Further,1 Jehu doth somewhat which God commanded him, but not all. We learn from hence, that when but half the work is done, God curseth the whole for our neglect of the other half.2 I remember Master Calvin upon this place, likeneth Jehu unto King Henry the 8. Henry the 8. saith he, cast off some degree of Popery so far as would serve his own turn, but there were the five Articles in force still, for which many suffered at that time, and so he was like Jehu in that. God will be served with the whole heart, for all our good is in God, & therefore all our hearts must make out after God. God must have perfect obedience in the desire and endeavour, or else he will have none. Certainly that which must make any man acceptable, it is not so much that there is somewhat done, but is there that which God calleth for done? or is it done in regard of the endeavour? for that indeed will be acceptable: though we cannot do all at once, but it we bring somewhat to God as a part, and acknowledge the debt as the whole, and so are working for the other, it will be accepted. As suppose a man owes you an hundred pound, and bringeth you but fifty pound in part of payment, yet if he acknowledge the rest, and promise the payment of it., if you know he will be faithful in the payment of the other he will accept of it: But if a man bring you fourscore pound in lieu of all, you will not accept it. So it is here, Hypocrites they say they cannot be perfect in his world, and so think to put off God with a little; it is true, if thou hadst an upright heart, and didst bring God but part, and labourest after the whole, he would accept of it: But if thou bringest him ten times more then a sincere heart can bring him, it will not be acceptable, no not ninety nine pounds will be accepted if brought in stead of the whole. God must have a man according to his own heart, such an one as David; you know what was said of David, 3I have found a man after mine own heart that shall fulfil all my wills, for so the words are in the Original, not all my will, but all my wills, in the plural number.
Further,1 Jehu doth somewhat which God commanded him, but not all. We learn from hence, that when but halfe the work is done, God curseth the whole for our neglect of the other halfe.2 I remember Master Calvin upon this place, likeneth Jehu unto King Henry the 8. Henry the 8. saith he, cast off some degree of Popery so farre as would serve his owne turne, but there were the five Articles in force still, for which many suffered at that time, and so he was like Jehu in that. God will be served with the whole heart, for all our good is in God, & therefore all our hearts must make out after God. God must have per•ect obedience in the desire and endeavour, or else he will have none. Certainly that which must make any man acceptable, it is not so much that there is somewhat done, but is there that which God calleth for done? or is it done in regard of the endeavour? for that indeed will be acceptable: though we cannot doe all at once, but it we bring somewhat to God as a part, and acknowledge the debt as the whole, and so are working for the other, it will be accepted. As suppose a man owes you an hundred pound, and bringeth you but fifty pound in part of payment, yet if he acknowledg the rest, and promise the payment of it., if you know hee will be faithfull in the payment of the other he will accept of it: But if a man bring you fourscore pound in liewe of all, you will not accept it. So it is here, Hypocrites they say they cannot be perfect in his world, and so think to put off God with a little; it is true, if thou hadst an upright heart, and didst bring God but part, and labourst after the whole, hee would accept of it: But if thou bringest him ten times more then a sincere heart can bring him, it will not be acceptable, no not ninety nine pounds will be accepted if brought in stead of the whole. God must have a man according to his own heart, such an one as David; you know what was said of David, 3I have found a man after mine own heart that shall fulfill all my wills, for so the words are in the Originall, not all my will, but all my wills, in the plurall number.
- 1Obser. 7.
- 2GOD curseth partial obedience.GOD curseth partiall obedience.
- 3[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
