1. The precepts and doctrines of the word abide in them : Ps. xxxvii. 31, ' The law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.' A lively active sense of his duty is kept fresh upon his heart ; and then, when they are tempted, they answer as the Rechabites, We dare not ; our father commanded us otherwise, Jer. xxxv. 6. Take, for instance, Joseph : Gen. xxxix. 9, ' How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ? ' When we are stored with good principles, it will be a great help to us in all businesses and affairs : Prov. vi. 22, ' Bind them upon thine heart ; and when thou goest, it shall lead thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee ; when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.' Wicked men's sin engrosseth all their thoughts, employeth them all the day, and it stayeth in the fancy all the night ; it saluteth them first in the morning. But now a christian, that is a law to himself, a bible to himself, the word of God urgeth him to his duty, directeth him in his work, seasoneth his business, restraineth him from sin. His heart thus furnished casteth in seasonable thoughts and directions upon all occasions, when he is in company, when he is alone. In company : \ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things,' Mat. xii. 34, 35, full of gracious discourse. The tap runneth according to the liquor wherewith the vessel is filled. When alone, his reins instruct him in the night season, Ps. xvi. 7. When without all outward helps, his heart furnisheth him with matter of comfort, counsel, and reproof. The frothiness of our spirits, the barrenness and leanness of our souls, come from the want of transcribing the truths of the bible or God's blessed book upon our hearts. A man that hath his pocket full of brass farthings, and some few pieces of gold and silver, will more readily draw out farthings than pieces of gold or silver or valuable money. Vain thoughts are so ready with us because we have stored our minds with trash.
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2. The promise. These must abide in us for comfort against temptations, desertions, and afflictions : Job xxii. 22, ' Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart ; ' as you would do choice things, that they may not be lost or embezzled. In a time of trial, one promise of God will give you more true comfort and support than all the arguings of men. In a time of wants and straits, how sweet is it to remember how amply we are provided for in the covenant ! Ps. cxix. Ill, ' Thy testimonies have I taken for an heri- tage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.' And in doubts and discouragements by reason of pressures and troubles : Ps. cxix. 5, ' This is my comfort in afflictions, thy word hath quickened me ; ' Heb. xii. 5, ' Have you forgotten the consolation which speaketh to you as children ? ' It is good to have the promises familiar with us, that we may not have them to seek in a time of distress ; happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. So for temptations, what promises God hath made to the thirsty, what encouragements are given to those that strive after grace ; so to seek after God in holiness and righteous- ness : Mat. v. 8, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' What assistance is secured to them that watch and pray, 1 Peter v. 9, 10; how God giveth more grace to the humble, to overpower the natural spirit, James iv. 5, 6 ; how willing God is to receive us upon our penitence after we are foiled. This maketh the young christian take courage, though his spiritual course be often interrupted.
3. The threatenings. Many lusts are strange and boisterous, and are deaf to all milder motives. By the threatenings, God standeth as with a drawn sword in their way to stop them, if tempted to a sensual fleshly life: Rom. viii. 13, 'If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.' Many are strongly inclined and wedded to sensual satisfactions, a sport- ing life. Consider, what am I a-doing ? if tempted to any inordinate complacency in creature comforts : Ps. lxxiii. 27, ' Thou hast destroyed all them that go a- whoring from thee ; ' and they that only mind earthly things, their ' end is destruction/ Phil. iii. 19.
But what is this abiding ?
There must be receiving before there can be abiding. There are some will not take the word in : John viii. 37, ' My word hath no place in you.' They have no room for Christ, his directions, and comforts. The soul must be emptied before the word can have place in you. This reception is opposed by inward corruption : 1 Cor. ii. 14, ' The natural man receiveth not the things which are of God.' They cannot digest it, being so contrary to the dictates of flesh and blood. It cannot sink down into their hearts to take root there, but floateth in their imagina- tions, there is such unanswerableness to things spiritual. So the devil opposeth it : Mat. xiii. 19, ' Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in the heart.' When he seeth men begin to be serious, he seeketh to divert these thoughts.