Blake - Houston-Packer Collection BT155 .B53 1653

g 112 The Covenant of Works Chap. á T he Covenant of. grace re- quires and ac c Lots fincerity . inherent righteoufneffe is an imperfea righteoufneffe, in an im- perfe& conformity.to the rule of righteoufneffe, and without this reference to the rule there is 'neither perfee} ion nor imper- feäion in any aaion. See Door Davenant difputing againft juflification by inherent righteoufneffe upon the account of the imperfeftipn of it, de juflitia habituali, pag. 349. and how fully he was peg (waded of the imperfe&ion of this righteoufnefie ap- pears in fentences prefixt before two Treatifes, as may be Peen in the margent. In the laft place, I (hall conclude that fncerity in the way and work of God, (which Scripture alto calls by the name of truth, integrity, fimplicity,uprightneffe, perfcthiefie, an heart in the work of God Whole and unfeigned) is that which the Covenant of grace doth require, and that which it accepteth ; This God in Covenant gives in charge, and this he rewards and. crownes. The Law (lands as a rule, and the charge in it is the higheft top of perfeaion, without the leaf} indulgence in any cafe of failing, fuitable to the abilities that once were put into our hands. God in Gofpel condefcenfions will have this rule eyed with a Tingle and upright heart univerfally eyed, and obferved both in our re- turnes from fin,and in our application to God in new obedience. This doing of the will of God from the heart , with good will doing fervice,Eph.6.6,7. Serving with willing minale, i Chron. 28.9. This preparing the heart to feek the Lord God of our fathers. Ezra. 7. to. This delight in the Law of God in the inward man, Rom. 7.22. (though it be in much weakne(fe, and with ftrength that is little, Rev. 3.8. by reafon of inward corruptions, Rom. 7. 2 3. Gal S 17. enemies without, Ephef. 6.1 2.) as it is required of God in Covenant, in fuch meafure as through grace they are able to reach, fo it is accepted. And as faith (which as we have heard is the other new Covenant- condition) brings us into communion with.God, Rom. 5, r. So this of a fincere heart and walk, holds in communion, faith gives acceffe to God in grace, and through fincerity we walk with God in grace, to glory; both of them are called for of God, both accepted with God, and both of them crowned with glory. That in this degree obedience is requi- red an'd accepted, is in the Gofpel evident. This wherefoever it is, God obferryes and eyes. There have letters teftimonial from heaven, lob I. 8. Haft thou not con fidered my fervant Job, that there

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