„ CXXXVIII. " It is time for thee, Lord, to work ; for
they have made void thy law," ver. 126, 296
„ CXXXIX. " Therefore I love thy commandments above
gold ; yea, above fine gold," ver. 127, . 307
>» CXL. "Therefore I esteem all thy precepts con-
cerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way," ver. 128, . . 320
„ CXLI. "Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore
doth my soul keep them," ver. 129, . 333
„ CXLII. "Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore
doth my soul keep them," ver. 129, . 342
,. CXLIII. " The entrance of thy word giveth light ; it
giveth understanding to the simple," ver. 130, . . . , 345
„ CXLIV. " I opened my mouth, and panted : for I
longed for thy commandments," ver. 131, . . . . .3.57
„ CXLV. " Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto
me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name," ver. 132, . . 365
Vlll CONTENTS. •
PAOB
Sermon CXLVI. " As thou usest to do unto those that love
thy name," ver. 132, . . . 371
„ CXLVII. " Order my steps in thy word : and let not
any iniquity have dominion over me," ver. 133, . . . .381
,j CXLVIII. "And let not any iniquity have dominion
over me," ver. 133, . . . 389
„ CXLIX. "Deliver me from the oppression of man: so
will I keep thy precepts," ver. 134, . 398
„ CL. " Make thy face to shine upon thy servant ;
and teach me thy statutes," ver. 135, . 408
„ CLI. "Eivers of water run down mine eyes, be-
cause they keep not thy law," ver. 136, 420
„ CLII. " Rivers of water run down mine eyes, be-
cause they keep not thy law," ver. 136, 431
„ CLIII. "Eighteous art thou, 0 Lord, and upright
are thy judgments," ver. 137, . . 437
., CLIV. "Eighteous art thou, O Lord, and upright
are thy judgments," ver. 137, . . 447
„ CLV. " Thy testimonies, which thou hast com-
manded, are righteous and very faith- ful," ver. 138, . . . . 454
., CLVI. " My zeal hath consumed me, because mine
enemies have forgotten thy words," ver. 139, . . . . .465
„ CLVII. " Thy word is very pure : therefore thy
servant loveth it," ver. 140, . . 477
., CLVIII "I am small and despised; yet do I not
forget thy precepts," ver. 141, . . 489
SEVERAL SERMONS UPON THE ■ ■ CXIX. PSALM.
VOL. VIII.
SEVERAL SERMONS UPON THE CXIX. PSALM.
SERMON CIY.
Tliou, tJiVougli thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mme enemies; for tliey are ever with me. — Ver. 98.
I COME now to the second consideration, they are wiser than their enemies as to security against their attempts, and that enmity and opposition that they carry on against them ; they are far more safe by walking under the covert of God's protection, than their enemies can possibly be, to have all manner of worldly advantages. I shall prove it by this argument, because they are more prepared and furnished as to all events. A godly wise man is careful to keep in with God ; he is more prepared and furnished, can have a higher hope, more expectation of success, than others have ; or if not, he is well enough provided for, though things fall out never so cross to his desires.
1. As to success. Who hath made wiser provision, think you, he that hath made God his friend, or he that is borne up with worldh* 2:)rops and dependences ? they that are guided by the Spirit of God, or they that are guided by Satan ? those that make it their business to walk with God step by step, or those that not only forsake him, but provoke him to his face ? those that break with men and keep in with God, or those that break with God ? Surely a child of God hath more security from piety than his enemies can have by secular policy, whereby they think to overreach and ruin him. The safety of a child of God lieth in two things— (1.) God is his friend ; (2.) As long as God hath work for him to do, he will maintain him and bear him out in it.
[1.] God is his friend ; and that must needs be a man's wisdom when he complies with the will of him upon whom he depends. All things do absolutely depend upon the providence of God ; he hath wis- dom, strength and dominion over all events. The wisdom of God is on his side, and therefore it is but the wisdom of men against him. If the difference only lay between men and men, the craft and policy of their enemies and their own craft and policy, the scales would soon break of their enemies' side, for they are wiser in their generation, Luke xvi. They have great abilities and, great malice, which sharpens men's
4 • SERMONS UrON TSALM CXIX, [SeK, CIV.