cartwright, Christopher, 1602-1658.; Bolton, John, 1599-1679. Life of the author. 1658 (1658) Wing C693; ESTC R18318 282,330 382

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It is not such a Faith as whereby Abraham was justified for his Faith did appear and evidence it self by his works vers 21 22 23. And so did Rahabs Faith vers 25. Caution 1. But let none so mis understand this as if according to the Popish Doctrine a man were justified by his works By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin Rom. 3.20 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law vers 28. See also Rom. 4.3 6 7 8. Therefore when S. James saith that by works a man is justified and not by faith onely Jacobus docet quod non side sterili sed fide foecundâ operibus justificamur Cajet in Jac. 2. Jam. 2 24. the meaning is as Cajetan himself doth expound it That a man is not justified by faith that is barren but fruitful in good works So when he saith vers 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered up Isaac his son upon the Altar by works must needs be meant a working Faith for he addes vers 23. And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Now that was spoken of Abraham long before his offering up of Isaac as appears by Gen. 15. 22. so that Abraham was justified by faith long before but that work of obedience which he did in offering up his son shewed that his faith was a true justifying faith indeed and that it was not without good cause said of him that he believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Caution 2. Neither again must the Doctrine so be understood as if which the Papists also hold good works did merit heaven and eternal life It is one thing not to be saved without good works and another thing to be saved for them Aliudest secundum opera reddere aliud propter ipsa opera reddere Greg. in Psal 145.8 God will render to every one according to his deeds Rom. 2.6 but not to every one for his deeds To the wicked indeed he will render both according to their deeds also for their deeds because their deeds deserve damnation But to the godly he will onely render according to their deeds not for their deeds not for the merit of them because they do not deserve salvation For 1. The best works that any can do are due and therefore not meritorious 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 Luk. 17.10 Secondly If we do any good we do it not of our selves by our own power but it is God that doth inable us to do it For we are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but all our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Therefore whatever good we do we are beholding to God and not he to us for it and consequently we cannot merit any thing at his hands by it Thirdly Our good works are mixed with evil works and are in themselves even the best of them imperfect In many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 There is iniquity even in our holy things Exod. 28.38 Therefore Nehemiah though he prayed unto God to remember him concerning the good that he had done yet to shew how far he was from presuming of the merit of it he added And spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy Neh. 13.22 Fourthly There is no proportion betwixt our works and Salvation no works that we can do are equal to it Illi namque beatae vitae in quâ cum Deo de D o vivitur nullus potest aequari labor nulla opera comparari presertim cum Apostolus dicat non sunt condigne passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriàm quae revelabitur in nobis Gregor ubi supra and therefore neither can they merit it The most that we can do is to suffer for the Name of God and of Christ and for righteousness sake Phil. 1.29 Mat. 5.10 11. But the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 But as none must think to be saved for good works so neither must any expect Salvation without good works In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh through love Gal. 5.6 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God 1 Cor. 7.19 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Philip. 2.12 Vse 1 This then may serve first to vindicate our Doctrine and to wipe off the Aspersion which the Papists cast upon us as if we were adversaries and enemies unto good works teaching people that if they believe then all is well enough what ever they do however they live they are sure of Salvation This is not our Doctrine though some may make this perverse use of it We are for the necessity of good works as much as they of the Church of Rome are though we dare not ascribe so much unto them as they do See Serm. 5. Use 1. Vse 2 This also confutes the Antinomians and such as are so for the preaching of Gods mercy and free Grace that they cannot endure to have Duties preached unto people and pressed upon them This they think is legal and servile not agreeable to that Evangelical and free Estate that Christians are now in But we have not so learned Christ He indeed doth make us free Joh. 8.36 But how Not free to sin but free from sin For whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin Joh. 8.34 Know ye not that to whom ye yeild your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death or of righteousness unto life But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you Being then made free from sin ye became the servants of righteousness Rom. 16.16 17 18. For this end God sent his Son to redeem us that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies we might serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of our life Luke 1.74 75. For this end Christ gave himself for us He died for all that they which live might not live unto themselves but unto him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5 15. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.14 There is no hope of Salvation by Christ without yielding obedience unto Christ He is the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 He is a King as well as a Priest and a
