light of grace unto our souls appears three wayes First by our true repentance whereby we awake from the sleep and stand up from the death of sinne Eph. 5.14 For such as walk in darknesse and yet lay claim to fellowship with God who is pure light do but lye in their profession 1 John 1.6 Secondly by a constant and conscionable practise of new obedience according to the rule of Gods word which is doing the truth Joh. 3.21 For such have fellowship with Christ and with the true members of his Church 1 John 1.7 Thirdly if we suffer for the Gospel and for righteousnesse sake when we are called thereunto Heb. 10.32 After ye were enlightned ye endured a great fight through afflictions For to believers it is given not onely to believe but to suffer Phil. 1.29 How we may know that God is our salvation Secondly that God becomes our spirituall and eternall salvation is thus known First if he have saved us from sinne in regard of dominion so as corruption doth not raign See Matth. 1.21 with Luke 1.71 74 75. and 1 Pet. 1.18 Secondly if he have wrought in our hearts the grace of true faith whereby we rest and rely on the merits of Jesus Christ for justification and salvation See John 5.24 with 1 John 5.10 14. Thirdly if he have drawn our hearts to love the brethren 1 John 3.14 We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren How we may know that he is our strength Thirdly the Lord doth manifest himself to become our spirituall strength when he hath enabled us by grace to know and use that spirituall armour mentioned Ephes 6.10 c. Finally my Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might put on the whole armour of God the girdle of truth the brest-plate of righteousnesse shooes of peace which be Christian patience the shield of faith the helmet of salvation the sword of the spirit and prayer for strength skill and blessing in the use of all the former The second Use for admonition Secondly if we finde defect in the fore-named blessings we must give all diligence thereunto as 2 Pet. 1.5 c. to the 10. verse And the way is to get rightly into covenant with God through Christ Jesus in whom God becomes all things unto u that be needfull especially for our spirituall welfare How to get into covenant with God And to get into covenant we must both repent of our sinnes for so John prepared the way before Christ Matth. 3.3 and made ready a people for him Luk. 1.17 Also labour to get the grace of faith for that is engrafting grace Rom. 11.17 20. Now the meanes of both these is the word and prayer The law prepares the heart for grace by the sight of sinne and by working humiliation for sin as Rom. 7.11 1 Cor. 14.24 25. The Gospel is the word of his grace Acts 20.32 and by the blessing of the spirit is immortall seed 1 Pet. 1.23 25. it is the word of faith Rom. 10.8 17. and prayer obtains the spirit Luk. 11.13 which is the spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 therefore the Disciples by prayer sought faith of Christ Luk. 17.5 The third Use for admonition Thirdly in the fruition of any of these blessings see whether to return the honour and praise namely to him that became all these to David And indeed thus have the godly for some one or more of these continuall cause of praise and thanks to God Therefore we must in all things give thanks 1 Thes 5.18 The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the godly who make conscience of their wayes and endeavour to keep covenant with God For God will become all these unto them as he was to David whereupon they may rejoyce as Psal 21.1 and say they shall not lack as Psal 23.1 for their God is all sufficient for them as Gen. 17.1 We have seen what God became to David now wee come to see the second thing to be noted in the verse the benefit which David reaped by having the Lord for his light and salvation and for the strength of his life namely hereby he was freed from humane slavish fear and terrour This he confidently expresseth to be certain as well by the manner of propounding it by way of question which here implyeth a more vehement negation as also by the repetition of his freedome which shewes that his heart herein was resolute as Gen. 41.32 the dreame is doubled to give certainty The second Observation Mark then Davids confidence and courage having the Lord for his God he is armed against all fear of men or other creatures Psal 118.6 The Lord is on my side I will not fear what can man do unto me Psal 23.1 4. The Lord is my shepheard c. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear none evill Psal 3.3 6. Thou Lord art a buckler for me I will not be afraid of ten thousand of the people that shall beset me round about The Reason The reason is because having the Lord for his God by covenant he had title to Gods power which is Almighty for his defence and safety and that upon Gods sure word and promise See Psal 91 1 c. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty I will say of the Lord he is my refuge and my fortresse my God in him will I trust Thou shalt not be afraid for the terrour by night c. This serves for instruction and for admonition The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First see here that there is great gain in true godlinesse as 1 Tim. 6.6 and much fruit in religion to those that attain to true righteousnesse as Psal 58.11 For such as be truly godly be in sure covenant with God and thereby have right and title to the great comforts and blessings which Gods own divine properties afford unto the sonnes of men as here for instance to be freed from humane servile fear by their right and interest to Gods power and might for what needs he to fear that hath Gods power for his defence The three children did hereby encourage themselves in great present danger Dan. 3.16 17. We are not carefull to answer thee in this matter Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thiâ—â— hand And for assurance hereof mark all Gods gracious promises of protection and preservation to the godly as Isa 41.14 Fear not thou worme Jacob c. Isa 43.1 2 3. Now saith the Lord that created thee O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee and called thee by thy name thou art mine When thou passest through the water I will be with thee c. Isa 51.11 12 13. The redeemed
of rash judgement either against our selves or others Consider beside David and Christ before mentioned the parable of Dives and Lazarus Luk. 16. and the state of many whom the world was not worthy of Heb. 11.37 38. which is a needfull thing in these troublesome times of the Church of God beware of rash judgement consider that judgement must begin at the house of God 1 Pet. 4.17 Vse 3 For consolation this makes greatly to the afflicted and panished Consider Davids case at this time nay the case of Christ who had not whereon to lay his head Mat. 8.20 Now the servant is not above the Master if it were so with the green tree what may it be with the dry Luke 23.31 In such case we must say as Christ of his kingdome so we of our comfort It is not of this world Joh. 18.36 In this case and state nothing doth befall us but that which appertaineth to man and God will give the issue 1 Cor. 10.13 Consider the case of Christs Apostles who were near and dear unto him yet 1 Cor. 4.11 Such as did both hunger and thirst were naked were buffeted and had no certain dwelling place Secondly here see 2. Observation that to Davids soul the Lords altars were as house and nest to little Birds the place of Gods worship was the place of his chief desire Psalm 27.4 Psal 137.5 6. For the good things which were there to be enjoyed Reason which are fully set down in the next verse Vse 1 Vses First see he had good cause of this grievous complaint birds will mourn in their kinde when they are driven from their nest Vse 2 Secondly see a notable evidence of the state of man before God to discover whether he be acceptable to God as David was for then undoubtedly his heart cleaveth to the place of Gods worship as Davids did here and vers 10. Oh Lord of Hostes my King and my God These titles serve to amplifie Davids complaint The first Lord of Hosts shewes what God is in himself and hath been handled in the first verse The two later my King and my God are titles of relation shewing what God was unto David namely his King and his God as he stood in covenant with him In calling God his King he doth not onely acknowledge his absolute soveraignty whereby he is King of all creatures as Psal 103.19 Dan. 4.32 but his speciall Regiment by his word and spirit which he doth exercise in his Church on earth which is his kingdome of grace wherein David was a subject being a member of his Church and so speaks to God as to his King So likewise calling the Lord his God he meanes not onely by creation and preservation in generall but also by speciall covenant wherein God requiring faith and obedience of his creatures doth undertake to afford unto them all the blessings of the covenant as well pertaining to this life as to the life to come see Exod. 23.22 Deut. 30.15 19. Here observe 3. Observation that David a King acknowled geth God to be his King as likewise he doth Psal 5.3 So that God is King of Kings Dan. 2.47 Nebuchadnezzar confesseth it Of a truth it is that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of Kings The reason is Reason because he hath the rule and command over Kings as Kings have over their subjects Vse 1 This serves for