This diuersitie of woords vsed heere in this Psalme by Dauid is not superfluous For it sheweth vs that the Lawe of God doth hot onely commaunde vs how wee should liue and after what sorte but doth also certifie vs of the good will of God promiseth vs saluation leadeth vs too Iesus Christe stirreth vs vp too call vpon the name of God giueth vs Ceremonies to confirme vs therein and moreouer that it guideth holdeth vs within our limits And surely there is not one verse in all this Psalme although there are very many wherein there is not mention made of one of these wordes too witte either of the lawe of God or of his Commaundementes either else of his Ordinaunces Statutes or Testimonyes or of his voice Iudgementes or Iustice These wordes are heere so many times repeated as that there is not one verse but that there is one or sometimes twoo of them in it as heereafter wee shall see throughout the whole Psalme And now let vs come to the matter heerin contayned Blessed are they which keepe the Testimonies of the Lorde and which seeke him with their whole heart First Dauid decalareth heere as afore said that wee haue greatly profited in the lawe when as wee shall acknowledge and confesse what affection and loue God beareth vs and how we ought to assure our selues of his good will and fatherly loue And afterward he telleth vs to what end and purpose it is that God graunteth vnto vs such an assurance bicause saith he we should seeke him For this is most sure when as we shall vnderstand God to be such a one as he declareth himselfe vnto vs by his worde it is impossible but that wee shoulde stirre vp our selues and be moued to giue our selues wholy vnto him And to proue that this is true behold the inestimable bountie and goodnes declared vnto vs in our God what man is hee that is so peruerse and voide of sense and reason which wil not be contented to place him self there where he thinketh his whole blessednes and felicitie consisteth and lieth Euen so likewise when as become careles in seeking after the Lorde our God it is a signe and token that we haue vnderstoode nothing of that which he hath shewed vnto vs of his goodnes and mercie and of all his fatherly affection which is witnessed vnto vs in the law and in the holy scriptures But because it shall be no great adoe for a number of men to make a countenance of seeking the Lord Dauid sheweth that wee must not seeke him with our feete and handes with the outward gestures of the bodie alone but with a true and pure affection And therefore he saieth Blessed are they which seeke him with their whole heart As if he should say I would not haue you to doe as the hypocrites do which beare of religion with strōg hand no I meane not so but I would haue your loue to be sound and true As touching that saying With their whole heart it is to declare vnto vs That God cannot away with parting of stakes as we men many times doe For we are well contented to bestowe some part vpon God and would be at free libertie to holde vs with the world and to serue God by halfes But Dauid teacheth vs here to serue him with our whole heart to wit in all integritie and soundnes and not with two faces in one hood He would not haue vs patted in sunder to saye Well I am contented to serue God howbeit I would not that he should require my whole seruice to him selfe but that I might after satisfie and followe my owne lustes and pleasures that I might be at libertie to serue the worlde No not so saith he It must be brought into a true and perfect soundnes and not to deuide man after such a maner True it is that wee shall neuer be able to seeke God with such a perfection but that it may be greatly amēded neither doth the holy scripture meane by this saying With their whole heart ful perfection but only opposeth it selfe against the hypocrisie of a great nūber of men and which would be in vs al were it not that God him self did remedy help it That is we would with good wil serue God by halfes if so be he would let vs alone with the rest to do what we thought good As for example Wee shall haue very many which will not sticke with God to come to the Sermon on a Sunday and to be present at the prayers of the faithfull and to make some shewe of religiō and yet they would haue God to giue them free choise to do what they listed at the rest of the weeke after or if they come to a Sermon oftener then on the Sunday it seemeth to them that they haue done very well that they are throughly discharged of their dueties if they tarrie there but one houre But because they might be set at more libertie they will not sticke to saye that they will bee free from some one vice one will say that he will be no whoremaister Another that he will be no drunkarde Another that he wil be no blasphemer yet euery one of these wil haue his particular vice and thinke that God ought to beare with them seeing that for his honour and to do him pleasure they absteined from some synne and that they obeyed him in some point But the scripture telleth vs that all this is nothing but that euery one ought to examine him selfe throughly and in all pointes and finding in him selfe any thing which is against the wil of God to be vtterly displeased therewith clerely to renounce it and to desire nothing but to be cleansed thereof See nowe this is that perfection whereof Dauid here speaketh Nowe let vs see what is the summe of the second verse to weete that wee should doe nothing els but study in the lawe of God not onely to knowe what is forbidden or commaunded but to be certaine what maner of one GOD is towardes vs and what affection he beareth vs that we might put the trust of our saluation in him and call vpon his holy name And besides there is declared vnto vs that when we haue tasted of the mercies of God that hee hath certified vs of his loue and grace that the same ought to stirre vs vp to seeke him and to cleaue wholy vnto him and to yelde our selues wholly to his seruice and that not in the outward shewe and in hypocrisie but with a pure and sound heart and affection and not by halfes so that there bee founde true soundnes and integritie as before I haue touched Now it followeth Surely they woorke none iniquitie that walke in his waies First Dauid here sheweth in this present verse what the cause is why all men abounde in euill and iniquitie to weete for so much as they will not bee ruled by the Lorde their God See here the spring head of the outrages of
bee short he sheweth them that all their felicitie consisteth in his onely mercie He saieth in the ende I haue applied mine heart to fulfill thy statutes always euen vnto the ende Nowe when he sayeth that he enclined his heart to obserue the commaundementes of God he sheweth vs what seruice it is that God requireth that is a voluntary willing seruice See here yet a point which ought well too bee considered off too the ende wee shoulde not thinke that we are euer able to please God when as wee serue him constrainedly as wee see the miserable and wretched faithnesse do which greatly tormēt thē selues And why so For all that they do they doe it cōstrainedly bicause they would the better escape the hande of God but when they come neere vnto him as well as they may it is but as it were enforced and constrained bicause he is their iudge Nowe if we haue such a constāt desire as we terme it that we are enforced to do that which wee are cōmaūded our whole cace is little worth and God will neuer allowe of it And why so bicause he liketh of nothing els but of obedience and woulde haue vs come vnto him with franke and willing mindes See then why Dauid saieth that hee hath inclined his heart to keepe the commaundements of God not that he protesteth that he hath done it of him selfe nor of his own minde but bicause that God hath giuen him both the will and the power to do the same And to proue it to be so wee shall neuer see that Dauid braggeth of him selfe in any one place that he willed any good being so led of his own proper minde Psal 51.5 he will neuer saye that it was his naturall inclination but saieth cleane contrarie I was conceiued in sinne saieth he he reserueth nothing to him self but al that which is naught When then in this behalfe he protesteth that hee had inclined his heart he onely sheweth what the grace of God was in him And for conclusion he addeth That he did it for euer or euen vnto the ende or this is it which we haue touched heretofore to wit we must be like suddaine blasts which passe by and by but wee must bee constant and that when we shall haue once begunne we must pray vnto God that he will continue the same our well doing which hee hath begunne in vs and to holde vs by the hand vntill such time as we haue finished our course After he had sayde for euer he addeth euen vnto the ende It is very true that the saying which hee here vseth importeth sometimes salarie Or rewarde But in this place as in the first verse of the letter HE he vseth the selfe same saying it signifieth but too the ende as if hee shoulde haue saide wee may alter and chaunge our mindes in other thinges but we must follow vnto the death when God calleth vs vnto him beeing assured that in this pursuite wee cannot sayle to come to the true ende without to fayle and erre for euer And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknoweledging our faultes beseeching him that it woulde please him too make vs so throughly too feele them as that wee may in all humilitie bee able too craue pardon of him for them groaning for all the offences which wee haue committed against him And that in the meane while also wee may haue recourse vntoo him beseeching him too remedy all our vices and imperfections and so too confirme our weakenesse as that beeing strengthened by him wee might ouercome all the temptations wherewith Satan can any way assayle vs that beeing more more confirmed in his holy dictrine wee desire nothing els but to submitte our selues vnto it and too bee squared by none other rule but by that which he hath giuen vnto vs through his word That it woulde not please him onely to graunt vnto vs this grace but vnto all people and nations of the world c. The fifteenth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme SAMECH I hare vaine inuentions but thy lawe do I loue Thou art my refuge and my shield and I trust in thy worde Away from me yee wicked for I wil keepe the cōmaundementes of my God Stablish mee according too thy promise that I may liue and let me not be disappointed of my hope Hold thou me vp and I shall be saufe yea and my delight shal be continually in thy statutes Thou hast troden downe all them that depart from thy statutes for their deceipt is vayne Thou hast taken away all the vngodly of the earth like drosse therefore I loue thy testimonies My flesh trembleth for feare of thee and I am afraid of thy iudgementes WE haue so many lettes and stoppes both from aboue and heere beneath which drawe vs on to doe wickedly or at least wise which cause vs too slacke our seruing of GOD that which soeuer of vs that is minded to doe well must remoue frō him al his wicked euill affections and all the temptations which any waye may come against him See then why Dauid in this place meaning to proteste that hee loued the lawe of God sayeth to the contrarie that hee hated high enterprises or rather wicked and crooked imaginations euill considerations For the worde which is here touched signifieth a bough or braunch and by a similitude taketh it for the euill and wicked imaginations and deuises of men which runne this and that way Now we see what a bottomlesse depth the spirite of man is and how he wreatheth or windeth him selfe in his fantasies This selfe same word signifieth the very height and toppe either of an hie hill house or any other hie thing And therevpon also as by a similitude the imaginatiue cōceipts of men whē as they entend to bring them selues into credit and goe about to aduaunce them selues euen as ambitiō ruleth our nature vntill such time as God hath tamed vs by his holy spirite and humbled and made vs gentle and meek And now that wee may haue the true and naturall meaning of this place let vs see in effect that Dauid protesting that he loued the law of God saieth that hee remoued quite from him whatsoeuer might withdrawe him from it Nowe hee speaketh not this here to the ende to bragge of him selfe but rather that this example shoulde bee for our better instructiō For the spirite of God hath spokē it by his mouth to the ende we might vnderstand and knowe which is the meane whereby we might be wholy giuen to the seruice of God and to take holde of the lawe with such an affection as that our heartes might be as it were euen fast tied thereto For it is impossible I say that wee should euer come or attaine vnto it vntill such time as we haue cleane cut of the things which withdraw and turne vs away both on the one side and the other to wit
