4. The wonderful agreement that is between this first act of solemn worship and the solemn constitutions of the Jewish church, doth wonderfully evince it (as we shall prove by and by), that there was some rule and divine institution according to which this worship was to be regulated, which, probably, God revealed to Adam, and he taught it, as he did other parts of religion, to his children : therefore it was done by virtue of an institution. Abel looked to the command of God, and promise of God, that so he might do it in faith and obedience.
The note from tliis^
Doct. That whatever is done in worship must be done out of con- science, and with respect to the institution.
Quest. But you will say, What is it to do a thing by virtue of au institution ? For answer —
[1.] I shall show you what an institution is. Every word of in- stitution consists of two parts — the word of command, and the word of promise. To instance in any duty of worship : in hearing the word, Isa. Iv. 3, ' Hear, and your souls shall live ; ' in the sacrament — ' Do this ; ' there is the word of command ; then ' This is my body and blood;' there is the word of ])romise. In baptism : Acts ii. 38, 'Be baptized, every one of you ; ' there is the word of connnand ; 'For the remission of sins ; ' there is the word of promise. God doth not require duty merely out of sovereignty, but in mercy. In the law it is some- times a motive — Do thus and thus, for I am the Lord ; God's sove- reignty is pleaded. In other places — Do thus, and this shall be your life ; there is the promise ; and this will do you good. It is the con- descension of God to require no duty but for your profit — ' You shall not seek my face in vain.' Duty is not a task, but a means ; he en-
VeR. 4.j SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 441
courageth, when lie might transact all things by way of charge and imperial command. God that requireth worship, doth also reward it ; precepts and promises go hand in hand. Christianity is famous for pure precepts and excellent rewards. God's services will not be un- comfortable ; for all his institutions are made up of a word of com- mand and a word of promise.
[2.] What is it to do a duty in respect to the institution ? I answer, it is to do it in faith and obedience : faith respects the word of promise, obedience the word of command. Customary aj^proaches bring God no honour and glory ; thei-efore first the command must be the reason of the duty. Then the promise must be the encouragement, the ratio formaJis — the formal reason of all duty and obedience, is God's com- mand ; and the ratiomotiva, the moving and persuasive reason, is oui own profit and God's promise. Obedience to the command is my hom- age, and faith one of the purest respects I can yield to God.
Ques. But now how shall I know when I do duty in faith and obedi- ence ? I answer —
(1.) You come in obedience when the command is the main motive and reason upon your spirit to put you upon the duty. It is enough to a christian to say, ' This is the will of God,' 1 Thes. v. 18. The bare sight of God's will is enough. It is custom to do as others do, but religion to do what God commands, because God hath commanded : Exod. xii. 26, 27, ' It shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you. What mean you by this service ? that ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover.' Ask your heart, Why do I pray and hear ? The Lord our God halh commanded it. Now this \7ill be evident to you by your continuing in duties, though the success be not presently visible. The soul is of Peter's temper : Luke v. 4, 5, saith Christ, ' Let down your net for a draught.' Alas ! ' Master (saith Peter) we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing ; howbeit at thy word I will let down the net' So the soul encourageth itself, I have had no sensible communion with God, yet I must perform my duty ; I will do what God hath commanded, let God do what he will ; success is God's act, duty mine. Then you come in obedience to the performance of any holy service.
(2.) Would you know when yon come in faith ? Avhen you look to the word of promise ? You may know that by the earnest expectation and con- siderateness of the soul. Those that come customarily do not look to the end of the service, nor why God hath appointed it. It is said, Ps. xxxii. 9, 'Be ye not as the horse and mule, which have no understanding ;' that is, to go on without consideration. Man is to work for an end, to design somewhat, especially in duties of worship, which are the most serious «.nd important affairs of our whole lives. Therefore what do you look for in your worship ? Many look to the work wrought, but not to the end. God's institutions are under a blessing ; and there must be an actual waiting, or you do not come in faith. And you will know this by the importunateness of your souls in pressing God with his word. Ah, Lord ! thou hast made a promise to those that wait upon thee that thou wilt bless them ; now * remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope,' Ps. cxix. 49. By this you may try your hearts.