§. Sect. 5 Diuers reasons perswading vs to good workes.
By all which it appeareth, that vnto the duties of a godly life, there is re∣quired reall practice in our workes, as well as verball profession with our mouthes, neither doth an holy profession alone make any man holy, but only bindeth him to the duties of holinesse. The which, though it bee ac∣knowledged of all men, yet because it fareth with the most, as with men grieuously sicke, who hauing lost their appetite, approoue good meate in their iudgment and discourse, but when they are mooued to eate of it, put it by, because it is lothsome to their corrupted stomacks; therefore it will not be amisse that we inforce this point a little further, that I may set an edge on their appetite, and as the Apostle requireth, may prouoke them vnto * 1.1 loue and good workes. First therefore let vs consider, that as the Lord requi∣reth an vpright heart and holy profession, so also the fruits of them both in good workes. For he would haue vs, not onely hearers of his Word, but al∣so doers of it; and chargeth vs to doe good vnto all, to be rich in good workes, * 1.2 and neuer weary of well-doing. Secondly, that he hath created vs vnto good workes, that we should walke in them, and redeemed vs, that wee should not onely doe good workes, but also bee zealous in doing of them. Thirdly, that they are the chiefe ornaments of Christians, which much more decke and beautifie them in the sight of God and all good men, then all Iewels, gold, and gorgeous apparell. Fourthly, let vs consider the exceeding profit of them, seeing God doth richly reward them, both in this life and the life to come. Fifthly, that they are notable and singular meanes to assure vs of all Gods graces in this life, and eternal happinesse in the life to come; whereby we attaine vnto spirituall comfort, peace of conscience, and ioy in the holy Ghost. For they are the assured signes of our election and ef∣fectuall calling, seeing if we doe these things, we shall neuer fall. They are the * 1.3 fruits of our regeneration and new birth, whereby wee are assured of our spirituall life, euen as the naturall life is knowne by action and motion; and that we are trees of righteousnesse, which Gods owne hand hath plan∣ted; for the tree is knowne by the fruits, seeing a good tree cannot bring foorth * 1.4 those which are euill; nor an euill those which are good. They assure vs of our iustification: for he that doth righteousnesse, is righteous, as the Apostle Iohn * 1.5 telleth vs. They are signes of our adoption and spirituall kindred with Christ: for they that heare the Word and doe it, are his brethren and sisters. By them we may be assured that our wisedome is spirituall and heauenly; ac∣cording * 1.6 to that of the Apostle Iames; Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you? Let him shew out of a good conuersation his workes with * 1.7 meekenesse of wisedome. That our faith also is liuely and iustifying. For they, and they onely doe truely beleeue in God, who are carefull to maintaine good workes; seeing as it inwardly purifieth the heart, so also it worketh outwardly * 1.8 by loue. And therefore the Apostle Iames concludeth, that such a faith as bringeth not forth these fruits, doth nothing profit vs for our iustification and saluation; because it is dead, and not a liuing body, but a dead carkasse which breatheth not. So that though workes doe not iustifie vs, but faith