7. A true sight of the worth of spiritual things above carnal. This in the text, ' More than gold, yea, fine gold.' Till a man cometh to this, his conscience will not be guided by his religion, but his interest, and give up all for the world's sake : 2 Tim. iv. 10, ' Demas hatli forsaken us, and loved the present world ; ' Phil. iii. 19, 20, ' Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.* Loath to suffer, turn themselves into all shapes. God doth not com- mand them, but themselves.
Secondly, The degree of his affection ; whence this doctrine —
VeR. 127.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 315
Voct. We ought not only to love the word, but to love it above all worldly thmgs whatsoever,
1. Let me explain the grounds of our love to the word.
2. Speak of the degree of it.
1. Let me explain the grounds of our love to the word, "We love the word, as it is the charter of our hopes and the rule of our duty. We have both respects in this psalm. As the charter of our hopes, ver. Ill, ' Thy testimonies have I taken for an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.' As a rule of our duty, ver. 14, ' I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches ;' and ver. 140, ' Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it.' So that —
[1.] To love and esteem the word as the charter of our hopes is to love and esteem spiritual privileges, such as the favour of God, pardon of sins, peace of conscience, taking away the stony heart, and eternal life. To have a deep sense and value for such things is the fruit of faith. It is true that some loose velleities and general inclinations men, as men, have to their own happiness ; but being but weakly per- suaded of these things, they are but slightly affected with them and the promises that reveal them. Men that have no faith, but altogether live by sense, know nothing more excellent than gold or riches, which do all in the world. If God would let them alone here, to have their portion in Paris, they would part with their share in paradise, such dunghill-souls have they. Let God keep spiritual things for whom he will, so they may live at ease in the world, they never mind com- munion with God, or enjoyment of God ; but gracious hearts love the word, as offering and revealing these things.
[2.] To love the word as a rule of duty is in effect to love holiness, loving things as suitable to our necessities, and as suitable to our dis- positions. ' I love thy commandments,' saith David in the text, as urging and directing us to our duty. This is also proper to gracious souls, to them all outward things are but toys and trifles for our senses to play withal. The least grain of grace seemeth better to them than a mountain of gold. They have a spiritual discerning, and love things according to the nature and worth of them. The things themselves are not to be compared together, so should not our affections to them.
2. The degree of it, more than all riches, ' Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.' Take riches as riches, in that notion as the word implies happiness, abundance, con- tentment. The word of God containeth the true riches, both in the promises and precepts of it.
[1.] In the promises, to us are given, ra rlfita koX fie^tara eTrayyiX- fiara, ' exceeding great and precious promises,' 2 Peter i. 4. There the great controversy is decided about the true happiness and salva- tion, God or the creature ; there you have the * unsearchable riches of Christ ;' Eph. ii. 7, ' That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.' The riches of the glory of the saints' inheritance : Eph. i. 18, ' That ye may know what is the hope of your calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.' These
316 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX, [SeK, CXXXIX.
are things that make us Irnly rich: Rev. iii. IS, ' I counsel thee to buy of me gokl tried in the tire, that thou mayest be rich.' He is not rich that floweth in wealth and plenty, but he that hath Christ, and an interest in liis benefits. They are possessors of all tilings, though they have nothing : 2 Cor. vi. 10, 'As having notliing, yet possessing all things.' A little serves the turn ; they have the good things pur- chased by Christ, happiness enough if he can make them happy.
[2.] So in the precepts, they are means to work grace, the least dram of which is more worth than all things in the world. He is rich enough that is rich in faith : James ii. 5, ' Hearken, my belov^dd brethren ; hatli not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom,' in paradise, ' which he hath ])romised to them that love him?' It is more precious than the trial of gold : 1 Peter i. 7, ' That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.' The smallest measure of saving faith, or love to God, or fear of God, or repentance, is of more worth than what is most precious. The word of God does more enrich a man ; and true benefit is to be preferred before counterfeit.