2. By correction. The wicked have no right by promise or cove- nant, and so salvation is far from them ; for this promise or covenant- right inferreth two things — (1.) A sanctified enjoyment ; (2.) A more sure tenure.
[1.] A sanctified enjoyment ; they that have salvation by promise, they have it as an effect of God's special love, and so have it as a mercy, not as a judgment ; but without this they have it only by God's general indulgence, and so it may be a snare : Ps. lxix. 22, ' Let their table become a snare before them, and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap,' and promote their ruin, not only eternal, but temporal. If they be not by these common mercies brought to repentance, the greater shall their condemnation be, and their downfall the more speedy. For while they let loose the reins, anU run headlong into all sin, God is the more provoked against them, and his anger, that was a little delayed and put off, is the more severely executed. It is a blessed thing to have salvation by covenant : Bom. viii. 28, ' All things shall work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.' When we are sanctified to God, saith Baxter, all things are sanctified to us ; to serve us for God, and to help us to him.
[2.] Our tenure is more sure, and we can with more confidence wait upon God for it. In this sense salvation is far from the wicked, be- cause they cannot lay claim to God's favourable providence, or look for the continuance of it with any confidence, because they have no right, no promise to build upon. The word of God speaketh no good to them, whatever God may do out of his general indulgence : James i. 7, ' Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord.' Now the misery of this appeareth by considering wicked men either as in prosperity or adversity.
(1.) If they be still at ease for the present, yet they are not upon sure terms, because they know not how soon God may break in upon them and theirs : Job v. 3, 4, 'I have seen the foolish taking root ; but suddenly I cursed his habitation. His children are far from safety '
VEE. 155.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 149
(the notion of the text), ' and are crushed m the gate, and there is none to deliver them.' In the eye of the godly they are far from salvation. I judged him unhappy for all his wealth, foretold his sudden destruc- tion, which God would speedily bring on him and his ; I read his doom. So Job viii. 11-13, ' Can the rush grow without mire ? can the flag grow without water ? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb : so are the paths of all that forget God ; and the hypocrite's hopes shall perish.' A wicked man cannot lift up his head above others for want of God's favour to uphold him, as the rush or flag cannot grow without mire or water. The prosperity of wicked men, when it is most green and flourishing, yet wants its sustenance, which is God's blessing. This is the condi- tion of wicked men in the opinion of the good. But what is it in his own opinion ? Take him in his serious and sober moods, he always liveth miserably and expecting a change, as knowing that God oweth him an ill turn : Job xv. 21, ' A dreadful sound is in his ears : in his prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.' He trembleth secretly, as if danger were always near ; therefore cruel and mischievous against whom they fear, that shut the door against their own danger, for every- thing that is fearful will be cruel.
(2.) If he fall into adversity. In their troubles they have not a God to go unto, nor promises to build upon ; therefore it is said, Prov. xv. 29, ' The Lord is far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.' God's children have ready access to a sure friend, and are assured of welcome and audience when they come ; but they are at their wits' end, know not which way to turn : Job xv. 22, ' He be- lieveth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword;' that is, full of terrors of conscience and distracting dis- turbing fears, hath no hope to be delivered, but lives as if he had a sword hanging over his head.
Use 1. To show us the reason why the people of God, when they grow wicked, are often disappointed in that salvation which they ex- pect : Isa. lix. 11, ' We look for judgment, but there is none ; for salvation, but it is far from us.' Why ? Because they had exceed- ingly sinned against God, and scandalised their profession. There was a horrible depravation of the people of God in those times, and there- fore all their prayers and fasts and seekings of God could not prevail for a deliverance.