highnesse above the heavens doth not hinder him from taking notice of the lowest of his poor people yea the most helplesse and desolate among men are the first objects of his warmest love A Father of the fatherlesse and a Iudge of the widows is God 2. Albeit the Lord be infinite and incomprehensible by any place yet hath he appointed a trusting place where his people shall finde him by his own ordinance to wit the assembly of his Saints his holy Temple shadowing forth Christ to be incarnate who now is in heaven now is incarnate and sitting at the right hand of God in whom dwells the Godhead here here is God to be found God in his holy habitation 3. It is the Lords nature pleasure and ordinary practise to make up the wants and to change to the better the disconsolate condition of his own humbled and emptied children God setteth the solitary in families 4. The souls that are most sensible of bonds and bondage do lie nearest the seeking of the fruit of his redemption yea none in bonds have made or shall make use of God the Redeemer but his bonds and â—…etters hindering him from freedome of Gods service and from attaining of felicity have been and shall be loosed off him he bringeth out those which are bound in chaines 5. Such as will not be ruled by his Word according as they are disloyal rebels to him so shall they be dealt with as rebels that is they shall neither have Gods blessing joyned with any benefit which they seem to possesse nor any spiritual comfort in their afflictions when their calamity cometh upon them but the rebellious dwell in a dry land Ver. 7. O God when thou wentest forth before thy people when thou diddest march through the wildernesse Selah 8. The earth shook the heavens also dropped at the presence of God even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God the God of Israel From the second reason of praising God Learn 1. It is expedient for our up-stirring unto thankfulnesse to cast our eye upon some particulars wherein the Lords goodnesse to us and our obligation to his love may appear as here the Pâ—…almist doth lead us by the hand unto the Lords particular work of redemption of Israel out of Egypt 2. That one work of the Churches delivery out of Egypt representing the redemption of his people from the misery of sin and Satans bondage 〈◊〉 a sufficient proof for ever of the Lords love care power and faithfulnesse to deliver his own out of all their misery which the Church and every member thereof should alwayes make use of unto the end of the world whether we look upon that work in the type singly or as it is a representation or pawne of the spiritual delivery of his people this work should we often look upon and still hold it up unto God O God when thou wentest forth before thy people when thou diddeâ—… march through the wildernesse 3. In the woâ—…ke of the Lord it is needful not only to look upon that which may foster saith in God and love toward him but also to set before us what may serve to keep our hearts in fear and awe of his dreadful Majesty The earth shook the heavens dropped at the presence of God even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God even the God of Israel Ver. 9. Thou O God didst send a plentiful raine whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance when it was weary 10. Thy Congregation hath dwelt therein thou O God hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor From the third reason of Gods praise Learne 1. The ordinary sustaining of Gods people bodily and spiritually in the possession of any benefit temporal or spiritual given unto them should be observed as well as the bestowing of any benefit in an extraordinary way as here the ordinary sustaining of Israel in Canaan is made a part of the song of praise no lesse then their miraculous delivery out of Egypt Thou O Lord didst send a plentiful rain whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance when it was weâ—…ry 2. The people who are in Covenant with God externally are the Lords own peculiar more nearly and properly then any other society in the world therefore Israel here is called by the Prophet speaking to God Thy Congregation 3. It is for the Churches cause that the land wherein his people dwelleth is blessed at any time by God Thy Congregation hath dwelt in it 4. The blessing bestowed upon the Church or the place wherein they dwell is not given for any goodnesse in his people but for the goodnesse grace and good will of God to them Thou O God hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor Ver. 11. Thâ—… Lord gave the word great was the company of those that published it 12. Kings of armies did flee apace and she that â—…rried at home divided the spoile From the fourth reason of praise Learn 1. The Lord will sometime exercise his Church with warres afflictions and trials when he doth not intend to punish them but to give them the victory over their enemies and that for his own glory as in Ioshuahs time and Davids whereunto the text doth relate The matter of joyful newes or the word of the Churches victory over her â—…oes whensoever it is proceeds from the Lord who furnisheth matter for and words and utterance of joy to his people and praise to himself The Lord gave the word 2. When God will glorifie himself by comforting his Church he shall not want Heraulds of his praise Great was the company of those that published it 3. Were the enemies of the Church never so powerful and Gods people never so farâ—…e inferiour unto their enemies in power yet shall the enemy not be able to stand when God begins to fight for his people Kings of armies did flee apacc 4. It is easie for the Lord to make them a prey to the weakest of his people who do set themselves to make havock of the Church yea and to inrich his people with the spoil of such adversaries She that tarried at home divided the spoile Ver. 13. Though ye have lien among the pots yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold 14. When the Almighty scattered Kings in it it was white as snow in Salmon From the fifth reason of praise Learn 1. As the Lord sometimes doth beautifie his people with victories and wealth so also at other times for just reasons he will darken all their outward glory and make them look as blacked scullions in the kitchin Though ye have lien among the pots c. 2. The Lord after the trial and hard exercises of his people for a time will give them so glorious an event and delivery as shall take off all the ignominy of their former affliction and make up all their losses yea he will cause their formerly deforming afflâ—…ions to serve for washing-balls of
yet will they be forced to feign submission unto him Through the greatnesse of thy power shall thy enemies submit themselves to them 5. Over and above what is already accomplished of this prophecie concerning the conversion of the Gentiles a higher measure is yet to be expected in the bringing in of that number of them which the Scripture calleth the fulnesse of the Gentiles and the making all the Kingdomes of the earth to become the Lords and his Sonne Christs for this word in a greater measure then yet is come to passe must be fulfilled All the earth shall worship thee they shall sing unto thee they shall sing unto thy Name Which word doth import the revealing of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ unto them and their joyful acceptation of the Gospel and glorifying of God for it 6. As it is the Lords glory to have many praising him so should it be the joy of all that love him now to foresee the successe of Christs Kingdome as well as it was of old when it was the Churches song All the earth shall worship thee Ver. 5. Come let us see the works of God he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men 6. He turned the sea into dry land they went through the flood on foot there did we rejoyce in him 7. He ruleth by his power for ever his eyes behold the nations let not the rebellious exalt themselves Selah He pointeth out in special the Lords works already wrought for his people Whence learn 1. Albeit the Lord doth work for the delivery of the Church and his own glory yet men are so carelesse to observe his works that they can neither make use thereof for their own profit nor for Gods praise so that there is much need to stirre up our dulnesse to observe them and make right use thereof Come and see the works of God 2. Whosoever do observe the works of God which he hath wrought for his people they shall be forced to fear and admire his wonderful Acts for them and his respect unto them He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men 3. The work of redemption of his Church out of Egypt is a work one for all worthy to be made use of to the end of the world and sufficient to shew that if need be God will invert the course of nature for the good of his people and for their delivery out of difficulties He turned the sea into dry land 4. As the Lord will work wonders for the delivery of his people out of misery so will he work wonders for performing of promises to them and for bringing them to the possession of what he hath given them right unto for the drying of the river Iordan that his people might go in to possesse the promised land was a pawn and evidence of this his purpose for all time coming They went through the flood on foot 5. As all the people of God are one body and that which is done in one age to one generation doth concern all and every one to make use of it in their generation so every one in after-ages should reckon themselves one body with the Lords people in former ages and make use of Gods dealing with them as if they had been present then with them as here the Church in the Psalmists time joyneth it selfe with the Church in Ioshuahs time rejoycing in God with them at their entring into Canaan There did we rejoyce in him say they 6. Whatsoever the Lord hath done for his people in any time by-past he is able and ready to do the like for his people in any time to come He ruleth by his pouer for ever and for this cause his former Acts are perpetual evidences and pledges of like Acts to be done hereafter as need is 7. Nothing is done in any place which the Lord is not witnesse unto no plot or motion against his people which he seeth not His eyes behold the Nations 8. Albeit there will be from time to time a generation who will not submit themselves to this sovereign Ruler but will stand out against him and maligne his Church yet shall they not long prosper nor have cause of gloriation in their rebellion Let not the rebellious exalt themselves ver 8. O blesse our God ye people and make the voice of his praise to be heard 9. Which holdeth our soul in life and suffereth not our feet to be moved 10. For thou O God hast proved us thou hast tried us as silver is tried 11. Thou broughtest us into the net thou layedst affliction upon our loines 12. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads we went through fire and through water but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place In the second part of the Psalm the Psalmist exhorts the Church in his time to praise God for preserving them from extirpation in the time of their fiery trial and sore affliction under the tyranny and oppression of their enemies Whence learn 1. The Lords people in every age besides all the reasons they have to praise God for his former works want not their own particular reasons for his care providence and kindnesse to themselves in their own time to stirre up one another to blesse his Majesty O blesse our God ye people 2. It is the Churches proper priviledge and her glory above all other incorporations and societies beside to have special interest in God as her own O blesse our God 3. It is not sufficient that the Lords people acknowledge inwardly the mercies of God to themselves but it is their duty in an orderly way to bring others on to the knowledge of God and to shew to others how praise-worthy he is make the voice of his praise to be heard 4. Albeit the Lord takes many things away from his people when he is pleased to exercise them yet he keeps life in their soul some sweet communion of spirit between himself and them and doth not suffer all his people to be extirpate and rooted out from the earth Which boldeth our soul in life 5. It is great mercy to be kept from desperate courses in the time of sad calamities and to be supported under burdens that we sink not and to be prevented from denying of God or of his truth in time of persecution He suffereth not our feet to be moved 6. One end of the troubles of the Church among others is the trial of the graces of his people and purging them from their corruptions for which cause the Lord useth to bring on one trouble after another as mettal is put in the fire oftner then once For thou O God hast proved us thou hast tried 〈◊〉 as silver is tried 7. When God doth bring his Church into trial there is no escaping we must look for affliction and not dream of declining it by our own wit or skill Thou broughtest us into the net thou layedst affliction upon our â—…ines 8. It is wisdome
drink from the flinty rock in the wildernesse Thou didst cleave the fountain 7. The Lord can and will remove all difficulties and impediments out of the way of his people which may hinder them from the possession of promises as he did to Israel Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood thou driedst up mighty rivers 8. Faith is so thrifty as not to let the works of creation and common providence passe by without use-making thereof The day is thine the night also is thine c. 9. As God hath appointed vicissitudes of day and night light and darknesse summer and winter so hath he no lesse resolvedly wisely and graciously appointed vicissitudes of dangers and deliverances of grief and consolation to his people for their good The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the Sun 10. As the Lord hath set bounds to the sea bounds and borders to every Kingdome to summers heat and to winters cold so can he do and so hath he done and so will he do unto all the troubles of his owne to all the rage power plots and purposes of their enemies Thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made summer and winter Ver. 18. Remember this that the enemy hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy Name 19. O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the wicked forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever 20. Have respect unto the covenant for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty 21. O let not the oppressed return ashamed let the poor and needy praise thy Name 22. Arise O God plead thine owne cause remember bow the foolish man reproacheth thee daily 23. Forget not the voice of thine enemies the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continally In the third part of the Psalm he returneth to prayer and redoubleth his requests for delivery to the Church taking arguments Frst from the injuries done to God by the enemy ver 18. Secondly from the danger and weaknesse of Gods people ver 19. Thirdly from covenanted help in time of need ver 20. Fourthly from the Lords interest in his own quarrel against the growing insolency of his despightful enemies ver 22 23. Whence learn 1. Although sins especially persecution of Gods people and blasphemy against God be not presently punished yet shall they not be forgiven Remember this that the enemy hath reproached O Lord. 2. All sins but in special blasphemy of Gods Name are aggravated by the naughtiness of the sinner and excellency of God The foolish people