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influence of the Divine Spirit.

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that good and perfect and acceptable will of God," before we shall be inclined to pay a suitable regard to it. me understanding," says David, "and I shall keep thy law!" And as it supposes a competent knowledge of them, so it involves a sincere affection for them. "O, how I love thy law!" is the language of saints under the New Testament dispensation as well as the Old. None can love the gospel aright who do not love the law; for one of the chief excellencies of the gospel is, that by it the law is magnified and made honourable. Persons keep those things that are valuable, and thus it is with respect to the holy and righteous commands of God. The very word "keep," supposes them to be the object of our esteem. But to be a little more particular, to keep God's commandments is, (1.) To keep them in remembrance. By which," says the apostle," also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you." It is not enough to hear, or even to understand, God's word, if we presently forget it. The word of God is a treasure, and the heart must be the receptacle of that treasure. "Thy word," says David, “I have hid in my heart;" and hence it is called an "ingrafted word," because it is fastened, and, as it were, incorporated with the soul, as a graft with the stock. My son," says Solomon, "forget not my law, and let thine heart keep my commandments."

(2.) To keep them in our thoughts and meditations. To meditate, is more than to remember; the former is the fruit of choice, the latter is often involuntary; for we remember things that are disagreeable, and which we would rather, if possible, forget. Wicked men may remember many things excellent, and in their own nature profitable, and yet receive no profit from them for want of meditation. Remembrance is like taking a view of a well-spread table; meditation, a partaking of the provisions, and making them our own. Now we should frequently revolve the holy commands of God in our minds, resting our thoughts upon them, to

increase both our knowledge of and delight in them. meditate in thy precepts."

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(3.) To keep them whole and entire, unadulterated and undiminished, keep them as a jealous man his wife, a monarch his crown, or a miser his gold; preserve them in their native purity, as knowing that no alteration can be made in them without lessening their value. The Pharisees made the command of God of none effect by their traditions; and much the same charge may be brought against the Church of Rome. But heaven-born, heaven-instructed souls, will keep close to the spirit, if not to the letter, of Scripture, and hold fast the form of sound words which they have received, that their obedience as well as faith " may stand not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

(4.) To keep God's commandments, is to contend for and vindicate them against all opposers; to stand up in their defence when others violate and contemn them. We should bear an upright and courageous testimony against all libertines, both in principle or practice. Whatever borders upon practical Antinomianism should be opposed with vehemence, as well as rejected with abhorrence. Perhaps this may be meant by that expression of the apostle, "Let us learn to maintain good works for necessary uses;" so that undauntedness as well as diligence, an heroic as well as active spirit, is requisite in order properly to keep God's commandments.

(5.) and lastly. The principal thing implied is to practise them. To keep, here, is to keep for use. The most reverent attention without this will bring no advantage to ourselves, no honour to God. "If ye know these things," says Christ, "happy are ye if ye do them." This he repeatedly makes the test of our discipleship, and to this he annexes many gracious promises. Religion is not only to be talked of, but acted upon. The good man not only believes his Bible, but lives by it." Ye have obeyed from the heart," says the apostle," the form of sound doctrine