The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, Direction 14
DIRECT. XIV.
That you may ſeek Holineſs and Righteouſneſs, only by believing in Chriſt, and walking in him by Faith, according to the former Directions, take Encouragement from the great Advantages of this way, and excellent Properties of it.
EXPLANATION.
THis Direction may ſerve as an Epilogue or Concluſion, by ſtirring us up unto a lively and chearful Imbracing theſe Goſpel Rules forementioned by ſeveral weighty Motives. As many are kept from ſeeking Godlineſs becauſe they know not the way to it, or the way that they think of, ſeems Uncouth, Unpleaſant, Diſadvantageous and full of Diſcouragement; like the way through the Wilderneſs to Canaan, which wearied the Iſralites, and occaſioned their many murmurings, Num. 21.4.
But this is a way ſo good and excellent, that thoſe that have the true Knowledge of it, and deſire heartily to be Godly, can't diſlike it. I ſhall ſhew the Excellency of it in ſeveral Particulars; but you ſhould firſt call to mind what is the way that I have taught, viz. Union and Fellowſhip with Chriſt, and by Faith in Chriſt, as diſcovered in the Goſpel; not by the Law, or in a natural Condition, or by thinking to get it before we come to Chriſt, to procure Chriſt by it, which is ſtriving againſt the Stream: But that we muſt firſt apply Chriſt and his Salvation to our ſelves for our Comfort, and that by confident Faith, and then walk by that Faith according to the New Man in Chriſt, and not as in a natural Condition, and uſe all means of Holineſs rightly for this end. Now that this is an excellent advantageous way, appears by the following deſirable Properties of it.
1. It hath this Property, that it tends to the Abaſement of all Fleſh, and Exaltation of God only in his Grace and Power through Chriſt; and ſo it is agreeable to Gods deſign in all his Works, and the end that he aimeth at, Rom. 11.6. Iſa. 2.17. Ezek. 36.21, 22.31.32. Pſal. 145.4. and a fit means for the attaining the end that we ought to aim at in the firſt place, which is the Hallowing, Sanctifying and Glorifying Gods Name in all things; and is the firſt and chief Petition, Mat. 6. and is the end of all our Actings, 1 Cor. 10.31. was the end of giving the Law, Rom. 3.19, 20. God made all things for Chriſt, and would have him have the Preheminence in all, Col. 1.17, 18. That the Father may be glorified in the Son, Joh. 14.13. And this Property of it, is a great Argument to prove that it is the way of God, and hath the Character of his Image ſtamped upon it; we may ſay that it is like him, and a way according to his Heart, as Chriſt proveth his Doctrin to be of God by this Argument, Joh. 7.18. And Paul proveth the Doctrin of Juſtification, and of Sanctification, and Salvation by Grace through Faith to be of God, becauſe it excludes all boaſtings of the Creature, Rom. 3.27, 28. 1 Cor. 1.29.30, 31. Eph. 3.8, 9. This Property appears evidently in the Myſtery of Sanctification by Chriſt in us through Faith. For firſt, It ſheweth that we can do nothing by our natural Will, or any Power of the Fleſh; and that God will not enable us to do any thing that way, Rom. 7.18. however Nature be ſtirred up by the Law or natural Helps, Col. 3.21. And ſo it ſerveth to work Self-loathing and Abaſement, and to make us look upon Nature, as deſperately wicked and paſt cure, and to be put off; not reformed by putting on Chriſt: It remains wicked, and only wicked, after we have put on Chriſt.
