A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

3. Because it hath a peculiar influence into our Obedience under the Gospel. Under the Old Testament the Church had sundry motives unto Obedience taken from temporal things, namely, prosperity and peace in the Land of Canaan, with deliverance out of troubles and distresses. Promises hereof made unto them the Scripture abounds withal, and thereon presseth them unto Obedience, and diligence in the Worship of God. But we are now left unto promises of Invisible and Eternal things, which cannot be fully enjoyed but by virtue of the Resurrection from the dead. And therefore these promises are made unspeakably more clear and evident, as also the things promised unto us, than they were unto them, and so our motives and encouragements unto Obedience, are unspeakably advanced above theirs. This may well therefore be esteemed as an especial principle of the Doctrine of the Gospel. And

3. Because it hath a peculiar influence into our Obedience under the Gospel. Under the Old Testament the Church had sundry motives unto Obedience taken from temporal things, namely, prosperity and peace in the Land of Canaan, with deliverance out of troubles and distresses. Promises hereof made unto them the Scripture abounds withal, and thereon presseth them unto Obedience, and diligence in the Worship of God. But we are now left unto promises of Invisible and Eternal things, which cannot be fully enjoyed but by virtue of the Resurrection from the dead. And therefore these promises are made unspeakably more clear and evident, as also the things promised unto us, than they were unto them, and so our motives and incouragements unto Obedience, are unspeakably advanced above theirs. This may well therefore be esteemed as an especial principle of the Doctrine of the Gospel. And

1. It is an animating principle of Gospel Obedience, because we are assured thereby that nothing we do therein shall be lost. In general the Apostle proposeth this as our great encouragement, That God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love, ver. 10. and shows us the especial way whereby it shall be remembered. Nothing is more fatal unto any endeavours, than an apprehension that men do in them spend their strength in vain, and their labour for nought. This makes the Hands of men weak, their Knees feeble, and their Hearts fearful. Nor can any thing deliver us from a slothful despondency, but an assurance that the fruit of our endeavours shall be called over again. And this is given us alone by the Faith of the Resurrection of the dead, when they shall awake again, and sing, who dwell in the dust; and then shall the Righteous be had in everlasting remembrance. Let no man fear the loss of his work, unless it be such as the Fire will consume, when it will be to his advantage to suffer that loss, and to have it so consumed. Not a good thought, word or work, but shall have a new Life given unto it, and have as it were a share in the Resurrection.