In reference to our design, there are these four things consider- able in it: — First, The nature of it; Secondly, The j^'^'inciple in us from whence it proceeds; Thirdly, The motives that are proper to the carrying it on, the cherishing and increasing of it in them in whom it is; Fourthly, The iJersons who are to be moved and pro- voked to a progress therein.
By a brief consideration of these things, we shall make way for what we have undertaken, — namely, to manifest the efficacy of the doctrine we have insisted on for the promotion of this gospel obedi- ence, it being accused and charged with the clean contrary tendency ; wdiereof, God assisting, we shall free and discharge it in the progress of this discourse.
First, In the nature of it, I shall consider only these two things: — 1. The matter or substance of it ; what it is as it were composed of, and wherein it doth consist. 2. The form or manner of its perform- ance, whence it receives its distinct being as such.
1. The matter or substance of it contains those things or duties to God wherein it doth consist. Now, it consisting, as I said before, in conformity and submission to the will, that is, the commanding revealed will, of God, the matter of it must lie in the performance of all those things, and only those things, which God requireth of believers in walking before him; I say, all those things that God comraandeth, with an equal respect to all his precepts. The autho- rity of God, the commander and lawgiver, is the same in every com- mand ; and therefore was the curse denounced upon " every one that continued not in all things written in the law to do them;" and the apostle tells us that in the transgression of any one precept there is included the transgression of the whole law, because the authority of the lawgiver, both m the one and the other, is despised: James ii. 10, 11, " Wliosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said. Do not commit adul- tery, said also. Do not kill." And I say, it is onli/ to the command.
X.] THE IMPEOVEMENT OF THE DOCTRINE. 385
for " in vain do men worship liim, teaching for doctrines the com- mandments of men." The most stupendous endeavours of men, the most laborious drudgery of their souls, in duties not commanded, are so far from obedience that they are as high rebellions against God as they can possibly engage themselves into.
I might rather distinguish the matter or substance of this obe- dience into the internal elicit act of our souls, in faith, love, and the like acts of moral and everlasting obedience, — which are naturally, necessarily, and indispensably, required in us upon the account of the first commandment, and the natural subjection wherein we stand unto God as his creatures, improved and enlarged by the new obli- gation put upon us in being his redeemed ones (wherein, indeed, the main of our obedience doth consist), — and the outward instituted duties of religion, which God hath appointed for those former acts of obedience to be exercised in and exerted by; but the former de- scription of it, with the intimation of its universality, may suffice.
2, The formality, if I may so speak, of this obedience, or that which makes the performance of duties commanded to be obedience, consists in these three things: —
(1.) The pr'inciple that beguis it and sets it on work immediately in us, and that is faith : " Without faith it is impossible to please God," Heb. xi. 6. Could a man do all that is commanded, yet if he did it not in faith, it would be of no value. Hence it is called " The obedience of faith," Rom. i. 5 ; not " For obedience to the faith," but^ " The obedience of faith," which faith bringeth forth. Therefore are believers called "obedient children," 1 Pet. i. 14, and we are said to " purify our souls in obeying the truth," verse 22. " Christ dwells in our hearts by faith," and "without him we can do nothing," John xv. 5. All that we do is no better, seeing we can no way " draw near unto God with a true heart" but " in full assurance of faith," Heb. x. 22.
(2.) The manner of doing it, which consists in a due spiritual regard to the will of God in those ways whereby he calls men out to this obedience, — namely, in his precepts and promises. There is no obedience unto God but that which moves according to his direc- tion; it must in every motion eye his command on the one hand, and his promise, whether of assistance for it or acceptance in it, on the other. Saith David, "I have respect unto all thy command- ments," Ps. cxix. 6; and saith the apostle, "Having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God," 2 Cor. vii. 1 .
(3.) The principal end of it, which is the glory of God as a re- warder; for "he that cometh unto God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," Heb. xL 6. ^ Owen refers to the expression in the original, Els uraxniiv •t/Vtsw,-. — Ed.