have blasphemed thy Name 3. The Church of God in comparison of her many and strong enemies is like a solitary weak desolate turtle-dove harmlesse meek lowly patient in desolation and easing her griefe by sighing and exposed to a multitude of ravenous birds O deliver not the soule of thy turtle-dove 4. How weak soever the Church be and how many and strong soever the enemies be yet cannot they all devoure the Church except the Lord should deliver his Church over into their hands against which evill the Church hath ground of confidence to pray O deliver not the soule of thy turtle-love unto the multitude of the wicked for he hath given his Church wings and a hiding place too as the comparison importeth if he please to give her the use thereof also 5. The Church is the Lords hospital where his poor ones are sustained upon his provision and furniture and he will not neglect them O forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever 6. Albeit the Lords people deserve to be seclâ—…d many times from the Covenant of grace yet the Lord will never debare them from their right unto it when they in their need draw near to him and plead for the benefit of it Have respect saith he to the Covenant 7. Such places as want the light of the Lords presence in his Ordinances are but dark and uncomfortable places where there is no lesse hazard for the people of God to remaine then for sheep to be in the midst of the dennes of cruel lions and ravenous beasts And when it pleaseth God to cast his people by captivity or exile in such places there is much need to make use of Gods Covenant for preservation Have respect unto the Covenant for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty 8. The emptied supplicant coming to God especially when over-loaden with troubles shall finde comfort and shall not bee disappointed of his hope O let not the oppressed return ashamed 9. The sense of need and emptinesse is the best disposition for prayer and best preparation for praises also and such as are poore in their prayers shall be rich in their praises Let the poor and needy praise thy Name 10. The Churches cause is the Lords cause for the wicked do not maligne the godly for their sinnes but for righteousnesse and so the quarrel is the Lords which he will and must maintain though he seem to sit still a while Arise O Lord plead thine owne cause 11. The Lords enemies are all foolish men for they beat out their braines upon the Churches bulwark because the Lord forbeareth for a time they go on to blaspheme him daily to his face but shall finde at length that God hath all their reproaches upon record Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily 12. Every sinne and in special enmity against God and his Church is fearful but open gloriation therein is worse which God will take knowledge of and punish for so much is imported in this prayer forget not the voice of thine enemies 13. Sinne and in special persecution gloried in doth grow daily more and more and the growing of sinne and in special of persecution doth hasten the delivery of the godly and the destruction of the enemies The tumult of those that arise against thee increaseth continually PSAL. LXXV To the chief Musician Al-taschith A Psalme or Song of Asaph THis Psalm doth well agree with the time of Davids entry into the Kingdom after Sauls death before he was established King over all the tribes wherein he with the Church First doth thank God for bringing him wonderfully to a begun possession of a part of the Kingdome ver 1. Secondly he promiseth that when the Lord shall give him the rest of the Kingdom in possession to imploy his power for righteous governing and setling of it after it shall be put once in a right frame ver 2 3. Thirdly he begins to triumph over the wicked that followed Saul bringing to their minde the advertisement he had given them not to be proud in their places ver 4 5. partly because God had the disposing of preferments in his own hand ver 6 7. and partly because albeit God gave to all his own children a taste of troubles as he saw fit yet the dregs of
is the mercy that so often doth forbear to destroy and when the frequency of sinning and frequency of sparing are numbred the reckoning will not be easily ended nor the number condescended upon How oft did they provoke him in the wildernesse 7. The sinnes of Gods people do greatly displease him and that so much the more as they are oftner repeated and committed contrary to what Gods kindnesse and care requireth of them How oft did they provoke him in the wildernesse and grieve him in the desert where God gave his daily presence led them sed them and protected them miraculously 8. Amongst other aggravations of sin this is not the least after conviction and correction and promise of amendment resolutely to go back again to their vomit yea they urned back and tempted God 9. The Lord cannot endure that his people who ought wholly to depend upon submit unto him and be ruled by him should prescribe as they please how and when he should help them or set bounds unto his power truth wisdom or mercy as if he could do no more then they conceive to be probable Therefore is it put amongst the highest aggravations of their sins They tempted and limited the holy One of Israel Ver. 42. They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy 43. How he had wrought his signes in Egypt and his wonders in the field of Zoan In the ninth place from this to ver 54. he setteth down the prime cause of all their sin and misery which followed upon it to wit they marked not nor made use of the difference which God did put between them and the Egyptians whom he did plague for their cause while he delivered them Whence learn 1. When the merciful proofes of Gods respect unto us do not confirm our faith in God and tie us to love and obedience unto him these experiences will soon wear out if not out of common memory yet out of estimative and affectionate memory as here They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy 2. As the right remembrance of former mercies may be a bridle from all sinne and a confirmation of faith against all doubtings and suspicions of Gods good will to us so the not rightly remembring of experiences of Gods respect shewed unto us doth prove an inlet to many wicked mastakings of God and disobediences to him for here the cause of the former sins and plagues is rendered to be this They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy 3. Not remembring the Lords Word and Works affectionately and with purpose and endevour to make right use thereof is in the Lords accompt no remembrance of him in effect for of this people who could well tell the story of their coming out of Egypt and so had a common remembrance thereof the Lord saith They remembred not his hand nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy 4 Signes and wonders once done for confirmation of the doctrine of the true God and his Covenant and true Religion should suâ—…e in all times and ages after for that end and it is not lawful to tempt God still to do moe wonders for confirmation of that truth They remembred not how he had wrought his signes in Egypt and his wonders in the field of Zoan 5. The Lords plagues on the enemies of the Church being rightly remembred should warne Gods people to stand in awe of him depend upon him submit unto him and to be wary to contend with him which use when it is not made it giveth a ground of challenge They remembred not how he had wrought his signes in Egyt and his wonders in the field of Zoan Ver. 4. And had turned their rivers into blood and their floods that they could not drinke 45. He sent divers sorts of flies among them which devoured them and frogs which destroyed them 46. He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller and their labour unto the locust 47. He destroyed their vines with haile and their Sycamore-trees with frost 48. He gave up their cattell also to the haile and their flocks to hot thunderbolts 49. He cast upon them the fiercenesse of his anger wrath and indignation and trouble by sending evill angels among them 50. He made a way to his anger he spared not their soul from death but gave their life over to the pestilence 51. And smote all the first-borne in Egypt the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham. He numbereth out sundry plagues poured out upon the Egyptians whereby the Israelites should have been wise From ver 44. Learn 1. The means of mens life comfort wealth and defence can stand them in no stead when God hath a controversie against them The Lord can deprive them of the benefit thereof and turn benefits into the meanes of their grief and vexation as he did the waters of Egypt which were the meanes of life and wealth unto them He turned their rivers into blood and their floods that they could not drink 2. By what means people do sin and provoke the Lord to wrath he can by the same meanes punish them As the Egyptians had defiled their rivers with the blood of the infants of Israel so God did make their river speak their sin and threaten their death He turned their rivers into blood and their floods that they could not drink From ver 45 Learn 1. The meanest and basest of the creatures do declare the power of the Lord and are so farre from being uselesse that they lie as it were in garison among men to be sent out in parties upon service as the God of hosts is pleased to give orders He sent divers sorts of flies among them and frogs 2. Flies and frogs and every meanest vermine are too sore for man when God doth arm them to avenge his quarrel He sent out flies which devoured them and frogs which destroyed them that is which were about to destroy them and were able enough for the work and were acknowledged to be so by the Egyptians who did reckon themselves lost men if these armies should not be taken off them From ver 46 47 48. Learn 1. When God is not acknowledged to be the giver of corn and cattel and fruits of the ground by a right using of them he will be known to be the giver thereof by removing of them He destroyed their increase labour vines and cattell 2. The Lord hath meanes how to destroy and take away the fruits of the ground and other serviceable creatures at his pleasure The caterpiller the locusts quail frost and thunderbolts From ver 49. Learn 1. The plagues of Gods enemies are out of meer justice and not from fatherly love as the strokes of his own chosen are He cast upon the Egyptians the fiercenesse of his anger 2. Trouble of it selfe is not so heavy as when indignation and wrath is joyned with it or
the meanest of men and exalt them how high soever he pleaseth but also to represent from how low a degree of humiliation Christ incarnate was to be raised to the government of his Church and Kingdome he setteth down the mean condition of life wherefrom David was raised to the royal dignity of governing Israel He took him from the sheep solds from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Iacob his people and Israel his inheritance From Ver. 72. Learn The duties and properties of a good King are these First He must resolve to be Gods servant in his charge as David was Seconly All his subjects and in special the Lords people must be cared for by him in a civil way as a flock of sheep is cared for by the Pastour David fed them Thirdly A Kings heart must be set uprightly for Gods honour and for the subjects welfare in the whole course of his government He fed them according 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King â—…st deâ—… prudently with his subjects accomodating the whole â—…se of his dealing with them as their several conditions do reâ—…ire He guided them by the skilfulnesse of his hands And whatsoever measure David had of those properties were but a shadow of the perfections of Christ in his Government Fifthly neither lawes nor teaching nor miracles nor benefits nor judgments can avail unto the salvation of a people or person till they be put under the hand and guiding of Christ as we are taught here in the example and representation of the Lords dealing with Israel in this Psalme wherein when God hath tried his people with oft repeated mercies and judgements they come to no setled estate till they be put under the Government of David who in this is 〈◊〉 type of Christ. For he closeth with this he guided them by the skilfulnesse of his hands PSAL. LXXIX A Psalme of Asaph THe scattered and captive people of God after the destruction of Ierusalem and of the Temple do put up a pitiful complaint unto God to ver 6. and do pray for a merciful reliefe to his Church and for avenging their blood upon their enemies As for the complaint in it they lament four things First the profanation and desolation of the Lords inheritance and Temple by the heathen their enemies ver 1. Secondly the barbarous cruelty and inhumanity used against them ver 2 3. Thirdly the contempt and mocking of their wicked neighbours in their misery ver 4. Fourthly â—…as they acknowledge this to proceed from Gods displeasure so they lament that it is like to be everlasting ver 5. In their prayer in the latter part of the Psalme they crave First justice upon their enemies ver 6. 7. Secondly pardon of their own sins and deliverance out of their misery for sundry reasons ver 8 9 10 11. Thirdly that God wolâ—…d reward their inhumane neighbours who mocked at their misery ver 12. And do close their petition with a promise of praise and thanks unto God by the Church in all succeeding ages Whence learn in general 1. The Church of God may be brought so low as here we see once it was 2 So many of Gods people as live to see such publike calamities and misery must not despaire of a recovery but should and may run to God and pray for the Church in affliction expecting order after consusion and after dissipation to see a gathering of Gods people again and after apparent overthrow of Religion a restoring of Gods publick worship as the example of the Psalmist in this Psalm doth teach whose courage and confidence in God for relief of the Lords people is wonderful as the condition of the Church at that time seemed to be desperate As the holy Ghost the enditer of this Psalm doth give warning here to all Churches in all ages to beware to provoke the Lord unto wrath lest he deal with them as he dealt with those Israelites so doth he give warrant to all afflicted Churches to follow the example of this afflicted Church to run to God for help for which cause he hath given this Psalme to be made use of by the Church A Psalme of Asaph Ver. 1. O God the heathen are come into thine inheritance thy holy people have they defiled they have laid Ierusalem on heapes In the first part of this Lamentation Learn 1. Albeit there be no place nor person how near and dear soever unto God exempted from judgement when they are polluted yet the wicked instruments of the judgement poured out upon the place and persons consecrated to God may justly be complained of as here we see O God the heathen are come into thine inheritance 2. When Gods people who should be holy defile themselves and Gods Ordinances it is no wonder that by prophane persons they be punished and their holy things polluted Thy holy Temple have they defiled that is they have abused it dealt with it as a vile and proâ—…ane thing 3. Albeit people in Covenant with God have disgraced their holy profession and polluted his ordinances and be justly plagued by seeing holy ordinances put over in the hands of profane men for their cause yet neither will the Lord disclaime his interest in his own ordinances nor do his people lose right and interest in God and in his ordinances when they take with their punishment and do make their addresse to God for reliefe Thy holy Temple have they defiled 4. When God giveth over religious ordinances in the hands of profane men to be abused no wonder if they that are the cause of this do suffer in their civil state also no wonder the City suffer with the Temple Ierusalem have they laid on heaps Ver. 2. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowles of the heaven the flesh of thy Saints unto the beasts of the earth 3. Their blood have they shed like water round about Ierusalem and there was none to bury them From the second part of the lamentation and complaintâ—… Learn 1. Falling in battel before the enemies may prove that God hath a just cause against the party overcome but cannot prove that the victors cause is good presuppose both parties had appealed to God for there the heathen do overcome and the Lords servants and Saints are slaine and they who are lest alive do complaine of the victors and take with their punishment at Gods hand who doth follow his own quarrel as he pleaseth and will not at mens pleasure sit down and decide appellations when they call to him or stand unto 〈◊〉 time set down by men to him to determine their controversie O God the 〈◊〉 are come into thine inheritance c. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat to the fowles aâ—… Heavy and fearful are the judgements temporal which may come upon Gods people when they have provoked God to wrath against them for their sinnes even such as are here
