2. David may be considered here as a prophet, and so a pattern of all teachers. He asserts his sincerity in two respects — (1.) As to the matter of his doctrine; it should be the judgments of God's mouth, such as he had received from God. (2.) As to the extent ; that he would declare all the judgments of his mouth.
[1.] As to the matter of his doctrine, it should be the judgments of his mouth. That which should be declared and taught in the church should not be our own opinions and fancies, but the pure word of God ; not the vanity of our thoughts, but the verity of his revelations ; otherwise we neither discharge our duty to God, nor to the children of God. Not to God, when we come in his name with- out his message : Jer. iv. 10, ' Ah Lord ! thou hast greatly deceived this people,' saith the prophet Jeremiah to God. Thou hast done it ; because the false prophets had done it in his name. The dishonour reflects upon him when his ordinance is abused to countenance the fancies of our own brain. Nor to the children of God, whose appetite carrieth them to pure unmixed milk : 1 Peter ii. 2, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow there- by,' XojiKov dBoXov 'yaXa — unmixed milk. The more natural the milk is, and without any mixture, the more kindly to a gracious ap- petite. To mix it with sugar, and the luscious strains of a human wit, doth but disguise it, and hide it from a spiritual taste. But to mix it with lime, as Jerome saith of heretics, makes it baneful and noxious. Thus he speaks of his faithfulness as a prophet, a public teacher in the church.
VeR. 13.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 121
[2.] As to the extent; all the judi^ments of thy mouth, without adding or dhninishing. No part of God's counsel must be forborne, either out of fear or favour. Our work is not to look what will please or displease, but what is commanded: Acts xx. 27, ' I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God.' If it be the counsel of God, let it succeed how it will, it must be spoken. So David here, all the judgments of thy mouth.
3. David may be considered as a private Christian ; and so, I would declare all the judgments of thy mouth in a way of confer- ence and gracious discourse. This is the sense I shall manage. The consideration I shall insist upon is this : —
Doct. It concerns all that fear God to declare upon meet occasions the judgments of his mouth.
How ? In the way of public teaching ? Shall every one that hath knowledge and parts teach ? I answer — No. There are some separate for that work : Acts xiii. 2, ' Separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have called them.' Paul and Barnabas were gifted and called by the Spirit, yet were to be solemnly authorised by prophets and teachers at Antioch, by officers of the church.
Was it not enough that they were called by the Holy Ghost? What can man add more ?
There must be order in the church. Though they were called, yet they were to be ordained, and to have a solemn commission. It is true, all Christians are prophets, yet they are not to invade the office ministerial ; as they are also all kings, yet they are not to usurp the magistracy, or to disturb the ruler in his government. If Christians would but meditate more, and see how much they have to do to preach to their own hearts ; if they would but regard the unquestion- able duty that they owe to their families more, this itch of public preaching would be much abated, and many other confusions and disorders among us would be prevented ; and they would sooner find the Lord's blessing upon interchangeable discourse, gracious confer- ences, than this affectation of sermoning and set discourses.
Well, then, we are to declare the judgments of his mouth, not by way of public teaching, but by way of 23rivate conference, edifying others, and glorifying God by the knowledge and experience that we have —
First, In our own families.
Secondly, In our converses.
1. In our own families, in training up children and servants in the way of the Lord, and inculcating the doctrine of God upon them. This is a commanded duty, as you may see. Dent. vi. 6, 7, ' And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart.' What then ? ' And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy chil- dren, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.' Morning and evening, rising up and lying down, at home and abroad, they should be instructing their limiilies. When the word of God is in the heart, thus it will break out. And chap, xi. 19, you have the same again. This is a duty God rcckoneth upon, that you will not omit such a necessary piece of service: Gen. xviii. 19, ' I know Abraham, that he will command his children and his