CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Fourthly, We must always distinguish between the Integrity of parts of our obedience, and the intension of degrees; The godly though they reach to the former yet not to the latter: It's true by what reason we do any command in the integrity of it, we are bound to the perfection of it; But God giveth not such a measure of grace in this life; It's said of David and Zechariah with his Wife, that they walked in all the Commandments of God: Yet that cannot be understood perfectly, for how often did David fail and Zechariah for his unbelief was stricken dumb; There is no such thing as a Popish perfection; The Fathers abhorred it, our perfection is to acknowledge our imperfection, and then the Commandments are by Gods grace accounted done, when what is not done is forgiven and pardoned; These things premised let us consider why the godly are obedient to Gods commands, they dare not omit known duties, or commit known sins.

Fourthly, We must alwaies distinguish between the Integrity of parts of our obedience, and the intension of degrees; The godly though they reach to the former yet not to the latter: It's true by what reason we do any command in the integrity of it, we are bound to the perfection of it; But God giveth not such a measure of grace in this life; It's said of David and Zachary with his Wife, that they walked in all the Commandments of God: Yet that cannot be understood perfectly, for how often did David fail and Zachary for his unbelief was stricken dumb; There is no such thing as a Popish perfection; The Fathers abhorred it, our perfection is to acknowledge our imperfection, and then the Commandements are by Gods grace accounted done, when what is not done is forgiven and pardoned; These things premised let us consider why the godly are obedient to Gods commands, they dare not omit known duties, or commit known sins.

Reasons. 1 First, Because the principle of Regeneration and seed of grace is universal, It doth seminally contain all kinds and parts of grace in it; As all seeds, even of an Oak, or the tallest Trees, though never so little, yet virtually contain all those great branches, and let them have time to grow, they will diffuse themselves into a vast compass; Grace is the Image of God, and that inferreth a resemblance in lineaments and parts, an hand, or a foot is not an Image, So then seeing that in Regeneration there is infused the habit or principles of all grace, no wonder if there be an Inclination to all, yet not so, but that they may be carried out