YeK. 15.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 347
SERMON XVIII.
See then that ye loalk circumspectly, not as fools, hut as luise. Eph. v. 15.
In the context the apostle inferreth a change of life from the change of then* condition ; they sometimes lived in heathenish darkness, but were now light in the Lord ; and therefore it is an easy deduction he inferreth, that they should walk as children of the light. And then he showeth them what kind of walk that is — (1.) Negatively, that they should ' have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.' (2.) Positively, he directeth them here to ' walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.'
In this direction the duty is — (1.) Propounded; (2.) Expounded.
1. It is propounded, ' See that ye walk circumspectly ; ' where — [1.] The manner; he would have them regard it as a matter of
importance, /SXeTrere ovv, look to it.
[2.] The matter, ttco? uKpo^m TrepLTraretTe, how circumspectly ye walk. Mark, it is our ivallc that the apostle speaketh of, or the whole course of our conversations. There may be a zealous fit or pang for a step or two, but the whole course, manner, and tenor of our lives must be thus ordered. And the other word, a/cpt/Sco?, signifieth exactly, accurately : Mat. ii. 8, Herod chargeth that they should search dili- gently for the child. The word is aKpi/Sm, narrowly. Some may think the apostle intendeth wary carriage, to avoid danger, and save themselves. No ; it is not a politic cautiousness to save a temporal stake, but a holy wisdom to save our souls ; it relateth to our duty to God rather than to danger from men.
2. As it is expounded by anew proposal, which hath also the advan- tage in it of a motive and argument : ' Not as fools, but as wise.' In the judgment of the world you will be accounted fools, but really and indeed this is your wisdom : Deut. iv, 5, 6, ' Behold I have taught you judgments and statutes, even as the Lord my God commanded me. Keep them therefore, and do them ; for this is your wisdom and under- standing in the sight of the nations, when they shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' But mark the emphasis ; the apostle speaketh both negatively, * Not as fools,' and positively, ' But as wise.'
[1.] ' Not as fools,' negatively. Fools are a sort of easy people, apt to be seduced and drawn aside to carnal compliances.
[2.] * But as wise,' that is, as men of prudence, who weigh all things, or as those that are endowed with the wisdom of God revealed in his word : Prov. xiv. 8, ' The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way ; ' Prov. xxiii. 19, ' Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.'
Doct. It is the duty of God's children to walk exactly or circum- spectly.
This is commanded : Heb. xii. 13, 'Make straight paths for your feet.' God doth not allow men the liberty to take what way they list, or to enlarge themselves as their fleshly inclinations move them. No;
348 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeR. XVIII.
their conversations must be bounded and confined witliin such limits as God hath prescribed : 1 Thes. iv. 1, ' That as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more,' The christian faith and the care of our own salvation layeth great obligations upon us to walk exactly, according to the rule that is set unto us, and to improve and increase the holiness that is already in us, that we may please God better than yet we have done. And as it is commanded us, so it is commanded to us as the most comfortable course that we can take: Gal. vi. 16, 'As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the whole Israel of God.' The word there signifieth to walk orderly and attentively, as soldiers when they keep rank, who do observe their rule or the laws of military discipline. These have peace in their own consciences, and mercy from God in pardoning their many failings. So Acts ix. 31, ' They walked in the fear of God, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.' We think to be so exact is tedious and troublesome. No ; it is the ready way to peace and comfort. Whereas others make a hard shift to go to heaven through many doubts and fears, they have a comfortable sense of their interest in Christ, and live in the delight- ful foresight of glory to come. The saints are commended for it : Luke i. 6, ' It is said of Zachary and Elizabeth, ' they were both righteous before God, and walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless ; ' that is, were approved and accepted of God as sincere and upright persons, who live in obedience to all God's will, without indulgence to any known sin ; therefore their human frailties are not mentioned and imputed to them. So Paul: Acts xxiv, 16, * Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence, towards God and towards men.' That was his daily exercise ; se should we be exactly careful to perform our duties to God and man.