1. It showeth what should be the matter of our prayers. David beggeth not to increase him in riches and honours, nor to flow in temporal delights. No ; if God would show himself a good God to him, he desireth it may be in giving him the spirit of understanding, and some increase of holiness ; this he would take as the principal sign of God's favour and grace to him. The world generally imploretli God's goodness to another end ; they think they are dealt liberally with when eveiy man hath his lust satisfied : they pray from the intemperateness of the flesh ; but David professeth it was enough to him if he might find God answering him in that one thing which most others neglect and pass by in their prayers, or, if they mention it, it is for fashion's sake, and to comport with the usual way of pray- ing. But because there is great deceit, and we often pray for what we have no mind to have granted, let us see if this be our temper.
[1.] We must discover it in our thanksgiving and blessing God for this gift, though he denieth us other which make a fair show in the world : Mat. xi. 25-27, ' At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast
Ver. 6S.] sermons upo-V psalm cxix. 24D
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes : even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of ray Father ; and no man knoweth the Son but the Father ; neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.' Christ showeth that the mystery of grace is at God's disposing, who manifests it as he seeth good ; that if he hath cut us short in other things, and been liberal to us in this, we should not only be contented, but highly thankful ; and how contemptible soever we be in the world, yet it is matter of praise and thanksgiving in that God hath bestowed his grace and love to us according to his will and pleasure.
[2.] By our patience and contented ness in the want and loss of other things for this thing's sake ; want, if God's providence be so ; loss, if occasioned by our adherence to truth. "Want: we have no reason to envy carnal men: Ps. xvii. 14, 15, 'From men which are thy hand, 0 Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure : they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. But as for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.' We have no reason to repine ; our present condition of entertaining communion with God in a practice of holiness countervaileth all their happiness, especially our future hopes to increase in knowledge and abound in the work of the Lord ; and to own and stand up for a hated and despised truth will bring more comfort to our souls than all the pleasure the wicked have in their sensual delights. Are they the happy men that go on in opposi- tion against the ways of God ? Prov. iii. 31-33, ' Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways : for the froward is an abomi- nation to the Lord, but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the just.' They are not hap])ier than the godly ; it is a gi'eater liappiness to know more of God's mind than anything they enjoy: John XV. 15, ' Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth : but I call you friends ; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.'
[3.] By our constancy in prayer, and earnest supplication to know more of the mind of God. They will not be put off with other things. God gave the Spirit to the rest of the apostles, but he gave the purse to the son of perdition. Men may have a fit of devotion in their prayers, but their general course is not answerable : Mat. vi. 33, ' First seek the kingdom of God.' If we seek it in good earnest we shall show it in our conversation and demeanour : Prov. iv. 7, ' AYisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom ; and with all thy getting get understanding.' This must be the chiefest thing that beareth sway in our endeavours, that w'e may know more of God's mind in following our suits incessantly, we must not be put off; though God giveth other things, you must not cease your importunity. Lord, I expect something else from tliy goodness ; see Ps. cxix. 132, 133, ' Look upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do to them that fear thy name. Order my steps in thy word, and let no iniquity