A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 2 That we must perform obedience to both Tables jointly, and to the Gospel, as well as the Law.

§. Sect. 2 That we must performe obedience to both Tables ioyntly, and to the Gospell, as well as the Law.

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.