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

They are therefore no otherwise meet for God but in and through Christ, according to the infinite condescension which he is pleased to exercise in the Covenant of Grace. Therein doth the Lord Christ (1) Make our persons accepted, as was that of Abel through Faith in him, which was the foundation of the Acceptation of his Offering, Gen. 4. 4. Heb. 11. 4. And this is of Grace also; It is to the praise of his glorious Grace wherein he makes us accepted in the Beloved, Ephes. 1. 6. And (2) He bears and takes away the iniquity that cleaves unto them as they proceed from us, which renders them unmeet for God. This was typed out by the plate of God, wherein was inscribed Holiness to the Lord, that was on the forehead of the High Priest. It was that he might bear the Iniquity of the Holy things of the people, Exod. 28. 36, 37, 38. He bare it in the Expiation he made of all sin; and takes it away in the sight of God. And (3) He adds of the Incense of his own Mediation unto ⟨p. 68⟩them, that they may have a sweet savour in their Offering to God, Rev. 8. 3. On this foundation it is that God hath graciously designed them unto sundry Ends of his Glory, and accepts them accordingly.

For (1) The Will of his Command is fulfilled thereby; and this tends to the Glory of his Rule and Government, Matth. 7. 21. We are to pray that the Will of God may be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. The Glory that God hath in Heaven from the Ministry of all his holy Angels, consists in this, that they always, with all readiness and cheerfulness do observe his Commands and do his Will, esteeming their doing so to be their Honour and Blessedness. For hereby is the Rule and Authority of God owned, avouched, exalted; a neglect whereof was the Sin and Ruin of the Apostate Angels. In like manner our Fruits of Obedience are the only Acknowledgements that we do or can make to the supreme Authority and Rule of God over us, as the one Law-giver, who hath power to kill and keep alive. The Glory of an Earthly King consists principally in the willing Obedience which his Subjects give unto his Laws. For hereby they expressly acknowledge that they esteem his Laws. wise, just, equal, useful to mankind, and also reverence his Authority. And it is the Glory of God, when the Subjects of his Kingdom, do testify unto all, their willing cheerful Subjection unto all his Laws, as holy, righteous, and good, by the Fruits of their Obedience; as also that it is their principal Honour and Happiness to be engaged in his Service,