Verf. 2 2. the fzxth Chapter to the ROMANS. 143 2. The Power by which it was accomplifhed, which is implied in the paífive forms offpeechWo,9-EpwSFV,rEs, and ,Potra..9s,.,,s, before it wasd`ñì,o, and éneJ &e,,, vert,so. YVhen ye were the ferments of fin , ye were free from righteeufnefi now it is made fervants, and made free. We are prone enough to fin of our felves, and ready enough to that which is evil 5 but God by his effeáual working made us to be that by Grace , which by Nature we could never be : we were born fervants of fins but made fervants of God by his Spirit. 2. The Effeá of this Change, which is either Holinefs or Happinefs : the one in this Life, the other in the next. Firft Holinefs in this Life, Te have your fruit unto holinefs, the Apoftles difcourfe ieadeth him to (peak of the fruit by Holinefs 5 but he faith, Ye have your fruit to Holi- nefs, for he is comparing the fervice of God, and the fervice of Sin; now in the fervice of fin there is nothing to be had but fhame and death , thofe were his Arguments there; What fruit had yon of thofe things whereof ye are now aJbamed ? for the end of thofe things is death. Now he only faith , Tan have your fruit to holinefi , in oppofition to (harm, which was the confequent of fin 5 and in oppofition to death he faith, And the end eter- nal life. Why doth he thus fpealt ? Anfw. r. Holinefs is a reward to it Pelf, it is its own fruir. if a man doth attain to Purity of Soul, it is enough, Honour and Joy doth accompany it, as thame doth fin. 2. dt may be meant of Holinefs increafed, for the more we ferve God, the more holy (hall we be 5 every good work increafeth our Holinefs, or our fitnefs and ability for obedience to God. So that in effeec this is the Argument. This good you reap by your fubjeûion to God , that you are in this World fanftified, and fitted to walk in newnefs of Life. Stcondly, Happinefs in the Life to come, and the end everlaffing Life, that is the final iffue 5 for the holy Life is a beginning and pledge of that Life which is immortal and glorious. Do &tine. That when all things are well confidered, the only amiable Life is that which is /pent in Gods Service. I word the Doárine thus: t. Becaufe the two Lives are compared , the Life fpent in Vanity and Sin, and the Life fpent in Holinefs and Righteoufnefs 5 therefore I fay, When all things are well con - f<dered. 2. Becaufe thofe who are before called Servants of Righteoufnefs, are now called Set- vants of God 5 therefore I fay, i he life fpent in the fervice of God. 3. I affect, This is the only amiable Life, becaufe the Life fpent in fin is full of (name and horrour ; of fhame, becaufe of the bafenefs and turpitude of that Life , difagreeable to the reafonable Nature 5 of honour, becaufe of the dreadful iffue, The end ofthefe things is death. On the contrary, this Life fpent in the Service of God is amiable, 1. Becaufe of the prefent Fruit, Sanáification or Holinefs, which daily increafing in them, breedeth comfort and confidence, and will never be matter of fhame to them. 2. Becaufe of the final iffue, Eternal Life is the confummation of it, the matter dòth not reh in Sanctification, but looketh further, at laft they obtain everlafting Happinefs, the hope of which breedeth joy and comfort in us. Well then , it refits upon me to prove two things, That this Life is the moll amiable Life, becaufe ofthe Pleafure and Honour that doth accompany it : the Pleafure, be- taufe of End 5 the Honour, becaufe of the Work. i. The Pleafure of a Life fpent in Gods Service. Man is ever inviting himfelf to force delight, and fo far Nature and Grace are agreed; but the difference is, where true pleafure of mind is to be found. Man in his natural eftate confults with Refh and blood, for then the Beall rideth the Man , and he careth for the Body more than the Soul, and nothing is fweet and pleafant, but what gratifieth fenfual Appetite: but this loon bring_ eth flavery upon us; for it was our old bondage and fervitude to preferAppetite before Reafon and Confcience, Tit. 3. 3. We were fometimes difobedient , ferving divers lnfts and pleafures. Thefe delights corrupt the Mind, and make it an incompetent Judge of what is true and fincere pleafantnefs to filch a Creature as man is,who bath a Confcience, and is capable of an immortal Ellate,and to give an account of his allions to the God that made him; and befides , they pervert the heart , and dull our delires and endeavours towards better things, and breed fueh a peace, as is not the quiet and repofe of the Soul in God, but
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