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

§. 7 The last cause is new obedience.

The last cause of this spiritual security is new obedience. For when like dutiful and loving children, we do desire and endeavour to do the will of our heavenly Father, at all times and in all things, and perform as much as we are able, that obedience which his law requireth, not only in our outward actions, but also in our hearts and inward affections; and bewail our wants and imperfections, when we come ⟨p. 95⟩short of that measure and degree which we desire to attain unto, it will work in our hearts a child-like confidence in the love of our God, and make us securely to repose and cast our selves in all estates and conditions upon his gracious providence, for the supplying of all our wants, protection from all dangers, and deliverance out of all afflictions. And so much the rather, because we are hereby strengthened in our Faith, and enabled to apply unto our selves all those sweet and comfortable promises which God hath made unto those who bring forth these fruits of new obedience; especially those which concern spiritual peace and tranquillity of mind, and this holy and Christian security. So the Lord promiseth, That if we will keep his Statutes and Judgements, we shall dwell in the Land in ¹safety. And in another place, That if we keep his Statutes, and walk ²in his Commandments to do them, the Lord with all other temporal benefits, promiseth peace and safety; and that we shall lie down and none shall make us afraid. And Zophar telleth us, that if we prepare ³our hearts to seek God, and stretch out our hands towards him, that then we shall be steadfast and without fear, lie down securely, and be freed from the fear of all things. So Wisdom promiseth, that who so hearken unto her, and obey her voice, they shall dwell safely, and shall