whosoeuer hath time meanes and opportunitie as few are but hath in some measure to doe good workes whereby their election may be confirmed to their owne conscience their faith in Christ shewed and testified before the world God their heauenly Father thereby glorified and his children their brethren therby strengthened and yet notwithstanding doth not verily howsoeuer they say that they haue faith Gods Spirit word testifieth the contrarie and that it is a dead faith they brag of which Sathan himselfe hath and trembleth verse 19. which being dead in it selfe can neuer apprehend nor apply that true life of the soule Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse the godlies onely comfort for faith worketâ— with by works as the fire doth by heate through workes is faith made perfit as the Apostle testifieth and as hee reasoneth Iames 2. 14. What auâ—â—leth it my brethren though a man saith hee hath faith when he hath no workes can the faith saue him For if a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace warme your selues and fâ—ll your bellies notwithstanding you giue them not those thinges which are needefull to the body what helpeth it Euen so the faith if it haue no workes is dead in it selfe And after confirmation of this by the example of Abraham Rachab he concludeth For as the body without the spirit is dead euen so the faith without workes is dead Wee see then that as workes without faith iustifieth not For whatsoeuer is done without faith is sinne euen so faith without workes being dead iustifieth no maÌ„ before God and that it is neither sufficient to Pastour to preach and know Gods word except in practising it he go before his flocke by good workes nor that it is sufficient to the people or sheepe who would bee accounted of Christs sheep-folde to heare or know Gods voyce except they also follow and practise the same by good workes following the holy and vnspotted life of Iesus Christ the Lambe in whom they hope to bee saued Let therefore Pastor and people old and yong from the highest to the lowest striue by a holy life and fruitfull of good workes to shew themselues to bee true branches in Iesus Christ the vine and liuely members of his blessed body and as he who hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all manner of conuersation as becommeth the Gospel of Christ zealous of good workes Not hearing or knowing our Masters will onely but in taking heed to our wayes to redresse the same according to his word and will reuealed therein executing and doing the same and when we haue done all that we can doe confessing and acknowledging our selues to be vnprofitable seruants so shall we be assured in our owne consciences by Gods spirit that we are sheepe of his pasture and children of his inheritance so shall wee bee knowne by the world by our confession and profession of Christ in an holy and christian life to be members of his Church and Kingdome also and so at last we shall be found worthy in Christ to walk with the Lambe when he who gaue his life for vs here shall giue vs eternall life with himselfe for euer hereafter According to thy word that is making thy holy word O Lord the rule and square according vnto the which we may take heed vnto our wayes and redresse the same We see then here first the excellencie and great vertue and vse of the word of God It is a rule according vnto the which wee may and should redresse purge and rectifie our sinfull vncleane and erronious wayes It is that breath of God which breatheth life in the face of the soule of man as by the word of God in the first creation was man raysed out of the earth and placed in the garden of Paradise so by this word of God which is neere vs in our mouth and heart is the new creation and regeneration of the heart of man whereby his soule is raysed from earthly and carnall affections and placed in the pleasant garden of Christs church to eate of the tree of life and liue with him for euer It is the voyce of God that is dayly heard in the garden of his Church not onely asking euery Adamite and sinner but shewing him also where and in what estate he is by sinne and Sathan calling him not to a curse for sinne but a blessing and inuiting him to come to the seed of the woman to that tree of life and second Adam Father and Sauiour of our spirits Gods word is a Lampe that shineth euer in the candlesticke of his true Church to direct our footsteps in the path to life euerlasting with himselfe It is that two-edged Sword that powerfully proceedeth out of his owne mouth which pierceth thorow the inward cogitations of the heart to redresse the same and diuideth the marrow of the bones to giue fatnesse to the soule It is that seed which beeing sowed and layd vp in a good and honest heart maketh euery Christian to bring foorth acceptable fruit vnto Gods glory and their owne soules comfort It is the Power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue the same It is that Instrument or Spade which diggeth about the rootes of our hearts to make vs sweet and fruitfull to our long suffering and patient Master lest we should be pulled vp by the rootes ere the axe of Gods wrath should bee put to our rootes and wee be cut downe and throwen ouer the hedge of the vineyard into vnquenchable fire Gods word is that Snedding knife which cutteth away the rancke leaues of sinne which with their darkenesse doe ouer-shadow our soules and keepe away that comfortable ripening