^ Qu. ' stuck ' ? — Ed.
92 SERMONS uroN rsALM cxix, [Skii. CXV.
upon the ground, arc tossed up and down by every blast and pn(F ol Avind, but those things tliat ai'e fastened to the ground, thongli the wind lAowH never so strongly, they remain. Many set out towards the ways of salvation, but are discouraged, and tui'n back again to a course of sin ; but when you solemnly give up yourselves to God, then you will not have so many temptations as before. Look, as Naomi was ever dissuading Kuth that she should not be a companion with her in her sorrows, but go back to her own country ; but when she saw she was resolved, and steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her, Euth i. 18. Or let me take another instance, Acts xxi. 14. The disciples were persuading Paul that he should not go to Jerusalem, though they did even break his heart, they could not break his purpose ; but when they saw that he was so set that he went bound in the spirit, then they said, ' The will of the Lord be done.' Thus will tempters be discouraged from importuning and setting upon us to draw us off from God, when once our bent is fixed. By resolution we are quickened to more seriousness and diligence, for when once we come under the bond of the holy oath, the awe of an oath will still be upon us, and quicken us to more diligence and seriousness, to make a business of religion, whereas otherwise we make but a recreation and sport of it, and but a business by the by: Ps. xxvii. 4, 'One thing have I desired of the Lord ; that w'ill I seek after.' When we have laid firm bonds upon ourselves, this makes us awe-ful, serious, and reso- lute in a course of obedience.
Thus it directeth us to resolve. For the manner of entering :—
1. It must be a resolution of heart rather than of the tongue : Jer. XXX. 21, 'Who is this that engageth his heart to seek the Lord?' Acts xi. 23, ' He exhorted them, that, with purpose of heart, they Avould cleave unto the Lord.' Eesolutions are not determined by the tenor of our language so nmcli as by the bent of the heart; therefore empty promises signify nothing, unless they be the result of our very souls, and not only of a natural conscience. Deut. v. 29, the people did not dissemble certainly when the liord appeared to them by the sound of a trumpet and those mighty earthquakes ; but saith the Lord, ' Oh, that there were such a heart in them to fear me always !' That there were a heart, and such a heart ; that is, that this were not merely the result of an awakened conscience, but the resolution of a renewed heart. So Ps. Ixxviii. 37, ' Their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.' Surely they did not dissemble in their distress, but their heart was not right with him ; that is, it was not a sanctified heart, it was only the dictate of an awakened conscience for the present.
2. When you thus engage yourselves to God, let it not be a weak, broken, but full resolution; cold wishes are easily overcome by the love of the world and a half purpose: Acts xxvi. 28, 'Almost thou per- suadest me to be a Christian.' Carnal men, although they are not converted, yet they have a kind of half turn, almost, but not altogether. Upon a lively sermon, or in sickness, they have their purposes and wishes; but it is not a full strong bent of heart, and love nuist be a serious bent : 1 Chron. xxii. 19, ' Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.'
VeK. 106.] SERMONS UPOX PSALM CXIX. 93
3. It must not be a wish, bnt a serious resolution, such as is advised, all difficulties well weighed. In a fit and pang of devotion men will resolve for God, but it will never hold : Josh. xxiv. 19, ' Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God, he will not forgive j'our transgressions nor your sins ;' and therefore you must reckon what it is to serve this holy God ; you must sit down and count the charges, what it is likely to cost you, that this dedication of yourselves to God may be grounded upon serious consideration. Do you know what lust of the flesh you must renounce, Avhat interest of yours you must lay at his feet ?
4. It must be a thorough, absolute, and perfect resolution, whatever it cost, as he that sold all for the pearl of price. Mat. xiii. 46. A marriage even made may be broken off ; some will take up religion by way of essay, to try how they like it, as men go to sea for pleasure, but will not launch so far into the deep but that they may be sure easily to get to shore again ; but a man for a voyage resolves upon all weathers. So, whatever disappointment, here is my business, thus will I do; and 'though he should kill me, yet will I trust in him,' Job xiii. 15.