426 THE RETURNING BACKSLIDER. [SeRMON XVI.
Christ he calleth such ' foolish builders,' Matt. vii. 27, that know and will not do ; so unless there be a walking answerable to the wisdom and pru- dence prescribed, a man is but a foolish man.
Therefore let it be a rule of trial, would we be thought to be wise and prudent, just and good ? Let us look to our ways. Are they God's ways ? Do we delight in these ways, and make them our ways ? Then we are wise, prudent, and just.
' The just shall walk in them.'
As the just shall walk in them, so whosoever walks in them are just, wise, and prudent; for is not he prudent, who walks in those ways that' lead directly to eternal happiness ? Is not he a wise man, that walks by rule in those ways where he hath God over him, to be his protector, ruler, and defender ? Is not he a wise man, who walks in those ways that fits him for all conditions whatsoever, prosperity or adversity, life or death, for all estates ? He that walks therefore in God's ways, must be the only wise man.
Now, what things doth this walking in the ways of God imply ?
1. First, jwrspiciiity. Those who walk in the ways of God, they discern those ways to be God's ways, and discern them aright.
2. Then when they discern them to be God's good ways, answerably they jvoceed in them from step to step ; for every action is a step to heaven or to hell. So a just man, when he hath discovered a good way, he goes on still.
3. And then he keeps an. uniform course, for so he doth who walks on in a way. He makes not indentures* as he walks, but goes on steadily in an uniform course to a right end. So a just man, when he hath singled out the right way, he goes on in that steadily and uniformly.
4. And likewise where it is said, the just walks in them, it implies re- solution to go on in those tcays till he come to the end, though there be never so much opposition.
But how shall we know whether we go on in this way or not ?
First, he that goes on in a way, the further he hath proceeded therein, looking back, that which he leaves behind seems lesser and lesser in his eye ; and that which he goes to greater and greater. So a man may know his pro- gress in the ways of God, when earthly profits and pleasures seem little, his former courses and pleasures seeming now base unto him. Wlaen heaven and heavenly things seem near unto him, it is a sign he is near heaven, near in time, and nearer in disposition and in wisdom to discern, because the best things are greatest in his eye and esteem. In this case, it is a sign that such a one is removed fi-om the world, and is near unto heaven, having made a good progress in the ways of God.
It implies likewise in the second place, an uniform course of life. Such a one doth not duties by starts now and then, but constantly. Therefore we must judge of men by a tenure of life, what their constant ways are. Some- times though they be good men, they may step away into an ill way, and yet come in again. Sometimes an ill man may cross a good way, as a thief when he crosseth the highway, or a good man steps out of the way ; but this is not their way, they are both out, and to seek, of their way. A wicked man when he speaks of good things, he is out of his waj^ ; he acts a part and assumes a person he is unskilful to act ; therefore he doth it untowardly. But a man's way is his course. A good man's way is good, though his startings be ill ; and an ill man's way is naught, thoiigh for passion, or for by-ends, he may now and then do good things. Therefore, considering * That is, ' zig-zags.' — Ed.
HOSEA XIV. 9.] THE RETURNING BACKSLIDER. 427
that the walking in the ways of God is uniform and orderly ; let us judge of ourselves by the tenure of our life, and course thereof. And let those poor souls who think they are out of the way, because they run into some infirmities now and then, comfort themselves in this, that God judgeth not by single actions, but according to the tenure of a man's life, what he is. For oftentimes God's children gain by their slips, which makes them look the more warily to their ways for ever after that. He that walks in the way to heaven, if he be a good man, he looks to make surer footing in the ways of God after his slips and falls. He labours also to make so much the more haste home, being a gainer by all his slips and falls. Let none there- fore be discouraged, but let them labour that their ways and courses may be good, and not only so, but to be unifonn, orderly, and constant, and then they may speak peace to their own souls,- being such as are here described, ' The just shall walk in them.'