3. They are righteous, because they are easy, gentle, and not burdensome. The righteousness and uprightness here mentioned doth not denote strict, rigid, severe justice, extending itself unto the utmost of what can be required of the subjects to be ruled; but equity mixed with gentleness, tenderness, and condescension: which if it be absent from laws, and they breathe nothing but severity, rigour, and arbitrary impositions, though they may not be absolutely unjust, yet they are grievous and burdensome. Thus Peter calls the law of com- mandments contained in the ordinances of old, a yoke which neither their fathers nor themselves were able to bear, Acts xv. 10; that is, could never obtain rest or peace in the precise, rigid observation re- quired of them. But now for the rule of Christ, he tells us that “his yoke is easy, and his burden light,” Matt. xi. 30; and that “his com- mandments are not grievous,” 1 Johny. 3, And this gentleness and easiness of the rule of Christ consisteth in these three things:—
(1.) That his commands are all of them reasonable, and suited unto the principles of that natural obedience we owe to God; and so not grievous unto any thing in us but that principle of sin and darkness which is to be destroyed. He hath not multiplied precepts merely arbitrary, and to express his authority, but given us only such as are in themselves good, and suitable unto the principles of rea- son; as might be evinced by the particular consideration of his in-
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stitutions. Hence our obedience unto them is called “ our reason- able service,’ Rom. xii. 1.
(2.) His commands are easy, because all of them are suited to that principle of the new nature or new creature which he worketh in the hearts of all his disciples. It likes them, loves them, delights in them; which makes them easy unto it. The Lord Christ rules, as we said, by his word and Spirit; these go together in the cove- nant of the Redeemer, Isa. lix. 20, 21. And their work is suited and commensurate one to the other. The Spirit creates a new na- ture fitted for obedience according to the word, and the word gives out laws and precepts suited unto the inclination and disposition of that nature; and in these two consist the sceptre and rule of Christ. This suitableness of principle and rule one to the other makes his government easy, upright, and righteous.
(3.) His commands are easy, because he continually gives out supplies of his Spirit to make his subjects to yield obedience unto them. This is that which, above all other things, sets a lustre upon his rule. The law was holy, just, and good of old; but whereas it extended not strength unto men to enable them unto obedience, it became unto them altogether useless and unprofitable, as to the end they aimed at in its observation. It is otherwise in the kingdom of Christ. Whatever he requires to have done by his subjects, he gives them strength by his Spirit and grace to perform it; which makes his rule easy, righteous, equal, and altogether lovely. Neither can any of the sons of men pretend to the least share or interest in this privilege.
(4.) This rule and administration of Christ’s kingdom is righteous, because useful and profitable. Then are laws good, wholesome, and equal, when they lead unto the benefit and advantage of them that do observe them. Laws about slight and trivial things, or such as men have no benefit or advantage by their observation, are justly esteemed grievous and burdensome. But now, all the laws and whole rule of the Lord Christ are every way useful and advanta- geous to his subjects. They make them holy, righteous,—such as please God and are useful to mankind. This is their nature, this their tendency. “ Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what- soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,” they are all ingenerated in the soul by and in the observance of these laws of Christ’s rule. They free the soul from the power of lust, the service of sin, fear of death, hell, and the world, guide it in the truth, make it fruitful amongst mankind, and amiable unto God himself.
_ (6.) Their end manifests them to be righteous. The worth and equity of laws are taken off when low and unworthy ends are pro-
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194 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. I.
posed unto their observation. But those of the Lord Christ direct unto the highest end, propose and promise the most glorious rewards; so that whatsoever may be done or suffered in an adherence unto them bears no proportion to that exceeding rich and eternal reward which they are attended withal; which renders them highly righte- ous and glorious. And many other considerations of the like nature may be added. And hence a threefold corollary may be taken:—
[1.] That our submission to this sceptre of the Lord Christ, our obedience to the laws of his kingdom, and the administration thereof, is very righteous, equal, and reasonable. What can be further de- sired to render it so, or to provoke us unto it?
[2.] That the condemnation of those that refuse the reign of Christ over them, that will not yield obedience unto his laws, is most just and righteous. On these accounts will their mouths be stopped for ever, when he comes to deal with them who know not God and obey not the gospel.