The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

2. I come now to consider the second thing propounded, The reason why Perseverance is requisite in all that will obtain Eternal Life, and 'tis this, That their Sincerity may be discovered by constancy in Obedience under all Trials. Blessed is the Man that endures Temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. The Law required unsinning Obedience as the condition of Life, the Gospel accepts ⟨p. 154⟩of Sincerity, but if that be wanting, there is no Promise that gives right to the Reward. Now Sincerity implies such an entire Love of God, as makes a Person submit to all Duties commanded in his Law, and all Trials appointed by his Providence. A high Example we have of this in Abraham, when he was commanded to offer up his only Son Isaac, and by his own Hands, for a burnt Offering. This was to kill a double Sacrifice at one blow, for the Life of Abraham▪ was bound up in Isaac: he lived in him more dearly than in himself; all his Joy, all his Posterity by Sarah had dyed in Isaac. What resentments, what resistance of Nature did he suffer? yet presently he adderest himself to perform his Duty. Who ever saw a more glorious Victory over all the tender and powerful Passions of human Nature? O unexampled Obedience! being an Original without any Precedent to imitate, and without a Copy to succeed it. After this clear infallible Testimony of his Sincerity, the Angel declared from Heaven, Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me. And 'tis said concerning the Followers of the Lamb that they loved not their Lives unto the Death. ⟨p. 155⟩The Love of Christ that animated them in all their Sufferings, was sweeter than Life, and stronger than Death.

2. I come now to consider the second thing propounded, The reason why Perseverance is requisite in all that will obtain Eternal Life, and 'tis this, That their Sincerity may be discovered by constancy in Obedience under all Tryals. Blessed is the Man that endures Temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. The Law required unsinning Obedience as the condition of Life, the Gospel accepts ⟨p. 154⟩