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A35943
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A brief explication of the last fifty Psalmes from Ps. 100 to the end / by David Dickson ...
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Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.
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1654
(1654)
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Wing D1394A; ESTC R31324
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283,150
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402
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shew 3. As the Word of God only doth reveal true happinesse and the way to it so only they are blessed who choose the clear way of Gods Word to direct them to blessednesse and do make conscience sincerely to put this doctrine in practice Blessed are the undefiled in the way that walk in thâ— law of the Lord. 4. God hath testified in his Word how a man shall be pardoned of his sins reconciled to God and have right unto eternal life to wit by faith in the Messiah Jesus Christ and blessed is the man who doth hold this way fast Blessed are they who keep his testimonies 5. The true believer of Gods testimonies about the way of true blessedness doth studie to have communion with God and to grow in the fellowship of his grace sincerely They seek the Lord with their whole heart 8 As the blessed man holds fast the Lords testimonies for reconciliation and communion with God so he ordereth his conversation in the way which God in his Word hath prescribed eschewing sin and studying to please God They also do no iniquitie that is they are not workers of iniquity They walk in his way that is they aime and endeavour to follow the course which God doth prescribe 7. Albeit there be no man who sinneth not yet such as do flee to Gods grace offered in Christ for daiâ—y pardon and do set themselves to obey Gods directions set down in his Word are esteemed to be no workers of iniquity but men going homeward to God howsoever clogged with infirmities They also do no iniquity How so They walk in his wayes Ver. 4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently This doctrine the Psalmist applieth to himself and first acknowledgeth his obligation to follow the direction of the Lord in the obedience of faith v. 4. and then he wisheth to have grace to obey v. 5 6 7 And thirdly engageth himself to follow this course by promise and prayer v. 8. from the acknowledgement of his obligation to obey Gods Word Learn 1. The doctrine of faith and obedience set down in Scripture iâ— not left to our arbitrement but is enjoyned unto us by divine authority there is a command given forth unto us to believe in the Son of God and a command to follow the duties of love to God and man Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts 2. Albeit the obedience of Gods Word had no promise of reward and albeit felicity were not proposed unto us as the gracious reward of the obedience of faith yet the very command it selâ— and the authority of God should be a sufficient motive unto it which obligation as we should acknowledge so should we subject our selves unto it and say Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts 3. Howsoever there be great weaknesse even in reconciled soules and albeit there be some strong reliques of corrupt nature in them hindering them to do as thâ—y would yet God will have them aiming to keep hiâ— Precepts diligently making conscience of all duties to God and man of the smaller duties as well as of the greater and that on all occasions in all times places and companies with their best affection and strength Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently Ver. 5. O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes 6. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandments 7. I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements The Psalmist wisheth to have grace to obey 1. Because so he should not he ashamed nor disappointed of his hope v. 6. and also so he should be enabled to glorifie and praise God more perfectly v. 7. Whence learn 1. The Commandments of God are not grievous to the honest heart for albeit he be unable to do what he should yet it is the desire of his heart to do what is commanded O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes is his hearty wish 2. When we have received the general direction of Gods Word we have need of the effectual direction of Gods Spirit to apply the Word rightly to our particular actions O that my wayes were directed saith he 3. The holiest man is most sensible of his coming short in understanding and of his weaknesse to keep Gods commands and most desirous of Gods help as this example teacheth us No man shall ever have cause to repent of a sincere eâ—deavouâ—◠〈◊〉 obey Gods revealed will for howsoever he may suffer hard things from men and be mocked for his sincerity yet shall he not be disappointed of his hopes nor be confounded before God Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commands 5. Sincerity must aime at universal obedience for to pretend to keep one command and to be found a misregarder of other commands is a matter of shame and a mark of unsoundness For then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commands 6. As Gods Word and Commands are all righteous decrees in themselves and unalterable by men so are they seen to be such by those who know them best Even Gods righteous judgements 7. Men do praise God uprightly only in that measure that they are careful to frame their life to Gods Will for honour given to God with the mouth agreeth not with dishonour done to him in deeds in a mans life and conversation I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart when I have learned thy righteous judgements 8. Sound praises of God are the fruit of soundness in piety and righteousness and the holiest of Gods servants are but Scholars and Students in the knowledge and obedience of both I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart when I shalâ— have learned thy righteous judgements Ver. 8. I will keep thy statutes O forsake me not utterly From his engagement to observe this course Learn 1 Albeit our resolutions and purposes have no strength of themselves yet God requireth of us that we should with full purpose of heart cleave unto his service and this course he will blesse for so doth this practice teach us I will keep thy statutes that is I resolve to aime at upright obedience of thy Word for this is keeping of Gods statutes to endeavour to obey them 2. As he who is most upright in his resolution is most diffident of his owne strength to performe his resolution so is he also most earnest with God in prayer to enable him to do as he resolveth as this example doth teach us I will keep thy statutes O forsake me not 3. Albeit no man can be exempted from temporal desertions whereby his Christian graces may be tried and his corruptions mortified yet the beleever may both pray and expect that he shall not be deserted so as his faith should faile and his course of obedience should be cut off for so much doth this prayer promise O forsake me not utterly BETH
