486 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CIIL
that is sincere, that is, strictly severe to a godly purpose, that walks uprightly, that stands strictly and precisely upon his duty to God ; and yet there is no man usually more safe. But he that turneth ' and windeth to avoid dangers, and runs to his shifts and studied arts to provide for his own security, usually is left in the mire, and comes off with some notable blemish ; he is cast from God's protection. There are but two sorts of men in the world that usually do carry their purpose ; they are either those tliat are perfectly honest through- out, without daubing and warping, or those that are perfectl}'' dis- honest, that wholly give up themselves to a course of fraud and sin, that are resolved to boggle at nothing, neither checks of conscience nor rules of honesty or equity will stop them ; these, in judgment, are permitted to carry their purpose in worldly things. So the plain, downright, upright man, that will not for fear or favour step a jot out of God's way, but keeps close to God's direction, is the truest and most perfect politician in the world. They that are thus severe to their purpose will be found the wisest men at length, not only in the world to come, but in this world ; for it is our warping and going out of God's way that causeth our trouble and confusion of thoughts.
2. The word teacheth us how to give the enemy no advantage and needless provocation. It is not enough to do good, but we must do it well, well timed and well ordered for every circumstance. Now God by his word teacheth his people so to do : Eccles. viii. 5, 6, ' Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil tiling ; and a wise man's lieart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment ; therefore the misery of man is great upon him.' To open this : The case there spoken of is provoking rulers and men that have power in their hand. Now a man that desires to keep the commandments of God shall be taught to walk so circumspectly that he shall not needlessly provoke the wrath of men to his own ruin, nor draw down the displeasure of God upon his head. God will show him the season when to act and when to forbear, a right time and a right manner, when to oppose by way of reproof and admonition, and when to hold liis peace ; he will find the fit time for doing of every business which God hath stated, and the ignorance of this time costs a man a great deal of misery ; for he goes on, ' To every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.' When men are self-confident, or distempered with passion and jireju- dice, and consult not with God, they are carried on by headlong counsels, or moved with the impulsion of their own interest and cor- rupt affection into the mouth of danger. But he that makes con- science of his duty, and comes to the word of God witliout any private affection, he shall find time and judgment, those important circum- stances, stated and determined, when to act and when not ; they shall find a fair opportunity of providence either checking or leading them on to complete their resolutions. Many a good action miscarrieth for want of observing time and judgment, or consulting with God and his word about it ; when to speak, when to hold our peace, to do or not do. Another scripture that speaks to this purpose, Eccles. vii. 16^18, Be not over-wise, over-foolish, over-just, over-wicked, that is the sum
VeR. 08.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX, 487
of what is spoken there ; ' But he that feareth the Lord shall come forth of tlieni all' A man may many times do a thing conscientiously and upon an opinion of duty, and thereby involve himself in trouble and danger when indeed there is no necessity so to do (that is it which Solomon means) ; therefore, to moderate zeal with prudence, that he may neither be remiss in his own interest nor passionately violent in the concernments of God ; to preserve his heart from faulty and im- prudent extremes, that Ave may sincerely keep unto duty, yet wisely decline danger. The word of God will teach us, if, in the fear of God, without being biassed and prepossessed with any corrupt aims, we come to take the direction of it, how to walk without offence. Well, then, you see this is the wisdom God teacheth those that give up themselves to the direction of the word ; they are wiser than their enemies, and this is policy enough for a Christian. It teacheth us how to please God, and how to govern and order all our affairs, that we need not needlessly exasperate and provoke men to our own ruin. So that the word of God hath more wisdom to guide him than his enemies have subtle craft to ruin and ensnare him.
Fourthly, The manner how we come to receive this benefit by the word, in that clause, ' They are ever with me.' These words may be interpreted as implying frequency of meditation, or presentness of counsel and direction, the one as the fruit of the other.