VEK. 165.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 203
2. It is a good word, because it is suited to our necessities ; so we read, Heb. vi. 5, ' If so be ye have tasted the good word.' Is food good when a man is hungry ? Is drink good when a man is thirsty ? Then the word of God is good, for it suiteth with the necessities of our souls, as these things do with our bodies: 1 Tim. i. 15, 'This is a faithful say- ing, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.' The gospel is a doctrine fitted for hungry con- sciences. If our inward senses were not benumbed, and we were not so Christ-glutted and gospel-glutted as we are, oh ! how precious would these tenders of grace be to our souls !
3. It is a pure word ; so David gives the reason in the 140th verse of this psalm, ' Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it.' Hypocrites will now and then relish the comforts of the gospel, be affected with the word, because it speaketh such good things to poor sinners ; but God's children love the word for its purity and holiness. It meeteth with every sin, and directeth them to every duty necessary for the enjoyment of the blessed God. It is not comfort only must draw our love, but holiness. This argueth the life and power of grace, when we would not have the law of God less strict and holy than it is, but love it for this very reason, because it is pure, strict, and holy. You would not think a beggar loves you because he liketh your alms, but he is loath to stay with you for your service, and live under the orderly government of your family. Most men's love to the word is such, they delight in the comforts of it as an alms, but they hate the duty of it as a task ; they had rather let the duties of it alone, if it could be without danger, and forbear them if they durst. Oh ! but when your hearts consent to the purity of the law, and you would choose that life which it points out unto you rather than any life in the world, or the most absolute freedom that the heart of man can imagine, so that you love your master the more because he hath ap- pointed you such work, this is true affection to God and his word : you had rather live in holiness than sin, if you had your freest choice ; it is a sign then you love holiness for holiness' sake, and admire that in the word which is most worthy, its strictness.
4. It is a sublime word : ver. 129, ' Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore doth my soul keep them/ Here are excellent truths, glorious mysteries, fit to exercise the sharpest Avits in the world, a study fitter for angels than men, 1 Peter i. 12. I do not speak this to stir up curiosity, which is a moral itch, a lust of the mind, and nothing more opposite to true love than lust, but to raise men to a due esteem of the scriptures, which they are wont to contemn for their simplicity and plainness ; it is full of high mysteries, though it may be read with profit by simple people, or any who desire knowledge. Sensual men, that are drowned in worldly delights, only look to the comfort of the animal life, and value all things as that is gratified ; but those that look to the spiritual life, and the ennobling of their souls, they will find the only sublime wisdom in the word of God : Deut. iv. 6, ' Keep these statutes and do them ; for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' What pitiful notions had the philosophers, and the wisest of the heathen, concern-
204 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SePv. CLXXIX.
ing God, and angels, and providence, and the creation of the world, and the souls of men, and the happiness of the other world, and the way to attain it ! When the heathen came to be first acquainted with the Jews, they wondered at their wisdom and skill. These things would beget admiration in us if we did meditate on them, and con- tented not ourselves with a slight and customary rehearsal of them. Here are deep mysteries to exercise the greatest wits, and therefore consider them more.
5. It is a sure word : Ps. xix. 7, ' The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.' These directions may be safely relied upon, and will not disappoint us ; for they are not the guesses of deceived men, nor the collections only of the most observing and wisest- men, or the result of their infallible experiences, but inspiration of the infallible God ; and therefore a sensible heart, that knoweth what it is to live in a troublesome world, and hath been exercised with doubts, knoweth the comfort of a sure rule and sure promises. Oh ! what a comfort is this in the midst of the uncertainties of the present life !