4. The commands of God are legal and evangelical : they are both to be regarded : — (1.) The evangelical commands come first into con- sideration by the fallen creature ; there the great command is to believe
VOL. YI. Y
338 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX, [SePv. XXXV.
in Christ, John vi. 29, 1 John iii. 23. To believe in Christ is the only way to the Father. Then (2.) The moral law, that is the rule of our duty, without which we can never be saved, Kom. x. 14.
tfse. Well, then, let me press you to consideration and resolution. (1.) Consideration, that we may think of our end, and think of our way, and may not go on as beasts, without any recollection. Luke xv. 17 : We never ' come to ourselves ' till we consider the end why we were born and why God sent us into the world. Whence am I ? why do I live here ? To delight myself in the creature, to wallow in pleasures, or to look after communion with God ? We live but as beasts, not as men, till we return and remember our creator, in the enjoyment of whom is our only happiness, (2.) Then come to resolu- tion ; there is mfentio, electio, consensus, and imperium ; all these should be fixed after we have considered for what am I made ? what is the way I am to walk ? The first act of the soul is intentio ; that belongs to the last end ; surely this must be my scope, that God may be my portion. The next act is electio, or choice ; that belongs to the means. Now the great means is Christ Jesus, he is the way to the Father. Oh, let me choose him that I may enjoy God for my portion ! The next act is consensus, the will and understanding together ; there is a consent to the terms. Notwithstanding all the conditions upon which these means are to be had, yet there is a full consent of the will to use them, so a consent to take Christ upon his own terms. After this there is tmperiian, a command for an industrious prosecution ; this shall be my business, this I will look after. There should be a decree in our souls for God ; God is my scope, Christ my way ; I must take him ; I will go about this work, walk in this way, that I may at length enjoy him.
Fourthly, The last circumstance is the manner, ' I will run the way,* &c. By running is meant cheerful, ready, and zealous observance of God's precepts. It is not go or walk, but run. They that would come to their journey's end must run in the way of God's commandments. It noteth speedy or a ready obedience without delay. We must begin with God betimes. Alas ! when we should be at the goal, we scarce set forth many of us. And it noteth earnestness ; when a man's heart is set upon a thing, he thinks he can never soon enough do it. And this is running, when we are vehement and earnest upon the enjoyment of God and Christ in the way of obedience. And it notes, again, when the heart freely offereth itself to God. Now this running is very neces- sary, as it is the fruit of effectual calling. When the Lord speaks of effectual calling, the issue of it is running ; when he speaks of the con- version of the Gentiles, ' Nations that know thee not shall run to thee ; ' and 'Draw me, and we will run after thee;' and ' In the day of thy power thy people shall be a willing people.' There are no slow motions, but when God draws there is a speedy, an earnest motion of tlie soul. And this running, as it is the fruit of effectual calling, so it is very needful ; for cold and faint motions are soon overborne with every difficulty and temptation : Heb. xii. 1, ' Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.' When a man hath a mind to do such a thing, though he be hindered and jostled, he takes it patiently ; he goes on, and cannot stay to debate the business. A slow motion is easily
VeR. 33.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. • 339
stopped, whereas a swift one bears clown that which opposeth it ; so when men run and are not tired in tlie service of God. And then the prize calls for running : 1 Cor. ix. 24, ' So run that ye may obtain.' There is a prize, which is eternal life in Christ Jesus, the reward or crown which he keepeth for us in heaven. They that ran for a gar- land of flowers in the Isthmic games — the apostle alludes to them — how would they diet themselves that they might be in breath and heart to win a poor garland of flowers ! There is a crown of glory set before us, therefore we should so run that we may obtain, and be temperate in all things ; we should keep down the body, deny fleshly lusts, and the like.
Use. To reprove faint cold motions in the things of God. Many, instead of running, lie down, or, which is worse, go back again, or at best but a very slow pace, Christ is running to you to snatch you out of the fire, and will you not run towards him ? When we have abated the fervour of our motion towards God, then we lie open to tempta- tion ; therefore let us not loiter ; run, it is for a crown. If heaven be worth nothing, lie still ; but if it be, run. Wicked men run fast to hell, as if they did strive who should be soonest there ; bewail your slowness and lameness in obedience.