EZEK. […]6. 27.
THis latter part of the promise contained (as you have heard) grace in the fruit, and the exercise of it, I will cause you to walk, in my Statutes. To subdivide this Promise of actuating grace, consider the action promised, and the object about which it is conversant. The action promised, is, To walk. The object, My statutes. I shall speak onely of the action vouchsafed, To walk. Its so known a thing, that I need not spend time, to enumerate places, that to walk doth denote the constant course, endeavour, and practice of a mans life, and that whether in good or evill. Many examples of Scripture might be produced, to evidence this, even as the word Way also in Scripture doth signifie that Form of Doctrine, Worship, or manners a man accustometh himself to. And this expression of Walking is excellently transferred from the body to the soul; for by faith, love, and other graces, the soul walketh as well as the body, by fe[…]t, and doth signifie not sudden fits, and transitory affections about Godlinesse, but a daily setled, stedfast, and unmoveable way in godlinesse: so that the Doctrine is:
That a Man Converted makes Godlinesse his constant, ordinary practice.
Doct. Its a walking, yea the Scripture cals it, […], Ephes. 2. 10. To walk round and round in the whole circle of good works. All Christians are of the Peripatetick Sect in this sense, Gal. ult. The word to walk is […], (who walk after this Rule) and that denoteth an exact methodical walking, as in a word a man doth carefully put one letter after another to make sense; but the opening of particulars will give life to this matter: Let us therefore, first consider, what is implyed in this expression or Metaphor, to walk in Gods Statutes. And,
First, It signifieth, that we make Religion and Godlinesse our businesse, our […], our main work, our Joseph, our Benjamin; whatsoever is neglected that is not:1 Thus our Saviour, Seek ye first the Kingdome of Heaven, and other things shall be added, Matth. 6 33. Grace is the principall; things of this life are but accessory. Hence 1 Cor. 7. We must buy as if we bought not, we must marry as if we married not, and do all earthly things, as if we did them not; that so we may serve the Lord without distraction: Christ gave us a good example in doing Gods will, when he did so attend on it, that sometimes he refused natural refreshments, to promote Gods glory, giving this remarkable assertion, Its my meat and drink to do my Fathers will, John 4. 34. And David describeth the godly man by meditating in the Law of God day and night. That phrase doth not imply, we should give over our Callings, and read norhing else but the Bible, it onely sheweth that we make it our chief businesse and imployment to attend to that rule. Therefore, the Rabbin took it too litterally, when being asked, whether a man may read Greek Authors, or any humane books but the Bible? He swered, If there were any time, that was not part of day, or night; he might an take that time and spend it in reading such Books: but this was too strict; it commands us to give the Principality, to give the fat, as it were, to the matters of God. Oh, but who then is converted, if this be so? Where is the man that makes Godlinesse his main work and businesse? VVho riseth up early, and goeth to bed late to get this bread of life? Look into Persons, into Families, are not the matters of the world preferred before the matters of godlinesse? Doe not earthly things make you pray, as if you prayed not, serve the Lord, as if you served him not? You that are godly think of this truth, and mourn; it is a two-edged sword: Doth not thy own heart tell thee often, that thou dost not make godlinesse thy main businesse; The cares, the snares, and the temptations of the world makes thee many times seek the things of the earth in the first place.
Secondly, It implyeth voluntarinesse, delight, and pleasure in the wayes of Godlinesse.2 Its not onely our imploiment, and labour, (for we may be haled to that) but it is our delight, our joy, our greatest pleasure we have in this life. To walk is a voluntary action, and frequently used for the expression of a mans delight. He is gone to walk, or He walketh in his Garden. Thus God to expresse his protection, and delight he hath in us, he promiseth to walk with us, or amongst us, & set his Tabernacle amongst us, 2 Cor. 6. 16. So that those who are converted, finde it more than honey, riches, or all advantages, to be doing the will of their Father. Hence Psal. 110. they are called a willing people, or willingnesses. David doth many times expresse that great delight and pleasure he takes in the Commandments of God: And Paul, Rom. 7. I delight in the Law of God, in the inward man. If therefore Grace and Godlinesse be thy walk, how great will the joy and gladnesse of thy heart be in all approaches near to him? Everie dutie will be like the Mount of Transfiguration, of which thou wilt say, Its good to be here. As our Saviour said, He that drinks of the old Wine, would not care for the new. And thus the godly man that hath tasted of the goodnesse of God, and the sweetnesse of grace, will forget his earthly pleasures. This Manna will make a man despise Egyptian Garlick: This fatted Calf will make a man regard no more any Husks: So that you who look upon all godly duties constantly as a wearisomnesse, a burden, how can you say God hath wrought this new heart in you? Indeed the dulnesse, sluggishnesse, and partial wearisomnesse that surprizeth even the godly many times, doth argue Conversion is but in part, and imperfect: and therefore they should be in an holy manner grieved, and shamed in soul to hear and think of these things, saying. These holy truths have too much luster and dazeling in them, more then my weak infirm eyes are able to behold. Oh then hunger and thirst more after this sweetnesse and pleasure, which is to be had in holinesse. This will be On to the wheels; yea like the spirit in Ezekiels wheels to make the soul move swiftly.