Psalm 119:68

“You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.”

The attributes of God, if considered only in a speculative view, must excite our admiration; but, if contemplated in reference to our state and conduct, they will be to us a source of unspeakable comfort, and a spring of incessant activity. What emotions a knowledge of the Divine goodness will produce in the soul, we see in the words before us; in discoursing upon which we shall notice,

I. The goodness of God.

In conformity with the text, we shall call your attention to,

1. God’s essential goodness.

This is not an indiscriminate regard to all, whether they be good or evil; for such a regard would not consist with justice, or holiness, or truth; but it is a general benevolence towards the whole creation, operating incessantly for the good of the whole. The manner in which it reveals itself is as various as the states of men; but, however diversified its operations may be, it is the same principle in God.

God’s goodness is the sum of all his perfections.

Towards the undeserving, it is grace;
to the ill-deserving, it is mercy;
to the indigent, it is bounty;
to the distressed, it is pity and compassion;
towards the impenitent, it is forbearance;
to the obstinate and incorrigible, it is justice.

This is the view which God himself gives us of his goodness. Moses prays for a sight of God’s glory; God promises to show him his goodness; and then represents it as consisting in an united exercise of all his perfections, Exodus 33:18-19; Exodus 34:6-7. In this view, goodness resides in him necessarily, in him only, and in him continually.

2. God’s communicative goodness.

This he manifests to the world at large. When first he created the world, he formed everything “very good.” And if we look around us, we shall be constrained to say, “The earth is full of his goodness.”

Towards man in particular, his goodness is more abundantly displayed.

Towards the ungodly he has shown it, by giving his only dear Son to die for them, and his Spirit to instruct them; yes, he has set apart an order of men also to entreat them in his name to accept the offered salvation.

Towards the godly he has abounded yet still more in the exceeding riches of his grace; for, in addition to all that he has done for the ungodly, he has made his Word effectual for their conversion; and he watches over them with paternal care, supplying all their needs, and protecting them in all their dangers; and, to complete the whole, he will crown them finally with eternal glory! Psalm 103:1-5.

Such a view of God as this cannot but lead us to adopt,

II. The petition grounded upon God’s goodness.

The petition itself is such as all ought to offer for themselves.

By “the statutes” of God we understand both the truths he has revealed, and the precepts he has enjoined. Of these we are by nature ignorant; nor can we by mere human exertions ever acquire a right understanding of them, 1 Corinthians 2:14. We must be taught of God; our eyes must be opened by his Spirit; only then shall we keep his statutes, when God himself shall “write them on the fleshy tablets of our hearts.”

But the petition has peculiar force as grounded on a discovery of God’s goodness; for, in that, as in a looking-glass, we see,

1. Our duties.

The law of God primarily declares our duty towards him; but none ever attain a just knowledge of that duty from the law alone; they cannot see the necessity of loving God with all their hearts, until they have some idea of the obligations they lie under to him for the stupendous work of redemption. But let the love of God in Christ Jesus be once clearly revealed to the soul, and the excellency of the law will instantly appear; and obedience to it will be considered as perfect freedom.

2. Our defects.

We are naturally averse to acknowledge our vileness and wickedness. But a sight of the Divine goodness softens the mind and heart, and renders them sincere. Hence the more we are acquainted with God, the more we know of ourselves; and the more we have experienced of his love—the more we “abhor ourselves for our ingratitude to him, and our lack of conformity to his image! Job 42:5-6. Ezekiel 16:63.”

3. Our encouragements.

Wherever we look, we have no encouragement but in God. Indeed, if only we are acquainted with his goodness, we need no other encouragement; for, what will not He do, who is so good in himself? And what will He refuse us, who has done so much for us already! Romans 8:32. Such considerations as these are sufficient to counterbalance every difficulty that the world, or the flesh, or the devil can place in our way. Having this God for our God, we can lack nothing for time or for eternity.

Charles Simeon

Psalm 119:59-60

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep your commandments.”

At what period of David’s life these words were written, we are not informed; if in his early youth, they relate to his first conversion to God; but if in his middle or more advanced life, they declare the daily habit of his soul. Under any circumstances they are very instructive.

