[2.] Internal, in conversion to God, the comforts of his Spirit, estab- lishment of the soul in the hopes of tlie gospel, as to the pardon of sins and eternal life. Certainly God, that hath blessed the word throughout many successions of ages, to the converting and comforting of many souls, showeth that we may depend upon the covenant for pardon and eternal life. How many have found comfort by the pro- mises ! Now, as the apostle speaketh of Abraham, ' It was not written for himself alone, but us also,' Rom, iv. 23, 24 ; so these comforts were not dispensed for their sake alone, but for our benefit, that we might be comforted of God ; having the same God, the same Re- deemer, the same covenant and promises, and the same Spirit to apply all unto us. If they loolced to God and were comforted, why should not we ? His faithfulness is to all generations ; he is alike to believers, as they be alike to him : Rom. iii. 22, ' There is no difference.'
5. That the experience of God's faithfulness in former ages is of use to those that follow and succeed, to assure them of God's faithfulness ; for God's wonderful and gracious works were never intended merely for the benefit of that age in which they were done, but for the benefit also of those that should hear of them by any creditable means what- soever. It is a scorn and vile contempt put upon those wonderful works, which God made to be had in remembrance, if they should be buried in oblivion, or not observed and improved by those who live in after ages; yea, it is contrary to the scriptures: Ps. cxlv. 4, 'One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts;' Joel i. 3, 'Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation;' Josh. iv. 6-8, ' That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come. What mean you by these stones ? then shall you answer tbem, that the waters of Jordan were cut off from before the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God.' So Ps. Ixxviii. 3-7, ' That which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. we will not hide them from their children, show-
410 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XCV.
ing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he estabhshed a tes- timony in Jacob, and appointed a hiw in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children ; that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children ; that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.' From all which I observe: —
[1.] jThat we should tell generations to come what we have found of God in our time, and more especially parents should tell their children ; they are bound to transmit this knowledge to their children, and they to improve it, either by word or deed. By word, by remembering the l)assages of providences, and publishing his mercies to posterity : Ps. Ixxxix. 1, ' I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever : with my mouth I will make known thy faithfulness to all generations.' Or by deed, putting them in possession of a pure religion, confirmed to us by so many providences and instances of God's goodness and truth.
[2.] That this report of God's gracious works, and owning his covenant, is a special means of edification. Why else should God enjoin it, but that the ages following should receive benefit thereby ? Surely it is an advantage to them to hear how God hath owned us in ordinances and providences.
[3.] And more particularly I observe, that this tradition is a great means and help to faith; for it is said, ver. 7, ' That they may set their hope in God.'
6. That to be satisfied in point of God's faithfulness is of great im- portance to believers. Partly because their fidelity to God is much encouraged by his fidelity to us. They that do not trust God cannot be long true to him: Heb. iii. 12, 'Take heed lest there be found in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God ;' and James i. 8, 'A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways,' Si'i/ry^o? av7]p, One that doth not stick fast to God, and is ever un- resolved, being divided between hopes and fears concerning his accept- ance with God. A wavering Christian is divided between God and some unlawful course for his safety, divided between God's ways and his own, and cannot quietly dei)end upon his promises, but is tossed to and fro, doth not entirely trust himself in God's hands, but doth wholly lean upon his own carnal confidence. And partly because God is invisible, and dealeth with us by proxy, by messengers, who bring the word to us. We see not God in person : Heb. xiii. 7, ' Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversations ;' their manner of living, their perseverance till death in this faith and hope. And partly because the promises are future, and the main of them is to be accomplished in another Avorld. Now, nothing will support us but the faithfulness of God : Prov. xi. 18, ' The wicked worketh a deceitful work, but to him that soweth righteousness there shall be a sure reward.' Men think to be happy by their sin, but find themselves deceived at last ; but none can be deceived that trust in the living and true God. Partly because many of the promises con- tradict sense ; as when the soul is filled with anguish because of the