Selected quad for the lemma: work_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
work_n	justify_v	law_n	moral_a	5,360	5	10.3036	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A43586	A new creature: or, A short discourse, opening the nature, properties, and necessity of the great work of the new creation upon the souls of men Being some plain discourses on Galatians vi. 15. By O. H. an unworthy minister of the Gospel.	Heywood, Oliver, 1629-1702.	1695 (1695)	Wing H1774; ESTC R221314	109,851	208

or good Works done by man nay it also excludes Faith it self as the work of man any otherwise then as laying hold on Christ's Righteousness But this I affirm that this New Creature or the best Inherent Righteousness cannot justifie a Sinner before God's Tribunal For a Man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the Faith of Jesus Christ Gal. 2.16 And lest any should say it was by the Works only of the Ceremonial Law it s apparent the Apostle includes the Moral Law that observance thereof cannot justifie for the Gentiles were never bound to the Ceremonial Law yet he proves both Jews and Gentiles to be both under sin Rom. 3 9.-2.28 30. and both alike justified by Christ in the way of believing But where there is no Law there is no Transgression Rom. 4.15 Besides that Law that shews Sin is the moral Law For by the Law is the knowledge of sin Rom. 3.20 And 't is that Law that drives us out of Self to Christ and therefore it can never justifie us God hath nailed up that Door that none since the Fall can enter into Happiness by Law-Righteousness This way to Heaven is like the Northern Passage to the Indies whoever attempts it is sure to be frozen up before he gets half way thither Obj. But if a legal Righteousness by our own strength will not justifie a Sinner yet this New Creature or the habit or exercise of Evangelical Righteousness will surely justifie The Apostle himself Answers No and he instanceth in two famous Saints in the Old-Testament the one is Abraham the other David Rom. 4.1 6 Faithful Holy Abraham though no Idolater but circumcised offering his Son must not glory in any Habit or Acts of Grace And David though a Man after God's own Heart yet saith Enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 If the Lord mark iniquity who can stand Psal 130.3 Holy Paul dare not stand in his own Righteousness at God's Bar but in the Righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3.7.8 9. Indeed this imparted or inherent Holiness was infused into the Soul for other Ends than to justifie a Sinner before God from the guilt of any one Sin and yet this New Creature is very available to the Souls of men in these 12 cases 1. This New Creature rectifies the Soul's Faculties that were marred by Adam's Fall The former Structure though once a famous Edifice by the Fall was not only tottering but a ruinous House and lies in Rubbish this New Creation re-edifies it in a more stately sumptuous manner yea it is richly adorned thereby Prov. 1.9 They shall be an Ornament of Grace unto thy Head and Chains about thy Neck Prov. 12.26 ch 17.27 Thereby the Christian is more excellent then his Neighbour and of an excellent Spirit more excellent then himself was he is by this become like the Angels yea like God himself and though he be short of Adam in the degree of Grace yet upon better terms in point of duration and now great Grace is upon all true Believers Acts 4.33 Man by his Fall became like the Beasts that perish Psal 49.12 But this New Creature makes him better then other men All men are level as to God till this New Creation sets a divine Stamp on some The tongue of the Just is as choice Silver but the heart of the wicked is little worth Prov. 10.20 God only hath Soveraignty and Authority to rate his Creatures this is the Estimate he sets on his 2. This New Creature is the fruit and Evidence of Electing-Love this is the legible print of God's Heart from Eternity He hath chosen us Eph. 1.4 that we should be holy This is the proper product of free undeserved Grace Gal. 1.15 God calls by his Grace This is the glorious display of his Banner of Love over Souls In the Old Creation there was the strength of God's Arm in this there is the working of God's Bowels God found all mankind alike involved in Sin and Misery but Grace makes some to differ from others 1 Cor. 46.7 As a curious workman seeing a Forrest overgrowing his Ground marks some Trees designing to make of them some rare pieces of workmanship thus God carves his own Image on a common Log and sets it apart for himself this is an act of discriminating Love and when the Sinner sees it he must cry out Who am I O Lord God that thou hast brought me hitherto 2 Sam. 7.18 By the Grace of God I am what I am 1 Cor. 5.10 This this is a shedding abroad his love in my Heart Rom. 5.5 I read Love in every Line and Letter of this new Impression and doth not this avail a Soul much 3. This New Creation consecrates the Soul to be a receptacle for God and renders the Person acceptable to him God dwells in the humble and holy Heart Isa 57.15 