Theological and Expository Lectures

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... EXPOSITORY LECTURES. PSALM XXXIX. LECTURE I. Ver. 1. JT said, I Will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Certainly it is a high dignity that is conferred upon man that he may as freely and frequently as he will, converse with him who made him, the great King of heaven and earth. It is indeed a wonder that God should honour poor creatures so much; but it is no less strange, that men having so great privileges, the most part of them do use them so little. Seldom do we come to him in times of ease. And when we are spurred to it by afflictions and pains, commonly we try all other means rather than this, which is the alone true and unfailing comfort. But such as have learned this way of laying their pained head and heart in his bosom, they are truly happy, though in the world's language they be never so miserable. This is the recourse of this holy man in the time of his affliction, whatever it was, --prayer and tears, bemoaning himself before his God and Father, and that the more fervently in that he finds his speaking to men so unprofitable; and therefore he refrains from it. The Psalm consists of two parts--his silence to men and his speech to God; and both of them are set with such sweet notes of music, though they be sad, that they deserve well to be committed to the chief musician. I said, I will take heed to my ways. It was to himself that he said it; and it is impossible for any other to prove a good or a wise man, without much of this kind of speech to himself. It is one of the most excellent and distinguishing faculties of a reasonable creature; much beyond vocal speech, for in that some birds may imitate us; but neither bird nor beast has any thing of this kind of langu..