268 SEVENTH SERMON truth, 2 Pet. ii. 2. and the rites or rules of corrupt worship are called by the prophet the way of Beer- sheba, Amos viii. 14. And these ways of God are likewise very straight, which carry men on in a sure line unto a happy end, Psa. xix. 8. whereas wicked ways have crookedness and perverseness in them, Psa. cxxv. 5. and this way seems here chiefly to be meant, because it follows, " The just will walk in them," that is, they will so ponder and judge of the righteous ways of God in his word, as to make choice of them for their way of happiness wherein they intend to walk, as the psalmist speaks, " I have chosen the way of thy truth," Psa. cxix. 30. xxv. 12. Whereas wicked men being offended at the purity of divine truth, do stumble and fall into perdition, as. the Chaldee paraphrast expresseth this place. The words are a powerful and pathetical stirring up of the people of Israel unto the consideration and obedience of the doctrines taught by the prophet in his whole prophecy. The arguments which he useth, are drawn, 1. From the character of the persons : " Who is wise, he shall understand," &c. 2. From the nature of the doctrine taught : " For the ways of the Lord are right." 3. From a double use and fruit of it made by different sorts of men. To the just, it is a way of happiness, they will walk ; to the wicked, it is an occasion of stumbling, they will fall therein. Touching the persons, we observe two things ; the one intimated, their paucity ; the other expressed, their prudence. From the former consideration we may note That there are few men who are wise unto salvation, and who do seriously attend and manage the, ministry of the word unto that end. If there be any kind of
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