SERMON XIV.

ON DEVOTION.

AS INCLUDING THE READING AND HEARING OF THE WORD OF GOD-MEDITATION-PRAYER-PRAISE—AND ATTENDANCE ON RITUAL ORDINANCES.

A SACRAMENTAL DISCOURSE.

PSALM, LXXIII. 28.

"It is good for me to draw near to God."

"IT is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?" "What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what profit should we have if we pray unto him?" Such expressed or implied, is the language of multitudes. But it is, in all who use it, the language of misconception: in some, of a misconception, criminal in a very high degree, because with perfect ease vincible. No satisfaction that a rational nature can desire, is foreign to those ways which are pleasantness, to those paths which are peace. Every man who has tasted, has found that the Lord is gracious. Every man who has made the trial, will confess that God's commandments are not grievous, and that in keeping them there is great reward. Every man, the eyes of whose understanding are opened upon the beauties of holiness, will be prompt to say, in the words of the holy Psalmist, "It is good for me to draw near to God."

Devotion is "profitable unto men." This in brief, is the proposition embraced by the text.

Devotion, with reference to this proposition, must be viewed comprehensively; as including the reading and hearing of the word of God; meditation; prayer; praise; and attendance on ritual ordinances.

It is my design, at present, to take this view of it. I hope, through the divine favour, to recommend these particular and highly important duties of Christian devotion, by illustrating the benefits to be expected from the serious performance of them.

In the first place."It is good for us to draw near to God," in the devout reading and hearing of his most holy word. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes: the fear of the Lord is clean enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold; yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in the keeping of them there is great reward." "All scripture, given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." From this source we may derive "understanding in all things" necessary to virtue and happiness, to our present sanctification and our future glory. God's word is the best resolver of our doubts and scruples. It makes us acquainted with ourselves. It is a mirror presenting to us in their true appearance the thoughts and intents of our hearts. He who reads his Bible, and with it collates the ordinary operations of his mind, and general tenor of his conduct, may, with no small measure of certainty; decide †2. Tim. iii. 16. 17.

Psalm, xix. 7.-11.

upon his own moral standing. He will discover his peculiar weaknesses, the points in which he is most exposed to vicious influences and suggestions. He will acquire a familiarity with the road delineated by the author and finisher of his faith, which will enable him to walk in it with uprightness, resolution, steadfastness, and zeal.

I confidently appeal to the experience of believers when I assert, that, for the most part, in no way is that langour of spirits which too frequently depresses and retards the religious man, so effectually removed; in no way is his soul so speedily and happily invigorated, as in the diligent reading of the word of God, and attending upon its ministrations. There is a voice in the word of God which will make itself be heard. There is an agitating and vivifying power in it which will make itself be felt. You peruse a passage of it, and take fire at some burning thought. You listen to the faithful exposition of it in the publick assemblies, and find a living and prolifick principle transfused by it into your souls.

With equal confidence I make my appeal to the experience of believers when I assert, that no where can the afflicted saint look for so rich and sweet a consolation as in the pages which record the sure mercies of David. Hence the author of the CXIX Psalm; "Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope." "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."* There is no distress which may not find here both its refuge and its balm. If worldly sorrows prevail; if the tears of nature fall upon the tomb; if deep call unto deep, and wave chase wave, the gloom thicken, and the tempest lower; the Bible and the preacher tell you that whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth; that the more you suffer, being righteous, and retaining your integrity, the nearer you approach in resemblance to the captain of salvation, who was made perfect

Psalm, cxix. 49. 50.

through sufferings; while like him you shall be clothed with a recompense proportioned to your obedience; in a word, that "your affliction," which, however poignant, is comparatively "light," and however protracted, is relatively “but for a moment, worketh for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."*

If you labour under the inward disquietudes of a wounded spirit; if you walk in darkness, and see no light; if you lament that God hath hidden his face from you; if you tremble lest the spark of holy fire be extinct in your bosoms, or lest you have deceived yourselves in imagining that it was ever lodged there; if you fear that you are aliens from his mercies who wore our nature; the Bible and the preacher tell you to wait for a God of providence in his mysterious ways: the Bible and the preacher tell you, that though justice and judgment be the habitation of his throne, mercy and truth go before his face; that he is the father of mercies, and the God of consolation; that he will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax; that with him there is forgiveness, and with him plenteous redemption: the Bible and the preacher bid you, in the language of divine compassion addressed of old to the weary and the heavy laden, "come unto Jesus and find rest:" they place the cross before you, and bid you confess, that it is impossible God should spurn the trembling penitent-the broken spirit-the contrite heartfor whom Christ died. O soothing voice of truth! O healing balm of heavenly consolation! O lively oracles of that God who is love! It is good for us to draw near where your blessed influences are like the dew and the rain upon Israel!

In the second place.-"It is good for us to draw near to God," in devout meditation. I do not mean that solemnity and fixedness of mind with which every religious duty. ought to be performed. I mean that particular collection and concentration of thought on divine things, which exists 2. Cor. iv. 17.