^ Qu. ' wise ' ? — Ed.
VeK. 105.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 79
afterwards, as it is spoken in other scriptures, ' tlieir sin shall not be blotted out till they die,' that is never ; but for the forraer reason that I have given before, I think it is meant of the light of glory.
Use 2. Keproof. — [1.] Of those that walk in the midst of this light, and yet perceive no more of the things of God, than if they were in darkness, these lose the benefit which God vouchsafeth to them : John i. 5, ' The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness compre- hendeth it not;' and John iii. 19, ' The light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light.' It had been better for them they had never heard of the scriptures, and that God had never set up such a lamp in the church. These men believe the word of God is a light and a lamp, yet never take care of, nor give heed to it; they are careless, and never measure their actions according to this rule.
[2.] It reproves those that set up another rule, and look for an infallible interpreter.
(1.) Those that set up reason instead of the word of God. Alas! this is an imperfect rule ; these men would bring down all things before the tribunal of their own reason ; these are not disciples of Christ, but masters ; they will not be taught by the directions of the word, but by their own dark hearts. I have told you tlie candle of the Lord did burn bright within us ; but alas ! now it is weakened by sin, it is an imperfect irrational thing, we can never be saved by it.
(2.) Others are guided by their passions and lusts ; this is their direction and their lamp ; this will surely lead them to utter darkness : 'If you live after the flesh, you shall die,' Eom. viii. 13.
(3.) Some take the counsel and example of others, this will leave them comfortless, and make them fall into the snare.
(4.) Some go to witches in straits, as the pro})het reproves such, Isa. viii. 19, 20, ' Should not a people seek unto their God ? '
(5.) Others expect new revelations from heaven to counsel them ; they would converse with angels now God hath spoken to us by his Son : Gal. i. 8, ' If an angel from heaven should bring another gospel than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.'
Use 3. Caution to enterprise nothing but what you have a warrant for out of the word of God. When you are going about any action, say, Where is my warrant ? If I do it upon my own brain, I must stand to my own hazard ; and all the evil that comes upon me, it is the fruit of my own counsel. Num. xxvii. 21, the priest was to ask counsel of the Lord, who shall go out, and who shall go in ; and 1 Sam. xxiii. 9, 10. To do things with a doubting conscience, with an uncertainty, whether it be good or bad, it is a sin ; for ' whatsoever is not of faith, is sin ;' still seek your direction from the word.
Use 4. — [1.] It exhorts us to bless God, and be thankful for this light : Isa. ix. 2, ' The people that sat in darkness saw great light.' There is the same difference between the church and other places, as there was between Egypt and Goshen, Exod. x. 23. Here is light, and in other places thick darkness. What a mercy it is that we have present direction, a light to guide us here in grace, that will bring us lo glory. Give thanks to God for so great a benefit.
[2.] AValk according to the directions of the word ; walk in the light,' Eph. V. 8 ; believe it, Heb. iv. 2, the true and infallible truth
80 SERMONS uroN rsALM cxix. [Ser. CXIV.
that came out of God's moutli ; and then apply it ; say, This truth which is spoken is spoken to nie, Mat. xiii. 37, and urge thy heart with the duties of it ; this was spoken for our learning, be persuaded of this truth, and so walk and so do, and you shall not find any miscarriage, 1 Cor. xv. 58. Here is my warrant and my direction, I will keep to it, though it expose me to many hazards and straits, I know it Avill be made up at last, it will not be lost labour to do what God biddeth thee to do.
SERMON CXIV.
I have sicorn. and I icill perform it, that I ivill keep thy righteous judgments. — Vek. lOG.
In the former verse David had commended the word for a sure di- rection ; it is a light and a lamp. How so ? Not only by God's designation and appointment, but by David's choice, ' It was a light to my feet, and a lamp to my steps.' Now, in this verse, he spealcs of his firmness and constancy to that choice ; I have taken thy word for my guidance and direction, and there he did resolve to stick. His constancy was grounded upon a vow, or upon a promissory oath, which he saw no cause to retract or repent of : 'I have sworn, and I will perform it,' &c.