VeR. 30.] SERMONS UrON PSALM CXIX. 313
Mat. vii. 14. Why ? Because it gives no allowance to corrupt nature ; we have but a strait line to go l)3^ So that we need regard our rule.
[2.] We are so ignorant in many particulars relating to faith and manners, that we need often consult with our rule. The children of light have too much darkness in them, therefore they are bidden to look to their rule : Eph. v. 17, ' Be ye not unwise, but understanding Avhat the will of the Lord is.' Blind consciences will easily carry us wrong ; and we have some new things still to learn from the woi'd of God, for know- ledge is but in part ; therefore our rule should be ever before us.
[3.] So many and subtle are those temptations which Satan sets on foot to make us transgress this rule. The devil assaults us two ways — by 'fiery darts,' and by ' cunning wiles,' Eph. vi. 11. He hath not only violent temptations, burning lusts, or raging despair, but he hath ensnaring temptations by his wiles, such as most take with a person tempted ; and he ' transforms himself into an angel of light,' 2 Cor. xi. 14; covers his foul designs with plausible pretences; therefore we need have our rule and the word of Grod ever before us.
[4.] We are weak, and easily overborne, and therefore should bear our rule always in mind. God's people, their greatest sins have been out of incogitancy ; they sin oftenest because they are heedless, and forgetful, and inattentive. Therefore, as a carpenter tries his work by his rule and square, so should a Christian measure his conversation by the rod of the sanctuary. God, whose act is his rule, cannot miscarry. So the schoolmen, when they set out God's holiness, say God's hand is his rule. But we, that are creatures, are apt to swerve aside, there- fore need a rule. We should always have our rule before us. We are to walk according to rule, Gal. vi., and Josh. i. 7, 8, ' The book of the law shall not depart from thee,' &c. If we would have our rule before our eyes, we should not so often swerve. Christians, though you be right in opinion, that will not bring you to heaven, but you must have the rules of this holy profession before you.
Use. Oh, then, let the word of God be ever in sight as your com- forter and counsellor ! The more we do so the more shall we walk in the fear of God. You are not to walk according to the course of this world, but according to rule ; and therefore you are not to walk rashly and indeliberately, and as you are led and carried on by force of pre- sent affections, but to walk circumspectly, considering what principle you are acted by, and what ends ; and the nature and quality of our actions are always to be considered. Remember you are under the eye of the holy and jealous God, Josh. xxiv. 9, and eyed by wicked men who watch for your halting, Jer. xx., and eyed by weak Christians, who may suffer ft)r your careless and slight walking, who look to the lives of men i-ather than their principles. You are the ' lights of the world,' Mat. v. 14, and light draws eyes after it; you are 'as a city upon a hill.' You that pretend to be in the right way, tlie way of truth, will you walk carelessly and inordinately ? You are compassed about with snares ; there is a snare in your refreshments, Ps. Ixix. ; your estates may become a snare, 1 Tim. vi. 9 ; your duties may be- come a snare : be ' not a novice, lest you come into the condemnation of the devil,' 1 Tim. iii. Therefoie take heed to your rule, be exact and watchful over your hearts and ways.
314 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxix. [Ser. XXXIII.
SEEMON XXXIII.
, I have stucJc iinto thij testimonies : 0 Lord, put me not to shame. — Ver. 31.
In the former verse David speaks of his choice, ' I have chosen the way of truth ; ' then of the accurateness of his prosecution, ' Thy judgments liave I laid before me.^ Now he comes to his constant perseverance therein, ' I have stuck unto thy testimonies.' These two verses follow one another in a very perfect order and coherence. We must begin with a right choice, there we must lay the foundation, * I have chosen the way of truth,' and then persevere. There is a con- stancy in good and an obstinacy in evil. The devils sin from the beginning, as -the good angels continued in their first estate. Men that are engaged in an evil course often continue in it without retrac- tation ; they are no changelings, always the same ; that is no honour to them. I^uther, when he was charged with apostasy for appearing against the Pope : Confitetur se apostatam esse, sed heatum ct sanc- tum, qui fidem diaholo datam non servavit — he confesseth he was an apostate, but a holy and blessed one, that he did not keep touch with the devil. Constancy must ever be understood with respect to a right choice ; for to break faith with Satan is not matter of dishonour, but of praise. We must go on with an accurate prosecution, for that giveth us experience, and causeth us to find joy and sweetness, and power in the truth, and is a great means of constancy.