sanctitas duplex est iniquitas for ye devour widdowes houses and for a pretence make long prayer therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation Mat. 23.14 2. Upright walking is that which will make us walke with comfort and confidence He that walketh uprightly walketh surely but he that perverteth his wayes shall be known Prov. 10.9 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved but he that is perverse in his wayes shall fall at once Prov. 28.18 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them or as the margent hath it strongly to hold with them whose heart is perfect towards him 2 Chron. 16.9 3. This will afford comfort and courage in time of affliction If our heart condemne us not then have we boldness towards God And whatsoever we aske we receive of him c. to wit so farre as he sees it to be for his glory and our good 1 Iohn 3.21 22. This is our rejoycing the testimonie of our conscience that in all simplicitie and godly sinceritie not with fleshly wisdome but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world 2 Cor. 1.12 This was it that did support and uphold Iob in his greatest distresse Though saith he he slay me yet will I trust in him but I will maintaine mine owne waies before him He meanes the integrity and uprightness of his heart in his waies He also shall be my salvation for an hypocrite shall not come before him Job 13.15 16. And againe But he knoweth the way that I take when he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold Job 23.10 The whole 31. Chapter is also to this purpose On the otherside when affliction and distresse cometh then the sinners in Sion are afraid fearfulness doth surprize the hypocrites Isai 33.14 Will God heare his crie saith Job speaking of an hypocrite when trouble cometh upon him Job 27.9 No If I regard inquitie in mine heart saith David the Lord will not heare me Psal 66.18 The sacrifice of the wicked saith Salomon is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the upright is his delight Prov. 15.8 4. If we walke uprightly we neede not feare when death cometh but may have boldness at the approach of it When Ezekiah was told by the Prophet Esay that he should set his house in order for he should not live but die though in some respects he was desirous to live still yet this did comfort and encourage him that he could say Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight Isa 38.3 But saith Job What is the hope of the hypocrite though he hath gained when God shall take away his soule Job 27.8 5. And lastly If we walke uprightly that great day the day of judgment which will be a day of terrour and confusion unto all the ungodly will be unto us a day of triumph and rejoycing Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment because as he is so are we in this world 1 John 3.17 When that day cometh Then the Lord will bring to light the hidded things of darkness and will make manifest the counsel of the hearts and then shall every man to wit that walketh uprightly have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 In this respect our Saviour bids Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy because the day will come that will reveal all and make all manifest For saith he there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed neither hid that shall not be known Luke 12.1 2. Thus then in many respects we may see that there is great cause to pray with David Let mine heart O Lord be sound in thy statutes that I may not be ashamed Psal 119.80 SERM. V. SERM. 5 Psal 15.2 And worketh righteousness THis is the next general propertie of one that shall abide in Gods tabernacle and dwell in his holy hill The former property respects the heart and affection this respects the life and conversation As the inward intention must be sincere and upright so the outward action must be just and righteous as good may not be done for an evill end so neither must evill be done for a good end Hence we may observe that He that would obtaine salvation must work righteousness Doct. He that would ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in his holy place must have cleane hands Psal 24.3 4. The crowne of life as it is called Revel 2.10 is a crowne of righteousness as the Apostle termes it 2 Tim. 4 8. They that seek the kingdome of God must also seeke the righteousness if they would finde what they seeke Matth. 6.33 Know ye not saith the Apostle that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdome of God Be not deceived neither fornicatours nor idolaters nor adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankinde Nor theeves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners no unrighteous persons whatsoever that both are and continue such shall inherit the kingdome of God And such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified c. 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. And againe For this ye know that no whoremonger nor uncleane person nor covetous man who is an idolater hath any inheritante in the kingdome of Christ and of God Ephes 5.5 Reas Thus it must needes be in respect of God Reason the giver of salvation in respect of Christ the purchaser of salvation and in respect of heaven the place of salvation 1. In respect of God the giver of salvation It is the salvation of God Psal 50.23 Therefore except he give it Reasons why only such as worke righteousness be saved none can have it Now God is God of righteousness He is of purer eyes then to behold evill and cannot looke upon iniquity Hab. 1.13 to wit without a hatred and detestation of it Whoever therefore they be that doe not worke righteousness they must not looke for salvation For thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness neither shall evill dwell with thee The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all the workers of iniquity Psal 5.4 5. 2. In respect of Christ the purchaser of salvation There is not salvation in any other neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby they may be saved Act. 4.12 Now Christ is the true Melchisedec that is king of righteousness Heb. 7.2 To him is that spoken A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdome Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity Heb. 1.8 9. Therefore none may thinke to obtaine salvation through Christ except they worke righteousness 3. In respect of heaven the place of salvation The inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away is reserved in heaven for us 1 Pet. 1.4
