The Old Paths
E. P. Ingersoll, D. D. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus said the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein… I. THE OLD PATHS ARE TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THEOLOGICAL CREEDS AND DOGMAS. Lifted upon the shoulders of many generations, with opportunities for interpreting the Bible in the light of a developing Christianity, it would be strange if our horizon had not increased. Think as those men thought — not necessarily what they thought. II. A RETURN TO THE "OLD PATHS" DOES NOT CALL US AWAY FROM VIGOROUS LIFE. Wherever human thought, in obedience to its best nature, essays to got wherever desire for higher and better things reaches out, there are the paths of the Lord. They are as "the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Treading them, "every power finds sweet employ." III. SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OLD PATHS. 1. They are plain. True, the fogs sometimes hang low upon them as upon worldly ways; but we can always, in the darkest hour, see one step before us, and that taken, we can see another. The engineer cannot see his track all the way from New York to Albany, but in the heaviest night he trusts his headlight and keeps on his way. So let the Christian do. 2. They are unchanging. God's paths, like Himself, are "the same yesterday, today, and forever." 3. They are paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Old coins lose their royal stamp by much handling. So with some of our grandest words. Righteousness is one of them. It is not formalism, it is not morality. It is right living, with a pure heart as its source. 4. They are paths of mercy (Psalm 25:10). 5. They are paths of plenty (Psalm 65:11). What a struggle men have for mere existence! They rise early and sit up late and eat the bread of affliction. They have left the paths of the Lord. They have chased phantoms. They must endure for the time the fruit of their doings. Yet, notwithstanding these seeming exceptions, the precious promise abides (Psalm 37:3). 6. They are paths of life (Proverbs 2:19). What a path that where Christ is the support of our steps, guide of our way, and the crown of our journey's end! 7. They are paths of peace (Proverbs 3:17; Isaiah 26:3). There is no peace but in the narrow way where God gives pardon and reconciliation. 8. They are His paths (Isaiah 2:3). It is not possible, in a spiritual sense, that God should give us anything and not give us Himself. Without Himself the graces of the Spirit are only names. IV. HOW TO FIND THESE PATHS. 1. By standing. How hard it is to stop and stand still and think and search! 2. By seeing. With open eyes we may see whether the path be an old path, whether it is macadamised with living truth, whether they who are upon it wear the livery of the Great King. 3. By asking. Men are ever ready to ask counsel in worldly things. Why not of God and His servants in regard to heavenly things? "Ask, and ye shall receive." 4. By walking. Having used sight and tongue and thoughts, we are then to act. God has united faith and works, prayer and activity. V. THE PROMISE TO THOSE WHO OBEY. "Rest." (E. P. Ingersoll, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. WEB: Thus says Yahweh, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, 'Where is the good way?' and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'