sunne of Gods fauour to shine vpon vs that our sowre grapes may become sweet It is a Hammer to beat downe euery high exalted hill or proud cogitation of the heart that as Gyants would rebell and fight against God It exalteth euer the low valley or humbled dejected soule euen to the throne of God in confidence boldnesse It is that sâ—â—ngstone of the sonne of Dauid whereby euerie Christian and souldier of Israel must kill that mighty Gyant the reuiler of God and enemie of his seruants who seeketh not to giue their bodies to the fowles of the ayre but their precious soules to the hell-crowes of sinne and the deuouring vultures of eternall torments It is the knife whereby the fore-skin of euery Christians heart is circumcised and cut away before hee can be in the new couenant of grace or be counted a true Israelite in spirit it is the gladdest tidings that euer came to the soule and the true testimony or witnesse-bearer of Iesus Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of him it is a Christians life My words are life saith light and life and without the comfort of the same our life is death and our light Cimerian darknesse
and doe not then follow the chiefe Pastor Iesus Christ onely who hath gone before vs in a most perfect and holy example of life as for him hee riseth or falleth to his owne Master and is to be left to God whose seruant he is For that the hearing and knowledge onely of Gods voyce and word is improfitable to our saluation without the practising of the same in an holy life and conuersation by a true faith in Christ the Apostle Paul testifieth Rom. 2. 13. For the hearers of the law saith hee are not righteous before God but the doers of the law shall bee iustified And the Apostle Saint Iames 1. 22. giueth an expresse coÌ„mandement to all Christians saying Be ye doers of the word and not hearers onely deceiuing your owne selues so that we deceiue our selues greatly when we thinke that we haue done our dutie when we haue heard and knowne Gods word no the diuell and reprobates doe so also but to vs who looke to bee saued by Christs blood passion the word of God must bee powerfull to saluation God working with it in our hearts begetting and increasing a liuely and true faith in vs which must shew it selfe by the fruite of charitie and good workes when God speaketh vnto vs vttereth his voyce by our ordinary Pastors we must take heed if we haue that inward feeling which the Apostles confessed they had at the hearing of Christ Luke 24. 32. for the same spirit which wrought in them then worketh so now also in the hearts of the Elect And they sayd betweene themselues did not our hearts burne within vs while hee talked with vs by the way and when hee opened to vs the Scriptures Let vs consider if we haue this fire of the mouing and quickning spirit of God who worketh together with his word in our hearts let vs examine if by this powerfull operation of hearing Gods word faith and repentance bee begotten or encreased in our hearts Let vs try againe if this repentance bee true by abstaining by Gods grace euer thereafter from sinne that it raigne not in vs and if our faith bee liuely by not onely abstaining and abhorring so from euil but also doing good and godly workes according to our power the measure of our faith and Gods grace in vs following the example of the poore widow albeit we haue but little yet thereof to impart somewhat to Christs members laying it vp so in his treasurie then we are the truesheep for the Pastour maye preach and we duely heare his voyce but except he goe before in a holy life and we follow after in a sanctified conuersation talke that wee haue faith as wee will yea that thereby wee could remooue mountaines cast out Diuells and worke many miracles as many reprobates shall pleade at that day in Christs name wee are notwithstanding but as tinckling cimballs if wee haue not charitie and good workes and shal receiue that fearefull Away from mee I know you not Christ is offered to vs in his word we must not onely take him in our mouth by hearing but by a liuely and true faith wee must chew and eate him by vnfained loue charitie digest him and by our good workes holy conuersation shew that we are renewed ingrafted and growne in him so that hee may be not onely ours but vs and wee not only his but him he is that fruitfull vine if we be then in him we must bee fruitfull branches the fig-tree was commanded to be cut downe because it did beare no fruit the naturall Oliues were reiected because they lost their fatnesse if they had beene the sonnes of Abraham they had done the workes of Abraham if we be the sonnes of God by adoption and true members of Christ wee must learne of him for hee was humble and meeke wee must be holy as he is holy else wee haue no parte in him It is not enough to heare the Kings seruants message but without excuse wee must come to his supper and eate of the fat killed calfe in the white wedding garment of holinesse and a godly life Hee that saith that hee loueth God and yet hateth his neighbour he is a lyar and he that saith that hee loueth God and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar also the reason is giuen by the Apostle plainely 1. Iohn 5. 3. For this is the loue of God that we keepe his Commandements and his Commandâ—ments are not greeuous And also In this wee know that wee loue the children of God when wee loue God and keepe his Commandements The thing that Iesus Christ the first the last sheweth that hee tooke notice and knowledge of in the seuen Churches to whom he writes in the Reuelation and vnder their name to his whole Church militant to the end is I know thy workes Reuel 2. 