not see many other infirmities. This is the chalenge against the Church of Sardis, Rev. 3.2.I have not found thy works perfect before God. David had many imperfections, and did often step aside in the way, but he is not accused to breake the whole Law in any thing, save in the matter of Uriah, 1 King. 15. 5. The Holy Ghost hath noted sundry defects in Asa, but addeth this of him by way of conclusion, yet his heart was perfect towards the Lord all his dayes, 1 King. 15. 14. Contrarily in Jehu, after a large description of many excellent things, it is observed, 2 King. 10.31.But Jehu regarded not to walke in the Law of the Lord with all his heart; and so his service in destroying Ahabs house (rewarded with a temporall blessing to the fourth generation) Hose 1.4.was reckoned murder. 2 Chron. 30.15,19.Hezekiah is bould to pray in behalfe of them that came unprepared to the Passeover, The good Lord be mercifull unto him that prepareth his heart to seeke the Lord God, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. An Husband will beare with many aberrations in the behaviour of his Wife, so long as he is perswaded of the intirenesse of her heart towards him: and so dealeth the Lord with them that feare before him with all their hearts. Great is the excellency, many the priviledges of the intire and perfect man. Prov. 28.6.
& 19.1.
Psal. 119.1.
Causall blessednesse is the pardon of sin; but perfection is blessednesse in order to the execution and fullnesse thereof. The perfect man is actually blessed: but the cause of blessednesse is the free mercy of God.Better is the poore that walketh in his integrity, then he that is perverse in his wayes, turning away now on this side, now on that, though he be rich. Integrity advanceth the poore man above the wealthy, and yeeldeth him more sound comfort and profit both, then all the riches in the world can. They are blessed that walke in the perfect way: Not they that walke in the way of the Ministery, or of the Magistracy, but indefinitely they which walke in any way allowable by the word, with a perfect heart, be it never so meane or simple, they are blessed. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, whatsoever it be, be it to be the scowrer of Channels, drudge in a Kitchen, or to serve in the Gallies.
More particularly. The perfect shall not be confounded. Psal. 119.80.Let my heart be intire in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. Job. 8.20.
Psal. 37.18,19.For God will not cast away the perfect man, neither will he take the wicked by the hand. He may seeme to neglect, but he doth not forget them that follow after righteousnesse: he is thought to favour, but he doth abhorre the workers of iniquity. 2 Chron. 16.9.The eyes of the Lord runne to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himselfestrong
