Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. In running the greatest hazards, and exposing our selves to more trouble to cross the Will of God, than is necessary to the observance of it. Tis a vain charge men bring against the Divine precepts, that they are rigorous, severe, difficult: When, besides the contradiction to our Saviour, who tells us his Yoke is easy, and his Burden light, they thwart their own calm reason and Judgment. Is there not more difficulty to be Vicious, Covetous, Violent, Cruel, than to be Virtuous, Charitable, Kind? Doth the Will of God enjoin that, that is not conformable to right reason, and secretly delightful in the exercise and issue? And on the contrary what doth Satan and the world engage us in, that is not full of molestation and hazard? Is it a sweet and comely thing to combat continually against our own Consciences, and resist our own light, and commence a perpetual quarrel against our selves, as we ordinarily do when we sin? They in the Prophet, Mich. 6.6, 7, 8. would be at the expense of thousands of Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oil, if they could compass them; yea, would strip themselves of their Natural affection to their first-born to expiate the sin of their Soul, rather then to do Justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God; things more conducible to the Honour of God, the welfare of the world, the security of their Souls, and of a more easy practice than the offerings they wished for.

4. In running the greatest hazards, and exposing our selves to more trouble to cross the Will of God, than is necessary to the observance of it. Tis a vain charge men bring against the Divine precepts, that they are rigorous, severe, difficult: When, besides the contradiction to our Saviour, who tells us his Yoke is easy, and his Burthen light, they thwart their own calm reason and Judgment. Is there not more difficulty to be Vicious, Covetous, Violent, Cruel, than to be Vertuous, Charitable, Kind? Doth the Will of God enjoyn that, that is not conformable to right reason, and secretly delightful in the exercise and issue? And on the contrary what doth Satan and the world engage us in, that is not full of molestation and hazard? Is it a sweet and comely thing to combat continually against our own Consciences, and resist our own light, and commence a perpetual quarrel against our selves, as we ordinarily do when we sin? They in the Prophet, Mich. 6.6, 7, 8. would be at the expence of thousands of Rams, and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl, if they could compass them; yea, would strip themselves of their Natural affection to their first-born to expiate the sin of their Soul, rather then to do Justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God; things more conducible to the Honour of God, the welfare of the world, the security of their Souls, and of a more easie practice than the offerings they wished for.