SERMON XV. THE WORD OF THE LORD PRECIOUS.

1 Sam. iii. 1.

The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

From Moses to Samuel, a period of several hundred years, there was no prophet regularly appointed; particular revelations were made to individuals, and occasional messages from heaven were publicly delivered to the people; but there was no acknowledged prophet, to whom they might at all times resort, to know the mind and will of God; or, as it is described in the text, “there was no open vision.” The natural consequence was, that such intimations of the divine will, as were then given, made a deeper impression; they were more highly valued and more eagerly sought for, than when the gift of prophecy, in after ages, became more common. When the word of God abounded, it was received with indifference; when rarely vouchsafed, it was intently desired.

Such is perpetually, and on all occasions, the perverseness of man: blessings of every description are estimated, not according to their excellence, but their rarity; not according to the ease, but the difficulty, with which they are to be obtained. And further, when in possession of a blessing, we are often utterly insensible of its value; we abuse it in thoughtless excess, and are ready to squander it away; but the moment it is departed, we discover our blindness and folly; and would give, perhaps, all we have, to bring the treasure back again. Meat and drink and raiment, the air we breathe, the sun and the shower, excite no spirit of gratitude, and by many are scarcely received and remembered as blessings; but in the days of famine and of pestilence, amidst the warfare and desolation of raging elements, these benefits and mercies are painfully acknowledged, and ardently desired. Again: the advantages of civil and religious liberty make little impression upon the hearts of those, by whom they are fully and uninterruptedly enjoyed: it is under the iron arm of intolerance and oppression; it is in the dungeon and the mine, that the excellency of these privileges is learned. And thus it is of domestic happiness and comfort: the value of home is frequently not appreciated, until it is forsaken and lost; the worth of a friend, even of the nearest relative, is sometimes but lightly considered, till he “goes hence and is no more seen.”

These observations are also illustrative of the feelings and conduct of men, in regard to their spiritual privileges and blessings. While the light of divine revelation is shining upon their dwellings, pointing out to them the way of salvation, and opening the prospect of a glorious immortality, they shut their eyes, and turn away into the fatal paths of sin and misery, to the darkness of eternal death; but when their opportunities are lost, when “the evil days are come upon them,” and there is no instructor or counsellor or comforter to be found, they perceive the preciousness of the time and the talents, which have been heedlessly thrown away; and would give the world, if they possessed it, for what they were once unwilling to make the smallest sacrifice.

We are apt to express a wonder at the obstinate indifference of the people of Israel to their religious advantages and instructions; we are astonished, that they could forget their miraculous deliverances by the hand of Moses, and the manifold revelations vouchsafed through him for their knowledge and guidance; and that almost every divine communication to them, in after ages, should have been but the forerunner of guilt and apostacy: yet in truth, the history of Israel is but too faithful a picture of the people of God in other times and other countries; by no means excluding our own. The word of God has not been accounted precious, in proportion to the extent to which it has been diffused; the Bible has not been, in too many instances, the most highly prized, where it has been most widely circulated; nor have the ministers of the gospel been always most attentively and devoutly heard, where they have increased and multiplied. Before the age of printing, when the copies of the sacred word were comparatively few, the Christian, who was so happy as to possess one, commonly regarded it as a treasure; or if he could obtain a part only, by the labours of the pen, even a gospel or an epistle, it was considered as a “pearl of great price.” And afterwards, in the days of ignorance and persecution, when the sacred scriptures were withheld from the people by a blind and bigotted priesthood, the thirst for divine knowledge, for these streams of life and salvation, was inconceivably great; men sought them and treasured them at the peril of their lives. In these dark days, and long after, the public preachers of the word were few; and people flocked from distant quarters to hear the good tidings proclaimed. Having no regular supply of spiritual food, they sought it out with earnestness where they might; “the word of the Lord was precious in those days;” and “beautiful upon the mountains were the feet of Him,” who came to “lighten their darkness,” and to deliver the message of salvation to their souls.

How widely different from this is the case in our day. Copies of the Holy Scriptures are multiplied beyond all calculation: not a village, scarcely a dwelling, where they are not, or may not be procured: and, instead of any persecuting power, forbidding the use of them, every possible encouragement is afforded, and every means devised by which they may be adequately understood. And such, under the divine blessing, has been the success of those means, that the greater portion, even of the poorest in this favoured land, are able to discover for themselves the light of life; to apply it for their guidance and comfort and eternal salvation.

And with respect to the preaching of the gospel, though it is not yet sufficient for the demand of our extended population, still it may be truly described as general throughout the land. Although, for “the plenteous harvest, the labourers are too few,” still are they every where abroad. And if it be objected, that “the word of truth is not always rightly divided,” yet are there portions of it uniformly read, in every christian assembly, on the Lord’s day; and in our own incomparable Liturgy, no inconsiderable part of the divine word, of its saving doctrines and duties, is actually embodied.

