We may learn from hence,
1. Our privilege —
[If it was the highest privilege of the Jews, that " to them were committed the oracles of God," much more are we distinguished, who have the writings of the New Testament superadded to those of the Old. Let us learn to estimate this privilege aright. Let us remember, that in this blessed volume is contained all that can be needful either for the instruction of our minds, or the salvation of our souls : and, whilst we enjoy this inestimable blessing ourselves, let us labour by all possible means to communicate it to others ]
2. Our duty —
[We should " search the Scriptures daily," " digging into them as for hid treasures," and praying earnestly to God, that he would " open our understandings to understand them." We should look to them as the ground of all our hopes, and the rule of all our conduct. To study the book of nature will be well : but to study the sacred volume with prayer wiU tend to our highest perfection, and will " thoroughly furnish us unto every good word and work."]
no PSALMS, XIX. 10, U. [521.
Ps. xix. 10, 11. More to he desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honey- comb. Moreover, hy them is thy servant warned : and in keeping of them there is great reward.
GOD has at no time left himself without witness in the world, seeing that he has spoken to all, in and by the visible creation, from which the most unenlightened heathens might learn his eternal power and godhead. But to us he has communicated a perfect revelation of his mind and will, which, as the Psalmist informs us in the preceding verses, is capable of producing the most beneficial effects. It was but a small portion of the Scriptures which David pos- sessed ; yet his testimony respecting them shews, that they were inestimable in his eyes, and that to all who received them aright, they would be a source of the richest blessings. In discoursing on his words we shall point out,
I. The excellency of the Scriptures —
Gold and honey are both excellent in their kind, and may fitly represent those things which are most pleasing to a carnal and a sensual appetite : but the Scriptures are infinitely preferable to both.
1. They are " more desirable than gold" —
[Gold, though so ardently and universally desired, is yet very confined in its uses. It is useful only to the body ; yet not to that in all circumstances, nor for any long duration. But the Scriptures are profitable to the soul, and that too in every possible condition : nor will there be any termination to the benefits they convey. What light do they bring into the mind ! the weakest Christian upon earth that is instructed out of them, as far surpasses all the philosophers of Greece and Rome, as they surpassed the most ignorant of the human race. How powerful too is their operation on the soul ! the sugges- tions of man's wisdom were utterly incapable of counteracting the vicious propensities of the heart: but these, when applied with power from on high, subdue the soul to God, and renovate it after the divine image. Can gold then, however " great" in quantity, or "fine" in quality, be compared with these?]
521.] USE AND BENEFIT OF THE SCRIPTURES. Ill
2. They are " sweeter also than honey" —
[The most dehcious honey is not near so grateful to the palate, as the Scriptures are to the sphitual taste. The doc- trines of the Gospel, especially that which is the fundamental article of our faith, salvation through the blood of our incarnate God, how inexpressibly sweet are they to a weary and heavy- laden soul ! What a delightful feast do the promises, " the exceeding great and precious promises," afford to those who live upon them! The precepts too are equally high in the Christian's estimation : their purity exactly suits his appetite, and instead of disgusting him, renders them tenfold more pleasing to his soul^. Nor is he averse to the threatenings themselves : while he regards them as holy and just, he con- siders them also as good*". In short, the Christian feasts upon the blessed book of God ; he finds it the joy and rejoicing of his heart''; he esteems it more than his necessary food*^.]