2 9 13. 19. and 3. 1 8 15. Also when that glorious Iudge of all flesh shall come and all his holy Angells with him and shall sit vpon the throne of his glorie there to iudge and reward all the Nations of the earth that shall be gathered before him hee shall iudge euery one according to his workes for in that great and last day he shall say vnto the sheep at his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherit yâ—e the kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world the reason For I was hungred and ye gaue me meate I thirsted and yee gaue me drinke I waâ— a stranger and you lodged me I was naked and you clothed me I was sicke and you visited me I was in prison and you came to me And the contrary shall hee say to the reprobate goates at his left hand who did not the same and must depart into euerlasting paine For albeit it be most true that faith onely iustifieth before God whosoeuer beleeueth that Christ is the Sonne of God shall bee saued because God he seeth the heart and searcheth the most inward deepest cogitations thereof and many hath beleeued with the theefe at the last houre and in Gods mercy haue beene saued so onely by faith Yet as the Apostle saith Iam. 2. 24. Wee see that of workes a man is iustified and not of faith onely because wee cannot enter into the heart to perceiue and behold the inward faith but by the fruits wee see it onely and that a man by such a fruitfull true liuely faith is iustified for good workes which alas in these daies are rare as faith loue their roote is colde and almost none left vpon the earth are the way wherein wee must walke to iustification albeit not the matter or cause thereof they are not the euidence of our faith as saith the Apostle Iames 2. 18. Shew me thy faith out of thy workes and I will shew thee my faith by my workes There is their nature vse they are the assurance to vs of our election and the makers sure of the same and
and curseth them that keepe not his commandements as God hath commanded in the first precept of the second Table of his Law that children shall honour theyr Parents with a double promise of this life and the life to come then command thou likewise and instruct thy children to honour God also and let this be thy first and chiefest care in the table of thy heart so shew thy selfe thankefull to God agayne When Salomon was to trie whose was the liuing childe for which the two women stroue to find out the same by the naturall affection of the true mother hee commanded the child to bee diuided in two wherewith as the true mother was much moued and displeased so the wrong mother cared not but was cōtented it should be so and so the veritie for the adjudging did appeare It is euen so with godly wicked parents and by this they may be knowne the wicked parents not hauing any conjunction with God thēselues they cannot know nor apprehend the ioyfulnesse thereof in others as in their children therefore they care not though they be destroyed by sinne and diuided asunder from the body of Iesus Christe but godly and true parents feeling in their owne hearts the sweet ioy of that blessed vnion with God through Christ they endeuour onely so to bring vp their children in the true feare and loue of God that they may be partakers also of that vnspeakeable comfort ioy of that conjunction with themselues and so haue true life in them yea before they should bee diuided from that comfort and life which they haue in that conjunction with Iesus Christ they rather would giue ouer that naturall title and right of comfort which belongeth iustly vnto them as parents as they did naturally beget them in sinne by the seed of man in the flesh to their owne image so their chiefe care and desire is that they may be begotten of a new supernaturally in the spirit vnto righteousnesse by the spirit of God to Gods image and by the immortall seed of the word of Iesus Christ God man and as they did dwell together on earth so for euer in heauen also they desire together to remayne This I say is the wish care and note of all godly and true parents and which euery one should haue or be knowne by and truely wee see oftentimes that children take example of their parents and walketh in their footsteps pressing to imitate them that they may the more be loued by them so that if the father bee carefully and godly disposed his sonne will feare lest the contrary disposition be deprehended in him at least by his father if he see that his father hate and detest drunkennesse fornication swearing or such sinnes surely if hee bee a naturall sonne and not a castaway hee will bee loth to commit any such or at least to his fathers knowledge or face and if he haue grace in him hee will doe that rather which hee knoweth to be liking and acceptable in his fathers sight the example whereof first consider in a truly godly obedient sonne Iacob who knowing that the daughters of Canaan displeased Izhak and Rebekah his parents he would not ioyne with thē in mariage but with his owne kindred commanded by his fathee as also the like after a maner in a counterfeit cast-away Esau his brother who seeing that to marry with the daughters of Canaan as hee had notwithstanding already done was displeasant and grieuous