[4.] Among other rewards of love and faithful obedience, this is one, the audience and acceptance of their prayer. In his providential gov- ernment, internal or external, God doth many ways own them, by his gracious presence, counselling, directing, quickening them : John viii. 29, ' And he that sent me is with me ; the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.' By mollifying the hearts of enemies : Prov. viii. 17, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh his enemies to be at peace with him.' By the com- forts of his Spirit, and shedding abroad his love in their hearts that love Christ : Prov. xvi. 7, ' I love them that love me.* By peace of conscience ; for the fruit of righteousness is peace. By entertainment of them in all their approaches to God : Isa. Ixiv. 5, * Thou meetest
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liim that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways.' God showeth abundance of kindness to them in the course of his providential government, but chiefly in assisting and ac- cepting their prayers ; so that ' whatever we ask we receive, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.' All the rest tend to this, and this is often promised in the word, and the contrary threatened to those who pretend love to God, l)ut do not keep his commandments : Ps. xxxvii. 4, ' Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart ; ' Prov, X. 24, ' The desire of the righteous shall be granted.'
Use 1. Is information, to show ns the necessity of obedience, if wo would keep a good conscience and be accepted with God. All the prayers of men that continue in their sins are but like bribes ; the gifts of enemies are giftless : Prov. xxi. 27, ' The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination ; how much more when he bringeth it with an evil mind?' However he bringeth it, there is some perverse aim in his worship, that God should prosper him in his sins.
2. That in the christian religion there is true genuine holiness, because it is derived from the highest fountain, the Spirit of Christ ; and it is carried on in conformity to the highest rule and pattern, the will of God; and designed to the noblest end, the pleasing, glorifying, and enjoying of God ; all this must needs breed peace. So is the gospel good conscience described in the text. First, The highest fountain ; for we obey as redeemed and renewed : Titus iii. 5, 6, ' Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' As changed in our natures, and made like God : John iii. 6, ' That which is born of the Spirit is spirit ; ' 2 Peter i. 4, ' Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the diviue nature.' Secondly, The liighest rule, the will of God or his commandments. He doth not only do what he comraandeth, but because he commandeth, intuilit voluntatis : 1 Thes. iv. 3, ' For this is the will of God, even your sanctification ; ' 1 Peter ii. 15, ' For so is the will of God ; ' 1 Thes. v. 18, ' For this is the will of God concerning you.' We have the best warrant for peace and assurance, the command and will of the ]nost high God. And, thirdly, the highest end, the pleasing God, glorifying and enjoying God : 1 Cor. x. 31, ' Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.'
Use 2. To persuade you to holiness in keeping the commandments and pleasing of God ; we have many arguments.
1. From the authority of God : Ps. cxix. 4, 'Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.' It is a course imposed upon us by ihe sovereign Lawgiver, upon whom you depend every moment ; and he will not be baffled and affronted.
2. The equity of the precepts : Ptora. vii. 12, ' The commandments are holy, just, and good.' They carry a great evidence and suitableness to the reasonable nature; so that if man were well in his wits, he would choose obedience to tliese laws rather than liberty.
3. Tiie possibility of keeping these commandments, and of pleasing VOL. xxr. 0
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God, by the grace purchased by Christ : Heb. xiii. 21, ' Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight,' The rule is the will of God. This will is observed when we do every good work ; this done is pleasing unto God. 4. Consider the profitableness of obedience, and how much it con- duceth to our good : Deut. xiii. 10, ' To keep the commandments of God and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.' Our labour is not lost or misspent. A godly course is refreshed by many sweet experiences for the present, and will bring in a full reward for the future : Ps. cxix. 56, ' This I had because I kept thy precepts.'