To young people they show that it is never too early to begin a life of entire devotedness to God. To those engaged in business of any kind, they manifest that, while in the world, they should not be of the world, but in the midst of all their cares they should preserve their minds in a spiritual and heavenly state. To the great and noble, yes, to princes and kings, they hold forth a solemn admonition to imitate the Jewish monarch, and to be as eminent in piety, as they are elevated above others in state and dignity. This all may learn from them: that if ever we would find acceptance with God in the great day, we must turn to him,

I. With care and diligence.

Thoughtlessness is the source of almost all the evil that exists.

Men will not give themselves the trouble to look back upon their past conduct. They take for granted that all has been right, or at least not materially wrong; and that they have done nothing that calls for any particular humiliation before God. Of this the prophet Jeremiah warns, Jeremiah 8:6; as does our Lord also of the Jews in his day, John 3:19-20.

Nor will men take much pains to ascertain the path of duty in reference to what is future; they desire rather to act from the impulse of the moment; nor have they any apprehensions that they shall offend God by anything that they may do. “They do what is right in their own eyes,” without inquiring whether it is right in God’s sight, or not; or whether he remembers it, or not, Hosea 7:2.

But we should compare our actions carefully with the Word of God.

The sacred volume is the only perfect standard of truth and virtue. If we satisfy ourselves with the opinions of men and the customs of the world, we shall be sure to err.

We should take God’s Word, and try our thoughts and ways by it. In particular, we should notice what God has testified to us in his gospel; and see whether in our spirit and conduct we are such as he requires us to be.

In this lies the vast difference between the standard of the world and that of God. The world regards nothing but our outward conduct, and that chiefly in reference to the welfare of society. Whereas God has respect to all our dispositions towards Him, and to all our motives and principles of action towards men.

We should take the Scripture then as our touchstone; and see how far the whole habit of our minds accords with what is required of us there, and what we see exemplified in the New Testament saints. Yes, we should set Christ himself before us, and try ourselves by the standard of his perfection.

And, having ascertained what God’s Word requires, we should rectify our lives according to it.

We must “turn,” not our thoughts only, but “our feet” also, unto his testimonies. Having found out our past errors, we should humble ourselves for them, and determine, through grace, to run into them no more; and having discovered “the good old way,” we should strive, through grace, to “walk in it.”

As for obstacles of any kind, we should not regard them. We should have it settled in our minds, that “the high-way of holiness” is the only road that will lead to Heaven; and we should resolve, that, however narrow and unfrequented it may be, we will walk in it, even though earth and Hell should conspire to obstruct our progress Matthew 7:13-14. This is the advice given us by the voice of inspiration, Lamentations 3:40; and to follow it is the duty, the interest, the happiness, of every human being! Ecclesiastes 12:13. Luke 10:42.

In this however there should be no delay.

II. We should all address ourselves to this work with promptitude and decision.

Next to utter thoughtlessness, is the evil of procrastination.

There are none so blind as not to know that they have some occasion for repentance, or so hardened as to have formed a determined resolution that they will never repent. All have a faint purpose in their minds, that at some future period they will repent; but then they put it off at present, in expectation of some “more convenient season.”

The young think that they have time enough before them, and that any great attention to religion is unsuited to their age.

The busy are so engaged in their several concerns, that they think they may well be excused attending to religion, until a time of greater leisure.

Everyone finds some excuse for himself, and puts off the evil day, in hopes that some period will arrive when he shall be better disposed to the great work of turning unto God.

But it is folly and madness to defer this important work!

It must be done; or else we inevitably and eternally perish; No man can call an hour his own. “We know not what a day, an hour, a moment, may bring forth!” While we are looking for days and years to come, God may say, “You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you.” The difficulty of the work increases daily. The force of habit is exceeding great; and the longer we fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind—the more difficult it will be to mortify and subdue them!

We are in danger also of provoking God to withdraw from us all the assistances of his Spirit. We may “grieve the Holy Spirit,” yes, may “quench” also his sacred motions. God has said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man;” and if once he says respecting us, “Let them alone,” our doom is sealed as surely as if we were already gone beyond redemption.

