Rule 1.

Rule 1.

1 Whosoever in a Gospel-sense doth obey the commanding word of God, ¹hath a real interest in the Promising Word of God: Though thou canst not perfectly obey the will of God, yet if thou dost truly desire, and industriously endeavour to obey it in all things. If God hath written his Law in thy heart, and ⟨p. 169⟩given thee a Gospel-frame, inclining thee to the obedience of all his Commandments sincerely, though not perfectly; this is an infallible evidence, that thou hast a right and portion in all the Promises. This is that which God saith, Exod. 19. 5. If you will obey my voice indeed, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure, &c. If ye will obey my voice indeed, not only in word, and in show, but in deed, and in truth. Thus Jerem. 7. 5, 7. If ye thoroughly amend your ways, if ye thoroughly execute judgement, &c. then will I cause you to dwell in this place, &c. If ye thoroughly amend, &c. not only in some things, but in all things; not only outwardly, but inwardly also. This Rule is expressly delivered by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. If thou beest a godly man in a Gospel-sense, that is, one who truly and sincerely endeavoureth to be godly. If thou makest Gods Will, ⟨p. 170⟩thy Rule to live by, and not thine own. Gods glory thy end, and not thy own carnal interest. Gods love thy Principle. If thy Rules, Aims, and Principles be godly, all the Promises of this Life, and of the Life to come, belong to thee. It is worth observing: that all the Promises of Life and Salvation are conditional. Happiness is entailed upon Holiness, Glory upon Grace. You shall read in Scripture of the blessings of the Covenant, and of the bond of the Covenant,