admonition First to superiours directing them to use equitie justice and conscience in all their dealings with their inferiours for they themselves have a superiour in heaven By this argument the Apostle perswades Masters to use moderation towards their servants Eph. 6.9 And if this were thought upon it would prevent negligence and injustice the bane of superiority Vse 2 Secondly to inferiours directing them to obey their superiours not absolutely but in the Lord. So in a family servants obey the steward not against the will of the Lord when they know it Hence that of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 3.16 17 18. and that of the Apostles Acts 4.19 and 5.29 Vse 3 Thirdly to all teaching us humility and reverence in every action of worship we perform to God How do men carry themselves in petitioning unto their King They put up their petitions on their knees What then are we that we should not bow to the King of Kings Consider Psal 95.6 children asking blessing kneel to their bodily fathers how much more should we to the father of spâ—rits And reason to that purpose as the Apostle doth for patient suffering of correction Hebr. 12.9 For howsoever kneeling be not of absolute necessitie yet humility in gesture is necessary Vers 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will be still praising thee Selah IN these words the Psalmist expresseth the state and behaviour of the true members of Gods Church who have the free and comfortable fruition of Gods holy worship and service their estate is happy and their behaviour godly and comfortable which doth notably justifie the equitie of Davids complaint who by trouble and persecution was debarred from this happy and comfortable estate in which regard he preferres the condition of silly birds before himself vers 3. This verse doth naturally branch it self into two parts or propositions whereof the first shews the happy estate the second the holy and comfortable behaviour of the true members of Gods Church For the first he saith Blessed are they that dwell in thine House Gods house in Davids time was the place where the Lords Tabernacle was as Psal 26.8 unto which till the Temple was built God had appropriated his holy solemne worship whereof see 1 King 9.3 But now in the new Testament difference of place in respect of holinesse is taken away John 4.21 and the true Church of God is the house of God 1 Tim. 3.15 that is such companies and assemblies as meet together in Christs name Mat. 18.20 that is by warrant and authority from him and according to his will revealed in his word worship God in the right and reverent use of his holy Ordinances the holy Word and Sacraments sanctified by prayer 1 Pet. 2.5 To dwell in Gods house is to abide and continue a true member of Gods Church enjoying the comfort and liberty of Gods holy worship and service either in the place of the ministery or of one of Gods people for though the Priests and the Levites made speciall abode there 1 Sam. 3.2 and Psal 134. yet others of the people who did diligently frequent and freely enjoy the liberty of Gods worship might be said to dwell therein else David would not have used that phrase praying for himself Ps 27.4 which I say because some Interpreters would limit the first branch to the Priests and Levites Piscat Junius but the 15 Psalme doth enlarge the benefit to all the godly The thing then to be observed in the first branch of the verse is this 1. Observation that
them who then can weaken or overthrow their comfortable state If God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand Psal 37.23 24. weâ—l therefore may it be said of them as Psal 144.15 Happy is that people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose GOD is the Lord. The second Use for instruction More particularly this is a sure ground of perseverance to every true child of God in the state of grace for they are true members of that Church which God himself will stablish The use for admonition For admonition this must stirre up every one effectually to labour to be truly born again in Gods Church for the Devill goes about like a roaring lyon seeking whom hee may devoure 1 Pet. 5.8 And only they that be truly regenerate shall be able to withstand his assaults for they only have the Lord with them and for them Now true regeneration contains a totall change both in mind heart and life and is indeed the work of God by his spirit yet in the means the word and prayer wherein we must exercise our selves in an holy manner and beware we doe not quench the spirit or coole any good motion begun thereby Verse 6. The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there Selah The meaning of the words THis verse setteth out another great priviledge of Sion Gods true Church in regard of the honour and happinesse of every true member of it namely that when God writeth down the names of the people that belong unto him he doth count and reckon those for his that be born again in the Church For the better understanding whereof we must know that the Prophet doth here speak of God after the manner of great personages who use to write and enrowle in a book the names of those that they accept and receive into their houses and families as members thereof to any place of service for which see Gen. 40.20 Pharoah on his birth day making a feast unto all his servants lifted up the head of his chief butler and of his chief baker among his servants that is taking a view of all his servants according to their names written in his book as the same phrase is used Numb 31.49 there translated taking the sum which in Genesis is rendred lifting up the head he reckoned his chief butler and chief baker among his servants In like manner the scripture calleth the Church the house of the living God 1 Tim. 1.15 and for our better conceiving of his certain and perfect knowledge remembrance both of all things that ever were are or shall be in the world and also of all those persons that in a speciall manner belong unto him as true members of his Church on earth whom he means to glorifie in heaven doth tell us of certain books which God hath even three in number which we may not uafitly thus distinguish by name First the book of his eternall prescience Psal 139.16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect and in thy book all my members are written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them This is nothing else but his perfect eternall foresight of all things before they were whereby he knew them as perfectly as if they had been actually written in a book The second is the book of his actuall providence whereby he doth most perfectly take actuall knowledge of and remember all things whatsoever even every thought word and deed of every man Hereof see Psal 139.1 2,3 O Lord thou hast searched me and known me Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising thou understandest my thought a farre off c and Psalm 56.8 Thou tellest my wanderings put thou my tears into thy bottle are they not in thy book and according to this he will judge the world Rev. 20.12 I saw the dead both small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works The third is the book of life which is Gods eternall purpose for the saving of his elect by Christ actually declared by their effectuall calling or regeneration by the holy ghost in this life in which estate they are referved and kept for glory This book may be said to betwice written in First from all eternity in Gods purpose whereof see Rev. 13.8 whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Secondly actually in Gods work of effectuall calling or regeneration in the time of naturall life which is termed Gods calling according to purpose Rom. 8.28 And indeed of this latter writing in the book of life by regeneration or effectuall calling is this place to be understood As if he should have said That the Church hath great honour and the true members of it great happinesse is hereby apparent that when God writes up the people actually in the book of life that be is he reckons those for his that be regenerate and born again in his Church In the words thus understood note two things First Gods work of speciall mercy to the true members of the Church Secondly the quality and condition of those persons to whom the foresaid work of mercy is certainly vouchsafed The first observation For the first Gods speciall work of mercy to the true members of the Church is this he actually writes their names in the book of life and then reckons and accounts them to be his own This is plainly shewed in his golden chain Rom. 8.29 40 Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the first born among many brethren Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them hee also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified Vpon this effectuall calling he bids his Disciples rejoyce that their names were written in heaven Luke 10.20 and upon the good effects and signs of effectuall calling he saith of certain teachers that were zealous of Gods glory in the Church of Philippi that their names were in the book of life Phil. 4.3 The reason hereof may be two wayes confidered The first Reason First of the fact it self in God writing mens names in the book of life and that is only Gods good pleasure According as he hath chosen us in him before the beginning of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will Eph.
