[2.] As tiie word judge th and passe tli sentence upon our states, so also upon our actions, thought, word, or deed ; for all these in this regard come under the notion of acts.
(1.) Thoughts. They are liable to God's tribunal, which can be arraigned before no other bar, yet the word doth find them out. It doth not only discover the evil of them : Heb. iv. 12, ' The word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart;' but judgeth and sentenceth them: Jer. vi. 19, ' I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts.' Men have only a process against others either for words or actions, but God hath a process against them for their thoughts. Though in men's courts thoughts are free, as not liable to their cognisance, yet they are subject to another judicature.
(2.) Words. Idle words weigh heavy in God's balance. God, that hath given a law to the heart, hath also given a law to the lips. Mat. xii. 36, 'Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.' Words will come to be judged : either we are to give an account of them here, or hereafter ; either to condemn ourselves for them, and seek pardon, or to be con- demned hereafter before God. A loose and ungoverned tongue will be one evidence brought against men as a sign of their unrenewed hearts in the day of judgment.
(3.) All our actions. They are sentenced in the word. God hath declared his mind concerning them : Eccles. xii. 14, ' God will bring every work into judgment;' things will not be huddled up in that day. God will not accept of a general bill of account by lump.
A^ER. 7.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 63
but every action ho will judge it according to the tenor of his word. This is an amplification of the first reason, why the word or precepts of God are called judgments, because they are judicial sentences of God the lawgiver, given forth with an authority uncontrolhible con- cerning our estate and actions.
2. The next reason is, because of the suitable execution that is to follow in this world and in the next.
[1.] In this world. It is an easy matter to reconcile the word and providence together, for providence is but a comment upon the word ; and you may even transcribe God's dispensations from the threatenings and promises of the law. The story of the people of the Jews might have been transcribed from the threatenings of the law, so that the comminations of the law were but as a calendar and prog- nostication what kind of weather it would be v»dth that people. Ho still the apostle makes the observation : Heb. ii. 2, ' Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.' Mark, it is notable to observe how God hath been punctual in executing the sentence of every command ; the breach of it hath had a just recompense and re- ward—as I might instance in all the law of God. Moses and Aaron, if they will not sanctify God according to the first commandment, they shall be shut out of the land of Canaan ; and if the people will have their false worship, how will God punctually accomplish it that he will ruin them and their posterity ? So Eom. i. 18, you have this general a little more specified ; God hath not only taken notice of the first table, but of the second : ' The wrath of God is revealed from heaven,' not only 'against all ungodliness,' but 'unrighteousness of men,' &c. God from heaven hath owned both tables, and executed the sentence of the law against sinners : Hosea vii. 12, ' I will chastise them as their congregation hath heard.' If a man would observe providence, he might find not only justice in God's dispensations, but truth. I rather note this, because God's children may smart in this life for breach of the law. Though sentence of absolution takes place as to their persons and state, yet in this life they may smart sorely for the breach of the law. In time of trial God will make the world know he is impartial, that none shall go free, but the sentence of the word shall be executed : Pro v. xi. 31, ' The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner.' Eecompensed ; that is, with a recompense of punishment : so Peter reads it out of the Septuagint, i. Peter iv. 18, ' And if the righteous scarcely be saved,' &c. It is a hard matter to keep a righteous man from falling under the vengeance of God : God stands so much u[)nn the credit of his word, that lie deals out smart blows and stripes for their iniquity here in this world. [2.] In the next world, there is no other sentence given but what is according to the word : John xii. 48, ' The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in the last day.' God will pronounce sentence then according to what is said now, either to believers or unbelievers.