al our owne fantasies and lustes we must thrust out frō vs all whatsoeuer for the loue which we ought to beare to the lawe of God we must also forget all hawtines or pride yea euen studying howe too separate our selues from those which any waye might drawe vs too euill and not too communicate with the vngodly whiche are double hearted full of hypocrisie or else such as are but vaine glorious and of that pryde which euen moueth thē to lift thēselues vp both against God and men For their company will so corrupt vs as that being uuzzeled amongst them our heartes can neuer be so ordered and ruled in the loue which wee ought to haue to the lawe of God Now then let vs kepe wel in mind this admonitiō as a thing most profitable for vs to wit as before I haue said that as we are enclined to committee a great number of offences and villanies which will withdrawe vs from the loue that we ought to beare to the word of God let vs so much the mere flie from whatsoeuer draweth vs away backward Yea and let vs vnderstand that looke howe many our imaginations and affections are that they are euen so many cartropes to hale pull vs away from this loue or els they are so many poysons which Satan giueth vs to the ende we should not once taste of the word of God neither to be so amiable and pleasant vnto vs as it ought but rather that we might be greeued lothed therwith so to leaue it as if it were a grieuous matter an occasion of heuines Since then it is so let vs be well aduised too purge our heartes of all earthly affections if we will take in hād to loue the word of God And yet it is not enough that wee haue fought against our vngodly lustes and fleshly fantasies but we must also as it were gather our wittes together for hardly can we open our eies to looke about this waye and that waye but that Satan will laye before vs some euill and wicked stops and encountries It is very true that so long as we liue here in this worlde wee can not but both see and heare a great many of things but yet must wee bridle our senses And aboue all the rest we ought to fight against these strange counterfait hypocrisies and affectiōs wherein we are nuzzeled We must euen hate deadly al this in our heart to the ende wee bee not hindred from the loue of the worde of God And thus much for the first verse Now in the second Dauid sheweth howe wee should finde the woorde of God pleasant and gratious that we might loue it that is when as we shall trust to his worde Thou art sayth he my refuge and my shield and I trust in thy word This is not added hereunto without iust cause For if there be none other doctrine in the lawe but too say vntoo vs Loe this must you do wee can neuer bee comforted For we shal find nothing in it but condemnation When as god sheweth vnto vs what our duety is we must needs be confounded and knowe that before him wee are condemned and accursed seeing that no man performeth that which hee ought So then the worde of God shoulde bee both bitter and grieuous vnto vs if there were nothing else conteined in it but a rule too liue well But when God is a testimonie and witnes vntoo vs of his goodnes and mercy and declareth vntoo vs that from him wee must looke too receiue our chiefe felicitie that hee is prest and ready too helpe vs that the treasures of his infinite goodnesse are open vnto vs when I saye this shall be in vs then may wee sauoure and taste his woorde and conceiue the loue of it when as we knowe that therein consisteth and lieth all our health and ioye Nowe then when as wee would profite in the worde of God and exercise our selues in it let vs learne to receiue the promises therein contained And let vs not be like vnto them which thinke that God saieth nothing else vnto in all the whole scripture but doe this or doe that for then this were a very thinne and feeble doctrine For if God were there as a Philosopher to preache vnto vs of vertues and to declare vnto vs that we must be thus gouerned we shoulde haue but a pitifull colde pull of it and bicause we are altogether and wholy contrary to the rightuousnesse of God it is impossible but that wee should bee grieued and troubled with whatsoeuer shal be said vnto vs. But I haue already shewed that the principall matter which God declareth vnto vs in his worde is this that hee protesteth howe well he loueth vs in alluring vs vnto him selfe to the ende we should not doubt but that he will bee our father in all and through all and that wee shoulde bee bolde to come before him that when there is any question of our saluation and of whatsoeuer els we haue neede off we should not doubt but that hee is ready to heare all our prayers that his hande is alwayes liberally bent to the end to giue vs whatsoeuer we want When we shall once knowe this to bee true then as I haue already saide the worde of God shall bee pleasaunt vnto vs. Loe nowe why Dauid by by addeth My trust is in thy worde O Lord. This is also in summe our faith which bringeth vs to the obediēce of God when I saye that it is faith which bringeth vs into the obediēce of God I meane that after we haue vnderstood of his good wil that we are thē stirred vp to yelde our selues vnto him And vntill such time as hee hath imprinted in our heartes the testimonie of his loue and the benefite which hee meaneth vnto vs wee shall flye from him as much as may bee and as often as this woorde of God shall sounde in our eares so often shall it grieue and torment vs as wee see howe the faithlesse doe feare when the worde of God is spoken vnto them it bringeth vntoo them nothing but terrour and feare as if a theefe or murderer were brought before a iudge But when as we haue faith to stay our selues vpon the goodnesse of God too call vppon him as Dauid doth here our succoure and shielde we may call vpon him with such a confidence as that hee will neuer bee deafe too heare our prayers when then wee are thus assured wee are forthwith wonne to loue him then delight we to yelde our obedience vnto his lawe Nowe in following that which wee haue already declared Dauid againe addeth Away from me yee wicked for I will keepe the commaundementes of my God Here hee speaketh of the temptations which come vnto vs by reason of the vngodly who allure vs as much as in them lieth too make vs too contemne God and worke so many offences as that they breake all good order yea euen to leaue the worlde
afflict vs so that wee be grieuously vexed vntill we can no more Loe heere a good tryall to make vs feele that we haue willingly and in earnest honored him in his word And we shall shew it too bee so when as we shall not chaunge our mindes but constantly perseuer in it and say whether shall I now runne see how I am afflicted well it is my God that must restore me It is very true that I am not without great stoare of sorrowes and griefes which trouble mee But yet I will content my selfe with this that God loueth me It is true that as touching the worlde I am tormented but I will comfort my selfe that my God hath called me vnto him that he sheweth vnto me in deede that he will haue compassion vpon mee that he taketh me for one of his children and will extende his fatherly goodnes towardes mee See here a very good proufe and triall that we take the woorde of God to bee true and righteous that is that if wee bee grieued with trouble and aduersitie yet that we do neuer forget him nor it But what let vs once come to the practize thereof and then we shall see howe it fareth with vs. For it is a matter of nothing too lende our eares and saye surely this is a very good sermō that there was nothing taught in it but very good and holsome doctrine and truely if wee haue once sayde but euen thus much wee will by and by thinke that God is greatly in our debte A man that commeth thus euen with the eares of an Asse to playe the hypocrite thinketh verly that God is bounde vnto him bicause hee hath done him thus much honour Now this is an ouergrosse and impudent kinde of dissembling in this maner to thinke to please the maiestie of God But yet the case so standeth as that the greater part is euen so giuen nowe what is the next way for vs too bee ridde of all togither Forsooth euen this That when wee for a time shall make a showe to giue diligent eare vnto the worde of God that all whatsoeuer we haue heard will incontinent melt and vanish cleane away from vs. And hereby wee very well shewe that the truth and righteousnesse which is in his word is not so imprinted in vs as it ought to be Now Dauid addeth in the ende Yet my delight is in thy commandements Whereby he aduertiseth vs that it is not enough that we cal to minde that we haue vnderstoode the word of saluation too the ende to profite our selues in the time of affliction but it must be of this strength and power euen to gladde vs in the middest of our sorrowes It is very true that we shall not be senseles and without feeling And Dauid also hath very well experimented how greatly affliction and anguish tormented him He felt then both harde and bitter passions and yet this hindered him little to reioyce and to be glad And although he was greatly vexed as touching the flesh yet felt he such spiritual ioy in the testimonies of God that sorrow ouercame him not Now if Dauid as before wee haue declared tooke such pleasure in the law wheras God only shewed himself to the ancient fathers as it were in shadowes I beseeche you how ought the word of God at this day to glad vs Where as he sheweth him self so familiar a father towards vs euē opening vnto vs the very botome of his heart hiding nothing from vs When thē our Lord God poureth out the treasures of his infinite loue and goodnes vpon vs so aboundantly haue not wee a farre greater occasion to reioyce then the fathers who liued vnder the lawe Yes verely but our vnthankefulnesse so hindreth vs as that in knowing we know nothing and in seeing we see no whit at al. And yet is not this written without cause Euen so when as we shall feele the griefes anguishes and afflictions of this worlde to trouble vs let vs haue recourse vnto this word of God for in it we shal finde him to stretch forth his hand to drawe vs vnto him declaring that he will helpe the afflicted haue pitie of the miserable and vexed ayde the wretched desireth nothing els but to bring back againe poore sinners which wil yeld them selues vnto him lay all their cares in his lappe and that hee will vnburden vs of them all When then wee are sure and resolute of such God his goodnesse towardes vs by his promises wee ought to come vnto him to call vpon him and to reioyce in him so that we may say with Dauid O Lord my delight hath byn in thy testimonies that they might glad me in the middest of my afflictions Loe how the children of God win all the time of their affliction may continually doe reioyce in the assurance of their saluation yea when as they shal settle them selues vpon his promises and receiue them in such sort as that they may turne to their benefit Now for a conclusion Dauid saith The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting and afterward he maketh his prayer saith graunt me vnderstanding and I shall liue See yet againe this worde righteousnes which is here repeated and that to very good purpose For this is according to that which I haue already said that they which dare not openly rayle iangle against God to blaspheme his word yet will they be for all that ful of malice and treason or els they wil be so nusseled in their vanities as that the righteousnes of God shall not appeare in them So then Dauid yet setteth it down to bee an euerlasting righteousnesse signifying that we ought not to take them as puftes of wynde as a great number of men haue done to magnifie God and after in the turning of an hand to go cleane backward As at this daye wee shall haue them which will make a shew of great deuotion and say O what an excellent sermon O what notable doctrine was taught this day But I beseeche you what wil they say the next day Forsooth they will not for all this sticke too mocke God make one iest or other at his word or els if God send them any aduersitie they wil be grieued and angry with him so that if they be put in minde of that which they before had heard they will answere that they haue cleane forgotten it Dauid therefore meaning to shew that wee must not bee so slacke as at sometimes to commende the worde of God sayeth that it is an euerlasting righteousnes As if he should haue said it is very true that men are chaungeable and this present life also is subiect to very many chaunges as to daye we shall haue some griefe or other and to morrowe be well againe oftentimes many troubles shall come vnto vs and wee shall see them at last too haue an ende and yet for all these continuall chaunges men must not in the meane while be carried away with euery