and repent that it hath any corner and closet by allowance among us yea we must by prayer to God seek the removalll of it Consider Psal 81.8 9. Heare O my people and I will testifie unto thee O Israel if thou wilt hearken unto me There shall no strange God be in thee neither shalt thou worship any strange God Then for prophanenesse among the professors of true religion this argues a dead faith for such deny the power of true Religion 2 Tim. 3.5 Now Gods Kingdome is not in word but in power 1 Cor. 4.20 And this is a spreading evill amongst us as Gods judgements shew See Jer. 23.10 The land is full of adultery and because of oaths the land mourns Also Hos 4.1 2 3. The Lord hath a controversie with the land c. The same sinnes are rife amongst us whereof we must take speciall regard against the day of humiliation The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to any land or people that keep covenant with God when they are oppressed with idolatrous enemies or wicked men as usually the true Church is they must remember their interest in the true God and in the time of danger with Hezekiah Is 37.6 29. humble themselves in earnest prayer and with Jehosaphat fast and pray 2 Kings 20.3 4 12. and then they shall receive a gracious answer as he did verse 14. and good successe as Abijah did 2 Chron. 13.8 10 12. The third Observation Secondly note here as taken for granted That Jacob that is the Jewes who were the posterity of Jacob had been taken captive For the Churches thankfulnesse for their bringing back is an acknowledgement of their carrying out The truth hereof is manifest by plain and manifold relation in the holy story See 2 Kings 24.10 11. Dan. 1.1 2. for the beginning of it in part in the raigne of Jehojakim and for the accomplishment thereof see 2 Kings 25.2 8 11. Jer. 39.2 3 c. and Jer. 52.4 c. The reason hereof was their grievous sinnes againd God Lam 1.8 Jerusalem hath grievously finned therefore she is removed according to Gods threatning Levit. 26.14 15 25 33. Deut. 28.15 20. Jer. Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great evill against us verse 11. thou shalt say because your fathers have forsaken me verse 12. and ye have done worse then your fathers verse 13. therefore wil I cast you out of this land This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The use for instruction For instruction see plainly that Gods own people for the sinnes committed among them may lye under most heavy and grievous judgements as here we see they are led into captivitie among whom were Daniel Shadrach Meshuch and Abednego Dan. 1. also Mordecai and Esther Est 2.5 6. yea Zerobabell and Jehoshuah Yea see Psal 44.9 10. c. to the 18. The first Use for admonition For admonition two wayes First to beware of rash judgement either against our selves or others for the greevous calamities that lye upon us and them for God saith many are the afflictions of the righteous Psal 34 19. Whosoever will live godly must suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 Through manifold afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of heaven Acts 14.22 The second use for admonition Secondly hereby learn to know to repenâ— of for the time past and to beware of for the time to come those sinnes that brought the captivitie which are these In generall the transgressing of Gods Commandements as Lev. 26.14 15 25. In particular idolatry 2 Chron. 7.19.20 Sabbath breaking Nehem. 13.15 16 17. Covetuousnesse Jer. 6.12 13. Soothing teaching Jer. 6.14 c. The Use for comfort For comfort to the godly in the times of their great affliction Consider that nothing befalls thee which hath not light on Gods deer children whatever thine affliction be whether inward in mind or outward in body See 1 Cor. 10.13 Consider the state of Job Jeb 1. and 2. chapters and of David Psal 77.2.4 My soar ran in the night and â—easednot my foule refused to be comforted Thou holdest mine eyes waking I am so troubled that I cannot speak yet I cryed unto God with my voyce even unto God with my voyce and he gave eare unto me verse 1. Consider also the restauration of Israel in this text and Zeph. 3.14 c. Is 12.1 c. Is 54.1 c. Micah 4.6 7. The fourth observation The third particular thing to be here observed is expressed namely that God brought back his people that had brought back his people that had been led into caprivitie This is plain for the captivity of Babilon in the first and second chapters of Ezra where both time and means and persons that did return are set down particularly and at large The first Reason The reason hereof is twofold First and chiefly in God who of meer grace and favour undertook this great work and bound himself thereto by promise See Jer. 27.22 They shall be carried to Babilon and there shall they be untill the day that I visit them then will I bring them up and restore them to this place Jer 29.10 After seventy years be accomplished at Babilon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to return to this place 2 Chron. 36.22 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus that he made a Proclamation thorow out all his Kingdome and put it also in writing saying c. The second Reason Secondly God herein had respect to the godly behaviour of his children in true repentance and earnest prayer whereunto he did enable them by his grace that so he might perform his good word unto them For that was Solomons request at the dedication of the temple 2 Chron. 6.36 37 38. assented unto chapt 7.1 by signe of fire consuming the sacrifice and by voyce verse 12. I have heard thy prayer And so we find that Daniel did Dan. 9. according as God had said the godly should do Jer. 29.12 c. Then shall you call upon me and go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me I will be found of you and turn away your captivitie This serves for instruction and for admonition The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First see that God doth actually for his Church exceeding abundantly above all that men can ask or think Eph. 3.20 with Psal 126.1 When the Lord turned again the captivitie of Sion we were like them that dream Such was Peters deliverance both to himself and others of the Church Acts 12.9.15 16. The second Use for instruction Secondly here see a plain difference between Gods dealing with his own people and with the wicked when hee enters into judgement with them His
ground First in generall in this verse then more particularly in the rest of the Psalm Her behaviour is in these words I will heare what God the Lord will speak meaning by way of answer to my complaint and prayer Wherein we have to note two things 1. How she stileth God in this place 2. What duty she undertaketh towards him The first Observation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the first the titles here given to God by the Church are two God the Lord the first notes out his power the second his performance of what he hath promised as Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham Isaac and Jacob by the name of God almighty but by my name Jehovah was I not known unto them verse 6. wherefore say unto them I am the Lord I will bring you out And this is used by the Church and godly elsewhere as Psal 118.27 God is the Lord who hath given us light The Reason The reason of this practise of the Church is to strengthen her self to the better performance of the duty she undertakes which is to wait for Gods answer to her prayers whereto she shall be the better encouraged and enabled by considering that God is Jehovah one that not only hath being of himself but gives being to his promises Now being God he is able and being Jehovah he is faithfull as Heb. 10.23 He is faithfull that promised 1 Thes 5.24 He will also do it And for his promise see Psal 50.15 The first use for admonition This should teach us to labour to understand the holy titles whereby God is stiled in Scripture that so we may the better make a right use of them both to terrifie us from sin and to encourage us in faith and obedience As for terrour to consider that he is called an everlasting burning and devouring fire Is 33.14 For encouragement in difficult cases to consider that he is the maker of heaven and earth great in counsell mighty in work Jer. 32.17.19 for mercy the good God 2 Chron. 30.18 for encouragement in prayer Our father which art in heaven Mat. 6.9 which layes a ground both of confidence in that he is our father and of fear and humilitie in that he is in heaven The second Use for admonition Secondly is God the Lord then those that call him so must fear him in regard of his power Jer. 5.25 Mat. 10.28 obey him as their Lord. Luke 6.46 and rest upon him by faith because he makes good his gracious promises 2 Cor. 1.20 The second Observation The duty which the Church here undertakes to perform to God is this she will patiently attend for Gods gracious answer to her complaint and prayer So doth Job Job 14. All the daies of my appointed time will I wait till my change come Psal 40.1 I waited patiently for the Lord Psal 130.5 6. I wait for the Lord my soul doth wait The Reason The reason hereof is from the work of Gods spirit in his children enabling them by faith 1. To reverence his command enjoyning them so to doe Psal 27.14 Wait on the Lord be of good courage 2. To rely upon his promise to hear and help 2 Chron. 