2. It ſheweth that all our good Works and living to God, are not by our own Power and Strength at all; but by the Power of Chriſt, living in us by Faith, and that God enableth us to act, not meerly according to our natural Power, as he enableth carnal Men and all other Creatures, but above our own Power by Chriſt united to us and in us through the Spirit: All Men live, move, and have their Being in him, and by his univerſal Support and Maintenance of Nature; in its Being and Activity they act, Heb. 1.3. So that the Glory of their Acting as Creatures belongs to God, but God acts more immediately in his People, who are one Fleſh and Spirit with Chriſt, and act not by their own Power, but by the Power of the Spirit of Chriſt in them, as cloſely united to him, and being the living Temple of his Spirit; ſo that Chriſt is the immediate principal Agent of all their good Works, and they are Chriſts Works properly, who works all our Works in us and for us, and yet they are the Saints Works by Fellowſhip with Chriſt, by whoſe Light and Power the Faculties of the Saints do act and are acted, Gal. 2.20. Eph. 3.16, 17. Coloſ. 1.1. ſo we are to aſcribe all our works to God in Chriſt, and thank him for them as free Gifts, 1 Cor. 15.10. Phil. 1.11. God inableth us to act not by our ſelves, as he doth others but by himſelf. The Wicked are ſupported in acting only according to their own Nature; ſo they act wickedly: Thus all are ſaid to live, move, and have their being in God, Acts 17.27. But God enableth us to conquer Sin, not by our ſelves, but by himſelf, Hoſ. 1.7. and the Glory of inabling us, doth not only belong to him which the Phariſee could not but aſcribe to him, Luk. 18.11. but alſo the Glory of doing all in us; and yet we work as one with Chriſt, even as he works as one with the Father, by the Father working in him: We act as Branches by the Juice of the Vine, as members by the animal Spirits of the Head, and bring forth Fruit by Marriage to him as our Huſband, and Work in the Strength of him as the living Bread that we feed on, he is all in the new Man, Coloſ. 3.11. and all the Promiſes are made good in him, 2 Cor. 1.20.
2. It hath this Property, that it conſiſteth well with other Doctrins of the Goſpel, which contrary Errors do not, and hence this is the way to confirm us in many other Points of the Goſpel, and therefore appears to be true by its Harmony with other truths, and ſit linking with them in the ſame golden Chain of the myſtery of Godlineſs, and evidenceth them to be true by their Harmony with it. I have ſhewed that mens miſtaking the true Way of Sanctification, is the cauſe of perverting the Scripture in other Points of Faith, and of declining from the Truth to Popiſh Socinian and Arminian Tenents: Becauſe Men cannot ſeriouſly take that for truth, which they judge not to be according to Godlineſs. But this Way of Holineſs will evidence that thoſe Goſpel Doctrins which they refuſe, are according to Godlineſs, and that thoſe Tenents which a blind Zeal for Holineſs moveth them to embrace, are indeed contrary to Holineſs. However Satan appeareth to their natural Underſtandings as an Angel of light in ſuch Tenents: Whatever Men ſay, its certain that Legaliſts are indeed the Antinomians.
I ſhall inſtance in ſome Truths confirmed by it.
1. The Doctrin of original Sin, viz. Not only the Guilt of Adam's Sin, and a corrupt Nature, but utter Impotency to do ſpiritual good, and Proneneſs to Sin, which is Death to God in all People according to nature, Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 5.12. There is an utter Inability to keep the Law truly in any Point. Many deny this Doctrin becauſe they think that if People believe this, they will excuſe their Sins by it, and be apt to deſpair of all ſtriving to do good Works, and leave off all Endeavours, and grow licentious; and they think it will be more conducing to Godlineſs, to hold and teach either, that there is no original Sin or Corruption derived from Adam, or at leaſt it is done away, either in the World, by univerſal Redemption; or in the Church by Baptiſm; and that there is free-will reſtored, whereby People are able to encline themſelves to do good, that Men may be more encouraged to ſet upon good Works, and their Neglect made inexcuſable. All this is indeed forcible againſt ſeeking and endeavouring for Holineſs, by the free-will and power of Nature, which is the way of endeavouring, which I directed you to avoid, and if there were no new Way to Holineſs ſince the fall, original Sin might make us deſpair; but there is a new Birth, a new Heart, a new Creature, and therefore we have directed to ſeeking of Holineſs by the Spirit of Chriſt, and willing good freely by a ſpiritual Power as new Creatures, partakers of a divine Nature in Chriſt. Yea, its neceſſary to know the firſt Adam, that we may know the ſecond, Rom. 5.12. To believe the fall and original Sin, that we may be ſtirred up to fly to Chriſt by Faith for Holineſs by free Gift, knowing that we cannot attain it by our own Power and Free Will, 2 Cor. 1.9. Mat. 9.12, 13. Rom. 7.24, 25. 2 Cor. 3.5. Eph. 5.14. There were no need of a new Man or a new Creation, if the old were not without ſtrength and Life, Joh 3.5, 6, Eph. 2.8. But original Deadneſs cannot hinder Gods working Faith and Hungrings and Thirſtings after Chriſt, by the Spirit, through the Goſpel, in thoſe that God chooſeth to walk holily and blameleſsly before him in Love, 1 Theſ. 1.4, 5. Act. 26.18. And ſo we are made alive in a new Head, and become Branches of another Vine, living to God by the Spirit, not by Nature.
