Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

derision to all the scoffers in the land. Of this he complains in the psalm before us: for though it is probable that Absalom was the great instigator of the present evils, the people, too, readily sided with him, and exulted in the thought, that this despised monarch would now be destroyed.

The psalm, though primarily applicable to that occasion, was really, as St. Paul tells us, of a general import. And therefore, taking the text in that view, I will explain, and vindicate, the counsel that is here referred to.

I. Explain it

The persons designated as "the poor," are the Lord's people, generally—

[It is certain that the great mass of the Lord's people are taken from the lower walks of life. There are 66 not many rich, not many mighty, not many noble, called." In the days of our Lord, it was 66 not the Scribes and Pharisees that believed on him," but the poor-who were deemed accursed". "The common people heard him gladly."

But the name is given to the Lord's people principally because they are "poor in spirit," feeling their utter destitution of every thing really good; just as a person in the state of Lazarus feels his want of all the comforts of life. In this sense the name is given to them in a great variety of passages and throughout the whole world they answer to the character contained in it.]

They invariably "make the Lord their refuge"[They feel their lost and undone state themselves they find no remedy ·

And in

But in Christ they

see a fulness and sufficiency, even for the very chief of sinners - -They look into the Scriptures, and see the "counsel" given them, to "look to him," and to "flee to him:" and this counsel they both follow themselves, and give to all around them They determine, both for themselves and for others, to "know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified."]

But this conduct exposes them to much obloquy. I will therefore proceed to,

II. Vindicate it

a ver. 2, 3. with Rom. iii. 10-12.

b John vii. 49.

c Mark xii. 37. d Isai. xiv. 32. and xxix. 19. Zeph. iii. 12.

In "shaming this their counsel," the ungodly will pretend to reason with them—

[They will deride this counsel as unnecessary; since there is no occasion for them to feel any such alarm about their souls They reprobate it as presumptuous: for, can they suppose that God should pay such peculiar regard to them, to accept them, sanctify them, save them; when all the rest of the world are perishing in their sins?-- - They pour contempt upon it as ineffectual: for to think of setting aside all good works in point of dependence, can be no other than a desperate delusion Such are the arguments with which the ungodly will endeavour to shame the poor out of their confidence in God.]

But we will defend their counsel against all these unjust aspersions

[It is not unnecessary: for there is not a creature in the universe that can be saved in any other way It is not presumptuous. What presumption is there in believing God's promises, and in obeying his commands, and especially that command of coming to Christ and relying on him for salvatione? It is not ineffectual: for there never was, nor ever shall be, one soul left to perish, that sought for mercy solely and entirely by faith in Christ The cities of

refuge afforded a safe asylum to him who fled from the avenger of blood: and, whatever have been the sins of the believing penitent," he shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end."]

ADDRESS,

1. The despisers

to rest in outward forms?

[ocr errors]

or

You

[We need not go far to find persons of this character. In fact, they despise this counsel who do not follow it, even though they should never cast any particular reproach on those who adopt it But, I beg leave to ask, what counsel will you give? Shall it be, to despise all religion? or to say, "Lord, Lord, whilst you do not the things which he says?" may boldly maintain this counsel now: but will you do it in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment? Know, assuredly, that you will be ashamed of it then, whether ye be now, or not. And that is the only wise counsel which will be approved of your God, and issue in your everlasting salvation. All else is but to "make lies your refuge, and to hide yourselves under falsehood;" or, in other words, to "build on a foundation of sand, what will fall," and crush you under its ruins.]

e 1 John iii. 23.

f Isai. xlv. 17.

Isai. xxviii. 15.

2. The despised

[What harm has it done you hitherto, that you have been despised by an ungodly world? Only seek your happiness in God, and you need not mind what man shall say concerning you. Man's judgment is but for "a day":" whereas God's judgment will be for ever. The Prophets, the Apostles, and our Lord Jesus Christ, were they approved of men? On the contrary, was there any thing too bad for men to say concerning them? Be content, then, to be "partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when he shall appear, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." In truth, to be despised for righteousness' sake is your highest honour, and shall surely issue in your more exalted happiness'.]

h 1 Cor. iv. 3. The margin.

i 1 Pet. iv. 13.

k 1 Pet. iv. 14. Acts v. 41.

1 Rom. viii. 17.

DX.

THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION.

