First consider, whether thou be obedient in every 1thing. This is in the words of the Text, therefore 2I mention it first, he that hath taken Christ, there is never a commandment, but he is subject to it: though he fail in the performance of the commandments, yet never an one but he is subject to; as for example, the Lord hath commanded to sanctify the Sabbath, not to forsake the fellowship of the Saints; to pray continually; to take heed how we hear; to wash our hearts from evil thoughts and lusts. When an obedient heart, one that hath taken Christ truly, hears these commands, he is obedient to every one of them, he goeth about the business, as an obedient servant about his masters service; though he may be overtaken with negligence and some contrary passion, yet he goeth about it. I mean, he doth it as well as he is able. Another will not set himself to do the business, but is ready to expostulate the matter with God, and say, The commandment is too strict, or else he refuseth by plain stubbornness. As for example, that commandment, Take heed how you hear, that is, let not one instruction fall to the ground, see that you work it upon your hearts; a disobedient heart goeth not about this, he lendeth his ears for an hour; but when the Sermon is done, there is an end: so that other, to pray continually; it may be he prayeth not alone, nor with his Family, or if both, yet in a sleight and negligent manner, as good never a whit, as never the better: so also, let your communication be always gracious; such an one thinks it a needless ⟨p. 105⟩thing to be so strict and indiscreet, he is not, nor will not be subject: this is disobedience. Mark the generality, and think it no more then needs, when the Scripture there saith, We must be subject to him in every thing; that is, not only to the main commandment, but to every part of it: he that hath said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, hath said, Thou shalt not have an adulterous heart, or eye, or thought, or dalliance. Now if thou be subject to the main, if thou neglect the smallest as thou countest them; thou art disobedient, and thou art one to whom God will render vengeance, 2 The. 1. 7. 3For it is to them that know not the Lord, or that will not obey him, though they know that he will do this unto them, ver. 8.
First consider, whether thou be obedient in every 1thing. This is in the words of the Text, therfore 2I mention it first, he that hath taken Christ, there is never a commandement, but hee is subject to it: though hee faile in the performance of the commandements, yet never an one but hee is subject to; as for example, the Lord hath commanded to sanctifie the Sabbath, not to forsake the fellowship of the Saints; to pray continually; to take heede how wee heare; to wash our hearts from evill thoughts and lusts. When an obedient heart, one that hath taken Christ truely, heares these commands, he is obedient to every one of them, hee goeth about the businesse, as an obedient servant about his masters service; though he may be overtaken with negligence and some contrary passion, yet he goeth about it. I meane, he doth it as well as hee is able. Another will not set himselfe to doe the businesse, but is readie to expostulate the matter with God, and say, The commandement is too strict, or else hee refuseth by plaine stubbornnesse. As for example, that commandement, Take heede how you heare, that is, let not one instruction fall to the ground, see that you work it upon your hearts; a disobedient heart goeth not about this, hee lendeth his eares for an houre; but when the Sermon is done, there is an end: so that other, to pray continually; it may be he prayeth not alone, nor with his Family, or if both, yet in a sleight and negligent manner, as good never a whit, as never the better: so also, let your communication be alwayes gracious; such an one thinkes it a needlesse ⟨p. 105⟩thing to bee so strict and indiscreet, he is not, nor will not be subject: this is disobedience. Marke the generality, and thinke it no more then needs, when the Scripture there saith, We must be subject to him in every thing; that is, not onely to the maine commandement, but to every part of it: he that hath said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, hath said, Thou shalt not have an adulterous heart, or eye, or thought, or dalliance. Now if thou be subject to the maine, if thou neglect the smallest as thou countest them; thou art disobedient, and thou art one to whom God will render vengeance, 2 The. 1. 7. 3For it is to them that know not the Lord, or that will not obey him, though they know that he will doe this unto them, ver. 8.
- 1Trial of sincerity.Tryall of sincerity.
- 21 Looking to every command.
- 32 Thes. 1. 7.
