2. They prepare us for them ; the sweetness of the word is best per- ceived under the bitterness of the cross. God and his word are never so sweet to the saints as in adversity: Ps. xciv. 19, ' In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul;' and 2 Cor. i. 5, ' As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.'
Use. Let no calamity drive you from the commandments, for there you will find more delight than trouble can take from you, 1 John iii. 1, 2. Shall the reproach of men have more power to make us sad than the honour of being God's children hath power to make us joyful ? Let us be ashamed that we can delight no more : James i. 2, ' My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ;' Mat. v. 12, ' Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in. heaven ;' for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you ;' and 1 Thes. i. 6, ' Ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost/
SERMON CLXI.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me under- standing, and I shall live. — Ver. 144.
In these words —
1. The excellency of the word is again acknowledged, the righteous- ness of thy testimonies is everlasting.
VER. 144.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 25
2. A prayer is thereupon grounded, give me understanding.
3. The fruit and benefit of being heard in that prayer, and I shall live. Because the righteousness of the word is everlasting, therefore we
should beg understanding, and this sound understanding maketh way for life.
First, He beginneth with the praise of the word, ' The righteousness of thy testimonies.' The word of God is contemned by none but such as know not the excellency of it, both in its own nature and the fruits of it. The sum of the whole octonary is here repeated.
Doct. That the- righteousness and everlasting righteousness of God's testimonies should be deeply imprinted on our minds, and often thought of by us.
This stuck so in David's mind that he could hardly get off from the meditation. Here I shall show you — ■
1. Wherein the everlasting righteousness of God's testimonies con- sisted.
2. What it is to have them deeply imprinted upon our minds, and when they are so.
3. Why they should be deeply imprinted upon our minds.
First, Wherein the everlasting righteousness of God's testimonies consisteth.
Ans. In two things — in the tenor of them, and in the effects.
1. In the tenor, and in that those terms which God dealeth with us are never repealed, but stand in force to all eternity. It is an ever- lasting truth that he that believeth in Christ shall be saved, and that without holiness no man shall see God. The moral part of the word is unchangeable, and shall never be altered ; the same duties and the same privileges do always continue. Our Lord telleth us, Mat. v. 18, ' Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled/ The truth of the doctrine of the law and prophets is more firm and stable than the frame of heaven and earth. Heaven and earth may be dissolved and made void, but his law shall never be made void ; both in that part wherein he comforts us by his promises, and that part wherein he sets down our duty ; we are eternally obliged to obedience, and God hath eter- nally obliged himself to reward and bless. There is an everlasting and unchangeable ordinance, by which we are bound to God, and he hath bound himself to us. We should not change, and God will not, having passed his word to us. The everlasting obligation on us dependeth on God's authority; the everlasting obligation on God's part dependeth on his own truth and veracity. And though we are poor changeable creatures, God hath interposed his authority : Mai. iii. 6, ' I am the Lord ; I change not ;' James i. 17, ' In him there is no change or shadow of turning.' God would change if his truth was changed, but that is everlasting. It is not in the power of men to an- nihilate and change the law ; they may break the law, but they can- not annihilate and change the law. Though it be not fulfilled by them, yet it shall be fulfilled in them and upon them. And God will not annihilate the law, for God cannot change or deny himself ; in those things wherein he hath engaged his truth to the creature, he is im- mutable and infallible. Another expression is, Jer. xxxiii. 20, 21,
26 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SER. CLXI.
4 If you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, that there shall not be day and night in their seasons, then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant.' The one shall not fail any more than the other. God compareth the firmness of his covenant with those things that are most unalterable, the standing of heaven and earth, the constant course of night and day. The cere- monial law was not abrogated till fulfilled in Christ. This is God's last will ; the terms of life and salvation are still the same, other con- ditions are not to be expected.