III. SERM. utter errour against the Lord; that is, to pronounce falfe judgements, which are contrarie to the exprefs command of God in his law: to make empty the foul of the hungrie, and to cause the drink of the thirstie to fail. The instruments also of the churl are evil. He dewiseth wicked devices, to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketb right. But the liberal, the merciful, the generous, the bountiful man, deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall be be eftablished. The last thing in this text, faid to be required of men, is to walk humbly with God: or, as the Hebrew is, literally, and to bumble thy-felf to walk with thy God. In the ancient Greek version, made before the coming of our Saviour, it is rendered: And be ready to walk with thy God. The meaning, I presume, in the general, is: "And to refolve to obey all "God's commandments, and to continue ** and persevere therein always to the end of life." I shall briefly mention several particulars, comprehended in this article. First, it is to refolve, to worship the true SERM. God, and him alone. In the text it is the Lord III. thy God: meaning the God that has made us, and preserves us: the God that has dealt bountifully with us, who has supplied and provided for us, who has helped and delivered us in times of danger and difficulty. This, certainly, is one thing intended by the Prophet: to engage the people of Israel, according to the commandment of the law, as well as the dictates of reason, to fear the Lord their God, and ferve him only: even God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, who had brought them out of the house of servants, and had ever fince conferred upon them many favours and benefits. Secondly, it includes a respect to all God's commandments, and a readinesse to submit to his authority in all things, without any exception. Thirdly, this humbling ourselves to walk with God, or walking humbly with the Lord our God, includes dependence on him, trusting in him, and committing ourselves to him: believing, and hoping, that he will continue to protect and F2 de し SERM. defend us, and afford us all those things, III. which are needful and convenient. Fourthly, it includes contentment with our ftate, and worshiping and serving God in a time of affliction and trouble, as well as in a day of ease and profperity: Blessing him not only when he gives, but also when he takes away: and acknowledging the wisdom and the righteousnesse of all his dealings with us. This is implied in devoting ourselves to his service. Under the former particular I mentioned dependence upon God, and committing ourselves to him. This contentment under afflictions, now mentioned, when they befal us, in the course of divine providence, is acting and exercising that dependence, which we have made a profeffion of, and performing according to the engagements, we have entered into. Fifthly, to walk with God includes continuance and perseverance in the service of God, and obedience to his holy laws and commandments, throughout the whole of our life, notwithstanding the temptations we may meet with, and though others should prove false false to their engagements, and forsake the SERM. Lord their God. Sixthly, it includes serving God with a lowly humble apprehenfion of our selves: confidering the fins we have been guilty of, the defects of our obedience, the imperfections of the fervices we perform for the honour of his name, or the good of others: and that when we have acted according to the best of our ability, we have done no more than our duty, and what we were under many obligations to perform: and humbly and thankfully owning the goodnesse of God in the encouragements he has given us, and the promises he has made of accepting our fincere obedience, and rewarding it greatly beyond it's merit. II. I shall now add a word or two by way of application, and conclude. 1. We perceive, that the holy obedience, required of us, is of great extent: comprehending justice, mercie, and piety, with the several branches of each. It can therefore be no very easie thing, to be truly religious. It must be a difficult, and an high attainment. We have need, as our Lord directs, III. III. SERM. to strive, to exert ourselves, and do our utmost, to enter in at the strait gate, One came to our Lord, defirous to know what Mat. xix. he should do, that he might obtain eternal life, and faying, that he had kept all the commandments from his youth. But Jesus perceived, that he lacked one thing. And the event shewed, that his heart was governed by an inordinate love of this prefent world: and that he was not disposed to do all that is requifite to fecure riches in heaven. Let us confider, and examine ourselves, whether this be our cafe. ! 2. Let us feriously attend to this reprefentation of true religion, and remember, that the things here insisted on are of absolute neceffity. There is no making up the controverfie between God and finful men, but by repentance and amendment, or a return to real, and universal virtue and piety. The displeasure of God is not be appeafed by costly oblations. But repent, and turn to the Lord with all the heart unfeignedly: break off every finful course: cease to do evil, and learn to do well: seek judgement, |