Thomas Manton (Works, vol. 15, p. 247):
In all [our obedience] we must not only do what God wills, but we must do it, because he wills it; this is pure obedience. The bare signification of God’s will and pleasure, it should be reason and motive strong enough. You read, Lev. 19, where God enacteth sundry laws; this is the reason for obedience—‘I am the Lord.’ The Lord wills, that is enough to engage the obedience of the creature. So in these places before mentioned, wherein holiness and thanksgiving, and duties of relation are enjoined, this is the reason alleged—‘for this is the will of God.’ The angels have no other motive: Ps. 103:22, ‘They do his will, hearkening to the voice of his word.’ This is that which is motive enough to the angels, God hath signified his will; and we should captivate all our thoughts, and not allow of disputes—‘Have not I commanded thee?’ saith God to Joshua. So we should plead with ourselves: when we are slack and sluggish to any duty, say, Hath not the Lord commanded thee? What needeth any farther argument?
