The First Principles of the Oracles of God, Part 4
Q. What is the second part, viz. our Observance?
A. It is the duty that is to be performed to God of us, through the power of his Holy Spirit, working in us by Faith according to the Will of God, Eph. 6. 6, 7. Psal. 139. 24. Rom. 6. 1. Luk. 1. 74.
Q. Wherein consists our observance of God?
A. It is either Moral, or Ceremonial.
Q. Wherein consists our Moral observance of God?
A. In two things.
1. In suffering his will, whereby a Believer for the sake of Christ, chooseth rather to suffer any misery, than to commit the least sin, Heb. 11. 26. Acts 21. 13.
2. In doing his will, whereby a Believer in sense of Christs love, performeth universall obedience to the Law of God, Rom. 7. 22. 1 John. 5. 3. Luke 1. 6. Phil. 3. 12.
Q. Is there any use of the Law to a Christian?
A. Although it be abolished to a Christian in Christ, as a Covenant of life; (for so Adam and his posterity are still under it) yet it remains as a rule of life, when he is in Christ, and to prepare the heart for Christ, Rom. 6. 14, 15. Ma…. …. 17, 18, 19, 20. Ezech. 10. 11. Rom. 9.
Q. Why is not a Christian so under the Law as a Covenant of life, so as if he breaks it by the least sin he shall die for it?
A. Because Iesus Christ hath kept it perfectly for him, Rom. 8. 3, 4. Rom. 5. 20, 21.
Q. Can any man keep the Law perfectly in this life?
A. No, for the unregenerate wanting the Spirit of Life, cannot perfect an act of life in obedience to it. The regenerate having the Spirit but in part, perform it only imperfectly, Rom. 8. 7. Rom 7. 21.
Q. What befal… the unregenerate upon their disobedience unto it?
A. The eternal curse of God for the least sin, and the increase of Gods fierce and fearful secret wrath as they increase, in sin, Gal. 3. 10. Rom. 2 5.
Q. What befals the regenerate after their breach of the Law, and imperfect obedience unto it?
A. The Lord may threaten and correct them, but his loving kindness (in covering their sins in their best duties by Christ, and accepting their meanest services so far as they are quickned by his Spirit) is never taken from them, Psal 89. 31, 32, 33. Zach. 3 1. to 8. Isa. 56. 7. Rom. 7. 20.
Q. What is that imperfect obedience of Believers which is accepted?
A. When they observe the will of Christ, as that therein
1. They confesse and lament their sins, 1 John 1. 9. Rom. 7. 24.
2. They desire mercy in the blood of Christ, and more of his Spirit, Phil. 39, 10, 11.
3. They return him the praise of the least ability to do his will, Psal. 50. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 10.
Q. How is the Law, or ten Commandments divided?
A. Into two Tables. The first, shewing our duty to God immediately, in the four first Commandments. The second, our duty to man, in the six last Commandments.
Q. What rules are you to observe to understand the Moral Law?
A. These.
1. That in whatsoever Commandment any duty is enjoyned, there the contrary sin is forbidden: and where any sin is forbidden, there the contrary duty is commanded.
2. That the Law is spiritual, and hence requires not onelyonly outward, but inward and spirituall obedience.
3. Where any grosse sin is forbidden, there all the signs, degrees, means, and provocations to that sin are forbidden also, and are in Gods account that sin. And so where any duty is commanded, there all the signs, means, and provocations to that duty are commanded also.
4. That the Law is perfect, and therefore, there is no sin in all the Scripture, but is forbidden in it; nor no duty required (if moral) but it is commanded in it.
Thus much of our morall observance of God.