578 NECESSITY O1 will to eternity attest what power his word bath had to enlighten their minds, tosubdue their lusts, tochange and renew their hearts, to relieve and comfort them in their temptations and distresses, with the like effects of grace and power. Sect. 16. What is in the manner of teaching by the greatest moralist? and what are the effects of it? Entic- ing words, smoothness and elegancy of speech, compos- ed into snares for the affections, and delight unto the fancy, are thegrace, ornament, and life of the way or manner of their teaching. And hereof, evanid satisfac- tion, temporary resolutions for a kind of compliance with the things spoken, with (it may be) some few perishing endeavours after some change of life, are the best effects of all such discourses. And so easy and gentle is their operation on the minds of men, that commonly they are delighted in by themost profligate and obstinate sinners, as is the preaching of them who act in the same spirit, and from the same principles. (Thirdly,) Whereas the last thing considerable in those whose instructions we should choose to giveup our- selves unto, is their authority, that must be left without further plea to the consciences of all men, whether they have the highest esteem of the authority of Christ, the Son of God, or of those others whom they do admire; and let them freely take their choice, so they will inge- nously acknowledge what they do. Sect. 17.Whereas, therefore, the great end of the prophetical office of Christ, in the revelation he made of the will of God in the scriptures, in his personal mi- nistry, in the dispensation of his wordandSpirit contin- ued in the church, is our holiness and obedience unto God, I couldnot but remark upon the atheism, pride, and folly of those modern heathens, who really, or in pretence, betake themselves to the light of nature and philosophical maxims, for their guidance and direction, rather than to him, who is designed of God to be the great teacher of the church. I deny not, but that in the ancient moralists there are found many excellent documents concerning virtue and vice; but yet having been, it may be, more conversant in their writings than most of those who pretend so highly unto their ve- neration, I fear not to affirm, that as their sayings may be of use for illustration of the truth, which is infalli- bly learned another way, so take them alone, they will sooner delight the minds and fancies of men, than bene- HOLINESS FROM fit or profit them as to the true ends of' or virtue. Sect. 18.Thirdly, This also is one great end of the kingly power of Christ: for as such doth he subdue our enemies, and preserve our souls from ruin. And those are our adversaries, which fightagainst our spiritual con- dition and safety; such, principally, are our lusts, our sins, and our temptations wherewith they are accom- panied. These doth our Lord Christ subdue by his kingly power, quickening and strengthening in us, by his aids and supplies of grace, all principles of holy obedience. In brief, the work of Christ, as a king, may be reduced unto these heads: (1.) To make his subjects free. NO To preserve them in safety, de- livering their souls from deceit and violence. (3.) In giving them prosperity, and increasing their wealth. (8.) In establishing assured peace for them. (5.) In giving them love among themselves. (6.) In placing the interest and welfare of his kingdom in all their affec- tions, (7.) In eternally rewarding their obedience. And all these he doth, principally, by working grace and holiness in them, as might be easily demonstrated. I suppose none question but that the principal work of Christ towards us, as our head and king, is in making and preserving of us holy. I shall not therefore further insist thereon. It remains that we improve these considerations, unto the confirmation of our present argument concerning the necessity of holiness. Sect. 19. And, (First,) It is hence evident, how vain and fond a thing it is, for any persons continuing in an unholy condition to imagine, that they have any interest in Christ, or shall have any benefit by him, This is the great deceit whereby Satan, that enemy of the common salvation, bath ruined the generality of mankind who profess the Christianreligion. The gos- pel openly declares a way of life and salvation by Jesus Christ. This is thus far admitted by all who are called Christians, that theywill allow of no other way for the same end, unto competition with it: for I speak not of them who being profligate and hardened in sins, are regardless of all future concernments; but I intend only such, as in general have a desire to escape the damna- tion of hell, and toattain immortality and glory. And this they do, at least profess to do, by Jesus Christ, as supposing that the things to this purpose, mentioned in ,
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