How awful is the state of those who are taken unprepared! What “weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth” will they experience, cursing their own folly, and vainly wishing it were possible for them to have another opportunity afforded them for working out their salvation! Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Say then whether any man should defer one hour this necessary work! Surely we should “make haste, and not delay, to keep God’s commandments. See Hebrews 3:7-14.”

That in this great work you may not miscarry, we would subjoin some useful advice.

Cry mightily to God, and seek from him,

1. Impartiality in judging.

Self-love always prompts us to form a favorable estimate of our own thoughts and conduct. If we search at all, we search rather for excuses than for sins; for grounds of self-approbation, rather than of self-reproach. But what folly is this! God will form his estimate aright, whether we do or not; and by his own estimate he will judge us in the last day.

Professors of religion, no less than others, are warped by self-love; and there are thousands whose spirit and conduct are directly at variance with the Gospel, while yet they boast of themselves as lights in a dark world! O search your hearts, as the Jews searched their houses for leaven; or as you would search a room for jewels which you had lost. You would not hastily shut your eyes, and say: There is no jewel here; but you would be examining every corner, to find as many as possibly you could; not content to leave so much as one undiscovered. If such impartiality were once exercised by us in detecting our sins, we would not be far from the kingdom of God.

2. Fidelity in acting.

Were a traveler, after long and laborious search, to find the true way to the place where he was journeying, he would retrace his steps, and proceed in the path which led to the place of his destination. It might be less pleasant than his former path; but still he would walk in it.

Do not say then that a life of entire devotedness to God is difficult, or that the ways of Christ and his Apostles would make you singular, or require sacrifices on your part. Be it so; but still you must go forward; you must “not confer with flesh and blood;” you must give yourselves up, in body, soul, and spirit, to the Lord. You must strive to “walk altogether as Christ walked,” and to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

3. Firmness in persevering.

It is comparatively easy to begin well; the difficulty lies in persevering. The fear of death, or some strong impression on our minds, will operate for a time; but, if there is not a root of grace in us, we shall soon turn back to our evil ways. And, if we do that, we make our state really worse than it was before we thought of our ways at all, 2 Peter 2:21.

O “be not weary in well doing.” Make up your mind to encounter difficulties, and to endure hardships; and know that the end will richly repay for all the difficulties of the way!

Charles Simeon

Psalm 119:51-52

“The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.”

There is not, throughout the whole Scriptures, any woe so little feared, so little thought of, so little credited, as that which was denounced by our blessed Lord, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! Luke 6:26.” But, in truth, there is no denunciation more certain to be executed than that; for there is nothing that can more infallibly prove us to be the enemies of God, than the approbation and love of the ungodly world! If it is asked, Why is this? I answer, that “the things which are highly esteemed among men are an abomination in the sight of God; and that the things which are pleasing to God are no less an abomination in the sight of men; and consequently, that, whichever of the two we serve, we must of necessity lose the favor of the other. This is what our blessed Lord has told us, “You cannot serve God and mammon;” you cannot adhere to either without despising and renouncing the other! Matthew 6:24. And the truth of this has been exemplified in all the saints, from the time of Abel to the present moment. What David speaks respecting his own experience of it, will lead me to consider,

I. The trials which David endured.

He was held greatly in derision by his ungodly subjects.

If anyone could have escaped contempt, we would have supposed that David would be the happy man. His rank in society, as the king of Israel; his extraordinary prowess in war; the services he had rendered to his country; and the marvelous sublimity of his piety, must, we should have thought, have rendered him an object of universal love and admiration. But among his proud and envious subjects, this last quality neutralized, as it were, all his merits, and reduced him to an object of hatred and contempt. The highest people in his kingdom delighted to speak against him, verse 23; while the lowest readily joined in their opprobrious treatment of him, Psalm 69:12. The fat bulls of Bashan on the one hand, and the dogs on the other, compassed him about, Psalm 22:12; Psalm 22:16, and treated him with every species of indignity. Even his own wife, who should have been ready to stem the torrent of abuse that was cast upon him, herself joined in it with peculiar malignity, 2 Samuel 6:20; and the very best actions of his life were made the chief subjects of their profane raillery, 2 Samuel 6:16 and Psalm 69:10-12.

