ofthe Morning-Exercife. 39 5 worth,confider what an admirableexcellent thing this Word of God is, and that may be known. 1. By themetaphors unto which it is refembled in Scripture,which fpeakseither its profit, pleafure, ufefulneffe, or neceflity: Thy word is a light to my feet, what more precious than light , without which the world were but one great Dungeon, &c. 'Tis compared to Bread Manna, Food, Water, Precious Stones, Rain, &c. Nay 'cis morenece fa- ry : As they formerly, we canbetter be without theSun, than with- out Chryfoflom : Love for God makes us fenfible to fay we can as well be without fire or water, as without the word of God. And it is the more excellent, becaufe compared to thofe things : what they are naturally, it is fpiritually fo, it is fpiritual Bread,fpiritual Water, fpirittial Pearl, &c. r. e. By its precious Properties and operations. There is a Scripture to me tails like honey in my mouth. Pfal. t 9. 7, 8, 9. Where theWord is difcovered by itsproperties and operati- ons. The Law of tke Lord is perfea, cons, erring the Soul, the Teflinto- ny ofthe Lo- d is fine, makingwife thefimple, the Statutes of the Lord are right,rejoycing the heart, The Commandements ofthe Lord is pure, inlightning the eyes ; Thefear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever ; The Judgments of the Lord are true and Righteous altogether. What, are thefe the Metaphors to which the Word is compared ? Are thefe the Properties and Operations of the Word ? No wonder then yob lets fuch a highvaluation upon thepa as he cloth, inour Twelfth Sermon. job:2 3. i 2. I have efieemed the Word ofhis mouth more then my ne- celaryfood. N thefe words you have the matter and the meafure of 7.06's valiia- . The matter of-706'svaluation, 1. e. The words, all the words of his mouth, precepts, as well as promifes, threatnings and direCtions , as well as promifes and priviledges. 2. The meafure of his valuati- on, as hisfood, as his necefaryfood ; nay, more than his necefary food. Hence this truthwas raifed, The Ordinances of God are exceeding pre- cious to all truly Rellious perfons,: All the Ordinances of God, and a- mongft them, hisWord, which is not the leaft part of his worihip : This appears i. From their defires after the Ordinances ; My foul panteth, longeth aft,r, &c. 2. From their hearty content and fatis- faaions in them. . From their bitter lamentation under the want of them. 4. From tf.eir. diligent endeavours to enjoy them. Religious paomwally taiderftand their worth and want ©fthem : - They
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