with the Christian : there would be many times and occasions, when, if destitute of this rule, he would not know how to conduct himself aright : but, by the help of this, the most ignorant cannot lose his way : his path in every situation is made plain by it ; and the " way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err therein^."]
2. It is comprehensive —
[" The law and the prophets" contain directions proper for every person, in every rank, under every situation and circumstance in which he can possibly be placed. Nor is this rule at all less extensive : it will direct the king on his throne no less than the meanest subject in his dominions. There is not any single act, relating either to justice and equity, or to kindness and charity, or even to common decency and civility, which it does not equally embrace, and for which it does not provide a sufficient directory.
Under the Jewish dispensation, the high-priest had an oppor- tunity of ascertaining the mind and will of God by means of his breast-plate. What the Urim and Thummim was, or how it conveyed information to the high-priest, is not positively known : but that God did make use of it in some way to convey to him the knowledge of his will, is certain : nor was there any subject whereon God would not have given him instruction, if he had sought it in a becoming manner. Now we are repeatedly told in the New Testament, that all true Christians are both " kings and priests unto God :" and one of the most distinguished privileges which, as Christians, we enjoy, is a liberty of access to God, every one of us for ourselves, without the intervention of any human being ; and a permission to seek direction from him on every occasion. And has not God furnished us with the Urim and Thummim? Yes, he has : thi's very rule he has given us to carry, as it were, upon our breasts, that it may instruct us in every part of our duty. We may say respecting it, as Moses says of the Gospel salvation, " we need not go up to heaven, to bring it down from above, nor descend into the deep, to bring it up from beneath; but the word is nigh us, even in our mouth and in our hearts s." Wherever we are, we need only set ourselves in the presence of God, and, with humble supplications to him, inspect our own bosoms, to see what light this rule will afford us ; and we shall assuredly be guided in the right way. Whether we be rich or poor, learned or unlearned, and whether the subject be
f Compare Isai. xxxv. 8. with Prov. viii. 9, and Hos. xiv. 9. ; and mark the difference between those who have, and those who have not, the compass.
e Compare Deut. xxx. 11 — 14. with Rom. x. 6 — 9,