Good works are such works only as are commanded by God and are according to his will:1 such as spring from a good and upright principle, and are done in faith and directed to a right end, that is, the glory of God: for as the tree must be good before it can bring forth good fruit, so a sinner must be reconciled to God, united to Christ, and made a partaker of his Spirit, before he can do one good work.2 The best works of the best men are imperfect, and therefore neither merit anything from God nor obtain salvation for men.3 Notwithstanding, good works are very necessary to be done at all times and to the utmost of our power, inasmuch as they have been ordained and commanded by God, and are the adornment and beauty of our profession, an example to others, and a means to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.4
1 Rom. 10:2; 12:2; Mic. 6:8; Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13; 1 Sam. 15: 22-23; John 16:2. 2 Eph. 2:10; James 2:22; Matt. 5:16; 7:16-20; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 2 Tim. 2:21: John 14:15; 15:1-8; Rom. 14:23; Titus 2:14; 3:14. 3 Luke 17:10; Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5; Job 22:2; Psa.130:3; 143:2; Isa. 64:6; 2 Tim. 1:9; Gal. 5:6. 4 John 14:15; 15:8; Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:5-12; 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Peter 2:12,15; Phil. 1:11; Rom. 6:22; 1 John 3:7-10; Col. 1:10.
