The latter of those that arek righteous in regard2 ⟨p. 76⟩of the desire, study, endeavour, and imperfect practise, rather than perfection of righteousness: Such as sincerely desire to fear, and to serve God; and endeavour constantly to do his will: as have respect to Gods Commandments: and think upon them to observe them: though they cannot keep or fulfil them so as they should: that follow after righteousness, as a work-man doth his trade, that he hath bound himself an apprentice to, though he be not yet his crafts-master: And sol Job is said to be Just, though he had his infirmities and failings, by his own confession, mnot a few. Son Zechariah and Elizabeth are said to have been righteous in Gods sight; that is, truly and sincerely, though not perfectly, righteous: for they wereo not also without their wants. And even these latter also have right to, and may have part in the joy here propounded as well as the former, though the former enjoy it far more fully than they do. For,p God will be merciful, yea he hath already been, and is merciful, to those that set their hearts aright, & qthat desire to fear his name. And,r I will be with him, saith God of Solomon, if he endeavour to do my will. And,s Then, saith David, shall I not be confounded, when I have respect to all thy Precepts: &t When I am upright with my God. And, uThe loving kindness of the Lord is from ever and for ever, upon those that think upon his Commandments to do them. And,x He that followeth after Righteousness shall find Honour and Life; true honour and eternal Life. Fory unto those that by ⟨p. 77⟩patient perseverance in well-doing seek honour, and glory, and immortality, will God render Life eternal.
The latter of those that arek righteous in regard2 ⟨p. 76⟩of the desire, studie, endeuour, and imperfect practise, rather than perfection of righteousnesse: Such as sincerely desire to feare, and to serue God; and endeuour constantly to doe his will: as haue respect to Gods Commandements: and thinke vpon them to obserue them: though they cannot keepe or fulfill them so as they should: that follow after righteousnesse, as a worke-man doth his trade, that he hath bound himselfe an apprentice to, though he be not yet his crafts-master: And sol Iob is said to be Iust, though he had his infirmities and failings, by his owne confession, mnot a few. Son Zacharie and Elizabeth are said to haue beene righteous in Gods sight; that is, truly and sincerely, though not perfectly, righteous: for they wereo not also without their wants. And euen these latter also haue right to, and may haue part in the ioy here propounded as well as the former, though the former enioy it farre more fully than they doe. For,p God will be mercifull, yea he hath alreadie beene, and is mercifull, to those that set their hearts aright, & qthat desire to feare his name. And,r I will be with him, saith God of Salomon, if he endeuour to doe my will. And,s Then, saith Dauid, shall I not be confounded, when I haue respect to all thy Precepts: &t When I am vpright with my God. And, uThe louing kindnesse of the Lord is from euer and for euer, vpon those that thinke vpon his Commandements to do them. And,
- kJusti desider•o, studio, co•titu.Iusti desider•o, studio, co•titu.
- 2Rank 2.Rancke 2.
- lJob 1. 1.Iob 1. 1.
- mJob 9. 3.Iob 9. 3.
- nLuk. 1. 6.
- oLuk. 1. 20. Vide Aug. ad 2. Epist. Pelag. l. 4. c. 7.
- p2 Chron. 30. 18, 19.
- qNehem. 1. 11.
- r1 Chron 28. 7.
- sPsal. 119. 6.
- tPsal. 22. 23.
- uPsal. 103. 17, 18.
- x
