Thirdly, They are not only cursed, but rebuked, ' Thou hast rebuked the proud,' &c. Observe —
Doct. 3. The rebukes of God's providence upon impenitent sinners are of great use to the saints.
1. They are arguments of his displeasure against the proud and against the impenitent. God, that is so merciful to the humble and broken-hearted, that looketh to him that is poor and contrite and trembles at the word, Isa. Ixvi. 3, he can be severe and just against those that deal proudly, that lift up the heel against him, Ps. Ixviii. 21 : it is twice repeated, ' Our God is a God of salvation, but he will wound the head of his enemies,' &c. Mark, though merc}^ be God's delight — verily he is a God of salvation — yet we must not imagine a God all honey and all sweetness. If men be proud, obstinate, and impenitent, they shall be cursed ; and not only cursed, but they shall be rebuked.
2. It is a proof and document given to the world how tender God is of his word, how willing to satisfy the world. This is the rule we must stand by, ' Thou hast rebuked them.' Why ? ' Because they erred from thy commandment.' God hath authorised and ratified the law by the rebukes of his providence, and made it authentic and valid in the hearts and consciences of men : Eom. i. 18, ' The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,' &c. Mark, it is revealed from heaven. The events which fall out in the world we should not look upon as casual strokes, or a chance that happened to us in the way, but as discoveries from heaven. The word is the rule of life. Mark, against all ungodliness; this is the breach of the first table; and against all unrighteousness, whicli is the breach of the second table. God hath owned both tables : Heb. ii. 2, ' The word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.' He means the law, which was delivered by the ministry of angels. Now, every transgression, by that he means sins of commission ; and every dis- obedience, by that he means sins of omission ; and God hath met with every breach and every violation of the law. How punctually God hath exemplified every commandment in his judgment ! And if we would make collections of providence, we might easily find this, how God hath rebuked pride, and that because they err from his commandment.
204 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeU. XXIII.
Again, it may be improved as a check against envy at the prospe- rity of the wicked. Do not call the proud happy ; they are cursed already, and in time shall be punished : ' Mark the end of the wicked/ Ps. xxxvi. 17. First or last, God will manifest from heaven his dis- pleasure against their impenitency. By daily experience we may see that they thrive ill that set themselves against God.
And then it serves to confirm the truth of the threatening. Oh ! when God inflicteth judgments, remember the curse of the law is not in vain. After the thundering of the threatening, there will break out the bolt of confusion and destruction upon the wicked, so that you must either do or die for it.
Use. Let this persuade men to break off their sins by repentance, that you may be sensible of the wretchedness of your condition. God's words are deeds. Men may curse, and yet God may bless for all that ; but God's curse is sure to take place. Let us make that use which David doth of it, to excite our affections to the word of God by the vengeance which God taketh of the pride and scorn of others. The examples of others shipwrecking themselves by their rebellion against God are sanctified when they make us more careful and watch- ful ' that we err not from God's commandments.'
SERMON XXIIL
Remove from me reproach and contempt ; for I have kept thy testimonies. — Ver. 22.
David was derided for keeping close to God's word, possibly by those proud ones mentioned in the former verse. They contemned the word themselves, and would not suffer others to keep it ; as the Pharisees would neither enter into the kingdom of God themselves, nor suffer others to enter. But David makes this an argument to beg the Lord's grace, to Avit, light and strength, that he might give no occasion to their reproach ; and if it lighted upon him, that it might not rest upon him. Or by the proud men may be meant Saul's courtiers, who traduced his innocency, and sought to overwhelm him with slander. Now, God knew his conscience and integrity, and therefore could best clear him.
In the words, as in most of the other verses, you have —
1. A request, remove from me reproach and contempt.
2. A reason and argument to enforce the request, ybr/7iaye kept thy testimonies.
First, for the request, ' Remove from me reproach and contempt.' The word signifies, Roll from upon me, let it not come at me, or let it not stay with me.
And then the argument, ' for I have kept thy testimonies.' The reason may be either thus : — (1.) He pleads that he was innocent of what was charged upon him, and had not deserved those aspersions. (2.) He intimates that it was for his obedience, for this very cause that he had kept the word, therefore was reproach rolled upon him.