cill continualy in old age; in their hoary ftate this is no fmall addition to the promise; That when all old things grow feeble, weak, decrepit, fruitles, and are near to death, and Heb. 8:13) vanishing; yet then, these have their best time and bring forth the choifeft, and best fruit, more abundantly unto God.

Pf. 71: 11

Ifai.46:4.

Time cannot wear out grace but perfect it, and the new creature, the older it is, the newer it is continualy.God leaveth not his in old age, but to Pro.16:31, hoare hairs will he carry them; yea and make the hoary head a crown of glory in the way of righteoufnes.

Thefe truths may be concluded from this propofition.

1. Righteous fouls in Sabbath-keeping are ina- Obf. I bled to fend forth their last fruit, more abundant, fat and fair to God: Natures beft is put forth at firft; but the beft of grace at laft.

2. Perfeverance in gracious fruit bearing unto Obf, IL life is affured by Gods promife unto his righteous plants, who fanctify his Sabbath. He will carry them to hoar hairs and fave them his word cannot fail.

3. The oldeft age cannot prejudice the spiritual Obf. III, life of grace either to enfeeble it, or cut it of. The new life of righteoufnes is everlafting life: as Jehova's years fail not, fo will he perpetuat theirs unto eternity.

4. Fehova fet's a great repute upon his old Obf. II1L righteous plants as his most fruitful, choife and flourishing ones in his plantation. As it is the higheft reproach in heaven, to he an old finner, old in adulteries; though they dye an

hum

hundred years old, they are accurfed; fo is it the greatest honour there to be an old difciple, an old righteous Sabbath-keeper; in this way of righteoufnes will Jehova crown all fuch with glory. Spurn not then at the Sabbath of the Lord; call it a delight, holy and honorable; This will honour fouls in old age. Vers. 14

4. The laft propofition is of the end of mans duty in a righteous Sabbath keeping, and Gods gracious return of bleffing; in thefe words. To shew that the Lord is upright, he is my Rock; and there is no unrighteoufnes in him.

In this verfe have we to obferve these two fpecial heads.

1. The end or scope of Sabbath duty and Gods reward propofed, To shew that Jehova is upright.

2. The end practifed, or the fcope attained by the Pfalmift, He is my rock, and there is no iniquity in him.

Some read it in one fentence. To shew that Fehova is upright, that he is my Rock, and that no iniquity is in him, and others,

That the Lord my Rock is righteous, &c. Thefe jointly declare the fame end; and read it as propofed onely by the Prophet to others, not as practif'd by himself; which diftinction warranted by the points, our tranflators with others do obferve, whom we shall follow in treating upon these words.

1. In our order it will he further inquired about the end propofed.

1. Wherein this end confifteth as propo- Queft.I fed?

In the general it ftand's in declaring or shewing that Iehova is upright; or making known the uprightnes of the Lord. Yet more fpecialy in this terminating work of Sabbath duty & Gods return thereupon, we have to confider.

1. The object propofed to be declared, which is this propofition, that Iehova is up

right.

2. The act exercifed thereupon, which is to declare, publifh, and make it apparently true and evident; and fo to shew it openly.

Answer,

Now feing it is a propofition here to be demonftrated, viz. (That Iehova is upright) this must be done either by an higher caufe precedent; (of which kind in this cafe there is none; for what can be the cause of Jehovahs uprightnes but it felf)or els this demonftration must be made by the effects of it, which is our onely way as to this propofition. This is afferted of Jehova in Deut. 32.4 the Scripture of truth abundantly; as just right is Pl.15.8. he, Iehova is upright; againand again: but this is Gods own demonftration by the authority of his own revealed testimony concerning himself; and not that which concerns us here to do: our work is by the evident effects of this uprightnes,to prove and declare, that Iehova is upright: to which purpose.

1. We must foreknow what this uprightnes

is.

2. We must know, what the demonftrating effects are.

3. We muft underftand,how by thefe to shew forth that God is upright.

1. That which we must foreknow, is what meaneth this uprightnes of Jehova which we are to declare, where unto we premise.

1. That Gods uprightnes, or rectitude, is both affirmatively and negatively defcribed & fpoken of unto us, yet by reafon of our straitned understandings, we conceive him beft by negatives. Affirmatively all thofe attributes of holi nes, justice, truth and faithfulnes, concurre to set out Gods uprightnes; but we muft adde then the infinitnes, incomprehenfibility, and eternity of all unto this, to fute it for God: and how farre is this above humane understanding? On the other fide the negative, is that in him there is no iniquity Deut.32:4, no unrighteoufnes, no falshood, no perverfnes, &c. And thus we have his uprightnes ufualy fet forth uuto us he is without iniquity, there is no unrighteousnes in him; as in the text. Now the negatives our understandings do beft receive;and exclude all evil fully from him: and then he must be a pure fimple and unmixed rectitude, or uprightnes it felf.

Tit. 1:2,

Heb.6:18,

2. That this uprightnes is fpoken of him both with respect of his being and his will. 1. As to his being he is effentialy uprightnes, he is the being of rectitude and this is the bemg of God reciprocal

. I

with

with him he is rectitude, or uprightnes, he is Amen effentialy are these attributed to Iehova? So that if any ask his name, or defcription of him, he anfwears himself I am: what ever is fpoken of me truly and properly, I am that, I am uprightnes Exod.3.17, holines, &c. Now thus he laieth his being as the foundation, and rule of rectitude to his creatures 2. Hence arifeth the uprightnes of his will revealed, both in his word and in his works; which

is the rule of mans rectitude exhibited: as to his Ps. 19.8.91 word, Law and ftatutes, they are right, andrejoice the hearts of the upright who obey them & are regulated by them: & for his works of creation &providence they are done in righteousnes; the judge of all the world muft needs do right. Geu.11.19 1. In these must we know the effects, wherein the uprightnes of God is mainly proposed here to be declared. and this were to long labour to declare the uprightnes of God in every work of his I shall contract therefore onely to the counfels, word, and works of God mentioned in this Pfalm.

:

1. His work in creating and inftituting a feventh dayes weekly Sabbath for man: upright and true, and faithfull is God in this.

2. His work in the revelation of his will, to have this day folemnly fanctified, in thanksgiving, in finging praifes to the moft high, in declaring his loving kindnes, morning and night. His rectitude is eminent in prescribing thefe duties.

3. His works in making glad the hearts of his fervants with his Sabbath bleffings, even to triumph and admiration; wherein he revealeth