that the bishops, or ministers of the gospel, who are mentioned in the direction of the epistle, should preach the doctrines of Christ, which are the words of life, in plainness and purity; and that both they, and all the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus of a private character, should hold forth, or publickly exhibit, the excellency of these doctrines, by a holy and exemplary behaviour; shewing out of a good conversation their works with meekness of wisdom. Such a conduct would have given the apostle occasion to rejoice in the day of Christ, and have made manifest that he had not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

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It being now apparent, from what has been delivered, that the text is an address to believers, urging them to continue in their obedience, I pass to consider,

III. That such obedience is indispensably necessary. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men. (Tit. iii. 8.) And in verse 14th of the same chapter, the apostle adds, And let ours also learn to maintain good works for NECESSARY USES, that they be not UN

FRUITFUL.

Let it be premised, that the plan of a believer's obedience is very extensive. He is bound to obey every moral precept, to imitate every divine example, and to submit to all Christ's new commandments. This is manifest in the commission Christ gave to his disciples-teaching them to observe ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED You. This is a part of the gospel ministry, and to be

frequently insisted on; yea, as often as the gospel is preached, it should be urged, that they who have believed in God should, carefully observe all things whatsoever Christ hath commanded; which is

necessary,

1. To evidence their faith in him. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my FAITH BY MY WORKS. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD? A vain man indeed is he, who pretends to be a believer in Christ, but at the same time has no regard to practical godliness. The faith of God's elect is a principle of life and action. And every man who is brought to believe the important doctrines of Christianity, will also be influenced to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, and righteously, and godly, in this present world. This, says St. Paul, that very grace that bringeth salvation teacheth. It is by their fruit we are to know them: for they shew their faith by their works; living faith being invariably an influential principle. It may therefore be concluded, with the greatest propriety, that all who profess to have faith, and have not works, deceive themselves, and the truth is not in them: in all such instances faith lacks its external evidence.

2. Obedience is an evidence of love to God. He that hath my commandments, saith Christ, and keepeth them, be it is that loveth me. If any man love me, he will keep my words. He that loveth Christ, will be inquisitive to know and anxious to do his will. There is no incentive so powerful as love;

that obedience that springs from it is both cheer. ful and extensive. A servant may be awed by fear, or induced by the promise of a reward, to obey his master; but there is a great difference between such obedience and that which springs from love. In the former case, he has no true satisfaction in obeying, but wishes his task was ended; in the latter, there is real pleasure. The servant loves his master, and therefore he loves to please him: his obedience is no task or drudg ery, for his heart is in it; and while he pleases his master, he gratifies himself. It is thus with believers: the love they have to the Lord Jesus Christ makes them willing to do and suffer his will; and where this evidence is wanting, love should be suspected.

3. Obedience is necessary on account of the men of the world. Of this the apostle speaks in the context; and exhortations of the same import are numerous in the word of God; such is the following: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. These words were immediately spoken to the disciples, of whom all manner of evil was falsely said. Christ exhorts them to free themselves from these unjust reflections, by a holy and unblameable conduct; and so to make it evident, that the doctrines they preached were in no sense unfriendly to morality: for while they preached the gospel, and were careful to maintain good works, they left no room for any to insinuate that they made void the law; on the contrary, their good example might have a tendency to lead their very enemies to think favour. ably of the sentiments they taught, seeing that

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under their influence their practice was unblameable. On the same account, modern Christians should be careful to regulate their conduct by the most excellent maxims of Jesus Christ: thus will they adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour; and they who are of the contrary part will be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of them.

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4. Christ taught his disciples the necessity of obedience, that God might be glorified. Herein my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. The glory of God should be a leading point with the Christian; he should keep it in view as the ultimate end of all his actions, and readily do or suffer any thing by which God may be glorified. And seeing this end is answered, by having his fruit unto holiness, how should the consideration of it excite him to give all diligence, to add to his faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity. And at the same time that God is glorified, by his bearing much fruit, he appears to be a disciple indeed. So shall ye be my disciples, i. e. so shall it be made manifest: for their fruitfulness does not "constitute them disciples, but makes it appear that they are so; just as good fruit does not make the tree good (the tree is first good, and therefore it brings forth good fruit) but shews it to be good." So men are known to be the real followers of Jesus Christ, by abounding in the fruits of righteousness.

5. Though the plan of redemption was so laid, that the sinner should be justified through the blood of Jesus, without the deeds of the law; the

Lord had respect unto obedience, and effectually secured it. To this men are chosen, redeemed, and called.

(1.) They were chosen to holiness here, as much as to happiness hereafter. That very purpose of the Eternal Mind that appointed them to obtain salvation, did also determine that they should be an obedient people. According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. With which agree the following words: Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. In these passages it is evident beyond a reasonable contradiction, that the heirs of promise are chosen to holiness here, or to a life of obedience to their Divine Master: it is therefore necessary.

Corollary. How evidently do they misrepresent the doctrine of election, who say, "If we are elected we may live as we please," seeing the elect are appointed to be a holy people.

(2.) It was one great design of Christ in redemption, that the redeemed by his blood should be holy. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(3.) For the same purpose they are effectually called by the Spirit of God. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. And it is the character of those who are openly in Christ by conversion, that they are new creatures: old things pass away, and behold, all things become new.