Two and twentie Sermons of Maister Iohn Caluin In which Sermons is most religiously handled the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme of Dauid by eight verses aparte according to the Hebrewe Alphabet Translated out of French into Englishe by T.S. ¶ Imprinted at London for Iohn Harison and Thomas Man 1580. To the right worshipful Sir Robert Iermyn Knight and to the right worshipful his godly and vertuous wife the Lady Iudith Iermyn Thomas Stocker wisheth continuall increase of all spirituall and earthly good thinges in this life with an earnest zeale to the glorious Gospell of Christe Iesus and perseueraunce of practise thereof vnto the ende and in the end and after this life euerlasting ioy and blisse in the life to come through the same Christ Iesus our Lorde ALbeit the whole Scripture vniuersally Right Worshipfull is as it were a diuine Maistresse teaching bothe vertue and true faith yet notwithstanding the Booke of Psalmes hath ouer and besides that in a manner an expresse image of the state and condition of soules and therfore very necessary for all people in generall Howbeit this hundreth and ninteene Psalme namely conteyneth a perfect art and a woonderfull vehemencie of the Kingly Prophet in setting foorth and highly extolling the prayse of Gods lawe and the excellency thereof wherein hee cannot satisfie himselfe nor yet sufficiently expresse the affection which he beareth thereunto adding moreouermany notable complaintes and consolations wherfore it is most meete for all the children of God to haue it alwayes bothe in their heartes and mouthes and so continually meditating thereon as this holy Prophet did in his distresse they may also finde the like comfort whensoeuer and whatsoeuer affliction shall assaile them and also to flie and abhorre that which is wicked and euill in the sight of the Lord. Which Psalme beeing deuided into twoo and twentie partes by eight verses aparte according too the Hebrew Alphabet the godly and learned Father and moste famouse furtherer of the glorious Gospell of our Sauiour and Redeemer Christe hath according to that order very religiously handled and drawne into as many Sermons too the benefite and comfort of all the true and faithfull Scholers in the Schoole of God which shall diligently reade them and earnnestly striue to followe the same direction in their life and conuersation Which Sermons according to my poore skill I haue englished frō the French and haue taken boldnesse to dedicate and offer this my simple trauell vnto your Worships as a speciall token of my good will in Christ beseeching you to accept of this my labor not according to the rude translation but the goodnesse of the matter which they propound and my heartie affection vnto you And the rather haue I beene enbo dened this to doe both for that I haue beene crediblly informed off either of your greate paines taking in reading ouer such like godly works as also that my selfe am Testis oculatus of your dayly presence and diligent attention at all Sermons and godly exercises vsed in this countrie of Stuff Whose good godly beginnings with the rest of the right worshipfull both men and women in these partes and all others of what state and condition so euer they be I heartely beseech our good God and merciful father euen for his Christ his trueth mercyes sake to increase strengthen and continue witth dayly practise of the same in some measure in your liues and conuersation with full perseueraunce vntoo the end of your dayes here without which all the rest is but labor lost For as the Apostle witnesseth we are made partakers of Christ if wee keepe sure vnto the ende that beginning wherewith we are vpholden The Lord God therefore by his holy spirit work these effects in you and in vs all that professe his gospell and leade our aduersaryes when it shall please him into the trueth as he is God of trueth that whē his sonne Christ our Sauiour shall appeere in glory wee may be founde to haue walked without halting in whatsoeuer hee hath thought meete to open to vs for our saluation From Mildenhall the 4. of Nouember l579 Your worships to command in the Lorde Tho. Stocker ¶ To all faithfull Readers THE Reading ouer of these present Sermons will sufficiently declare what commoditie and profite they may bring with them As in very deede the Author of them right welsheweth throughout all his woorkes in what sorte the Lorde GOD hath heeretofore beene serued and also how ordinarily hee is serued by him And therefore for a full recommendation aswell of the Author as also of the woorke it selfe I intende through GOD his assistaunce too sette foorth none other thing then the same fruite and profite which they haue already gotten that haue read them and that fruite which they may make reporte of that shall hereafter reade them For this may very well be thought that nothing in the whole worlde maketh a man more blessed then the liuely and continuall meditation of the holy lawe and good will of our heauenly father Nowe then this is the Psalme which is framed and wholly serueth too this ende and purpose dayly to exercise our selues heere in and although that hee so oftentimes repeateth these woordes Lawe Ordinaunces Statutes Edict Commaundements Decrees and other such like yet are they no vaine repetitions but vsed to this intent and purpose too let vs throughly vnderstand howe meruelous peruerse and frowarde our nature is causing these so necessary thinges too too easily to melte like waxe against the Sunne as wee say cleane away from vs and also to make vs too bee touched at the quicke that we might feele howe feruently we ought too sigh and grone after the lawe and ordinaunce of God how zealously too desire to put the same in execution and also how greatly too be greeued with beholding the moste proude and villanous contempt of the vngodly treading the same vnder their feete And because there are some who rather desire too haue such Bookes as they may easily carry aboute with them I haue the rather to please all parties beene very willing too satisfie them herein alwayes reseruing this good affection that GOD might bee honoured and glorified by this my small trauel and the building vp of his Church aduaunced Farewell The first Sermon of M. John Caluine vpon the hundreth and ninteene Psalme of the Kingly Prophet Dauid The first eight Verses vpon ALEPH. 1 Blessed are al those which are vpright in the way and walke in the lawe of the lorde 2 Blessed are they which keepe his Testimonyes and seeke him with their whole heart 3 Surely they worke no iniquitie that walke in his wayes 4 Thou hast commaunded to keepe thy Preceptes diligently 5 O that my wayes were directed too keepe thy Statutes 6 Then should not I be confounded when I haue respect vnto all thy Commaundements 7 I will prayse thee with an vpright heart when I shall learnt the iudgements of thy righteousnes 8 I will keepe thy
requireth nothing els of me but that I should come vnto him is it reason that I should sit still shall I become a blocke shall I become a sensles and witles creature shall I not be moued with such fauour and grace as my GOD sheweth vnto me and maketh me to feele See here what Dauid meaneth to teach vs in this verse O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy commaundements When as he speaketh of his waies he meaneth al the actiōs of his life for the life of mā is called a Waye And that not without cause for all our thoughtes and affections are as wayes and as our footesteppes Nowe he sayeth O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy commandementes Herein he declareth that a faithful mā after he hath knowē this mercie of God in guiding our life ought to enter into him selfe and thinke that there is neither reason nor wisedome in him how to gouerne him selfe but that all proceedeth from the good will and louing kindnes of the Lorde Sythens then that wee are so enclined to roue in our owne wayes hether and thether by reason of the foolishe presumption and vaine confidence which we haue of our own wisedome let vs vse such remedy as God hath assigned vs to weete that we forsake our selues and treade vnder foote this carnall reason which deceiueth vs that wee set at naught all our lustes and vngodly affections that God only may beare rule and our life be guided according to his his lawe It followeth Then should I not bee confounded when I haue respect to all thy commaundementes Here Dauid confirmeth him selfe in the doctrine next before for hee declareth what the marke is whereat he aymeth O Lorde sayeth hee when as thou shalt doe me that good that I may be directed according to thy word I shal neuer be cōfounded When Dauid now hath such a desire he there by right well declareth that euery man ought to be careful to endeuour himself therūto or els he shall neuer obey the will of God cōsidering that there are so many gainsayings in our flesh nature as is most pitifull to thinke vpon For looke how many our affections thoughtes are we haue euen so many enemies rebelling against God and which hinder vs to walke after his will Wee ought therefore to praye vnto him that he will holde vs in that he may be our maister we his vassails Moreouer let vs consider wel of that which is here spoken to weete that in keeping the c̄omaundementes of God we shall neuer be confounded By this he doth vs to vnderstād that so many as followe their owne lustes fantasies which looke this way that way and do imagine them selues a marke forge them selues such away as seemeth good in their owne sight that they shal be confounded and deceiued No doute when men do that which best liketh thē selues they streightwayes thinke all things shall goe so well with them as is possible to bee wished glorying in their owne vaine imaginations but what followeth thereof God confoundeth them in their owne arrogancie wherwith they were puffed vp for a time Woulde wee eschewe this confusion of the vnbeleeuing persons Let vs haue an eye to the commaundementes of God to wit let our eyes be setled on them and looke not on our owne reason nor of our naturall sense neither yet of any other thing that lieth in our owne power which may turne vs away from them And it is a necessary point for vs to be enfourmed thereof For as often as men will giue them selues leaue to imagine and thinke what they list to haue done there shall a thousand thoughtes for close their mindes and so will turne them away from God and wholy estraunge them from the doctrine of saluation And for this cause Dauid declareth that there is but one onely meane to wit that we should wholy settle our eyes vpon the Lawe of GOD without turning away from it either on this side or on that as commonly and vsually we doe Afterward he goeth on and sayeth I will prayse thee with an vpright heart when I