(2.) The forgetfulness of our memories. We need a monitor to stir up in us diligence, watchfulness, and earnest endeavours : Isa. xxx. 21, 'And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, Thi.s is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.' The cares and businesses of the world do often drive the sense of our duty out of our minds. One great end of God's
YeR. 6.] SEUMOXS UPON PSALM CXIX. 53
Spirit is to put us in remembrance, to revive truths upon us in their season. A siiip, though never so well rigged, needs a pilot ; we need a good guide to put us in mind of our duty.
(3.) The obstinac}' of our heart. So that we need every moment to enforce the authority of God upon us ; and to persuade us to what is right and good. Tiie Spirit's light is so directive, that it is also per- suasive ; there needs not only counsel, but efficacy and power. We have boisterous lusts, and wandering hearts ; we need not only to be conducted, but governed. We have hearts that ' love to wander,' Jer. xiv. 10 ; we are sheep that need a shepherd, for no creature is more apt to stray : Ps. xcv. 10, ' It is a people that do err in their hearts :' not only ignorant, but perverse ; not in mind only apt to err, but love to err. Thus you see the necessity of this direction, ' Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes !'
The uses. Well, then, give the Lord this honour, of being your con- tinual guide : Ps. xlviii. 14, ' For this God is our God for ever and ever ; he will be our guide even unto death.' You do not own him as a God, unless you make him your guide : Ps. Ixxiii. 24, ' Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.' In vain do you hope ibr eternal life else. Therefore —
1. Commit yourselves to the tuition of his grace. A man is to choose God for a guide, as well as to take him for a lord ; to ask his coimsel as well as submit to his commandments : Jer. iii. 4, ' Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me. My Father, thou art the guide of my youth ? '
2. Depend upon him in every action. ' The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ; ' all his particular actions : Ptom, viii. 2G, ' For we know not what we should pray for as we ought ; but the Spirit iti^elf maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.'
3. Seek his counsel out of a desire to follow it: John vii. 17, 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' Still walk according to light re- ceived, and it will increase upon you. Such as make conscience of known truth shall know more. He that cometh with a subjected mind, and fixed resolution to receive and obey, shall have a discerning spirit. God answereth men according to the fidelity of their owu hearts.
SERMON YIL
Then shall I not be ashamed, ichen I have respect unto all thy commandments. — Yi:r. G.
The Psalmist had prayed for direction to keep God's commandments: here he showeth the tiuit and benefit of that direction.
In the words two things are observable —
1. The description of sincere obedience : respect to all the command- ments.
54 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxix. [Ser. VII.
2. The fruit of it: then sJicdl I not he ashamed. First, Observe ; a sincere heart aimeth at universal obedience to God's kiw. Here are to be illustrated —
1 . ' All thy commandments.'
2. ' Having respect' to them. The object ; and the act of the soul. [1.] All the commandments must be taken notice of, small and
great, (1.) Small, we cannot disj^ense with ourselves in the least : Mat. V. 19, ' Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least com- mandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.' We are apt to say, ' It is but a little one, and my soul shall live.' No sin can be little that is committed against the great God. It argueth the more wickedness and corruption to break with God upon every trifling occasion. A little force will make a heavy body move downward. (2.) As small, so great. The ceremo- niallst is apt to stand much upon lesser things : John xviii. 28, the Jews would not enter into the judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled, yet they sought the life of the Lord of glory. Hypocrites make a great business about small matters, and in the meantime reject weighty duties, ra ^apvrepa tov vojjlov : Mat. xxiii. 23, ' Ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith ; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone ; ' like one that cometh into a shop to buy a pennyworth and steals a pound's worth, or is punctual in paying a small debt that he may get deeper into our books, and cheat us of a greater sum, comply in circumstances and terms, which yet have their place, but make no conscience of greater.