except God only O how love I thy law 2. True love to the Scripture maketh good memory of it and frequent meditation of it also It is my meditation all the day Ver. 98. Thou through thy Commandments hast made me wiser then mine enemies for they are ever with me The second reason of commending the Scripture is the wisdom which it teacheth against enemies Whence learn 1. Holiness is great wisdome for albeit learning and malice and long experience may teach persecutors much yet wisdom from the Word of God doth teach the persecuted believer far more Through thy Commandments thou hast made me wiser then mine enemies 2. Such as derive their wisdom not from the Word of God but from the counsel of flesh and blood within or without themselves cannot have their counsellors alwayes with them to consult with but he that seeketh his wisdom from God and his Word hath his counsel alwayes present with him to bring to his remembrance what he hath learned and to teach him to make use of it For thy Commandments are ever with me 3. Whatsoever use or benefit we make by the Word of God all the glory thereof belongeth to the Lord For thou through thy Commandments hast made me wiser then mine enemies Vers. 99. I have more understanding then all my teachers for thy Testimonies are my meditation The third reason of commending the Scripture is because the beleever thereby is made more wise then his teachers Whence learn 1. Wisdome is not soâ—ied to teachers but God is free to give as much and more to those that are taught I have more understanding then my teachers 2. Though the teacher give forth the general doctrine of faith and manners yet there is a more particular application of the Word to the hearers which only God furnisheth unto the beleever by the Word and in this respect the believer may say I have more understanding then all my teachers 3. The special application of the Word to our several necessities cometh by joyning private means with the publick such as are reading praying and meditation For thy testimonies are my meditation Ver. 100. I understand more then the ancients because I keep thy Precepts The fourth reason of the commending of the Word is because it is able to make a man more wise then old age and long experience of the affaires of men in the world can do VVhence learn 1. Old age and experience in common affaires is not effectual to direct men in the course of Gods obedience especially when they have to do with persecutors but Gods special wisdom by the VVord must come in here and teach I understand more then the ancients 2. To keep close to direction of Gods Word is more safe then to follow the minde of antiquity departing from the VVord or the authority of men I have more understanding then the ancients because I keep thy Precepts Ver. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy Word The fifth reason of the commendation of the Scripture which is also an evidence of his respect unto it is because for the love of the understanding of it and keeping of it he had abandoned every sinful course how pleasant and how profitable soever it seemed to be VVhence learn He that would be a wise disciple of Gods VVord must beware â—o follow sinful courses for so he shall grieve Gods Spirit who must make the VVord clear unto him neither is it sufficient to abstain from notorious sins only but also from every evil way for the same reason I have restrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy VVord Ver. 102. I have not departed from thy judgements for thou hast taught me The sixth reason of his commending the VVord is because he was enabled by it to overcome all tentations which tended to divert him from obedience thereof VVhence learn 1. As there are nor wanting tentations on all hands to divert men from obedience of the VVord specially in time of persecution so there is great need of adhering unto it alwayes and specially in time of trouble as the Psalmist did I have not departed from thy Commandment 2. He who hath stood fast in his obedience in the day of trouble may lawfully take comfort in it afterward but must give the glory thereof unto God as here I have not departed from thy judgements for thou hast taught me Ver. 103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth The seventh reason of his commending the Scripture is because of felt sweetnesse in it VVhence learn 1. There is pleasure and delight to be found in hearing reading speaking and meditating on Gods VVord yet only the believer is he who can discern it How sweet are thy words to my taste 2. Spiritual pleasure doth far surmount earthly and carnal pleasure Thy words are sweeter then honey to my mouth Ver. 104. Through thy Precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way The eighth reason of his commending the VVord is because he is made wise to sanctification by it and made to hate all sin for it VVhence learn 1. As men are involved in error because they understand not the Scriptures so by the knowledge of it they are delivered from errour and made wise against seducers Through thy Precepts I get understanding 2. He that rightly understandeth the Scripture as he cannot choose but love and commend it so he cannot choose but hate every course contrary to it Therefore I hate every false way 3. Because every sinful way is a false way and cannot but deceive the man that walketh therein therefore we must hate every sinful way and that from the fountain of love to the VVord of God Through thy Precepts I get understanding therefore I hate every false way NUN Ver. 105. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path As in the former section he gave evidences of his love respect to the Word of God so in this section he giveth eight evidences of his sincere purpose to make use of it in his practice for time to come The first is his resolution to make it his light to direct him in all his actions Whence learn 1. A mans wayes are all in darknesse except in so far as he followeth the direction of Scripture but he that followeth the rule of the Word knoweth whither he goeth and what he doth Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet 2. The light of Scripture is not only able to give a man general rules for ordering his life but also to direct every particular action Thy Word is a light unto my path 3. Love to the word estimation of it which is the duty set forth in the former section is best evidenced by making practical use of it in a mans conversation which is the duty set down in this section and whosoever loveth it and loveth it so as to obey