Deuteronomy 4:5-6 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me… Canaan was evidently the glory of all the earth, and Israel the most renowned of all people; in wealth, in intelligence, in honour, and in victory the Hebrew nation exceeded all the nations by which it was surrounded. Now, England is a great nation, and compared even with enlightened countries, it assumes an imposing splendour; and if viewed in contrast even with the cultivated nations of the continent of Europe, it stands at the head of them all. Its commercial enterprise, its civil and religious character, its indomitable industry, its multiplied comforts, and the distinguished reputation which it has in all the nations of the earth, place it alone — far above any other country. It is natural for a man to look at England, and to ask, "How is this?" And having discovered the fact of this greatness, and the causes of it, the inquiry naturally suggests itself, "How is this greatness to be perpetuated and increased?" I. THE CAUSES OF BRITAIN'S GREATNESS. 1. The first thing mentioned in the text, and which is presented throughout this book, is that the nation's greatness consists in having the knowledge of the true God; and this is peculiar in respect to England. God is nigh unto this nation, and has given it the knowledge of Himself, and this is the foundation of our prosperity. 2. Another cause mentioned in the text, and which may also be ascribed to Britain, is our multitudinous and wonderful deliverances. If anyone will open the pages of history and read them, he will see how this country has risen among the nations of the earth by the remarkable power of the hand of the Lord. 3. Another means which this text prescribes is the institution and preservation of the Christian ministry. This agency has distributed knowledge — this has nerved the people with right principles — this has taught them industry, benevolence, and all the social virtues — and, above all, it has exhibited to the people the way of salvation by Christ, and furnished motives to holiness, and to every kind benevolent act, of which even the learned amongst the heathen were all ignorant. 4. Again, the text points out another means of promoting this greatness, and that is the communication of religious knowledge to the young. 5. Another point is the influence of a praying community; "for what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is, in all things that we call upon Him for?" What a multitude of praying people — formed by the Gospel — live in Britain! This has doubtless been a greater security to her than all her wooden walls, or than all her large armies. Prayer is a benevolence which any man can confer on kings or on statesmen, and the only thing very many have to do with them is to pray for them. 6. I will mention one other source of her greatness, and that is her unrestricted possession of the Divine Word, and the laws of the land being largely founded on the laws of that book. What a blessing has the Bible been! Among our mercies are the statutes and laws by which we are governed taken principally from this book. Much imperfection, it is true, still remains in these laws; and many of us have grievous complaints to make about them; but, viewed as a nation amongst other nations, there are no laws like those of Britain, because they more closely conform to the laws of God than those of any existing nation; and they are being brought nearer to the blessed book of God; but still, as they are, they are looked upon with envy as the glory of the world. II. THE DANGERS TO WHICH THE POSSESSION OF THIS GREATNESS EXPOSES US. The first which Moses presents to them was self-conceit. If not very watchful over prosperity, luxuriousness, the indulgence of fleshly appetites, indolence, and neglect of others, come in with it taking rest, and lying down in the nest which we have made so comfortable for ourselves, and never looking over it to see the miseries of those who have not got a nest, and for whom it is our duty to assist in making one, that they may be as happy as we are. See how these sins are abroad amongst us! — how prevalent are pride and forgetfulness of God, Sabbath profanation, rejection of the Gospel, luxuriousness, prodigality, and many other sins. III. THE MEANS OF PRESERVING AND OF PERPETUATING THIS GREATNESS. There are two modes of doing this, which are particularly referred to in the text. The first is personal piety, and the second the instruction of the rising generation. 1. Amidst the greatness and dignity of Britain there is reason to fear that personal piety is falling off. Never, as a nation, was Britain more exalted; yet observe, while this exaltation continues, all sections of the Church are complaining of the want of vital fire. With a few exceptions the Churches represent trees that have not been rained upon — they want those showers from heaven which fill the heart with gladness and piety. It is of the utmost moment that your piety should be of the highest stamp, and that you may maintain and improve it, you must labour; it must be your ambition — your holy joy — to be a sort of being above everybody else in the Church. Nothing can compensate for the loss of communion with God in the closet; and if you are addicting yourselves to any of the fond pleasures of the day — misspending your time which has been taken by popular opinion from your employers, and, instead of devoting yourselves to the work of God, enjoying pleasures and amusements — if you are doing this, your poor soul will suffer, and you will require more heavenly grace to sustain you than before. 2. Another thing the text proposes is religious instruction in the family: "Teach thy sons, and thy sons' sons." The way to pardon and peace through the Cross must be made known; this great subject must not be kept back from the children. (James Sherman.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. |
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