900 Chap. 42. an Expofstion upon the Boob of J o s. Verf, $ righteous, but there was no man fo righteousas Noaba and none fo accepted as he. And if it be enquired, who amonglt good men are molt ac- cepted, or accepted beyondother good men ? I anfwer, Fìitt, They among good men are moll accepted, who livemofi by faith. As without faith it is impoffible to pleafe god, in any de- gree (Hrb. t t. 6.) fo they that live moli by faith, pleafe God moli, or in the highelt degree, and arc moli accepted by him. Abraham, who lived fo much by faith, that he was called thefa- ther of thefaithful, was fo much accepted of God, that he is called The friend of God (jam. 2. 2.3.) Secondly, Among godly men, they who are molt upright in their walkings, whowalk with a tingle eye, and with a right foot, are mot+ acceptable ; fuch a man was job. The character given him (Chap, a, r.) was, A manperfe/i andupright. Thirdly, They that walk. moll humbly, are moll acceptableunto God. For, as god refilled) the proud, andgiveth grace to the bum- ble (jam. 4. 6.) fo he fheweth grace, that is,favour, or graceth and adorneth them with his favours. When one laid (Micb.6.6.) Wherewith fhall t come before the Lord ? &c. The Prophet an- fwered (verf. 8.) He bath (hewed thee, Qman, what is good ; and what loth the Lord require ofthee, but to do juflly, and to love mer- cy, and to wal/t,humbly with thy God? That is, as he requireth of thee ro exerctfe jultice toward all men, and mercy to the poor, or any in mifery, fo to walk humbly with himfelf ; that to ac- knowledge thou hall need of the rtghteoufnefs of a Saviour, and of the mercyof a God, how much righteournefs andmercy fo- ever thou halt exercifed towards others. When we are low in our own eyes, then are we higher inGods eye ; when we, as it were, rejet our (elves, and all that we have done, as unworthy of anyacceptation, then are we molt accepted of the Lord, Fourthly, Among Believers, they are molt accepted withGod, who are mort fruitful in their lives, and do mall good in their places, and according to their opportunities. The Lord loveth a fruitful Chriltian. Many are barren trees, unfruitful ground, little an be Peen of good which they do ; chele are a burden to God. But, when a Chrifian (as it is laid of Chritt, Ail. so. 38.) goetb about doing good ; when a Chrittian, as Chrifi giveth the account of his own life (job;r7, 4.) Glori5etb God on earth' evrIfinifh- stb
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