And let not this be thought a light affliction. Truly it is painful to flesh and blood to bear such contemptuous treatment; so, at least, the Apostle represents it in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 10:32-33; and so David himself found it to be, “Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us!” says he, “for we are exceedingly filled with contempt; our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud! Psalm 123:3-4.”

And can we hope to escape a similar trial? Look at the saints from the beginning, and find one that ever escaped it?

How contemptuously did the scoffers of the antediluvian world ridicule the conduct of Noah, all the time that he was preparing the ark! 2 Peter 3:3-6.

What an object of derision, too, was Isaac, on account of his confidence in God, Genesis 21:6 with Galatians 4:29.

Behold Lot also in Sodom, 2 Peter 2:7-8.

And Elisha, 2 Kings 2:23.

And Jeremiah, Jeremiah 20:7.

Or rather, look at our blessed Lord himself, and all his holy Apostles; what was there too contemptuous for the ungodly to say either of him, Matthew 27:39-44, or them, 1 Corinthians 4:13.

How, then, can anyone hope to escape in the present day? Is “the carnal mind less at enmity with God” now, than in former ages? That the laws of the land protect the godly to a certain degree, is true; but from the shafts of calumny and contempt—no laws, whether divine or human, can protect us; and this species of persecution, at least, shall every one experience, who will come out from the world, and boldly declare himself to be on the side of Christ, John 15:19. “If they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household! Matthew 10:25.” “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution! 2 Timothy 3:12.”

For our direction, then, let us contemplate,

II. The graces which David exercised.

While he bore his trials with patience, he allowed none of them to divert him from the path of duty.

David’s mind was too firmly fixed on God to be moved by the scoffs and raillery of a profane world. What he did, he did from principle. He regarded God’s Law as a rule from which no trial whatever should induce him to depart. Not only would he not turn back from the path of duty; he would not turn aside from it, no, not for a moment! The more contemptuously he was treated by men, the more diligently he sought communion with his God, in the study of his blessed Word, verse 23, 24, and in the exercise of fervent prayer, Psalm 69:13.

Hence, when he and his people were treated with the utmost possible scorn and derision, he could appeal to God in the following triumphant language, “All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten you, neither have we dealt falsely in your covenant; our heart is not turned back; neither have our steps declined from your ways! Psalm 44:13-18 with 69:20.”

And such, also, is the firmness which we should manifest.

It should be with us “a small matter to be judged by man’s judgment, 1 Corinthians 4:3.” We should have but one object, and that is, to approve ourselves to God; and, having “the testimony of our consciences that we have pleased him,” we should not lay to heart the displeasure of others, however contemptuously or virulently it may be displayed. Onward we should go in our destined path, not turning either to the right hand or to the left. If the whole world should deride us, we should not be induced either to do anything which will offend our God, or to forbear anything which will honor him. That they “hate our light,” and are offended at it, is no reason at all why we should “put it under a basket;” whoever they may be, whether friends or foes, our reply to them should be, “I will yet be more vile than thus! 2 Samuel 6:22.”

Nor will this be very difficult, when once we have tasted of,

III. The consolations which David enjoyed.

In the recollection of “God’s laws of old, he comforted himself”.

The term “laws” has in the Scriptures a great variety of meanings. In the Psalm before us it seems to import the declarations and decisions of Jehovah. Now God, in his Word, has abundantly declared that such treatment is to be expected, and that it is, to those who suffer it, a token for good, “I have become a laughing-stock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered—a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping, Job 12:4-5.”

A lamp burning bright in a dark place is an object of high regard; but when it is so burnt down that the flame is quivering on the wick, and almost extinct, it is regarded rather as an object of disgust. And such is the light in which even the best of worldly men are viewed, when once God is pleased to convert them to himself; they are no longer welcomed as friends to exhilarate and enliven their companions, but are loathed rather, as the bane of social happiness!

In God’s estimation, however, they are proportionably exalted; and are taught to consider “the reproach of Christ as greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt, Hebrews 11:26.”

In the view of these things, the Psalmist “comforted himself;” saying, “Let your tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for your Law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will meditate in your precepts, verses 77-78.”

The same sources of comfort are ever open unto us also.

