concerning Cofpell-Thsths. CAP. X. 4: 3, fomemenprofeffe,it tends toGodlineffe and Holineflèofconverfation , I dare fay, is a lyeand vanity, and did neverpromote any thing, but vaine, legal!, fùperítitious, counterfeit Holinefle5 Indeed upon a fuppofition of its truth, it is ofconcernement for the Advancement of_any Doctrine , in theefteenie and opinion of the Saints , tomanifeft , that it leadstoGodlineffe : but to prove it to be true, becaufemen,who perhaps never knew- any thing beyond Formnll, Legall, Pharifaicall Holineffe all their daies, fay, it tends tothe pro- motionofHolineffe, is but toobtrude our Conceptions upon others, that are noway moulded into the frame of them; That the iinbracement of fuch a Truth, will further us in our obedience , and walking with God, therefore value and prize it, is good arguing 5 but that such a Doerrine will further us in a way ofGodlineflè,therefore 'tis aTruth;when we may be miftaken both in Godlineffe it felfe,,and in the motives to it, and furtherancesof it, is but aPrefumption. Tocommend then the Truth,which we have at large other - wife confirmed, to the Heartsand Confciences ofthe Saints ofGod-, and to lay a foundation for the full removal] of thofe vaine and weake exceptions, which on this account are laid againft it : I (hall manifeft what influences it bath into their Obedience; and with what eminent efficacy it prevailes upon their Soules, to perfeEt Holineffe in thefeare ofGod; For the more cleare De- claration whereof, I (hall give the Reader the fummeofit, under theenfuing Confderationsconcerning Gofpellobedience, and the motives that are proper }hereunto. I. That which I call GofpellObedience, wherein theSaints ofGodare fur- thered, by thebeliefe ofthe Truth wehave in hand, is varioufly expreffed in the Scripture; It may inGenerall bedefcribed tobe, a voluntary orderly fub- jebtion to the whole willofGod: I call it obedience, in reference unto the will of God, which isthe RuleandPatterne ofit, and whereunto it is a regular 'Wife- Ilion; ThePfalmift expreffes it to the full,both as to the Root and fruit. Pf qo.8. I delight to doe thy will O my God, yea thy. Parris within my Heart 5 the Law in the Heart gives us to doe , and to delight in doing the Will of God; Petercalls it, being holy in allmanner ofconverfation. r Pet. I. I4, 1.5. Paul a Cleanfngofourfelves from allftlthinefeoffhfhandfpirit in thefeare ofGod.2 Cor.7,I.or,as it is more eminently defcribed,Rom.I2. 1,2. in that Pathetical) exhortation'oftheApoftle thereunto; I befeechyou Brethren, by the mercies of God, thatyouprefent your bodies a living facrflee, holy , acceptable unto God, which isyour reafonable fervice; Andbe not conformed unto this world,but beyee transformed by the renewingof your mind, thatye mayprovewhat is that good, that acceptable,and perfell will ofGod, as he had formerly at large defcribed it, in thefixth chapter ofthat Epi.fïle, throughout. And I call it Gofpell obedience, not that it differs in fubftance, as to the matterofit, from that required by the Lam, which injoynes us to love the Lordour Godwithall our hearts,but that it moves upon principles and is carried on unto ends revealed only in the Gofpelh In reference to our defigne , there are thefe four things confiderable in it. Firft the Natureof it. Secondly the Principle in us, from whence it proceeds. . Thirdly the Motives that are proper to the carrying it on, the' cherifhing and increafingofit in them; inwhom-it is. Fourthly the Perfons, who are tobe moved and provoked to aprogreffe therein. By a briefe confiderationof thefe things; we fhall make way for what we have undertaken; namely tomanifeft theefficacy ofthe Doerrinewe have in- G g 3 - lifted 229
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