Zebah and as Zalmunna 12. Who said Let us take to our selves the houses of God in possession In the latter part of the Psalm is the Churches prayer to God that he would be party against her enemies and plague them There are sundry branches of the malediction which the Church doth imprecate against the enemies The first is that God would destroy them as he destroyed others before them who were upon such a wicked plot of rooâ—…ing out Gods people Whence learn 1. When the Church hath to do with her enemies she should look what in Scripture the Lord did for her in times past for so doth the Church look here to what the Lord did to his enemies Iudg. 7. 22. and 4. 15 24. and 7. 25. and 8. 〈◊〉 2. It is lawful to pray for judgements upon the enemies of the Church provided it be out of a publick spirit and not out of private malice or revenge in which case the prayers of the Church are more forcible for the overthrow of their enemies then all her external force is Do unto them as unto the Midianites is a hard charge against them 3. Former plagues poured out upon the Churches enemies are pledges of the Lords bringing like judgements on her enemies afterward and of giving like preservation unto the Church as before Do unto them as to the Midianites in Gideons time and to Sisera and Iabin in Deborah time when small meanes were sufficient for a great overthrow of the enemy 4. The dead bodies of Gods enemies shall not only be contemptible before men which is incident to the bodies of the Saints sometimes but also contemptible before God as here we see Their enemies perished at Endor and became as dung for the earth 5. The Nobles leaders chief amongst Gods enemies may look for most eminent judgement Make their Nobles like Orch and Zeeb yea all their Princes like Zebah and Zalmunna 6. It is all one for enemies to resolve to spoile Gods Church and to rob God of his habitation specially so long as Gods people love to have God dwelling among them for the injuries done to the Church redound to the contumely of God who hath taken the maintenance of 〈◊〉 They say Let us take to our selves the houses of God in possession Ver. 13. O my God make them like a wheel as the stubble before the winde 14. As the fire burneth a wood and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire 15 So persecute them with thy tempest and make them afraid with thy storme 16. Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy Neme O LORD 17. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them be put to shame and perish From the rest of the branches of the imprecation wherein sundry similitudes are looked unto for shewing forth the effects of Gods wrath upon the enemies of the Church Learn 1. Use is to be made of our Covenant with God so well against our enemies as for our selves for O my God saith he no wwhen he is about to curse the enemy 2. The enemies of Gods Church have many a mischief waiting on them of which if they escape one another shall overtake them yea no one similitude can set forth what misery is prepared for them no peace no rest for them no standing in any stablished prosperity but they shall be rolled as a bowle turned upside-down or as a wheel Make them like a wheel 3. They shall have no strength to resist the blast of Gods wrath Make them as stubble or chaffe before the winde 4. The Lords indignation against them shall burn them as a flame doth a Forrest let them be consâ—…med as fire that burneth a wood which is the greatest flame we can easily conceive or when a mountain of sulphur or coales is kindled as the flame sets the mountains on fire where fâ—… above the earth and under it do meet together 5. If they escape for a while yet judgements shall follow them and overtake them and 〈◊〉 them and turn them in a circle till they be giddy So persecute them with thy tempest or whirewinde 6. Beside what torment their present plague shall bring unto them horror and fear of worse to come shall vexe them Make them afraid with thy storme 7. At last they shall be ashamed when both they shall be disappointed of what they intended against the godly and also meet with the misery which they least feared Fill their faces with shame 8. If any of the enemies of Gods people do belong to Gods election the Churches prayer against them giveth way to their conversion and doth not seek more then that the judgement should follow them only till they acknowledge their sinne and do turn and seek God Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy Name O Lord. 9. For the rest of the wicked irreconcileable adversaries when shame of disappointment and temporal judgements are come upon them the worst of all doth yet follow even everlasting perdition Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them be put to shame and perish Ver. 18. That men may know that thou whose Name alone is IEHOVAH art the most High over all the earth He closeth the Psalme with shewing the end of all this complaint and imprecation Whence learne 1. The end of all cursing of the wicked enemies of the Church is not to satisfy private revenge but that God may be glorified Let them perish that men may know that thou art he whose Name is IEHOVAH 2. The Name Iehovah signifying Gods being of himself and the cause of the being of all things created is incommunicable to any creature and in Scripture is given only unto the three persons of the Godhead the Father the Word and the Spirit whose essence is one as here is taught Thâ—… men may know that thou whose Name alone is Iehovah 3. If men will not acknowledge the true God to be the supreme and only Governour of all the world they shall by his heavy â—…ements either upon others or upon thgmselves be made to show it for the Church doth here declare that they do use this heavy imprecation against Gods enemies that men may know say they that thou whose Name alone is Iehovah art the most High over all the earth PSAL. LXXXIV To the chief Musician upon Gittith A Psalme for the sonnes of Korah THis Psalme is of the same subject with Psalm 42. and Psalm 63. Wherein the Psalmist lamenteth his banishment from the Temple and the publick Ordinances of Religion to ver 8. and then prayeth for his restoring to that priviledge in the rest of the Psalme This Psalme agreeth well with the time of Davids parting with the Ark when he fled from Absalom In his lamentation First he commendeth the place of publick worship ver 1. Then sheweth his longing after it ver 2. Thirdly he wisheth to be as a sparrow in the meanest condition partaker of that priviledge ver 3. Fourthly
of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord Ver. 7. God is greatly to bee feared in the assembly of the Saints and to bee had in reverence of all them that are about him A third reason to confirme his faith is this God is terrible and to be stood in awe of by all his people and it were a fearfull injury for his Saints not to give him the glory of his power and sidelity Therefore will he say I have reason to believe what he hath promised concerning the Kingdome of Christ. Whence learne 1. Holy Angels and sanctified men of all creatures have nearest accesse unto God and are most like to the domesticks and Courtiers of a King who attend him daily and wait upon him for they are here said to bee about him 2. The feare and reverence of God imprinted on Angels and Saints doth evidence the greatnesse of Gods power excellency and majesty God is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of the Saints 3. The terriblenesse of Gods holy Majesty and the reverence due to him from all his Saints should make us afraid to misbelieve his Word and Promises for this is made a reason of the Psalmists believing the Lords Word God is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of the Saints and to be had in reverence by all them that are about him Ver. 8. O LORD God of hosts who is a strong LORD like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee A fourth reason to confirme his faith is this GOD is LORD of Hosts and incomparable in strength and faithfulnesse whereby he is compassed on all hands round about therefore will he say I have reason to believe his promise concerning Christs Kingdome Whence learn 1. As the Lord only knoweth persectly his owne Omnipotency and his own Excellency in all perfections so we know GOD bâ—…st when we come to him and acknowledge that he only knoweth himself fully and do give unto him this glory as the Psalmist diâ—…ecting his speech to GOD immediately doth tâ—…ach us O LORD God of hosts who is a strong LORD like unto thee 2 The same power which serveth to humble a man by afflicting of him serveth also to comfort him and strengthen his faith in affliction when he doth draw neare unto God for the Psalmist maketh use of the same stile here both to direct his saith and to keep down his pride his sâ—…etting and repining against God saying O LORD God of hosts 3. As the Lord is as it were compassed about on all hands with power and is incomparably strong in all difference of time past present and to come above all his creatures so also first and lâ—…st in all difference of time he is incomparably faithfull above all his creatures O LORD God of hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee Ver. 9. Thou rulest the raging of the sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them A fifth reason to strengthen his faith is The LORD who doth rule the raging Sea is able to suppresse and compose all tumults and troubles whatsoever are raised or shall be raisd against his Church Therefore I have cause will he say to believe his promise concerning Christs Kingdome Whence learn That the power of GOD in ruling and calming the raging Sea may strengthen the faith of his children amidst all the tumults of people against Christs Kingdome Ver. 10. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces as one that is slaine thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arme The sixth reason is this GOD hath done as much already for delivering his Church by destroying Rahab or the Egyptians and scattering of his enemies from time to time as may assure me both what he can and what he will do for his people therefore I may be quiet Whence learne 1. Faith may and should make use of every example of GODS working for his people in all times after and in speciall the overthrow of the Egyptians as a perpetual pawne of GODS promise to tread down and destroy all the enemies of his Church and Kingdome for Thou hast bâ—…oken Rahab in pieces is here and else-where frequently called to remembâ—…ance for this end 2. It is as easie for GOD to destâ—…oy a Nation of enemies were they never so many or powerful as to wound or kill one man Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces as one that is slain thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong hand Ver. 11. The heavens are thine the earth also is thine as for the world and the fulnesse thereof thou hast founded theu Ver. 12 The North and the South thou hast created them Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy Name The seventh reason for confirmation of his faith is Heaven and earth and all creatures in all corners of the world are the LORDS work sustained by him and cared for by him and there is not a mountaine or hill greater or lesser such as Tabor or Hermon which do bear grasse or corne or herbs or trees or whatsoever may make them look as it were chearfully and rejoyce but it is by the power of GODS Name Therefore I may be sure GOD will much more care for his Church and for the stability of the Kingdome of Christ. Whence learn 1. The heaven and earth and fulnesse thereof belongeth to the LORD by due right and are cared for by him as his own possession The heavens are thine the earth also is thine as for the world and fulnesse thereof thou hâ—… 〈◊〉 sounded them 2. The making and governing of the world which was made and is governed for the use of man may give assurance that his Church and people for whose cause especially all was made shall be continued from age to age to long as heaven and earth do remaine and shall be more particularly cared for then any other part or piece of his workmanship for to this end doth the Psalmist make mention of other creatures appointed to serve man 3. Seeing the Lord maketh the hills and mountaines after Winter-blasts of frost and snow to change their countenance and as it were look joyfully and rejoyce we may be perswaded that his Church after troubles shall much more change its countenance and reioyce in Gods Name For to this end is it said that these mountaines Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy Name Ver. 13. Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand The eight reason is taken from the exceeding great power of GOD to do more then ever he hath done for his Church Whence learne If a greater work then the making and upholding of the world or if a greater work then any thing which is done by GOD hitherto were needful to be done for the good of the Church there is power enough infinite power in GOD to effect it Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand Ver. 14. Iustice and judgement are
