LECTURE VIII.

THE ADVANTAGE AND PLEASURE DERIVED FROM

THE STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Psalm XIX. 10.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.

The two principal pursuits, which engage the attention of mankind in this life, are those of interest and pleasure; the one affording the means of future enjoyment, the other promising immediate gratification. In this passage, David, still referring to that revelation which God has given us in the Scriptures, asserts that religion, as an object of pursuit, is preferable to both these.

I. It is very customary, especially in poetic diction, to assume one prominent object as a representation of all objects of a similar

kind. Thus gold is selected as the symbol, by which all earthly advantages, derived from the possession of wealth, are designated. A competent portion of the goods of this life is undoubtedly an innocent, and even a laudable excitement to honest industry. The providence of God has so wisely constituted the affairs of the world, that each individual, labouring in his respective calling, and often pursuing it without a very enlarged view of the relative bearings of different parts of society, most effectually promotes his own happiness and the general good. It is the abuse of the pursuit of riches, which becomes reprehensible and criminal. And so liable are they to be abused, that the Scriptures, in many places, caution us in the strongest terms against their seductive influence.

The objects of earthly pursuit so nearly and so continually solicit the attention, that there is always great cause of alarm, lest men should be entirely absorbed in their search after the riches and advantages of the world, and neglect their more real and permanent interests. In order to counteract this peril, and to display the superiority which the Scriptures possess, as leading to a religious life, David declares that they are "more to be desired than gold; yea than much fine gold.”

1.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain," so that religion is superior to worldly riches, by superseding them. "In the house of the righteous," says Solomon, "there is much

treasure." A pious mind will be contented and happy in the deepest poverty: an avaricious mind will be most miserable in the midst of affluence.

2. But there is another cause which renders religious advancement a more desirable object of pursuit than riches; it is never sought without success. Various as are the schemes which worldly riches suggest, painful as are the labours which they excite, the toil is frequently bestowed in vain. The most complicated plans, which human ingenuity can devise, are often overthrown by causes which no prudence could foresee, no care prevent. Years of anxious thought and ceaseless exertion not unfrequently terminate in disappointment. But he who, with a sincere heart, endeavours to attain the true riches which God has given by his word, shall experience no failure. His progress may be slow. He may frequently have occasion to complain of the hardness of his heart, and the difficulty of obedience. But if he rely not upon his own power, but upon the grace of God which is sufficient for him, he will go on

a 1 Tim. vi. 6.

b Prov. xv. 6.

from strength to strength, so as to attain the inestimable prize which is proposed to his exertions.

3. Again, the advantages of religion are more to be desired than gold, because they are unfading. Short lived indeed are all the gratifications which depend solely upon this life. Scripture represents them all, and especially riches, by images of the most fleeting kind. Hear the words of Solomon, who certainly experienced as much as any man what are the real advantages of wealth. "Labour not to be rich.... Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings. They flee away as an eagle

But the advantages, which religion affords, are as permanent as the God who grants them. There is in them no variableness. They continue from age to age, an object of pursuit most desirable and most certain.

4. Earthly riches too, although sought with the greatest avidity, and pursued with the most unremitting perseverance, are, at best, but a very uncertain blessing. How many, after the successful termination of their labours, sigh for the comparative freedom from care, which they enjoyed at an earlier period of their lives.

e Prov. xxiii. 4, 5.

How many confess that the success, which renders them objects of envy to others, might, with greater propriety, claim their pity.

Advancement in religious acquirement is accompanied with no such inconvenience. Whoever pursues it as his chief good, knows that it is, in this respect, far more to be desired than gold, yea than much fine gold. He who is most advanced in the Christian course looks back upon his past life, With deep regret for the sins which he has committed, and with sincere thankfulness for the grace, which has often kept him from falling. But before him there is always held out some new object of attainment; a higher elevation to be reached by fresh exertion, and to be rewarded by a greater recompence. The sentiments of St. Paul will be those of every sincere follower of Christ: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before; I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." d

With reason, then, might the Psalmist prefer the study of revealed religion, by which alone any effectual advancement in holiness

d Phil. iii. 13, 14.

L