shal learne the iudgementes of thy righteousnes Dauid sheweth in this verse how we may praise the Lord our God and that is continually following the plainnes of his matter For wee must all confesse that our life is miserable if it tende not to the prayse and glorifying of God Let vs now see how we may prayse him We must be exercised in his iudgementes that is in the rule which hee hath set downe vnto vs. For this word Iudgements importeth that wee are taught and instructed of that which wee haue to do For our life is outragious if we passe the limits and boundes which he hath appointed vs and contrariwyse we keepe a true vprightnes in obeying of him Now then he sayeth that when he shall haue learned the righteous iudgementes of God that then he will thanke him with an vnfained heart By this hee signifieth vnto vs that although men persuade them selues to loue GOD as much as is possible neuertheles that it is but fained vntill such time as they are vnfainedly instructed in the lawe And thus much for that Moreouer here is to be noted that that is not all which wee haue learned that God sheweth vnto vs in his word but Dauid speaketh here of an instruction which taketh roote and is settled and abideth in the heart of a man according to that which hath heretofore beene said For a number may imagine of their own braine what the lawe of God is but in the meane while it standeth so with them that when we beholde their life and conuersation it appeareth that they haue profited no whit at all in his schoole It is meete therefore that out heart be brought to the schoole of God to weete that whatsoeuer hee teacheth vs it may bee throughly imprinted and engrauen within And this is that maner of learning whereof Dauid here speaketh For if we haue beene exercised in this sort that we haue holden the doctrine and law of God we may very well glorifie his blessed name to weete we may truly praise him as he hath commaunded vs. When he saieth I will keepe thy Statutes that is That he is so resolued and confirmed in the doctrine of the lawe that he hath ouercome all the affections and lustes of the flesh and the worlde which might resist and hinder him in the seruice of God He hath sayd before O that my wayes were made so direct He desireth as a man which when he cannot haue that which he wisheth for is in great paine and trauell It behoueth vs also to poure out such sighes groanes considering the rebellion of our flesh which is so cōtrary to the righteousnes of God that all our thoughtes and affections as is abouesaid are so many gainesayinges that they turne vs cleane away from his obeysaunce Wee must therefore saye
God And this is a very fit similitude for the purpose We know that a man in a straung countrey will thinke him self to be a straung and forlorne man so that if he hath not a conduct and guide he knoweth not what shall become of him Euē so fareth it with vs if we be not directed and conducted by the hand and power of God And why so Bicause we are as strangers here in this world It is very true that wee are but too too much tied vnto our affections and wil and yet out alas our sense and wittes are so confounded that wee know not what way to take or holde except we be shewed it Loe here the meaning of the similitude which Dauid here vseth in saying that he is a strāger in the world which is that he complaineth that he is a strang and forlorne mā and therefore beseecheth God to guide him by his worde Now it followeth My hart breaketh out for the desire vntoo thy iudgementes alwaies When hee sayeth that his soule breaketh out it is too protest that hee desired not that thing of God which wee haue hearde either for fashions sake or countenance as many doo which beseeche God very often too inlighten confirme and guide them in the trueth of his woorde but in the meane tyme they neuer seeke after it as they should do Now this is but after a sorte and God wil not be thus mocked For in thus doing we doe nothing els but profane his holy name whē as we make such requestes as proceede not from a true affection and desire Loe here wherefore Dauid saieth that his soule brake out For this worde emporteth as much as if his soule had vtterly fainted My soule then fainteth for the desire which it had to thy cōmaundements Wherfore here are three things to be cōsidered off The one is that if we will obtaine at Gods handes to be conducted by him and to haue his worde to be our waye and direction we should not make such an hypocritical nor cold prayer vnto him with mocking of him thereby But with such a true desire as carieth vs euen out of our selues and to make no such accompt of this present life but to be well aduised to shoote at an higher matter And thus much as touching the first point which here we haue to note The second is that this desire ought not to be onely as a wauering desire but an ardent and an hoat desire For he saith That his soule hath fainted And why so Let vs here a little consider what our appetites and lustes are when wee turne our selues away from God and giue our selues wholy to worldly things They are so excessiue and inordinate that it is euen pitifull being without end and measure But if we haue a leane desire such a one as I know not what to walke according to the will of God this desire woulde be as soone alayed as a droppe of wine put into an hundreth times so much water I beseeche you what shall that be shall it taste any more as wine Euen so forcible should the good affection of a faithfull man be If this affection be not feruent and very vehement it shal be soone choked by the corruptions of our carnall passions affections which as I haue before said haue neither measure modestie nor temperance See then for the second point what we haue here to note in this behalf to wit that it is not enough that we haue a meane desire to serue God for that woulde bee very soone quenched in vs and be made nothing woorth But we must be so attentiue thereto as that we may able to say that our soule fainteth and languisheth that our power and strength droppeth and melteth away as it were vntill such time as God relieueth vs in graunting that vnto vs which we require of him The third point which we haue here to note is the firmenes and constancie in this our desire And see here why Dauid is not contented with this saying that his soule is broken out but he saieth Alwayes As if he should haue saide this was not a blaste of wynde but a rooted affection in his heart and that he perseuered therein Nowe these three things are most necessarie For we see in the first place that we are as it were by nature enclined to vanitie bicause that being so addicted vnto the world we thinke no whit at all of heauen We ought therefore to bee so much the more very attentiue to this doctrine to haue a burning desire to follow the word of God and besides this our affection ought to be so vehement as that it might be able to haue the dominion ouer all our affections which hinder vs to cleaue vnto our God and euē to be marueilously rauished therewith Now it had neede to be mightely strengthened with the power of the spirite of God For our lustes beeing too too mad and furious if God stretched not foorth his arme vnto it what should become thereof And put the case that we had a good desire surely it woulde very soone vanish away in vs. We must be wōderfull feruent therin and afterward when wee hall haue such a good and stedfast affection we must be wonderfully in loue with the word of God not for a day nor yet for a short time but euen so long as we liue It followeth soone after Thou hast destroyed the proud cursed are they that do erre from all thy commaundementes Dauid addeth hereto an other reason whereby hee is more enflamed to praye vnto God and to addresse him selfe vnto him to be taught in his word to wit when hee seeth that he hath so rebuked the proude For the chastisements and punishementes which God layeth vppon the faithles and rebellious shoulde bee a good instruction for vs As it is said That God hath executed iudgement and that the inhabitantes of the land should learne his righteousnes It is not without cause that the Prophet Esay also hath so said for he signifieth vnto vs that God hath by diuers and sundrie meanes drawen vs vnto him and that chiefly when he teacheth vs to feare his maiestie For without it out alas we shall become like vnto brute beastes if God laye the bridle in our neckes what licence we will giue vnto our selues experience very well teacheth vs. Now God seeing that we are so easily brought to runne at randon sendeth vs examples bicause he woulde bring vs to walke in feare and carefully And for our part when wee see God to chastise the wicked and disobedient we should by them take example and instruction Loe here in summe what Dauid saieth Thou O Lorde hast chastised the disobedient as if hee shoulde haue saide True it is O Lord that I haue desired euen with a vehement affection and true constancie to cleaue vnto thee and to thy holy cōmandementes But yet had I neede to be more throughly instructed that I might beware of the punishementes
would gladly resist all temtations But what They compound with the Deuil conspire with him too set them selues against God flatter them selues in all their iniquities and desire wholy to giue themselues to all wickednes Are not heere I beseech you faire and proper petitions which we make with the mouth when as the hart bendeth it selfe altogither to mischiefe and iniquitie Is not this I pray you to mock God what other thing else is it Let vs then learne to say with Dauid O Lord I haue chosen the way of trueth and haue sticken to thy testimonies When he sayth that hee hath chosen the way of trueth hee meaneth that he desined nothing else but to follow that which was right and good as God had shewed it vnto him When he saith that he cleaued to the testimonyes of God he declareth what trueth that is whereof he made mention For men many times imagine vnto them selues certaine fantasie in their heads and think the same to be the best most sure foūdation in the world and that there is no other reason trueth nor wisdome but that which they haue conceiued in their owne braine Let vs now beware of that and assure our selues that trueth selfe is inclosed within the word of God that that is it which we must seeke And not to haue vs thinke that to bee the trueth which wee in our owne fantasies doe iudge too bee good but euen then haue wee chosen the way of trueth when as we shall sticke to the testimonies of God when we shall vnderstand and knowe that it is hee onely which may leade vs straight and that we haue doone this honour unto his woorde to be ruled thereby all the dayes of our life Loe howe we shoulde followe the way of trueth Nowe when Dauid hath made all these protestations hee desireth that hee may bee confounded As if hee shoulde haue sayde My GOD since that it is so that I desire to obey thee suffer me not now to bee confounded that I be not scorned and supposed to bee as a vacabonde and without a guide Loe heere a place which ought dilygently to be marked For I beseech you when we shall bee desirous to cleaue vnto God and his word when wee shall haue preferred the same before all our Iustes and pleasures yea aboue all whatsoeuer shall seeme good and right in our owne eyes if wee shall then I say bee put to confusion and shame what shall become of vs when we shall laye the raine of the bridle in the necke of all our desires and take from God all his authoritie Deserue we not to bee vtterly confounded No doubt we doe So then let vs way the firste parte of this doctrine that wee muste not let our tongues walke against God For he knoweth how to bee right well auenged thereof How many doe we see at this day too become after this manner so beastly as that it is shame to see their brutishnesse and what is the cause They haue cast of the yoke of God they haue not vouchsafed to do him that honor as to bee gouerned by him It is meete then that they be confounded in the open sight of the worlde that they may be pointed at that euen young Children may perceaue their beastlynesse and are very well woorthy so to be serued