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

That which this text holds out specially is the voice of God in his works, what God speaks by Fetters, what he speaks by Cords. If ever we hear and obey the voice of the Lord, it should be when he teacheth us (as Gideon taught the men of Succoth, Judg. 8.16.) with thorns and briars of the wilderness. O let us take care of hearing and obeying this voice. For First, God is the Lord, and therefore to be obeyed. Secondly, God is a Sovereign Lord, and therefore much more to be obeyed. Thirdly, As all the Commands, so all the Chastisements of God are just and righteous, therefore they are most of all to be obeyed. Fourthly, To obey the Commands of God, whether taught us in his Word or by his Rod, is good, yea best for us, therefore we should obey for our own good. If they obey And serve him, or worship him.

That which this text holds out specially is the voice of God in his works, what God speakes by Fetters, what he speakes by Cords. If ever we hear and obey the voice of the Lord, it should be when he teacheth us (as Gideon taught the men of Succoth, Judg. 8.16.) with thornes and briars of the wilderness. O let us take care of hearing and obeying this voice. For First, God is the Lord, and therefore to be obeyed. Secondly, God is a Soveraign Lord, and therefore much more to be obeyed. Thirdly, As all the Commands, so all the Chastisements of God are just and righteous, therefore they are most of all to be obeyed. Fourthly, To obey the Commands of God, whether taught us in his Word or by his Rod, is good, yea best for us, therefore we should obey for our own good. If they obey And serve him, or worship him.

The word which here we render to serve, ¹is very often in Scripture rendered to worship, and sometimes worshipping is expounded by serving, (Mat. 4.10.) Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve; that also is the mind of the Text, If they obey and serve him.