A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

But before I enter upon the Discussion of the particular Branches, I shall observe some things in the General.

Observ. 1. Grace teacheth us Holiness. It teacheth by way of Direction, by way Argument, and by way of Encouragement.

1. It teacheth by way of Direction, what Duties we ought to perform, and so it maketh use of the Moral Law as a Rule of Life. The Law is still our Direction, otherwise what we do, cannot be an Act of Obedience. Certainly the Direction of the Law is still in force; for where there is no Law, there is no Transgression; and Duty without a Rule is but Will-worship. If the Law were blotted out, the Image of God would be blotted out; for the external Law is nothing but the Copy of God's Image, that Holiness and Righteousness which is impressed on the Heart. Now Grace doth not blot out the Image of God, but perfects it. In the new Covenant God promiseth to make the Law more legible; Heb. 8.10. This is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my Laws into their Mind, and write them in their Hearts. Well then, we are not freed from the Authority, and directive Power of the Law. Grace adopts, it doth not abolish the Law; the Commands of the Law sway the Conscience, and Love inclineth the Heart, and so it becometh an Act of pure Obedience. Obedience respects the Command, as Love doth the Kindness and Merit of the Lawgiver.