to his parents and that his brother Iacob had obeyed his father to doe otherwise in going to Padan Aram he went also tooke Ishmaels daughter to wife of his own kindred albeit a bastard generation such was the care albeit hypocriticall euen of this cast-away to please his parents Elies wicked sonnes also seeing their fathers godly disposition durst not before him commit such enormities as they did or to his owne knowledge vntill by the people it was reported so vnto him so that the good inclination of the father is a great awe band vnto the sonne as of the contrary the nature of the sonne is more apt to follow a lasciuious and impious father to wickednesse and vanitie then a godly graue father to piety and true wisedome Concerning this aptnesse of children to imitate their parents example in good or euill Christ himselfe also saith to the Iewes If ye were the sonnes of Abraham ye would doe the workes of your father Abraham but ye are of your fafather the diuell and the lusts of your father ye will doe therefore let all fathers in the good education of their children be as lampes themselues in their life that they may be followed by them and doe such things that therein they would desire their childrens imitation It is a great delight to parents to heare that their children are like vnto them but if they be like them in godlinesse it is a great ioy and comfort to others also For then they represent and resemble the Image of Iesus Christ the common Sauiour and Father of all men as he was the character and expresse Image of his Father in Iustice Mercy and Holinesse so they being likewise the image of Christ againe in holines and sanctity of life being holy as he is holy and hauing that honour to be like the King of all kings thereby brother to the Prince of princes of whose kingdome it may be truely said His ego met as nec tempor a pon◠without limitation or prescription of time Ioy infinite and Eternitie without end In the 127. Psalme Dauid calleth children by three titles First Behold saith he children are the inheritance of the Lord to shew that they should bee educated and brought vp by their parents with such care as though they were not the children of men but of God and consider what care a man hath and respect vnto his inheritance that it be not abused any way or spoyled the like greater care hath God our heauenly Father that our children which are his inheritance for of these is the kingdome of heauen be not negligently or euilly brought vp to dishonour his name who should honour him The heyre of a king and kingdom must be so educated that hee may be found worthy of the crowne The children of the faithfull are heyres to the King and kingdome of Heauen Therefore their parents as tutors to whom they are concredit for a time must trayne them vp so carefully in pietie and and the obedience of God their heauenly father that they may bee found worthy of the inheritance of that Kingdom and Crowne of glory purchased by the blood of Iesus Christ our Lord their parents may bee found faithfull so in discharging their dutie therein to God and them Secondly Dauid calleth children the Lords Reward shewing that as God of his grace doth giue to parents children as a testimony of his loue to their earthly pleasure comfort and seruice so
his fellowes Therefore in our youth tender yeares if we would bee accounted or any way esteemed to bee the children of God to be the members of Iesus Christ to be temples of Gods Spirit to haue our names written in that booke of life or euer to exspect participation or enioying of the endlesse and infinite ioyes of heauen then let vs by the assistance and strength of that stronger man Iesus Christ who hath ouercome and subdued all and by the speciall grace of his blessed and powerfull spirit striue to binde expel that vsurping tyrant out of the precious house of our soule and to shut him out of the gates and doores of our hearts that we be none of his possessions or vessells in his house and with all our strength diligence and power seeke to redresse our soule and heart againe and make it fit and meete for the habitation abiding place of that cleane and holy spirit of Iesus Christ onely being sanctified by his grace in all the members of our body faculties of our soule that the Lord of rest may giue rest to our cesciences rest by his cōfortable presence in our harts cōtinually let vs lift vp the celestiall and euerlasting gates of our soules and let the king of glory enter in walke in his waies and redresse by his grace our vncleane and enormous waies of sinne and vnrighteousnes The second word to wit cleansing according to the original word in the Hebrew text which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mundabit is taken likewise by a metaphore chiefly from vessells which vseth to bee made cleane and purged when they are foule or polluted with any thing according to Christs words Matth. 23. 