CAP: X. g,4,g Ofthe Nature ofGofpell Obedience - 230 filled on, for the promotionofthis Gorpell Obedience, being accufed and char- ged with the cleare contrary tendency; whereof, (Godaffrfling) we (hall free and difcharge it in the progreffè of this Difcoufe. S5:4. I. Firft in the Nature ofit I ihall confider only there two things. I. The Matter or subfanteof it what it is as it were compofedof and wherein it dothconfift. 2. The Forme or Manner ofitsperfortnance; whence it receives itsdi- flin& being,as fuch. I. The Matter or Subfianceofit containes thole things,or duties toGod, wherein if doth confift.Now it confifling,asI laid before,inConformity &snb- otiffionto the Willthat is,the Commanding revealed Will ofGod,thematter of it mufflye in the performance ofall there things,& only thofe things,which God requirethofBelievers, inwalking before him: I fay,all thofè thingr,that God com- mandeth, with an equal'refpe& to .all his Precepts ; The Authority of' God theCommander and LawGiver,is thefame in everycommand; And therefore was the Curie denounced unto every one, that continued not inall thingswrit- ten in the Law to do them; and the Apoftle tels us, that in the tranfgrefion of any, oneprecept, there is included the tranfgreffìonof the whole Law, becaufe the AuthorityoftheLaw giver, both in the one,and the other,is defpifed. fames 2. 10,1 1. Whofoever(ball &eepe thewhole. Law, andyet offendin any one peint, he is guilty ofall; For he that,faidDo not commit Adultery, fail alp) Do not bill. And 2. I fay, it is only to theCotrimand; for in vaine do men worfbip him, tea- chingfor Dolfrines the Traditions of men. The moil fiupendious indeavours ofmen, the melt laborious drudgery of their foules in Duties not commanded, are fo far.from Obedience, that they are as high Rebellions againft God,as they can poffibly ingage themfelves into. I might farther diflinguith the matter, cr fubìànce ofthis Obedience,into the internal' cliche Au ofoarfoules, inFaith, Love, and the like Ails of morali, and everlafting Obedience,which are naturally,neceflàrily,and indifpenfably required: in us, upon the account ofthe firfl Commandement, and the naturali fubjeclion,whereinwe ftand untoGod, as his Creatures; improved and inlar- ged by thenewObligation put uponus, in being his Redeemed ones: (where- in indeed themaineof our-Obedience cloth confifl) And the outward infIituted DittiesofReligion, which God hath appointed for those former Ails ofObedi- ence to beexercifed in, and exerted by But the former defcription of it, with the Intimation of itsuniverfality, may fuflice. 4.5' a. Secondly the Formality(if I may fo fpeake) of thisObedience, or that which makes the performanceofDuties commanded, to be obedience,confift.r in there three things. a. The Principle that begins it,and Jets it on worke immediately inus :and that is Faith; without Faith it is impoffible topleafe God. Heb: rr. 6..Could, a man doeall that is commanded, yet if he did it not in Faith , it would be of no value5 hence it is called the.0livdience ofFaith. Rom.i. 5. not for Obedience to the Faith, but the Obedience of Faith, which Faith bringeth forth; There- fore areBelievers called Obedient Children. I Pet. I. i4.&we are faid topurifie ourfoules inObedience to the Truth n.22. Chri fldwells inour hearts byFaith, and without himWe can do nothing john 15..5. All that we do is nobetter, Peeing we can no way draw neare unto Godwith a true heart, bist infullAfiurance of Faith. Heb. 10. 22. 2. TheManner ofdoing it, which confifis in a due Spirituals regard to theWill ofGod, in tholewayes, wherebyhecalls men out to thisObedience; namely,inhis Trecepts,and Pronaifes; There is noObedience unto God,but that which
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