i> Contrïtfng Ottreo bcmptíon formity to thofe Attributes and Anions of God which Chap. I. are the patternof our imitation fo thegeneral Rule L.."--vm, is, Reholy, as God is holy, in all manner of converfa- r Pet, r. as.. tien; and this is moft honourable to the humane na- ture. 'Tis juft, that is, exa&ly agreeable to the frame of mans faculties, and moft fuitable to his condition in the world. And good, that is, beneficial to the ob- ferver of it ; In !¿keeping ofit there is great reward. P(al. rg. sr- And the obligation to it is eternal; it being the un- changeable will of God, grounded on the natural and unvariable relations between God and Man, and be- tween Manand the Creatures. Befides the particular dire&ions of the Law of Na- ture, this general Principle was planted in the reafo- nable Soul, to obey God in any inftance wherein he did prefcribe his pleafure. Moreover, God was pleafed to enter into a Cove- nant with Adam, and with all his Pofterity naturally defcending from him. And this was the effe&, I. Of admirable Goodnefs : For by his Supremacy over Manhe might have fignified his Will meerly by theway of Empire, and required Obedience; But he was pleated to condefcend fo far as to deal with Man . in a Tweeter manner as with aCreature capable of his Love, andtowork uponhim by rewards and punifh- ments congruoufly to the reafonable Nature. 2. Of Wifdom to fecure.Man's obedience : For the Covenant beinga mutual engagement between God and Man, asit gave him infallible ofurance of the reward to ftrengthen his Faith, fo it was the fureft bond to pre- ferve his Fidelity. 'Tis true the Precept alone binds by vertue of the authority that impofes it, but the coulent of the Creature increafes the Obligation; it twills the cords of the Law and, binds more ftrongly to,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=