Chap, 36. an Expottion upon the L'ookofJo a. Verf. i l. 2 7 flic'tion, by theircords and fetters, then, &c. The farne word is frequently in Scripture ufed for obeying and hearing, (Pfal.8 i 8, i i, 13. Pfd. 95.7. ) To what purpofe is our hearing the will of Cod without obedience to it ? When young Samuel Paid at the Lord's call, Speak, for thyfervant heareth, ( Sano. 3. io.) his meaning was, Lord, I area ready todowhat thou fpeakef}. We hear no more than we obey, and therefore obeying and hearing may well be exprefi by the farne word. The text is plain, I (hall only give thisNote, and pats on ; It is ourduty to hear and obeywhen-ever god callsor /pukes,. either in his word or in his works. That which this text holds out fpecially is the voice of Cod in his works, what God fpeakes by Fetters, what he fpeakes by Cords. If ever we hear and obey the voice of the Lord, it Should be whenhe teacheth us (as Gideon taught the men of Succoth,, fudg. 8. 16.) with thornes and briars of the wildernefs. O let us_ take care of hearing and obeying this voice. For Fire+, God is the Lord,and therefore tobe obeyed. Secondly, God is a Sove- raign Lord,and therefore such more to be obeyed. Thirdly,. As all the Commands, fo all the Chaflifements of God are juff and righteous, therefore they are moll of all to be obeyed. Fourthly;. Toobey the Commands of God, whether taught us in his Word or by hisRod, is good, yeabefi for us, therefore we Should obey. for our own good. If they obey. And ferve hips, or worfhiphim. The word which here we render toferve, isvery often in Seri- ru- pture rendred toworib and fometimes worfhi ing is expound- Rer(,u xr P pP a miH culrsuejl. ed by ferving, ((Nat. 4 io.) Thou Malt worftarp the Lord thy feruitou ¡we- God, and him onely fhalt thou ferve ; that alfo is the mind of the dour. Text, Ifthey obey andferve him, Hence note The Lord expefts our fervice, and then efpecially, when we fufer Religion and the Worfhi(i of God, in the whole compafs of ir, is nothingelfe but fervice, a bleffed fervice, a free fervice, a fer vice infinitelymore free than any thing the world calls freedom. ( Exed,
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