4. Understanding is necessary, that we may judge aright of time and place and manner of doing, that we may do not only things good but well, where to go, where to stand still ; as it is said, they sought of God a right way, Isa. viii. 21/ and David behaved himself wisely in all that he did, 1 Sam. xviii, 5. It is for the glory of God, and the credit of religion, and the peace of our own souls, that we should regard circumstances as well as actions, and discern time and judgment, that
1 Qu. Jer. vi. 16 ?— Ed.
VeR. 34.] SERMONS UPOX PSALM CXIX. 351
we do not destroy what we would build up. Therefore understanding is necessary. See further ver. 98 of this psalm.
5. Because our affections answer our understanding. If we under- stand not, how can we believe ? If we believe not, how can we love ? If we love not, how can we do? Knowledge, persuasion, affection, practice, these follow one another, where the faculties of the soul are rightly governed, and kept in a due subordination. Indeed, by the fall the order is subverted : Titus iii. 3, ' Serving divers lusts and pleasures.' Objects strike upon the senses, sense movetli the fancy, fancy moveth the bodily spirits, the bodily spirits move the affections, and these blind the mind and lead the will captive. But a true under- standing makes us more steadfast.
Now all these considerations do show us our need of understanding, and that a Christian should be prudent, not headstrong and precipi- tant, ' Like horse or mule, that have no understanding,' Ps. xxxii. 9, but wise and knowing in all principles, actions, and circumstances that belong to his duty, if he would honour his profession, and not follow the brutish motions of his own heart, but God's direction. Now, if we would have understanding, we must —
1. Attend upon the word ; that will make us ' wise to salvation,' ' wiser than our enemies,' ' than our teachers,' ' than the ancients.' Than enemies : A man that consulteth not with flesh and blood, but the word and rule of his duty, will find plain honesty at length to be the best policy. Than teachers: Because he contented not himself with the naked rules delivered by them, but laboured with his con- science to make them profitable to himself. Than ancients, or men of long study and experience. That is a costly wisdom ; when men have smarted often, they learn by their own harms to be circumspect. If there were no other way to be Avise than by experience, miserable were man for a long time, and would be exposed to hazards and foul dangers before he could get it. But now scripture, which is not the result of men's experience, but God's wisdom, is not such a long and expensive way.
2. Use much meditation in debating matters between God and your souls : Ps. cxix. 99, ' I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation ; ' and 2 Tim. ii. 7, ' Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.'
3. Prayer, as David doth here ask it of God. Desire him to remove that darkness of spirit which sin hath brought upon you, that you may not govern your life by sense and passion, but by his direction : Job xxxii. 8, ' There is a spirit in man, but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.' Man hath reason, but to guide it to a spiritual use, that is above his power. The Psalmist complaineth of all natural men : ' There is none that understandeth, none that doeth good to no one,' Ps. xiv. 2 ; and Piom. iii. 11, ' There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.' Therefore it is God must give understanding at first conversion : Acts xvi. 14, ' God opened the heart of Lydia;' and Acts xxvi. 18, ' To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins,' &c. By a fuller illumina- tion : Eph. i. 17, 18, ' That the God of our Lord' Jesus Christ, that
352 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXXVII.
father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding being enlight- ened,' &c. ; otherwise we have not a heart to perceive, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear : Deut. xxix. 4, ' Yet the Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear unto this day.'
'Secondly, Tlie next thing that I shall observe is this — That u^on the supposition of this benefit he promiseth obedience, I sJiall Jceejj thy low.
Doct They that have understanding given by God will keep his law.
1. That it is their duty, and they ought so to do, there is no ques- tion ; for all knowledge is given us in order to practice, not to satisfy curiosity or feed pride, or to get a fame and reputation with men of knowledge and understanding persons, but to order our walk : Col. i. 9, 10, ' For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, cease not to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all Vvdsdom and spiritual understanding ; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.'