And so least wee fall into such shame let vs pray with Dauid that it woulde please God to make vs so too stick vnto him and his woord as we neuer be confounded Nowe too conclude with these eight verses aparte Dauid sayth I will runne the way of thy Comaundements when thou shalt inlarge mine hearte When he sayth That when God hath set his hearte at libertie hee will runne it is too shewe vnto vs that when our heartes are inclosed and fast shutte vp that wee are not able so much as too remoue one of our fingers to well dooing vntill such time as GOD gladdeth vs and sheweth vs a mery countenaunce Nowe Dauid in this firste place declareth vnto vs that wee are able to doe nothing except God stirreth vs vpp thereto And although he hath already solicited admonished vs yet that is not all We should cry out and Alas poure out some sighes and grones But because God will be serued with a cheerefull minde and not with an euill will so long as we are fast shut vp we cannot once stirre out of the place to goe on forwarde in the way of saluation And how can we then runne When as he shall haue set our heart at libertie to wit that he shal haue so disposed ordered vs as that we should freely bend our selues sully wholy yeeld our affections vnto him For otherwise we hauing our harts fast shut vp shal alwaies become the bondslaues of sin It is very true hat while we are in this world we neuer run so fast ne yet so perfectly as is required yea wee shall many times go as it were halting where in deede we should make hast But thus it is with vs that whensoeuer he shall gouern vs with his spirit and that we shall be vnder the conduct of our head Captaine Iesus Christ we may say with Dauid that we doe not onely walke in his commaundements but that we also runne in them Yea so that our affection bee not hypocritical and that our zeale be also feruent to addict ourselues vnto our good God since he hath placed vs in the world to this end to obey him and too glorifie his holy name And according to this doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the face of our good God in acknowledging our sinnes beseeching him that it would please him to make vs to feele our sinnes and iniquities more and more that it would also please him to make vs so to remember them that we may learne to acknowledge how necessary it is for vs to be more more encreased confirmed in his graces which he bestoweth vpon vs to the end that in allowing esteeming of his benefites as it becommeth vs we may render vnto him our humble and hearty thankes beseeching him also to continue vs in such sort in his holy vocation as that we may be glorified in the latter day in hauing fought a good fight and that we may inioy the prize rewarde of the victorie to triumph in our Lorde Iesus Christe Let vs beseech him that he will not onely giue vs this grace but also all the people and nations of the worlde c. The fifth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme HE. Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I wil keepe it vnto the end Giue mee vnderstanding and I will keepe thy lawe yea I will keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy Commandementes for therein is my delight Encline my hearte vnto thy testimonyes and not to couetousnesse Turne away mine eyes from regarding vanitie and quicken thou me in thy way
beguile his neighbours and craftily inuent how to giue himselfe too all iniquitie Such is the wysedome of this worlde But in the meane whyle let vs note this by the way that these woordes are not spoken without cause too witte that al our wysedome and reason consisteth heerein that wee walke in the feare of God and seeke after his wil yea and too holde vs too it In the second place as Dauid hath already protested that wee are not capable to vnderstande the lawe of God and the contentes thereof if wee bee not taught from aboue that is by the holy ghost hee also addeth that hee can haue no good affection nor desire to giue himselfe thereto vntil such tyme as his heart bee reformed The law of God may seeme to be but a common thing yea we our selues do see that the proude men of this world contemne it as a thing too too common But yet as Dauid hath before said God hath set downe vntoo vs in his lawe wonderful secretes which hee heere repeteth not in vaine that it must needes bee that in receiuing the spirite of God from heauen hee shoulde bee conducted to the ende to followe the commaundementes of God Nowe he namely saith That I will keepe yea that I will keepe it with my whole hart This is no superfluous repetition when he saieth That I wil keepe yea that I wil keepe it with my whole harte For beholde what it is that abuseth a great number of men so that they cannot be reprehended by men that their life is not so dissolute as that they may bee pointed at and bee not brought to rebuke and shame Loe these men bee lyke little Angelles They make themselues belieue that they are more then iust before God they feele themselues guiltie in nothing For this cause then Dauid hauing said that he wil kepe the lawe of God declareth that it is not so common a thing to doo as we take it And why so For saith he he must keepe it with his whole heart When he meaneth to shewe vnto vs what the good keeping of the law of GOD is and such an obseruation as God requireth of vs it is not onely meant that our feete and handes should be seene to bee well ruled and compassed that our sinnes and iniquities should be so apparaunt as that they might be cōdemned in the sight of the world this say I is not all as to vse such an obseruation But wee must saith Dauid keepe the lawe of God with our whole heart When as we shal be neuer so litle affected or desirous thereto it shal be a great deale more worth then all the substance in the worlde But we must beware that we haue not a double heart that our desire be so colde and feeble as to say very well I would gladly that God would bestowe his grace vpon me that I might followe his commaundemēts and thereupon to shewe our selues wearie and slougthfull but we must haue a true sinceritie to walke therein with all fulnes and integritie But I beseeche you what is he that is able to attaine to that perfection It is so farre of that there should be any such vprightnes in vs as that we are not able to thinke once a good thought except God chaūgeth our peruerse nature which before should be repugnāt and contrary vnto his righteousnesse Wherefore in summe Dauid after that he had prayed vnto God that he woulde instruct him to the ende hee might keepe his commaundementes addeth for a more ample confirmation That I may keepe thy commaundementes with my whole heart As if he should haue saide O Lorde I knowe that we men as we are puffed vp with pride and arrogancie doe thinke vs too haue accomplished and fulfilled all the whole lawe when as wee haue set a good countenaunce of the matter and haue made some apparaunce or shewe to the worlde if there were no more in it but this yet shoulde it be enough for mee considering that all our members doe so rage in wickednesse as that it is very harde too holde them in But all this shoulde bee nothing For it shoulde be all but meere hypocrisie and bycause that thou hast respect to the heart all my carnall passions and affections must be pulled down my selfe in such sort renued as that I may be wholy conformed vnto thy righreousnes Alas my God and if I must be brought to that I see it to be an impossible matter And so thou must needes put thy helping hand vnto me that I might be taught by thy holy spirite It followeth in the thirde verse Make me to goe in the waye of thy commaundements for therein is my desire Here we see that which hath beene touched to wit that Dauid prayeth not vnto God that he would beginne to set him in a good way For he was already entred into it hee had already walked in it a good long season And in deede this desire is a very great furtherance vnto vs when as wee may praye vnto God to beseeche him to gouerne vs and we ought to preferre this felicitie or blessednes before all the things in the worlde And herein let vs shewe our selues to haue greatly profited Now Dauid protesteth without hypocrisie that he hath kept the cōmaundements of God Neuerthelesse he beseecheth the Lord to graunt vnto him power to perseuer therein and that hee may come to the perfection thereof Wherein wee see that it is not enough that whē God hath begunne and set vs in a good way that we may euer after doe what soeuer seemeth good in our owne sight We see here to the contrary that when God shall haue taught vs and that we haue beene apt to learne from the beginning neuerthelesse that his grace shoulde be made voide euery minute without hee did continue it And so in the first place when as God shall haue instructed vs to make vs to come to a good vnderstanding and knowledge he must also graunt vnto vs a good affection and desire And hath he giuen vs that It is also meete that he continue the same in vs and make vs desirous to walke in his commaundementes Finally after that he hath giuen vs to will the must also giue vs to perfourme as S. Paul saith that he doe all in all but not to rewarde this good will or any other good preparation which is in vs but to doe it according to his pleasure to wit of his free mercie Moreouer let vs on our behalf consider when as wee would obteine any such grace at Gods handes to witte to leade vs into the way of his pathes that our hearts be there setled as that we be not so accursed as to forsake God and to set light by him to quēche this light which he shal haue put in vs. For otherwise if wee bee alwayes giuen to the vanities of this world as commonly we are and that wee make no accompte of the graces which God shall bestowe vppon
our selues wholy to it and altogither rest thereon Beholde say I after what sort our prayers are allowed to wit whē as we pray not to God for that which seemeth best in our owne eyes but when as we be fenced with that which he hath promised vs. And this is it wherein we differ from the Painimes and Infidels For wee see that the Turkes and Idolaters doe greatly pray vnto God But after what manner pray they Forsooth euen at all aduenture so that they knowe not what they doe But contrariwise wee must pray vnto him with full assuraunce that he will heare vs. But from whence shall this certaintie proceede if wee haue not the trueth to goe before vs and say beholde the Lorde who calleth vs vnto him And then when wee come vnto him this is no foolish presumption But we come in such sorte vnto him as he hath commaunded vs. Let vs then see what wee haue yet to note in this place when Dauid setteth downe heere the promises of God by which he is bounde vnto him O Lorde sayth he let it bee doone vnto me according to thy worde Nowe heere is a very profitable poynt to be considered off to witte after that we are once assured that God hath promised too doe that for vs which we shall aske of him we must no more doubt that it shall be so but that the thing is fully concluded vpon so that we are euer sure and certaine thereof For when God speaketh vnto vs we are very sure that he will not deceiue vs hee will not giue vs faire woordes and then deceiue vs as men many times doe dealing very liberally with their tongues but yet notwithstanding very close fisted But God dealeth not in such sorte Let vs then come before him without distrust Haue wee his woorde Let vs then holde the thing as already performed And so when Dauid sayth according to thy word hee signifieth vnto vs that hee was not onely assured that God is faithfull and liberal that he meaneth not to abuse vs when as wee truste to him but sheweth vs that this certaintie which wee haue of the trueth of God should not make vs weary to say that wee bee as it were euen ouerwhelmed But wee must rather be carefull and diligent to pray vnto him There are some men which will in deede say that they beleeue the promises of GOD but since say they hee knoweth what wee haue neede of what neede wee to bee importune vppon him Nowe these men indeede very well declare that they neuer vnderstood what faith and hope are For if we receiued the promises