2. That they will do so is also clear upon a twofold account : — [1.] Because answerable to the discovery of good or evil in the
understanding. There is a prosecution and an aversation in the will ; for the will doth necessarily follow 'pnicticum dictamen, the ultimate resolution of the judgment ; for it is 6pePi<; fiera \6yov, not a brutish inclination, but a rational appetite. God hath appointed this course to nature; therefore when the judgment cometh to such a conclusion as is set down in the 73d Psalm, ver. 28, ' But it is good for me to draw near to God' — not only it is good, but it is good for me — the will yieldeth ; for conviction of the judgment is the ground of practice. I know conviction and conversion differ, and the one may be where the other is not. But then it is taken for a partial conviction ; the mind is not savingly enlightened and thoroughly possessed with the truth and worth of heavenly things ; the most and greatest sort of men have but notions, a weak and literal knowledge about spiritual things, and that produceth nothing ; they do not live up to the truth which they know. Others have besides the notion a naked approba- tion of things that are good. Video meliora prohoqiie, deferiora sequor — they see better things and approve them in the abstract ; but this doth not come to a i:)racticum dictamen ; it is good, and good for me, all circumstances considered, thus to do. This is the fruit of spiri- tual evidence and demonstration, which always is accompanied with power, 1 Cor. ii. 4. Carnal men think it is better for them to keep as they are, being blinded with their passions and lusts, though they could wish things were otherwise with them. But a godly man's judgment being savingly enlightened, determineth it is good, it is better, it is best 'for me ; it is better to please God than men, to look after heaven than the world, &c. There is a simple approbation of good things, and a comparative approbation of them. Simple approbation is when in the abstract notion we apprehend Christ and pardon of sins and heaven good ; but when compared with other things, and considered
VeR. 34.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 353
ia the frame of Christian doctrine, or according to the terms upon which they may be liad, they are rejected. Many approve thiugs simply, and in the first act of judgment, but disallow them in the second, when they consider them as invested with some difficult and unpleasing terms, or compare them with pleasure and profit which they must forsake if they would obtain them ; as the young man in the Gospel esteemeth salvation as a thing worthy to be inquired into, but is loath to let go his earthly possessions, Mat. xix. 21, 22. He would have these good things at an easy rate, without mortifying the flesh or renouncing the world. But a godly man, that sits down and counteth the charges, all circumstances considered, resolves. It is good for me ; as Boaz, liking the woman as well as her inheritance, took them both, which his kinsman refused, Ruth iv. 9, 10 ; he would have the inherit- ance without the woman. They like Christ and his laws, as well as the benefits that he bringeth with him. He doth approve things upon good knowledge, and cometh to a well-settled resolution. Another defect in wicked men is because the judgment is superficial, and so comes to nothing. It is not full, clear, and ponderous ; it is not a diclamen, a resolute decree, not uliimum diciamen, the last decree, all things considered and well weighed.
[2.] God's grace. God doth never fully and spiritually convince the judgment, but he doth also work upon the will to accept, embrace, and prosecute those good things of which it is convinced. He teacheth and draweth ; they are distinct works, but they go together ; therefore the one is inferred out of the other. Drawn and taught of God, both are necessary ; for as there is blindness and inadvertency in the mind, so obstinacy in the will, which is not to be cured by mere persuasion, but by a gracious quality infused, inclining the heart, which by the way freeth this doctrine from exception, as if all God's works were mere moral suasion. The will is renewed and changed, but so as God doth it, by working according to the order of nature.
Use. By all means look after this divine illumination, whereby your judgment may be convinced of the truth and worth of spiritual things. It is not enough to have some general and floating notions about them, or slightly to hear of them, or talk of them ; but they must be spiri- tually discerned and judged of ; for if our judgments were thoroughly convinced, our pursuit of true happiness would be more earnest ; you would see sin to be the greatest mischief, and grace the chiefest trea- sure, and accordingly act.
God enlightening the soul doth —
1. Take away carnal principles. Many men can talk well, but they are leavened with carnal principles; as (1.) That he may do as most do and yet be safe : Mat. vii. 23, ' Many will say in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? ' &c. ; ' And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; depart fi'om me, ye that work iniquity,' Prov. xi. 31, 'Behold the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner ; ' Exod. xxxii. &c. (2.) That he may go on in ungodliness, injustice, intemperance, because grace hath abounded in the gosjiel : Titus ii. 11, 12, ' For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teach- ing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live