[2.] He is a wonder to the world, if he keep up the majesty and vigour of religion : 1 Peter iv. 4, ' Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.' It was strange to them that they should be altered so of a sudden, that of filthy puddles they should become clear as ciystal waters ; a sink turned into a pure fountain. That men should live above interests of nature, row against the stream of flesh and blood, this is all strange to the world ; and this is the fruit of the word ; for ' the word of God is perfect, converting the soul,' Ps. xix. 8. Every grace is a mystery and wonder ; especially faith, for a man to believe that which he under- standeth not, to hope for that he seeth not, to have that which he
VeK. 129.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 335
wants ; to be tossed with tempests, and yet to enjoy a sweet calm in our own hearts ; to be destitute of all things, and yet be as little anxious as if we indeed had all things ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, 5"et possessing all things ; to be a rock in the midst of a storm; as dying, and yet we live : 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9, ' We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; we arc perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ; ' 2 Cor. vi. 10, ' As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' Thus is a believer the world's wonder, a very riddle to carnal sense. So in other graces ; he can hate father and mother for Christ's sake, can also love enemies at Christ's command. He that doth even break his heart for the least sin can bear up against the greatest trouble.
Thus I might exemplify the point, but I must go a little largely to work.
1. God's testimonies are wonderful in their majesty and composure, which striketh reverence into the hearts of those that consider; it speaketh to us at a God-like rate. Jesus Christ leaves a character of his divine Spirit upon his words : Mark vii. 28, 29, ' And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine ; for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.' There was an impression of his authority upon his word, his hearers were convinced of a sovereign majesty proper to the dignity of his person. Tliose that went to take him returned this account, John vii. 46, ' Never man spake like tliis man,' for authority, power, and evidence. Now the scriptures being Christ's doctrine, why should they not hjive the same power, authority, and divine character in them.?* It is the same doctrine; the voice could add nothing to it, and the writing take nothing from it. Could not God discover his sovereign majesty in writing as well as speaking ? Look into the scriptures ; are you not even compelled to say, This can be no other but the word of God ? They speak not as conscious of any weakness, or as begging assent, but as commanding it. Thus saith the Lord, hear it, or ye are undone for ever. The wisdom, majesty, authority of the author showeth itself in every line almost of scripture. Longinus, a heathen, admired the majesty of that passage, r^eveaOw koX i'yevero. Indeed, evei-ywhere there is great authority mixed with simplicity and plainness of speech, such as moveth reverence and awe in the consciences of men. It may be it is not seen in every phrase and clause of a sentence, but it is clearly discovered in the whole frame ; as the majesty of a man's countenance is not so fully dis- covered in any one part of the face as in the whole visage taken jointly together. Scripiura sic loquitur, saith Austin, ut cdtitudine sitperbos irrideat, 'profunditate attentos terreaf. veritate magnos pascat, affahilitate parvos nuiriat — scripture so speaketh that it laughs proud and lofty men to scorn with the height of it ; with the depths of it it terrifieth those who with attention look into it ; with truth it feedeth men of greatest knowledge and understanding ; with affabihty and sweetness it nourisheth babes and sucklings. Let a man have l)ut anything of a prepared mind, and he cannot contain his wonder and reverence, but will tremble at the word of God : Isa.
336 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SkII. CXLL
Ixvi. 2, ' To tills man will I look, even to liiiii that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.'