3 This also is a third effect of the freedom from the Covenant of works, that a Christian doth not look for conjugal comfort from his obedience, nor fear conjugal divorce, from his disobedience. In a Covenant of works it is with a man as it was with Leah (Jacobs wife (who expected love and fellowship from her Husband, because of her fruitfulness, Gen. 29.32,34. but thus doth not a man under a Covenant of grace, for when he hath done all he can, he is ready to say, I am an unprofitable servant, Luke 17.10. and doth not challenge God for any of his dealing with him, he seeth he deserveth not his daily bread, and so looks for no reward from his good works; though the Lord will graciously acknowledge his servants in what they do according to his will, yet they are not wont to plead any such thing, which is very observable in the practice of Jacob, Gen. 32.9,10, &c. where he doth not press the performance of Gods Commandment to ⟨p. 131⟩procure any blessing, but acknowledgeth his unworthiness, and looketh for grace from the Promise of God; Deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother, for thou saidst, I will surely do thee good. Nor doth a Child of God fear divorce by his disobedience, though it have been very great. Sometimes the people of God have not only rejected the servants of God, but the Lord himself. 1 Sam. 8.7. But when Samuel had pressed hard upon them for their sin, Cha. 12. and they were truly humbled, then Samuel said unto them (ver. 20, 21, 22.) Fear not, &c. Therefore fear you not, he will not cast you off: So that (mind you) a poor Christian doth not fear divorce from his disobedience, for if we should look for blessings from the one, or cursings from the other, we walk as not under Christ, but under the Law: But he that is freed from the Covenant of works, is freed also from expecting salvation, or fearing damnation for what he doth: He knoweth the Lord will hide his face from him, if he do evil, but he knoweth the Lord will not cast him off for ever, yet he dares not commit sin, but ⟨p. 132⟩being under grace, he is the more affected if he shall at any time displease God, and procure chastisement to himself, and by this means the Lord doth mortify his distempers; on the other side, if he do well, he will not say now my Husband will cleave unto me, and dwell with me: No, no, we are freed from the Law, Rom. 7.4.
3 This also is a third effect of the freedom from the Covenant of works, that a Christian doth not look for conjugall comfort from his obedience, nor fear conjugall divorce, from his disobedience. In a Covenant of works it is with a man as it was with Leah (Jacobs wife (who expected love and fellowship from her Husband, because of her fruitfulnes, Gen. 29.32,34. but thus doth not a man under a Covenant of grace, for when he hath done all he can, he is ready to say, I am an unprofitable servant, Luke 17.10. and doth not chalenge God for any of his dealing with him, he seeth he deserveth not his daily bread, and so looks for no reward from his good works; though the Lord will gratiously acknowledge his servants in what they doe according to his will, yet they are not wont to plead any such thing, which is very observable in the practice of Jacob, Gen. 32.9,10, &c. where he doth not presse the performance of Gods Commandement to ⟨p. 131⟩procure any blessing, but acknowledgeth his unworthinesse, and looketh for grace from the Promise of God; Deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother, for thou saidst, I will surely doe thee good. Nor doth a Child of God fear divorce by his disobedience, though it have been very great. Sometimes the people of God have not onely rejected the servants of God, but the Lord himselfe. 1 Sam. 8.7. But when Samuel had pressed hard upon them for their sin, Cha. 12. and they were truly humbled, then Samuel said unto them (ver. 20, 21, 22.) Fear not, &c. Therefore feare you not, he will not cast you off: So that (mind you) a poor Christian doth not fear divorce from his disobedience, for if we should look for blessings from the one, or cursings from the other, we walk as not under Christ, but under the Law: But he that is freed from the Covenant of works, is freed also from expecting salvation, or fearing damnation for what he doth: He knoweth the Lord will hide his face from him, if he doe evill, but he knoweth the Lord will not cast him off for ever, yet he dares not commit sin, but ⟨p. 132⟩being under grace, he is the more affected if he shall at any time displease God, and procure chastisement to himselfe, and by this means the Lord doth mortifie his distempers; on the other side, if he doe well, he will not say now my Husband will cleave unto me, and dwell with me: No, no, we are freed from the Law,