Psalm 45:4 And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness… I. OPEN AND EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS DESIGNATIONS GIVEN TO THE GOSPEL IN THE TEXT. 1. It is called "the word of truth."(1) As opposed to error and false doctrine, whereby Satan endeavours to blind and ruin souls. (2) As opposed to the dispensation of grace which the Church enjoyed under the Mosaic economy (John 1:17). (3) By way of eminency in regard it is the most excellent, sweet and desirable truth (Psalm 19:10). (4) In regard of its effects upon the hearts of those who believe it. The solid belief of the Gospel is not only accompanied with an inward change upon the understanding will and affections, but also with newness of life and conversation. 2. "The word of meekness."(1) In regard of Him whose word it is (Matthew 11:29; Zechariah 9:9). (2) From the manner in which it was delivered to us by Christ and His apostles. (3) In respect of its design and the end which through the Divine blessing it reaches among men. 3. "The word of righteousness."(1) On account of its purity and holiness. (2) Because it contains a revelation of the righteousness of God our Saviour, which is the alone ground of a sinner's access to, and acceptance in the sight of an holy and just God; yea, the leading design of the Gospel, in subordination to the glory of its Author, is to proclaim that righteousness to sinners; to set it before them as the sure foundation of all their hope and confidence (Isaiah 46:12, 13). (3) In respect of its effect. It is by looking into the glass of the Gospel by faith that the good work of likeness and conformity to Christ is begun in regeneration, and is carried on to perfection (2 Corinthians 3:18). II. SOME OF THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT OUR LORD JESUS BRINGS TO PASS BY MEANS OF THE GOSPEL. 1. The unhinging and removing the whole fabric of ceremonial institutions. 2. Our Lord has made terrible work upon the kingdom and interests of Satan by means of the Gospel. 3. The preaching of the Gospel by our Lord and His apostles was followed with terrible consequences to His ancient people, to whom it was first published, because of their unbelief in rejecting the compassionate counsel of God against themselves. 4. Another of the terrible things our Lord Jesus has performed by means of the Gospel is the inroads He has made upon the kingdom and power of Antichrist. 5. Our Lord Jesus performs terrible things upon the hearts and consciences of obstinate sinners by means of a dispensation of the Gospel. III. INFERENCES. 1. We may infer that the Gospel is a subject very glorious and excellent. 2. We may infer how much the Gospel ought to be esteemed by all who enjoy it in purity; and the great sin of despising and neglecting it. 3. We may see the great need all who enjoy a dispensation of the Gospel have to exercise a constant dependence upon the power and grace of Christ, in order to their profiting by it. 4. We may see from this subject that our Lord Jesus is not only succeeding in the management of the affairs of His kingdom of grace, but hastening to finish the mystery of God in the Church; He is riding in the Gospel-chariot with great celerity. 5. We may see with what holy diligence it concerns all the hearers of the Gospel, to improve their day of grace and merciful visitation. 6. We may see matter of trial and examination. Try what acquaintance you have with the designations given to the Gospel in the text, in your experience. 7. We may see matter of comfort to believers. It may comfort the heart of every child of God to consider that the Captain of salvation is making way for His second coming and the accomplishment of the promise, which will crown His felicity (John 14:2, 3). 8. We may see matter of reproof and terror to all the scoffers of the last times. 9. We may infer matter of exhortation. (1) We exhort all who have experienced the power of Divine grace upon their hearts, and known the joyful sound of the Gospel in truth, to bless a God of infinite love and grace for sending the Gospel to them, and that not only in word, but in the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. (2) As for you, who, though you are enjoying a dispensation of the Gospel, have never yet experienced the salutary effects of it upon your hearts, we exhort you to consider the great misery of your present condition. (T. Bonnet.) Parallel Verses KJV: And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. |
    |