and comforts given to any one beleever are not proper to him only but common to all beleevers and the man who can apply these promises to himself is the fittest man to bear witnesse of the interest which others have therein for what the Psalmist hath applied to himself he extendeth to all in substance The righteoâ—…s shall flourish 2. The godly shall get up their head notwithstanding of whatsoever weight of troubles laid upon them and they shall constantly grow up to the full stature of perfection whatsoever opposition be made They shall flourish like the Palme-tree he shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon 3. The Lords children are like trees which do not grow in every soile are not nourished with every moisture the place of their planting growth and flourishing is the house of the Lord where the Word and Spirit of the Lord joyned with the holy ordinances may be had for food They are planted in the house of the Lord and flâ—…rish in the Courts of our God 4. Not every barren tree or weed not every one who is in the visible Court of Gods Church doth grow and flourish or is made partaker of the spiritual grace and blessing of the ordinances but only planted ones that is such plants as the heavenly Father hath planted for to those only who by Covenant have embraced God is the promise made Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God 5. True beleevers shall still persevere and the decay of the outward man shall not hinder the renewing of their inward man day by day and their last works shall be better then their first They shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing 6. The end of the Lords destroying of the wicked and of his blessing of the true beleever with the growth of grace and perseverance to the end is the glory of Gods righteousnesse singlenesse in Covenant-making and of his constant affection to uprightnesse for these threatenings and promises shall be made good To shew that the Lord is upright 7. Whosoever neglect to give glory unto God the beleever will not faile to lay his own weight upon God and build all his felicity on him being assured that he will neither flee from nor faile the godly He is my rock 8. Lâ—…t the Lord do what he pleaseth let the wicked prosper for a while and the godly be troubled for a while yet God is wise and just and holy and that man hath profited well in the school of God who giveâ—…h this glory unto God constantly as the Psâ—…lmist doth here He is my rock and there it no unrighteousnesse in him PSAL. XCIII IN this Psalme for the comfort of Gods people against the multitude and power of their enemies and the greatnesse of Kings and Potentates in the world who oft times are like to overflow devoure and drown the Church the glory of the Lord is described in whom is the Churches defence comfort and victory For this end fâ—…st the praises of God for the Churches comfort are set down absolutely ver 1 2. Then the opposition of the enemies of the Church is compared to the growing flood or raging sea ver 3. And thirdly the praiâ—…s of God are set down in opposition to their power ver 4 5. with the use of this doctrine ver 7. Ver. 1. THE LORD reigneth he is clothed with Majestie the LORD is clothed with strength wherewith he hath girded himselfe the world also is established that it cannot be moved 2. Thy throne is established of old thou art from everlasting From the praises of God absolutely set down for the comfort of the Church in all respects and for strengthening of their fâ—…ith specially against all her enemies Learn 1. Howsoever matters concerning the Church or any member thereof shall go whatsoever he be that hath power for troubling of the Church God is he who is great Governour of all and this â—…s one ground of confidence and comfort to the Lords people The Lord reigneth 2. The outward splendor of earâ—…ly Kings and Potentaâ—…s in the world opposite to Christs Kingdom is no small tentatioâ—… to Gods people but the beleever must oppose unto this the gâ—…orious government of God He is cloâ—…thed with Majesty 3 How strong soever the adverse powers of the world do seeâ—… it must not terrifie the beleever in following the Lords cause bâ—… his stâ—…ength must be opposed thereunâ—…o and that so much the more comfortably as Gods strength is not borrowed from â—…y as the strength of the creature is The Lord is clâ—…thed with strength wherewith he â—…th girded himself 4. The 〈◊〉 of the constant guiding of the world sheweth the power and wisdom of God employed much more in setling the work of his Church for whose cause the world was made and is upheld and estâ—…blished The world also is established that it cannot be moved 5 The Lords Kingdom in his Châ—…h is not like the new upstaâ—…ts in this world which are of short standing unstable If any King be kind to his Church his people have reason to thank God but they must not lean to such a King his â—…eign shall be but short and if any King be froward and oppose himself to the Church we must not be too much feared for him because his Kingdom is but lately begun and is of short continuance but the Kingdom of the Lord is an ancient Kingdom and well setled Thy throne is established of old 6. The eternity of God is the ground of the immutability of his Kingdom and of the perpetual comfort of the Church against all opposers Thou art from everlasting Ver. 3. The floods have lifted up O LORD the floods have lifted up their voice the floods lift up their waves In the second plâ—…ce is the tentation of the Church they are like to be â—…ve flowed as with a deluge by the multitude of powerfull enemies whereof the Church complaineth unto God Whence learn 1. It is no wonder to see the world rising up tumultuously to overthrow the Church and as it were a deluge coming upon them to drown and devoure all no wonder to heare the enemies threatening destruction to the Churâ—…h like to the noise of waters after raine coming down the mountains upon them which are not able to flee The floods have lifted up the floods have lifted up their voice and the third time the floodâ—… lift up their waves 2. The best way to encounter threatenings and feares is to oppose God unto them and to lay them forth before the Lord that he may answer them as here the Psalmist doth The floods have lifted up O Lord saith he c. Ver. 4. The LORD on high is mightier then the noise of many waters yea then the mighty waves of the sea In the third place he sets down the power of God in opposition to all the bâ—…ags and malice and power of the enemies as very
in his particular calling him elâ—… King now when he was a baniâ—…ed man in the wildernesse of Iudah The King shall rejoyce saith he 2. The tâ—…ue ground of a beleevers joy is not the gift he receiveth from God how great soever it may be but the good will of the giver even God himself The King shall rejoyce in God 3 Every true worshipper of â—…od whose property is tâ—…uly to feare the tâ—…ue God and the cogniâ—…ance of whose sinâ—…y is his on ciencâ—… king of an oath shall have matter oâ—… gloâ—…iation after while pâ—…nt suffering in time of trial Every one that sweareth â—…y himâ—… all glory 4. The born-down righteousnesse of hâ—…dly aâ—…o their cause by the lies slanders and calumâ—…ies oâ—… the wicked shall be brought to light in due time and the wicked mâ—…e ash med of their lies The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped PSAL. LXIV To the chief Musician A Psalme of David THis Psalme hath two parts In the former is Davids heavy complaint unto God against his deadly enemies laid forth before God in sundry particular evidences of their malice ver 1 2 3 4 5 6. And in the latter part is the Lords comfortable answer unto him by giving him assurance of Gods judgement coming on them to their own and others astonishment and to the comfort of the godly ver 7. 8 9 10. Ver. 1. Heare my voice O God in my prayer preserve my life from feare of the enemy 2. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity In his prayer he requesteth first in general for delivery of his life from the secret plotting and oftenpractising of his enemies against him Whence learn 1. Present danger is able to force out cryes to God and such earnest prayers poured out in extreme necessity shall not want an answer â—…eare my voice O God in my prayer 2. The danger cannot be so great wherein help may not be had from God he is so near to a supplicant so powerful and so ready to save the man who hath made God â—…is eâ—…ge Preserve my life from feare of the enemy 3 God can so overrule and outwit the devices of our enemies that they shâ—…ll either not light upon the meane whereby they might overtake us or shall make them misse of their intent in case theiâ—… device be probable Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked 4. What the wicked cannot do against the righteous by craft they will pursue with open violence but God as he is wiser in counsel and able to be fool them so is he stâ—…onger in power and able to break them Hide me from their insurrection 5. That we may have the greater confidence to be delivered from our enemies we had need to be sure we are in a good cause and that our adversaries have a wrong cause Hide me from the workers of iniquity Ver. 3. Who whet their tongue like a sword and bend their bowes to shoot their arrowes even bitter words 4. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not 5. They encourage themselves in an evil matter they commune of laying snares privily they say Who shall see them 6. They search out iniquities they accomplish a diligent search both the inward thought of every one of them and the heart is deep Here he complaineth of his enemies and layeth forth several degrees of their desperate wickednesse before God as so many arguments to strengthen his saith and hope for delivery from them Whence learne 1. The benefit of a good cause and of a good conscience appeaâ—…eth bâ—…st in a strait when nothing can help a man against his enemies save God alone as here appeareth in Davids case 2. Calumnies and slanders against the godly are very cruel weapons for not only hurt they the estimation of their good cauâ—…e and personal good behaviour but also do stirre up all men to take their lives They whet their tongue as a sword and bend bend their bows to shoot their arrows bitter words 3. There is no fear against a privy slander a man is wounded ere he is aware and no mans innocency or integrity of life can be a guard against the shot of a calumniators tongue they shoot in secret at the perfect suddenly do they shoot at him 4. Because only God can heal the wound of a slander and sustaine the man in the conscience of his good cause and carriage till he clear him the righteous must content himself to referre the matter to God as David doth here 5. Gâ—…dlesse men are dangerous enemies for they fear not God and so have no powerful restraint within them from doing any mischief and the more they sinne they take the greater boldnesse to sinne more they encourage themselves in an evil atter 6. The wit and wickednesse which is wiâ—…hin themselves will not suffice their devillish intention therefore they seek all help they can finde from without They commune of laying snares privily 7. They seek how they may overtake the mans person after they have killed his good name and cause with calumnies and bitter aspersions Yea Satan so blindeth them that they neither look to God the avenger of such plots and practises nor do they consider that God seeth them and they think their pretences before men are so thick 〈◊〉 covering that no man can see through them They say Who shall see them 8. If there hath been any slander of the upright mans misdemeanour in any former time which for the falshood of it is evanished they make search after it to waken it up again and if there be any possibility to devise new inventions with any probability they go about it busily yea they search hell it self to finde out how to bring a mischief upon the upright They search out iniquities they accomplish a diligent search 9. Last of all their wickednesse is unsearchable the uncontrolled bent of their wicked wit and will assisted with what Satan can suggest furnish and stirre up all is imployed and it is hard to say whether their wit or will be most wicked and do draw nearest to hell but it is sure to say of both Both the thoughts of every one of them and the heart is deep Ver. 7. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded 8. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves all that see them shall flee away 9. And all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God for they shall wisely consider of his doing 10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in him and all the upright in heart shall glory In the latter part of the Psalm is set down his prayer and confidence of justice to be executed against his enemies and mercy to be shewn to him and to all the godly Whence learn 1. The godly want not a friend to
sope to make them so much more beautiful Though ye have lien among the pots ye shall be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold 3. Experiences of mercies shewen to the Lords people are pawns and evidences of like mercies in time to come as here When the Almighty scattered Kings in the land it was made white is made a proof of the Promise made ver 13. 4. As a dark duskie mountain whereupon groweth no green thing but black hâ—…th is made white when covered with snow so is a disgraced shamed impoverished inslaved land made glorious again by a merciful manner of delivery manifesting the Lords kinde respects unto it When the Almighty scattered Kings in Iudea it was made white as snow in Salmon Ver. 15. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan an high hill as the hill of Bashan 16. Why leap ye ye high hills this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in yea the LORD will dwell in it for ever From the sixth reason of praise Learne 1. The Kingdomes of this world especially some of them of more eminent sort do seem very rich and glorious in comparison of the outward appearance of the Kingdome of Christ in his Church as the great high and fruitful hill of Bashan seemed to be more glorious then the hill of Sion yet all things being compared in speciall the spiritual priviledges of the one with the temporâ—…l priviledges of the other the Church of God will outreach the most glorious Kingdom on the earth The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan an high hill as the hill of Bashan 2. Although the Kingdomes of the world rejoyce in their Prerogatives and despise the Kingdom of Christ in his Church yet have they no cause to exalt themselves Why leap ye ye high hills 3. This one priviledge of the Church that it is the place of Gods residence wherein he will manifest himself familiarly and comfortably to his own may oversway all the excellency of all the Kingdomes of the world no Kingdom which hath not Gods Church in it can say the like This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in yea the Lord will dwell in it for ever Ver. 17. â—…he chariots of God are twenty thousand even thâ—…usands of Angels the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place Ver. 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them From the seventh reason of praise Learn 1. No Kingdome hath such defence so potent and so numerous armies to fight their battels as the Church hath The chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels 2. The defence of Angels is made fast to his Church and their power made sure to be for her because God is in his Church even the Lord whom all Angels do serve and attend upon is in his Church as at his giving of the law upon Mount Sinai did appear The Lord is among them as in Sinai 3. The Lord is no lesse terrible against his foes in Sion then in Sinai and whatsoever terrour the Lord did shew to his Church in Sinai against the violaters of his law he will manifest it for the comfort and defence of his people who heartily embrace his Gospel The Lord is among them to wit these chariots and Angels as in Sinai so in the holy place 4. The Ark was not more gloriously conveyed from the house of Oâ—…ed-edom unto the city of David then God that is Christ who is God who descended to assume humane nature that he might therein perfect the work of Redemption did gloriously ascend into heaven after the price of Redemption was paid by him Thou hast ascended on high Eph. 4. 