of God without hypocrisie we ought to be thus earnest and zealous to pray and haue recourse vnto him saying O Lorde God when as thou hast assured mee of thy bountie and mercie it is to this end that I should call vpon thee in my neede And that I see the necessitie which vrgeth and presseth mee I muste needes come vnto thee as thou haste called mee by thy worde Beholde then that all the promises of God should serue vs in stede of so many spurres to prick vs forwarde in making our prayers vnto him Let vs nowe come to the woords of Dauid Let thy louing mercyes or thy graces come vnto me O Lord and thy saluation After that he hath layde his foundation wherevpon too builde he desireth one selfe same thing in two words which to the outwarde apparance are diuers and sundry to wit the graces of God and his saluation And yet notwithstanding Dauid meneth nothing else but that god would shew him selfe to be his Sauiour Neither is there any thing heere spoken superfluously For it is asmuch as if he had sayd O my God I besech thee that according to thy promise thou wilt make me feele thee to be my sauiour and father But yet in the meane while he expresseth vnto vs whence this saluation which we must wayte for and whiche God hath promised vs cometh and that is of his meere good will For men cannot otherwise choose but that they wil euer wrongfully take vpon them some thing or other which appertaineth nothing vnto them and alwayes to be foolishly and arrogantly bounde vnto them selues Nowe Dauid cleane contrary sheweth heere that all the saluation which he hopeth after desireth commeth from another spring-heade then from the vertue and dignitie of men to wit euen from the meere goodnes of God So then wee see that as before he hath spoken of the promise euen so also hee heere addeth and expresseth the cause which moued God to bind himself so vnto vs to wit his meere mercy By this we are admonished that when we are to call vpon God we should alwayes haue regarde vnto these twoo things to wit the grace of God and his free mercie and after that his promise God is good and liberall and see why it is that he with pitie looketh vppon vs and beholding vs with his eyes of cōpassion vouchsafeth to receiue vs yea and calleth and allureth vs vnto him and also imboldeneth vs to craue of him to the end he would help and succour vs in all our needes and necessities Now this goodnesse should lye hidden in God were it not that hee made vs to feele it by his promise For God sheweth himselfe vnto vs to be such a one as in deede he is he layeth his heart wide open when he rendreth vs a testimonie of the loue hee beareth vs. Loe heere why I haue said that in all our prayers wee ought to haue these two considerations The one is that God is so good and louing that although wee bee poore and miserable creatures and nothing else but doung and stench yet for all that hee ceaseth not too loue vs and to haue greate care of our saluation And since wee are come too the promise which is a sure testimonie that God is such one we should no more doubt what affection he beareth vs whether he be our friend or enemie seeing it is so that he is very well willing to bee bounde vnto vs in declaring vnto vs that he is our father and taketh vs to bee his Children Nowe Dauid maketh such a request as we haue already touched to the end he might answere those which wrought him shame Although he sayth word for word To the ende I may answeare these which woorke me shame Heere Dauid declareth that when God shall haue ayded him that then he shall be able to withstand all his enemyes put by all the iniuries scornes of the vnbelieuers and faythlesse which they did lay before him to the end too shake and crush the faythful and to destroy them yea and vtterly to make their fayth nothing woorth if it were possible for them to do it By this we are let to vnderstande that if we make our prayers to God whensoeuer it shal happen al the world too assaile vs and that it might seeme wee shoulde be plunged in hel an hundred thousand tymes yet
hand of GOD but are hardened and lifte them selues vpp against him It cannot bee chosen but that this muste needes be an horrible pride Euen so then this infidelitie is it that giueth too man as it were Hornes which he so naturally esteemeth although in deede it bee lesse then nothing and thinketh the same to be wonderfull And contrariwise let vs marke that it is onely Fayth that muste induce vs to humilitie and which frameth and fashioneth vs therein considering this swelling of our hearts our growing in presumption like vnto swelling Toades There is nothing I say that can amende this vice but Fayth alone The reason is because that Fayth bringeth vs vntoo God Nowe when as wee knowe what the righteousnesse of God is Let vs then come vnto our selues and wee shall finde in vs nothing else but iniquitie when wee shall consider of the Wisedome of God we shall see that all whatsoeuer we thought too be good reason to be nothing else but vanitie and follie So then when men doe wonder and looke at the brightnesse of God they then learne that they are no better but doung and filthy stench are euen angry and displeased with them selues and greately ashamed of their owne filthynesse See then that humilitie proceedeth from faith And therefore Dauid sayth that the proude to witte the wicked and Infidels imagined a lye against him Let vs then knowe that pryde is ingendred of men and that they bringe it with them into the worlde so soone as they are borne that it groweth and increaseth vnto ful age vntill such time as God correcteth it by his holy spirit and by Fayth And so when as wee shall see the contemners of God and the wicked who knowe not what it is too be ordered by GOD when wee shall see them I say thus outrage let vs not think it straunge seeing it is the course of nature Moreouer let vs well note that Dauid speaking of the neede which hee had of God sheweth vs by his example that the more wee are vexed with temptations that so much the more bolde wee ought too be too beseech him of his ayde that he will reach out his hand too vpholde vs and not to suffer vs to be ouercome And this is specially too be noted for when wee are greeued with any temptation we knowe not that the same is to make vs runne too God who is the onely remedie by which wee must be deliuered And so the Diuell may very easily enter into vs too ouerthrowe our faith since it is as it were put out there vnto him as a pray and besides we vouchsafe not once too receiue the remedy which is offered vs for our helpe So then let vs keepe the order which Dauid heere setteth downe to witte that if we be assayled with great and very strong temptations that then it is high time for vs to haue recourse vnto God beseeching him to saue vs and too remedy our faultes which else would leade vs too euerlasting destruction And thus much for this Nowe wee haue soone after too note that we shall make good proofe of our well willing to serue God if wee resist the temptations If the wicked goe about too drawe vs vnto wickednesse and yet wee stand fast and sure then is our Fayth and constancy well approued And this is spoken to the ende that no man shoulde flatter him selfe for wee thinke this to be a sufficient excuse and that God should also bee well contented therewith too say that wee were drawne to doe wickedly by the meane of some other See I pray you will euery one say I was once in a very good forwardenesse and desired to liue according too the will of God But when I see the worlde so peruerse and wicked and that all men were giuen to so many vices it was impossible for mee too escape but that I muste doo as other men did When wee shall alledge for our selues such excuses wee thinke that God shoulde holde himselfe well contented therewith But contrarywise we see heere that the faithful neuer cease for all that to serue God when all the whole worlde goe about to hinder and let them that although the wicked inuent neuer so many lyes lay neuer so many stumbling blockes in their way to cause them too turne and decline from the right way yet doe they still stande firme and sure And see also how we must be faine too doe that if wee will faithfully serue our good God wee must not cease too pursue our vocation yea although the wicked bente all the force they were possibly able to make against vs too turne vs cleane from the way of saluation Nowe if this admonition hath beene alwaies necessary it is more needefull at this day then euer it was For wee see that the worlde is growne too a monstrous heape of all iniquitie that we are not able too step foorth one step but that we shall meete with great store of euil and daungerous incounters which might weary and withdrawe vs and carry vs to doe wickedly in all kinde of thinges Therefore we ought so much the rather to practise this doctrine That the wicked haue imagined lyes against vs but yet that wee haue kept the lawe of God For the lyes which the proude and the enemyes of God doe imagine against vs are not of one kinde For sometimes they wil seduce vs vnder the colour of Friendship sometimes they will charge vs with a great many of thinges to make vs faint harted sometimes they will make such a confusion of all that we shall not be able to discerne betweene white and black We must then be so much the more well aduised and stand the surer vpon our garde And although the deuill transforme himselfe so into diuerse manners let not vs leaue to keepe the lawe of God yea and that with out whole hearte which is a thing that we ought diligently to mark For if we haue but only some little and feeble affection too followe God wee shall soone be very weary thereof Our heart therfore must be wholy addicted thereto for els we shall neuer be able to make our parte good againste Satan Nowe it is sayde a little after Their hearte is as fatte as greace but my delight is in thy lawe Heere Dauid maketh a comparison betweene the contemners of God and those which desire to serue him And why doth he so He sheweth that the cause which so induceth the Infidels too contemne GOD is the dissolute and brutishe life which they leade because they are as fatte as an Hogge in his stye that hath beene fed with Accornes and Barley and that lyeth wallowing on an heape in his owne greace Hee is so very fatte and heauy that hee is not able to get vp and although hee bee already a meruelous fatte and â—â—auy beast which desireth nothing else but draffe and swill yet will hee bee farre fatter and heauyer when as he shall be styed vpp
