those who are spiritual : David says, (and he himself had expe- rienced the truth of it,) " The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant."]
But this knowledge is peculiar to the persons above described ; and this leads me to shew you,
II. Why this knowledge is peculiar to them —
[Two reasons the prophet assigns : one taken from the peculiar excellence of the things known, and the other from the use ivhich different persons make of them.
The first reason is taken from the excellence of the things known — " Who is wise, and he shall understand these things ? prudent, and he shall know them ? for the ways of the Lord are right." There is a rectitude in a life of godliness; there is something in it which is fit and proper in itself; something which is agreeable to the mind and will of God; something which is calculated to promote the perfection and happiness of man. The most refined reason cannot conceive any thing more fit and becoming, than that He, whose loveliness and loving-kindness are infinite, should be the supreme object of our affections ; or that He who is omnipotent, immutable, and eternal, should be honoured, trusted, and obeyed with our whole hearts. To a carnal eye, that views only the Majesty of God, it might appear unsuitable, that the Deity should con- descend to commune with such sinful worms : but his con- descension and grace reflect a lustre on all his other attributes, and overwhelm us with wonder and astonishment. As for the pleasantness and peace which are found in the ways of religion, or the effect of it on our hearts and lives, we have the united testimony of all who ever devoted themselves to it, that " in keeping of God's commandments there is great reward." In- deed it is this very excellency which helps the godly to know and understand the things themselves ; at least it helps to enlarge and perfect their knowledge of them. The Holy Spirit first leads them to a life of godliness, and then discovers to them how fit in itself, how honourable to God, and bene- ficial to man, such a life is : and then this discovery confirms them in their ways : confirms them, I say, beyond every thing in the world ; so that though they began to walk in the Lord's ways from the fear of hell, and from a desire after heaven, they now walk in his ways because they are right; they now see, that to " yield themselves a living sacrifice to God is the most reasonable service " in the world : and so much is their know- ledge and understanding confirmed by this discovery of the rectitude and excellency of God's ways, that they would wish to walk in them, even though there were no heaven to reward their obedience, nor any hell to punish their disobedience :
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