a man liateth it, the soul is not thoroughly resolved against it, as a man
is never thoroughly gained to God till he love holiness for holiness'
sake : his affections may be bribed with other considerations, but then
VeR. 129.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 333
he is rooted in godliness. So a man is not resolved against sin till he hate it for its own sake. He may be frightened out of sin for a jfit, put out of humour with it, hut his heart is in again with his old lusts, till there he a detestation of sin; but when once he cometh to hate it, per- suasions cannot easily move him, nor example draw him, nor difficul- ties compel him, to that which is evil ; nor allurements, that have a great force upon us : ' Straightway he followed her.' But they cast away sin with indignation : Hosea xiv. 8, ' What have I any more to do with idols ? '
2. This is a true distinctive note between good and bad. Men may forbear sin that do not hate it : they forbear it by constraint, for fear of punishment, shame, worldly ends ; but regard it in their hearts. Ps. Ixvi. 18. The dog hath a mind to the pail, but feareth the cudgel. But God judge th not as man judgeth.
SERMON CXLT.
Tliy testimonies are luonderful : tlierefore doth my sold keep ihem.—YER. 129.
In the words are two parts —
1. The dignity and excellency of God's testimonies, tJiy testimonies are wonderful.
2. The effect it had upon David's heart, therefore doth my soul keep them.
Accordingly two points —
Doct. 1. That the testimonies of God, when duly considered and thoroughly understood, will indeed be found to be wonderful.
Doct. 2. The wonderful excellency of the word should beget in our hearts a readiness and diligent care to keep it.
Doct. 1. The testimonies of God are wonderful.
1. The word in itself is wonderful, as containing truths of a sublime nature.
2. It is wonderful in its effects ; as it produceth effects rare and strange.
1. In itself considered, it is sometimes called the mystery of faith, as it containeth principles of faith ; and sometimes a mystery of godli- ness, as it containeth rules of practice. As it is a mystery of faith, there are many strange doctrines in it above the reach of man's capa- city, which we could neither invent nor understand, unless we be enlightened by the Spirit of God ; as that three to be one, and one to be three ; God to be made man, &c. ; these are riddles to a carnal mind. And as it is a rule of faitli, still it offereth matter of wonder, the duty of man being represented with such exactness and com])re- hensiveness : Ps. cxix. 9G, ' I have seen an end of all perfection : but thy commandment is exceeding broad.'
2. What rare effects it produceth : where it is entertained it maketh a Christian become a wonder to himself and others.
[1.] A wonder to himself : 1 Peter ii. 9, ' He hath called us out of
334 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CXLI.
darkness into his marvellous light.' There is no man converted b}' the word of God but hath cause to wonder at his own estate, at the condescension of God in plucking him as a brand out of the biu-ning, or that woful condition wherein he was before, when others are left to perish : John xiv. 22, ' Lord, howis it that thou wilt manifest th3'self to us, and not unto the world ? ' And then that we are brought into the possession of such excellent privileges as we enjoy in our new estate, peace that passeth all understanding, Phil. iv. 7, joy unspeak- able and full of glory, 1 Peter i. 8 ; privileges greater than can be imagined or expressed. So are their hearts ravished in the sense of their reconciliation with God and communion with him. So also in giving them such an undoubted right to an everlasting blessed estate in the heavens: 1 Cor. ii, 9, ' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre- pared for them that love him.' He hath promised them a happiness which they can never think of, but every day they must fall a-wonder- ing anew ; and all this wrought by an exceeding great power working together with the word, Eph. i. 19 ; as Peter wondered at his own deliverance, when chains and gates and bars did all give way to the power of the angel that brought him forth : Acts xii. 9-11, ' And he went out, and followed him, and wist not that it was true that was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, thej^ came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city, which opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street, and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said. Now 1 know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.' So may every one that is converted to God stand won- dering, when he considereth how, from whence, and to what he is called by God ; all this is wonderful indeed. There is more of God seen in inward experiences than in outward ; in converting, comforting, quickening, and carrying on the work of grace in our own hearts, than in governing the courses of nature ; therefore the apostle appealeth to this internal power, Eph. iii. 20, ' Unto him that is able to do exceed- ing abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.' He instanceth in that which God hath done for us in Christ, which is beyond our prayer, conceptions, and hopes ; transcending the hopes and appreh(;nsions of the most enlarged hearts. Thus is a Christian a wonder to himself.