[2.] Commandments that require public, and commandments that require private duties: 2 Cor. vii. 1, ' Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' In times of trouble men content themselves that their hearts are right, as the libertines in Corinth, and think it is no matter whether they own God publicly, yea or nay. Then for private duties, some make a fair show to the world, but in their family converse are loose and careless : David saith, Ps. ci. 2, ' I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.' If a man be truly holy he will show it at home as well as abroad ; in his family, where his constant converse is, yea, in his closet and secret re- tirements. A Christian is alike everywhere, because God is alike everywhere. We strain ourselves to put forth our gifts in public ; God will be served with our uttermost in secret also,
[3.] There are commandments that concern the inward as well as tlie outward man ; we must make conscience of both : Isa. Iv. 7, ' Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto tlie Lord, and he will have mercy,' &c. We must not only make conscience of our wox, or outward actions, but also of our thoughts ; as we must not do evil before man, so not think evil before God. Thoughts fall under a law as well as our actions : James iv. 8, ' Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners ; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.'
[4.] There are commands that concern Cod, and commands that concern man. There is a first table and a second ; some are very
VeR. 6.] SERMONS UrON I'SALM cxix. 55
punctual in dealinp; with men, but iio<j;-lectful of God : Eom. i. 18, * The Tvratli of God is revealed from heaven ai^^ainst all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.' Both the tables are owned from heaven. Some there are that will not wrong their neighbour of a farthing, yet stick not to rob God of tliat fear, faith, and love that is due to him. Many will not defile their bodies with promiscuous copulation, but are adulterers and adulter- esses, James iv. 4, running a-whoring from their spiritual husband, and doting on the creature. Many there are who condemned the rebellion of Absalom, but rise up against their heavenly Father ; are not mur- derers, but strike at the being of God. Some there are who are very tender of wronging the reputation of men, yet dishonour God, and are never troubled for it. Others there are who are much in worship, but in their dealings, with men are very unconscionable: they will not swear an oath, yet are very uncharitable, censuring their brethren without any pity or remorse. This is the fashion of the world, to be in with one duty, and out with another. The commandments are ushered in with this preface, ' God spake all these words ; ' he that hath enjoined one hath enjoined another. But now, as the echo ren- dereth but part of the speech, so do we in our return of obedience. God spake all, and we return but part.
2. Having respect unto the commandments ; that needeth illustra- tion also. Though we cannot keep all, or any one of them as we should, yet we must have regard to all, and that equally without any distinction.
When have we an equal respect to all ? I answer. Three ways — (1.) Proposico; (2.) Affectu ; (3.) Conatu.
[1.] Froposito, in vow and purpose. We must approve of all, and choose all for our rule, without reservation and indulgence. Some com- mands are more contrary than others to our lusts and interests, and are less in our power to perform. Now, a sanctified judgment must approve all, and a sanctified will accept and choose all as equally good, neces- sary, and profitable for us : Kom. vii. 12, ' The law is holy, and the commandment holy, just, and good ' — the law in general, nay, that commandment which had wrought such tragical effects in his heart. It is holy, as being the copy of God's purity ; just, as doing us no WTong, being no infringement of our just freedom ; good, as being very profitable to direct and perfect our operations, and to make us hap])y here and hereafter. But this approbation is not enough, there must; be consent : ver. 16, ' I consent to the law that it is good,' though it is contrary to my natural inclinations. It is a good law, the heart must be engaged, ' I will write my laws upon their hearts, and put them into their minds.' God doth not only give us a knowledge, or a single appi-obation of his will, but a will to choose it as our rule to live \)j. The heart is suited and inclined to it, and a man givetli up himself faithfully and entirely to serve God according to the direc- tion of his word.
[2.] Affeciu. There must be a sincere affection to all, or a care to keep them. We must not entertain affection to any known sin : Fs. Ixvi. 18, ' If I regard iniquity in my heait, God will not hear me.' A man may have a great deal of sin in his heart, but if he cherish and