Ps. xiv. 7. O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

ON what occasion this psalm was written, we know not but there are two things which render it pre-eminently worthy of our attention: the one is, that, with very little alteration, it is repeated in another psalm; and the other is, that a very considerable part of it is cited by the Apostle Paul, not for the mere purpose of illustrating any point, but for establishing that doctrine which lies at the very foundation of Christianity, the universal and total depravity of human nature. The Psalmist has evidently been reflecting on the extreme wickedness of the human heart, in that men, for the purpose of prosecuting their evil ways without fear, would banish God himself from the universe, and, by impious derision, drive out all regard for piety from the world. Being oppressed, and overwhelmed, as it were, with this painful contemplation, he breaks forth into this devout rapture: "O that the salvation b Compare ver. 1-3. with Rom. iii. 10-12, 19. ver. 6.

a Ps. liii. e ver. 1.

d

of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord shall bring again the captivity of Israel, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad."

We may conceive him in these words looking forward, not only to the times of the Messiah, but to the Messiah himself, who is frequently designated by the name of Saviour, and who, under that character, comes forth out of Zion', and is an object of desire to all nations." But, perhaps, it is rather "salvation" itself that is here spoken of; and which the Psalmist contemplates,

I. As an object of desire

And truly so it is,

1. To the world at large

[View the state of the world, especially as it is described in the psalm before us How inexpressibly awful! And how fully is this description verified in all around us! specting the Heathen world, we are willing enough to acknowledge the truth of the accusation: but, respecting the Christian world, we are ready to conceive of it as exaggerated and false. But St. Paul quotes these very expressions, to prove the wickedness of all mankind: and the smallest measure of candid observation will confirm all that he has spoken. Say, then, whether salvation be not needed; and whether the Psalmist's wish should not be the most ardent desire of our souls: "O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!" The Gospel brings precisely such a salvation as men's necessities require: and happy would it be, if its blessings were proclaimed to the utmost ends of the earth!]

2. To every heavy-laden sinner

[Are any of you convinced of your sinful and undone state? Consider the remedy provided for you. O how precious should it be to your souls! How infinitely dearer to you than thousands of silver and gold! Great as your guilt undoubtedly is, it may all be washed away in the Redeemer's blood: and, fixed as your corruptions are, they may all be rooted out by the operation of his holy Spirit on your souls. Reconciliation is made for you through the blood of the cross; so that God, from being your enemy, is ready to become your Father and your friend: and, if only you embrace the

e Isai. lxii. 11. with Isai. xlv. 21, 22. and in New Testament passim. f Rom. xi. 26.

8 Hagg. ii. 7.

salvation offered you in the Gospel, all the glory of heaven shall be yours. Cherish, then, this holy desire: and, in reference to your own souls in particular, be constantly saying, O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!"]

66

Realizing in his mind the object of his desire, the Psalmist proceeds to view it,

II. As actually attained

Salvation has been effected by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ: and,

Already has it produced great joy in the world

[To a great extent has the captivity of God's Israel been turned. Thousands and millions, both of Jews and Gentiles, have been delivered from the power of Satan, by whom they were once led captive at his will. And what joy the deliverance occasioned, we well know. On the day of Pentecost, not less than three thousand, who had been pricked to the heart with a sense of sin, were, by the glad tidings of the Gospel, enabled to eat their bread with gladness and singleness of heart, blessing and praising God. And to this hour do all who hear the joyful sound experience the same holy feeling in their souls. Tell me, ye who have ever been released from the bonds of sin and Satan, have ye not been constrained to say, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour?" Yes, in every place where the Gospel comes, and in every bosom where it is received, is "the oil of joy given in the stead of mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."]

But what joy will it not excite, when it shall prevail to its full extent?

66

[There is a period yet future, when the Gospel shall be conveyed to all nations, and "all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Then shall the dominion of Satan be altogether broken, and the whole race of mankind be brought to serve the living God." What joy shall prevail over the face of the whole earth! Truly the descriptions given of it by the Psalmist will fall infinitely short of the reality h for heaven

itself will then appear to have come down upon the earth, and all the glorified saints to have descended to swell the chorus of the redeemed.]

From hence, then, we may LEARN,

1. What conversion is

[Whatever mystical representations be given of it, it is simply this, "a turning of us from the captivity" of sin and

h Ps. xcviii. 1-9.

i Rev. xxi. 2-4.

k Rev. xx. 4.

« ZurückWeiter »