5. What an incentive do we have, then, to exact obedience! This is

persuade him to fry in hell as to give up such great honour upon such light opposition. The rolling of a black cloud over a traveller's head won't cause him to break off a necessary journey to court to become the king's friend or his son-in-law.

5. What an incentive do we have, then, to exact obedience! This is Christ's delight, and he thinks it's fitting to reward it with no less than a special friendship. Christ looked upon the young man's morality with love, much more will he look upon an evangelical obedience. The pomp of the world, or the glittering vanities that man's heart runs after, can't lay any claim to this dignity. Even though obedience may be low, if it's sincere, it's the delight of Christ.

He loves to go into his vineyard and look upon the "tender grapes," as well as upon the "ripe fruit," Canticles 7:12; 8:2. By obeying

Christ's commands, we show ourselves to be his friends and maintain his honour in the world. This silently convinces others and makes them have some veneration for religion. People usually judge principles by practices, and you never hear anyone speak against the principles of religion without first criticizing the practices of its followers. By obeying Christ, we glorify God and Christ, Matthew

5:16, i.e., we make others speak well of the ways of religion. Let this honour of being the friends of Christ encourage us to obedience as the means. It's a shame for those who could attain such a privilege to pursue anything lower. Alexander pursued kingdoms. Domitian loved to catch flies. How many conform to people's principles, to their will, for a small reward, or even for no reward? Shouldn't we conform to our Redeemer's will for so glorious a title? We must first be Jacobs, supplanters of vice, before we can be Israels, seers of God.

Let's conclude with a few directions:

(1.) Let's live as if Christ is watching us, to see whether we are acting as his friends or not. Let's remember that every action is recorded by our conscience, remembered by Christ, and will be judged by him either as an act of friendship or enmity. People may only see the outward appearance of our actions, but Christ sees our heart and the spirit behind it, to see if we are conforming to his commandments.

Before doing anything, we should remember that we are being watched, and Christ is seeing our thoughts, principles, and intentions.

(2.) Let's live as if every action could either gain or lose the favour of Christ. We do not know if our actions may lead to Christ's favour or rejection. We do not know if our eternity would be blessed or miserable, depending on our actions. Therefore, we should be careful and mindful of our actions, as they could have eternal consequences.

(3.) Let's live as if the glory of Christ depends on every action we take. If our credit, wealth, and relationships depended on one action, we would be diligent and careful in doing it. Let's remember that our relationship with Christ and his honour are at stake in every action we take, and act accordingly.

(4.) Let's live as if we must give an account immediately for everything we have done. Let's imagine Christ's tribunal and ask ourselves whether we can account for our friendship and obedience to him in every action we take.

(5.) Let's live as if we see Christ standing before us, crucified with all the obligations of love on his part. Let's consider whether the act we're about to take is suited to such inestimable kindness or a putting him to an open shame. Let's not wound him whose heart is open for us and who breathes kindness towards us.

(6.) Let's live as we think a damned soul would live if he were again to live under the knowledge of such a promise. Let's obey wholeheartedly, pray fervently, inquire about his commands diligently, and take every opportunity to pursue our duty and attain our privilege. Let's imagine a damned soul standing before us when we're about to do something sinful, and ask ourselves if we would still proceed if we were reminded that it was for less than this that the soul was judged an enemy of Christ and a miserable wretch forever. We may not have objects of fear before our eyes, but we have this promise in the word, which is more suitable for ingenuous natures, to be called the friends of God and Christ, "if we do whatsoever he commands us."

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