7.14 wherein they know he will not fail because he is a God of power able to do whatsoever he will Psal 115.3 and of mercy exceeding abundant above all that we can ask or think Ephes 3.20 This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction it acquaints us with a plain difference between the godly who are believers and the wicked who are unbelievers the godly do not onely pray to â—od but wait also for an answer when they have made their prayer as Psal 42.5 11. Isaiah 28.16 But the wicked either pray not as Psal 14.4 or if they do pray yet they will not wait as 2 Kings 6.33 What should I wait upon the Lord any longer They deal with their prayers as the Oftrich doth with her eggs which she leaveth in the earth c. Job 39.14 c. because God hath deprived them of uunderstanding as punishment of their contempt of the meanes of grace else they would not account the exercise of prayer unprofitable as Job 21.15 Mal. 3.4 The use for admonition For admonition that we endeavour to approve our selves to be Gods people by waiting upon God for a gracious answer to our prayers This we should do every day according to the practise of the Church in this place whereunto if we did indeed set our selves we would make conscience of all sinne that we might keep our selves in the love of God without which we cannot comfortably expect a gracious answer from him to our prayers Now to enable us to wait and listen for a gracious answer when we have prayed we must be well exercised in godly consideration and practise The consideration needfull hereto is three fold First of Gods promise made to those that pray unto him for it is presumption to wait for that which God hath not promised to give True expectation is a fruit of faith which ever looks at Gods word of promise Secondly of Gods power and mercy for as his power will assure us that he is able so his mercie will shew that he is most ready and willing to grant our requests Thirdly we must consider his manner of answer it is three-fold Sometime by giving that particular blessing we ask as 1 Sam. 1.27 For this childe I prayed and the Lord hath given me my Petition which I asked of him Sometime by giving some other thing answerable to the blessing as 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee And sometimes by giving patience and strength to bear the evils which we would have removed as Heb. 5.7 The godly practise hereto needfull is threefold First to stir up our hearts to lay hold on Gods promises by faith as Psal 43.5 And herein we must shew godly judgement in labouring to trust perfectly for spirituall blessings simply needfull to salvation as 2 Tim. 1.12 I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed c. But for spirituall blessings lesse necessary as also for all temporall blessings to submit our wils to Gods will Secondly we must hold on in the way of obedience Psal 37.34 Wait on the Lord and keep his way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land Thirdly continue in prayer Col. 4.2 Keep not silence give the Lord no rest Isaiah 62.6 7. For he will speak peace to his people and to his Saints The reason or ground whereby the Church doth encourage her self to the former godly practise drawn from Gods gracious dealing with his people in giving comfortable answer to their prayers for peace in Scripture doth oftentimes note out all manner of welfare as Exod. 18.7 Psal 122.6 Psal 35.27 In this reason we have two things to note First the honourable title whereby Gods people here be stiled namely that they are his
the children but to make the fathers sinne more odious doth then bring upon the children the fruit of their own originall corruption which is death determined upon all flesh as appears Gen. 2.17 compared with Rom. 5.12 As a creditor that hath both the father and the sonne debtors unto him may upon the fathers provocation lay the forfeiture upon both being both in his danger Vse 2 Secondly here is speciall encouragement to the children of wicked parents to become godly and faithfull in their places In some sense they are the sonnes of strangers for the wicked are estranged from the womb Psal 58.3 yet if they have their fathers sinnes and become faithfull to the Lord here is comfort for them in the honour of Korah's posterity See Isai 56.3 6 7. Let not the son of the stranger that joyneth himself to the Lord say the Lord hath utterly separated me from his people For the sonnes of the stranger that joyned themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord to be his servants c. Even them will bring to my holy Mountain and make them joyfull in my house of prayer c. For them that honour me I will honour saith the Lord 1 Sam. 2.30 Thus much for the Title the Psalme it selfe followeth Verse 1. His foundation is in the holy Mountaines The meaning of the words THat is God founded his holy City and Sanctuary among the holy Mountains of Judea even on Mount Moriah 2 Chron. 3.1 and Mount Sion Psal 48.2 For the relative here used hath the Lord named in the next verse for his antecedent to which it is most fitly and properly referred according to our translation wherewith among variety of references by interpreters I rest best satisfied In the words so understood two things are contained First the author and founder of the Church shadowed out by the holy City and Sanctuary at Jerusalem Secondly the seat thereof For the first The true Church 1. Observation typified by the holy City and Temple at Jerusalem is a spirituall building of Gods own founding and making Here it is called his foundation And in regard of him founding it it is called his Tabernacle Rev. 21.3 and the holy City coming down from heaven Rev. 21.2 Jerusalem from above Gal. 4.26 This is that City in the glory of it which the Patriarchs sought whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11.10 This is most plain if wee consider 1. the foundation Christ Iesus For other foundation can no man lay saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 3.11 and God himself saith he layeth this Isaiah 28.16 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation 2. The upper building Christians 1. Pet. 2.4.5 To whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious ye also as living stones are built up a spirit all house 2. The builders both efficient and instrumentall God and his Ministers 1 Cor. 3.9 For we are labourers together with God ye are Gods husbandry ye are Gods building The reason is The Reason the praise of the glory of his grace among his elect and chosen people For here God sets his name Deutr. 14.24 and will be glorified in his people Isaiah 49.3 This serves for instruction concerning the stability of the Church The use for instruction not only in the whole as Gods building against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevaile Mat. 16.18 but in every true member of it as Gods workmanship in Christ Iesus Ephes 2.10 For it is God that establisheth us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.21 Christ as a shepheard will not loose one sheep My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them eternally life and they shall never perish Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Iohn 10.27 28. while I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest mee I have kept and none of them is lost but the soune of perdition Iohn 17.12 He being their head and they being his members 1. Cor. 12.27 will he suffer them to be pulled away Nay he is the saviour of his body Ephes 5.23 The first use for admonition It serves for admonition likewise First for Ministers in regard of their doctrine whereby they are workers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 compared with 2 Cor. 6.1 They must not be ignorant nor negligent but wise and faithfull in this great work of spirituall building The foundation being laid which is Iesus Christ they must take heed what they build thereupon for every mans work shall bee made manifest the day shall declare it of what sort it is 1 Cor. 3.10 c. The second use for admonition Secondly for Gods people every one must suffer himselfe to be wrought upon in the ministry of the word to be hewen and squared and fitted to lye upon Christ which we then are when we be brought to leave sinne by true repentance to live in Christ by true faith and to walk in new obedience in the course of our lives thereby testifying the truth of our faith and repentance Therefore with St. Paul Heb. 13.22 I beseech you brethren suffer the word of exhortation The second thing to be here observed is the seat of Gods building where he layes the foundation of his holy City and Temple namely in the holy mountains which may be understood generally of the land of Canaan which was a mountainous country Deut. 11.11 Gods inheritance chosen for his own people Psal 97.1 compared with Psal 47.4 called his holy border Psal 78.54 that land which he bordered out for his people Numb 34.3 c. Or more particularly of the Mountains Sion and Moriah whereon God by his speciall providence caused Jerusalem his holy City and the Temple his holy Sanctuary to be seated and built And these mountains are called holy not for any holinesse or sanctity inherent in the soyle or ground but first from Gods presence who chose chiefe hills for his seat to dwell in as Psal 68.16 Psal 74.2 Psal 132.13 Is 8.18 and Zechar. 8.3 Thus saith the Lord I am returned unto Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem and Jerusalem shall be called a City of truth and the Mountain of the Lord of hosts The holy Mountain Secondly from that holy use and employment whereto he put these mountains for hereon was built the holy City Dan. 9.16 and the holy Sanctuary or Temple 2 Chron. 3.1 Psalme 78.68 69. Mark then God builds Jerusalem the holy city and the Temple his holy sanctuary on the holy mountains Sion 2. Observation and Moriah the places before quoted shew it plainly with Psal 122.1 c. The reason hereof is two-fold First Reason 1. to let his people know that their God with whom they enter
dwell in thy Courts wee shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house even of thy holy Temple Psal 65.4 being married unto him For thy maker is thine husband Is 54.5 And I will betroath thee unto me for ever yea I will betroath thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse and in mercies I will even betroath thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord Hos 2.18 19. so Psal 45. and Canticles In justification from the guilt of sinne Even as David also describeth the blessednesse of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sinnes are covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne Rom. 4 6 7 8. In adoption to the honour and state of sonnes and daughters Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God 1 John 3.1 In sanctification to the abolishing of corruption in regard of dominion and the renewing of the soule in knowledge righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.21 22 23 24. In which estate they are made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1.5 6. strengthened with all might according to his glorious power Col. 1.11 and stablished in Christ and on Christ so as the gates of hell shall not prevaile against them Matthew 16.18 See 2 Corinthians 1.2 c. In the world to come In the world to come Gods advancement of his Church is perfect unto all fulnesse of joy and height of honour for evermore Then they receive the Kingdome prepared for them Mat. 25.34 and weare the crown of righteousnesse laid up for them 2 Tim. 4.8 Now they have on them white robes of perfect holinesse and palmes in their hands of full conquest over all enemies Rev. 7.9 Now they are in Gods presence where is fulnesse of joy and at his right hand where are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 They enjoy that glory wherewith the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared Rom. 8.18 the hope whereof will sustain the soule in the greatest distresse as 2 Cor. 4.14 16 17. Knowing that he which raised up Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus shall present us with you For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory So as indeed we may say of these glorious joyes as the Queen of Sheba said of Solomons wisedome 1 Kings 10.7 the one halfe thereof was not shewed unto me 3. In the means of both Christ Jesus Thirdly the greatnesse of Gods love to his Church doth appear in the means of both the former which is the gift of Jesus Christ his only begotten sonne to become man and to dye for their sinnes and to rise again for their justification Rom. 4.25 He redeemeth his Church from the curse of the law by becoming himself a curse for them Gal. 3.13 He delivereth them from the wrath to come Thes 1.10 And hereupon by way of excellence is called the deliverer and redeemer Rom. 11.26 out of Is 59.20 where the same word is used which Job hath calling Christ his redeemer Job 19.25 It is he also that doth exalt and advance his Church to salvation and glory My sheep heare my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternall life John 10.27 28. For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.9 The Reason The reason hereof is not any thing in the Church existent or foreseen as a meritorious or moving cause for God loves her freely Hosea 14.4 Her loathsome state in corruption shewes it plainly when the first evidence thereof is given When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thy blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live Thy time was as the time of love Ezekiel 16.6 8. Yet when the Church hath being as it is built upon Christ Iesus and is endued with the spirit and beautified with the graces thereof even for all these doth Gods love actually encrease towards his Church to the daily provocation of her love to him again with praise and thankes and more conscionable obedience for his glory as Deuir 10.12 c. This serves for instruction for admonition and comfort The first use for instruction For instruction two wayes First it shewes what a blessed thing it is to be a true member of Gods Church for all such have true part and portion in Gods speciall love as is before shewed Now this is the fountain of all blessings even of the blessing of blessings the gift of the sonne of God For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Sonneâ— that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John3 16 with whom come all other good things He that spared not his own sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8.32 We know that love is kinde or bountifull 1 Cor. 13.4 and hence we count Kings favourites happy as being near and dear to those that are so able to enrich and honour them in the world as Esther 6.6 c. How happy then are they that are favourites to the King of Kings the eternall omnipotent Lord of all See Psal 146.3 c. Put not your trust in Princes c. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the Lord his God c. Happy is the people that is in such a case yea happy is the people whose God is the Lord Psal 144.15 For who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high c. Psal 113.15 The 2. use for instruction Secondly it shewes one reason of the manifold and great troubles and afflictions of Gods Church and children here on earth when the wicked world is at ease and rest Zechar. 1.11 12. A case that troubled the Prophets of God as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperitie of the wicked Psal 73.2,3 Righteous art thou O Lord when I pleade with thee yet let me talk with thee of thy judgements wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously Thou hast planted them yea they have taken root they grow yea they bring forth fruit thou art near in their mouth and farre from their reines Jerem. 12.1 2. And so may easily make weak Christians to stagger as Judges 6.13 If the Lord be with us why then is all this befaln us It is true that the sinnes of Gods Church and children lay
here spoken of must be understood to denote the true Church of God in all ages as being in the Prophets time when this Psalme was penned both the chief feat and true type thereof so as for us the point here contained is this The true Church of God is Gods own City The first observation Hence it is called Jerusalem from above Gal. 4.26 The heavenly Jerusalem the holy City the new Jerusalem the great City the holy Jerusalem Rev. 21.2 10. The reason hereof is Gods free grace and favour choosing his Church in Christ to be his own by covenant The reason even his house Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 His Temple so as he will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6.16 And so his city where the Tabernacle of God is with men Revel 21.3 This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction to our great comfort that God certainly will defend his Church against all enemies for so much will every King do for his chief city that is the chamber of his Kingdome and every housholder for his own habitation as Mat. 24.43 If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thiefe would have come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up See Gods promise and performance for Jerusalem while it remained the seat of his Sanctuary Is 37.35 I will defend this City to save it for mine own sake and for my servant Davids sake Hereupon the people of God say God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Though the Waters thereof roare and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most high God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.1 c. God is known in her pallaces for a refuge Psal 48.3 And for the true Church her selfe in all ages Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemne Isaiah 54.17 The first use for admonition For admonition it serves two wayes First as we desire true safety and salvation eternall so to joyn our selves truly to Gods Church for upon Mount Sion shall be deliverance Obad. 17. This is as Noah's Ark into which all must come that look to be saved from the deluge of damnation Heb. 11.7 Therefore it is said that God added to his Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2.47 Now the way into Christs Church is by true repentance and faith in Christ Jesus as Acts 2.38.41 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules The second use for admonition Secondly when we do professe the truth of Chirst we must walk worthy of this holy place by a continuall daily strife and endeavour after sanctification testified in new obedience Hereinto none do enter or continue that are unholy or prophane There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs book of life Rev. 21.27 This is Gods holy city not only in regard of the owner God himself but of all the free denisons the true inhabitants thereof Gods people are an holy nation 1 Pet. 2.9 and the Lord saith Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 11.44 45. Even holy in abstaining from outward pollution by unclean creatures The same duty is enjoyned upon the prohibiting of idolatry and witchcrafts Levit. 20.7 So that whether the sin be small or great we must abstain from it because we have an holy God and live in an holy place which is his Church as we say in the confession of our faith I beleev the holy Catholike Church Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place He that hath clean hands and a pure heart c. Psal 24.3 4. Hence was the use of the paddle in the camp to cover their excrements because God walked in the midst of the camp Deut. 23.13 14. The second thing to be noted here is the declaration of the Churches happinesse in the sure ground of her certain hopes of her future blessings namely Gods gracious promises of glorious things to be done unto her every one whereof is mentioned in Gods Word as the phrase in the originall doth imply joyning a participle of the singular number to a noune of the plurall which some render thus Glorious things is spoken of thee meaning that every one of them concerning the Churches happinesse is particularly mentioned in Gods Word The second Observation Mark then that God in his word doth plainly and particularly mention exceeding glorious things belonging to the Church touching her future happinesse These do concern partly her happy deliverance from evils for God shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Psal 130.8 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorow the fire thou shalt not be burnt c. Is 43.2 c. But chiefly her fruition of blessings even in this world under the Kingdome of Christ called the accepted time and day of salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 the time of reformation Heb. 9.10 Glorious things indeed were spoken of these times as 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of mans the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Pet. 1.12 See some particulars which are for quality admirable and for number almost innumerable Now the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the sunne shall be seven fold Is 30.26 meaning that there shall be a wonderfull encrease of knowledge and of the comforts of grace Now Kings shall be her nursing fathers and Queens her nursing mothers c. Is 49.23 Adde hereunto Is 54.1 2,3 11 12 13. and Is 60. 1 2. and 62.1 2. and 65.17 18. and 66.11 12. and the 21. and 22. chapters of the Revelation And whatsoever shall be wanting to the Church or to any true member thereof in this world shall be superabundantly supplyed and recompenced in the world to come as Rom. 8.18 1 Cor. 15.53 54. 2 Cor. 4.14 16.
