2 xTo perform Gospel-Obedience, which is the fruit and exercise of Faith; and is therefore in Scripture called the Obedience of Faith, because it is nothing else but Faith in Exercise, animating, quickening and improving all the Graces of Sanctification to their proper actions. This Obedience is vastly differing from that which is required in the Covenant of Works: For, although it be the same Moral Law which is the Rule of Obedience required or prescribed in both the Covenants, yet it is presented under divers considerations: In the first Covenant it was considered as the Antecedent-condition, and Meritorious cause of Man's Blessedness, and this Blessedness was therein propounded under the notion of a reward of that Obedience: But here it is only as a consequent condition or the way in which we are to attain unto felicity, ⟨p. 40⟩Jam. 1.25. Besides, in the former it was to be performed by Man's own strength, or the improvement of that Grace which was given Man in his Creation: In this it is to be done by the help and strength of Christ, Phil. 4.14. In the former it was to be done perfectly, else Man was to lose his Reward: In this (though every Believer ought to press earnestly after perfection, and be sensible of every defect and bewail it before God, yet) none is to expect to be perfect in this Life, but God hath respect to, and readily acknowledgeth the sincerity and integrity of His People. In the former God punished the least defect with Death; in this God is tender and pitiful to His poor People, bearing with their many infirmities, and accepting of their humble confession and Repentance: There God animadverted on the least defect, here he covers many transgressions: There he cast the Sinner out of His favour. Here His Children are only chastised, but His Love is not taken away, nor Covenant profaned, Psal. 89.30, &c. In the former, Repentance was of no worth nor account, for it left no room for it; in this the People of God may in a way of Repentance obtain Pardon, and there Sin is done away, Psal. 32.7. 2 Sam. 12.13. These differences well observed will give us Light into the true nature of Gospel-Obedience and there are these things requisite in it.
2 xTo perform Gospel-Obedience, which is the fruit and exercise of Faith; and is therefore in Scripture called the Obedience of Faith, because it is nothing else but Faith in Exercise, animating, quickning and improving all the Graces of Sanctification to their proper actions. This Obedience is vastly differing from that which is required in the Covenant of Works: For, although it be the same Morall Law which is the Rule of Obedience required or prescribed in both the Covenants, yet it is presented under divers considerations: In the first Covenant it was considered as the Antecedent-condition, and Meritorious cause of Man's Blessedness, and this Blessedness was therein propounded under the notion of a reward of that Obedience: But here it is only as a consequent condion or the way in which we are to attain unto felicity, ⟨p. 40⟩Jam. 1.25. Besides, in the former it was to be performed by Man's own strength, or the improvement of that Grace which was given Man in his Creation: In this it is to be done by the help and strength of Christ, Phil. 4.14. In the former it was to be done perfectly, else Man was to lose his Reward: In this (though every Beleever ought to press earnestly after perfection, and be sensible of every defect and bewail it before God, yet) none is to expect to be perfect in this Life, but God hath respect to, and readily acknowledgeth the sincerity and integrity of His People. In the former God punished the least defect with Death; in this God is tender and pittifull to His poor People, bearing with their many infirmities, and accepting of their humble confession and Repentance: There God animedverted on the least defect, here he covers many transgressions: There he cast the Sinner out of His favour. Here His Children are only chastised, but His Love is not taken away, nor Covenant prophaned, Psal. 89.30, &c. In the former, Repentance was of no worth nor account, for it left no room for it; in this the People of God may in a way of Repentance obtain Pardon, and there Sin is done away, Psal. 32.7. 2 Sam. 12.13. These differences well observed will give us Light into the true nature of Gospel-Obedience and there are these things requisite in it.
- xIn foedere gratiae Deus promittit homini se fore ipsi patrem in Christo, si filialem praestiterit obedientiam. Alsted Theol. P. 375.