8 9 10. 5. The praises of God and joy of the Church are perfected in Christ no satisfaction in the shadows till Christ the substance be looked unto therefore here the Lords Spirit led his people to look through the shadow of the ascending of the Ark toward the city of David unto the ascending of God incarnate represented by the Ark into heaven Thou hast ascended on high 6. Christ did not enter into his glory without a battel going before and that with strong and many enemies and in his fighting he carried the victory and after his victory he did triumph first in the Crosse and then in his Ascension over sin Satan the world hell grave and all He led captivity captive 7. Christ as Mediatour and King of his Church was fully furnished with all things needful for gathering his Church for edifying governing and perfecting of it Thou hast received gifts for men even those gifts which the Apostle speaketh of for the gathering and edifying of the body of the Saints Eph. 4. 11 13. 8. The gifts which Christ hath received and given forth are not for the Jewes only or Gentiles only for the poore only or rich only but for men indefinitely Thou hast received gifts for men 9 As he hath received gifts for bringing on to life those that are reconciled so also to conquer subdue and bring in rebels and to reconcile enemies Thou hast received gifts for men yea and for the rebellious also 10. The end of Christs Ascension and receiving and sending down gifts among men is to gather and preserve and establish unto God a Church in the world wherein he may make himself manifest and dwell and rule in the midst of his enemies Thou hast received gifts for men that the Lord might dwell among them 11. Yea whatâ—…oever gifts are bestowed upon unregenerate men within the visible Church or without it which may any way be serviceable to the Church they are all bestowed on them in favour of the Church that God may dwell in his visible Church which by those gifts is edified Thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also thaâ—… the Lord God might dwell among them Ver. 19. Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits even the God of our salvation Selah 20. He that is our God is the God of salvation and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death From the eighth reason of praise Learne 1. Where the Lord will be merciful he will be merciful and not weary in doing good to his people in a current course of bounty the observation whereof should stirre up our hearts to thankfulnesse Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits 2. The favours and benefits which God doth bestow upon his people do come in greater number and measure unto them then they are able to acknowledge make use of or be thankful for and so in a sort do burden the spirits of the truly godly Blessed bâ—… God who daily loadeth us with benefits 3. As all benefits do flow unto Gods children from the covenanted kindnesse of God for giving unto them eternal salvation
the dayes of our pilgrimage and warfare till we come to the promised rest for this did the external ceremonies used under the pedagogie of the Law teach Which ceremonies although they be abolished now yet the subâ—… and intended duties pointed at in them being moral do stiâ—… remain The fingers went before players on instruments follwed aâ—…ter c. Ver. 26. Blesse ye God in the Congregations even the Lord from the fountain of Israel 27. There is little Benjamin with their Ruler the Princes of Iudah and their Councel the Princes of Zebulun and the Princes of Naphtali As the Psalmist did clear the doctrine of Gods dealing for his Church and against their enemies by experiences of olâ—… so he points here at experience later as was to be seen by all at the glorious triumphing of Israel over all their enemies when they were now assembled in their several tribes the least as well as the greatest the most remote tribes as well as those that were nearest hand all of them conveying the Ark of God unto the City of David which was the type of Christ God incarnate ascending after his victories into heaven Whence learn 1. The mercies of God to his people in special the great work of Redemption and victory over all enemies obtained by Christ in favour of his people are abundant matter and cause to praise God and to blesse him in all the assemblies of the Church for here it is a commanded duty Blesse ye God in the Congregations 2. Whatsoever be the part of others in discharging of this duty it is expected most at the hands of every kindly Israelite who draw their original from the fountain of Israel whether they be of the natural stock of Iacob descended of him as water out of a fountain or have their descent of the same Spirit of regeneration with him Blesse ye God even the Lord from the fountain of Israel 3. Examples and practices of Gods children at any time are the encouragements of his people at all timeâ—… thereafter There is little Benjamin with their Rulers c. set forth here for example 4. The Piety of Governors and their precedencie before or joyning with others in the Lords service is more honourable unto them then their places of dignity or their gifts of wisdom and power There were the Princes of Judah with their Councel the Princes of Zebulun and the Princes of Naphtali 5. In the exercise of Gods worship and in priviledges spiritual the Lord doth joyne the smallest with the greatest the lowest with the highest that the loâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…n their exaltation and the highest in their humâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…s little Benjamin with Iudah the people with theiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…d Rulers Ver. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength â—…rengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us 29. Because of thy temple at Ierusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee From the eleventh reason of Gods praise Learn 1. Not in Kings or Rulers or any thing else but in the Lord and from the Lord is the strength of his Church which she may expect alwayes to be furnished with by vertue of the Covenant Thy God hath commanded thy strength saith David to the Church 2. As the Lord hath decâ—…eed to establish his Church so hath he meanes and instruments in every age and place prepared for this puâ—…pose and hath given out order by actual providence which is alwayes going about the work in all ages Thy God hath comâ—…anded thy strenâ—…th 3. The Lords decree and the order given forth to accomplish it consisteth well with the Churches using of all lawful meanes to further that end and in speâ—…ial should be joyned with thankful acknowledging of what â—…he Lord hath begun to do or done already for it and with earnest prayer for accomplishing of what is to be further done so teacheth Davids example and prayer here Strengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us 4. The Lords knowne presence in his Chuch maintaining and blessing of his publick Ordinances shall move kings at last to do homage to God incarnate that is to Christ represented by his dwelling in the Temple of Ierusalem Because of thy temple at Ierusalem shalt kings bring presents unto thee Ver. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen the â—…ltitude of the bulls with the calves of the people till every one submit himself with pieces of silver scatter thou the people that delight in warre 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall sâ—…n stretch out her hands unto God How this shall come to passe he sheweth to wit partly by breaking the power of some of them when they make opposition partly by powerful conversion of other some Whence learn 1. It is not against the precept of love to pray against publick enemies of the Church when private spleen is not the motive but zeal to the glory of God Rebuke the company of spearmen 2. The leaders of armies parties and factions against Gods Church and cause and the followers of such leaders are all of them a company of beasts Rebuke the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the people 3. God is adversary to all who do oppose his people and his cause in their hand and can as easily repulse them really and overturn them as reprove them verbally Rebuko the spearmen c. 4. The end of the Churches prayer against her enemies is that God mâ—…y be glorified and people at least brought to outward obedience unto God which may be a means to real conversion in Gods time Rebuke them c. till every one of them submit themselves with pieces of silver that is till they offer to contribute to Gods service 5. The punishing of some of Gods enemies may be a meanes to move others to offer obedience and submit to God when people that delight in warre are scattered For Princes shall come out of Egypt 6. God will draw into subjection unto himself some of his most open and inveterate enemies Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto thee Ver. 32. Sing unto God ye kingdomes of the earth O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah 33. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens which were of old lo he doth send out his voice and that a mighty voice 34. Aâ—…cribe ye strength unto God his excellency is over Israel and his strength is in the clouds 35. O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places the God of Israel is he that giveth strength anll power unto his people blessed be God From the lâ—…st reason of praising of God taken from his Almighty power in conversion of Kingdomes of Gentiles ready to be put forth for the preservation of his Church gathered and for the overthrow of his enemies Learn 1. The tiâ—… shall come when the kingdomes of the earth shall turn Christians in profession in a greater measure then yet hath been seen for Sing unto God ye kingdomes of the earth is
cause judgement to be heard from heaven the earth feared and was still 9. When God arose to judgement to save all the mâ—…ek of the earth Selâ—…b The fifth reason of Gods praise is from the experience of fearful judgements on Gods enemies when he was about to deliver his people from their oppression Whence learâ—… 1. Late mercies and deliverances given to the Church should renew the thankful memory of old deliveries as here is done 2. When ordinary meanes and advertisements do not make the Persecutors of the Church to cease God hath extraordinary judgements from heaven whereby he will speak unto his adversaries Thou didst cause judgements to be heard from heaven 3. If by one sorâ—… of more milde advertisement or rebuke men cannot be brought in order by another and more terrible rebuke they shall be made quiet Thou didst cause judgement to be heard from heaven the earth feared and was still 4. The property of the Lords people is to be so acquainted with afflictions and so sensible of their own sinfulnesse that they do not impatiently fret at Gods dispensation even when they are oppressed by men but do study submission unto God and commit their cause to him therefore are they called The meek of the earth 5. When the Lords meek ones are in danger to be swallowed â—…p and destroyed by their oppressors the Lord who is the sovereign Judge to decide controversies and to determine who is in the wrong albeit he be silent for a while yet will arise in due time and speak from heaven by judgements to the terrifying and silencing of proud oppressors The earth feared and was still when God arose to judgement to save all the meek of the earth 6. When the Lord ariseth to save the meek in one place and of one generation it is an evidence and earnest that he shall arise to save at length all and every one of the meek in every place in all times after for his arising for his people which was now past is saiâ—… here to be for to save all the meek of the earth Ver. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restraine The sixth reason of Gods praise is that he shall make the malice of the adversaries of his people to contribute to his glory Whence learn 1. Albeit the rage and cruelty of men against the Lords meek ones may seem for the present to obscure Gods glory and to tend to his dishonour yet when he hath huâ—…bled tried purified his own and done his work in Mount Sion all the rage of persecutors shall turn to Gods glory undoubtedly Surely the â—…rath of man shall praise thee 2. When God hath glorified himselâ—… in the purging of his Saints and punishing their peâ—…secutors yet the enmity of the wicked world against Gods people will not cease there will be still as here is presupposed a remainder of wrath 3. Let the wrath of the wicked against the godly be never so great inveterate lasting and unquenchable yet it shall vent it self only as the Lord sees fitting he shall maderaâ—…e the out-letting of it as he seeth expedient for his peâ—…ples good it shall not break out to the destruction of his people The remainder of wraâ—…h shaâ—…t thou restrain Ver. 11. Vow and pay unto the LORD your God let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to he feared 12. He shall cut off the spirit of Princes he is terrible to the Kings of the earth The use of the former doctrine is to teach Gods people to give unto God that respect and praise which is due to him from them and to exhort all Nations without the compasse of the visible Church to submit themselves unto him lest he cut off fearfully the chiefest of them Whence learn 1. The use of the Lords deliverances of his Church which the people of God should make is to call on God in their troubles engage themselves to glorifie him in word and deed for his mercies and to entertain the conscience of their obligation Vow and pay unto the Lord. 2. It is not enough to discharge a promised duty to God in outwâ—…rd formality as the Philistines made their offering to the Ark of God but the godly must do what service they do to God as to their God reconciled unto them and in Covenant with them Vow and pay unto the Lord your God 3. The Lord is to be feared and honoured of all that are neaâ—… to him in Covenant or Profession yea or in vicinity of place unto his people and Church where the Lord manifesteth himself in his ordinances Let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared 4. How terrible soever the power of Princes and great men seem unto the Lords people when they engage themselves and their subjects against the Church yet ere they bring forth the ripe grapes of their designes and plots against Gods people God can and will cut off their wisdome courage and lise as easily as the branches of a Vine-tree He shall cut off the spirit of Princes 5. There is greater cause why Princes should be afraid of God then why Gods people should be afraid of Princes Princes cannot do so much to any one of Gods people as God can do to the highest Princes on earth God can make their fall great according to the height of their place he can root them out and their posteriry not only from all place of power but also from all being on the earth he can make them a terrour to themselves he can destroy them soul and body yea he useth to do this tâ—… his adversaries He is terrible to the Kings of the earth PSAL. LXXVII To the chief Musician to Ieduthun A Psalme of Asaph THis Psalme doth expresse the deep exercise of the Psalmist troubled with the sense of Gods displeasure and how he wrestled under this condition and had deliverance from it which is summarily propounded ver 1. and made plain more particularly in the rest of the Psalm for first he setteth down his trouble of minde ver 2 3 4. Secondly his wrastling with the sense of felt wrath ver 5 6 7 8 9. Thirdly his begun victory by faith ver 10 11 12. Fourthly the setling of his minde by consideration of Gods manner of dealing with his Church of old to the end of the Psalm Ver. 1. I Cried unto God with my voice even unto God with my voice and he gave eare unto me In this summary Proposition of his sad exercise of spirit and of his delivery out of that condition Leorne That as there are many troubles whereunto Gods children are subject whereof this is one of the most heavie to be under the sense of the wrath of God and feare of final cutting off so God hath set down examples of this exercise in some of his dear children for preparation of those who have not yet been acquainted with the
