4. They have had trial and experience of the word, what a comfort and support it hath been to them : 1 Peter ii. 2, 3, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby ; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' There is an appetite followeth the new nature, and makes us desire spiritual food : Phil. i. 9, 10, ' And this I pray, that ye may abound in all knowledge and in all judgment, that ye may approve the things that are excellent.' When the Spirit giveth us a taste of the goodness of those things offered in the word of God, a taste of divine truth in our souls, when we find these comforts verified in us, then we come to approve the things that are excellent above all other things: Ps. cxix. 11, 'Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.' We never know the worth of the word till we come to make trial of it by practice and experience. The pleasure of the word we find in prac- tice, and the comfort and support of it in deep afilictions. It is not so with the world ; try it, and loathe it ; it is more in fancy than fruition, because the imperfections which formerly lay hid are discovered ; but the more intimately acquainted with the word of God, the more we prize it ; we see there is more to be gained there than in all the world besides.
Use 1. To reprove and disprove those that prefer gold and silver before the word of God. This is done by four sorts : —
1. This is grossly done by those that revolt fi'om the profession of the truth for the world's sake : 2 Tim. iv. 10, ' Demas hath forsaken us, and embraced the present world ; ' that betray the cause of religion, as Judas sold his master for thirty pieces of silver ; or by those who will transgress for a small hire. The devil needeth not offer great things to them, when they will accept of less with thanks ; for two pence or three pence gain will profane the Sabbath or wrong their neighbour. Is the law of God's mouth dearer to them than gold and silver ? Surely no. They may flatter themselves with love to the word, but when they can violate it for a trifle, for a pair of shoes, it is
A^ER. 72.] SERMONS UrOX PSALM CXI5. 269
a sign tliat a little gain gotten by iniquity of traffic is sweeter to them than all the comforts of the promise.
2. It is clone by them that will not forsake anything for the word's sake but when they are put upon an apparent trial. Here is gold and silver, and there the law of God's mouth ; what will you do ? obey God, or comply with your interests ? You show your love by leaving the one rather than the other ; as Moses ' counted the reproach of Christ better treasure than the riches of Egypt,' Heb. xi. 26. Christ's worst is better than the world's best. The Thessalonians showed their love when they received the word in much affliction ; but when you decline duty, and are loath to hazard your interests, it is evident what you pre- fer. To some this may be a daily temptation : If I should be con- scionable in my calling, I should be poor ; keep touch and honesty in all things, it would turn to my loss. How many are discouraged from the ways of God, and discharging a good conscience, by inconveniency !
3. This is also in part done by them who turn back upon the word and ordinances of God for gain's sake, and fix their residence there, where they can neither enjoy God nor his people, nor the comfort ot his ordinances ; as merchants who remove for traffic, and settle their abode there where the true religion is not professed, it may be, suppressed with extreme rigour ; especially when they send youth thither, and novices and persons not grounded in the faith. This is like turning a child loose among a company of contagious persons, or setting an empty pitcher to crack before the fire. Commerce and traffic with infidels or persons of a false religion is lawful ; but to make our constant residence where there is no liberty for reading and hear- ing the word of God. no liberty of worship and ordinances, cannot be excused from sin. You make religion to stoop to gain. I will not urge so high and heroical an instance as Moses : Heb. xi. 25, ' Choosing rather to sufier afflictions with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;' but of a Jew since the time of their degeneration. I have once and again read of one Eabbi Joseph, who, being allured with the hope and call to a place of great gain, to teach Hebrew where there was no synagogue, is said to have brought forth this scripture for his answer and excuse, ' The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.' Let us Christians remember it, and consider the pertinency of it.