Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

being mixed with Faith will impower us to all Obedience. Hence the Service of God becomes a freedom, and Obedience easy and natural ⟨p. 316⟩moving upon the wheels of Love, and wings of the Spirit, which must needs be a very strong incentive to Obedience; and the rather because Faith ensures the acceptance thereof. Were we to obey under the Covenant of Works, which will bate nothing of pure sinless Perfection, our Obedience might be bootless and heartless; because every act of it would vanish and come to nothing by the adherent Corruption; which made Calvin say, That if a man did cull out the most excellent work of all his life, he would find some corrupt flesh or other in it. And St. Austin, Vae vite landabili, Woe to a laudable life without mercy: But we are to obey under the Covenant of Grace, whence Sincerity is accepted, and frailty covered. God gives a Testimonial of Righteousness to Noah, not withstanding his Infirmities; and of Perfectness to Asa, notwithstanding the high Places. Uprightness passes for absolute Perfection, and the main of the Heart for all of it; insomuch that it is said of Josiah, That he turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, 2 King. 23.25. his Sincerity was taken as if all had been fulfilled;¹ according to that of St. Austin, Omnia mandata facta deputantur, quando quicquid non sit ignoscitur. There are Pardons ready sealed in Heaven for Believers Infirmities; God forgives what is ours in a duty, and accepts what is his own. Our Duties are taken into the hand of Christ the Mediator, and there perfumed with ⟨p. 317⟩his sweet Merits; and though as they are in our hands they have dross and soil in them, yet as they are in his they are glorified Duties, and as sweet Odours to God. And upon such terms as these who would not obey? Every act of Obedience shall be accepted; and the light of Gods Countenance will irradiate our Duties. And to give a further advance to this Grace, Faith looks within the Veil to the great recompense in Heaven; there are Crowns of Life, rivers of Pleasures, and plenitudes of Joy for ever; there holy Souls see all Truths in their Original, drink all Good out of the Fountain, and have God for their All in All; and all this is the reward of our poor imperfect Obedience.