are now in In former times Israel was as a fruitful vineyard v. 8 9 10 11. but now the Lords protection is removed and they are made a prey to every beastly enemy ver 12 13. Whence learn 1. Adversity bringeth to minde neglected prosperity in time past and the distresse of a Church deprived of former favours putteth a price upon and giveth lustre unto abused mercies looked back upon as here the calamity of the ten tribes or of the whole twelve tribes cast out of their land doth make their delivery out of Egypt their planting in Canaan and the mercies which they felt in that land to appear very glorious and setteth up that their sometime condition in the similtude of a fruitful vineyard 2. There is no fitter similitude then of a vine-tree and of a vineyard to represent the weaknesse of Gods Church and people and Gods care of them to have fruits of faith and obedience from them therefore here and elsewhere is this comparison made use of 3. It serveth much to help the faith of Gods people in their calamity to call to minde Gods begun work among them and in them and for them for when his people do claim to wonted kindnesse the Lord is ready to make his mercy run in the former channel This is the ground of the Churches reasoning here in her supplication to God 4. It is not enough lightly to mention a course of kindnesse shewen to us of God but every part and passage of it is worthy to be marked and prized highly as here 1. Israels bringing out of Egypt is observed and compared to the bringing of a noble plant out of a farre countrey in the Lords own hand Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt 2. The casting out of the Canaanites is compared to the purging of the ground from stones and thorneâ—… and blocks in comparison of Israel to be planted there Thou hast cast but the heathen and planted it 3. They observe the benefit of enlarging their dwelling for commodious habitation Thou preparedst room for it 4. And their setling in the land Thou causedst it to take deep root 5. And their multiplying in it It filled the land 6. And their riches and power and glory in the land comparable to a wood of Cedars The hills were covered with the shadow of it and the bought thereof were like the goodly Cedars 7. And the spreading of their authority and government according to the bounds 〈◊〉 to their promised possession Gen. 15. 18. from the Mediterranean sea westward to the river Eupbrates eastward She sent out her boughes to the sâ—… and her branches to the river Thus a well ordered Church is like 〈◊〉 pleasant and fruitful vineyard Ver. 12. Why hast thou then broken down her hedges so that all they which passe by the way do pluck her 13. The boare out out of the wood doth waste it and the wilde beast of the field doth devoure it After calling to minde this glorious condition they were in they in a weeping and lamentable manner do compare their present misery with what happinesse once they had and do lay it forth before the pitiful eyes of the Lord. Whence learn 1. As present felt misery commendeth prosperity past so past prosperity doth augment present misery when the two conditions are compared as in this comparison is held forth 2. The most glorious and best planted Church may for its unfruitfulnesse and provocation of God by its ill fruits be plucked up again and the hedge of discipline the hedge of civil government and the hedge of Gods protection may all be removed suddenly from it as here we see Why hast thou broken down the hedges 3. It is a wonderful and astonishing judgement to see the Lord casting down the work of Reformation once begun by him and plucking up the plantation of his Church once made by him and yet the provocation of a wicked generation may procure this evil which hardly can be beleeved till it come and even then it is wonderful and should send men unto God to make them see rightly the causes thereof as this interrogation importeth Why best thou broken down her hedges 4. When God removeth his hedges from about his people for their provocation of him then any body that pleaseth may make a prey of them So that all they who passe by the way doâ—…ck her 5. If God remove the hedge of his protection from about his people no wonder they call into the hands of the most savage cruel and beastly sort of men as did besal Israel The boare out of the wood doth waste it and the wilde beast out of the field doth devoure it 6. When the Lords Church is in the worst condition she is not so wasted and destroyed but a remnant is left to present by prayer her condition unto God to deal with him for her restauration as the case in hand here and elsewhere doth shew Ver. 14. Return we beseech thee O God of hostes look down from heaven and behold and visit this Vine 15. And the Vineyard which thy right hand hath planted and the branch that thou madest strong for thy self 16. It is burnt with fire it is cut down they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance In the fourth place they pray that God who was departed from them would return and have compassion on the desolate condition of his Church Whence learn 1 Although the Lord seem to depart from his Church yet he is within cry and may be recalled by prayer and may by his power set all right again Return we beseech thee O God of hostes 2. Although no hope of help or possibility of relief can be seen on earth yet there is hope of help from heaven Look down from heaven 3. In the least degree of Gods respect and kindnesse to a desolate Church begun to be manifested after pouring out judgements on it faith will reade hope of relief and restauration of it Behold and visit this Vine for to come and see is all to them which they crave 4. The labour and care which God hath bestowed on his Church for setting up and setling of it in any place may give hope to those who pray for it that albeit the Lord afflict it heavily yet he will not lose his labour Visit this Vine and the Vineyard which thy right band hath planted 5. There was a branch to come of the stock of Israel for whose cause the Nation of the Israelites could not be utterly forsaken and destroyed and this was the Messiah Christ Jesus promised to come of Abraham Isaac Iacob Iudah David of whose coming because God had a special care that the stock should be underpropped and upheld and made strong till this branch came forth the Church of Israel might be confident not to be utterly cast off and therefore in their prayer they make mention of him Visit the Vineyard and the Branch to wit of the house of David that thou madest
few to assist it their enemies were many they were straitned with poverty and famine and the hearts and hands of the Godly were weakened they were like to faint and despaire that either Church or State should flourish any more amongst them for comfort in such a time was this Psalme fitted leading the Lords people to live by faith and to work on in the building of the Lords house and reparation of the City looking to God the Builder of his Church and maintainer of his people To which purpose the Psalmist giveth them seven consolations opposite to so many tentations unto discouragement The first is that they should look to God who had founded his owne Temple solidly and so not saint for the weaknesse and fewnesse of the builders ver 1. The second that they should look to Gods love and good will and not be troubled for want of externall power and riches ver 2. The third is that they should look to the prophecies concerning the Church and not be troubled for what present outward appearance and carnall reason did represent ver 3. The fourth is that they should not be troubled for the multitude of their foes for the present time but look to the multitude of friends and converts which they should have hereafter ver 4 5. The fifth is that they should not be troubled with the feare of the ruine of the Church but look to Almighty God who would establish her so that no power should overturn her ver 5. The sixth is that they should not be troubled with the present contempt under which they did lie but look to the glory and estimation which God should put in his owne time upon the Church and her children ver 6. The seventh is that they should not be troubled with their present grief they were in but should look to the spiritual joy and causes thereof which the Lord was to furnish to his people ver 7. Ver. 1. HIs foundation is in the holy mountaines The first comfort of the afflicted Jewes troubled for the hindering of the building of Gods Temple is that God had by his decree and promise made the mountains of Sion and Moriah the place of his rest amongst his people till the Messiah should come in whom these types were to be accomplished and for whose cause they were to be preserved till he came who is the only solid rock whereupon the Church is builded Whence learn 1. When the builders of the Lords Church are few and weak his people had need to be comforted against their feares and doubts as here we see and the way to be comforted in such hard times is to look by faith to God as the builder of his own house who hath laid the foundation upon solid grounds that every believer that trusteth in him may be as Mount Sion which cannot be removed His foundation is on the holy mountaines Ver. 2. The LORD loveth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Iacob The second comfort is that God had chosen Sion above all other places to be his rest and did love there to dwell rather then elsewhere Whence learn 1. The dignity of any place person or society proceedeth not from any thing in the place or society but from the Lords election and free love The Lord loveth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Iacob 2. The love of the Lord to his chosen Church is a solid ground of assurance of her continuance as here in the figure we are taught Ver. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Selah The third comfort is from the prophecies past about the Church and promises made unto â—…her in figurative termes Whence learn 1. The Church is the incorporation in which the Lord reigneth ruleth and resideth It is the City of God 2. The priviledges of the Church are very glorious the glory of Kings Crowns and Diadems is nothing to them but bodily and temporal shadows of what is spiritually and everlastingly bestowed on the Church Glorious things are spâ—…ken of thee 3 Albeit glorious things are bestowed on the Church yet it is not so much any thing already done as what is to be done which maketh the Church blessed it is not present possession but hope not sight but faith which maketh the Church blessed and the Scriptures are a sufficient right to us for all blessings which are to come Glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God Ver. 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me Behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia this man was borne there 5. And of Sion it shall be said This and that man was borne in her and the highest himself shall establish her The fourth comfort is that the Churches chief enemies should be converted to the faith and should count it their greatest honour so to be Whence learn 1. It is among the troubles of the Church that she haâ—…h so many enemies and those so mighty and potent as the Egyptians and Babylonians I will make mention of Rahab that is Egypt and Babylon and Palestina and Tyre and Ethiopia which are here named as the most eminent oppressors of the Church among all other Kingdomes 2. It should comfort the Church that God is able to make her chiefest enemies to become Converts and that he hath done it sundry times and will yet do it more and that he can take order with those enemies which shall not be converted as he did with Rahab and Babylon for I will make mentiâ—…n of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me signifieth a mention-making of them viz. to the edification of the Churches children both concerning what God had done to those Nations in justice and what he would do to them in mercy or unto other enemies like unto them 3. As it is the glory and comfort of the Church to have her enemies made Converts so is it honourable to the enemies were they never so potent in the world to be Citizens of the City of God I will make mention of them that this man was born there that is in the City of God 4. The conversion of men from Paganism and Idolatry unto fellowship in the Covenant with the Church is a sort of new birth to the externally converted fâ—…om which their new birth and nâ—…w being is to be reckoned This man was borne there 5. As whatsoever honour men have in the world it is not to be compared with the honour of regeneration and being born Citizens of the Church so whatsoever contempt the members of the Church do suffer of the world it 's made up by the honour of being boâ—…n in the Church for of Sion it shall be said This and that man were born in her 6. I here is no reason to feare the ruine of the Church or the not continuing of her from age to age to be a mother and receptacle of Converts For the highest himself shall establish her
