Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

First, It looks on the Command which in Scripture calls for these Graces, as the very Will of God: And so presses for Obedience many ways; as first from the Divine Authority of it, In the word of a King there is power, much more in the word of a God, when known to be such. In the Council of Triburia a fancy touching an Epistle come from Heaven made impression in some of them. Had it been really known to be so indeed, the impression would have been deeper. At the sound of the Command Faith knows, ⟨p. 290⟩that it is the Lord, that the voice is from the excellent glory; and in that Authority presses to Obedience. But this is not all, besides Gods Authority, it urges from his Love. It is (saith Faith) the voice of thy beloved, thy dear Father in Heaven, who hath cast his cords and bands of Love round about thee to draw thee to himself; and then the Heart must needs feel constraints and holy inflammations to Obedience, and be like St. Peter, who, when he knew it was the Lord, girt himself, and made towards him. Gods Love hath dropped sweetness into the Command, and made all easy. Moreover, to make the stronger impulse on the Believer, Faith demonstrates, That the Command is just, and right, and good; that holy Love and Patience, and other Graces of the first Table are pure rectitudes wherein Man stands in his true posture towards God, his Goodness or Providence, or some other thing in him: And also that Justice and Temperance, and Charity are rectitudes wherein he stands in a true posture towards others, or himself for Gods sake. And a Command so known moves so strongly towards Obedience, that a man, who would pay his debts to God, or his Neighbour, or himself, cannot, must not repugn.

First, It looks on the Command which in Scripture calls for these Graces, as the very Will of God: And so presses for Obedience many ways; as first from the Divine Authority of it, In the word of a King there is power, much more in the word of a God, when known to be such. In the Council of Triburia a fancy touching an Episile come from Heaven made impression in some of them. Had it been really known to be so indeed, the impression would have been deeper. At the sound of the Command Faith knows, ⟨p. 290⟩that it is the Lord, that the voice is from the excellent glory; and in that Authority presses to Obedience. But this is not all, besides Gods Authority, it urges from his Love. It is (saith Faith) the voice of thy beloved, thy dear Father in Heaven, who hath cast his cords and bands of Love round about thee to draw thee to himself; and then the Heart must needs feel constraints and holy inflammations to Obedience, and be like St. Peter, who, when he knew it was the Lord, girt himself, and made towards him. Gods Love hath dropt sweetness into the Command, and made all easie. Moreover, to make the stronger impulse on the Believer, Faith demonstrates, That the Command is just, and right, and good; that holy Love and Patience, and other Graces of the first Table are pure rectitudes wherein Man stands in his true posture towards God, his Goodness or Providence, or some other thing in him: And also that Justice and Temperance, and Charity are rectitudes wherein he stands in a true posture towards others, or himself for Gods sake. And a Command so known moves so strongly towards Obedience, that a man, who would pay his debts to God, or his Neighbour, or himself, cannot, must not repugn.