4. You will die comfortably when you have sincerely made conscience to serve and glorify God here in the world. When Hezekiah was arrested with the sentence of death, what was his plea ? 2 Kings xx. 3, ' 0 Lord, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight' God's servants can plead their sincerity upon their sick-beds, and look death in the face with confidence, even then when hypocrites usually vomit up their own shame. 0 christians ! we should prepare comforts against that time when all other comforts vanish. If you think how rich you have been, what pleasures and delights you have had, this is so far from comforting, that it will torment you the more. Conscience, if ever, is then awakened, and the devil will be busy to trouble thee. We stop the mouth of conscience now, and charm it with carnal pleasures, but then it will speak and we cannot keep it quiet. If any sin did formerly sting thee, thou wilt feel it then. When we are immediately to appear before God, to be judged to heaven or hell, will it not be sweet then to say, Lord, though I were once overtaken with many infirmilies, yet my heart was set to serve and glorify thee. Oh, how will this strengthen thee against all the terrors of death ! Our time is running on, and we are hastening to the pit ; it is good to be able to say so in truth, and without any check from our own hearts.
5. Uprightness will give you boldness and comfort at the day of judgment : Ps. cxix. 6, * Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments.' Shame is <^6/3o9 Sikmov -yjroyov, a fear of a just reproof No shame so intimate, and troublesome, and confounding as a rebuke from the judge of the world when he sits upon the throne. Now those that set themselves to do the whole will of God shall be able to hold up their heads at that day. When the secrets of all hearts shall be laid open, their failings will be produced, but blotted out as a cancelled bond, which the debtors need not fear though it be shown.
Use 1. Oh, study this grand case of conscience more, whether we be sincere and upright with God.
I shall state this — (1.) Negatively; (2.) Positively.
YeR. 13.] •SERMONS UPON PSALM XIX. 13. 385
First, Negatively. Perfect none of us can be ; but can we stand before God upon a gospel account, and endure the touchstone though not the balance ? If we do not attain to perfection, do we attain to integrity ? It is a sad thing that so few study their qualification, but leave the state of their souls to such an adventure. Till thou art able; with a clear conscience to plead thy uprightness, thou wilt live doubt- fully and die doubtfully, and go into the other world as a man that leapeth blindfold over a deep and terrible gulf and ditch, and knoweth not where his feet shall light. Will you come to a trial ? Here is one in the text.
No man can think himself upright till he hath cast off the domin-' ion of every sin, especially presumptuous sins. Therefore they that live in the constant allowed practice of any known sin, whether it be public or secret, whoredom or wantonness, drunkenness or sensuality, open ambition or secret pride, rapine or covetousness, or any allowed passion, they cannot make their claim to the new covenant. Not only such as by their lewd conversation give an open account of their irreligion, but such as live in any secret allowed sin. Whatever their repute be for godliness, if they hold any sin as a sweet morsel under their tongue, set up a toleration in their hearts, and say, God be merciful to me if I bow in the house of Kimmon ; if thou continuest in the pleasing or profitable practice to which thou hast special enticements, some par- ticular warrant or profession, and thou carriest this sin closely and in a clever way, so as not to lie open to the malice and reproach of others : Luke xvi. 15, ' Ye are they which justify yourselves before men ; but God knoweth your hearts ; for that which is highly esteemed amongst men is abomination in the sight of God ; ' God knoweth, conscience knows it, and so thou canst not have the comfort of integrity; yea, whatever parts and abilities or expressions thou hast, thou mayest be carnal for all that ; all thy parts are but like a jewel in a toad's head. Refined notions with an unrenewed heart are but a form of knowledge. Yea, whatever exercises and duties of religion thou per- forraest, reading, hearing, praying, there is a worm at the root that blasteth all, even that unmortified lust which hath dominion over thee : Ps. 1. 16, 17, ' But unto the wicked, God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statwtes, or that thou shouldst take my covenant into thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee ? ' What good will ordinances do when sin is allowed in thy soul ? The seed of the word falls among briers and thorns ; the word is choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of life, Luke viii. 14. Any lust let alone will in time outgrow the word. Nay, though with these exercises men had some experiences, humblings, tastes. Convic- tions die away, and tastes vanish, and men in time lose all their savour, and lose all the cheerfulness of their profession ; for * that which is lame is soon turned out of the way,' Heb. vi. 13. Carnal affections having the first possession of a man's heart, and being preferred by long use and custom, get a stronger root than godliness can have, and will draw the greatest strength of thy heart and desires after them. Therefore godliness, though somewhat prized and esteemed, yet want- ing earth, must needs grow weak and languish.