------~----------------------~--------~--~------ Chap.t. Sect.4. LogkJng unto ::fefus. Bqok.Ili. double the precept upon the foul ; when it is -onely a precept, then God alone commands it, but when I have made a promife to it, then I command it and bind it upon my felf. 16[ . 2. That our ob\dience might be morewilling and free; an abfolute Law might feem to extort obedience , but a Covenant and agreement makes it clearely to appear more free and willing•. · This is o£ the nature of the Covenant of grace; fir£\:, God pro._ mifeth mercy, to be our exceeding great reward ; and then we promife obedience, to be his free,and willing people ; and thus we become Gods , not onely by a property founded in his Soveraign power and love, but by a property growing out ofour own voluntary confents, we are not onely his people, but his willing people ; we giv~ him. our hand , when we become his, and enter into covenant wtth lum: Seeth~ expreffion, E:l:-ek.,I 7 18. He_ ~:r.ek.,,. . ll de[pifed the oath by b~ea~ing the ~ov~nant, when lo he hadgiv_en E:r.ek.a6.8 his hand. we are hts' as the Wtfe IS her husbtn4s i I entnd tnto covenant with _the~, faith the Lor~ Gofl, an4 thou becameft mine; n<;nv in marriages free and mutual eonfent,you know is ever given, • an'd fo it is here. . . 3· That our confolation might be ftronger; that in all our difficulties and difirelfes we might ever have recourfe t.o the faithfulneffe and love of God. I. To the faithfulnelfe of Gpd. This was David1 flay, and this may be ours , though friends be C unfaithful, and may deceive, yet the Lord is faithful, and can- 1 hr~n.,,..z.7 not faile his people , his prorni(u are yea 11nd amen, we may~ Cot,I,to. build upon it. 2. That we might have recourfe to the love of God : this indeed was the prime end why God delivered his Law in way ofaCovenant, that he might fweeten and endeare himfelf to us, and fo draw us .to him with cords oflove; had God fo pleafed, he might have required all obedience frQm us, and when we had done all, he might havere<luced us into nothing' , or at leafi not have.given us heaveq for an inheritance, or him(elffor a portion; but his love is fuch, that he'will not onely command, but he wtll covenant, that he might further expt.:lfe and communicate his love : how then· fbould ·s but comfort us in all our troubles ? how fbould this but encourage us to go to God in all dif\:relfes? 0 what thankful ·loving thoughts fhould we have ofGod that would ~bus infinitely condefcend to covenant with us! Y 5· What
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