and so fatted Euen so fareth it with these cursed contēners of God which haue no regarde vnto euerlasting life but are wholely giuen vpp too their God the belly They wallowe them selues in their owne greace as a Swine which hath his groine alwayes in the trough Nowe contrariwise Dauid sayth that all his delight hath beene in the woorde of God Whereby hee doth vs to witte that although God had made him fatte yet that he wallowed not for all that in his owne greace but delighted in that spirituall gifte which was giuen him because that God had taught it him in his Schoole Loe then what we haue to gather out of this place that although wee see the greater parte of the worlde contemne God yet must we not be abashed thereat And why so Let vs well consider wherein men doe put their chiefe felicitie and wee shall finde them too be lyke vnto Oxen and Swine desiring naught but to liue heere in this world without looking any farther Nowe wee must haue a farther regarde if we will serue God as too him appertayneth to witte that wee take such pleasure and delight in the worde of God that wee bee no more giuen too the worlde as we are ouermuch And although God giueth vs aboundaunce yet that wee haue our ease and commodities in this worlde let vs not settle our mindes on them but knowe that all these are but pety small meanes and necessaryes but let vs labour to goe too the principall and acknowledge him too be our Father and Sauiour And when we knowe him too be so then let vs clime vpp vnto him and too that euerlasting life wherevnto hee inuyteth and calleth vs. Loe I say what wee haue heere too retaine Moreouer if God tameth vs by affliction Let vs come to that which Dauid addeth to witte That it was good for him that he had beene in trouble Although then that God pulleth back his hand and that in steade of gently intreating vs hee handleth vs roughly in steade of sending vs plentie of wealth he causeth vs to suffer hunger and thirst in steade of giuing vs health hee greeueth vs with diseases that beeing vexed with many anguishes and tormentes so that wee knowe not what too doe yet must wee alwayes looke to the ende to be comforted with Dauid in saying It is a good turne for mee O Lorde that I haue beene in trouble That I may learne thy Statutes Nowe since it hath so fallen out that Dauid was afflicted to the ende he might be the better disposed too learne the ordinaunces of God what shall become of vs which are full of worldely vanities Let vs then knowe that wee had neede to be corrected by the hand of God and to be tyed short if we will profite in the doctrine of saluation Loe then how we must practice the admonition of Dauid And when we shall haue so done we may conclude and say with that which is set downe in the laste verse to wit That the lawe of God is more deere vnto vs then Golde or Siluer And this is it that we must doe in this point wee must esteeme and make much of the worde of God as it is woorthy and not to stay our selues on the thinges of this worlde but to looke alwayes farther off to wit vnto heauen When then wee shall haue profited our selues thus by the afflictions which God shall send vs hee will bestowe his grace vpon vs by little little that we shal so esteeme of his word as that we shall wholy stick to it And let vs beseech him that it would please him too dispoyle vs of all our wicked fleshly desires and affections to cause vs to craue none other thing but that he wil reigne and liue in vs. According too this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences Beseeching him that it woulde please bim too take from vs the wicked affections whiche might turne vs away from him and from his seruice and that wee might forget all whatsoeuer might turne vs from the right way of saluation that we desire nothing but that wee may attaine too that euerlasting life which we looke for in heauen That it would please him not too suffer vs to liue heere like brute beastes not knowing to what end we were created in this world but that we might acknowledge him to be our Creator our Father and Sauiour that wee might subiect our selues vnto him as his creatures and obey him as true and faithfull Children vntill such time as hee shall take vs out of this world to make vs partakers of that euerlasting blisse immortall inheritance which he hath prepared in Heauen and which is purchased for vs by our Lorde Iesus Christe That hee will not onely graunt vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations in the worlde c. The tenth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme IOD Thine hands haue made and fashioned mee O giue me therefore vnderstanding that I may learne thy Commaundements So they that feare thee when they see mee shall reioyce because I haue put my trust in thy word I knowe O Lorde that thy Iudgementes are right and that thou hast affficted me iustly I pray thee that thy mercie may comfort me according to thy promise vnto thy Seruant Let thy tender mercies come vnto mee that I may liue for thy lawe is my delight Let the proude be confounded for they haue dealte wickedly and falsely with mee but I meditate in thy Commaundements Let such as feare thee and know thy Testimonyes turne vnto mee Let my heart bee vpright in thy Statutes that I bee not ashamed WEE ought to holde and keepe this rule and order in our praiers to God not too measure his affection and loue after our own imaginations thoughts but to acknowledge him to be such one as in deede he is as he sheweth himselfe vnto vs to be And loe why he saith by his Prophet Esaiah after he had declared that he would haue compassion to saue his church Thinke not sayth he that I am like vnto you for there is as great distance betweene my thoughtes and yours as is betweene Heauen and Earth Let vs then measure the goodnesse of God after our vaine imaginations But as I haue already sayd let vs knowe that it is not in vaine which he declareth and testifieth vnto vs that the good will and loue which he beareth vs are infinite thinges which wee must beholde by faith onely And it is to the ende that we should come vnto him with greater boldenesse too call vpon him not doubting but that we shall obtaine whatsoeuer wee craue at his hands yea euen asmuch as shall be expedient for our saluation And according to this Dauid heere setteth downe that God had made him As if he had said I come not vnto thee O Lord as we commonly come vnto men I set not downe any merite or
to wit when as we are conformable to him and to his woorde Let it not now abash vs although wee feele so little taste of God his mercies And why so For what is he that will acknowledge it Wee are so beguiled with these false deceiptes of the worlde that we thinke we may triumphe by them that wee shall bee exceedingly blessed when as wee shall haue all thinges after our owne heartes desire But in thus doing we can contemne God and his grace We must not then be abashed if we be set besides that which apperteineth to our saluation and that God suffereth vs to languishe in wretchednesse and miserie And so let vs learne after the example of Dauid to bee as it were reiected of the worde of God and to bee as it were estraunged from it to craue in good earnest to cause his mercies to retourne vnto vs to wit that he would graunt vs this grace to let vs in such sort vnderstand what neede we haue of his fauour and aide that notwithstanding that we haue declined from his commandements yet that he would graunt vs for all that to feele his mercie although he hath held the same from vs for a season Now it followeth Let the proude be confounded for they haue delt wickedly and falsely with me but I meditate in thy commaundementes Here Dauid setteth downe another reason to confirme him self continually more and more that hee shall obtaine that which he praieth vnto God for to wit bicause the wicked do persecute him whom he calleth the proud And this is the sentence which wee haue already heretofore treated off neither will the time suffer vs to stay any lenger vpon it It shall therefore suffice vs for this time that faith onely is the thing which bringeth vs within the compasse of humilitie when as we know that there is nothing in vs but wickednesse and that wee are thereto tied by the iust iudgementes of God When I say that the faithfull knowe this it pulleth downe their high mindes they are no more arrogant nor presumptious to lifte themselues vp against God and their neighbours Contrariwyse the wicked and enemies of GOD are called proude for the pride which they vse against GOD engendreth also crueltie against their neighbours As many as will humble them selues before God will also bee very gentle too their neighbours but they which haue a fierse and high mynde to stande against God must needes likewise cast their poyson against their neighbours And for this cause Dauid sayeth let the proud O Lord be confounded for they go wickedly about to confound me Whereby wee are admonished that although the wicked vexe and grieue vs neuer so iniuriously and without cause yet we are thereby taught to haue the rather a great deale more trust that God wil haue mercie vpon vs. And why so bicause it is he which graunteth our request and when as we shall make it vnto him it shall not come of our selues but he shal be authour thereof So then when as we shall be grieued and iniuried by malitious and cruell men let vs go boldly vnto God and beseeche him to haue pitie and compassion vpon vs. Nowe he addeth that he neuer ceased to meditate vpon the testimonies of God although he was so afflicted And this is an excellent admonition for vs that when wee are tormented both from heauen and on the earth that God on the one side to the outwarde shewe estraungeth him selfe from vs and we on the other side are so forsaken that wee are troden vnder mens feete besides a thousand other villaines done vnto vs when as I say wee shall be so vexed and grieued We must learne after the example of Dauid to meditate of the testimonies of God and there to seeke our whole comfort for that is the very meane by which God meaneth to plucke vs out of all our anguishes and griefes which might any way trouble vs. That now which foloweth hath beene already handled to wit that men which feare God doe turne vnto him to say that they will keepe him companie And in the ende he setteth downe this conclusion Let my heart bee vpright in thy statutes that I bee not ashamed Now like as in the first verse hee desireth GOD to giue him vnderstanding that hee might learne his Lawe here he desireth that he would graunt him affection Whereby we may see that this proceedeth from vs from our nature to wit to be very poore blynd soule vntill such time as God openeth our eies And thus much for the first point But yet vnderstanding onely shall not serue God must make our heartes pliant vnto his obedience and place vs so with him selfe as that we haue none other desire but to serue him Let vs thē learne to pray vnto him as Dauid here hath done for after he had desired him to giue him vnderstanding of his law he desireth him also to giue him a pure and a sound heart yea and that we should also doe the same in veritie truth not doubting but that when God hath bestowed vpon vs some graces that he will also encrease them more more and haue compassion vpon vs so that we be obedient vnto him in our behalfe and yelde him the homage and authoritie which vnto him belongeth And according vnto this doctrine let vs in all humilitie prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences beseeching him so to touch vs as that wee might learne after the example of his Prophet how to make and present our requestes vnto him to bereaue vs of all our earthly affections which we feele to be most violent against vs to the ende that our minde bee not withdrawne through them from his righteousnes but that wee submit our selues wholy vnto his holy will desiring nothing els but to haue him to gouerne vs to the end that being fortified by his holy spirite we might perseuere vnto the end to resist those temptations which shal grieue vs to obteine the victory abouesaid and come to the triūphe which is prepared for vs in heauen aboue That he wil not onely graunt vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations of the earth c. The eleuenth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme CAPH My soule fainteth for thy saluation yet I wayte for thy worde Mine eyes faile for thy promisse saying when wilt thou comfort me For I am like a bottle in the smoke yet do I not forget thy statutes How many are the dayes of thy seruant when wilt thou be auenged of them that persecute me The proude haue digged pittes for mee which are not after thy lawe All thy commandementes are true they persecute me falsely be thou my helpe They had almost made an end vpō me on the earth but I forsooke not thy commaundements Quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse so shall I keepe the testimonies of thy mouth IF we could rightly call to our remembraunce