nations in whom he gives instance pointing them out by name with command of speciall observance that by effectuall calling and regeneration shall become true members of his Church namely the Egyptians Babilonians Philistims men of Tyre and Ethiopians under whom he comprehendeth other Gentiles yet nameth such as were well known unto the Jewes then Gods only people formerly to have shewed themselves their greatest enemies Egypt and Babilon were the places of Israels bondage and captivity The Philistims likewise were sore oppressours and Lords over them Judg. 15.11 even forty years together Judg. 13.1 The men of Tyre were bitter enemies delivering up the whole captivity to Edom and remembred not the brotherly covenant Amos 1.9 Their cruelty see further Joel 3.4 6. and Psal 83.7 The Ethiopians were likewise grievous enemies as their bloody assault with a huge Army did plainly shew 2 Chron. 14.9 Yet for all this Behold saith the Lord these shall be converted and become friends to the Church free Denisons of Sion for all Nations shall serve him meaning Christ prefigured by Solomon Psal 72.11 The Gentiles shall come to thy light The abundance of the Sea shall he converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Is 60.3 5. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called saith the Lord Acts 15.17 In particular of Egypt and Babilon see Is 19.19 21 25. In that day shall there be an Altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt And the Lord shall be known to Egypt and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day and shall doe sacrifice and oblation yea they shall vow a vow unto the Lord and performe it And Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands And of Tyre Psal 45.12 The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift And of Ethiopia Psal 68.31 Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God But why doth he instance in these nations especially when as in them he intends to shew the conversion of the Gentiles The first Reason This he doth for three causes First to shew the greatnesse of his power who can not only confound but even convert the greatest enemies of his Church For their confounding see Exod. 14 27 28. and Numb 16. And for conversion see Acts 9.1 c. The second Reason Secondly this he doth to manifest even to enemies his great love unto his Church as he saith Revel 3.9 I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jewes and are not but do lye behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee Thirdly for the encouragement of his Church and children unto faith and patience The third Reason in the times of opposition by mighty enemies For the true God who is God of the Church can either confound or convert them at his pleasure or if he do neither of those things yet he can cause the wrath of his enemies to turn to his praise Psal 76.10 as is plain in the rage of Nabuchadnezzar against his servants Dan. 3.19 20 28 29. This serves for Instruction with confutation admonition and comfort The use for instruction For instruction In the conversion of these mighty enemies we may plainly see that when God is pleased to shew mercy in Christ the gracious work of his holy spirit is irresistible corruption indeed is strong but yet the grace of the spirit is stronger as is said 1 John 4.4 Greater is he that is in you them he that is in the world The Devill indeed is the strong man armed that keeps the house of every naturall heart but yet Christ by his spirit is stronger and can come in and cast out the strong man Luke 11.21 22. This is plainly shewed in fit resemblances Is 11.6 The wolfe shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lye down with the kidd c. which was truly verified in Saul that of a most bloody persecutor was made a zealous preacher Acts 9. according to that of our Saviour John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto mee Though none can come except the Father draw John 6.44 yet when God drawes they runne Cant. 1.4 By which it is plain that they grosly erre that hold Gods saving work of grace man be resisted by mans corruption for who hath resisted his will that can raise up children unto Abraham of very stones Rom. 9.19 Mat. 3.9 Indeed our Saviour saith to the rebellious Jewes Mat. 23.37 How often would I have gathered you as an heme gathereth her chickens under her wings but you would not And St. Stephen telleth the rebellious Jewes they had ever resisted the holy Ghost Acts 7.51 But they both speak of resistance made to the outward Ministry not to the inward powerfull work of the spirit The use for admonition For admonition it serves profitably both to godly Ministers and people not to despaire of any mans conversion though never so refractory or rebellious to Gods ordinance till they manifest their rejection of God by committing the unpardonable sinne whereof St. John speaks 1 John 9.16 For he can make a Paul of Saul and cause the Lyon and the Lamb to live together quietly This indeed ought to be their behaviour that wish and wait for the means of grace according to their places in instruction exhortation admonition and the like as a Tim. 2.24 25 26. in publike if they be Ministers and in private if they be private Christians as Mat. 18.15 c. If thy brother shall trespasse against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother c. For private Christians may be be means of conversion Jam. 5.19 20. Brethren if any of you do erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes Secondly they must pray earnestly to God for the work of his spirit 1 John 5.16 If any man see his brother sin a sinne which is not unto death he shall aske and he shall give him life for them that sinne not unto death From unfeigned desire as Paul did Rom. 10.1 My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved And Rom. 9.2,3 I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart For I could wish that my selfe were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Consider Davids behaviour for the naturall life of his child 2 Sam. 12.16 David besought God for the child and David fasted and went in and lay all night upon the earth And shall not the spirituall life of the soule be esteemed much more precious
Thirdly they must walk before them in the example of a godly life as St. Peter exhorteth Christian wives to do before their heathen husbands 1 Pet. 3.1 2,3 Ye Wives be in subjection to your husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the word bee wonne by the conversation of the wives c. This godly life hath a gracious promise Prov. 16.7 When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be aâ— peace with him The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the godly in the strongest opposition by malitious enemies let them look up to God and consider what he can do either for the confusion or conversion of their enemies For confusion see what hath been said before and adde the consideration of Gods dealing with the two Captains 2 Kings 1.10 12. and for Gideon against the Midianites Judg. 7.22 and for Jehosaphat against the three Kings of Moab Ammon and mount Seir 2 Chron. 20.22 23. For conversion of enemies God can do it either to temporall outward kindnesse as in Laban towards Jacob Gen. 31.29 in Esau toward Jacob Gen. 33.1 4. or to true sincere and unfeigned love as in Darius Dan. 6. and in Saul that was afterward called Paul towards the Church Acts 9.26 Verse 5. And of Sion it shall he said This and that man was born in her and the highest himself shall establish her The meaning of the words HEre the Psalmist proceeds in the confirmation of that he had said of the City of God in the third verse that glorious things were spoken of her namely that beside the conversion of many unto her out of forrain Nations which had formerly been her greatest enemies verse 4. she should enjoy within her self a double honour first the calling and conversion of many within her secondly confirmation and establishment from the most high For the first the calling and conversion of many within her is thus expressed Of Sion it shall be said this and that man was born in her Where by birth as hath been said verse 4 we must understand not naturall birth by corporall generation but spirituall birth in regeneration And the phrase this and that man or man and man as it is in the Hebrew and the Greeks do so render it may note out every man meaning that is converted as the like words are taken Est 1.8 and so Paul saith Jerusalem which is above is the mother of us all Gal. 4.26 Or in regard that the phrase man and man here used is opposed to the like phrase in the former verse this man was born there it seems likest that here he denoteth the conversion of moe in Zion then in other particular places The first observation Mark here then that it is and shall be Sions glory and renown to have man man born in her that is many men of all sorts and conditions born of God called and converted in her to the true faith See Is 54.1 Sing O harren thou that didst not bear break forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with child for moe are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife saith the Lord. Which place is best expounded by Gal. 4.27 Sarah long barren and her sonne did prefigure Jerusalem from above the heavenly Jerusalem Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 Hagar and Ismael prefigured the people of the Jewes that clave to the covenant of works given in Mount Sinai which gendreth unto bondage see Gal. 4.22 26. This glorious thing foreshewed of Gods City received accomplishment partly in the Apostles time when even in Jerusalem moe were converted unto the faith at one or two sermons then we read of in any other place three thousand Acts 2.41 five thousand Acts 4.4 Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Acts 5.14 But chiefly it shall be accomplished in the second calling of the Jewes when all Israel shall hee saved Romanes 11.26 The reason is plain For multitude of converts is a manifest evidence of Gods speciall favour The Reason in the blessing of saving grace which is the greatest renown that can bee as we may see by Christs own rejoycing in it Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me In ancient time it was counted a great renown to have many children