2. It confirms us in the Doctrin of Predeſtination, which many deny, becauſe they ſay it takes Men off from Endeavours as fruitleſs, by telling Men that all Events are predetermined. This Argument would be more forcible againſt Endeavours, by the power of our own Free Will, but not at all againſt Endeavours for Holineſs, by the Operation of God, giving us Faith and all Holineſs by his own Spirit, working in us through Chriſt, we are to truſt on Chriſt for the Grace of the Elect, and Gods good Will towards Men, Matt. 3.17. Luke 2.14. Pſal. 106.4, 5. Election by Grace deſtroys ſeeking by Works, but not by Grace, Rom. 11.5, 6. And we are here taught to ſeek for Salvation only in the way of the Elect; and we may conclude that Holineſs is to be had by Gods Will, and not by our own; and it may move us to deſire Holineſs by the Will of God, Rom. 9.16. Pſal. 109.32. And ſeeing it appears by this Doctrin of Sanctification through Chriſt, that we are Gods Workmanſhip as to all the good wrought in us, Phil. 2.12, 13. Eph. 2.10. We may well admit that he hath appointed his Pleaſure from Eternity, without infringing the Natural Liberty of our corrupt Wills, which reacheth not unto good Works, Acts 15.18. compare with 30. Mans Natural Free Will may well conſiſt with Gods Decree as in Paradiſe, Decretum radii contingentia.
3. It confirms us in the true Doctrin of Juſtification and Reconciliation with God by Faith, relying on the Merits of Chriſts Blood, without any Works of our own, and without conſidering Faith as a Work to procure Favour by the Righteouſneſs of the Act, but only as a Hand to receive the Gift, or rather as the very Eating and Drinking of Chriſt actually, than any kind of Condition intitling us to him as our Food. This great Doctrin of the Goſpel many hate, as breaking the ſtrongeſt Bonds of Holineſs, and opening a way to all Licentiouſneſs; for they reckon that the Conditionality of Works, to attain Gods Favour, and avoid his Wrath, and the neceſſity of them to Salvation, are the moſt neceſſary and effectual Impulſives to all Holineſs; and they account that the other Doctrin opens the Flood-gates to Licentiouſneſs. And truly this Conſideration would be of ſome weight, if People were to be brought to Holineſs by Moral Suaſion, and their natural Endeavours ſtirred up by the Terms of the Law, and by ſlaviſh Fears, and Mercenary Hopes; for the Force of theſe Motives would be altogether enervated by the Doctrin of Juſtification by Free Grace; but I have already ſhewed, that a Man being a guilty dead Creature, cannot be brought to ſerve God out of love, by force of any of theſe Motives, and that we are not ſanctified by any of our own Endeavours, to work Holineſs in our ſelves, but rather by Faith in Chriſt's Death and Reſurrection, even the ſame whereby we are juſtified; and that the urging of the Law ſtirs up Sin; and that Freedom from it is neceſſary to all Holineſs, as the Apoſtle teacheth, Rom. 6.11, 14. and 7.4, 5. And this way of Sanctification confirms the Doctrin of Juſtification by Faith, as the Apoſtle informeth, Rom. 8.1. For if we are Sanctified, and ſo reſtored to the Image of God and Life by the Spirit through Faith, it is evident that God hath taken us into his Favour, and pardoned our Sins by the ſame Faith, without the Law, or elſe we ſhould not have the Fruits and Effects of his Favour thereby to our eternal Salvation, Rom. 8.2. Yea, his Juſtice would not admit his giving Life without Works, if we were not made Righteous in Chriſt by the ſame Faith. And we cannot truſt to have Holineſs freely given us by Chriſt upon any rational Ground; except we can alſo truſt on the ſame Chriſt for free Reconciliation, and Forgiveneſs of Sins for our Juſtification. Neither can guilty curſed Creatures, that cannot work by reaſon of their Deadneſs under the Curſe, be brought to a rational love of God, except they apprehend his loving them firſt freely without Works, 1 John 4.19. The great Objection and Reaſon of ſo many Controverſies and Books written about it is, becauſe they think that Men will truſt to be ſaved however they live: But Sanctification is an Effect of Juſtification, and floweth from the ſame Grace; and we truſt for them both by the ſame Faith, and for the former in order to the latter: And ſuch a Faith, be it never ſo confident, tendeth not to Licentiouſneſs, but Holineſs. And we grant that Juſtification by Grace deſtroys Holineſs by legal Endeavours, but not by Grace: So that there is no need to live a Papiſt and die an Antinomian.