blast of wynde to bee inconstāt and vnstedfast but whiles they are sayling through the waues of the sea they must holde them selues firme and sure in this righteousnesse and sinceritie which is in the woorde of God See then howe me must know the euerlasting stablenes of the righteousnesse of the lawe And in deede wee shall haue thereof a full feeling and declaration in the worde of God when as wee shall receiue it as wee ought but for so much as wee faile herein and that wee haue not as of our selues the spirite to comprehend this righteousnesse wherof in this place mention is made ne yet to attaine thereto yea and if that we should attaine therto so that there were nothing to leade vs to iniquitie yet let vs pray with Dauid that it would please God to giue vs vnderstanding Now it is most true that Dauid had already receiued some portion and measure of vnderstanding for els he could neuer haue saide I haue beene grieued and troubled and yet my delight was in thy lawe Hee coulde not possibly bee carried with such an affection but that the word of God had touched the very bottome of his heart but when he besought God to giue him vnderstāding he meāt to haue God to encrease that grace which before he had receiued Nowe if he who was so greatly aduaūced yea that had receiued the spirite of prophecie to instruct others which is the principall spirite to gouerne the people of God If hee I saye had neede to make such a prayer what shall wee do which haue scarsely any one sparke of vnderstanding in our myndes ought not we I beseeche you to praye with a more feruent desire to haue God to graūt vs vnderstanding And a great deale the more ought wee to bee stirred vp thereto when as Dauid sayeth that wee are not able too lyue vntill such time as GOD hath so enlightened vs too the ende wee might conceiue this truthe and righteousnesse which is in his lawe See here I saye howe that the life of men cannot be but accursed vntill such time as they are come euen vnto this point And so let vs not learne too please our selues as these miserable wretched worldlinges doe who are euen drunken in their pleasures and pastimes and thinke that there is no pleasure nor felicitie without they exceede and outrage in all vanities and follies But lette vs looke a great deale higher lette vs seeke after God know that then our life shal be blessed when as God shall haue deliuered vs from these vayne allurements of this wicked worlde to make vs feele truth and righteousnes which is in his word that it may be the onely ende of our life of all our councelles and our onely exercise and study To be short the very summarie of all whatsoeuer we take in hande According too this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences beseeching him that it woulde please him to make vs to feele them better then heretofore wee haue that we knowing our owne wretchednesse and miseries what neede we haue of his assistance might haue recourse vnto him hauing our whole refuge to his goodnes and mercy and stay our selues vpon his promises not douting but that as he is true and faithfull in all that he sayeth so also that he will fulfill whatsoeuer hee hath shewed vnto vs in his worde to wit that he wil so vnite vs vnto him self as that after he hath separated vs from all the filthinesse of this world he will make vs partakers of his righteousnesse and finally of his glorie That he will not onely graunt vs this grace but also all people and nations of the earth c. The nineteenth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme COPH. I haue cried out with my whole heart heare me O Lord and I will keepe thy statutes Yea euen vpon thee haue I called helpe me and I wil keepe thy testimonies Early in the morning I cried vnto thee for in thy word is my trust Mine eies preuent the night watches that I might be occupied in thy wordes Heare my voyce O Lorde according vnto thy louing kindnesse quicken mee according too thy iudgement They drawe nigh that followe after malice and are farre from thy lawe Thou art nigh at hande O Lorde for all thy commandementes are true I haue knowne long since by thy testimonies that thou hast grounded them for euer FOrasmuch as the most requisite thing that wee can possibly desire for our saluation is praier vnto God and bicause we are so slacke and colde therein or els that a very small matter will make vs colde we are to consider of the examples which the holy scripture setteth forth vnto vs of the children of God of the faithfull in deede how they continually were exercised in prayer Euen as in this place Dauid his meaning is to set before our eyes not that he meant to glorifie him selfe of his owne strength thereby to get him estimation but to the ende that this example might direct vs the right waye We see then howe carefull Dauid was to call vpō the name of God how he applied his whole affection and continued therein bicause that euery of vs might doe the like Nowe in the first place he sayeth I haue cried out with my whole heart Wherety he signifieth vnto vs that he babbled not euē as the hypocrites doe or els that he cried not out vppon God for a fashion or coldely but prayed with a true earnest zeale Neither do we any otherwise but euen prophane the name of God when as wee pray vnto him without attentiue mindes hauing our thoughts wandring this waye and that waye and on euery side Let vs then consider what it is principally to be required in our prayers which is that we must not only wagge the tongue and open our mouth with an intent to pray vnto God but we must pray sincerely and purely also vnto him from the bottom of our harts Now in very deed we ought to bring this into a more plaine order But yet according to the manner which wee haue heretofore kept in handling of this Psalme it shal suffice that we set down euery thing briefly in certain articles It remaineth then for this tyme that euery one priuately by himself doth more diligently meditate bestow his whole studie herein Nowe let vs see how we ought too make our prayers to God to wit our prayers must not proceed from the midst of our mouth but from a godly minde and pure truth This word to cry out importeth vehemency as shall again soone after be spoken of Nowe Dauid meaneth not that he strained his throate to cal and cry out but he rather signifieth that he went not coldly vnto it as they do which pray vnto God they know not why nor wherfore without it be for a fashion or if they be pressed through any neede yet are
too be our protector For there passeth not one hower ouer our heads wherein God deliuereth vs not from one mischiefe or other We haue then a large matter to thanke him for not onely with the mouth and in words but also in making protestation therof all the dayes of our life Wee see nowe the summe and effect of that which is heere spoken to witte I haue called vppon thee with my whole hart O heare me and I will keepe thy Statutes And afterwardes I haue called vpon thee saue me and I will keepe thy Testimonyes And after that I haue preuented the dawning of the day I haue called vppon thee yea in trusting in thy worde Now heere he againe repeateth the point which wee haue noted in the other Sermon that is that for our well praying vnto God we muste builde vppon the trust of his promises And this is the true preparation which wee ought to make euen such a one as this It is true that we had neede to feele our miseryes and necessities as it hath beene before declared For wee shall neuer pray vnto God with a right affection and from the hearte without this And besides it is very needefull also that we so lay open our heartes as that we come boldely too present them before our good God too discharge and vnburthen those our heartes of all their cares and sorrowes But in the meane while howe is it possible for vs so watchfully and carefully too pray vnto GOD and to be at full libertie to come before him if wee had not this hope that hee woulde heare vs And howe coulde wee haue any hope if hee had not giuen vs his woorde which witnesseth vnto vs his will and certifieth vs that wee shall not lose our labour in praying vnto him The firste laying open then which is requisite for rightly calling vppon GOD is that wee come vntoo him in full assuraunce that he will heare vs. And why so Because hee hath promised vs. They then which shall pray at all aduenture shall gaine nothing as the scripture sayeth For it is doone but in hypocrisie when as wee assure not our selues that God will heare vs. We must as the Apostle sayth in drawing neere vnto God knowe that it is GOD which calleth vs vnto him And they which haue not this knoweledge shall be voyde of their hope And therefore euery man must looke into him selfe to be thus resolued and say Wel since it is God that calleth and biddeth me to come vnto him I must not stand in doubt of obtayning that which I shall aske of him yea because I trust to his woorde When then wee shall be thus fully assured we may very well beginne too pray But if this be not in vs we may bestow great paines in praying vnto God yea from morning vntill euening wee may continue all the whole night in babling but wee shall get nothing at all by it although we had some desire and zeale we should neuer know what gaine we should haue by our prayers because wee trust not to the promises of God nor yet stay our selues vpon them Let vs then not dout but that hee will helpe vs and that we shall feele his ayde in time conuenient Heereby wee see that we could neuer duely and truely pray vnto God in all the Religion of Popery I say according too that doctrine which they hold And why so Because they teach the wretched world to be alwayes in doubt and wauering See then that a meere and professed Papist can neuer bee able too make one prayer to please God and cannot choose but to prouoke the wrath of God against them selues in all their Prayers And why so Forsomuch as they looke not vnto his promises vpon which we must settle our selues to be assured but that which is worse they teach that in their prayers they must alwayes stand in doubt So much the more then ought this doctrine rightly too be considered of vs where it is declared that the key which openeth the gate for vs to approch vnto God in calling vppon his name is this that we must haue the promises contained in the holy Scripture to learne such an affiaunce out of it as that we doubt not that God regardeth vs and that so oftentimes as we pray vnto him that our prayers enter into him and that he will receiue them declaring that hee is ready too graunte vnto vs what soeuer wee shall craue of him in his sonnes name according to his wil. Nowe in the meane while because that God ordinarily heareth not vs at the first chop that is to say sheweth not it according to the outwarde shewe and as we would wish heere is required patience to remaine constant in this assuraunce and too retaine and nourish it in our heartes after the example of Dauid For hee sayth not that hee prayed onely vnto God for a time but sheweth that he continued therein and that hee preuented the night watches See then what perseueraunce was in him as touching prayer Nowe it is a signe that God shewed him not too haue obtayned the thing that he prayed for It falleth out then that Dauid his patience was troubled in that that hee languished and yet for all that he alwayes trusted to the woorde of God Nowe wee for our partes are to doe euen the like For although God sheweth not himself to be mercifull vnto vs so soone as we would wish and too graunt vs our requests yet ought we notwithstanding too builde heerevpon that hee will bee faithfull and shewe him selfe so in the ende Although he prolongeth it for a time he doth it because he knoweth it to be very profitable for vs to humble vs and to proue our patience It followeth soone after Mine eyes preuent the night watches that I might be occupyed in thy worde This verse is not put to without cause I haue already sayd that we can haue no accesse vnto God in our prayers without we trust to his word For it is a very harde matter for vs to stay vpon God if we onely consider of him according to our naturall reason whether he bee neere vs or no and whether he putteth foorth his hand to help vs. When then we shall not perceiue this power and grace of God as we would wishe it is a very hard thing for vs too beleeue in him and therefore wee must stoutely striue in this behalfe And see why Dauid sayth That his eyes preuented the night watch to be occupyed in that which might confirme him As if he should haue sayde O Lorde I haue beleeued thy word but it was with greate paine and with many harde conflicts For I am a weake man and of mine owne nature inclyned to distrust and besides I am assayled with a greate number of temptations But yet haue I remedied all this geere when as I occupyed my selfe aboute this continuall meditation of thy word which I did not onely bestowe on the day time but