dew, Gal. ii, 14, walk with a right foot;) they continued in the path of gospel truth, but they stumbled in it, they warped in one instance from it.

§6. And hereby we may understand what is here enjoined by way of duty, viz. to make these paths straight. For there are two things herein;

1. That we walk uprightly in the paths of obedience; then are our paths straight when we walk uprightly in the paths of God. And as this respects our universal obedience; so, I doubt not, but regard is had to halting, or taking some crooked steps in profession during trial; deserting of church assemblies, forbearing of sundry necessary duties, irregular compliance with the Jews in their worship; though they utterly forsook not the path of the gospel, yet they walked not in with a right foot; they failed in the way, though they fell not from it; these things the apostle would have rectified.

2. That we walk visibly in these paths; this is included both in the signification of the original word (Tpoxia) paths, and in the precept, to make our paths staight. And this is necessary to the end of preserving others from being turned out of the way, or their recovery from their wandering.

Therefore, the duties especially intended in this precept, are courage, resolution, constancy in profession, with a diligent watch against all crooked compliances, or fearful relinquishment of duties.

§7. The enforcement of the duty required, is, "lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." He that is lame can make but slow progress, and is often ready by his halting to stumble out of the way. Lameness, therefore, is some defect that is distinguished from external hinderances, and from mere fainting or weariness, (whereof the

apostle had spoken before, and which may befall them that are not lame) which obstructs men in their progress, and makes them be easily turned out of the way; besides, it includes an inward disease in particular, whence the apostle says, it is to be healed.

§8. Hence observe;

1. Despondency and weariness are the great evils which, in all our sufferings and afflictions, we are with all attention of mind to watch against; this is the way whereby multitudes have entered into scandalous backslidings, and many into cursed apostasies. We do well to pity others who are weary and faintng in their courage, and under their burdens, for they have spent all their strength, and have no way of supply; but we are to be no way gentle towards ourselves in our spiritual weariness and decays, because we have continual supplies of strength ready for us, if we use them in a due manner, see Isa. xl, 28-31.

2. We ought to confirm our minds against all discouragements and despondencies, by the consideration of God's design in all our sufferings and afflictions, and the blessed success with which he will crow them.

3. The recovery of this frame, or the restoration of our spiritual "hands and knees" to their former vigor, is by stirring up all grace to its due execise, which is torpid and desponding under this slothful frame.

4. It is our duty not only to be found in the ways of God in general, but to take care that we walk carefully, circumspectly, uprightly, and diligently in them. It is a sad thing when some men's walk in the ways of God shall deter others from them, or turn them out.

5. To make halts or baulks in our way of profession; or our paths being crooked in the neglect of duty; or dastardly compliances with the world in time of

trials and persecution, is an evidence of an evil frame of heart, and of a dangerous state and condition.

6. Sundry diseases, weaknesses, and lamenesses are apt to befall the flock of God. These he promiseth himself to be tender towards, and to heal, as he severally threatens those shepherds by whom they are neglected, Ezek. xxxiv, 4, &c.

$9. And the sense of these words may be included in the ensuing observations:

1. An hesitation or doubtfulness about important doctrines of truth will make men lame and weak in their profession. And,

2. Those who are so, are disposed to a total defection from the truth, and are ready on all occasions to go out of the way. Also in general,

3. Every vicious habit of mind, every defect in light or neglect of duty, every want of stirring up grace to exercise, will make men lame and halt in their profession, and easy to be turned aside by difficulties and oppositions.

4. When we see persons in such a state, it is our duty to be very careful so to behave ourselves, as not to give any occasion to their farther miscarriages, but rather endeavor their healing.

5. The best way whereby this may be done, is by making visible and plain to them our own faith, resolution, courage, and constancy, in a way of obedience becoming the gospel. Hereby we shall both excite them to, and direct them in their duty. For,

6. The negligent walking of those professors, who are sound in the faith, their weakness and pusillanimity in times of trial, and their want of making straight paths to their feet in visible holiness, is a great means of turning aside those that are lame, weak, and halting.

7. It is good to deal with, and endeavor the healing of such halters, "whilst they are yet in the way;" for when they are quite turned out, their recevery will be difficult, if not impossible.

VERSE 14.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

$1. Transition to a new subject. Prescription of practical duties. $2. Exposition. Our duty towards men. To follow peace with them. $5. The manner of doing it. 94, Our duty towards God. To follow holiness, $5. Obser

vations.

$1. FROM his exhortation to patient perseverance in the profession of the gospel under sufferings, and afflictions, the apostle proceeds to a prescription of practical duties; and although they are such as are absolutely necessary in themselves at all times, yet they are here peculiarly enjoined, with respect to our constancy in professing the gospel; for no light, no knowledge of the truth, no resolution or courage will preserve any man in his profession, especially in times of trial, without a diligent attendance to the duties of holiness and gospel obedience.

§2. "Follow peace with all men." The substance of our duty towards all men, as men, in all circumstances and relations, is to "seek peace with them." And that we may do our duty to attain it, three things are required:-Righteousness; "The fruit of righteousness is peace;" to wrong no man, to give to every one his due, or to do to all men as we would have them do to us:-Usefulness; That we be useful to all men, in all duties of piety, charity, and beneficience, Gal. vi, 10. "As we have opportunity let us do good," be useful, profitable, beneficial, working that which is good towards all men; avoiding of just of

fence; "Give none offence neither to the Jews, nor tò the Gentiles," 1 Cor. x, 32. But, be it remarked, we must eternally bid defiance to that peace with men, which is inconsistent with the peace of God. The divine mandate runs,-"If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men," Rom. xii, 18. §3. From these difficulties ariseth the injunction of the special way and manner of seeking it (SINNETE) earnestly follow. It is that which will fly from us, and which we must with all earnestness pursue, or we shall not overtake it; and it is so expressed, because of the many pretences which most men use to avoid peace with those who profess the gospel. All these, "as much as in us lieth," we are to overcome in pursuit of peace, never giving it over whilst we are in this world.

Let this alone be fixed,

"With all men;" that is, all sorts of men, according as we stand related to them, or have occasion of conversing with them. The worst of men are not excepted out of this rule; not our enemies; not our persecutors; we are still, by all the ways mentioned, to "follow peace" with them all. that we are not obliged to any thing that is inconsistent with holiness, contrary to the word of God, adverse to the principles and light of our minds and consciences, for the obtaining of peace with any, or all the men in the world; which rule is absolute and universal. Wherefore,

§4. The other thing enjoined respects our duty towards God. "And holiness." It refers to the same way of seeking it; to follow it earnestly, to pursue it by all appointed ways and means; and what is here prescribed, is universal holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord." It is all one whether we understand God absolutely, or the Lord Christ in an