C.Xt1.4:64,65,66. Theprinciple ofthe Saints obedience not fervile feate. 302 it will thence follow, that it is the intendment ofGod byhis Threatnings, to ingeneratef rich aFeare ofHell in them, as is inconfiftent with an Affuranceof his Faithfulnefle inhis Promifes not to leave them, but to preferve them to his Heavenly Kingdome, I profeffe I know not: The Obedienceof the Saints, we looke upon to proceed froma principle wrought in themwith an higher Energyand efficacy, thanmeere defiresofGod to implant it by Argumentsand Motives; that is byperfwading them toit, without the leaff reali contributi- onof ftrength or power, or the ingrafting the Word in them, in, with, andby, a new principle ofLife; And ifthis be thePhyllis ofour Authors Do_ (trine, solar habeto. Such aworking of Obedience, wecannot think to have any thingofGod, ofthe Spirit ofGod,oftheWifdomeof God, or the Good- neflà of God in it, being exceedingly remote from the wayand manner ofGods working in the Saints, as held out in the WordofTruth, and incffe- &uall to the end propofed, in that Condition wherein they are. The trueufe ofthe Threatnings ofwrath in reference to them who byChrift are delivered from it, bath been before manifefted and infifted on. 4 64. In the Taft divifìonof this Se&ion, he labours to prove that what is done from aprincipleofFeare maybe done willingly and chearefully, as well as that which isdone from aprinciple ofLove. To which briefely I fay Firft, Neither Feare nor Love as they are meere naturaliAffe&ions, are any principle ofSpiritual! Obedienceas fuel'. Secondly,That weare fo farre from denying the ufefulneffe of theFeare of the Lord to the Obedienceofthe Saints; That the continuance thereof in them to the end, is the great Promife for the certaine Accomplifhment whereof, we do contend. Thirdly, That Feare of Hellin Believers, as a part ofthe wrath of God, from which they are delivered byChrift, being oppofed to all their Grace of Faith, Love, Hope, &c. is no principle of Obedience in them, whatever in- fluence it may have on them as to reftraint when managedby the handof Gods Grace. FourthlyThat yet Believers can never be delivered from it but by Faith in the Blond ofChrift, attended with fincere and upright walkingwith God; which when they faile of, though that Feare fuppofed tobe .predominant in the foule,be inconfiftent with any comfortable chearing Affurance ofthe favour ofGod,yet it is not with the certaine continuance to them ofthe thing it felfe, upon the account ofthe Promifesof God. Seäion thefixteenth containes a large Difcourfe inanfwer to the Apoftle, 4.65 affirming that Feare bath torment, wihch is denyed by otir Author upon fun- dryConfederations; The Feare he intends is, a Feare ofHell, and wrath ro come; This he fuppofeth tobe offuch predominancy in the foule, as tobe a principle ofObedienceunto God; That this canbe without Torment, .Dif- quiet, Bondage and vexation hewill not eafily evince to the confciences of them,who have at any timebeenexercifed under fuch a frame; What Feare is confiftent with Hope, What incurfions npon the foulesof theSaintsare Made by dread and bondage, and Feare of Hell, and theufe of fuch feares, How Tomeare, though trueBelievers, fcarcely delivered from fuch Feares, all their dayes,I have formerly declared: and that may fuffice as toall our concerne- ment in this Difcourfe. 4:66, In the feventeenthSed ion,fomwhat is attempted as to Promifes,anfwerable towhat bath been done concerningExhortations and Threatnings; the words ufed to thisend are many, the fttmme is, That tie ufe, ofPromifes infhhrring men up to. Obedience, isfolely in the propofall of a good thing, or good things to them to whom the Promifes aremade which they mayattaine, or come fliort off. Now
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