25. in reprehending of the hypocriticall Scribes Pharises who did make cleane the outter side of the cup platter but within were full of hypocrisie and iniquitie So indeede all men young and olde wee are Gods vessells either of honour or dishonour appointed either continually to remaine in his sight or eternally to bee reiected and banished from his glorious presence there is no day also but we are polluted chiefly in youth and desiled with some vncleannes of sinne and our filthy lusts and affections euer doth infect vs therefore continually wee must endeuour and seeke with earnest praiers that wee may cleanse and purge according to Christs commandement first the inside of the cup and platter that the outside of them may be cleane also In our youth wee are as new vessells in Gods house if at any time a vessell be esteemed of or be cleane it is when it is new therefore in our youth let vs chiefly trie and know if wee be vessells of honour if we be surely then we must bee most cleanest for a precious vessell of honour ordained to be in the presence of the Prince is neuer defiled with filthines nor suffered to be put to an vncleane vse chiefly being as yet new but if we finde our selues polluted with filthines in our youth and newnes our soule made the receptacle of stincking lustes and of all impuritie of sinne let vs feare and suspect that except God of his free mercy and grace create and frame vs of a new againe and purge vs from all our iniquities that wee can iudge our selues to be no other but vessells of reiection impurity and dishonour Therefore in youth while the filth of sin sticketh not so fast vpon the vessels of our souls nor the old mā of iniquitie hath not taken so long strong possessiō of the house of our heart as he may plead long custome or defend it let vs purge by the teares of true repētance our filthy blots vncleannes of sin and desire that vnspotted Lambe by his precious bloodshed to purge vs likewise from the guilt thereof let vs by the strength of his gracious Spirit expell that vncleane spirit of sinne and pleasures of the flesh and redresse the roome and house of our soule with open gates to receiue retaine and entertaine with ioy that spirit of all cleannes of ioy and endlesse comfort As Iesus Christ our Sauiour hath commanded let vs first purge make clean the inside of the cup platter that the outside may be cleane also that is let vs begin purge the worme of sinne and corruption from the roote of our hearts and the branches with the fruite of word and deede shall prosper the better begin and purifie the spring and the streames that runneth therefrom shall be the clearer Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and according as the affection of the heart is so the workes proceed and the members executeth their command This purifying is by true repentance with Marie Magdalen in sorrowing truly for our sinnes and in all humilitie washing his feete with the teares of deepe remorse constantly endeauouring neuer to sinne no more and by a liuely faith in the armes of our soule embracing and apprehending the blood of Iesus Christ and his death as our onely righteousnes obedience and propitiatorie sacrifice before the Father and by good workes and a sanctified holy life shewing our faith and Gods mercy manifested in vs to our liues end to the good example of others and our owne soules saluation This action of cleansing or redressing is set downe in the future time Qui nam mundabit c. Wherewith shal a young man cleanse his way Noting thereby the present estate thereof to bee vnredressed and vncleane Whereby wee learne and may obserue first that howsoeuer we flatter or excuse our selues in any age but chiefly in our youth that our waies nor course of life is not so vncleane nor worthy of reproofe but may be easily borne with soone redressed oramended yet the spirit of God in this place of his sacred word dooth by the mouth of his holy Prophet shew vnto vs that our waies are so vncleane and filthy that it is a very hard difficult thing to redresse or cleanse them their pollutiō being so great which he would signifie by asking interrogatiuely how they shall bee redressed And therefore that in all humilitie and lowest submission of heart in our youth and in all ages wee should acknowledge the infinite greatnes of our transgressions and filthy vncleannesse of sinne which cannot bee cleansed but by an infinite purgation euen by the blood of Iesus Christ in his infinite and vnsearcheable mercy shed for mankinde which wee should daily begge and continually thirst after the same greedily walking worthy hereafter as those who are redeemed with so precious a price Secondly wee may obserue here the markes and difference betwixt a godly and vngodly young man the one consulteth and asketh at God Whereby he may redresse and purge his waies the other consulteth with flesh and blood and asketh counsell at Sathan and his owne filthy lusts and affections whereby hee may defile and pollute his waies The onely care and vigilant studie of the one
of the Apostle generally Let all things be doâ—â— decently in loue without dissimulation being as the spring from whence our reuerence and honouring one of another should proceede and the end likewise to bee loue out of a pure heart and of good conscience and of faith vnfaâ—â—ed Thirdly and last of all let euerie young man according to the prescript rule of Gods worde take heede vnto his way of godlinesse and religion to redresse cleanse the same which indeed is the most profitable vocation of all others for as the Apostle saith Godlinesse is great gaine and for bodily exercise it profiteth little but godlinesse is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that that is to come Salomon also Prou. 14. 