Sermons preached

First, This is God's Will that his Law should be propounded with the Sanction of it; that is, with Penalties and Rewards. God might rule us with a Rod of Iron, require Duty out of mere Sovereignty; but he will draw us with the Cords of a Man, Hos. 11. 4. with such Arguments as are fitted to Mans Temper, as he is a reasonable Creature, that is, by Promises and Threatenings. We are best moved and induced to any thing by those two Affections, of Fear and Hope: the one Affection serveth for Aversation and Flight; the other for Choice and Pursuit. Therefore he that knoweth the Wards of the Lock, accordingly suiteth the Keys; and ⟨p. 338⟩doth not only require an exact Duty, but also promiseth Good, and threateneth Evil. Sovereigns in their public Edicts do not argue with their Subjects, but only interpose their Authority; but God condescendeth to reason with his Creatures: He doth not say, as sometimes, Thus shall ye do, I am the Lord; but if you do thus, this will be your ruin; and obey these Statutes for your Good, Deut. 6. 24. and so doth persuade as well as command.

First, This is God's Will that his Law should be propounded with the Sanction of it; that is, with Penalties and Rewards. God might rule us with a Rod of Iron, require Duty out of meer Sovereignty; but he will draw us with the Cords of a Man, Hos. 11. 4. with such Arguments as are fitted to Mans Temper, as he is a reasonable Creature, that is, by Promises and Threatnings. We are best moved and induced to any thing by those two Affections, of Fear and Hope: the one Affection serveth for Aversation and Flight; the other for Choice and Pursuit. Therefore he that knoweth the Wards of the Lock, accordingly suiteth the Keys; and ⟨p. 338⟩doth not only require an exact Duty, but also promiseth Good, and threatneth Evil. Sovereigns in their publick Edicts do not argue with their Subjects, but only interpose their Authority; but God condescendeth to reason with his Creatures: He doth not say, as sometimes, Thus shall ye do, I am the Lord; but if you do thus, this will be your ruine; and obey these Statutes for your Good,