(2.) Doth this always abide in our thoughts, and upon our spirits, — that, by all we have done, do, or can do, we cannot obtain righteous- ness to stand in the presence of God ; so that in the secret reserves of our hearts we place none of our righteousness on that account ? Can we be content to suffer loss in all our obedience, as to an end of righteousness? and do we appear before God simply on another head, as if there were no such thing as our own obedience in the world? Herein, indeed, lies the great mystery of gospel obedience, — that we pursue it with all our strength and might, with all the vigour of our souls, and labour to abound in it, like the angels in theirs, — perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord ; and yet, in point of the acceptation of our persons, to have no more regard unto it than if we had yielded no more obedience than the thief on the cross.
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(8.) Do we, then, humble ourselves to accept of the righteousness that God in Christ hath provided for us? It is a common working of the heart of them whom God is drawing to himself ; — they dare not close with the promise, they dare not accept of Christ and his righ- teousness,— it would be presumption in them. And the answer is com- mon,— that indeed this is not fear and humility, but pride. Men know not how to humble themselves to a righteousness purely with- out them, on the testimony of God : the heart is not willing to it ; we would willingly establish our own righteousness, and not submit to the righteousness of God. But how is it with our souls? Are we clear in this great point, or no? If we are not, we are at best shuf- fling with God ; — we walk not with him. He admits none into his company, but expressly on the terms of taking this righteousness that he hath provided ; and his soul loathes them that would tender him any thing in the room thereof, as men engaged to set up their wisdom and righteousness against his. But I must conclude.
Use 2. If all these things are required to our walking with God, where shall they appear, what shall be their lot and portion, who take no thought about these things? Some we see visibly to walk contrary to him, having no regard to him at all, nor considering their latter end. Others have some checks of conscience, — that think to cure these distempers and eruptions of sin with a loose cry of " God be merciful to them." Some go a little farther, — to take care of the performance of duties ; but they seek not God in a due manner, and he will make a breach upon them. The Lord awaken them all be- fore it be too late!
SERMON VIII.
What it is to humble ourselves to the law of God's grace, you have heard.
(2.) I come now to show what it is to humble ourselves to the law of his providence.
By the law of providence, I intend, God's sovereign disposal of all the concernments of men in this world, in the variety, order, and manner which he pleaseth, according to the rule and infinite reason of his own goodness, wisdom, righteousness, and truth.
[1.] To evince what it is to humble ourselves to this law, some general observations must be given. And, —
1st. There is, and ever was, somewhat, very much, in God's pro- vidential administration of the things of this world, and the concern-
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merits of the sons of men therein, which, the most improved reason of men cannot reach unto, and which is contrary to all that is in us, as merely men; — of judgment, affections, or what else soever we are acted by.
" Thy judgments," saith David unto God, " are far above out of his sight," Ps. x. 5; that is, of the man he is speaking of: he is not able to see the ground and reason, the order and beauty of them. And Ps. xxxvi. 6, " Thy righteousness is like a great mountain, and thy judgments are a great deep;" that is, as the sea, which none can look into the bottom of, nor know what is done in the caverns thereof. So that there is a height in the judgments of God not to be mea- sured, and a depth not to be fathomed. Men cannot look into his ways. So also Ps. lxxvii. 19, " Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known." Men must be content to stand at the shore, and admire at the works of God; but as to the beauty and excellency of them, they cannot search them out. To this purpose discourseth Zophar, in Job xi. 7-12. It is of the excellency and perfection of God in his works of providence that he is speaking; in the consideration of whose unsearchableness, he closes with that of verse 1 2, " Vain man would know the secrets of the counsels of God, the reason of his ways ; but, in his attempts after it, he is as an ass, as a wild ass, as the colt of a wild ass;" — than which nothing could be spoken with more contempt, to abase the pride of a poor creature.