2. He compares it here in the text with the wisdom of the ancients, or men of long experience. By the elders or ancients may be meant either men of former times, or aged men of the same time.
[1.] Men of former times : Heb. xi. 2, ' By it the ancients or elders obtained a good report ; ' that is, the holy patriarchs of their time. If this be meant of men in former times, then thoic hast made me iciser thati the ancients recommends this observation to us, viz., the church of God is growing always, and one age sees more than an- other. A dwarf upon a giant's shoulders may see further than he. The ancients had their measures of light, so hath the present age : Joel ii. 28-30, ' In the latter days ' — meaning the tim^s of the gospel, all that efflux of time which was between Christ's ascension and his second coming, is called ' the latter days ' — ' I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions,' &c. The knowledge which younger ones shall get under the New Testament is expressed by visions, dreams, and prophecy. These three were the ways of God's revealing himself to the old prophets ; there- fore it implies that those very truths which the prophets and holy men of God had by visions, dreams, and prophecies, by such extra- ordinary ways of revelation, will then be commonly known by preach- ing and catechising and other means of instruction in the church of God : and thus, ' I have more understanding than the ancients.' Suc- ceeding ages may see more into the mind of God ; therefore antiquity should not sway against truth, and former ages should not prescribe to succeeding, which grow up to a further latitude and increase in know- ledge.
[2.] Bather let us take it, ' I have more understanding than the ancients ;' that is, than many old men of the same age. They that are slow and dull of conceit, yet by long use they grow wise ; and having smarted often, they learn by their own harms to become cir- cumspect. But here is the excellency of the word, that it made a young man wiser than those that are men of age and experience. Youths well studied in God's law may exceed men of great experience and knowledge in arts and sciences. True zeal and piety, and the defects of his age and want of experiences, are recompensed by the
IG SERMONS UPON PSALM ex rx, [SeU. CVI.
exactness of his rule that he takes to guide liim ; if lie will but wholly subject and give up himself to the directions of this rule, he will not need much experience ; ho hath enough to guide him : ' 1 understand more than the ancients : because 1 keep thy precepts/ In which words you have —
1. The benefit that we get by God's precepts, that is undcrslandlng.
2. This benefit is amplified by comparing it Avith the understanding that is gotten by age and experience, / understand more ilian the cuicients.
3. The manner of obtaining this more excellent benefit, by a dili- gent heed and ])ractice, ' I understand more than the ancients.' Why ? Because I keep thy frccepts. So that from hence three points are to be observed : —
1. That understanding gotten by the precepts of the word is better than understanding gotten by long experience. I observe this, because David doth not speak this so much to commend his own proficiency, as to set forth the exactness of our rule and goodness of the Avord of God ; therefore this point lies couched here.
2. That young ones may sometimes have more of spiritual wisdom than those that are ancient. I observe that, because David instanceth in his ov/n person, though young, that he exceeded many, not only of his equals, but of his seniors.
3. The way to increase in spiritual miderstanding is to be studious in practical holiness. I observe this, because the reason rendered was his own diligent practice, ' I understand more than the ancients.' Why ? ' Because I keep thy precepts.'
Doct. 1. That miderstanding gotten by the precepts of the word is better than understanding gotten by long experience. It is better in four regards : —
1. It is more exact. Our experience reacheth but to a few things, but .the word of God reacheth to all cases that concern true ha|)piness. The word is the result of God's wisdom, who is the Ancient of days, therefore exceeds the wisdom of the ancients, or experience of any man, or all men. God is more ancient than they, sees all things that have been, are, and shall be, at one view and sight ; and therefore, if he will give us a rule, certainly that is more than all our experience. Experience will show us the evils of this world, and give us some rules to escape it ; but the word of God tells ns of evils in the next, and that with more persuasiveness and evidence than if one came from the dead, and had been wallowing in those devouring flames that had been kindled in the other world, Luke xvi. 30, 31. There is more exact- ness and completeness in this rule than possibly can be in experience : 2 Tim. iii. 17, ' The word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' liy the man of God is meant the teacher ; the prophets are called men of God, and the public teacher is the man of God. If there be enough to furnish the teacher to every good work, surely there is enough to furnish the practise!-. There is enough to furnish the maa of God, who is to consult not only for his own private necessity, but the necessities of others.