Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

In the next place, Have an universal respect to his Commands. It is a vulgar Rule among the Jewish Doctors, That men should single out some one Command out of the Law, and exercise themselves therein, that God may be their Friend, and bear with them ⟨p. 451⟩other things. But this is to Indent and Article with God upon our own Terms. The Hypocrite, (as one elegantly expresses it), like a globous body, touches the Law in some one point, in some particular Command; but the Upright, at least in desire and endeavour, lies close and level to all the Will of God. The Pharisees seemed to be very much for the First Table; but after all their Fasting and Prayer they could swallow down Widows Houses, and so give the lye to all their Devotions. The Moralist seems to be as much for the Second Table; but, as fair as his Life is towards Man, he is very unjust to God, stealing away that heart which is infinitely more due to him, than the justest of Debts can be to our Neighbour. If thou wouldst be assured, thou must have an universal respect to his Command; do not pick and choose among them, but as David, be for [Greek or Hebrew], all the Wills of God; as Zechariah and Elizabeth, walk in all his Commandments. Wherever the Divine stamp is, there let thy Obedience be, that thou mayst have a great Reward: Light is sown for the Righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart, Psal. 97.11. Upon sincere Obedience a crop of Comfort comes up; and, because by Promise, much surer than that of the Husbandman which is under Providence only: The righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright, Psal. 11.7. In the Original it is [Greek or Hebrew]; Their faces behold the upright; ⟨p. 452⟩the [Greek or Hebrew], the Three Persons in the Sacred Trinity do all look with a loving Aspect upon such an one. Our Saviour hath told us as much, If a man sincerely keep the holy Words, The Father and the Son will come to him, and make their abode with him, John 14.23. And a little after follows a Promise of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter, verse 26. Walk uprightly, and thou art in a posture to receive sweet manifestations of Love from the whole Sacred Trinity.