488 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. LIL
Doct. 1. That nothing is so necessary for kings, princes, and magis- trates to know as God's testimonies.
Doct. 2. That God's testimonies are so excellent, that we should not be afraid or ashamed to own them before any sort of men in the world.
Of the first briefly.
Doct. 1. That nothing is so necessary for the potentates of the world to know as God's testimonies. The king of Israel was to write a copy of the law of God in a book, and to have it ever before him, that he might read therein, and learn to fear the Lord his God, Dent. xvii. 18, 19. And therefore Josiah, one of the good kings which God gave unto his people, searched for the book of the law, 2 Kings xxiii. 2. The reasons concern them, if considered both as men and as potentates.
1. As men.
[1.] They are upon the same level with others, and are concerned to understand the way of pleasing, glorifying, and enjoying God, as much as their meanest subjects ; for it is said. Job xxxiv. 19, ' He accepteth not the person of princes, nor j-egardetli the rich more than the poor ; for they are all the works of his hands.' God dealeth with them impartially, respecting the greatest no more than the meanest. He hath an equal interest in all, and therefore doth command and dis- pose of all ; for all are his creatures, not exempted from being subject to his dominion ; as the potter is not more obliged to vessels of honour, than of dishonour. As his law bindeth all, so all that continue in im- penitency and the neglect of his grace are obnoxious to the curse of the law. It is general to all transgressors : ' Cursed is every one,' &c. And if God should lay their sins home to their consciences, and speak to them in his wrath, they can stand before him no more than the meanest : Kev. vi. 15, 16, ' And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks. Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.'
[2.] The higher their station the greater their obligation. No sort of men more obliged to God than those that are advanced by him to rule over his people ; therefore their ingratitude would be greater if they should sin against God : 2 Sam. xii. 7-9, ' I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee ont of the hands of Saul, and I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah ; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given thee such and such things. Where- fore hast tliou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?' Their sins do more hurt, because of their example and authority, Job xxxiv. 20.
2. As rulers and potentates they are concerned to be acquainted with God's testimonies.
[1.] That they may understand their place and duty. They are first God's subjects, then his officers. They have their power from God : Rom. xiii. 4, ' For he is the minister of God to thee for good.' They hold their power in dependence on him ; both natural, their strength and force : ' Thou couldest have no power unless it were
VeR. 46.] SERMONS UrOX PSALM CXIX. 489
given thee from above/ John xix. 10, 11. Legal, their authority or governing power, they hold it in dependence upon the absolute and heavenly Sovereign, who is the 'Lord of lords and King of kings:' Prov. viii. 15, IG, ' I3yme kings reign, and princes decree justice ; by me princes rule, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth.' And as they hold it in dependence on him, they must use it in subordination to him. God, who is the beginning, must also be the end of their government. They are not officers of men, but ministers of God, from whom they have their authority ; and therefore must rule for God, and seek his glory.
[2.] That they may be carried through their cares, and fears, and snares, and may know what reward to expect from the absolute Sovereign, who is the great patron of human societies. It is trust and dependence upon God that maketh good magistrates : 2 Kings xviii. 5, ' He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that went before him.' Oh ! it is a blessed thing when they can go to God for direction, and depend upon God for success. Great are the cares and fears which belong to a governor ; and who can ease him of this burden but the Lord, who hath showed in his word how far he is to be trusted ? It is not carnal policy which helpeth them out in their work, but trust in God in their high calling. Whosoever will improve his power for God will meet with many discouragements. Now that which sup- ports his heart in his work is this holy trust : Prov. xxix. 25, ' The fear of man bringeth a snare ; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.' Every public calling hath its snares and temp- tations from the fears of men. A minister, if he doth not trust God to bear him out in his work, he will do notliing with that courage which be- cometh a minister, but comply with the lusts of men, grow lukewarm, prostitute the ordinances for handfuls of barley, and pieces of bread, and family conveniences. The magistracy is a higher calling, which is more obnoxious to temptations from the different humours of men who are to be governed. Nothing will carry a man through it but this holy courage and dependence on God. The fear of man brought a snare to Jeroboam, that he perverted the worship of God : 1 Kings xii. 30, ' And this thing became a sin ; for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.' So Jehu, so others, for their cares. But he that trusts in God in his discharge of this public office, though many difficulties interpose, finds the blessed experience of the Psalmist verified, ' In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul.'