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toward God； faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ； and a holy
conversation； are subjects of far more importance to men's souls。
Without these no man can be saved。 These are the first and most weighty
matters； and therefore on these we dwell。
Here again lies one reason why we so often urge on men not to be
content with the mere outward part of religion。 You must have observed
that we often warn you not to rest on Church membership and Church
privileges。 We tell you not to be satisfied all is right because you
e to church on Sunday and e up to the Lord's table。 We often urge
you to remember that he is not a Christian who is one outwardlythat
you must be 〃born again〃that you must have a 〃faith that worketh by
love 〃that there must be a 〃new creation〃 by the Spirit in your
heart。 We do it because this seems to us the mind of Christ。 These are
the kind of things He dwells upon； when writing seven times over to
seven different Churches。 We feel that if we follow Him we cannot
greatly err。
I am aware that men charge us with taking 〃low views〃 of the subjects
to which I have adverted。 It is a small thing that our views are
thought 〃low；〃 so long as our consciences tell us they are Scriptural。
High ground； as it is called； is not always safe ground。 What Balaam
said must be our answer； 〃What the Lord saith that will I speak。〃
（Numbers xxiv。 13。）
The plain truth is； there are two distinct and separate systems of
Christianity in England at the present day。 It is useless to deny it。
Their existence is a great fact and one that cannot be too clearly
known。
According to one system； religion is a mere corporate business。 You are
to belong to a certain body of people。 By virtue of your membership of
this body； vast privileges； both for time and eternity； are conferred
upon you。 It matters little what you are and what you feel。 You are not
to try yourself by your feelings。 You are a member of a great
ecclesiastical corporation。 Then all its privileges and immunities are
your own。 Do you belong to the one true； visible corporation？ That is
the grand question。
According to the other system； religion is eminently a personal
business between yourself and Christ。 It will not save your soul to be
an outward member of any ecclesiastical body whatever； however sound
that body may be。 Such membership will not wash away one sin； or give
you confidence in the day of judgment。 There must be personal faith in
Christpersonal dealings between yourself and Godpersonal felt
munion between your own heart and the Holy Ghost。 Have you this
personal faith？ Have you this felt work of the Spirit in your soul？
This is the grand question。 If not； you will be lost。
This last system is the system which those who are called Evangelical
ministers cleave to and teach。 They do so because they are satisfied
that it is the system of Holy Scripture。 They do so because they are
convinced that any other system is productive of most dangerous
consequences； and calculated to delude men fatally as to their actual
state。 They do so because they believe it to be the only system of
teaching which God will bless； and that no Church will flourish so much
as that in which repentance； faith； conversion； and the work of the
Spirit are the grand subjects of the minister's sermon。
Once more I say； let us often look carefully over the seven 〃Epistles
to the Churches。〃
II。 I ask my readers； in the second place； to observe that in every
epistle the Lord Jesus says； I know thy works。
That repeated expression is very striking。 It is not for nothing that
we read these words seven times over。
To one Church the Lord Jesus says； I know thy labour and patienceto
another； thy tribulation and povertyto a third； thy charity； and
service； and faith。 But to all； He uses the words I now dwell on： 〃I
know thy works。〃 It is not； 〃I know thy professionthy desiresthy
resolutionsthy wishes；〃but thy works。 〃I know thy works。〃
The works of a professing Christian are of great importance。 They
cannot save your soul。 They cannot justify you。 They cannot wipe out
your sins。 They cannot deliver you from the wrath of God。 But it does
not follow because they cannot save you； that they are of no
importance。 Take heed and beware of such a notion。 The man who thinks
so is fearfully deceived。
I often think I could willingly die for the doctrine of justification
by faith without the deeds of the law。 But I must earnestly contend； as
a general principle； that a man's works are the evidence of a man's
religion。 If you call yourself a Christian； you must show it in your
daily ways and daily behaviour。 Call to mind that the faith of Abraham
and of Rahab was proved by their works。 （James ii。 21…25。） Remember it
avails you and me nothing to profess we know God； if in works we deny
Him。 （Titus i。 16。） Remember the words of the Lord Jesus； 〃Every tree
is known by its own fruit。〃 （Luke vi。 44。）
But whatever the works of a professing Christian may be； Jesus says； 〃I
know them！〃 〃His eyes are in every place； beholding the evil and the
good。〃 （Prov。 xv。 3。） You never did an action； however private； but
Jesus saw it。 You never spoke a word； no； not even in a whisper； but
Jesus heard it。 You never wrote a letter； even to your dearest friend；
but Jesus read it。 You never thought a thought； however secret； but
Jesus was familiar with it。 His eyes are as a flaming fire。 The
darkness is no darkness with Him。 All things are open and manifest
before Him。 He says to every one； 〃I know thy works。〃
（a） The Lord Jesus knows the works of all impenitent and unbelieving
souls； and will one day punish them。 They are not forgotten in heaven；
though they may be upon earth。 When the great white throne is set； and
the books are opened； the wicked dead will be judged 〃according to
their works。〃
（b） The Lord Jesus knows the works of His own people； and weighs them。