[1.] For building up in faith, or increasing in internal grace. The word of God is not only for novices, but for grown persons, that there may be a continual dropping into the lamps, as it was in the vision of Zechariah : Acts xx. 32, ' I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inherit- ance among all them which are sanctified.' It is not enough to lay a foundation, but there must be a building up. Now, Avhat is that which builds us up? ' The word of his grace ;' that is, God's blessing upon the reading and hearing the word ; for the apostle speaks it when he was taking leave of the Ephesians : ' I commend you to God, and the word of his grace ; ' that is, the word of grace sent among them, by their ordinary officers continued to them, blessing the reading and hearing the word by their ordinar}^ officers ; there would be no need of Paul, the room should be supplied. Habits of grace must
VeR. 97.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CX[X. 471
still be maintained by fresh influences, and they always come into us by the word of God ; therefore, after we are converted and born again, the word is useful, ' that we may grow thereby,' 2 Peter ii. 2.
[2.] To direct our })ractice ; that is one use the word serves for ; €0 it is said, 2 Peter i. 19, ' We have also a more sure word of prophecy, Avhereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shinethin a. dark place ; ' in this state of ignorance wherein we are, for that is figured by those words, ' in a dark place.' Sure it is a great blessing to liave a light shining to us that we may not wander, and fall into the snares wherewith we are encompassed. We are apt to forget and mistake our way ; we are very foi-getful, and our way is narrow, hardly found and hardly kept ; and Satan is full of wiles and deceits, like an ignis fatuus, ready to lead us out of the way ; therefore we had need have a sure guide and a sure light : Ps. cxix. 105, ' Thy word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths,' It is a light not only to our paths, for the choice of our general way, but for all our steps, to direct us in all our ways.
[3.] To comfort us in all conditions, under our crosses, confusions, and difficulties ; we have all from the word of God : Ps. cxix. 50, * This is my comfort in my affliction ; for thy word hath quickened me.' Oh ! when a child of God is even dead, and hath many damps and discouragements upon his heart, when he goes to the word, there he hath quickening, reviving, and is encouraged to wait upon God again. All our discomfort comes from forgetting what God hath spoken in his word : Heb. xii. 5, ' Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children.' There is abundant consola- tion in the word, but we forget it, and do not carry it always in our mind, and then we lie under much dejection of heart ; if we do not study it, discomfort will come upon us. In the word there is a remedy for every malady and an ease for every smart ; and therefore this is that which makes it precious to the children of God.
Secondly, The saints readily yield this love to the word. Why ?
1. Because their hearts are suited to the word. The word is every way suited to the sanctified nature, and the sanctified nature is suited to it ; for that which is written in God's book is written over again upon their hearts by the finger of the Spirit. While Ave are in our natural state there is an enmity to the law of God : ' For we are not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,' Rom. viii. 7. Ay ! but when they come to be written upon the heart and mind, then our affections are suited to the word. Carnal men do not love the word. Why ? Because it is contrary to them ; as Micaiah to Ahab, * He prophesieth nothing but evil to me.' It only rubs their sores and dis- covers their spots to them, and that is grievous ; and proud spirits think it to be a simple, plain doctrine. Worldly spirits love it not, for it draweth them off" wholly to think of things to come ; but they whose hearts are suited to it, they have a mighty love to it.
2. They have tasted the goodness of the word, therefore they love it : 2 Peter ii. 3, ' As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word.' Why ? ' If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious ; ' if you have felt any benefit : Jer. xv. 16, ' Thy words were found, and I did eat them ; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of