So much for our holy congratulation, for the honour and glory of our land, for the rich abundance of spiritual privileges and blessings, which, under the favour of almighty goodness, we have the happiness to enjoy. It were well, if the sequel of our subject afforded equal ground for rejoicing; that it equally redounded to our honour. But here there is a dark cloud resting, which casts over the scene a melancholy gloom. The value set upon the word of God, its preciousness in the heart of man, is not proportioned to the frequency and the fulness of its communication. It is in almost every dwelling, but not in every dwelling esteemed and loved; not devoutly treasured, not eagerly and diligently read, as it used to be in the days of scarcity. How many who possess it, perhaps superbly ornamented, in a variety of forms, and with goodly interpretations, seldom open it; seldom in comparison with its high and everlasting importance, for their enlightenment and edification: possibly it may be read on the Lord’s day as a cold customary exercise, and by vast numbers not even on the Lord’s day; they are positively unmindful of the sacred treasure, unconscious that it is so much as in their possession. No change of heart, no lively faith, no spiritual strength is derived from its exalted doctrines; no purification of the affections from its means of grace; no regulation of the life and character from its perfect law of righteousness. How should there be, when it is laid by, idly, carelessly, and contemptuously.

The Bible is grievously neglected both by rich and poor. The rich too seldom spare any of their abundant leisure, in storing their minds with the riches of heavenly wisdom; other books, of worldly interest or amusement, absorb almost their whole attention; an unimproving, nay injurious publication, the foolish dream of fiction, will be seized and read with avidity, whilst the oracles of eternal truth are treated with an indifference, that borders on disdain. The poor, it is true, have but little leisure; sufficient however, if that little were diligently used, to enable them to acquire a considerable knowledge of their Bible; but the great multitude of them seek their refreshment from other sources; from the pollutions of earthly pleasure. We might have expected better things: having fewer worldly possessions and comforts, it might be thought, that the poor would gladly supply such deficiency by the attainment of spiritual blessings; by raising their hopes and affections to the imperishable treasures of a brighter world to come: but it is too often found otherwise: the enjoyments of earth, however unsatisfactory and even debasing, are preferred to the abundant consolations and happiness of the gospel.

Thank God, there are many bright exceptions to these remarks, both amongst the rich and the poor; the number is great, and we hope increasing, of those to whom “the word of the Lord has been precious;” who have “received it with gladness;” who have “believed with the heart unto righteousness;” who “have seen the salvation of their God.” But still, when we cast our eyes upon the vast and reckless multitude, we are ready to weep over it and to say, O that ye would know, even ye in this your day, the things that belong unto your peace; before they be hid for ever from your eyes.

From this lamentable neglect of the word of God, we may readily account for the want of religious principle, for the decay of religious character, for the overspreading of corruption and vice, so notorious in the christian world. The astonishing circulation of the Bible through this country, of late years, might have reasonably led us to hope for a signal diminution of irreligion and crime. And God forbid, we should be of the number of those who maintain, that no such advantage has been derived from this dissemination of the word of life. But even the most sanguine person will not contend, that this holy exertion, this spiritual culture has produced a corresponding fruit: thousands of those, who have free access to the Bible, are lying, if not in utter darkness, at least in the shadow of death. And what is the cause? The scriptures are not valued in proportion to their extended circulation; they are not read with humble reverential attention, as the holy word of God; not understood or desired, as the fountain of light and life; not sought as a means of spiritual reformation and righteousness: and therefore, we may expect a greater prevalence of iniquity; as a judgment of the just and offended God, for so flagrant an abuse of the knowledge of salvation.

And thus with regard to the preaching of His word: where is that vehement desire, that deep interest, that holy concern to profit withal, which was observable in the days when preachers were few? We do not say, that it is utterly extinguished; but certainly not proportioned to the opportunities vouchsafed. How many in this our place and neighbourhood, refuse to travel, even the shortest distance, to hear the gospel; and of those who professedly go to hear it, not a few are led by mere curiosity or custom. How do we stand condemned by many a less favoured people! There are indeed lands, at this day, still thirsting for the knowledge of their God and Saviour; lands, to which it has but just been carried, where it is only beginning to be understood; and there the people will instantly repair at the very sound of the good tidings, and wait with eagerness upon the footsteps of the missionary, who bears in his hand the sacred treasure; but here, where the messengers are in every place, where the ministers of reconciliation abound, here are awful numbers, who never enter the house of God, for the single purpose of hearing His word: the gift is continually offered, without trouble or risk, “without money or price;” and, therefore, it would seem, perversely despised.

