A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

4 It is expressed by keeping the Commandments as a man would keep his Soul, Prov. 19.16. as if it come to this pinch, either keep the Commandments or lose your life; a Christian will lose his life, and keep the Commandments, nay of the two, he would rather lose his Soul, Luke 14.26. a man must be willing to sit loose from his life for Christ; now if we thus keep his Commandments, it is an evident sign that we know that we know him.

4 It is exprest by keeping the Commandments as a man would keep his Soul, Prov. 19.16. as if it come to this pinch, either keep the Commandments or lose your life; a Christian will lose his life, and keep the Commandments, nay of the two, he would rather lose his Soul, Luke 14.26. a man must be willing to sit loose from his life for Christ; now if we thus keep his Commandments, it is an evident signe that we know that we know him.

Obj. But such a keeping is very strict, and hardly to be attained, who can do this? in many things we offend all, and who is it that goes not astray?

Ans. A Christian may keep the Commandments as his way, when he intends to go on, and if he be out it is besides his intention, he may keep them as his treasure, though sometimes upon some temptation he may part with something thereof, yet after he knows it he mourns for it, and it is the grief of his heart; and though a Christian may sometimes be ashamed of his Profession, yet afterwards he is ashamed of his Fact, as Peter, and though a Christian may sometimes offend the Commandment, yet he is never well till he hath got out this moat; sometimes a man may rather choose his life as Peter, but afterwards he grieves, and weeps bitterly, and would rather part with his life than the Commandment; and if it be thus with thee, it is a sign thy keeping is sincere.