One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

2. They are blessed for whom Christ mediateth. Now Christ mediateth for those that keep his Word, Joh. 17. 6. They have kept thy word: It is a grief to your Advocate when he cannot speak well of you in heaven. But as soon as he seeth any fruits of obedience, where they consult ⟨p. 11⟩often with Gods testimony, though they have many failings, yet are careful as much as in them lies, then he goes to the Father, and acquainteth him with it.

2. They are blessed for whom Christ mediateth. Now Christ mediateth for those that keep his Word, Ioh. 17. 6. They have kept thy word: It is a grief to your Advocate when he cannot speak well of you in heaven. But as soon as he seeth any fruits of obedience, where they consult ⟨p. 11⟩often with Gods testimony, though they have many failings, yet are careful as much as in them lyes, then he goes to the Father, and acquainteth him with it.

3. Those that are taken into sweet fellowship and communion with God, certainly they are in a blessed condition. Those to whom God will be intimate, and manifest himself in a way of gracious communion, are blessed. Now thus he doth to those that keep his testimonies. If any man love me, and keep my commandments, my father will love him, and we will make our abode with him. The whole Trinity will come and dwell in his heart.

But now you must know, there is a twofold keeping of Gods Testimonies, Legal and Evangelical. Legal keeping is in a way of perfect and absolute obedience, without the least failing; so none of us can be blessed. Moses will accuse us; there will be failings in the best. But now Evangelical keeping, that is, a filial and sincere obedience, is accepted, and the imperfections Christ pardoneth. If Gods pardon help us not, we are for ever miserable. The Apostles had many failings, sometimes they manifested a weak faith, sometimes hardness of heart; sometimes passionateness when they met with disrespect,