2. It reproveth those that faint and despond in God's ways, after much experiences of his help and presence with them. The Israelites in the wilderness, upon every new difficulty their faith is at a loss, and then back again to Egypt they would go ; though they had so often
208 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXXXI,
experience of God, tliey would not believe him beccause of his wonders, but ' forgat his Avorks and his wonders that he had showed them,' Ps. Ixxviii. 11. Grod had given them wonderful mercy in destroying Pharafih, that it might be meat to their faith, yet they believed not. Good David was ready to say, ' I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul,' 1 Sam. xxvii. 1, though he had experience upon experience. We should rather encourage ourselves, and go on in our work notwith- standing all difficulties.
The last point, from the accuracy and constancy of his obedience, ' I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.' This phrase is diversely rendered. The Septuagint renders it, I will exercise myself in them, or apply my heart to them. David's regard to God's law is diversely expressed in this psalm.
Doct. 4. God's precepts must be respected and consulted with as the constant measure and direction of our lives.
Not only respect, but continual respect: Gal. vi. IG, 'As many as walk according to this rule ;' it notes as many as shall walk in rank and order : there needeth great accurateness and intension, that we may keep within the bounds of commanded duty. So walk circum- spectly. Some men are so crafty through their self-deceiving hearts, through their lusts and interests, so doubtful, that there needs a great exactness, and so apt to be turned out of the way, that we need a great deal of care to look to the fountain and principle of our actions, to look to the matter, manner, end, and weigh all circumstances that we may serve God exactly.
SERMON CXXIX.
Thou hast trodden doivn all them that err from thy statutes : for their deceit is falsehood. — Ver. 118.
In the former verse, the man of God had begged establishment in the ways of God ; and now, as a help to what he had prayed for, he ob- serves God's judgments on those that err from them. It is a special means to preserve us from sin to observe how mischievous it hath been to those that close with it. So the prophet here, ' I will have respect to thy statutes.' Why ? ' Thou hast trodden down them that err from thy statutes.' By this means we learn to be wise at other men's costs, and are whipped upon others' backs : Zeph. iii. G, 7, 'I have cut off the nations : their towers are made desolate, their cities are de- stroyed ; there is none inhabitant : 1 said, Surely thou wilt fear me,' &c. God is very much disappointed if we be not bettered and improved by his judgments. ExempJo qui peccat, bis peccat. He that would plunge himself into a quagmire where others have mis- carried before, sins doubly, because he neither fears threatenings, nor would take warning by their example. God looks to be the more reverenced for every warning he gives us in his providence, because then what was before matter of faith is made matter of sense, and needs only a little application. Thus it will be with me if I should
VeR. 118.] SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX. 209
straofgle from God, and go contrary to liis direction : Isa. xxvi. 9, ' When tliy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn rigliteousness/ Wc need not doubt any more whetlier God will punish the disobedient, when we see his threatenings made good ; only we should reflect upon our hearts : And Avill not God visit my transgression if I should go on breaking his laws P And what should hinder making such application ? Are not all sinners alike to God ? Clirist tells us, ' Ye shall all likewise perish except ye repent,' Luke xiii. 5. They contented themselves to censure those on whom the tower of Siloam fell. The desert of sin is the same, and God's justice as exact as ever ; therefore, if others are punished, why not we ? Wo are strangely stupid if we do not walk more exactly with God. This use David maketh of it. Whether it were a judgment past, or a judg- ment ex|)ected in faith, this deterred him from doing as they did : ' Thou hast trodden down them that err from thy statutes.' In the words observe —
1. An account of God's judgments upon wicked men, ' Thou hast trodden down them that err from thy statutes.'
2. The reason given of that dispensation, ' For their deceit is false- hood.'
First, In the first place observe —
1. The notion by which the judgment is expressed, thou hast trodden doion.
2. The persons described upon whom this judgment hath lighted, or shall liglit, them that err from tliy statutes.
3. The note of universality, all, of what estate or condition soever they be.
From the first of these observe —
Doct. Those that proudly err from God's statutes, God can, hath, and will soon pull them down with ignominy and contempt. This point will be made good if we consider —