em. The Lord
commands the mutual duties between parents and children, between man and
wife, between friends, duties of self-preservation and defence, and such
like, and many are very exact and diligent in performing these, but from
what principle? It is easy to discern. Not because they are commanded of
God,--not so much as a thought of that for the most part,--but because of an
inward and natural inclination of affection towards ourselves and our
relations, which is like an instinct and an impulse driving us to those
duties. And truly we may say, it is the goodness and bounty of the Lord
that hath conjoined in most parts of commanded duties our own interest and
advantage, our own inclination and propension with his authority, or else
the toil and pain of them would overbalance the weight of his authority.
Now then, in such duties as are already imprinted on man's heart, and
consonant to his own reason, there cannot be a clear proof of obedience to
God's will. The pure and naked nature of obedience doth not so clearly
shine forth in the observation of these. It is no great trial of the
creature's subjection of its will to his supreme will, when there are so
many reasons besides his will, which may incline man's will unto it. But
here, in a matter in itself pleasant to the senses, unto which he had a
natural inclination, the Lord interposes himself by a command of
restraint, to take full probation whether man would submit to his good
pleasure merely for itself, or whether he would obey merely because God
commands. And indeed in such like duties as have no commendation but from
the will and authority of the lawgiver, it will appear whether man's
obedience be pure and simple obedience, and whether men love obedience for
itself alone, or for other reasons. Therefore the Lord saith, Obedience is
better than sacrifice, and disobedience is rebellion. Suppose, in such
things as can neither hurt us nor help us, God put a restraint upon
us--though obedience may be of less worth than in other more substantial
things, yet disobedience in such easy matters is most heinous, because it
proclaims open rebellion against God. If it be light and easy, it is more
easily obeyed, and the more sin and wickedness in disobeying; and
therefore is Adam's sin called "disobedience" in a signal manner, (Rom. v.
19,) because, by refusing such a small point of homage and subjection, he
did cast off God's power and authority over him, and would not acknow