Similar remarks may be made, concerning all those divine ordinances and means of grace, with which this privileged land has been so richly provided. The public worship of Almighty God, the holy sacraments of our Church, the instruction afforded to her children, the means of private devotion and godly advancement, all these are pressed upon the notice and acceptance of all; it is not enough to say, that we are invited; we are urged to the participation of these abundant blessings; yet how often are we urged in vain. At this moment, in some of our countries or dependencies abroad, where Churches are sparingly scattered, and the visits of ministers are few and long between, these divine ordinances are coveted with a painful anxiety, and no opportunity is ever lost: here, in the mother country, is the fountain of blessings, and the “streams are ever flowing withal;” but thousands esteem not these waters of life, and many never care to taste them.

It is impossible, that the truth of these observations can be denied; and to every sincere and serious Christian the subject must afford a painful reflection. And well does it become us all, each in our several vocations, to exert our utmost power for the abatement of so crying and alarming an evil. Many of us, I trust, are gratefully sensible of the goodness and love of God, in having so liberally bestowed upon our land the blessings of the word of life; grateful from the experience of its inestimable benefit to our own souls: let each then in his station, and according to his influence and ability, recommend the word to those around him; and assist in waking a slumbering people to a sense of the glorious opportunities awaiting them. Many, from their education and rank, have it in their power to contribute largely to the success of this glorious cause, to become instruments of righteousness and salvation to their lost fellow-creatures: and the poorest may do much in this blessed work; they may train their families in the study of the Bible, may lead them to adore the God of mercy and of truth, and to save their souls alive; considerable also is the impression, which, by prudence and friendly care, they might make upon their poor neighbours; bringing them to join together in happy union, for the perusal of that word, which is their common interest and hope; which would elevate them above the troubles of a stormy world, would lead them to “lighten one another’s burdens,” and to “go on their way together rejoicing.” And, to say the least, every one has the power to recommend the holy scriptures by the light of his own example; by shewing, on all occasions, his love for the Saviour’s marvellous goodness; by duly reverencing and reading the word of truth; and manifesting the blessedness thereof, in the decided change of his own heart and temper, in his own character and life. And all such recommendations, let me add, the Lord is demanding at our hands, in return for His unspeakable mercy.

My brethren, let us suppose, that it should please God, for the heedlessness of this nation, to deprive us of the privilege and blessing of the Bible; and to declare, that the neglected ministry of His word should be continued no longer: we should undoubtedly regard this as the direst calamity, which could possibly befal us; we should immediately and cheerfully consent to any sacrifice, by which so dreadful a token of divine wrath might be averted. Then let us be consistent; and whilst we do enjoy this invaluable favour of heaven, let it be cherished and improved. Let the gospel, instead of being less precious to us, on account of its universal publication, and its facility of attainment, be therefore prized the more; and while we adore the Lord of mercy for diffusing this heavenly benefit through our dear and native land, let the treasure be laid up in our own bosom: what is intended for the good of all, is intended for the good of each: to bless God for giving the gospel to our country, and to undervalue or neglect it ourselves, is folly and hypocrisy; but too many individuals, amounting indeed to a large portion of our christian community, are guilty of this folly, and thus exposing the land to judgment, thus endangering “the ark of God.”

All of us, my brethren, do I trust feel thankful to our God and Saviour, who hath honoured us, unworthy as we are, with the revelation of His word, and hath “brought life and immortality to light:” whatever others then may do, let our sense of the gracious gift be undeniably and duly shewn: let us daily have recourse to this holy word, as “the lamp of our feet and the light of our paths:” be it our constant prayer for the spirit of God to open our eyes that we may understand, and our hearts that we may reverence, the wonders of His holy law; that it may be the object and study of our lives, to walk in all those means of grace, which it holds forth for our redemption from sin and death; for our safe passage through this transitory world of trial, to an eternal world of happiness and glory beyond the grave. If we hear and read and mark and learn, in the spirit of devotion and prayer, we shall continually find new treasures of mercy opening to our view; new and unlooked-for stores of knowledge; new affections and dispositions; new hopes and prospects, in the promises of the blessed Jesus: the word will be a blessing to us through life and even to our journey’s end; a sure guide amid the dangers of prosperity, a powerful support in the day of trouble, an inconceivable comfort when we die. But if we prize it not in life, how can we expect consolation from it in death? On the contrary, our spirits will be weighed down by the grievous remembrance of inexcusable neglect. Be wise in time; lay up in store the good foundation: the word, having been all along precious, will be increasing in value to the last; even until it leads us to the “open vision” of eternal day.