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SERMON I.

ON THE WORD OF GOD. .

ISAIAH lv. 10, 11.

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it."

THE use, the value, and the blessed effects of God's holy word, are represented to us, under various and striking metaphors and comparisons. In the Psalms, for instance, the scriptures are set forth as of greater value "than fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb." The word of God is represented also as a lamp which giveth light in

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1 Ps xix. 10.

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darkness: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."2 In the text, the effects produced by the word are compared to the effects which are produced by the fertilizing rain and snow which fall upon the earth.

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It is surely of the greatest importance to us, to have correct views or right thoughts of the attributes, the will, and the ways, of the blessed God. For, without correct views of him, we cannot worship him in the beauty of holiness;"--we cannot worship him as he really is, we cannot entertain a firm hope of receiving any blessing at his hand. Without "right views" of him in all his adorable perfections, we shall be apt to compare him to ourselves, and incur the charge brought against the wicked, "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself."3

Now, it is in his holy word that God hath been pleased to reveal himself unto us; and that word serves as a light that shineth in a dark world to preserve us from great and fatal errors. One of these errors is too common. We are naturally prone to fall into it; to entertain notions or views of the incomprehensible Jehovah, as if he were a creature or a being similar to ourselves. Are we tempted, for instance, to think lightly of some darling and besetting sin? The mind is at the same

2 Ps cxix. 105.

3 Ps. 1. 21.

moment tempted to suppose that it is but light or small in the estimation of Jehovah; and that he will not be extreme to mark the sin or punish us for its commission. And are not we frequently tempted to scan or direct the ways and dealings of God, by our own selfish, dark, and perverted notions? But it is the height of folly and presumption to compare "the High and the holy ONE, who inhabiteth eternity," to the frail children of men, "that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust."4

But if we considered, as we ought to consider, how infinitely far above our ways are the ways of God; how far beyond the utmost stretch of our limited comprehension are the perfections of the Almighty, we should feel greater awe in his presence, have greater confidence in him; and at the same time be more deeply humbled before his glorious majesty.

Such a consideration is proposed by God himself, in the verses just preceding the text: and it is proposed as an encouragement to sinners to forsake their evil ways, and return unto God; "Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my

4 Job iv. 19.

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