and this is the fifâ—…h comfort of the favoureâ—…s of the Chuâ—…ch in the time of trouble Ver. 6. The LORD shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was borne there Selah The sixth comfort is from Gods estimation which he hath of every one of the true Citizens of his Church Whence learn 1. As all the elect all the regenerate are taken notice of by God no lesse particularly then if their names were all written up in a book one by one so there is a time when he manifesteâ—…h his enrolling of them partly to themselves by his witnessing unto them that they are his children parâ—…ly to the world by sustaining them in their trials and troubles and 〈◊〉 by a full delivery of them and confessing their names before men and Angels at the great day The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people that is in his owntime when he seeth it fit to manifest his respect to his own 2. The Converts among the Nations shall be reckoned up among the Câ—…nverts of the Lords people of the Jewes The Lord shall count when 〈◊〉 â—…riteth up the people that this man was born there that is whatsoever man he be who is converted out of any countrey tongue or language he shall be counted a member of the Church of Israel Ver. 7. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there all my springs are 〈◊〉 thee The last comfort is from the joy spiritual and the everlasting springs fountains and causes of joy which God doth furnish and will furnish to his Church Whence learn 1. As the Church is subject to her own griefs in the world so also is sâ—… sure of ahundant consolations to be had and laid up in store for her expressed here in the termes of typical joy appointed in solemn festivals As well the fingers as the players on instruments shall be there 2. The causes of the joy of the Saints are everlasting comparable to wells and springs of living water All my springs shall be in thee 3. Such Saints as have had their senses exercised are able to subscribe the truth of promises by their own experience and in special that there is no joy or comfort no gift nor grace no refreshment nor delectation worthy to be named except that which they have by Church-priviledges and communion of Saints as here the Psalmist doth confesse All my springs are in thee saith he speaking to the Church or to God dwelling in his Church PSAL. LXXXVIII A Song or Psalme for the sonnes of Korah To the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite THis Heman the Ezrahite was one of those foure wisest men in all Israel next after Solomon who is preferred above them all 1 Kings 4. 31. The exercise of this wise and holy man is set down here under the heaviest condition of a wounded spirit of any that we read of wherein first he prayeth for comfort to his soul now afflicted under the sense of sad wrath and long desertion ver 1 2. In the second place he poureth out his soul to God and layeth before him a most pitiful lamentation of his distressed condition ver 3 4 5 6 7 8. In the third place he wrestleth by faith in his prayer to God for comfort ver 9 10 11 12 13 14. And lastly finding no comfort he reneweth his lamentation leaveth his prayer before the Lord and writeth it for the edification of the Church in all time coming as the matter of a joyful Song From the Inscription Learn 1. David was not the only man acquainted with sad exercise and affliction of spirit for here is another to wit Heman the Ezrahite as deep in trouble of spirit as he or any other beside 2. They are not all men of â—…eak mindes and shallow wits who are acquainted with trouble of spirit and borne down with the sense of Gods wrath for here is Heman one amongst the wisest in all Israel and inferiour to none for wisdom except to Solomon alone under the heaviest exercise we can imagine possible for a Saint 3. When it pleaseth God to exercise a man of parts of great gifts and graces he can make his burden proportionable to his strength and give him as much to do with the difficulties he puts him to as a weaker man shall finde in his exercise as appeareth in the experience of Heman 4 Wise men in their trouble must take the same course with the simpler sort of men that is they must run to God as others do and seek relief only in his grace who as â—…e distributeth the measures of trouble can also give comfort â—…se and deliverance from them as the practice of Heman doth â—…h us 5. What trouble of a wounded spirit some of Gods children have felt in former times others dear to God may finde the like in after ages and all men ought to prepare for the like and should not think the exercise strange when it cometh but must comfort themselves in this that other Saints whose names are recorded in Scripture have been under like affliction for the Psalm is appointed to give instruction it is Maschil of Heman 6. What is at one time matter of mourning to one of Gods children may become matter of joy and singing afterward both to himself and to others as this sad anguish of spirit in Heman is made a song of joy unto Gods glory and the comfort of all afflicted souls labouring under the sense of sin and felt wrath of God to the worlds end It is a Song a Psalm for the sons of Korah 7. Such as are most heavily afflicted in spirit and do flee to God for reconciliation and consolation through Christ have no reason to suspect themselves that they are not esteemed of and loved as dear children because they feele so much of Gods wrath For here is a Saint who hath drunken of that Cup as deep as any who shall read this Psalm here is one so much loved and honoured of God as to be a Pen-man of holy Scripture and a patern of faith and patience unto others even Heman the Ezrahite Ver. 1. O LORD God of my salvation I have cried day and night before thee 2. Let my prayer come before thee incline thine eare unto my cry In the first place he fasteneth his faith and resolution to pray constantly to God till he receive answer and requesteth for comfort now at last Whence learn 1. Whosoever have fled to God for grace and have received the offer of reconciliation made to the Church in the Messiah are entered in Covenant with God for their everlasting salvation and ought to stand fast in the holding of this Covenant whatsoever hard condition they may fall into as Heman doth here saying to God O Lord God of my salvation 2. When'a soul hath received the offer of grace made to the Church in the common tender of the Covenant of grace he is entered into Covenant
Lord will give the Spirit of supplication to the beleever and also a satisfactory answer unto his prayer for as when 〈◊〉 man giveth way to misbelief he cannot pray any more so when he entertaineth faith it maketh him eloquent and instant in prayer till he receive what he seeketh He shall call on me and I will answer him 7. As it is not to be expected that the man who beleeveth in God shall want trouble so the beleever may be sure that God who exerciseth him with trouble shall bear him company in his trouble shall direct him how to behave himself in it strengthen support and comfort him under it and give him delivery out of all his trouble and not only put respect upon him in the sight of them who did behold his exercise but also at last shall glorifie him before men and Angels and this is the fourth promise I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him 8. While others do either want submission unto God at Gods pleasure to live in trouble or do want submission to die at Gods pleasure if they be not in trouble the beleever only hath satisfaction in the length of his life to die or live as the Lord liketh and he only departeth contentedly and entereth into a life everlasting With long life will I satisfie him and this is the fifth promise 9. When the beleever hath received of God satisfaction in the length of life in this world God will enter him into the possession of blessednesse of everlasting salvation in the world to come which is worthily called the salvation of God With long life will I satisfie him and what then shall become of him And I will shew him my salvation and this is the sixth promise Above all which promises what can be more added to induce a soul to embrace the free offer of gâ—…ace in Christ tendered in the Gospel to sinners or to move him to entertain friendship with God by still beleeving in him and resting on him PSAL. XCII A Psalme or Song for the Sabbath-day THis Psalm is intituled A Psalme for the Sabbath-day wherein the Church is stirred up â—…o praise God by sundry reasons ver 1 2 3. but specially for these three causes First for the great work of creation sustâ—…ntation and wise governing of the creatures ver 4 5. The second cause is for his wisdom and justice in punishing the wicked ver 6 7 8 9. The third is for his grace and goodnesse toward beleevers ver 10 11 12 13 14 15. From the Inscription Learn 1. The Lord hath had a special care of sanctifying the Sabbath as the appointing of this Psalme for that day may amongst other things give evidence A Psalme a Song for the Sabbath-day 2. For the sanctification of the Sabbath it is not sufficient to rest from our own bodily servile distractive works bot we must rest and cease from our own works and be imployed in religious service and worship and exercises suitable for that day whereof singing of Psalmes to the honour of God is one This is a Song for the Sabbath-day 3. God hath appointed that the Church should have solemn meetings on the Sabbath wherein God may be publickly by his own ordinances honoured and the Congregation edified in their most holy faith for this Psalme is given to the Church with this title and Inscription A Psalme or Song for the Sabbath-day to be sung in the Assemblies Ver. 1. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD and to sing praises unto thy Name O most High 2. To shew forth thy loving kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnesse every night 3. Upon an instrument of ten strings and upon the Psaltery upon the Harp with a solemne sound From the exhortation unto praising of God and thanksgiving with the reasons thereof Learn 1. Albeit we be daily receiving mo and mo benefits from God yet are we flow to acknowledg this or to give thanks unto him and have need to be stirred up to the duty as this exhortation importeth 2. Not onely do we discharge a piece of our duty in thanksgiving unto God but we also receive a new benefit by doing of this duty It is a good thing pleasant to God and profitable to us and others to give thanks unto the Lord. 3. Albeit we cannot give thanks unto God as we desire or as he deserveth yet to acknowledge and confesse to God our debt and what we have received of him shall be accounted thanksgiving for the word in the oâ—…ginal doth give ground for this 4. Approving of our selves to God in sincerity of affection when we are about the Lords praises is no lesse profitable to us then it is pleasant to God It is a good thing to sing praises to thy Name O most High 5. It is not enough to praise God in and with the Church publikely assembled but also it is a duty to be performed daily by every family and person according to their place and power as fit occasion is offered morning and evening It is good to shew forth thy kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnesse every night 6. The matter of Gods praise and our rejoycing is chiefly the Lords mercy and truth in pitying and pardoning and lovingly entreating of sinfull men and performing the promises of the Covenant to his people contrary to their deserving It is good to shew forth thy loving kindnesse and thy faithfulnesse 7. As it is the duty of every one to study to observe and to beleeve and to be sensibly affected with the Lords mercy and truth so also to expresse their beliefe and sense thereof cheerfully and joyfully according as the signification of typicall ceremonie of musicall instruments under the pedagogie of the Law did require It is good to shew forth thy loving kindnesse c. upon an instrument of ten strings and upon the Psaltery upon the Harp with a solemne sound Ver. 4. For thou LORD hast made me glad through thy work I will triumph in the works of thy hands 5. O LORD how great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep The Psalmist descendeth more specially to the works of creation and common providence which is the first special matter of Gods praise and of the worshippers joy wherein he setteth forth the glory and greatnesse of Gods works and deepnesse of his wisdome and counsell Whence lâ—…arn 1. One of the parts of the well-spending of the Sabbath is the looking upon and consideâ—…ation of the works of creation I will triumph in the works of thy hands 2. The consideration of the Lords works is a matter full of sweet refreshment and joy when God blesseth our meditation which blessing as we should call and look for at his hands so should we acknowledge it thankfully when we finde it bestowed on us and lift up our hearts in his way being so encouraged Lord thou hast made me glad by thy works I will triumph in
acknowledge Gods power and mercy in our supplications so also it is our duty to glorify the mercy of God afteâ—… the self experience of it Thy mercy O Lord held me up Ver. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soule He setteth down here a further benefit of his faith in God to wit that by what he saw in God he found comfort and joy in all his perplexities Whence learne 1. In the time of danger or of narrow trial many questions and doubts and discourses of minde use to arise which did not appear in time of ease and these multiplied thoughts do breed perplexity anxiety and grief which call for comfort as the experience of the Psalmist doth teach In the multiude of my thoughts within me c. 2. No ease for a perplexed soule till it go to God in Christ the resting stone in Sion and in him support is to be found under burdens and comfort against whatsoever cause of grief yes and more also joy and delight swallowing up all grievances 〈◊〉 the Psalmist by experience did finde usually In the multitude of my thoughts wiâ—…hin me thy comforts delight my soul now Gods comforts are Gospel comforts Ver. 20. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee which frameth mischief by a law 21. They gather themselves together against the soule of the righteous and condemne the innocent blood He sheweth what use he made of the oppressors wickednesse for supporting of his own faith to wit that he was perswaded that God allowed not their mischievous courses howsoever they pretended to do what they did by a Law because not the good of the subject but the overthrow of the godly was intended by them Whence learne 1. The seat of Justice within the visible Church may possibly turn enemies to piety and righteousnesse and to those that follow Gods Word In which case the grief tentation wrastling and trial of the godly is not small 〈◊〉 the Psalmists experience doth teach us who here cometh to God with a question Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee 2. As the Thrones of Justice are honourable are countenanced and protected of God when they decree and execute righteousnesse so they lose their reputation and are deâ—…uded of Gods approbation comfort and defence when they decree and execute iniquity Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee 3. Albeit wicked men ofttimes love to have the appearance and shadow of equiry yet unrighteousnesse impiety oppression is not the more justifiable that it be covered with the authority of a law but rather God will abhorte that wickednesse which is enjoyned by a law so much the more as it hath pretence of law Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee that forgeth mischief by a Law 4. The iniquity of persecutors is the matter of confidence for the oppressed for if our adversaries be against God and against us also then have we fellowship with God in a common cause Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee saith he 5. When mischief is enacted by Law then shortly may the godly be pannelled as criminally guilty and they who allow the Law shall be found ready to sit upon Assises to condemn the righteous as the experience of the Psalmist doth shew They gather themselves together against the soule of the righteous and condemn the innocent blood Ver. 22. But the LORD is my defence and God is the rock of my refuge 23. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity and shall cut them off in their own wickednesse yea the LORD our God shall cut them off From this consideration he draweth two conclusions one assuring him of his own protection ver 22. another assuring him of the destruction of the adversary ver 23. Whence learne 1. As nothing save faith in God can uphold a man in time of persecution so by persecution and trouble God useth to cause his own to make use of faith and to draw nearer hand unto him as the Psalmist did finde by experience saying But God is my defence 2. It is needful that he who would have Gods help and protection in a particular good cause should see that the reconciliation of his person be solidly grounded on the Covenant of Gods grace My God is the rock of my refuge 3. The godly may from Gods Word give out damnatory decrees against their persecutors which surely shall he executed as here thrice destruction is pronounced by the Psalmist against the oppressors 4. The destruction intended against the godly by their oppressors is as ready â—…s any thing to be the trap to take themselves in God shall bring upon them their own iniquity and shall cut thent oft in their own wickednesse 5 How little appearance soever there be of the vengeance of God upon wicked Rulers abusing their power against the godly for their righteousnesse and piety yet the overthrow of them must not be doubted of because of the Covenant past between God and his servants who serve him in suffering for righteousnesse for the repeating of the sentence of destruction the third time against such oppressors doth teach so much Yea the Lord our God shall cut them off PSAL. XCV THis Psalme is applied to Christ by the Apostle Heb. 3. 7 8 9 10 11. Whereof there are two parts In the first is an exhortation to worship God in Christ or Christ God with the Father and holy Spirit dwelling among them in the Temple and representing unto them his future incarnation and the execution of his offices in types and figures The arguments of pralsing and worshiping of him are five The first because he is the rock of our salvation ver 1 2. The second because of his greatnesse ver 3. The third for his power ver 4. The fourth because he created all things and us his people ver 5 6. The fifth because he is our covenanted God and Pastor ver 7. In the latter part of the Psalm is another exhortation unto the visible Church to evidence their obedience of saith and not to harden their heart in the time of Gods dealing with them by his Word as their fathers did who perished in the wildernesse for their provocation ver 8 9 10 11. Ver. 1. O Come let us sing unto the LORD let us make a joyfull noise to the Rock of our salvation 2. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyfull noise unto him with Psalmes From the first exhortation unto a chearful praising and worshipping of God manifesting himselfe in Christ to his Church and unto joyful thanksgiving for salvation offered and granted to us in him which is the first reason to move them to the duty Learn 1. As the necessity and acceptablenesse of the duty of praising God and thanksgiving unto him is very remarkable so is our unreadinesse unto the duty and unchearfulnesse in it observable also for the frequent and pressing
