EPHES. 2. 10.
THe next thing in Order considerable in this Text, is the meritorious cause of this spiritual workmanship, and that is Christ Jesus. But this particular I shall pass by, as a subject requiring a more large and distinct discourse of it self. I proceed therefore to the final cause of this spiritual creation, and that is, To good works: In the Greek it is Created in good works. The final cause (saith Erasmus) is not here signified, but the effect of grace creating: so that in his sense the Holy Ghost should not intend the end of creating us anew, but the effect of his grace, as if that did work all the good in us; and which is a wonder, Estius a Papist goeth this way, quoting Isa 26. that place, O God thou hast wrought all our works in us: It is much for him to do so, for this seemeth greatly to exclude the power of free will: But I rather take it for the final cause, and commend our translators who render it, unto good works; and it is an Hebraism to use the Preposition in, for unto, although the Grecians also do so, as […], for gains sake, for a rewards sake. There […] denoteth a final cause, though indeed this is so the final cause, as that it is also the effect.
Obs. That all those who are new creatures, are created unto good works; so that a1 godly life is a necessary fruit of their renovation. This new creature can be no more without an external godly conversation, then fire without heat, or hony without sweetness. In some sense it is more then the fruit of a tree; for a tree may live and grow, and yet bear no fruit; but this new creature cannot be, unless there be also those good and holy works which God requireth of us. This point is of great concernment when so many satisfie themselves with hopes of this glorious estate, & yet their works are the works of the flesh, and of darkness: As Christ said of the false Prophets, By their fruit you may know them; so it is also true of false Christians, by their fruit you may judge what they are.
For the understanding of this point, let us consider what the phrase implieth, Created to good works; and that comprehends,
First, An inclination and propensity to a godly life. For as God created all creatures with an inclination to their proper operations, thus this spiritual man is endued2 with a willing tendency unto those actions that are heavenly. Thus as the sparks flie upward, and the stone falls downward from an inward inclination of nature, so they are carried out to faith, repentance, holiness, from a free principle within. Aristotle defineth that to be the nature of every thing, which is the principle of its motion, for its self sake, and not by accident: And thus natural motions differ from violent, which are from a principle without, and by accident. Oh its a matter worthy of all your consideration, to attend to the principle of your motions in holy things, whether it be natural or violent. You may read of Ahabs good works in some sense, he prayed, and humbled himself, but he was not created to them, because they were from a violent principle without, the judgements of God; not a natural principle within, which is a sanctified and renewed heart: Yea, if you look upon Judas, you may see in some respects also his good works: there was his contrition, his confession, and his satisfaction, but he was not created to these good works, because extracted by slavish horror of conscience, not sweetly enclined thereunto by faith in God, and love of him. There is a great difference between the nurses care of the child, and the mothers: The former doth it because hired, and betrusted with it, but the latter from an inward storgy, and maternal bowels: So then is it thus with thee? dost thou pray, hear, live in all Godliness, as one that is created thereunto? One who hath a free voluntary inclination? in which respect the law of God is said to be written in their in ward parts.
Secondly, To be created to good works, implyeth not onely an inclination, but a3 readiness, or preparedness, which is a further qualification. The fire hath an inclination to ascend upwards, but yet something may violently keep it down, that it cannot ascend actually: Inclination to good works implieth the remote power, but readiness supposeth the proxime and immediate power. Gods own people who have the seed of Grace in them, yet how unprepared, and unready many times to that which is good! Therefore to watch and to be ready, is a duty so often pressed; Be ready to every good work, and prepared to every good work: To this is opposite, dulness, sluggishness, listlesnesse, and all kind of wearisomness in the service of God. But this should quicken us up, That we are created to Godliness: Therefore the heart should alwaies be swept and ready dressed for Christ to lodge in: you must have lamps and oyl; commonly sin surpriseth us, because we are not prepared for Godliness: Thus Christ knocked, desirous to come in, but the Church was unwilling, and so deprived her self of much comfort. Prayer is the Key of heaven, but if rusty it will not open; and thus it is of all duties, if thy heart be not prepared for them.