TIRE COMMAN unto it, they fail not to deliver themselves from their burden. And, for the more part, either, insensibly, by multiplied instances of the neglect of duties of obe- dience, or by some great temptations, before theyleave the world, they utterly leave all the way of holiness, and respect unto the commands of God; or, if they con- tinue any, it is unto external acts of morality which pass with approbation in the world, the inward and spiritual part ofobedience they utterly renounce. The reason hereof, I say, is, because having no principle within, enabling themunto a compliance with the com- mands of God with delight and satisfaction, they grow grievous and intolerable unto them. So unto many, on the same ground, the worship of God is very bur- densome, unless it be borne for them, by external additions and ornaments. Sect. 27.-2. There is an actual assistance of effec- tual grace required hereunto. We are not put into that condition by the covenant, as that we should be able todo anything of ourselves, without actual divine assist- ance. This were to set us free from our dependence on God, and to make us gods untoourselves. The root still bears us, and the springs ofour spiritual life are in another. And where both these are, there the com- mand is equal not only in itself, but unto us, and obe- dience unto it as easy as just. Sect. 28. (6.) And both these sorts of grace are administered in the new covenant, suited unto the holy obedience it requires. 1. For the first; it is that which God so frequently, so expressly promiseth, where he says, that he will " take away the heart of stone, and give us an heart of «flesh; that he will write his laws in our hearts, and "put his fear in our inward parts; that we shall fear him, and never depart fromhim; that he will circum- cise our hearts to know and love him." Which pro- mises, and the nature of the grace contained in them, I have before at large explained. It is sufficient unto our present purpose, that in and by these promises, we are made partakers of thedivine nature, and are therein endowed with aconstant habitual disposition and inclin- ation unto all acts and duties ofholiness; for our power followeth our love and inclinations, as impotency is a consequent oftheir defect. Sect. 29.And -here we may stay a little, to confirm our principal assertion. Upon the supply of this grace, D3 OF GOD. 369 which gives both strength for, and a constant inclination unto holy obedience, the command for it becomesequal and just, meet and easy to be complied withal: for none can refuse a compliance with it in any instance, but their so doing is contrary unto that disposition and in- clination of the new nature which God hath implanted in themselves: so that in them to sin, is not only con- trary to the law without them, to the light of their minds, and warnings of their consciences, but it is so also unto that which is their own inclination and dispo- sition, whichbath sensibly, in such cases, a force and violence put upon it, by the power of corruptions and temptations. Wherefore, although the command for holiness may and doth seem grievous and burdensome unto unregenerate persons, as we have observed, be- cause it is against the habitual bent and inclination of their whole souls; yet neither is it, nor can it be se, unto themwho cannot neglect it, or act any thing a- gainst it, but that therein also they must crucify and offer violence unto the inclinationsof the new creature in them, which are their own. For in all things, the spirit lastelh against theflesh, Gal. v. 17. and the dis- position of the new creature is habitually against sin, and for holiness. And this gives a mighty constraining power unto the command, when it is evident in ourown minds and consciences, that it requires nothing of us but what we do or may find an inclination or disposition in our own hearts unto. And by this consideration we may take in the power of it upon our souls, which is too frequently disregarded. Let us but, upon the pro- posal of it unto us, consider what our minds and hearts say to it, what answer they return, andwe shall quickly discern how equal and just the command is. For I can- not persuade myself, that any believer can be so capti- vated, at any time, under the power of temptations, corruptions, or prejudices, but that (if he will but take counsel with his own soul, upon the consideration of the command for obedience and holiness, and ask him- self, what he would have?) he will have a plain and sin- cere answer, that indeed I would do, and have the good proposed, this holiness, this duty of obedience. Not only will conscience answer, that he must not do the evil whereunto temptation leadeth; for ifhe doth, evil will ensue thereon; but the new nature, and his mind and spirit will say, this good I would do; 1 delight in it; it is best for me, most suited unto me. And so it ti
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=