156 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [^ER. CLXXIIL
earnest ; as a man, when he is seeking a thing, qnitteth all other cares, and mindeth that only.
[2.] Constant endeavour, seeking till we find; as the woman for her lost groat : Luke xv. 8, ' What woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it ? ' So we must not content our- selves with our first and cold essay, as many, if they find not success upon some fair attempt, give over all care of religion, as if it were a tedious thing, not to he endured. Now seeking implies a resolute diligence, and persevering endeavours till. we find.
3. The end of seeking after God's statutes is to have them and keep them ; as Christ saith, John xiv. 21, 'He that hath my com- mandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.' First hath, then keepeth. To have the commandments is to know them, to understand our duty and prove what is the revealed, holy, and acceptable will of God concerning us, Rom. xii. 2, that it may have the authority of a principle in our consciences. To keep them is to endeavour actual obedience thereunto, and to regulate our practice thereby : for both these ends do we seek, and in both these respects do men show their wickedness.
[1.] We must make it our business to know the tenor and compass of our duty, and we are said to seek after this, because it will cost us pains ere we can obtain it. All knowledge will cost us industry, especially divine and practical knowledge, as he that applieth his heart to the understanding of his duty will soon find : Prov. ii. 4, ' If thou wilt seek for it as for silver, and search for it as for hid treasures/ Now this the wicked cannot endure ; they indulge the laziness of the flesh ; they know they that increase knowledge increase sorrow. If they did know more of their duty, they should be troubled for not observing it ; for knowledge will be urging duty upon the conscience, it bringeth a great obligation along with it : and as an obligation, so an irritation or provocation ; it will call upon them to do that which they have no mind to do ; yea, and further, a self-condemnation and accusation, or sting for not doing it, or breaking any of God's statutes : therefore to prevent their own trouble, they are so far from seeking light, that they would shut it out, and quench those convictions that break in upon them ; therefore the language of wicked men is, Job xxi. 14, ' Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways ; * the language of their hearts, and lives, if not of their tongues. They do not only err in their minds, but err in their hearts ; they have no will to know, would not trouble themselves about religion, or acquaint- ing themselves with God, neglect the means of grace.
[2.] We must make it our business to observe them, or our serious study to keep at a distance both in heart and practice from every known sin, eschewing what the Lord forbiddeth, and endeavouring every good duty which the Lord commandeth. This will cost us pains indeed, and requireth much seeking to get such a frame of heart, and whoever trieth it will find it long ere he can attain to it : Eom. vii. 18, ' To will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not.' He sought for ; his words imply that ; but he could not do as he would ; there was not a total omission, but
V£R. 155.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 157
a coming short of his aims. We must seriously give up ourselves to the observation of God's will, and attend upon this work. This wicked men do not seek, it is the least of their cares : Ps. lxxiii. 27, ' Lo, all they that are far from thee shall perish.' The whole stream and course of their affections, lives, and actions do run from God to the creature ; they care not whether they please God, yea or no : Prov. xix. 16, ' He that keepeth the commandments, keepeth his own soul ; but he that despiseth his ways, shall die.' He slights his way that goeth on as his own heart leadeth him; as a traveller that regardeth not to choose his way, but goeth through thick and thin, he despiseth his way, so he that careth not whether his way be pure or filthy. Well, then, the sum is, wicked men care not to know and obey God's word.
Secondly, Reasons why they are wicked that do not seek God's statutes.
1. Because omissions, where they are of duties absolutely necessary and total and universal, do necessarily draw sins of commission along with them, do argue a state of wickedness. But such is the case here ; to live in a known sin, whether of omission or commission, is damnable : James iv. 17, ' To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin ;' but especially when total, &c. The wicked are thus described, them ' that forget God ; ' Ps. ix. 17, ' The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God ; ' Job viii. 13, ' So are the paths of all that forget God ; ' Ps. 1. 22, ' Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.' This layeth a man open to all sin, and maketh way for his destruction. So Zeph. i. 6, - They have not sought the Lord, nor inquired after him ; ' that is enough to damn them, if they do not break out into excess.