27. saith that The feare of the Lord is a well-spring of life to auoid all the snares of death it is a most precious jewell the comfort glory and value whereof surpasseth all vnderstanding the straight way whereof albeit displeasant hard to the flesh for a time yet it is most delectable pleasant to the spirit and soule for euer It is a tree hauing albeit gall in the roote yet hony in the top whose fruit endureth for euer And in the feare of the Lord is an assured strength Therefore seing it is more amply spokeÌ„ of before I cease now with this exhortation only of th' Apostle to al yong men concerning the same Let euery one embrace the grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men which hath appeared and teacheth vs that wee should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the mighty God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purge vs to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good workes forgetting that which is behinde and endeuouring our selues to that which is before and following hard toward the marke for the price of the hie calling of God in Christ Iesus hauing our conuersation in heauen continually from whence wee looke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ counting all thinges dung that wee may win him and may bee found in him endeuouring onely that wee may know him and the vertue of his resurrection and the fellowship of his afflictions and bee made conformable to his death that at last we may be fashioned likewise vnto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able euen to subdue all things vnto himselfe In the meane time whatsoeuer things are true whatsoeuer things are honest whatsoeuer things are iust whatsoeuer things are pure whatsoeuer things pertaine to loue whatsoeuer things are of good report if there bee any vertue or if there be any praise let vs thinke on these things to doe the same and the God of peace shall be with vs here by grace and wee with him for euer hereafter in glory We must redres our waies the Prophet saith here In taking heede thereto according to Gods word We must not then read heare or know onely the word of God but practise do the same in purging taking heed to our waies according thereunto It is that good seed that Christ speakes of which must not only be receiued with ioy but must be retained and laid vp in a good and honest heart to bring forth good fruite according to the measure of Gods grace We must doe as Israel did Exo. 19. 7 8. and 24. 3. when Moses proposed Gods Commandements vnto them they answered All that the Lord hath commanded wee will doe not heare or know them onely So Moses commandement and exhortation to the people Deut. 4. 6. Behold I haue taught you ordinances and lawes as the Lord my God hath commanded me that yee should doe euen so within the land whither yee goe to possesse it keepe them therefore and doâ— them for that is your wisedome c. The peoples desire to Moses againe was chap. 5. 27. Goe thou neare and â—eare all that the Lord our God saith and declare thou vnto vs all that the Lord our God saith vnto thee and wee will heare it and doe it The condition also that God maketh by Moses that hee will exalt blesse them is chap. 28. 1. If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and obserue and doe all his Commandements which I command thee then the Lord thy God will set thee on high and all these blessings shall come vnto thee c. So 19. 9. Keepe therefore the wordes of this couenant and doe them that yee may prosper in all other thinges that yee shall doe So 30. 14. The word is very neare vnto thee euen in thy mouth and in thy heart for to doe it Iohn the Baptist Matth. 3. 8. said vnto the Pharisies that which all men shoulde doe Bring forth fruits therefore worthy of amendement of life And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite is heweâ— downe and cast into the fire And Christ our Sauiour saith Matt. 7. 17. Euery tree is knowne by his fruites for euery good tree bringeth forth good fruit and a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruits A good tree cannot bring forth euill fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit For doe men gather grapes of thornes or figges of thistles Therefore so let our light shine before men that they may see our good workes and glorifie God our heauenly father For as in Morall Philosophie it is said Omnis virtus in actione consistit all vertue consisteth in action so truely in diuine and true Philosophie it may be likewise said that all Religion and Christian vertues consisteth in practise and not in pratling of them onely The figge-tree that Christ accursed had a faire shew by his leaues a farre off that he was like to haue fruit also but because he had none therefore by Christs curse hee withered presently It is not a faire shew likewise or pretence and profession of religion that God doth accept but wee must with our outward shew haue the inward substance and life of Religion good workes proceeding of true faith and loue Wee must not onely professe in word but in deede and action also imitating not onely Christs sayings but his holy life and doings Luke 6. 46. hee saith But why call you mee Master Master and doe not these thinges which I speake A seruant not onely acknowledgeth his Maister in word but must also in deede hee must not onely heare and know his Masters will but except hee doe it also hee shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12. Mat. 7. 21. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord saith our Sauiour shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen but hee that doth my Fathers