There only he takes up his lodging when he hath perfumed the Heart with Mirrh and Frankincense Cant. 3.6 He lays himself in that sweet Bed Having builded this Mansion-House it becomes an habitation of God through the Spirit a Temple of the Holy Ghost Ephes 2.22.1 Cor. 6.17 19. God hath two Thrones in Heaven and in an Holy Heart The Soul and Body is a Sacrifice holy and acceptable to God Rom. 12.1 Happy Soul that is thus owned by the Great God no matter if men reject you if God accept you if men desert you yet if God possess you you are are happy when God casts out the Devil's baggage and saith This is my Rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 132.14 15. No bad House will be kept there where God dwells for he makes all welcome this is available 4. The first instant of this New Creation commenceth a Communion with God this is a consequence of the former and the peculiar privilege of a Saint Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son 1 John 1.3 This communion with God is a mystery to most men Every one that hangs about the Court doth not speak with the King many meddle with Duties but meet not with God It is good for me to draw night to God Psal 73.28 How oft doth the Christian cry out Oh when shall I come and appear before God Psal 63.2 This New Creature puts a Biass in the Soul God-wards it naturally mounts the Soul upwards to ingage his heart in approaching to God Jer. 30.21 And the Lord meets him that rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness Isa 64. Birds cannot converse with Men there 's not a suitableness of Nature an Hypocrite cannot dare not come before God Job 13.16 But a Saint dare draw near with boldness through Christ for he is like God and communio fundatur in Similitudine Communion is founded in Similitude 5. This New Creature evidenceth a Soul's interest in Christ and his union to him yea puts the poor Believer in

God's prerogative and he is a free Agent 1 Pet. 1.21 to work or suspend his Grace Object But doth not Baptism now save Answ But it is when there 's the Answer of a good Conscience and it is by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Rom. 1 16.-10.14 The Gospel-preaching is the Power of God to Salvation yet all are not saved by it Faith comes by hearing Jam. 5.3 Yet all that hear do not believe For who hath believed our Report Ordinances are but Channels not Springs of Grace the Blessing upon them depends only on Soveraign Grace how many Thousands have gone to Hell with Baptismal Water on their Face Ishmael Esau and all the House of Israel that were uncircumcised in Heart Jer. 9.26 Rest not satisfied with this but see you be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Matth. 3.11 6. Quest Wherein doth this New Creature excel shining morality or the splendid common Graces of the Hypocrites Answ 1. In the Root or Principle begot by a Saving change from Nature to Grace carnal men though they have never so fair a Flower yet want the Root of the matter John 19.27 This unsoundness of Heart is the Hair in the Moralists Pen that blurs all his fair Writing as he said of a Person of such and such Vertues tamen est Romanus yet he 's a Leper as was said of Naaman the Syrian still graceless unprincipled 2. In the Universality Zechariah and Elizabeth walked in all the Commandments of the Lord Luk. 1.6 But of the Moralist and Hypocrite it may be said the Legs of the Lame are not equal they are addicted to halting and halving they are always partial seem excellent in one Grace but defective in another yea totally want what is essentially necessary to constitute a Saint The Moralist is defective in compliance with the first Table of the Law the Hypocrite with the Second but the New Creature lies square to all Commands and Duties at all times Psal 106.3 The New Creature acts for a right End God's glory and communion with him but the Moralist and Hypocrite always and in every action hath a squint Eye at himself profit pleasure honour as Jehu and the Pharisees 4. The New Creature always improves Jesus Christ both for assistance and acceptance the Moralist and Hypocrite stand upon their own Legs and think their Penny current Money with God but the gracious Soul denys himself in all his Works are wrought in God John 3.21 He is accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45.25 7. Qu. Wherein lies the difference betwixt this New Creature which consists in Sanctification and the state of Justification The Reason of this Query is because Papists and some others confound them Answ 1. The New Creature in Sanctification is an Inherent Work done within us A New Spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36.26 And the Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17.21 And though at first it be immediatly infused by the Spirit yet the Christian is an Agent in promoting his Sanctification 2 Cor. 7.1.1 John 3.3 they may and must cleanse themselves But now Justification is a Work done without us by the Lord Christ with his Father by his Satisfaction of Divine Justice on the Cross and by his Intercession