870 HOLINESS NEC joins all the strength and interest it hath inthesoul, with the command. See to this purpose the arguing of our apostle, Rom. vii. 20, 21, 22. It is true, there is a natural light in conscience, complying with thecom- mand in its proposal, and urging obedience thereunto, which doth not make it easy to us, but where it is alone, increaseth its burden, and our bondage; for it doth only give in its suffrage unto the sanction of the com- mand, and adds to the severity wherewith it is attend- ed. But that compliance with the command, whirls is from a principle of grace, is quite of another nature, and greatly facilitates obedience. And we may dis- tinguish between that compliance with the command which is from the natural light of conscience, which genders unto bondage, and that which being from a renewed principle of grace, gives liberty and ease in obedience: for the first respects, principally, the conse- quent of obedience or disobedience, the good or evil that will ensue upon them, Rom. ii. 14, 14. Set aside this consideration, and it bath no more to say: but the latter respects the command itself, which it embraceth, delighteth in, and judgeth good and holy, with the du- ties themselves required, which are natural, and suited thereunto. Sect. 30.-2. Grace of the latter sort also; actual grace for every holy act and duty, is administered unto us according to the promise of the gospel. So God told Paul, that his grace was sufficient for him. And he worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure, Phil. ii. 13. so as that we may do all things through him that enables us, the nature of which grace also bath been before discoursed of. Now, although this actual working grace be not in the power of the wills of men, to make use of or refuse, as they see good, but its administration depends merely on the grace and faithfulness of God: yet this I must say, that where it is sought in a due manner by faith and prayer, it is never so restrained from any believer, but that it shall be effectual in him, unto the whole of that obedience which is required of him, as it will be accepted from him. Sect. 31. If then this be the condition of the com- mand of holiness, how just and equal must it needs be confessed to be, and therefore how highly reasonable is it that weshould comply with it, and how great is their sin and folly by whom it is neglected? It is true, ESSARM FROM we are absolutelyobliged unto obedience by the mere authority of God who commands; but he not only allows us to take in, but directs us to seek after these other considerations of it, which may give it force and efficacy upon our souls and consciences. And, among these, none is more efficacious towards gracious ingenuous souls, than this of the contemperation of the duties commanded, unto spiritual aids of strength promised unto us: for, what cloak or pretence of dislike or ne- glect is here left unto any: Wherefore not only the authority of God in giving a command, but the infinite wisdom and goodness of God in giving sucha command, so just, equal, and gentle, fall upon us therein, to oblige us to holy obedience. To neglect or despise this com- mand, is to neglect or despise God, in that way which he hath chosen to manifest all the holy properties of his nature. Sect. 32.Secondly, The command is equal, and so to be esteemed from the matter of it, or the things that it doth require. Thing they are that are neither great nor grievous, much less perverse, useless, or evil, MYIicah vi. 6, 7, 8. There is nothing in the holiness which the command requires, but what is good to him in whom it is, and useful to all others concerned in him, or what he doth. What they are, the apostle mentions in his ex- hortation unto them, Phil. iv. 8. They are thingstrue, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, and what evil is there ih anyofthese things, that we should declinethe command that requiresthem? The more we abound in them, the better it will be for our relations, our families, our neighbours, the whole nation, and the world, but best of all for ourselves. Godliness is profitable unto all things, 1 Tim. iv. 8. These things aregood andprofitable unto all men, Titus iii. 8. good to them that do them, and good to those towards whom they are done. But those things, name- ly, the usefulness of holiness unto ourselves and others, must be spoken unto distinctly afterwards, and are therefore transmitted unto their proper place. Sect. 33. As therefore it was before observed, it is incumbent on us, in the first place, to endeavour af- ter holiness, and the improvement of it, with respect unto the command of God, that we should be holy, and because of it, and that especially under the con- sideration of it, which we have insisted on. I know not what vain imaginations have seemed to possess the _.
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