as Gen. 30.20 Leah said God hath endued me with a good dowry now will my husband dwell with mee because I have born him sixe sonnes And of O bed Edom that he had eight sonnes because God blessed him 1 Chr. 26.5 How much more then is it an honour to bring forth children unto God This serves for instruction and for admonition For instruction see here what is the true renown of any Kingdome The use for instruction County City Parish or Family namely to have man and man born of God there that is many people effectually called and converted unto God as Acts 19 10. There be many things that will commend men in the world as honour wealth beauty power c. but none of these nor all of them without an holy calling will commend men unto God The use for admonition For admonition it serves effectually both to Ministers and to people that they give all diligence in Gods means for the attaining of this estate Ministers must endeavour both for themselves and others and for this end must receive into their own hearts and dispense to others the pure word of God which is the immortall seed of this new birth as it is called Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.23 25. For their diligence in faithfull dispensation see 2 Tim. 4.1 1 Cor. 9.16 1 Cor. 4.2 And because all their endeavour without Gods blessing is nothing therefore they must pray instantly and earnestly for the blessing of the spirit to sanctifie the word as St. Paul doth Ephes 3.14 c. For this cause I how my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God And that they may have better title to audience they must endeavour to walk before God uprightly and and honestly For God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9.31 And the people seeing the benefit is theirs must conscionably exercise themselves in the same Christian duties viz. hearing the Word praying unto God and a godly living For the word it is the seed therefore
1.4 5. I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast revealed them unto babes even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11.25 26. The second Reason Secondly of this manner of expressing Gods speciall favour in effectuall calling saying it is his writing their names in the book of life For thus he speaketh partly for his own sake to manifest the stablenesse of his counsell and purpose for their salvation for in Gods divine wisdome and good pleasure it is as sure and firm as if their names were really written in a book partly also for the true peace and comfort of those that be truly and effectually called that they may not doubt of their happy estate but in and by this strong consolation of Gods writing their names in the book of life encourage their hearts to perseverance against all oppositions from the world the flesh and the devill as Rom. 8.33,35,38,39 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect c. This serves for instraction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction see here that the state of the true members of Gods Church is for Gods speciall favour and life eternall most stable and firm for God hath written their names amongst his people in the book of life and accompts them for his own Now them that be thus his own he loves to the end John 13.11 The gifts of grace in this calling are without repentance Rom. 11.29 This their estate hath a sure foundation he knoweth them to be his 2 Tim. 2.19 This is to be marked to arme our selves against the uncomfortable doctrine of Papists and Arminians that teach the true Saints of God may fall from grace For admonition to give all diligence unto the assurance of this estate for our selves which is St. Peters counsell The use for admonition 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 10 11. where also he shewes the way by adding grace to grace and expressing the truth thereof in obedience Giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. And give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall c. The second observation The second point to be noted is the quality and condition of those parties whom God writes with his people in the book of life and so reckons for his own They are borne there that is born again by regeneration in the true Church See 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you And James 1.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures The Reason The reason is plain for by effectuall calling which is actually writing in the book of life men are brought into spirituall society and fellowship with God in Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 which necessarily requires regeneration For the state of man in corrupt nature is darknesse under the power of Satan which can have no society with God as 2 Cor. 6.14.16 2 John 1.6 Therefore it is said they that are brought to the state of sonnes by faith are born again John 1.12 13. 1 John 5.1 The first Use for instruction This serves for instruction admonition and comfort For instruction two waies First that mans particular state in soule for fruition of Gods saving love and favour in Christ may be known by ordinary grace without extraordinary revelation For whosoever is born again is in that estate his name is actually written in the book of life as this text implies Now the state of this new birth may be known by faith 1 John 5.1 with 2 Cor. 13.5 The second Use for instruction Secondly see here the great necessity of the faithfull dispensation of the word in the preaching of it unto mans true happinesse for without regeneration there is no salvation John 3.3 5. Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdome of God And the word preached is the means in which God works as before Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.23.25 Consider that though God can convert without preaching by his absolute power yet he is pleased to work by this meanes For after that in the wisdome of God the world by wisdome knew not God it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that believed 1 Cor. 1.21 as in the Eunuch Acts 8.27 c. and in Cornelius Acts 10.1 c. The Use for admonition For admonition this must stirre up every one to give all diligence to get into the state of regeneration It is indeed Gods work but ordinarily by his spirit in the ministry of the word both the law to break up the fallow ground and the Gospell to cast in the feed of grace as before 1 Pet. 1.23.25 We must therefore exercise our selves in this word and pray for the word of the spirit and so to use these ordinances that we may have title to the work and blessing of the spirit In which holy endeavour breaking of the course of sin and hungring and thirsting after grace wee must continue till we find our selves renewed and our selves horne again The Use for comfort For comfort to those that find and feel this blessed work of the new birth for blessed are they this work shewes their names are written in heaven and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Let us Took well therefore unto both parts of it as well in the mortification of corruption as in the repaire and renewing of Gods Image and then we cannot want the comfort of assurance to have our names written in the booke of life Verse 7. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there all my springs are in thee The meaning of the words IN these words the Prophet concludes the Psalm with two most comfortable priviledges and prerogatives of the Church first that it is the only place for true delight and pleasure secondly that it is the well head of all heavenly and spirituall blessings The first he expresseth in a Metonymie of the efficient naming singers and players on instruments which were speciall agents in the cheerfull praising of God under David and Solomon and in the succeeding times of legall service as we may see for Davids time 1 Chron. 9.33 and 25.1 2,3 Which vocall musick did prefigure the joy of the holy Ghost under the gospell and so sheweth plainly The first observation That the Church of God under the gospell for the true members of it is the only place for true spirituall joy and rejoycing for evermore So it is prophecied Is 35.10 The ransomed
15. and Psal 24.3 4. And so we shall find that a day in Gods Courts is better then a thousand elsewhere Psalme 84.10 Better to be a door-keeper here then a Commander elsewhere For here is the true comforter and no where else the world cannot receive him John 14.17 This seemes to be otherwise by a double affliction that doth follow the Church Objection and the true members of â—t one from the world in persecution as Christ foretold John 16.33 the other from the Lord in terrour of soule and sorrow for sins as Job 3.24 26. Wherefore hidest thou thy face and holdest me for thine enemy For thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth And Psal 38.3 4. There is no soundnesse in my flesh because of thine anger neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne For mine iniquities are gone over my head as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me The first affliction from men Answer hindereth not the fruition of this spirituall joy as Acts 5.41 They went away from the Councell rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name Ye rejoyce in the faith though for a time ye be in heavinesse through manifold temptations I Pet. 1.6 Whereupon St. James bids them count it exceeding great joy when they fall into sundry temptations Jam. 1.2 And our saviour Christ bids the godly rejoyce and be exceeding glad when they are persecuted and reviled for righteousnesse sake Mat. 5.10 11 12. And the second affliction from the hand of God in terrour of soule is but a temporary bitter preparative unto everlasting joy The Lord for their true and through humiliation doth visit upon them the dayes of Baalim but afterward he will betroath them to himself as Hos 2.13 14.18 19. Though they sow in teares they shall reap injoy c. Psal 126.5 6. Thus are they chastened of the Lord that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 Say therefore with the Church I will bear the indignation of the Lord â—ecause I have sinned against him untill he plead my cause and execute judgment for me He will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Mic. 7.9 The second observation All my springs are in thee The last prerogative of the Church that in it be all the well-springs and fountains of all Gods spirituall and heavenly blessings Springs wee know are such places whence water doth flow out of the earth constantly and continually for the refreshing of man and beast and by fit resemblance the Lord would have us to conceive that in his Church he doth provide plenty and store of all spirituall and heavenly blessings Two spirituall springs of blessings in the true Church This will more plainly appear if we consider what spirituall fountaines and springs of blessings be in â—he true Church and no where else The first and chief well-spring of all blessings is the true God 1. The true God who is therefore called the fountain of living waters Jer. 2.23 And according to the threefold use of water-springs to the sonnes of men may we well conceive the true God to bee the fountaine of blessings to his Church First water springs serve for washing cleansing and purifying So God in Christ Jesus doth open a fountain to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem which is his true Church for sinne and for uncleannesse Zechar. 