One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

(2) We are to observe it in practice: Luk. 11. 28. Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it: That is, not only that hear it, but do it. Many have this word in their mind and memory, but not in their lives. Without this, hearing is nothing; liking, knowing, assent, pretended affection is all in vain. 1 Joh. 2. 4. He that saith I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Our actions are a better discovery of our thoughts than our words. When we get a little knowledge, and make a little profession, we think we observe his commands; but he is a liar if he be not exact and walk close with God. It is not enough to understand the Word, to be able to talk and dispute of the Testimonies of God, but to keep them. It is not enough to assent to them that they are Gods Laws, but they must be obeyed. The Laws of earthly Princes are not obeyed as soon as believed to be the Kings Laws, but when we are punctual to observe them. This is to keep the Commandment of God, it implies both exactness and perseverance. Rev. 3. 8. Thou hast kept my word, that is, thou hast not apostatized as others have done. And Prov. 6. 21. Keep thy fathers commandment, and forsake not the Law of thy mother, that is perseverance. You see by the first note who are the blessed men; they which own Gods Testimony in his Word, and accordingly look upon it as a great charge and trust Christ hath reposed in them, and given to them that they should keep his Law. Now certainly these are blessed. (Why?)

(2) We are to observe it in practice: Luk. 11. 28. Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it: That is, not only that hear it, but do it. Many have this word in their mind and memory, but not in their lives. Without this, hearing is nothing; liking, knowing, assent, pretended affection is all in vain. 1 Ioh. 2. 4. He that saith I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a lyar, and the truth is not in him. Our actions are a better discovery of our thoughts than our words. When we get a little knowledg, and make a little profession, we think we observe his commands; but he is a lyar if he be not exact and walk close with God. It is not enough to understand the Word, to be able to talk and dispute of the Testimonies of God, but to keep them. It is not enough to assent to them that they are Gods Laws, but they must be obeyed. The Laws of earthly Princes are not obeyed as soon as believed to be the Kings Laws, but when we are punctual to observe them. This is to keep the Commandment of God, it implies both exactness and perseverance.