at God's Right Hand we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of Sins Ephes 1.7 The Red Lines of Christ's Blood blot out the Black Lines of our Sins out of God's Debt-book he washeth us from our Sins in his own Blood 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 He was delivered for our Offences and raised again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 No other Person or Thing is interposed no Faith it self as a Work hath not any causality in this Work its only God's free Work of Grace for Christ's sake to forgive Sins 2. The New Creature in Sanctification is not wrought in the same measure or degree in all the Saints of God some that are sincere come far short of others there are some Babes others strong men Heb. 5.13 14. It 's said of some Kings of Israel there was none like them Neh. 7.2 Hananiah feared God above many There was none like Job in the Earth Job 1.8 So there was different products of the Seed yet all in good Ground Matth. 13.23 Some Christians abound in Faith Love Humility Patience Knowledge Mortification others are defective But Justification is alike to all and upon all that believe for there is no difference Rom. 3.22 The meanest weakest Believer hath as large a Store as the strongest I write unto you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name 's sake 1 John 2.12 They are as much justified as Fathers and Young Men Mary Magdalen the Penitent Thief are as much justified as Peter the reason is because they are all partakers of like precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 The least measure whereof attains its End of receiving Christ as the greater for it 's Christ received by Faith that justifies a weak Hand may receive a Gift as well as the stronger though not so steaddily but it s the Gift that inricheth not the strength of the Hand 3. The New Creature comes on by degrees it s not compleat as it shall be at the first instant it 's first an Embryo Christ formed in the Heart and then increaseth with the increase of God till it come to a perfect man Col. 2.19 to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.13 The Apostle thanks God for the Thessalomans that their Faith did grow exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 and Charity It s like the Sun that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 A good Man grows stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But now Justification is compleat at first every whit as much at first ingrafting into Christ as afterwards All that believe are justified from all things Acts 13.39 No Condemnation can be laid in against them Rom. 8.1 He forgiveth all trespasses blotting out the hand-writing Col. 2.13 14. God throughly washeth away his Childrens blood Ezek. 16.9 There 's not a Spot to be seen on them no Charge can be drawn up against them Rom. 8.33 Quest Why then are Christ's Disciples bound to pray daily for Pardon Matth. 6.12 Answ 1. Because we are daily committing new Sins in many things we offend all James 3.2 We miss it in every thing Oh how many are our secret Faults Psal 19.12.2 God would have us daily lie under the sence of our former guilt the desert of Sin and the worth of pardoning Grace David was assured of Pardon by Nathan 2 Sam. 12.13 yet afterwards prays for it Psal 51.2 The prodigal Son confesseth his fault after his Father had fallen on his Neck Luk. 15.20 21.3 Pardoning Grace may be clouded in the sence and assurance of it and in this respect the Righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith Rom. 1.17 From a less

their Directions about Conversion which is co-incident with this to whom I refer the Reader Yet this must not be understood as though it were in any man's power to change his own Heart no more than he can create himself or put life into a dead Carcase but it becomes Men 1. Not to hinder or obstruct the strivings of the Spirit that may work this Grace 2. To improve their natural Faculties to the utmost in order to the attaining of this End I shall but briefly lay before you what a natural man can do by the help of common Providence and what he must do as he will answer the contrary another day to that God that hath given him a Command and rational Faculties capable of compliance 1. Own and improve natural Principles such there are that are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 innate notions common to man as man endowed with Reason as That there is a God that this God must needs be an excellent Being the ultimate End of all things the chiefest Good that all things depend upon him and must be reduced to him that this God must be worshipped that his Will is the Rule of man's Obedience that there is moral good and evil that there will be a retribution in this or in another world Natural Conscience even of Heathens discovers something of these grand Principles for so saith the blessed Apostle Rom. 2.14 15. That though the Gentiles have not the written Law before their Eyes yet they have a transcript thereof in their Hearts which declares to them some Good and Evil and Conscience accordingly excuseth them if they do well and accuseth them if they do evil Rom. 1.18 24. The imprisoning of these Truths in Unrighteousness produced a judicial hardening and giving them up to Uncleanness and rendred them to be without excuse and can we think that Men now disclaiming and obliterating these notices of Religion will fare better Surely no So on the contrary the way to obtain more is to improve what we have I say not that God is bound to give special Grace to such as improve common but an instance can hardly be produced to the contrary and this is God's method in vouchsafing his Grace to engage Souls to cherish and excite moral Principles by diligent endeavours which God usually seconds with his blessing yea this course doth naturally tend to weaken vicious Inclinations Set your selves about this work and you little know what it may come to at the last Oh that unconverted Sinners had but the Integrity of King Abimelech to act according to that Light they have Gen. 20.6 and restraining Grace God affords them which the Lord ca● Integrity which yet is but moral yet is good so far as it goes and a mean of more 2. Be jealous lest you be mistaken in this point lest you mistake the Nature of this New Creature or lest your own Hearts deceive you for they are deceitful and desperately wicked Jer. 17.9 And Satan will be in danger to cast in a Brat of his own in the room of this New Creature Counterfeit Grace may look like Saving Grace Reformation looks like Regeneration how often is a Bristol Stone taken for a Pearl● painted Grapes once cheated living Birds yo● must first get a Scriptural definition of thi● New Creature To the Law and to the Testimony● Isa 8.20 Judge your selves by that word tha● must judge you at the last Day Rom. 2.16 Be afraid of Self-deceit Blessed is he that feareth always you live in the midst of Cheats a deceitful Heart deceivable Lusts a deceitful World and a cunning Devil all set against you and we are apt to believe that to be true we would have to be so but put the case to thy self What if I be mistaken I read of some that think themselves something when they are nothing Gal. 6.3 Others put a false Syllogism upon themselves deceiving their own selves James 1.22 What if this be my case VVhat if I be in a golden Dream imagining I am bound for Heaven when I am descending into the Pit what if I be found without the Oyl of Grace in the Vessel of my Heart a foolish Virgin amongst the wise Mat. 25.1 10. What if I prove the only Guest at the Gospel-feast without a VVedding-Garment Matth. 22.12 13. and be struck speechless Oh what an astonishing disappointment will it be hath none proved such why may not I Some have gone off the Stage with a Lye in their Right hand Isa 44 20-50.11 and have lain down in Sorrow notwithstanding the Sparks of their own kindling O what need have I to fear lest a promise being left of entring into Rest I should really come short of it Heb. 4.1 3. Deal faithfully with your own Souls in self-examination Flatter not your selves but examine not only your Actions but the Internals of your Souls how your Principles are stated you may do it for God hath given you a Self-reflecting Faculty The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20.27 that searcheth the inward parts of the Belly You must do it you are commanded to commune with your own heart to examine your selves Psal 4.4.2 Cor. 13.5 Gal. 6.4 Psal 77.6 prove your work God's Servants have made diligent search and will you continue Strangers to your own Hearts will you be so unkind Neighbours as never to ask your Hearts how they do or will you be put off with afrivolous or delatory Answer Oh Sirs come to a point drive your selves to this Dilemma I am either a New Creature or not a Child of God or of the Devil I am bound either for Heaven or Hell I had not need to hang in suspence about this weighty case I will now put this doubt out of doubt I cannot rest satisfied with uncertainties in so weighty a concern God forbid I should weigh it light or be mistaken I must not take Preparatives for parts of the New Creature the Porch for the House I will try and try again and prove my marks by Scripture-rule and appeal to God for the Sincerity of my Heart Examine me O Lord and prove me and try my Reins and my Heart Psal 26 2. I must be a new Man or no man in Christ I will not be put off with morality or uncertainty irresolvedness breeds disquietness I am determined to make something of it 4. Attend diligently on the most powerful Ministry not such a dull formal heartless Preaching as will rock you asleep in Security or sow Pillows to your Arm-holes Ezek. 13.17 22. Preaching placentia promising Life in a sinful State crying peace peace when God proclaims war against you thousands are undone by Flatteries Oh wait on a rouzing convincing Ministry which is the power of God to Salvation Rom. 1.16 The Seed the proper method of working divine Grace Gal. 4.19 where Christ is formed in Sinners Souls the Glass in which you may behold the Face of your Hearts James 1.25 By which you may be