3. I have the rather fallen on this subject of Duties, both because necessary in their way, and because they are so much opposed by many of our Age, who surely are not acquainted with them (with the workings of the Spirit in them, and by them) for otherwise it could not be so: If this Error spread, it will quickly eat out all Religion, and throw down Souls to Hell. Their pretence is, who are the Abettors of it, That they have found out a near and easy ⟨image 5⟩way to heaven;1 but I rather believe Christ (saith Rutherford) who tells us it is a way of many miles, strait, narrow and thorny; indeed the Meritorious way to us is easy, but the way of a Christian conversation (whether they will or no) lieth through Duties; 2it is not words, Lord, Lord, but working, sweating, running, wrestling, fighting, striving, overcoming, bleeding, suffering, abounding in the work, denying our selves, taking up the cross, enduring temptations, sowing to the Spirit, serving the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and temptations, watching, praying, taking Christs yoke upon us, selling all our sweetest delights, keeping the commandments of Christ, which howsoever they are not grievous, yet they are not so easy, as that the only bare act of Believing should be the only Gospel work. Might we still lie in our Ivory Beds, under no Law, no Obligation of doing, no danger of sinning, no broken bones, no terrors, no sense of sorrow for sin, no progress in personal Repentance, Mortification, Sanctification, no care of watchful walking to perfect holiness in the fear of God, no abstaining from worldly lusts, no strictness of Conversation, but only Believe that Christ hath Suffered, and Christ hath done all Duties for us, Repented for us, Mortified lusts for us, walked strictly and holily for us, this were an easy work indeed. For my part, I would not willingly make the way to Heaven longer then Christ hath made it; but if we ⟨image 5⟩believe the Scriptures, 3we shall find other Commandments on us under the Gospel, then Believing only for Righteousness: There is the Righteousness of Christ received by us, and working in us; the first is the Righteousness of Justification, the second of Sanctification, and our Establishment lies in both.
3. I have the rather fallen on this subject of Duties, both because necessary in their way, and because they are so much opposed by many of our Age, who surely are not acquainted with them (with the workings of the Spirit in them, and by them) for otherwise it could not be so: If this Error spread, it will quickly eat out all Religion, and throw down Souls to Hell. Their pretence is, who are the Abettors of it, That they have found out a near and easie ⟨image 5⟩way to heaven;1 but I rather believe Christ (saith Rutherford) who tells us it is a way of many miles, strait, narrow and thorny; indeed the Meritorious way to us is easie, but the way of a Christian conversation (whether they will or no) lyeth through Duties; 2it is not words, Lord, Lord, but working, sweating, running, wrestling, fighting, striving, overcoming, bleeding, suffering, abounding in the work, denying our selves, taking up the cross, enduring temptations, sowing to the Spirit, serving the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and temptations, watching, praying, taking Christs yoke upon us, selling all our sweetest delights, keeping the commandments of Christ, which howsoever they are not grievous, yet they are not so easie, as that the onely bare act of Believing should be the onely Gospel work. Might we still lie in our Ivory Beds, under no Law, no Obligation of doing, no danger of sinning, no broken bones, no terrors, no sense of sorrow for sin, no progress in personal Repentance, Mortification, Sanctification, no care of watchful walking to perfect holiness in the fear of God, no abstaining from worldly lusts, no strictness of Conversation, but onely Believe that Christ hath Suffered, and Christ hath done all Duties for us, Repented for us, Mortified lusts for us, walked strictly and holily for us, this were an easie work indeed. For my part, I would not willingly make the way to Heaven longer then Christ hath made it; but if we ⟨image 5⟩believe the Scriptures, 3we shall finde other Commandments on us under the Gospel, then Believing onely for Righteousness: There is the Righteousness of Christ received by us, and working in us; the first is the Righteousness of Justification, the second of Sanctification, and our Establishment lyes in both.
- 1Mr. Rutherford in his Survey of Spiritual Antichrist.
- 2Matth 7.21. 1 Cor. 9.24, 25 2 Tim 4.7. Luke 13.24. Rev. 2.7. Acts 14.22. Rev. 1.9. 1 Cor. 15.58. Heb. 12 4. Matth. 16.24 James 1.12. Gal. 6.8. Acts 20.19. Matth. 24.42. and 11.29. 1 John 5.3.Matth 7.21. 1 Cor. 9.24, 25 2 Tim 4.7. Luke 13.24. Rev. 2.7. Acts 14.22. Rev. 1.9. 1 Cor. 15.58. Heb. 12 4. Matth. 16.24 Iames 1.12.
