Answ. To do it as a duty of necessity, is a servants condition; but to do a thing for loves sake to his friend, this is an act of friendship. Further, a man is not said to keep the Commandments, when himself only strives to keep them, but when he draws others to the same conscionable obedience. Friends have all things common, and they do not love that any that belong to them, should be enemies to their friends: So God looks at it as a part of Abraham's friendship, that he would command his children and servants after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18.17, 19. Hence in Scripture its a spiritual style give to Abraham, Abraham the friend of God, James 2.23. Isa. 41.8. Now, what eminent service did he above others? There were others as zealous as he, but this he had eminent in him, I know he will teach his children and household to keep my ways. Look at Moses, David, Eli, Jehoshaphat, all godly men, yet they were all failing in this, in instructing and bringing on their children and servants to the fear of God; but this was Abraham's friendship, that he was not only careful himself, but he sought to bring on his whole family to Gods worship. We see his care about Isaac, that God would establish his covenant with him, Gen. 17.18. And about Ishmael, that he might live in thy sight; and he brought on his whole family to be circumcised, though a painful thing, Gen. 17. ult. This was a fruit of true love. So David. professeth in his own person and Christs, Psal. 40.8. O Lord I delight in thy Law. Ps 19.9, 10. Thy commandments are more precious then gold, yea then fine gold: thy precepts are sweeter then honey and the honey-comb. A sign they were not grievous to him. Love makes us delight in the thing beloved.
Answ. To doe it as a duty of necessity, is a servants condition; but to do a thing for loves sake to his friend, this is an act of friendship. Further, a man is not said to keep the Commandements, when himself onely strives to keep them, but when he draws others to the same conscionable obedience. Friends have all things common, and they doe not love that any that belong to them, should be enemies to their friends: So God looks at it as a part of Abrahams friendship, that he would command his children and servants after him, that they should keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18.17, 19. Hence in Scripture its a spirituall style give to Abraham, Abraham the friend of God, James 2.23. Isa. 41.8. Now, what eminent service did he above others? There were others as zealous as he, but this he had eminent in him, I know he will teach his children and houshold to keep my wayes. Look at Moses, David, Eli, Jehosaphat, all godly men, yet they were all failing in this, in instructing and bringing on their children and servants to the fear of God; but this was Abrahams friendship, that he was not onely carefull himselfe, but he sought to bring on his whole family to Gods worship. We see his care about Isaac, that God would establish his covenant with him, Gen. 17.18. And about Ishamael, that he might live in thy sight; and he brought on his whole family to be circumcised, though a painfull thing, Gen. 17. ult. This was a fruit of true love. So David. professeth in his own person and Christs, Psal. 40.8. O Lord I delight in thy Law. Ps 19.9, 10. Thy commandements are more precious then gold, yea then fine gold: thy precepts are sweeter then honey and the honey-comb. A signe they were not grievous to him. Love makes us delight in the thing beloved.
