A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

Secondly, In particular it was Good, Holy and Righteous in all the Commands of it, in the Obedience which it required. And two things there were that rendered it exceeding Righteous, in reference unto its Precepts or Commands. First, That they were all suited unto the Principles of the nature of man created by God, and in the regular acting whereof consisted his perfection. God in the first Covenant required nothing of man, prescribed nothing unto him, but what there was a Principle for the doing and accomplishing of it ingrafted, and implanted on his nature; which rendered all those commands equal, holy and good. For what need any man complain of that which requires nothing of him, but what he is from his own frame and Principles inclined unto? Secondly, all the Commands of it were proportionate unto the strength and ability of them to whom they were given. God in that Covenant required nothing of any man, but what he had before enabled him to perform: nothing above his strength, or beyond his power: and thence was it also righteous. Secondly, It was exceeding Good Holy and Righteous upon the account of its Promises and rewards. Do this, saith the Covenant; this which thou art able to do, which the Principles of thy nature are fitted for, and inclined unto. Well, what shall be the issue thereof? Why do this and live; Life is promised unto Obedience, and that such a Life, as both for the present and future condition of the creature, was accompanied with every thing that was needful to make it blessed and happy. Yea, this Life having in it the eternal enjoyment of God, God himself as a Reward, was exceedingly above whatever the Obedience of man could require as due, or have any Reason, on any other account, but merely of the Goodness of God to expect.

Secondly, In particular it was Good, Holy and Righteous in all the Commands of it, in the Obedience which it required. And two things there were that rendred it exceeding Righteous, in reference unto its Precepts or Commands. First, That they were all suited unto the Principles of the nature of man created by God, and in the regular acting whereof consisted his perfection. God in the first Covenant required nothing of man, prescribed nothing unto him, but what there was a Principle for the doing and accomplishing of it ingrafted, and implanted on his nature; which rendred all those commands equal, holy and good. For what need any man complain of that which requires nothing of him, but what he is from his own frame and Principles inclined unto? Secondly, all the Commands of it were proportionate unto the strength and ability of them to whom they were given. God in that Covenant required nothing of any man, but what he had before enabled him to perform: nothing above his strength, or beyond his power: and thence was it also righteous. Secondly, It was exceeding Good Holy and Righteous upon the account of its Promises and rewards. Do this, saith the Covenant; this which thou art able to do, which the Principles of thy nature are fitted for, and enclined unto. Well, what shall be the issue thereof? Why do this and live; Life is promised unto Obedience, and that such a Life, as both for the present and future condition of the creature, was accompanied with every thing that was needful to make it blessed and happy. Yea, this Life having in it the eternal enjoyment of God, God himself as a Reward, was exceedingly above whatever the Obedience of man could require as due, or have any Reason, on any other account, but meerly of the Goodness of God to expect.