Boot. It is a comely property in God's children, and very comfortable to them, to do judgment and justice.
1. It is an excellent property —
[1.] Because by it we are made like God. Kighteousness is part of God's image, and herein we do most resemble his perfection : Ps. cxlv. 5, ' The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.' There is a perfect holiness in his nature, and a condecency in all his actions. Therefore it is God-like in us when our natures are
240 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXII.
Kanctified, and all our actions are riglitcous and holy. It is said, Eph. iv. 24, ' That the new man is created after God in ri2;hteousness and true holiness,' according to the pattern of God, much like to him : they that are most so, are most like him. Natural conscience doth homage to the image of God : Mark vi. 20, ' And Herod feared John, knowing he was a just man.'
[2.] It is acceptable and pleasing to God. The just man is an object of God's complacency : I'rov. xv. 9, ' The Lord lovetli him that followeth after righteousness.' God loveth all his creatures with a general love, but with a special love those that bear his image. He doth not love men because they are rich and mighty, fair and beautiful, valiant and strong, but as holy and just. It is said, Prov. xxi. 3, ' To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.' God hath required both, and we should make conscience of both ; but yet the one is better than the other, though the one be a duty of the first table, the other of the second, because moral and substantial duties are better than ceremonial, internal before external, and duties evident by i^atural liglit before things of positive institution. It appeareth in this, that God doth accept of moral duties without ceremonial ob- servances, ' For in every nation, he that feareth God and worketli righteousness, is accepted of him,' Acts x. 35. But ceremonial ob- servances without moral duties are of no account in God's sight: he still rejecteth their offerings wdien they neglect justice; not thousands of rams and rivers of oil, but to show mercy, and to do justly, Micah vi. 7, 8, this is good. Again, he dispenseth \vith the ceremonials and the externals of religion when they come in competition with moral duties, even of the second table ; as David's eating the shew-bread when he was hungry, Mat. xii. 5. Well, then, how right and punctual soever we be in other things, unless we show mercy and do justice, we are not accepted with God, though zealous for and against ceremonies of the stricter party in religion. It is true we cannot say they are better than faith and love, and the fear of God, and hope in his grace, for these are the substantial duties of the first table. And compare substantials with substantials, cle orcline modus, first-table duties are more weighty. But compare internals of the second with externals of the first, moral duties of the second with the ceremonies of the fii'st, natural and evident with the merely positive and instituted ; these latter 1 are more weighty. Give to God what is God's, and to men what is men's.
[3.] Because it fitteth for communion with God. When you are just and righteous, you may call for and look for such blessings as you stand in need of ; for the righteous have an easy access to him, and are sure of audience : Ps. xvii. 1,5, ' But as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness.' I cannot behold the face of ISaul, he will not see my face ; but this comforts me, that I can behold thy face. Lord, thou wilt look upon me, and be gracious to me, and hear my prayers. Otherwise God will not hear the unjust, as he saitli he would not accept of their peace-offerings, till 'judgment ran down as a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream, Amos v. 23, 24, and rejects the Jewish fasts, Isa. Iviii., because they did not loose the oppressed, &c. On the other side, he hath assured the protection of his providence to
^ Qu. 'the former'?— Ed.
VeR. 121.] SERMONS UrOX PSALM CXIX. 241
him that is just: Isa. xxxii'i. 15, IG, 'He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightlj', he that despiseth the gain of oppression, and shaketh his hands from hokhng of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil, he shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the munition of rocks ; bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure.' God will minister to him sure comforts and sure su[)plieR. They that walk in a con- tinual course of righteousness and just dealing of all sorts shall be as safe as if in a fort impregnable, not to be taken by any force, and sufhciently furnished with store of provisions to hold out any siege ; a high craggy place is such. Bread and water are tokens of God's full and final deliverance: Isa. li. 1, 'Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness.' None must look to be thus qualified but the righteous.