Secondly, What it is to ' walk with God ? ' That is the original expression, from whence this of pleasing God is taken, Gen. v. 22. Now, what is the meaning of that ? Some read it, Vacavit Deo — he seques- tered himself, to converse with God from the distraction of worldly affairs ; others render it, Amhulavit in iimore Dei, — he walked in the fear of God ; the Targum of Jerusalem, He served, or laboured in the truth before the Lord. Others apply it to public office and service in the church, as if it were proper to those that were employed in the function of the priesthood : certainly in such a restrained sense it is taken, 2 Sam. sxx. 35. But this would be a sense too restrained, especially since it is here explained by the apostle by pleasing God. Therefore it notes any solemn profession of religion, or consecration and . dedication to God's service ; for I find this phrase applied to persons that were of eminent and great holiness, especially in an evil and cor- rupt age, as here to Enoch, when men degenerated, and a flood was threatened. So it is applied to Noah — ' Noah was a just man, and per- fect in his generation ; and Noah walked with God,' Gen. vi. 9, con- trary to the corruptions and manners of his age. So it is applied to Levi ; when the Lord speaks of the privileges of the house of Levi, he saith, Mai. ii. 6, ' He walked with me in peace and equity, and did
VeK. 5.] SERMONS UPON HEBREWS XI. 53
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turn many from iniquity ; ' that is, he held on God's side against the re- volt and rebellion of the other tribes that had gone away after the calves in Dan and Bethel. It noteth a consecration of our lives to God's ser\ ice, and special communion with him. The metaphor seems to be tiiken from two friends that agree and resolve to go a long journey, that they will keep the same way and course, as the Lord himself explains his similitude, Amos iii. 3, ' Can two walk together except they be agreed?' In the context God threatens the alienation and estrangement of his presence from them ; for, saith God, You and I have gone hand in hand together ; but now, if you take ditierent courses, we must needs part : as two travellers, whose journey is not tlic same, cannot long travel together ; so saith God, If you will take that path, I must break off communion with you, and withdraw my presence. Thus you find that he that by solemn vow and agreement with God hath set up his resolution to sequester and consecrate himself to the service of the Lord, is said to walk with God.
Isovi there are many parallel expressions, that differ only in sound ; as, walking before God ; so saith God to Abraham, Gen. xvii. 1,' Walk before me, and be thou perfect.' It notes the very same thing. Thus Hezekiah, Isa. xxxviii. 3, ' I have walked before thee with a perfect heart.' The parallel phrases in the new testament are ' walking in Christ,' Col. ii. 6 ; and ' walking in the truth,' 2 John 4. In the general it notes special strictness and communion with God in the course of our lives ; more particularly, I shall show you negatively what it doth not imply ; then positively, what it doth imply.
1. Negatively, what it doth not imply.
[1.] Not such a strictness as to abridge ourselves of the holy use of the necessary comforts of this life. I ground this upon that place. Gen. V. 22, ' Enoch walked with God, and begat sous and daughters.' The holy and pun-, use of the creatures may stand with the strictest rules of profession. There may be a walking with God without monkery, and a sequestration of ourselves from worldly affairs. Enoch had a body as others had, and he needed the refreshment and support of meat, drink, and sleep, and the modest use of conjugal society, and yet walked with God ; that is, in all these comforts he enjoyed God.
[2.] It doth not imply such a strictness and exactness as is wholly exempt from infirmities ; for we read in scripture that Noah Avas one that walked with God, yet Noah was overcome with drink, Gen. ix. 21. Alas ! in our journey many times carnal affections creep upon us, and bewray themselves by some indecent and impure actions, yet the Lord pardons them out of grace ; though he be displeased with our sins, yet he accepts of our company still, accepts of our persons with^Christ. On God's part the society and fellowship is not broken off, because they are interested in Christ ; and on the believer's part the godly do not break off communion Avith God, because they recover themselves by repentance ; there is a vigilant custody over their ways, but treacherous nature will be tripping now and then, and draw us to inconveniences. Alas ! what then ? The people of God are restless till they rise again, and recover the sense of God's favour ; and when they stumble, they do not lie in the mire of sin, but endeavour to rise and keep on their journey ; their constant purpose is to walk in a constant communion with God.