One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

4. In some duties that are not evident by natural light, (as believing and owning of Christ) the heart is more bound to them by the sense of a command, than by any other encouragement. It is Gods pleasure it should be so, Joh. 6. 29. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 1 Joh. 3. 23. This is his Commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. It is enough to set a servant about his work in that it is his masters pleasure. Thou dost not stand disputing whether thou shouldst repent or no, obey or no, abstain from fleshly Idols yea or no, or from fornication; and why should you stand aloof from the work of faith, and doubt whether you should believe or no? We have many natural prejudices, but this his command is a mighty relief to the soul, It is his command we should believe in his Son. It is not only a matter of comfort and privilege, but also a matter of duty and obedience; and therefore though we have discouragements upon us; I am unworthy to be received to mercy; yet this will bend the heart to the work, God is worthy to be obeyed, it is his Commandment. Thou dost not question whether thou shouldst grieve for thy sins, why should you question whether you believe in Christ? If God had only given us leave to believe we could not have had such an advantage as now he hath interposed his authority, and commanded us to believe: Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice, Phil. 4. If God had only given us leave to refresh our selves in a sense of his love, it were an unvaluable mercy, but we have not only leave to rejoice, but a charge, 'tis our duty to work up our heart to a comfortable sense of the love of God, and a fruition of his favour.

4. In some duties that are not evident by natural light, (as believing and owning of Christ) the heart is more bound to them by the sense of a command, than by any other encouragement. It is Gods pleasure it should be so, Ioh. 6. 29. This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 1 Joh. 3. 23. This is his Commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Iesus Christ. It is enough to set a servant about his work in that it is his masters pleasure. Thou dost not stand disputing whether thou shouldst repent or no, obey or no, abstain from fleshly Idols yea or no, or from fornication; and why should you stand aloof from the work of faith, and doubt whether you should believe or no? We have many natural prejudices, but this his command is a mighty relief to the soul, It is his command we should believe in his Son. It is not only a matter of comfort and priviledg, but also a matter of duty and obedience; and therefore though we have discouragements upon us; I am unworthy to be received to mercy; yet this will bend the heart to the work, God is worthy to be obeyed, it is his Commandment. Thou dost not question whether thou shouldst grieve for thy sins, why should you question whether you believe in Christ? If God had only given us leave to believe we could not have had such an advantage as now he hath interposed his authority, and commanded us to believe: Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice,