ledge
him for his superior. This should teach us, who believe the repairing of
that image by Jesus Christ, to study such a respect and reverence to God's
holy will as to do all things without more asking why it is so. If we once
know what it is, there is no more question to be asked. Of creatures we
must inquire a _quare_ after a _quid_,--a why, after we know what their
will is. But Christians should have their wills so subdued unto God's,
that though no profit nor advantage were to redound by obedience, though
it were in things repugnant and cross to our inclination and humour, yet
we should serve and obey him as a testimony of our homage and subjection
to him. And till we learn this, and be more abstracted from our own
interests in the ways of obedience, even from the interests of peace, and
comfort, and liberty, we do not obey him because he commands, but for our
own sakes. It is the practice of Antinomians, and contrary to true
godliness, to look upon the law of God as the creature's bondage, as most
of us do in our walking. A Christian, in whom the image of God is renewed
according to righteousness and holiness, should esteem subjection and
conformity to a law, and to the will of God, his only true liberty, yea,
the very beauty of the soul; and never is a soul advanced in conformity to
God, till this be its delight, not a burden or task.

Lecture XXII.

Of The First Covenant.

Gal. iii. 12.--"The law is not of faith; but the man that doeth
them shall live in them."--Gen. ii. 17.--"But of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the
day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die."

The Lord made all things for himself, to show forth the glory of his name;
and man in a more eminent and special manner, for more eminent
manifestations of himself; therefore all his dealings towards men, whether
righteous or sinful, do declare the glory of God. Particularly, in
reference to the present purpose, he resolved to manifest two shining
properties,--his sovereignty and goodness. His sovereignty is showed, in
giving out a law and command to the creature; and his goodness is
manifested in making a covenant with his creature; as here you see the
terms of a covenant, a duty required, and a promise made, and, in case of
failing, a threatening conformed to the promise. He might have required
obedience simply, as the Lord and sovereig