BOOK III.—Evangelical motives to obedience
Nor is it enough to do service to God constantly, and to abide by it, but we must do it thoroughly, having a respect to every commandment. This is God's testimony of David his servant, Acts
13:22, 'that he did perform all his will;' and it is Paul's prayer for the Colossians, that they might 'walk worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitful in all good works,' Col. 1:10. To walk worthy of him, is so to walk as God may not be ashamed of us, but may say, rejoicing in us as he did in his servant Job, Job 1:8, 'Seest thou not my servant Job, an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?' We must endeavour to please him in all things, to obey him in one thing as well as another. A man will not own a servant who does but what be lists, and what pleaseth himself, and leaves his master's choisest business undone; who insists on tithing mint and cumin, and leaves the great things of the law, as sanctifying the Sabbath, and constant private prayer, unperformed. And we must be fruitful in all good works too; that is, making trial, and doing some of all sorts, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Let us look to ourselves, for there are many, Titus 1:16, 'that profess they know God,' and acknowledge him for their Master, wear his livery,
'but yet in works they deny him.' When a man in a constancy acts contrary to what God wills, he denies him. For if his course was but traced, it would be said, Surely God is none of his master, he will own no such servants; and therefore in works they deny him.
BOOK III: Evangelical motives to obedience