Which dangers if we would avoid, we must resolve to yield obedience to all and every part of Gods will revealed, either in the Law, or 1the Gospel. In respect of the Law, we must observe both Tables, and perform all duties of piety, righteousness and sobriety which God hath commanded in them. And if we would approve our selves to be in the number of those who are the Lords redeemed, we must resolve to worship him both in holiness and righteousness. If we would be reckoned among those good scholars unto whom the grace of God hath appeared, that bringeth salvation, we must approve our selves to be so, by learning that whole lesson which he teacheth, which is, to deny ungodliness and worldly 2lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world: And if we would be accepted of God, we must not only religiously fear him, but 3also work righteousness, as the Apostle Peter speaketh. For if we seem to make conscience of the first Table, and neglect the second, our obedience will make us no better then glorious Hypocrites: or if we will observe the duties of the second, and not regard the first, we shall be no better then civill worldlings, and honest Infidels. Again, we must observe this universal obedience, as in respect of the parts of the Law, and duties of both Tables, so also of the degrees, desiring to keep, with all care and good conscience, the small Commandments as well as the greater, not thinking any duty so small, that we may wittingly and willingly neglect it, nor any sin so slight and venial, that we may commit it. For small neglects will make way for greater; and lesser sins being wilfully entertained, will open the door of our hearts to let in greater. It is true that there ought to be a proportion observed, and as duties are of greatest excellency and necessity, so they must have priority and precedency; and as sins are more heinous and grievous, so they must be resisted and forsaken with greatest zeal and endeavour. But yet true and sincere obedience dispenseth with no degree of sin, or the neglect of the least duties in their due place and time: and though it respecteth chiefly the weighty things of the Law, yet it doth not voluntarily omit the least duties. Though it chiefly abhorreth whoredom, sacrilege and perjury, yet it yieldeth not to wanton dalliance, petty thefts, and idle oaths.
Which dangers if we would auoyd, wee must resolue to yeeld obedience to all and euery part of Gods will reuealed, either in the Law, or 1the Gospell. In respect of the Law, we must obserue both Tables, and performe all duties of piety, righteousnesse and sobriety which God hath commanded in them. And if wee would approue our selues to bee in the number of those who are the Lords redeemed, wee must resolue to worship him both in holinesse and righteousnesse. If wee would be reckoned among those good scholers vnto whom the grace of God hath appeared, that bringeth saluation, we must approue our selues to bee so, by learning that whole lesson which he teacheth, which is, to deny vngodlines and worldly 2lusts, and to liue soberly, righteously and godly in this present world: And if we would be accepted of God, we must not onely religiously feare him, but 3also worke righteousnesse, as the Apostle Peter speaketh. For if wee seeme to make conscience of the first Table, and neglect the second, our obedience will make vs no better then glorious Hypocrites: or if wee will obserue the duties of the second, and not regard the first, wee shall bee no better then ciuill worldlings, and honest Infidels. Againe, wee must obserue this vniuersall obedience, as in respect of the parts of the Law, and duties of both Tables, so also of the degrees, desiring to keepe, with all care and good conscience, the small Commandements as well as the greater, not thinking any duty so small, that we may wittingly and willingly neglect it, nor any sinne so slight and veniall, that wee may commit it. For small neglects will make way for greater; and lesser sins being wilfully entertained, will open the doore of our hearts to let in greater. It is true that there ought to be a proportion obserued, and as duties are of greatest excellency and necessity, so they must haue priority and precedency; and as sinnes are more hainous and grieuous, so they must be resisted and forsaken with greatest zeale and indeuour. But yet true and sincere obedience dispenceth with no degree of sinne, or the neglect of the least duties in their due place and time: and though it respecteth chiefly the waighty things of the Law, yet it doth not voluntarily omit the least duties. Though it chiefly abhorreth whoredome, sacriledge and periury, yet it yeeldeth not to wanton dalliance, petty thefts, and idle oathes.
- 1Luk. 1. 74.
- 2Tit. 2. 12.
- 3Act. 10. 35.
