Man should make him his Debtor: Nay, it would be the highest arrogance to pretend it: The scriptures are against it, when they protest that no Flesh shall glory in his presence; common experience in its sober moments is against it for that teacheth us, that every man living is infinitely short of conformity unto the divine nature; therefore the notion of obedience from an expectation of reward, is a tacit acknowledgment of Man's utter ignorance, both of himself, and his God. And then, to suppose that the fear of punishment is necessary to excite Man to obedience, is to reverse the scriptures. The Gospel is preached for the obedience of Faith; that, being thereby delivered from fear, we might serve him in holiness, and righteousness, all the Days of our Life.

But the obedience of fear, is diametrically opposite unto the obedience of faith: the former, hath its rise and maintenance from a Lie; from that habit, and principle, which makes God a Liar; by not believing the record which he hath given of his Son. But the latter springs from a belief of the truth, from a full persuasion

of the love of God, and of his being reconciled in Christ Jesus. The former, is a doing evil, that good may come; for where the fear of punishment is judged necessary to obedience, unbelief is established, and authority given to crucify the Son of God afresh, and to put him to open shame, to trample his Blood under foot, and count it an unholy thing; for all this is tacitly taught, in the fear of punishment as necessary unto obedience; and yet this manifest antichristian policy, is generally taught by those consciencedirectors, who seek themselves, and not Christ Jesus the Lord: They very well know, that ignorance, unbelief, and fear, are the nerves of implicit obedience, unto their doctrines and traditions. But, that such an obedience, is far from being compensate, for the despite done thereby to the spirit of Grace, and dishonour to the crucified One, they shall sooner or later know; when all their works shall be burnt up, and they shall suffer Loss. But the obedience of faith is genuine, free from artifice, without fear, dependant on the perfect amity of God; yea, consists in a constant persuasion of, and rejoicing in

this truth; that Jesus Christ the Son of God, died upon a cross, and rose again from the dead, having thereby justified us, from every charge once brought against us; and sanctified us from all our pollutions: To submit unto this, to have the conscience purified through the view and belief of this, yea, to have every thought brought in captivity unto this, is the true obedience of faith. And, this is so far from being urged by fear, that fear would annihilate it. And so far from having an eye to the reward, that it answers unto that Charity, which seeketh not its own; But says, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee; or thirsty, and gave thee drink, &c. Therefore, that the Grace of Union with Christ, and salvation in Him, overturneth the Doctrine of rewards, and punishments, as that which influenceth our Lives, is a truth: But then, it only overturns what the Scriptures explode; and what Reason confesseth mean, and selfish, and not that generous disinterested service of Love, which it declares worthy of the Divine Being, and becoming the dig-. nity of Man.

Object. But, doth not the Scriptures

rather establish the Doctrine of rewards, and punishments, as that which excites to choose the Good, and refuse the Evil? Is not this their express language, say ye to the Righteous that it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings, woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. With many other texts of like import.

Anste. Unto the right understanding of the scriptures, it is necessary to know, that they consist of two parts, Letter and Spirit, or Law and Gospel; now the Letter, (or the Law) killeth, saith the Apostle, but the Spirit (or the Gospel) giveth life. And as this is needful to be known, so is it also, that we should be able to distinguish one from the other; else how doth it appear that we rightly divide the word of life? If the Gospel be considered, as God's good sayings, or Glad tidings to mankind, we need only consider briefly the state and condition of Man; and then, what may with any propriety, be called Glad tidings, unto one thus cir* Isaiah iii. 10, 11.

cumstanced, will easily appear. Man is a fallen creature, who breaking the Law of his God, incurred the penalty of eternal Death: And, is so far from having ability to extricate himself, that all the imaginations, and thoughts of his heart, are continually evil; without wisdom, without strength, there being none righteous, no, not one; all being shut up, and concluded under sin, they have neither power to will, nor to do; Now what can be called Glad tidings unto a Creature in this condition? surely nothing short of that, which tells him all is given; and that freely, without condition on his part, because he can perform none; without money, and without Price, because he hath nought wherewith to purchase; and that the Grace, which redresseth all his grievances, and replenished him with all good, is given him in Christ Jesus, who hath brought this life, and immortality to light by the Gospel; by his Birth, Life, Sufferings, Death, and Resurrection; confirming all his blessing, and Glory, unto his Church, by the Grace of Union: This appears to be the gospel of Glad tidings, and is a Doctrine with which the scriptures abound.