An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

¹If thy conversation were such as no blame could be laid upon it; though no spot could be seen upon thy garments, after all thy walkings thorough the affairs of this world, yet what givest thou unto him? Surely nothing at all. Some conceive this was a famous proverbial Speech amongst the godly in those times, full of Reverence and high Estimation, or rather Admiration of God; If we are Righteous, what is it to God? or what give we to God? (What givest thou him?) The meaning is, thou givest him nothing. A gift is the bestowing of some good thing where there is no obligation; ²that's a gift which a man is not bound to bestow by any Law of Righteousness; A gift is bestowed out of mere liberality, or from a free and bountiful spirit. Now, saith he, What givest thou unto God? What service is there in all thy righteous ways and works, which thou art not obliged to tender unto God, or which thou art not bound to do? Thy Righteousness doth not at all oblige God, for whatsoever good thou doest, thou art under a command to do it; there is a Law commanding, yea, compelling thee, if thou shouldest refuse; doest thou perform any duty to God or man, which thou art not bound or engaged to perform? Surely thou doest not, yea thou canst not. Therefore, what givest thou unto God?

¹If thy conversation were such as no blame could be laid upon it; though no spot could be seen upon thy garments, after all thy walkings thorough the affaires of this world, yet what givest thou unto him? Surely nothing at all. Some conceive this was a famous proverbial Speech amongst the godly in those times, full of Reverence and high Estimation, or rather Admiration of God; If we are Righteous, what is it to God? or what give we to God? (What givest thou him?) The meaning is, thou givest him nothing. A gift is the bestowing of some good thing where there is no obligation; ²that's a gift which a man is not bound to bestow by any Law of Righteousness; A gift is bestowed out of meer liberality, or from a free and bountiful spirit. Now, saith he, What givest thou unto God? What service is there in all thy righteous wayes and works, which thou art not obliged to tender unto God, or which thou art not bound to do? Thy Righteousness doth not at all oblige God, for whatsoever good thou doest, thou art under a command to do it; there is a Law commanding, yea, compelling thee, if thou shouldest refuse; doest thou performe any duty to God or man, which thou art not bound or ingaged to perform? Surely thou doest not, yea thou can'st not. Therefore, what givest thou unto God?