3. That it is no easy matter to make this our scope and work to please God. This I shall prove by two reasons.
[1.] Because of the thing itself.
[2.] Because of the requisites thereunto, which are, that a man be renewed and reconciled, &c.
[1.] The matter of itself. God is a great and holy God, and will not be put off with anything, but expecteth worship and service from us becoming his majesty ; and lest we should mistake, hath stated our duty in his holy law ; which we are to study and fulfil, we are to study it, and know how God will be pleased : Rom. xii. 2, ^ That we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' It is a good and perfect rule that we must live by, for this is only evdpearov acceptable or well-pleasing unto God : so Eph. v. 10 : ' Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord ? We must not serve God hand over head, but prove and try our way, and every step of it, whether it be well pleasing unto him ; and consult often, not what is our interest, but our duty ; not what is for our advantage, and will gratify our lusts and please the world, but what will please God ; and again, v. 17, ' Be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.' We may mistake, and therefore we must search again and again, crassa negli- fjentia dolus est. It is a sign men have no mind to practise, when they have no mind to know, or be informed. And we are to fulfil our duty as well as to understand it, and that not in a few things, but all : Col. i 19, 'That ye walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.' Some men are in with one duty, and out with another ; but this is to please ourselves, not to please God. Some will rest in rituals, and neglect morals, though the moral duty hath the attestation not only of the word of God, but of conscience : Rom. xiv. 17, 18, ' For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost : for he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men.' Many will rest in ordinances and church- ])rivileges, this will not satisfy God : 2 Cor. x. 5, ' With many of them, God was not well-pleased.' Some rest in moralities, and cast off faith
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and the love of God ; others please themselves in an overly religion, without moral duties.
Nor must this be minded superficially ; no, we must be every day more exact in our walking, that no cause of offence, or breach may arise between us and him : 1 Thess. iv. 1, 'As ye have received of us, how to walk, and how to please God, so you would abound therein more and more.' You never please God so much, but you are to please him better ; he expecteth more from you, the more you are acquainted with him ; and that we should not always keep to our first weaknesses.
[2.] Consider what is requisite thereunto, viz., that a man be in a reconciled and renewed estate.
(1.) Eeconciled to God by Christ. All mankind is fallen under the displeasure of the most high God, by preferring the pleasure of the flesh before the pleasing of God ; and there is no atonement found to pacify him, but only Jesus Christ, who is his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased : Mat. iii. 17. Upon his account grace may be had, both to justify and sanctify us. Now while men are in rebellion against God, they have no interest in Christ, or the grace purchased for them, but are under death and damnation, and therefore cannot be accepted with God, so far as to obtain the great reward ; yea, to do nothing acceptably to him, till we believe and are in Christ Jesus, and have his merits applied to us ; therefore it is said : Heb. xi. 6, ' With- out faith it is impossible to please God ; ' for till there be some means, that God be a rewarder rather than a punisher to the fallen creature, nothing is done kindly, or taken kindly. Well then, nothing can please God but what is done in faith, or in a reconciled estate ; and that both in respect to the person working, or the work itself. With respect to the person working ; for he is not within the covenant of grace till he believe, but the wrath of God abideth on him : John iii. 36 ; he is an enemy to God. 2. With respect to the work itself ; for till it be quickened by a true and lively faith, and love to God as the consequence of it, it is but the carcase of a good work, and so not acceptable to God ; the life and soul of it are wanting, that obediential confidence which should enliven it. Certainly there is no bringing forth fruit unto God, till married to Christ : Eom. vii. 4. As children are not legitimate who are born before marriage, it is a bastard ofispring ; so neither are works acceptable till we are married to Christ.