624 HOLINESS NECESSARY FROM [BOOK V.
it hath in the soul with the command. See to this purpose the ar- guing of our apostle, Rom. vii. 20-22. It is true, there is a natural light in conscience, complying with the command in its proposal, and urging obedience thereunto, which doth not make it easy to us, but, where it is alone, increaseth its burden and our bondage ; for it doth only give in its suffrage unto the sanction of the command, and add to the severity wherewith it is attended. But that compliance with the command which is from a principle of grace is quite of another nature, and greatly facilitates obedience. And we may dis- tinguish between that compliance with the command which is from the natural light of conscience, which genders unto bondage, and that which, being from a renewed principle of grace, gives liberty and ease in obedience : for the first respects principally the conse- quent of obedience or disobedience, the good or evil that will ensue upon them, Rom. ii. 14, 15 ; set aside this consideration, and it hath no more to say; — but the latter respects the command itself, which it embraceth, delighteth in, and judgeth good and holy, with the duties themselves required, which are natural and suited there- unto.
[2.] Grace of the latter sort, also, actual grace for every holy act and duty, is administered unto us according to the promise of the gospel. So God told Paul that " his gi'ace was sufficient for him." And " he worketh in us both to will and to do of his good plea- sure," Phil. ii. 13, so as that we " may do all things" through him that enables us ; the nature of which grace also hath been before dis- coursed of. Now, although this actual working of gi'ace be not in the power of the wills of men, to make use of or refuse as they see good, but its administration depends merely on the grace and faith- fulness of God, yet this I must say, that where it is sought in a due manner by faith and prayer, it is never so restrained from any be- liever but that it shall be effectual in him, unto the whole of that obedience which is required of him, and as it will be accepted from him.
If, then, this be the condition of the command of holiness, how just and equal must it needs be confessed to be! and therefore how highly reasonable is it that we should comply with it, and how great is their sin and folly by whom it is neglected ! It is true, we are absolutely obliged unto obedience by the mere authority of God who commands, but he not only allows us to take in, but directs us to seek after, those other considerations of it which may give it force and efficacy upon our souls and consciences. And among these, none is more efficacious towards gracious, mgenuous souls than this of the contemperation of the duties commanded unto spiritual aids of strength promised unto us; for what cloak or pretence of dislike
CHAP. III.] THE COMMANDS OF GOD. 625
or neglect is here left unto any? Wherefore not only the authority of God in giving a command, but the infinite wisdom and goodness of God in giving such a command, so just, equal, and gentle, fall upon us therein, to oblige us to holy obedience. To neglect or de- spise this command is to neglect or despise God in that way which he hath chosen to manifest all the holy properties of his nature.
2. The command is equal, and so to be esteemed from the onatter of it, or the things that it doth require. Things they are that are neither great nor grievous, much less perverse, useless, or evil, Micah vi. 6-8. There is nothing in the holiness which the command re- quires but what is good to him in whom it is, and useful to all others concerned in him or what he doth. What they are the apostle men- tions in his exhortation unto them, Phil. iv. 8. They are " things true," and " honest," and "just," and "pure," and "lovely," and " of good report." And what evil is there in any of these things, that we should decline the command that requires them? The more we abound in them, the better it will be for our relations, our families, our neighbours, the whole nation, and the world, but best of all for ourselves. " Godliness is profitable unto all things," 1 Tim. iv. 8, "These things are good and profitable unto men," Tit. iii. 8, — good to them that do them, and good to those towards whom they are done. But both these things, — namely, the usefulness of holiness unto our- selves and others, — must be spoken unto distinctly afterward, and are, therefore, transmitted unto their proper place.
Therefore, as it was before observed, it is incumbent on us, in the first place, to endeavour after holiness and the improvement of it, with respect unto the command of God that we should be holy, and because of it, and that especially under the consideration of it which we have insisted on. I know not what vain imaginations have seemed to possess the minds of some, that they have no need of re- sjDect unto the command, nor to the promises and threatenings of it, but to obey merely firom the power and guidance of an inward principle ; nay, some have supposed that a respect unto the command would vitiate our obedience, rendering it legal and servile ! But I hope that darkness which hindered men from discerning the harmony and compliance which is between the principle of grace in us and the authority of the command upon us is much taken away from all sincere professors. It is a respect unto the command which gives the formal nature of obedience unto what we do; and without a due regard unto it there is nothing of holiness in us. Some would make the light of nature to be their rule; some, in what they do, look no farther for their measure than what canies the reputation of common honesty among men. He that would be holy indeed must always mind the command of God, with that reverence and those afiections