It is intimated that some will both "do and teach" them : which leads us to observe,
II. That an mireserved respect for all of them is
characteristic of the true Christian — Ungodly men have but little reverence for the
divine commands —
[The Pharisees of old laid a far greater stress on ceremo- nial than on moral duties; on " washing pots and cups," than on cleansing the heart : and they actually made void some of the commandments by their traditions'^. The Papists do the same at this day, denying the sacramental cup to the laity, com- manding the consecrated wafer to be worshipped, and granting pardons and indulgences to those who are able to pay for them. Would to God tliat there were no such impieties among Pro- testants also ! It is true, we do not acknowledge any power in the Pope to dispense with the laws of God : but we take the power into our own hands, and deal as freely with the com- mands of God as ever the Pope himself can do. One com- mandment is deemed uncertain, another unreasonable, another unnecessary; and all are reduced to the standard which we ourselves approve. As for the penalties with which they are enforced, " we puff at them," and assure both ourselves and others that they shall never be executed.]
But the true Christian dares not thus to insult his
God—
[It is his habit to " tremble at the word^" When once he hears, " Thus saith the Lord," his mouth is shut ; and he sets himself immediately to obey the divine command. Instead of complaining that " any commandment is grievous V' he loves the whole law; he accounts it " holy, and just, and good." He would not have any part of it lowered in its demands on any account^. His desire is rather to have his soul "cast into the very mould of the Gospel's" and to be transformed per- fectly into the image of his God. His prayer is, " Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed' :" let me " stand perfect and complete in all the will of God '^" ]
The Christian's disposition towards the commands of God ought to be cultivated by every one of us, since it is certain —
III. That on such a respect for them depends our everlasting happiness —
d Matt, xxiii. 25 — 28. and xv. 3-^6. e isai. ]xvi. 2.
*■ 1 John V. 3. s Ps. cxix. 128. »> Rom. vi. 17. the Greek.
' Ps. cxix. 80. 1^ Col. iv. 12. 2 Cor. vii, 1.