and good heart they bring forth fruit with patience that is with perseverance Luk. 8.15 Let us beware not only of gross hypocrisie such as is in those that purposely play the hypocrites but also of secret and subtil hypocrisie whereby some deceive not only others but themselves also thinking that they are something when they are nothing Gal 6.3 Let us take heed of giving entertainment to any lust of suffering any corruption to bear sway in us Let us give up our selves wholly unto God to be ruled and governed by him in all things saying with David Search me O Lord and know my heart try me and know my thoughts And see if there be any way of wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting Psal 139.23 24. 2. A full purpose and resolution to adhere unto God and to keep close unto him Barnabas exhorted the Christians at Antioch that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord Act. 11.23 O God my heart is fixed saith David Psal 108.1 I have sworn saith he and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous judgments Psal 119.106 I have inclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alway even unto the end vers 112. But this resolution must be well grounded When Peter said that he would never deny Christ he resolved well in respect of the object of his resolution but not in respect of the ground of it he builded too much upon himself and his own strength which made him fall so fearfully as he did Therefore as Saint Paul exhorts Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Quid in te stas non stas Projice te in illum c. Aug. Ephes 6.10 Not in your selves but in the Lord not in the power of your own might but in the power of his might 3. Premeditation of and preparation for the Cross this also is requisite and needful for the attainment of perseverance Many turn aside out of the way of truth and godliness because they meet with trouble and persecution in it He that received the seed into stony places the same is he that heareth the Word and anon with joy receiveth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meshummad Apostata à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shamed persequi Yet hath he not root in himself but endureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word by and by he is offended Mat. 13.20 21. Therefore it behoves us to think of trouble and persecution and to prepare for it that so when it doth come we may not be overcome by it Beloved saith S. Peter think not strange concerning the firie trial which is to try you as if some strange thing hapned unto you 1 Pet. 4.12 If we would not think it strange when it cometh we must think of it before it cometh Praevisa jacula minùs feriunt Christ did acquaint his Disciples before with the hard measure which they should finde from men for his sake that so when they did meet with it they might be the less troubled at it These things said he unto them have I spoken unto you that you should not be offended They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me But these things have I told you that when the time cometh ye may remember that I told you of them Joh. 16.1 2 3 4. And when great multitudes followed him he turned unto them and said If any man come to me and hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also that is hate all in comparison of Christ so as to be willing to part with all rather then him he cannot be my Disciple And whosoever doth not bear his Cross and come after me he cannot be my Disciple Then he propounds two Parables to shew that this ought to be made account of and prepared for lest otherwise having entred upon the profession of Christ and meeting with troubles which we looked not for we draw back and desist from it For which of you saith he intending to build a Tower sitteth not down first and counteth the cost whether he be able to finish it Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation and is not able to finish it all that behold it begin to mock him saying This man began to build and was not able to finish Or what King going to make war with another King sitteth not down first and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand Or else while the other is yet a great way off he sendeth an embassage and desireth conditions of peace And then he makes the application saying So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath to wit in preparation of heart so as to be ready to forsake all if for Christs sake he be called to it he cannot be my Disciple Luk. 14.26 31. 4 Fear also is a means of perseverance not a diffident and distrustful fear but that which doth proceed from a sense of our own weakness and so makes us flie unto God and rely on his assistance such a fear as is opposed to high-mindedness and hardness of heart Thou standest by Faith be not high-minded but fear Rom. 11.20 Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes but he that hardneth his heart shall fall into mischief Prov. 28.14 The want of this fear was the cause of Peters great and dangerous fall he was too self-confident and too secure Therefore pass the time of your sojourning here in fear 1 Pet. 1.17 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Fear also as it is an awful and reverential dread of Gods Majesty doth conduce much to perseverance I will put my fear into their hearts saith God that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.40 5. To this end also is required watchfulness Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Mat. 26.41 Watch ye stand fast in the Faith 1 Cor. 16.13 This watchfulness consists 1. In avoyding as much as may be the occasions of sin We pray unto God not to lead us into temptation Therefore neither must we cast our selves into temptation Salomon tels us of the foolish young man that was insnared by the Harlot that he went the way to her House Prov. 7.8 He did not shun the occasion as he should have done but did expose himself unto temptation Therefore he bids Remove thy way far from her and come not near the door of her House Prov. 5.8 And speaking of the way of the wicked Avoyd it saith he pass not by it turn from it and pass away Prov. 4.15 2. In resisting the first motions of sin This was Josephs prudence and pietie