Use 2. To direct you Avliat to do in reading, hearing, meditating.
1. In reading. Hide the word in your hearts. The word may be reduced to doctrines, promises, threatenings. (1.) For doctrines, lay up knowledge, Prov, x. 14. It is a notable preservative against sin, and an antidote against the infection of the world, when we have a good stock of principles : Ps. xxxvii. 31, ' The law of God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.' As long as truth is kept lively and active, and in view of conscience, we shall not slide, or not so
106 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XII.
often slide. We have many temptations to divevt us from the trntli and obedience; but liero we are in safely, ^vhen the law of God is in our heart. How often was the word of God in Joseph's heart : * How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ? ' Against God, that is of such a, sovereign mnjesty ! — against God, of such infinite goodness and mighty power, so able to save and to destroy! Every time you read the scriptures you should lay up something. The best way to destroy ill weeds is by planting the ground with riglit seed. Everywhere we shall meet with notable passages. There- fore, stock youi'selves with good principles. (2.) Then for promises, that part of the -word. "What have you liidden in your heart for comfort against temi)tations, desertions, afflictions? Wliat have j^ou laid up against a dear year? Job xxii. 22, ' Lay up his word in thine lieart.' In a time of trial you will find one promise Avill give you more comfort and support than all the arguments that can be produced by reason : Ps. cxix. 50, ' This is my comfort in my affliction ; thy ■word hath quickened me.' He had a word to support him. There- fore let us treasure uji all the promises ; all will be little enough when we need comforts. That we may not have them to seek in a time of distress, it is good they should be familiar. As you read the word, collect for your comfort and profit ; happy is the man that hath his garner full of them. (3.) And so for threatenings, especially against the sins we are most inclinable to : 'Who among you will give ear, and hear for the time to come?' Isa. xlii. 23. You should think of what Avill come afterward. It is well with you for the present, but matters to come are put off, little cared for, Amos vi. 3.
2. In hearing. Do not hear slightly, but hide the word in j'our heart, that it be not embezzled by thy own negligence, forgetfulness, rimning into carnal distractions ; that it be not purloined by Satan, that he may not snatch away the good seed out of thy soul. When the word is preached, there is more company present than is visible ; there are angels and devils in the assembly. Whenever the sons of God meet together, Satan is i)resent with them. The devil is present to divert the mind by wandering thoughts, by raising prejudices, that we may cast out the word ; or by excuses, delays, evasions, putting it off to others when we begin to have some sensibleness of our sin and danger. The devil is loath to let us go too far, lest Christ get a sub- ject into his kingdom. Oh ! therefore, labour to get something into thy heart by every sermon ; some fresh notion or consideration is given out to set you a-work in the spiritual life. A conscientious Avaiting upon God will find something every lime. It is sad to con- sider how many have heard much, and laid up little or nothing at all ; it may be they have laid it up in their note-books, but not laid up the word in their hearts.*
3. For meditation. Meditate upon the word ; do not study the word in a cursory manner, or content yourselves with a slight taste, or a little volatile affection ; but ponder it seriously, that it may enter into your vei-y heart. Hasty and perfunctoiy thoughts work nothing. Meat must be well chewed and digested, if you would have it turn into good blood and spirits. You must follow it close till it settle into some affection.
VeE. 11.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 107
So much for David's practice, / have hid thy loord in iivj heart.
The second thing is the aim and end of it, that I may not sin against thee.
Doct. 2. In hiding the word in our hearts tliere must be a right end ; our knowledge of it and delight in it must he directed to prac- tice.
1. We must not study the word merely out of curiosity, that we may know what is said there, as men will pry into civil art and dis- cipline. So the Athenians flocked about Paul, Acts xvii. 18-21 ; so for novelty's sake men may have an affection and a delight in the word : John v. 35, ' Ye rejoiced in his light for a season.' There are certain adulterous affections we have to the word when it is new and fresh, but when it grows stale we loathe it. This affection to the word is soon spent.