Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

2. That our obedience might be more willing and free; an absolute Law might seem to extort obedience, but a Covenant and agreement makes it clearly to appear more free and willing. This is of the nature of the Covenant of grace; first, God promiseth mercy, to be our exceeding great reward; and then we promise obedience, to be his free, and willing people; & thus we become gods, not only by a property founded in his sovereign power & love, but by a property growing out of our own voluntary consents; we are not only his people, but his willing people; we give him our hand, when we become his, and enter into Covenant with him: See the expression, Ezek. 17.18.¹ He despised the oath by breaking the Covenant, when lo he had given his hand. We are his, as the wife is her husbands.² I entered into Covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine; now in marriages, free and mutual consent you know is ever given, and so it is here.

2. That our obedience might be more willing and free; an absolute Law might seem to extort obedience, but a Covenant and agreement makes it clearly to appear more free and willing. This is of the nature of the Covenant of grace; first, God promiseth mercy, to be our exceeding great reward; and then we promise obedience, to be his free, and willing people; & thus we become gods, not only by a property founded in his soveraign power & love, but by a property growing out of our own vo•untary consents; we are not only his people, but his willing people; we give him our hand, when we become his, and enter into Covenant with him: See the expression, Ezek. 17.18.¹ He dispised the oath by breaking the Covenant, when loe he had given his hand. We are his, as the wife is her husbands.² I entred into Covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine; now in marriages, free and mutual consent you know is ever given, and so it is here.