Plain Sermons by Contributors to, Tracts for the Times Psalm 21:4 He asked life of you, and you gave it him, even length of days for ever and ever. Though it be true that every man is fond of life, yet it is certain that very few appear much concerned about life eternal. The covetous man will not give, though it be but a small portion of what he has, to make his chance better of coaling to everlasting life. Persons thus fond of life would have their expectations raised very high by the beginning of the promise in the text. "Thou gavest him a long life." But when these persons discovered that the promised life was eternal they would feel disappointed. This sort of message would, indeed, be disappointing to most people; and yet this would be only granting them what they asked, life, in much greater perfection and excellency than they asked for it. Men have got such a liking for the pleasures and profits of this bad world that, without them, the thought even of eternal happiness seems dull and tiresome. How many are there among ourselves who, if they should speak the truth, must needs confess that they care more for the shadows of enjoyment on earth than for the substance of it in heaven! No man in good earnest cares for heaven — has any taste or desire for it — except so far as he has a taste for devotion, and can delight in the thought that he is with God, and God with him. Now, this is what no one can do whose heart is set upon either such pleasure or such profit as are to be had on this side the grave. (Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times. ") Parallel Verses KJV: He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.WEB: He asked life of you, you gave it to him, even length of days forever and ever. |
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