1. It will prevent vain thoughts, AVhat is the reason evil is so ready and present with us ? Because our stock of knowledge is so small. A man that hath a pocket fuller of brass farthings than pieces of silver, will more readily draw out farthings than shillings ; his stock is greater. So vain thoughts will be more ready with us, unless the word dwell richly in our hearts : Mat, xii. 35, ' A good man out of the good trea- sure of his heart bringeth forth good things ; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.' The workings of our spirits are as our treasure and stock. The mind works upon what it finds in itself, as a mill grinds whatsoever is put into it, chaff or corn. Therefore, if we would prevent wicked thoughts, and musings of vanity all the day long, we must hide the word in our heart.
2. When you are alone and without outward helps, your hearts will furnish you with matter of counsel, or comfort, or reproof : Ps. xvi. 7, ' My reins instruct me in the night season.' When we are alone, and there is a veil of darkness drawn upon the world, and we have not the benefit of a bible, a minister, or Christian friends, our reins Avill instruct us ; we may draw out of our heart that which will be for our comfort and refreshing. A Christian is to be a walkiug bible, to have a good stock and treasure in himself.
3. It will supply us in prayer. Barrenness and leanness of soul is a very great defect, which God's children often complain of One great reason is, because the word of God doth not dwell plenteously in them, so that in every prayer we are to seek. If the heart were often exercised in the word, the promises would hold up our hearts in prayer, enlarge our affections, and we should be better able to pour out our spirits before him : Ps. xlv. 1, ' My heart is inditing a good
102 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XII.
matter.' What then ? ' My tongue is tlie pen of a ready writer.' When the heart is full, the tongue will be loosed and speak freely. What is the reason we are so dumb and tongue-tied in ji^^ayer? Be- cause our heart is so barren. When the spring is dry, there will be little water in the stream : Eph. vi. 17, ' Take the sword of the Sjiirit, that is the word of God ; ' then presently, ' praying with all manner of supplication/ When we have a good store of the word of God it will burst out in prayer.
4. It will be a great help to us in all businesses and affairs. Prov. vi. 21, 22, speaking of the precepts of jGrod, 'Bind them upon thy heart; when thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee ; when thou awakest,it shall talk with thee.' Upon all occasions the word will be ready to cast in seasonable thoughts. When we awake, our most early thoughts in the morning will begin with God, to season the heart all tlie day ; and as we are about our business, the word will hold our hearts in the fear of God ; and when we sleep, it will guard thee from vain dreams and light imaginations. In a wicked man sin engrosseth all the thoughts ; it employs him all the day, plays in his fancy all the night ; it solicits him first in the morning, because he is a stranger to the word of God. But a man that is a bible to himself, the word will be ever upon him, urging him to duty, restraining him from sin, directing him in his ways, seasoning his work and employ- ment. Therefore we should hide the word in our hearts.
5. It is a great relief against temptations to have the word ready. The word is called ' The sword of the Spirit,' Eph. vi. 17. In spiritual conflicts there is none to that. Those that ride abroad in time of danger will not be without a sword. We are in danger, and had need handle the sword of the Spirit. The more ready the scrip- ture is with us, the greater advantage in our conflicts and temptations. When the devil came to assault Christ, he had scripture ready for him, whereby he overcame the tempter. The door is barred upon Satan, and he cannot find such easy entrance, when the word is hid in our hearts, and made use of pertinently : 1 John ii. 14, * I write to j'ou, young men, because ye are strong.' Where lies their strength ? ' And the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.' Oh, it is a great advantage when we have the word not only hy lis] but in us, ingrafted in the heart ! When it is present with us, we are more able to resist the assaults of Satan. Either a man for- gets the word or hath lost his affection to it, before he can be drawn to sin. The word of God, when it hath gotten iuto the heart, it will furnish us with seasonable thoughts.