him as a man; and from the following particulars it will appear to be equally so to all.

1. God's commands are a part of divine revelation, and therefore the proper objects of faith. Being the word of God, they must be received as such. We are not to choose those parts of the word which suit our convenience or inclinations; for all scripture being given by inspiration of God, requires the same reverential regard. One part is not to be received, and another rejected; to do this, is to reflect a dishonour upon, and will be construed as a contempt of the whole.

2. A supposed faith in God's promises, and not his commands, will prove only a delusion. That comfort which is derived from the promissory part of God's word, is justly to be suspected, which is not attended with, and does not issue in, a sincere and affectionate obedience to the preceptive part of it. I have hoped for thy salvation, saith the inspired writer of this psalm, and done thy commandments. If our heart condemn us not, says the apostle, then have we confidence towards God. The covenant runs, I will be their God; but then there is another clause, ye shall be my people. And unless we admit the latter as well as the former, it is a covenant of our own making, and not God's.

3. Faith is necessary in order to acceptable obedience. Unless we believe God's commandments, our obedience to them will be at best a blind, irrational, wavering, and fluctuating obedience; unprofitable to ourselves, and unpleasing to him. The authority of God binds the conscience, whilst his grace engages the will, and his love draws the affections. Without faith in God's commands, there may be some transient acts of obedience, but not a fixed resolution to obey. It is not enough that God shews us what is good, but we must receive and embrace it, in order to make a practical use and improvement of it. He

that does not believe aright, cannot act aright, whatever may be his aims or pretences.

From the whole we may learn, why wicked men pay so little regard to God's commandments. They do not really believe them: they are unapprised of the excellency of the law, and therefore neither obey its precepts, nor tremble at its threatenings. They trifle with it, because they do not know it; for did they know it, they would both reverence and delight in it. Israel doth not know: my people do not consider. We may also learn, that increasing faith is the way to progressive obedience; and therefore, those who are concerned about the latter, and mourn the slow advances they make in the religious life, should seek after the former; saying with the disciples, Lord, increase our faith!

"Oh that thy statutes every hour,
Might dwell upon my mind!
Thence I derive a quickening power,
And daily peace I find.

To meditate thy precepts, Lord,
Shall be my sweet employ;

My soul shall ne'er forget thy word,
Thy word is all my joy.

How would I run in thy commands
If thou my heart discharge
From sin and Satan's hateful chains,
And set my feet at large!

Depart from me, ye wicked race,
Whose hands and hearts are ill;

I love my God, I love his ways,
And must obey his will."

SHORT DISCOURSES,

Adapted to

VILLAGE WORSHIP,

QR THE

Devotions of the Family.

Vol. II.

PUBLISHED FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE LATE

REV. B. BEDDOME, A. M.

Dunstable:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. W. MORRIS.

Sold also by BURDITT, 60, and BUTTON, 24, Paternoster-Row;

and WILLIAMS & SMITH, Stationers' Court, London,

Price three shillings, sewed.

1907.