Paradise 9. The first and second coming of Christ to shew himself King of his Church is ground and cause of all joy to his Subjects Let them and all the creatures rejoyce before the Lord for he cometh for this for he cometh twice said to judge the earth is given for a reason of the exhortation 10. By Christs government every poor and needy Subject is helped supplied comforted and provided for as their case requireth all the Subjects are justified by the imputation of the righteousnesse of Christ all of them are renewed and begun to be sanctified and made to aime at righteousnesse more and more in their wayes all the proud and adversaries of his Subjects are declared against course is laid down in the Word of truth for a full deliverie of his people from all injuries and oppression from all miserie and sin with the full punishment of their enemies He shall judge the world with righteousnesse and the people with his truth PSAL. XCVII THis Psalme containeth a prophecie of the spiritual glory of Christs Kingdome to ver 8. And the use of the Doctrine to the end of the Psalme The comfort of Christs Kindome in relation to his Church is set downe ver 1 2. And the terriblenesse thereof in relation to his enemies ver 3 4 5 6. with a curse upon image-worshippers ver 7. The uses of the Doctrine they are foure The first is that all excellency and whatsoever is honourable in the world should do homage to him set down in the end of ver 7. The second is that the true Church should be glad at the hearing and the seeing of the execution of Gods judgements upon idolaters with a reason for it ver 8 9. The third use is a direction to the Saints to beware of sin with some reasons for it ver 10 11. The fourth use is that the righteous should rejoyce and thank God upon all occasions ver 12. Ver. 1. THe LORD reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitudes of Isles be glad thereof 2. Clouds and darknesse are round about him righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his throne The Psalmist proclaimeth Christ King among the Gentiles and doth commend his Kingdome to them as full of joy full of majesty and full of righteousnesse Whence learn 1. Beside the sovereignty which God hath over all people he hath a speciall Kingdom wherein he reigneth by the Gospel of Christ this is it whereof here he speaketh saying The Lord reigneth 2. Comfort against all grief from sin or misery true matter of joy and full felicity is to be had by the coming of this Kingdom The Lord reigneth let the earth rejoyce 3. The Isles of the Sea are in Christs charter and have their share of the joy which is to be had in Christ Let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof 4. How despicable soever Christs Kingdome may seem to the world yet it is full of heavenly majesty Clouds and darknesse are round about him 5. The glory of Christs Kingdome is unsearchable and hid from the eyes of the world who cannot take up the things of God except he reveale himself to them and do open the eyes of their understanding Clouds and darknesse are round about him 6. The Kingdome of Christ giveth no liberty unto sin but is altogether for righteousnesse and judgement for therein righteousnesse is taught to sinners and they made righteous and kept in the course of righteousnesse and defended from the harme of their adversaries and rewarded according to their righteousnesse and all the unrighteous are adjudged to punishment according to their works Righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his throne Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 4. His lightnings inlightened the world the earth saw it and trembled 5. The hills melted like waxe at the presence of the LORD at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth 6. The heavens declare his righteousnesse and all the people see his glory After the Psalmist hath set down how comfortable Christ is to His Subjects he sheweth how terrible he is to his enemies Whence learne 1. Albeit the Kingdom of Christ be a Kingdome for righteousnesse and a fountaine of joy to all who do receive him yet such is the natural wickednesse of men that he shall not want enemies as here is imported plainly 2. There is no lesse but rather more wrath attending the despisers of the Gospel then did attend the giving out of the Law Heb. 12. 29. A fire goeth before him 5. Albeit the enemies of Christ were never so many invironing his flock round about yet shall he reign in the midst of them and consume all his adversaries A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 4. He letteth forth his wrath not all at once but by degrees lighter judgements and foregoing terrours come before destruction His lightnings inlightened the world the earth saw it and trembled 5. Christ shall utterly undo the greatest Potentates on earth if they stand in his way and oppose him The hills melted like waxe at the presence of the Lord. 6. There is no comparison between Christ and his enemies how great Monarchs soever they be they cannot stand before his presence For he is the Lord of the whole earth 7. Our Lord shall not want Preachers of his righteousnesse for beside the Word of God blessings from heaven upon his friends and judgements from heaven upon his enemies according to the Word shall testifie for Christ The heavens declare his righteousnesse 8. The judgements of God upon the enemies of the Church and his blessings upon his Church shall be so evident as beholders shall be forced to acknowledge God in them manifesting himself for Christs Kingdome And all the people shall see his glory Ver. 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols worship him all ye gods He setteth down Gods curse upon idolaters or image-worshipers and then sheweth the uses of the former Doctrine for further setting forth the glory of Christs Kingdome Whence learn 1. All they who either serve or worship graven images are reckoned by God for enemies to God and to Christ and it is a part of Christs glory to abolish images and all worship and service unto images out of his Church Confounded be all they that serve graven images 2. Albeit such as are lovers of imagery not only do serve images but also will defend the state of images in the exercise of Religion and glory in them yet shall they at length be ashamed of their boasting Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols 3. God will not have such relative worship as men would give him by serving or worshipping of him in at or before imagâ—… the way how God will be served is by a direct and immediâ—… worshipping of him without the mediation or intervening 〈◊〉 any thing which may
intercept his worship for in opposition tâ—… relative worship in the service of graven images he saith Worship him importing that when images are worshipped God is not worshipped at all whatsoever the image-worshipper doth iâ—…tend 4. Whatsoever creature hath excellency in heaven or earth or can pretend to any eminency or excellency of whatsoever sort must do homage unto Christ Worship him all 〈◊〉 gods and this is the first use of the former Doctrine Ver. 8. Sion heard and was glad and the daughters of Iudah rejoyced because of thy judgementâ—… O LORD Ver. 9. For thou LORD art high above all thâ—… earth thou art exalted far above all gods The second use is to comfort all true worshippers partly because they hear Gods wrath threatened and executed against Idolaters and partly because they have hereby a clear evidence oâ—… Christs supremacy over all creatures Whence learn 1. The condemnation of imagerie and of all service and worshiâ—…â—…ven images is a Doctrine comfortable to the true memâ—… the Church Sioâ—…d to wit this curse against Idoâ—… and was glad 2. The true â—…rch considered in her collectâ—… incorporation as the Moâ—… Sion and in her particular branches and subdivisions as Daughters of Iudah depending upon Christ the true Vine-tree of Iudah have the same reasonâ—… of joy and the same grounds of edification by Gods Word and works of judgement wrought for clearing of true Religion and shaming of false worship Sion beard and was glad and the daughters of Iudah rejoyced because of thy judgements O LORD 3. The manifestation of the Gospel of Christ is the exaltation of God and manifestation of his excellency whose dishonour as it should be the matter of our grief so his manifested glory should be our joy as the reason here given of the joy of the Saints doth teach us For thou Lord art high above all the earth thou art exalted far above all gods Ver. 10. Ye that love the LORD hate evil he preserveth the souls of his Saints he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked 11. Light is sowen for the righteous and gladnesse for the upright in heart The third use of the Doctrine is an exhortation to the faithfull to studie holinesse and to eschew the fellowship of sin whatsoever may be the danger partly because the Lord will deliver his own out of the hands of their enemies partly because God hâ—…th appointed comfort unto them both in and after their afflictions Whence learn 1. A Believer in God or a true worshipper of God in Christ is a lover of God for thus are they described here Ye that love the Lord. 2. The love of God must be joyned with and manifested by the study of a â—…oly life and with not onely abstaining from but also with hating and abhorring of that which is sinful Ye that love the Lord hate evil 3. Albeit the hating of evil and loving of God may readily make a man the object of malice and of persecution from wicked men yet shall the godly have their soules saved yea and at length be fully delivered from the harme which Sâ—…tan and the wicked intend to bring upon the godly for that cause He preserveth the soules of his Saints he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked 4. All the exercises of the godly and specially their troubles for righteousnesse are but the seeds of their joy and consolation which God is to bring forth unto them out of these troubles Light is sowen for the righteous 5. The Lords children who love him and hate evil must not think to have the fruit of their rightcousnesse presently in possession but must give a time unto it as is given to 〈◊〉 that is cast into the ground and as after a time the corne doth spring and comes to a ripe harvest so shall the troubles of the godly have a comfortable issue Light is sowen for the righteous 6. In reckoning of the righteous the Lord counteth men by their heart and so many as by faith in Christ have purified their hearts unto the unâ—…eigned study of holinesse they are righteous before God albeit their infirmities be many and whatsoever fit of grief and interruption of joy such men be subject unto for a time yet at length their poâ—…tion shall be a full harvest of gladnesse Light is sowen to the righteous and who these are he sheweth and gladnesse for the upright in heart Ver. 12. Rejoyce in the LORD ye righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of his holinesse The fourth use of the Doctrine is an exhortation unto Beleevers to be joyfull and thankfull whatsoever be their condition in this present life because of the salvation manifested in Christ. Whence learne 1. Whatsoever may be the tribulation of the faithfull in the world they have matter of joy in the LORD and they should stirre up themselves to rejoyce and make conscience of the commandment Rejoyce ye righteous in the LORD 2. Whatsoever can be taken from the godly their right and interest in CHRIST can never be taken from them and so there is cause to give thanks for this gift for ever And give thanks at the remembrance of his holinesse or confesse to the remembrance of his holinesse that is acknowledge to his glory the benefit which you have by being a Subject to this King 3. Whatsoever word or work of CHRIST doth bring us to the remembrance of his Name should bring us also to the consideration and remembrance of his holinesse which is the untainted glory of all his attributes wisdome justice goodnesse power mercy truth c. and is the untainted glory of his Word workes and purchase unto us Give thankes at the remembrance of his holinesse PSAL. XCVIII THis Psalme is an exhortation to Jew and Gentile to rejoyce and blesse the Lord for Christs coming to set up his Kingdome in the world The exhortation is thrice pressed 1. In proper termes requiring the Church to sing for joy with reasons adjoyned ver 1 2 3. Then it is repeated and musical instruments called for to shew that by humane voice the matter of the joy which is in Jesus Christ is inexpressible ver 4 5 6. 3. To shew that neither voice of man nor musical instruments are sufficient to expresse the joy which cometh by Christs Kingdome the whole creatures are called unto this work of rejoycing and setting forth his glory ver 7 8. And the reason is given because Christ cometh to set up and exercise his Kingdome in righteousnesse ver 9. Ver. 1. OSing unto the LORD a new song for he hath done marvellous things his right hand and his holy arme hath gotten him the victory 2. The LORD hath made known his salvation his righteousnesse hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen 3. He hath remembred his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God The exhortation to sing unto the Lord who is Christ