4. It confirms us in the Doctrin of Real Union with Chriſt, ſo plentifully held forth in Scripture, which Doctrin ſome count a vain Notion, and cannot endure it, becauſe they think it worketh not Holineſs, but Preſumption; whereas I have ſhewed that it is abſolutely neceſſary for the Enjoyment of Spiritual Life and Holineſs, which is treaſured up in Chriſt, and that ſo inſeparably, that we cannot have it without a real Union with him, 2 Cor. 13.5. 1 John 5.12. John 6.53. ch. 15.5. 1 Cor. 1.30. Col. 3.11. The Members and Branches cannot live without Union with the Vine and Head; nor the Stones be part of the living Temple, except they be really joyned mediately or immediately to the Corner-ſtone.
5. In the Doctrin of certain final Perſeverance of the Saints, John 3.36. c. 6.37. & 5.24. 1 John 3.9. 1 Theſſ. 5.24. Phil. 1.6. John 10.23, 29. c. 4.14. They think this Doctrin maketh People careleſs of good Works. I anſwer, It maketh People careleſs of ſeeking them by their own Natural Strength, and in a way of ſlaviſh Fear; but careful and couragious in truſting on the Grace of God for them, when they are brought by Regeneration heartily to deſire them, Rom. 6.14. Numb. 13.30. ſetting upon the doing of them in that Grace, 1 Theſſ. 5.8, 11. And I have ſhewed that all fears of Damnation will never bring Perſons to work out of love; and that nothing will do it, but a comfortable Doctrin.
3ly. It hath this excellent Property, that it is a Never-failing, effectually powerful, alone Sufficient, and ſure way to attain to true Holineſs: They that have the Truth in them, find it, and the truly humbled find it: People ſtrive in vain, when they ſeek it any other way; therefore venture with the Lepers, elſe you die, 2 Kings 7. Iſa. 55.2, 3, 7. All other ways either ſtir up Sin, or increaſe Deſpair in you; as ſeeking Holineſs by the Law, and working under the Curſe doth; and breeds but Slaviſh and Hypocritical Obedience at beſt, and reſtrains Sin only inſtead of mortifying it, Gal. 4.25. The Jews ſought another way and could not attain it, Rom. 9. And all that ſeek it another way ſhall lye down in Sorrow, Iſa. 50.11. And that 1. Becauſe as we are under the Law in our Natural Eſtate, we are Dead and Children of Wrath, Eph. 2.1, 3. And the Law curſeth us inſtead of helping us, Gal. 3.10. and giveth no Life by its Obligation, Gal. 3.21. And we cannot work Holineſs in our ſelves, Rom. 5.6. So that an humbled Perſon finds it in vain, to ſeek Holineſs by the Law or his own Strength; for the Law is weak through our Fleſh; ſeeking a pure Life, without a pure Nature, is building without a Foundation; and no ſeeking a new Nature from the Law, for it bids make Brick without Straw; and ſaith to the Cripple Walk, without giving any Strength. 2. In this way only God is reconciled to us, even in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.19. Eph. 1.7. And ſo he loves us, and is a fit Object of our Love, 1 John 4.19. And ſo in this way only we have a new and Divine Nature by the Spirit of Chriſt in us, effectually carrying us forth to Holineſs with Life and Love, Rom. 8.5. Gal. 5.17. 2 Pet. 1.3, 4 and have new Hearts according to the Law, ſo that we ſerve God heartily according to the new Nature, and cannot but ſerve him, 1 John 3.9. So that here is a ſure Foundation for Godlineſs and love to God, with all our Heart, Might and Soul; and Sin is not only reſtrained but mortified; and not only the outſide made clean, but the inſide, and the Image of God renewed, and Holy Actings ſurely follow: We Sin not according to the new Nature, though we are not perfect in degree, becauſe of the old Nature.
4ly. It is a moſt pleaſant way to thoſe that are in it, Prov. 3.17. and that in ſeveral reſpects.