13.1 The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sinne 1 John 1.7 Secondly water springs serve to make fruitfull both herbs and plants that grow thereby So God in Christ by his spirit maketh the hearts and soules of his children fruitfull in grace I will poure water upon him that is thirsty and stoods upon the dry ground I will poure my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine of-spring And they shall spring up as among the grasse as willowes by the water courses Is 44.3 4. Thirdly springs of waters are very comfortable and yeeld great refreshing both to man and beast especially in hot countries and time of drought see Gen. 21.15 19. Judg. 15.18 19. Psal 104.10 11 12. So God in Christ by his spirit which is the comforter becomes the everlasting fountain of spirituall refreshing to the hearts and soules of all his children O God my God early will I seek thee my soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is Because thy loving kindnesse it better then life my lips shall praise thee Psal 63.1,3 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters This spake he of the spirit which they that believe on him should receive John 7.37,38 39. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life John 4.14 2. The Evangelicall Ministry The second spring of blessings in the Church is the Evangelicall ministry even the gospell preached and Sacraments administred sanctified by prayer for the blessing of the spirit Hereof the Lord saith A fountain shall come forth out of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Shittim Joel 3.18 And to the same end serves the vision of waters coming from under the door threshold of the sanctuary Ezek. 47.1 c. both which may be well expounded by Is 2.3 for out of Sion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Now this derived well-spring of the Evangelicall ministry serveth instrumentally in the Church First for washing and cleansing the foule from the filth of sinne Therefore hath God ordained Baptisme to represent our spirituall washing in Christs blood by the holy ghost whereof also with the word it becomes a gracious instrument when this free spirit pleaseth John 3.8 The 〈◊〉 bloweth where it listeth So is every one that is born of the spirit Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Secondly for making the heart fruitfull in grace Therefore is the gospell called the work of his grace Acts 20.32 and is said to bring forth fruit Colos 1.6 Thirdly for ministring spirituall joy and refreshing to the soule therefore is the whole Evangelicall ministry called the ministry of the spirit which is the Comforter 2 Cor. 3.8 because it worketh therewith 1 Cor. 3.5 and is given therein Gal. 3.2 And we through patience and comfort of the Scripture have hope Rom. 15.4 Gods words to Jeremie were the joy and rejoycing of his heart Jer. 15.16 David
of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away And they shall call thee the City of the Lord the Sion of the holy on of Israel Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went thorow thee I will make thee an eternall excellency a joy of many generations The Lord shall be thine everlasting Light and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Is 60.14 15 20. For your shame ye shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion therefore in their land they shall possesse the double ever lasting joy shall be unto them Is 61.7 See it assured by Christ himself John 16. 20 22. Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into joy your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man â—â—keth from you And verified in Christians Acts 2.40.47 They continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart praising God and having favour with all the people Acts 5.41 They departed from the presence of the Councell rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name As 1 Pet. 1.8 Believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Thess 5.16 Rejoyce evermore And rejoyce in the Lord alwayes again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 The true ground hereof is from the incomparable blessings of the covenant vouchsafed to the true members of his Church The first reason For first in Christ Jesus God himself doth betroath them unto him yea marry them and become their most dear and loving husband as Hos 2.19 20. Is 54.5 Now times of espousall are times of rejoycing Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come Rev. 19.7 With gladnesse and rejoycing shall they be brought they shall enter into the Kings Pallace Psal 45.15 We will be glad and rejoyce in thee we will remember thy love more then wine saith the Church to Christ Cant. 1.4 Secondly he doth fit them for his neer spirituall society by giving his own son The second Reason to be their Saviour and Redeemer washing away their sins in his blood 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made unto us of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Ephes 5.25.26 Christ gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it and make it to himself a glorious Church c. Now the remembrance hereof is matter of exceeding great joy Luke 2.10 Therefore the blessed Virgin Mary saith My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my saviour Luke 1.46 47. The third Reason Thirdly he bestoweth on them is holy spirit John 14.16 17. for whosoever hath not the spirit of God is none of his Rom. 3.9 Now this spirit is the fountain of joy and thereupon is called the Comforter the graces whereof he doth plentifully bestow upon them and therein gives them cause of everlasting joy The fourth Reason Fourthly God sendeth and continueth unto them his blessed word the gospell of peace and the word of their reconciliation with God and of salvation to their soules whereof the Psalmist saith Blessed are the people that know the joyfull sound Psalm 89.15 and the Apostle Paul out of the Prophet Isaiah How beautifull are the feet of them that preach the gospell of peace and bring glad tydings of good things Rom. 10.15 Solomon saith light is a pleasant thing Eccles 11.7 Now the gospell preached is a spirituall light that shineth unto those that sit in darknesse and in the shaddow of death even to guide their feet in the way of peace then which nothing can be more pleasant and joyfull see Mat. 4.16 Luke 1.77 79. The fifth Reason Fiftly Gods speciall providence is over his Church not only to preserve them from evill both corporall and spirituall which their enemies would bring upon them but also to enrich them with all needfull comforts and blessings both temporall and spirituall In that day sing ye unto her a vineyard of red wine I the Lord do keep it I water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day Is 27.2,3 This is that keeper of Israel who doth neither slumber nor sleep who keepeth his Church from all evill The Sun shall not smite her by day nor the Moon by night The Lord shall preserve thee from all evill he shall preserve thy soule The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth even for evermore Psal 121.3 c. This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction it sheweth plainly that naturall men are fearfully blinded by the God of this world for they live in the Church among the godly yet they do not conceive of nor discern their happy estate as St. John saith the world knoweth us not 1 John3 1 They think the state of a Christian to be very forlorn and miserable void of all content and comfort therefore do they debase them in their esteem accounting them the filth of the world and the onscouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 They reproach and revile them with most base and odious termes as 2 Kings 9.11 What did this mad fellow with thee Acts 24.5 Wee have found this man a pestilent fellow And Festus saâ—th Paul thou art beside thy self much learning doth make thee mad Acts 26.24 Yea Christs own friends judged so of him Mark 3.21 and the Jewes said he hath a devill and is mad why hear ye him John 10.20 Now if they do this to the green tree what will they do to the dry Luke 23.31 But wisdome is justified of her children Mat. 11.19 As the things that are magnified in the world are abomination with God Luke 16.15 see it in the lukewarmnesse of the Laodiceans Rev. 3.16 17 19 So the things that are magnified with the Lord are abominable to the world as to live godly making conscience of all sin and of every good duty and being zealous of Gods glory Whereby we may see that the vaile of ignorance hangs over their eyes They can no better discern the happy state of the godly then a blind man can judge of colours The Use for admonition For admonition this serves notably to move every one to be as carefull to become a true member of the Church as he is desirous of true and lasting joy The way is hewed 1 Pet. 2.4 6. in so yeelding to Gods means of an holy calling that we forsake our sinfull waies as Is 55.7 do come to Christ by faith and as living stones be builded on him the tryed corner stone to become a spirituall house Which estate we must testifie by the properties of the godly who be true Citizens of Sion set down particularly Psal