Secondly, Thou must be an obedient son; because thou art a son thou must not therefore think thy self exempted from duty; It is true indeed, the Apostle saith, wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son, Gal. 4.7.1 but that frees us not from Gods service, and from our obedience unto him, as many would take occasion by these words likewise of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7.23.2 Ye are bought with a price, be not ye therefore the servants of men: to shake off all bondage and service to man; whereas on the contrary it is to be understood, that because now they are professed Christians, being redeemed and bought by Christ, they should now serve men, not as the heathen did, but as the children of God; in singleness of heart as unto Christ, Ephes. 6.5.3 Even so should we serve God now professing to be his children, in a more free and honourable manner then heretofore; not for fear of the whip, or for hope of wages, but for love, the love of Christ constraineth us, 2 Cor. 5.14.4 It stands us upon now therefore to be more circumspect over our selves, and more careful of our courses, then ever heretofore we have been, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord, saith the Apostle, and please him in all things being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, and giving thanks to the father who ha• made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance, of the Saints in light, Col. 1.10, 12.5 If we be sons, then must our light so shine before men, that they seeing our good works may glorify our Father which is in heaven, Matth. 5.16.6 There is a good speech of Nazian•em ▪ If thou art a slave, then serve God for ⟨p. 299⟩fear of the whip, if an hireling, •hen for h•re: but if a son, then for love; more affectionately, diligently, lovingly, cheerfully, and freely, then ever heretofore.
Secondly, Thou must be an obedient son; because thou art a son thou must not therefore think thy selfe exempted from duty; It is true indeed, the Apostle saith, wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a sonne, Gal. 4.7.1 but that frees us not from Gods service, and from our obedience unto him, as many would take occasion by these words likewise of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7.23.2 Yee are bought with a price, be not ye therfore the servants of men: to shake off all bondage and service to man; whereas on the contrary it is to be understood, that because now they are professed Christians, being redeemed and bought by Christ, they should now serve men, not as the heathen did, but as the children of God; in singlenesse of heart as unto Christ, Ephes. 6.5.3 Even so should wee serve God now professing to bee his children, in a more free and honourable manner then heretofore; not for feare of the whip, or for hope of wages, but for love, the love of Christ constra•neth us, 2 Cor. 5.14.4 It stands us upon now therefore to be more circumspect over our selves, and more carefull of our courses, then ever heretofore we have beene, that ye might walke worthy of the Lord, saith the Apostle, and please him in all things being fruitfull in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, and giving thankes to the father who ha• made us meete to be partakers of the inheritance, of the Saints in light, Col. 1.10, 12.5 If wee be sonnes, then must our light so shine before men, that they seeing our good works may glorifie our Father which is in heaven, Matth. 5.16.6
- 1Gal. 4.7.
- 21 Cor. 7.23.
- 3Eph. 6.5.
- 42 Cor. 5.14.
- 5Col. 1.10, 12.
- 6Matth. 5.16.
