One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

2. Now let me speak of the scope of our lives; David simply doth not desire life, but in order to service. The Point is: That if we desire long life, we should desire it to glorify God, by obedience to his word.

2. Now let me speak of the scope of our lives; David simply doth not desire life, but in order to service. The Point is: That if we desire long life, we should desire it to glorifie God, by obedience to his word.

Let me give you some Instances, then Reasons.

1. Instances. Psal. 118. 17. I shall not dye, but live and declare the works of the Lord. This was David's hope in the prolongation of life, that he should have farther opportunity to honour God; and this argument he urgeth to God when he prayeth for life, Psal. 6. 5. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? It would be better for him to be with God; but then the life is worth the having, when the extolling of Christ is the main scope at which we aim. So Paul, Phil. 1. 20. According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death, &c. Paul was in some hesitation which he should choose, life or death; and he determineth of both as God might be magnified by either of them, and so was at a point of indifference; if God should give him his option or wish, he would give the case back again to God, to determine as it might be most for his service and glory. He was not swayed by any low and base motives of contentment in the world, or any low and creature-enjoyments; these are contemptible things to come into the balance with everlasting glory; it was only his service in the Gospel, and the public good of the Church, that made the case doubtful.