They are works which flow from supernatural principles, and they
the works that Jesus Christ will reward at last are supernatural
works: they are:
1. works of God;
2. wrought from God;
3. for God;
4. in God;
5. according to God.
They are works which flow from supernatural principles, and they
are directed to supernatural ends, and performed in a supernatural
way. Now the sooner a man begins to be godly, the more he will
abound in these good works; and the more doubtless any man
abounds in such good works on earth, the greater reward he shall
have in heaven. Yet it must not be forgotten that the best actions, the
best works of hypocrites, and all men out of Christ, are but splendida
peccata, splendid and shining sins, beautiful abominations. And as
the phoenix in Arabia gathers sweet odoriferous sticks together, and
then blows them with her wings, and burns herself with them, so
many a carnal professor burns himself with his own good works, that
is, by his expecting and trusting to receive that by his works, which is
only to be received and expected from Jesus Christ. Though all that
man can do towards the meriting of heaven is no more than the
lifting up of a trifle towards the meriting of a kingdom, yet such a
proud piece man is, that he is ready enough to say with proud Vega, I
will not have heaven of free cost.