[3.] It is plentiful in God; he is rich in mercy, abundant in goodness and truth. Tliy sins are like a spark of fire that falleth into the ocean ; it is quenched presently. So are all thy sins in the ocean of God's mercy ; there is not more water in the sea than there is mercy in God.
[4.] It is the great wonder of the divine nature. Everything in God is wonderful, especially his pardoning mercy. It is no such great wonder in God that he stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain, since he is omni- potent ; that he formed the earth or the waters, since he is strong ; that he distinguished times, adorned the heavens with so many stars, decked the earth with such variety of plants and herbs, since he is wise ; that he hath set bounds to the sea, governeth the waters, since he is Lord of all ; that he made man a living creature, since he is the fountain of life ; but that he can be merciful to sinners, infinitely mer- ciful when infinitely just. There is a conflict in the attributes about us, but 'mercy rejoiceth over judgment,' James ii. 13 ; that he is so gracious and condescending, when his first covenant seemed to bind him to destroy us ; that he that hateth sin is so ready to forgive it, pardoneth it so often, and punisheth it so seldom.
[5.] He is communicative ; it is ' over all his works,' Ps. cxlv. 9. Not a creature but subsisteth by God's mercy; he loveth man and beast, Ps. xxxvi. 6 ; and 1 Tim. iv. 10, 'He is the saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.' The whole earth is full of his good- ness : Lord, show it to me also. ' He heareth the cry of the ravens.'
2. To direct us how to sue for it in a broken-hearted manner. There are two extremes — self-confidence and desperation. Self-confi- dence challengeth a debt, and despair shutteth out hopes of mercy. A proud Pharisee pleads his works, Luke xviii. 11. Cain saith, Gen. iv. 13, ' My punishment is greater that I can bear.' The middle between both is the penitent publican : Luke xviii. 13, 'He stood afar off, and would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner.' Go to him; that which with men is the worst plea, with God is the best.
SEEMON XLVIIL
So shall I have ivhereicith to answer him that reproacheth me : for I tmst in thy word. — Ver. 42.
In the former verse we saw the man of God begging for deliverance, or temporal salvation, from the mercies of God according to his word. Salvation belongeth to the Lord, and his mercy can pardon great sins,
^ Qu. 'punitive'? — Ed.
448 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XL VIII.
and fetch ns off from great extremities, and that according to the word of God. He had boasted of this. There is his request; here is his argu- ment, from the use and fruit of his deliverance ; he should have some- thing to reply to the scoffs and mocks of wicked men, who insulted over him in his distress and calamity. He had spoken of great things or the promise,^ and now desireth the promise to be made good, that he might have an answer ready against their reproaches, ' So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me.'
But hath a child of God nothing to answer to a wicked man before salvation cometh? Ans. Yes; a child of God could answer them of the principles of faith ; but they must have instances of sense. He could say that his ' God is in heaven, and doth whatsoever he pleaseth ; ' that he is ' the shield of his help, and sword of his excellency,' Deut. xxxiii. 29, Weapons offensive and defensive enough yet left ; but the business is not what is an answer in itself, but what answer will satisfy them ? for they that have no faith must be taught by sense. When we urge principles of faith, unless their senses hear, feel, see, they will not regard them. Then their mouths are stopped when God doth own his people from heaven. They count faith a foolish persua- sion, hope a vain expectation, and inward supports and comforts fan- tastical impressions ; as if men did feed themselves with the wind. But God's salvation would answer for him, and some sensible provi- dences be a real confutation.
Observe three things: —
1. The ground of David's comfort, / trust in iliy ivord.
2. The enemy's insultation thereupon, intimated in these words, Mm that re'proaclietli me. They scofied at his trust in God, as if he would not bear him out in his strictness.
3. The request of the Psalmist, that God would confute and stop their mouths by making good his promises to him, so shall I have luhereioith to ansiuei^ him. Points : —
Doct. 1. It is our duty to trust God upon his word.
Doct. 2. Those that do so must look to be reproached for it.
Doct. 3. God making good his promises confuteth their reproaches and insultations.