Our blessed Lord speaks of this treatment as the certain portion of all his people, “You shall be hated by all men, for my name’s sake, Matthew 10:22.” And does he represent this as a matter for grief and sorrow? Far from it; he tells us rather to “rejoice and leap for joy, because great will be our reward in Heaven! Matthew 5:10-12.” Besides, in these afflictions we are made “partakers of Christ’s sufferings;” and by means of them “the Spirit of glory and of God is made more visibly and more abundantly to rest upon us;” and though, “on the part of our enemies, God is evil spoken of and dishonored, on our part he is glorified, 1 Peter 4:13-14,” and, to crown the whole, we are assured, that, “if we suffer thus with Christ, we shall also in due time be glorified together, Romans 8:17.”

And are not these declarations abundantly sufficient to comfort us, under all that we can be called to suffer for Christ’s sake? No doubt they are; and, therefore, if we participate with David in his trials and his graces, we shall, both in this life and the next, be partakers also of his consolations.

Learn, then, from this subject,

1. What expectations to form.

You must not dream of receiving honor from man; but be contented with the honor that comes from God, John 5:44; You must expect to go through “honor and dishonor, through evil report as well as good report, 2 Corinthians 6:8.”

2. What conduct to pursue.

Do not be cast down when these trials come upon you; but submit to them, as sent of God for your good; and “rejoice that you are counted worthy to endure them for the Lord’s sake! Acts 5:41.”

3. What recompense to look for.

Do not be anxious for the approbation of men, if only you may but approve yourselves to God. In a little time you will stand at his judgment-seat; and then you shall receive a testimony from him, and “your righteousness shall appear as the noon-day.” If “the Lord Jesus does but confess you before his Father and his holy angels,” it will be no grief to you that you have suffered for confessing him, Matthew 10:32. A crown of righteousness and glory will be an ample recompense for all the hatred and contempt that an ungodly world could pour upon you!

Charles Simeon

Psalm 119:45

“I will walk at liberty; for I seek your precepts.”

Justly as civil liberty is appreciated among us, there are but few who have just conceptions of that liberty which has respect to morality and religion. Everyone knows that unrestrained liberty is licentiousness; but everyone does not know, that a sincere obedience to God’s Holy Word is the most perfect liberty that man can enjoy. This, however, is plainly intimated in the passage before us; from whence I shall take occasion to show,

I. That the ungodly are strangers to true liberty.

They will boast of liberty, and “promise it to all who will conform to their ways; but they are altogether in a state of bondage! 2 Peter 2:19.”

1. The wicked are in bondage to the world.

The tastes of men differ, according to their age and to the sphere in which they move; but all of every age and every rank are subject to the laws of custom, which they dare not to infringe. Even the religion of men must be conformed to this standard; and God’s commandments must be reduced to the scale which men have established for the regulation of their own lives.

If one is told what God requires, he immediately bethinks himself, ‘What will this person say, or that person do, if I comply with requisitions so foreign to the habits of those around me? Will they not deride my singularity, and set themselves to oppose my insufferable preciseness?’

To justify their conduct, men put the Scriptures altogether aside, as an antiquated volume, the dictates of which are superseded by the wiser and more practical maxims of fashion and “philosophy, falsely so called.” Yes, of all unconverted men it is declared, that they “walk according to the course of this world, Ephesians 2:2,” and “they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you, 1 Peter 4:4.”

2. The wicked are in bondage to the flesh.

There are different degrees in which men yield to the impulse of their corrupt appetites; but every man has “a law in his members warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin which is in his members, Romans 7:23.” In fact, there is not anyone so ignorant, but that even his unenlightened reason prescribes to him a better path than he pursues. Let us look around, and see what the dispositions and habits are of all around us. Are not all “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, Ephesians 2:3,” without affecting anything higher than the gratification of their own corrupt appetites? We are told, that “they who are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh, Romans 8:5;” and we know, from infallible authority, that to whoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are to whom we obey! Romans 6:16.”

In truth, even to our dying hour will our conflicts with this tyrannical master continue; for even Paul himself complained, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death! Romans 7:24.”

3. The wicked are in bondage to the Devil.

Well is Satan called “the god of this world; for he works in all the children of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2.” Ever since he prevailed over our first parents in Paradise, he has subjected the whole race of man to his dominion, “taking them in his snares, and leading them captive at his will! 2 Timothy 2:26.” That men deny the agency, and even the existence of this great adversary, is only a proof to what an extent they are “blinded by him, 2 Corinthians 4:4,” and how effectually he has lulled them to sleep in his very arms! Luke 11:21.

