The Fountain of Life Opened

First, He imposes a new Law upon them, ¹and enjoins them to be severe and punctual in their obedience to it. The soul was a Belialite before, and could endure no restraint. It's Lusts gave it Law. We our selves were sometimes, foolish, disobedient, serving divers lusts, and pleasures. Tit. 3.3. What ever the flesh craved, and the sensual appetite whined after it must have; cost what it would cost: if damnation were the price of it, it would have it, provided it should not be present pay. Now it must not be any longer [Greek or Hebrew] without Law to ⟨p. 198⟩God: but under Law to Christ. Those are the articles of peace which the soul willingly signs in the day of its admission to mercy, Matth. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me. This Law of the Spirit of life, which is in Christ Jesus, makes them free from the Law of sin and death, Rom. 8.2. Here's much strictness, but no bondage. For the Law is not only written in Christs Statute-book the Bible, but copied out by his spirit upon the hearts of his subjects, in correspondent principles, which makes obedience a pleasure, and self-denial easy. Christs yoke is lined with Love: so that it never galls the necks of his people. 1 Joh. 5.3. His commandments are not grievous. The soul that comes under Christs government, must receive Law from Christ; and under Law every thought of the heart must come. Secondly, He rebukes and chastises souls for the violations and transgressions of his Law. That's another act of Christs Regal authority: whom he loves he rebukes and chastens. Heb. 12.6, 7. These chastisements of Christ are either by the rod of providence upon their bodies and outward comforts, or upon their spirits and inward comforts. Sometimes his rebukes are smart upon the outward man. 1 Cor. 11.30. For this cause many among you are weakly, and sick, and many sleep. They had not that due regard to his body that became them, and he will make their bodies to smart for it. And he had rather their flesh should smart, than their souls should perish. Sometimes he spares their outward, and afflicts their inner man, which is a much smarter rod. He withdraws peace, and takes away joy from the spirits of his people. The hidings of his face, are sore rebukes. However, all is for emendation, not for destruction.