2. That afflictions, though in themselves they are legal punish- ments, fruits of sin, yet by the grace of God they are medicinal to his people: 1 Cor. xi. 32, 'When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.'
3. We never advance more in Christianity than under the cross : Heb. xii. 10, ' They verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holi- ness ; ' Ps. cxix. 71, ' It is good for me that I have been affiicted, that I might learn thy statutes.'
4. Kather undergo the greatest calamities than commit the smallest sin : Heb. xi. 25, ' Choosing rather to suffer affiiction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.'
5. That all crosses are nothing to desertions of God and terrors of conscience : Prov. xviii. 14, * The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities ; but a wounded spirit who can bear?'
6. That a meek suffering conduceth much to God's glory : 1 Peter iv. 14, ' If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are je ; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you : on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified ; ' whilst you do nothing unworthy of his presence in you and the truth you profess.
SERMON XXV.
Tliy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. — Ver. 24.
David in the former verse had mentioned the greatness of his trial, that not only the basest sort, but princes also were set against him. Then he mentions his remedy ; he had recourse to God's word, ' But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.'
Now he shows the double benefit which he had by the word of God, not only wisdom how to carry himself during that trouble, but also comfort; comfort in trouble, and counsel in duty; it seasoned his affliction and guided his business and affairs. What would a man have more in such a perplexed case than be directed and comforted? David had both these, ' Thy testimonies are my delight and my coun- sellors.'
First, Thy testimonies are my delight ; or, as it is in the Hebrew, delights.
224 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXV.
Secondly, They are my counsellors. la the Hebrew it is, the men of my counsel, wiiich is fitly mentioned, for he had spoken of princes sitting in council against him. Princes do nothing without the advice of their privy council ; a child of God hath also his privy council, God s testimonies. On the one side there was Saul and his nobles and councillors ; on the other side there was David and God's testimonies. Xow who were better furnished, think you, they to persecute and trouble him, or David how to carry himself under this trouble ? Alphonsus, king of Arragon, being asked who were the best counsellors, answered, the dead ; meaning books, which cannot flatter, but do without partiality declare the truth. Now of all such dead counsellors, God's testimonies have the pre-eminence. A poor godly man, even then when he is deserted of all, and hath nobody to plead for him, he hath his senate and his council of state about him, the prophets and apostles, and other ' holy men of God, that spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' A man so furnished is never less alone than when alone ; for he hath counsellors about him that tell him what is to be believed or done ; and they are such counsellors as cannot err, as will not flatter him, nor applaud him in any sin, nor discourage oi dissuade him from that which is good, whatever hazards it expose him to. And truly, if we be wise, we should choose such counsellors as these, ' Thy testimonies are the men of my counsel.'
First, Let me speak of the first benefit, ' Thy testimonies are my delight.'
Doct. That a child of God, though under deep affliction, finds a great deal of delight and comfort in the word of God.
This was David's case, princes sat and spake against him, decrees were made against him, yet ' thy testimonies are my delight.' Let us see —
1. What manner of delight this is that we find in the word.
2. What the word ministereth or contributeth towards it.
- First, What kind of delight it is ? A delight better than carnal rejoicing. Wicked men, that flow in ease and plenty, have not so much comfort as a godly man hath in the enjoyment of God, according to the tenor of his word : Ps. iv. 7, ' Thou hast put more gladness into my heart, than when their corn, wine, and oil increased.' We have no reason to change conditions with worldly men, as merry as they seem to be, and as much as they possess in the world. But more particularly, wherein is the difference ?
1. This delight is a real joy : 2 Cor. vi. 10, ' As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.' Their sorrow is but seeming, but their joy is real ; it is joy in good earnest : Heb. xii.ll, 'No affliction seemethjoyous but grievous.' As to seeming, they are in a sad condition, but it doth but so seem. A M'icked man is as it were glad and merry, but indeed he is dejected and sorrowful ; the godly man is as it were sorrowful, but indeed comforted.