3. Choosing the ways of God implies a voluntary inclination, that we should of our own accord follow them ; for choice is free, and it is opposed to force and constraint, and a man is said to choose those things which he likes, which he loves, which his soul inclines to, when he is carried to them not by the compulsion of an external principle, but by his own propension and inclination. Look, as the wicked they are described to be those ' who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,' Prov. ii. 13, that is, have an inclination to one rather than another ; for what is expressed that the wicked leave the paths of uprightness, it is explained, John iii. 9, by ' loving darkness rather than the light. And so it is said of Mary, she hath chosen that good part ; of her own voluntary accord and free inclina- tion she was moved to sit at Christ's feet, to attend upon the improve- ment of her soul. The business of salvation is offered to our choice, it is left to our own free inclination, though God gives the inclination beforehand (as by and b}-). If you choose death, you willingly and freely forsake your own mercies.
4. Choice implies a firm and immutable purpose, a resolved adhesion to those things we choose. The mind is not anxious and doubtful, and hanging between two contraries, when we choose, but fixed and determined : ' I have chosen thy precepts ; ' that is, firmly resolved to observe them. We never choose till we come to a full purpose, Acts xi.
VER. 173.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 267
33. He exhorteth them with full purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord. A wavering inclination infers no choice. There may be good thoughts and meanings in the soul, but till we are resolved for God we do not choose his precepts. Many are convinced of a better way, but their hearts are not engaged to walk in it. We are fixedly determined by our choice : Jer. xxx. 21, ' Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me ? saith the Lord.' He hath sincerely obliged and bound himself to live in a close way of communion with God. The soul begins to pause and consider the vanity of earthly things ; there is the first. Yea, and after this, they are brought on that they say, Certainly it is much better to be a servant of the Lord than to be a servant of sin ; and they see that the greatest inconven- ience is a more tolerable thing than sin, and all the pleasures and profits of the world will not countervail our duty to God. There is an inclination to the way of God. Ay ! but this inclination, while it is wavering, it may be taken off, till it come to a resolution. Here I will stick ; I will seek my happiness and comfort in seeking God : ' It is good for me to draw nigh unto God,' Ps. lxxiii. 28 ; and there- fore I am resolved to seek my happiness and contentment, whatever I do.
5. Choice implies a contentment and complacency in that which we have chosen ; and the act of the will is quickened by a suitable affection that accompanieth it. Mark, election is properly an act of the will. Ay ! but the affections they are but the vigorous motions of the will. Where there is a remiss will, that is without affection ; but where there is a strong bent in the will, that is always accompanied with some suitable affection. As if I have a strong bent and nilling of sin, there is an affection of hatred accompanying it ; if I have but a remiss will for holiness, that will never save me ; that is made to be one of the seven deadly sins which the schoolmen call listlessness ; but where there is a serious will, such a willing as a choosing, certainly there is an affection that accompanieth it. Look, as David, when he had chosen God for his portion, presently he professed his complacency and delight in his choice : Ps. xvi. 6, ' The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; jTea, I have a goodly heritage.' Where there is a choosing God for our portion and all-sufficient happiness, there is presently a delight and satisfaction which results from this choice, and the soul is affected with its own felicity in God, and finds a joy and pleasure in choosing him. So it is in choosing the precepts of God : ' I have chosen thy precepts.' See the next verse, ' Thy law is my delight/ Where there is choice there is delight. A man loves what he chooseth, and is ready and forward to do it ; and it is a pleasing thing to serve the Lord, for election in such a weighty case is accom- panied with love. It is not an act of a remiss, but strong will ; and where there is love, nothing will be grievous, 1 John v. 3.
Secondly, To give reasons why we must thus choose the precepts of God. I shall reason — (1.) From the necessity ; (2.) From the con- gruity and convenience ; (3.) From the utility and profit of it.