1. It is a moſt plain way, eaſie to be found, to one that ſeeth his own Deadneſs under the Law, and is ſo renewed in the Spirit of his Mind, as to know and be perſwaded of the Truth of the Goſpel; though ſuch may be troubled and peſtered with many legal Thoughts and Workings; yet when they ſeriouſly conſider things, the way is ſo plain, that they think it Folly and Madneſs to go any other way: So that the wayfaring Man, though a Fool, doth do not err therein, Iſa. 35.8. Prov. 8.9. The enlightned Soul cannot think of another way when truly humbled, Prov. 1.8. And when we are in Chriſt, we have his Spirit to be our Guide in this way, 1 John 2.27. John 16.13. So that we need not be filled with ſuch diſtracting Thoughts about knowledge of our way, as legal Spirits are about Thouſands of Caſes of Conſcience, which do ſo multiply upon them, that they deſpair of finding out the way of Religion, by reaſon of ſo various Doubts and manifold Intricacies. Here we may be ſure that God will ſo far teach us our Duties, as that we ſhall not be miſled with Error, ſo as to continue in it to Deſtruction, Pſalm 25.8, 9, 14. What a trouble is it to a Traveller to be doubtful of his way, and without a Guide, when his Buſineſs is of great Importance, upon Life and Death, it is even an Heart-breaking: But thoſe that are in this way, may be ſure, that though they ſometime err, yet they ſhall not err deſtructively, but ſhall diſcern their way again, Gal. 4.7, 10.
2. It is eaſie to thoſe that walk in it by the Spirit, though it be difficult to get into it by reaſon of the Oppoſition of the Fleſh or Devil ſcaring us, or ſeducing us from it. Here you have Holineſs as a Free Gift received by Faith, an Act of the Mind and Soul; whoſoever will, may come, take it and drink freely, and nothing is required but a willing mind, Joh. 7.38. Iſa. 55. 1. Rev. 22.17. But the Law is an intolerable Burden, Mat. 23.4. Acts 15.10. if Duty be laid on by its Terms. We are not left in this way to conquer Luſts by our Endeavours, which is a ſucceſsleſs Work, but what is Duty is given, and the Law is turned into Promiſes, Heb. 8. Ezek. 36.25, 26. Jer. 31.33. & 32.40. We have all now in Chriſt, Col. 3.11. and 2.9, 10, 15.17. This is a Catholick Medicine inſtead of a Thouſand. How pleaſant would this Free-gift Holineſs be to us, if we knew our own Wants, and Inabilities and Sinfulneſs? How ready are ſome to Toyle continually, and macerate their Bodies in a melancholy legal way, to get Holineſs rather than periſh for ever? and therefore how ready ſhould we be, when it is only Take and Have, Believe and be Sanctifyed and Saved, 2 Kings 5.13. Chriſts burden is light by his Spirit bearing, Mat. 11.30. No wearineſs, but renewing of ſtrength, Iſa. 40 31.
3. It is a way of Peace, Prov. 3.17. free from Fears and Terrors of Conſcience, that thoſe meet with unavoidably that ſeek Salvation by Works; for the Law worketh wrath, Rom. 4.15. It is not the way of Mount Sinai, but of Jeruſalem, Heb. 12.18, 22. The Doubts of Salvation that People meet with, ariſe from putting ſome condition of Works betwixt Chriſt and themſelves, as hath appeared in this Diſcourſe; but our walking in this way, is by Ftith, which rejects ſuch Fears and Doubtings, Joh. 14.1. Mar. 5.36. Heb. 10.19, 22. It's free from Fears of Satan or any Evil, Rom. 8.31, 32. And free from ſlaviſh Fears of periſhing by our Sins, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. Phil. 4.6, 7. it laying hold on infinite Grace, Mercy and Power to ſecure us: The Lord is the Keeper and Shade on the right hand, Pſal. 121.5. Free and powerful Grace anſwers all Objections.
4. It is a way that is paved with Love, like Solomons Chariot, Cant. 3.10. We are to ſet Gods loving-kindneſs, and all the gifts of his Love, ſtill before our eyes, Pſal. 26.2. Chriſts Death, Reſurrection, Interceſſion before our eyes; which breed Peace, Joy, Hope, Love, Rom. 15.13. Iſa. 35.10. You muſt Believe for your Juſtification, Adoption, the Gift of the Spirit, and a future Inheritance; your Death and Reſurrection with Chriſt: In Believing for theſe things, your whole way is adorned with Flowers, and hath theſe Fruits growing on each ſide; ſo that it's through the Garden of Eden, rather than the Wilderneſs of Sinai, Act. 9.31. It is the Office of the Spirit our Guide, to be our Comforter, and not a Spirit of bondage, Rom. 8.15. Peace and Joy are great Duties in this way, Phil. 4.4, 5, 6. God doth not drive us on with Whips and Terrors, and by the Rod of the Schoolmaſter of the Law; but leads us and wins us to walk in his ways, by Allurements, Cant. 1.3. Hoſ. 11.4. See ſuch Alurements, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. c. 7.1. Rom. 12.1.