Doubtless it is very humiliating to think of ourselves as Satan’s slaves; but this is the true state of every unconverted man; and even the saints themselves are not delivered from his influence, but through the mighty power of Jehovah himself, given in answer to fervent and believing prayer, Ephesians 6:12-18. James 4:7. Romans 16:20.

But the Psalmist’s mention of liberty leads us more particularly to show,

II. What sweet enjoyments of liberty those who love and serve their God have.

David accounted the service of his God to be perfect freedom. And so, indeed, it is; for the man whom “the truth of the Gospel has made free, John 8:32,” and who “looks to God’s precepts” as his only rule of conduct.

1. He walks according to the dictates of his own judgment.

He has an insight into the mind and will of God, and clearly discerns that there is not, in all the Holy Scriptures, a command which does not conduce to the happiness of all who obey it. His own mind and conscience go along with the Word of God, and set their seal to the truth and excellency of everything contained in it. “Not one commandment appears to him to be grievous, 1 John 5:3;” the whole law of God is esteemed by him as “holy, and just, and good, Romans 7:12 and Psalm 119:128.” To “love God with all his heart and soul and strength, and his neighbor as himself,” does not appear to him any hardship imposed upon him, but the perfection of his nature and completion of his felicity; so that he would on no account have one atom of this law cancelled, or mitigated in the least degree. His own judgment tells him that it is no less his privilege, than it is his duty, to be as “holy, as God is holy;” and as “perfect, as his Father who is in Heaven is perfect.”

2. He walks according to the inclination of his own will.

He is neither drawn nor driven against his own will. He is, indeed, “made willing in the day of God’s power, Psalm 110:3;” but “he is drawn with the cords of a man, and with the bands of love, Hosea 11:4.” He does not, indeed, all that he would do; yes, in too many respects he does what he would not do, Romans 7:15;” but this very thing shows that it is rather strength than inclination that he lacks, Romans 7:16-20. Could the Christian have but the desire of his heart, he would leave no sin unmortified, no duty unfulfilled! He is in the situation of one who is running a race, or “fighting a fight;” had he but his will accomplished, his every antagonist would be vanquished in a moment, and “death itself, his last enemy, be swallowed up in victory.”

3. He walks in an unbiased exercise of his own affections.

He has a real delight in God. He does not observe the duties of prayer and praise out of the fear of Hell, but from a real pleasure which he feels in drawing near to God, whom it is his privilege to call by the endearing name of Father, and in communion with whom he would gladly walk all the day long.

Conceive of Adam before his fall; and there you have an image of those who, through the tender mercy of God, are restored. True, they still have “the flesh lusting against the Spirit, as well as the Spirit lusting against the flesh; so that they neither do, nor can do, all that they would do, Galatians 5:17;” but their taste is the very same with that of angels; and the felicity of angels is begun in them; for their life, so far as they have really attained, is both a preparation for Heaven, and a foretaste also of Heaven, in their souls.

Let me then, in conclusion, commend this liberty to your acceptance.

Think not, my brethren, that the Gospel is a mere system of restraints; no, it is a “perfect law of liberty! James 1:25;” and “all who are made free by Christ, have become free indeed, John 8:36.” O that religion were but understood in this view! No captive would more delight to shake off his chains, than sinners would to emancipate themselves from the sore bondage in which they are held! Know then, brethren, that I am authorised, in the name of Jesus Christ, to “preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bruised, Luke 4:18-19.” The jubilee trumpet now sounds in your ears, and proclaims to you a restoration to all that you have ever lost and forfeited.

Did not the poor slave, do you think, when called to resume his liberty and his inheritance, account the trumpet a joyful sound? Let the Gospel, then, be such a sound to you; and, instead of regarding God’s service as a hard bondage, adopt the language of the Psalmist, “I will walk at liberty; for I seek your precepts!” “Take upon you the yoke of Christ, and I pledge myself that you shall find it light and easy; and you shall obtain everlasting rest unto your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.”

Charles Simeon