Verf. 2. the L páf#le.to,th t e Romans. to hear the word, to: commend the doEtrine which is taught, to condemn things which are contrary to the will of God, and to praife the Preacher of the word,; to make,great (hew of zeal, both towards the word of God, and them that bring it, like to Herod,Mar.6. and Simon Magus,A11.8. Too like others which live after it, and to joyn in fel- lowfhip and company with then' ; and . yet being tranfported and clean carryed afdebyfome wicked .affeftions, as un cleanneffe,coveroufnelhe, wrath, ,pride, orthelikc;they never fubmit to the will of God to do it,but moll miferably fàil in their praEtice, preferring and taking part with their own corrupt will, againítGods will. Whereas the truly regenerate perfon, as he bath his eyes open by the illumination of Gods Spi- rit,to fee in part what the will of God is, fo he firiveth carnally to perform what he knoweth,to beleeve that which God doth promife, to do what he biddeth, to leave undone what he for - biddeth, to fear what he threatneth, to rejoyce in his comforts. At a word, to order and guide his thoughts, words, and deeds, by the found rule of his word,as he may pleafe God in them all; the Prophet David profeffeth of him- felf,that he was purpofed to keep the righteous fatutes of God, and had (worn to obferve his teflimonies, Pfal. 119. And the blared Appoftle Paul (as he witnefreth of hirofelf) defireth to keep a good confcience, and to live ho- neftly,Ac7. 24.16. Heb.13. i 8. Soevery one of Gods children, according to the meafure of grace, received in their new birth, it is their hearts delire and con. flant endeavour to expreffe in their aftions that knowledge they have of the will of God, and by their own obedi- ence to Gods will, as by a Cure token and mark their regeneration is fealed and made,known to them, s yob. h 2, 4. 1 am thine Lord, fave me, for I Deep thy tom - mandemevnr,faith David. Thus may every, godly man conclude, that God is his Father and will fave him, becaufe he la- bours to pleafe him,by living according to his word : For not every one that faith 413 Lord, but he that doti, fhall enter into the kngdome,Mat.7.2 t. Such for their firm- neffe in the fiase of grceand falvation, are likened to an houfè built upon a rock,which never (hall beremoved,Mdt. 7 25, 26. T r m. What other lejfon may we tale from hence ? s-r L. The only rule of faith and manners, is the will of God revealed in his word. The Shepherds voice is that which the fheep are to hearken and to follow, and Gods will is that only thing which his people muff approve of, beleeve, and praCcife. The reafons Reafonr. hereof be : Firft, becaufe the will of God only is good, it commendeth all good things, it condemneth all evill things; the will of all other creatures is fo far good, as it accords with this : alío it makes men of ill to become good, for it converteth (inners, Pfal. 19. 7. The fecond reafon is, becaufe this will of God is acceptable.; there is nothing that we either think,fpeak,or do,which is acceptable or pleating to God, if it fwerve from his will r to the which, whatfoever is agreeing, that, and that only, he liketh,bleffeth, and rewardeth; as it is written, Great is their reward that do thereafter,Pfal. i9. t i. Thus Abraham, Ifaac, facob ,Eliar,Zachariar,Elizabetb, and whofoever elfe were accepted of God, it was therefore becaufe they lackeyed, and did his will. Cain, Efate, Ahab, Ju- das,and others,that have been rejeEted of God, it hath been becaufe they rejefted and refuted his will.As parents and ma- tters accept fuch children belt which ftrive to do their will,fo it is with God. T r at. What profit may come to Ili by the meditation of this dollrine? Si . L. It muff ferve to $irre up all good Chriflians more to love and fol- low the will ofGod, which is fo good, fo holy, fo perfdEi. Secondly, it muff warn all ftich men to look to them - felves,and betimes to repenr,which care not either to know what his will is, or to governor guide their wayes by it ; for the moreexcellent the will of God is, the more juft and heavie will their condemnation be which negleft it. Thirdly,
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