5. Our very Moving, Acting, Walking in this way, is a Pleaſure and Delight; every good Work is done with Pleaſure, the very Labour of the way is pleaſant. Carnal Men wiſh Duties were not neceſſary, and they are burthenſome to them; but they are pleaſant to us, becauſe we do not gain Holineſs by our own carnal Wreſtling with our Luſts, and croſſing them out of carnal Fear, with Regret and Grief, and ſetting Conſcience and the Law againſt them, to hinder their Actings, but we act naturally, according to the New Nature, and perform our own New ſpiritual Deſires and Luſts, by walking in the ways of God through Chriſt: And our Luſts and Pleaſures in Sin, are not only reſtrained, but taken away in Chriſt; and Pleaſures in Holineſs, freely given us and implanted in us, Rom. 8.5. Gal. 5.17, 24. Joh. 4.34. Pſal. 40.8. Pſal. 119.14, 16, 20. We have a new Taſte and Savour, Love, Luſt and Liking by the Spirit of Chriſt, and look on the Law, not as a Burden, but as our Priviledge in Chriſt.
6. It is a high exalted way above all other ways: Unto this way the Prophet Habbakuk is exalted, when upon the Failure of all viſible Helps and Supports, he reſolves to rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his Salvation; and making God his Strength by Faith, his Feet ſhould be as Hinds Feet, and ſhould walk upon his high places, Hab. 3.18, 19. Theſe are the heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus, that God hath ſet us in, being quickned and raiſed up together with him, Eph. 2.5, 6.
1. We live high here, for we live not by the fleſh, but by the Spirit, and Chriſt in us, with all his fullneſs, Rom. 8.1, 2. Gal. 2.20. c. 5.25. We walk in Fellowſhip with God, dwelling in us, and walking about in us, 2 Cor. 6.18. And therefore our Works are of higher Price and Excellency, than the Works of others, becauſe they are wrought in God, Joh. 3.21. And are the Fruits of Gods Spirit, Gal. 5. Phil. 1.11. And we may know that they are accepted and good, by our Goſpel Principles which others have not, Rom. 7.6.
2. We are inabled to the moſt difficult Duties, Phil. 4.1, 3. and nothing is too hard for us. See the great Works done by Faith, Heb. 11. Mar. 9.23. Works that carnal Men think! Folly and Madneſs to venture upon, (they are ſo great) and honourable Atchievements, in doing and ſuffering for Chriſt.
3. We walk in an honourable State with God, and on honourable Terms; not as guilty Creatures to get our Pardon by Works, nor as Bond-Servants, to earn our Meat and Drink; but as Sons and Heirs, walking towards the full Poſſeſſion of that Happineſs to which we have a Title, and ſo we have much boldneſs in Gods Preſence, Gal. 4.6, 7. We can approach nearer to God than others, and walk before him conſidently without ſlaviſh Fear; not as Strangers, but as ſuch who are of his own Family, Eph. 2.19, 20. And this prompts us to doing greater things than others; walking as free Men, Rom. 6.17, 18. Joh. 8.35, 36. It is a Kingly way; the Law to us, is a Royal Law, a Law of Liberty and our Priviledge, not a Bond and Yoak of Compulſion.
4. It is the way only of thoſe that are Honourable and Precious in the eyes of the Lord, even his Elect and Redeemed ones, whoſe ſpecial Priviledge it is, to walk therein; No unclean Beast goeth there, Jer. 35.8, 9. No carnal Man can walk in this way, but only thoſe that are taught of God, Joh. 6.44, 45, 46. Nor would it have come into our Hearts, without Divine Revelation.
5. The preparing this way, coſt Chriſt very dear; it is a coſtly way, Heb. 10.19, 20. 1 Pet. 3.18.
6. It is a good old way, wherein thou mayeſt follow the Footſteps of all the Flock.
7. It's the way to Perfection, it leads to ſuch Holineſs, which ſhall in a while, be abſolutely perfect: It differs only in the degree and manner of Manifeſtation from the Holineſs of Heaven; there the Saints live by the ſame Spirit, and the ſame God in all, 1 Cor. 15.28. Joh. 4.14. And have the Image of the ſame ſpiritual Man, 1 Cor. 15.49. Only here we have but the firſt fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8.23. And live by faith and not by ſight, 2 Cor. 5.7. And are not full grown in Christ, Eph. 4.13. Sanctification in Chriſt, is Glorification begun, as Glorification is Sanctification perfected.