Are good works required?
But is there not a repentance consequent upon, as well as a repentance previous to, justification? And is it not incumbent on all who are justified to be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14)? Yes, are not these so necessary that if a man willingly neglects them, he cannot reasonably expect that he shall ever be sanctified in the full sense, that is, perfected in love? Indeed, can he grow at all in grace, in the loving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)? Yes, can he retain the grace which God has already given him? Can he continue in the faith which he has received, or in the favor of God? Do you not yourself allow all this, and continually assert it? But if this is so, how can it be said that faith is the only condition of sanctification?
1771 text
4. “But is there not a repentance consequent upon, as well as a repentance previous to, justification? And is it not incumbent on all that are justified, to be zealous of good works? Yea, are not these so necessary, that if a man willingly neglect them, he cannot reasonably expect, that he shall ever be sanctified in the full sense, that is, perfected in love? Nay, can he grow at all in grace, in the loving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Yea, can he retain the grace which God has already given him? Can he continue in the faith which he has received, or in the favour of God? Do not you yourself allow all this, and continually assert it? But if this be so, how can it be said, that faith is the only condition of sanctification?”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 43 in the 1771 Works. Ephesians 2:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.