h Prov. ii. 3 — G. ' Rom. iv. .">.
law shall no flesh be justified11." Let us then guard against every species and degree of self-righteousness, and look for justification solely through the knowledge of Christ, and by faith in his all-atoning sacrifice.
4. Let us, however, be careful to shew forth our faith by our works —
Because we say, That we are not to work at all with a view to obtain justification by our works, but that we must accept justification freely as ungodly and perishing sinners, must we be understood to say, That men need not to work at all, but are at liberty to con- tinue ungodly ? No ; by no means. We maintain the absolute necessity both of diligence and universal godliness : we only deny to these things the office of justifying the soul. We declare to all, that they must be daily " working out their salvation with fear and trembling," and that " faith without works is dead." Let this then be borne in mind; There is, and can be, but one way of a sinner's justification before God, and that is, by the knowledge of Christ, and faith in his name : but this free salvation, so far from giving any licence for sloth and wickedness, is the strongest incen- tive to holiness, and the greatest possible obligation to good works. Let us then shew forth our faith by our works. In this way we may be justified by our works, even as Abraham and Rahab were1; that is, we may evince the reality of our faith, and the sincerity of our hearts. Thus shall we assign to faith and works their proper offices, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
k Gal. ii. 15, 16.
1 Jam. ii. 21, 25. compared with Rom. iv. 2, 3, 6.