Po'op. 4. The counsel that God hath given us in his word is suffi- cient and full out to all our necessities. Let me instance this in par- ticulars.
1. The word gives us counsel for our general choice; it is the rule of all faith and obedience. The scriptures are the counsel of God, sent to remedy the miseries of the fall ; therefore it is said, Acts xx. 27, ' I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.' It is God's counsel how man should be reconciled, how he should be converted, and come to the enjoyment of himself David, when he had chosen God for his portion, he saith, Ps. xvi. 7, ' Blessed be God who hath given me counsel.' In the word he gives us counsel how to come to him for our happiness, and by grace he sets it on upon the heart : this is the counsel of God concerning our salvation.
2. Not only in our general choice, but in all our particular actions, so far as they have a tendency unto that end : Ps. cxix. 105, ' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a fight unto my paths.' It is a lamp and a light. We are full of darkness and error ; but as we follow
VeR. 24.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 231
the direction of God, it is a lamp not only to our path, but to our steps, to our feet ; not only to our path, to our general course, but it direct- eth us in every particular action.
3. In dark and doubtful passages, when a man multiplieth consul- tations and perplexed thoughts, and changeth conclusions as a sick man doth his bed, and knows not what course to take, whether this or that ; then the word will direct him what to do, so as that a man may find quiet in his soul. Indeed here is the question, How far the word of God is a counsellor to us in such perplexed and doubtful cases ?
[1.] The word of God will help him to understand how flir he is concerned in such an action in point of duty and conscience ; for other- wise it were not 'able to make the man of God perfect, and thoroughly furnished unto all good works,' 2 Tim. iii. 17. Now it is a great re- lief to the soul when a man understands how far he is concerned in point of duty. The conflict many times lies not only between light and lust, or light and interest — then a gracious man knows what part to take ; but when it lies between duty and duty, then it is tedious -and troublesome to him. Now the word clearly will tell you what is your duty in any action, whatever it be.
[2.] As to the prudent management of the action in order to success, the word will teach you to go to God for wisdom, James i. 6, and to observe his answer.
[3.] So in all actions, the word will teach you to ask God's leave and God's blessing. Christians, it is not enough to ask God's counsel, but ask his leave in any particular action, in disposing our dwellings, or our concernments of children, and the like : Judges i., ' Who shall go up and fight against the Canaanites ? ' They would fain have the Lord decide it. And again, ' Shall I go up to Kamoth-Gilead ? ' In all actions our business is to ask God's leave. David always runs to the oracle and ephod, ' Shall I go up to Hebron ? ' And Jacob in his journeys would neither go to Laban nor come from him with- out a warrant and leave from God. So we ask God's leave in prayer, and observe the bent of our hearts after prayer.
[4.] The word of God teacheth a man, when he understandeth his duty, and hath God's leave, to submit the event to God, and that easeth the heart, because he may be sure of success, comfort, and sup- port : Ps. xxxvii. 5, ' Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass ; ' and Prov. xvi. 3, ' Commit thy work unto the liOrd, and thy thoughts shall be established.' It easeth us of a great deal of trouble and care ; so that when a man hath brought his aftections to submit to whatever God should determine in point of success, when he hath moderated and calmed his spirit, that he is resolved to bear the event whatever it be, this easeth the soul of a deal of trouble. Thus you see how we may make the statutes of God to be the men of our counsel.
Use 1. What a singular mercy is it that God hath given us the scripture, where we have counsel upon all occasions, how to manage our aftairs prudently, bear afflictions comfortably, and with composed hearts to get through all events and dangers that we meet with in our passage to heaven ! We should have groped up and down, as the Sodomites for Lot's door, if we had not this rule of faith and obedience.
232 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXV.