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
not O Lorde to liue for my selfe alone in this worlde to receiue heere my pleasures and commodyties but desire it too an other more precious and excellent end than that to wit that I might serue thee Euen so then as often as we are desirous to liue we must remember vs of this request which Dauid maketh That is that we shoulde not be like vnto brute beastes lyuing wee knowe not to what end but that we should alwayes ayme at this make to honour GOD. For without this wee are more miserable then all the rest of his creatures Euery creature will followe his owne naturall inclination and albeit that brute beastes haue an hard and irkesome life yet notwithstanding they are not in their kinde so tormented greeued as we are We know feele by experience that our euil desires and lusts are like hot burning furnaces so that we neede no body to persecute and vexe vs for ther is none of vs all but can tel wel inough how to greeue vex our selues one with ambitiō another with couetousnes some with fornication adultery So thē our life should be very accursed if we looked no farther But we must alwayes aime at this marke to serue God to keepe his word For when as all our affection and loue shal reste in it then shall our life be blessed But contrariwise when we are so brutish as to desire nothing else but to liue heere a long time to haue none other care but of our body and this temporall life the longer we liue heere in the world the more do we heape vppon vs the malediction and curse of God Let vs then keepe in minde this prayer which Dauid heere maketh to wit that he beseecheth God to bestowe that benefite vpon him that he might keepe his commandement all the dayes of his life As if he should haue said Alas my God I see vs to bee so peruerse and frowarde as that none of vs all thinketh to what ende we liue And we are so giuen to all sinne and wickednesse that wee doo nothing else but more and more prouoke thy heauy wrath and indignation against vs. Suffer me not O Lorde to be one of that company but graunt vnto me thy grace that my life may bee ruled and gouerned as it ought to bee that is That I may employ my selfe wholy to serue and honour thee It followeth by and by after Open mine eyes that I may see the woondrous things of thy lawe Heere he declareth that it was not without cause that he made this request vnto God For if it were in our power to follow the word of God and keepe it it were meere hypocrysie and feyned holinesse to make any such prayer For we craue at Gods hand that which we haue not and in our Prayers we must alwayes confesse our pouertie and want Were it not a mockery thinke you too craue of God the thing which I haue already I shall beseech him to giue it me and I haue it already in my possession It is moste true that wee must craue that at Gods hande which already wee haue And why so Because wee are certaine that wee cannot inioy it nor yet vse the same without his grace and fauour And that the vse thereof shall neuer profite vs without he blesse it euen as we desire of him our dayly Breade And although the table be couered and the meate sette ready on the boorde yet we desire of God to make it nourishment for our bodyes Wherby as I haue before sayde it shall profite vs no whit at all without God blesse it through his grace and liberalitie It is very so that we doe craue it by reason of our continuall confessing of our want and neede So then it cannot possibly bee that this was in Dauid his owne hand and power to keep the woorde of God And he sheweth it to be so in this which followeth O Lorde open thou mine eyes As if hee should haue saide Alas deere father it is so farre off that I am able to keepe thy worde as that I should not be able to vnderstand any whit thereof if thou guidest mee not thereto For it is thou which must both beginne the same also performe it wholy in me This is the way and meanes for vs to vnderstande what to doe For many there are which knowe the thinge that is good and yet for all that they vtterly refuse it Nowe Dauid declareth that he is not onely voyde of all power too keepe the word of God but also that hee is without all vnderstanding except it be giuen him by the holy Ghost Let vs note well who it is that speaketh Euen Dauid a most excellent Prophet And yet for all that wee see that hee declareth yea and that boldely him selfe to bee ignoraunte without GOD iustructeth him Neither dooth hee heere speake of any worldely iustruction as wee woulde imagine of the thinges whiche wee knewe nor of before Dauid confesseth that all that would serue him to no purpose at all without God added therunto a notabler or more excellent thing to wit that hee did enlighten him with his holy spirite Sithens then it is so that Dauid who was an excellente Prophet did knowe that hee could neither by reading nor preaching vnderstand that which was requisite vnto saluation what shall become of vs which are yet farre from that forwardnesse that was in him And let vs not thinke that through our owne labour and industrie and by our owne sharpnesse of wit to come so farre as to vnderstande the secretes of God but let vs knowe that wee had neede to be inlightned with the grace of his holy spirit to open our eyes for without it we are poore blinde soules Nowe if this were wel vnderstood we should neuer see such a pride amongst vs as is that euery of vs is wise inough too gouerne himselfe It is an easy matter for vs to make protestation that God hath giuen vs his word and yet for all that we shall still be blinde and knowe nothing vntill such time as he openeth our heartes and mindes For when nothing else shal gouerne vs but our own sense and naturall reason what beastes and Calues shall wee then bee See then how we shall be better instructed in humilitie when as the doctrine shal be imprinted in our heartes True it is that this was not spoken in vaine but to the end that we shoulde be admonished after the example of Dauid too present oure selues before God and in confessing our selues that we are not capable to vnderstande any thing without that he put to his helping hand let vs beseeche him too open our eyes by his holy spirit And bicause it should not seeme straunge that Dauid desired to haue his eyes open he declareth that the wisdom conteined in the lawe of God is too high for our capacities yea although we think oure selues to haue neuer so sharpe and fine wittes And therefore
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
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
all the disorder and confusions in the worlde to weete that God is prest and ready to guyde and gouerne vs but what we may not awaye to beare his yoke euery man refuseth it and wil be exempt from it Loe here whereupon ariseth our dissolute and wanton life to weete bicause we will not suffer the authoritie which God hath ouer vs to leade and guide vs as he is alwayes ready to do and as he also sheweth vs by his lawe Let this then be an Item for vs. And it followeth further For Dauid meaneth to confirme the woordes before spoken to weete howe it commeth to passe that wee are blessed that is if wee keepe the testimonies of our GOD and walke in his lawe For sayeth hee they which doe no wickednesse walke in his wayes contrarywyse wee doe nothing but prouoke his heauy wrath and displeasure against vs in committing of synne and iniquitie when as God then standeth against vs becommeth our enemie must not our life be vnhappy and accursed It can not be otherwise chosen Heere then is one proofe of that which before hath beene said to wit that our whole felicitie consisteth in this that God is our instructer and teacher and that we holde our selues too the doctrine which wee receiue from him And what is the reason For loe sayth Dauid they will abstaine from euill dooing When then wee abstaine from dooing of euill wee prouoke not God his heauy wrath against vs and so let vs conclude that herein consisteth our chiefe felicitie Moreouer here is to be noted that as many as walke not in the law of God cannot but runne into mischiefe and destruction yea how soeuer they thinke of their well doing and persuade them selues to liue holily and godly yet hath God tolde them that it is cleane contrary And here this parcell of scripture is worthie the marking for hereby we may see the pryde of vs men in that wee make all the worlde beleeue that all things goe with vs as well as is possible when as we follow our own fantasies being thus arrogant to say whatsoeuer we do it is all well done But behold what God the onely iudge hereof hath certainly set downe which we can no way repeale or call backe neither shal be possible to be retracted as we lust to wit that no man can abstaine from euill doing but such onely which walke after this heauenly doctrine They then which walke after their owne pleasure must needes runne into euerlasting perdition Now then there are two maner of wayes wherein men doe erre For one sort exceede in open and most manifest transgressions and sinnes and although they very well knowe that they are euill and wicked yet take they leaue continually to followe them As a whoremonger can not iustifie his wicked doing no more can a theefe a swearer nor a dronkard And yet it is so with them that they alwaies giue them selues leaue to goe from better to worse Howbeit there is another maner of way of euill doing which is mere d̄agerous and a great deale more to be feared bicause it is more couert and secret to weete when as men will not acknowledge them selues to be worthy of commendation and that they thinke that there is none that can detecte or condemne them hauing a foolish and diuelish opinion which blindeth their eyes These men then as it is the maner of all hypocrites may well iustifie them selues but yet the case so standeth that God condemneth them as here we may see It remaineth now that we vse nothing for the whole rule and order of our life but the law of God alone for without it all our life must needes bee dissolute and there shal be nothing in it but confusion and destruction It followeth next after That God hath commaunded vs too keepe diligently his precepts That is alwayes according to the truth which Dauid holdeth For it is very sure that God is so carefull ouer our saluation that he procureth and furthereth it as much as is possible for vs to desire No we if God be thus touched with vs and beareth vs such a good will and loue let vs vnderstand that when he chargeth vs to keepe his ordinances and preceptes that he thereby signifieth vnto vs that the same is our whole blessedness and felicitie And to prooue it to be so God requireth not our seruice bicause he hath some busines for vs to do For he hath not nor needeth any helpe of his creattres When then we are not able do that which he commaundeth vs we can neither do good nor hurt vnro our creator What is it that moueth him to bee so carefull ouer vs as he is and what is it that pricketh and thrusteth vs foreward to keepe his commandements Surely since neither his profite nor gaine leadeth him to be thus careful doutles he respecteth onely our saluation By this we may conclude that there is none other blessednes which we can enioy but to walke in his lawe as he hath before said But in the meane while we may see how villanous and wicked a thing our vnthankfulnes is for God sheweth not vnto vs onely in a worde what is our duetie to doe but vseth also a familiar gentle doctrine to drawe vs vnto him And afterward he exhorteth vs because he seeth vs to be very cold and vntoward And for the selfsame cause he vseth much diuersitie and pursueth it diligently as we see to the ende wee might pretende no excuse of ignorance when we haue nor performed that which he hath set downe vnto vs by his lawe but that we should be conuinced of malice and that wee might vnderstand and knowe that wee are well worthie of euerlasting cond̄enation And so much the more ought we thoroughly to marke this doctrine where it is declared vnto vs that no excuse shall serue vs whē as euery of vs outrageth so much and followeth his owne lust seeing that God hath preuented vs and that he hath declared vnto vs that the right rule to walke by is to follow his cōmandementes neither that he hath done the same slightly but that hee hath persisted and continued therein as much as was possible for him to do Thirdly that by this meane hee hath shewed vnto vs his great loue towardes vs and what care he hath of our welfare life Dauid thē goeth on forward saith O that my wayes were directed to keepe thy Statutes Here Dauid pricketh him selfe fowarde and sheweth the desire hee hath to come to that blessednes and felicitie whereof hee hath spoken before And we must be sure to obserue this order for it is not enough for vs to vnderstand and knowe wherein our felicitie and blessednes consisteth and the way to come thereunto as God hath appointed vs but we must also enter into our selues For euery man must thinke thus with him selfe What maner of man am I Seeing my God is so louing and mercifull tha the seeketh me that he
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
the promises of God in our afflictions and miseries it were sufficient enough too make vs pacient And by this meane we should render a true proufe of our fayth but so soone as we are grieued with any affliction we by and by waxe fainte hearted bicause we forget all the promises of God which to our seeming we had long before very well vnderstand and learned Now we should not at the least be forgetfull of them when neede requireth yea and that when wee are thereby enforced And for that cause wee haue here a very excellent lesson for the purpose worthy the noting for Dauid doth not only teach vs as a Prophet of God what our dutie is what the power and vertue of our faith ought too bee but sheweth vs also the way by his example howe wee must bee pacient in all our aduersities and howe we ought not to fal from that to wit that we alwayes haue our eye fixed vpon the promises of God For that shal be enough to entertaine and keepe vs in such sort as that we should paciently waite for his sauing health yea euen in calling vpon him But that we might the better profite by this doctrine wee are here to note that the twoo first verses are both of one and selfe-same substance saue that the order of the wordes are changed Hee saieth in the first place My soule fainteth for thy saluation That is to say O Lorde I haue longed albeit the afflictions and miseries which I haue abidden were very great and lasted long and that I see neither ende nor issue of them yet neuerthelesse I rested altogether hereon that I alwayes trusted that thou wouldest bee my supporter and aider Nowe hee addeth the reason howe hee coulde so faint to wit bicause he trusted vnto the promises of God In the second verse he saieth That he hath failed for the promise of God yea euen looking for this promisse and that he hath said When wilt thou comfort me And in the third he handleth that which before hee had spoken of to wit that although he had beeene as it were parched and dried euen as a skinne bottle in the smoke so that there remained neither moysture nor substance in him but dried vp with verie miseries yet that he had not forgotten the testimonies of God We see then nowe what the summe and effect of this is which is here shewed vnto vs to wit that there is but one onely meane too cause vs to bee constant and pacient when as we are afflicted and that our aduersities doe euer long last as wee imagine that is too bee mindefull of the promises of God and to haue them depely imprinted in our hartes For if that bee so it wil not cost vs much to be patient and although it bee an harde matter yet wee shall at the last come too the ende of it Let vs then now marke from whence our impatience springeth and what the reason is why wee are so oftentimes ouercome with temptations or else when as wee shal haue for a tyme resisted them yet in the ende wee are confounded and faintharted Truely it is bicause wee forget the testimonies of GOD and turne away from his woorde In very deede this at the first sight may seeme too bee a common matter with vs. And to say the truthe euery man wil say that we ought to remember them and that it is the onely remedy too comforte vs. But wee shal the oftener doo it when as wee shal haue learned this lesson which is heere set downe vntoo vs and that wee recorde it al the dayes of our life For this is one of the principallest pointes that is too bee required in al Christians that when they perceiue that God hath laide his hand on them that they bee as it were almost cast downe yet that they might comfort themselues in staying of the promises of saluation which God hath promised them But yet let vs throughly consider the worde which Dauid here vseth I haue longed sayeth hee after the saluation and I haue hoped or after that I had hoped bicause of thy woorde The seconde parte of this verse is as it were the foundation whereon Dauid buildeth Let vs vnderstande then this hope which wee ought to haue in the worde of God as Dauid had for without that it is impossible but that wee must bee confounded for although it seeme in the iudgement of menne that there is in vs some vertue and soundnesse too indure and suffer patiently yet shal it not be such a true patience as GOD alloweth And why so For wee shal neuer beare him that affection too obey him without wee comforte our selues that hee loueth vs and that we trust to his bountie A man I say shall neuer be disposed to obey God and to glorifie him in afflictions except hee haue a taste of the bountie and fatherly loue which he beareth vs. Now how can it be that wee should bee fully persuaded that God loueth vs and procureth our wealth and health when as he afflicteth vs without we be armed with his promises For it is impossible for vs to knowe the truth of God except he declare the same vnto vs in his word Let vs learne then as I haue already said that the pacience of the faithfull can not be built but vpon faith and hope in the promises of God Loe then what we haue to note in this place Now Dauid hauing laid such a foundation buildeth thereon saying that his soule longed after the saluation of God when he saieth that his soule longed he meaneth not that he was so forlorne as that hee had in the ende giuen him cleane ouer ne yet that Satan had gotten any aduauntage of him but that worde to long is taken in the scripture for that which notwithstanding is conioyned with such obedience as we ought to yelde vnto God staying and setling our selues vpon him As howe Saint Paul sayeth That we ought to hope beyond all hope as Abraham did to wit we must surmount all our wittes and imaginations when there is any question of our beliefe in God For if wee will measure the promises of God by our owne wittes what shall become of it our faith then must exceede and goe beyond all the wisedome of men as here it is sayde That his soule hath longed which is as much as if Dauid had said it is true O Lorde that according to mans reason I was vtterly forlorne yea I was so oppressed with miseries as that I could beare no moe but when I was in the middes of death I ceased not for all that vntill I was arriued at a sure hauen to wit thy ayde and helpe Now he namely speaketh of Gods succour bicause it shall goe very hard but that we wil wander looke aboue and beneath both before and behinde to see if wee can finde readie helpe But if the trouble last long we see not which way to get out of it but that
vnto the word of God In summe it is asmuch as if he had saide that no man is able rightly to feele howe God is faithfull and his worde certaine and sure without he hath a true faith and beliefe thereof within his heart the same to bee discharged of whatsoeuer is contrary to his saluation As namely he saieth that he should haue perished in his trouble if he had not delighted in the word of God Dauid here sheweth what experience he had to wit that he was so afflicted that he was as it were euen in the gulfe of death Now if the worde of God bringeth vs out of the graue quickeneth vs in death preserueth our health notwithstanding that it seemeth to be swallowed vp in the gulfe do we not see a good proufe giuen vs from God how firme sound it is So then let vs well consider as we haue already said that since we haue knowen the power of the worde of God to be such as it is here shewed vs wee may in such sort resist all the greatest temptations which the deuill is able craftely to worke against vs so that we shal be able to escape as it were both from death and the graue And thus much for this Now for the second point Dauid sheweth vs howe it is that we are preserued in all our afflictions by the worde of God how our life shal be saulfe our health assured thereby And that is if we delight therein to wit that wee bee so comforted with the loue which GOD there sheweth vs and wherewith he certifieth vs that since he hath adopted vs for his children he will therefore alwayes shewe him self to be our father Wherefore we may boldely recommende our soules vnto him and he will receiue them so that wee shall not perishe hauing all our refuge so vnto him If wee then content our selues so the worde of God will giue vs life in the middest of an hūdreth thousand deaths But if we heare it without hauing any such affectiō that we taste not of the promisses of God or els that wee alwayes somwhat distrust and doubt to reason how it goeth and afterwarde wander after creatures or els builde vpon our selues if wee bee so changeable wee shall neuer feele any vertue of the worde of GOD but may bee ouerthrowne an hundreth times the lead affliction in the world shal be as a gulfe to swallowe vs vp that we shall not neede the mayne sea but euen a finger depth of water too smouther and drowne vs if it were not that we had learned of Dauid to bee assured of the loue which God beareth vs and that by his worde So then let vs vnderstand what the true delight of the faithfull is and that which preserueth them from death quickeneth them that is when they are contented with the loue of God to set their whole felicitie there to haue him to be mercifull and fauourable to haue this priuiledge to haue recourse vnto him being assured that he will heare them See I say how we should be quickened by the worde of God Nowe when that Dauid hath declared the profit which he receiued by the consideration of the lawe he addeth That he will neuer forget it Wherein hee protesteth that he will not bee vnthankefull to GOD as wee are accustomed Now although wee are not without a great number of vices yet is this one of the greatest that we doe not onely so oftentimes suffer the benefites of God to escape out of our mindes but we are also so wicked as that we desire nothing more then for to burie thē we thinke we should haue neuer time enough vtterly to forget them See I saye the state and condition of our vile and corrupt nature And therefore Dauid in this place protesteth that he will neuer forget the commaundementes of God bicause he hath bin quickned by them And moreouer he speaketh it not only for him self but sheweth vnto vs by his example what our office dutie is When God then shall haue thus aided vs in our afflictions that he shall haue raised vs vp euen from the graue through the might and power of his worde and that wee shall feele such a benefite let vs neuer forget it but be alwaies mindfull thereof And yet Dauid meaneth to shewe vnto vs a farther point to wit that bicause the woorde of God hath already profited him that hee will esteeme of it and haue it in great price for the time to come Knowing that it is is not for a time onely that we must bee preserued and comforted by the word of God but for euer and euer This might seeme for vs to be very obscure were it not declared vnto vs more at large See now then what Dauid his meaning is If a man be as it were cast downe not tasting of the promises of God and when it shall be laide before him that although God afflict his childrē yet that he doth it not vtterly to ouerthrow destroy thē but to the end to calthē to repentance that afterward they might feele his mercifull goodnesse If a man then be thus admonished by the word of God it may be that this admonition will serue him to no purpose bicause he him selfe seeketh not after the remedy which is set before him and so is made voyde of this cōfort which is here touched and by that meane the power of the woorde of God turneth into all euill to himward What is thē to be done Let vs marke wel that which Dauid here speaketh that he wil neuer forget the cōmandements of God bicause he hath bin quickened by them As if he should haue said when as thou hast once preserued me by meane of thy word that thou hast giuē vnto it this power property that I being as one dead out of the world haue bin therby fully restored to helth thē hast thou taught me what I ought to doe all the daies of my life that is I must meditate vpon thy worde I must exercise my selfe therein and I must continually study to thinke vppon the testimonies which thou of thy fatherly loue hast bestowed vppon me to the ende I might hold mee contented and bee sure that thou wilt neuer forsake me The vse O Lord then that I feele by thy worde hath caused mee to applie the same to my profite all the dayes of my life to the ende I might bee able to resiste whatsoeuer Satan shall craftely goe about to worke against mee and too perseuer in thy feare and loue whensoeuer the wicked and vngodly shall make warre against me Thou then O Lorde haste shewed mee that thy worde ought alwayes to be before mee For that neuer loseth his power and strēgth neither is it a thing that is consumed and worne by much wearing A man may soone make an ende of a loafe in eating it but when hee hath so done he must looke for more bread And in continuall drinking of wyne the
iudgements vpon the obstinate and vpō all those which were altogether stubburne And see also howe we ought to temper our affections that when we see men go to do mischief let vs haue compassion vpon them if we se them giuen to sinne and wickednesse if we see them to be in the way of perdition let vs trauell too bring them againe into the right way to procure their saluatiō as much as in vs lieth and we ought to desire and to pray for it haue we had any such affection Then let vs neuer cease to pray vnto God to stretch forth his hand vpon those his enemies whom he knoweth to be altogether desperat It is very true we must not condemne them But wee ought rather as I haue already said to vse the effect of charitie towardes all and pray vnto God that he would saue them but bicause there are a great number which are stubburne and without amendement we ought to beseech God to shewe him selfe a iudge ouer those whome hee knoweth to bee such And why so Bicause they drawe the simple and ignoraunt vnto wickednesse and are an offence vnto them bicause also they make the worde of God to be euil spoken of and are the occasion that libertie is giuen to al euil When then we see the name of God to be euill spoken of that there is no reckening made of his word that all doctrine is cast vnderfoote we are to praye vnto him to remedie it It is time saith he for God to lay to his hād for they haue destroyed thy lawe O Lorde He here speaketh in the third person after directeth him selfe to God And why doth he so Although that this order is not alwayes to bee obserued that he which prayeth vnto God is to continue in one self same person yet it is so that in this place it seemeth that Dauid meant to speake with a greater vehemency when he sayth O Lord lay to thy hand As if he should haue shewed what the office of God is for if hee had simply saide It is time O Lord that thou diddest looke vnto the matter bicause thy lawe is destroyed this had not beene spoken with the like vehemencie as when he saide it is time that thou O Lorde lay to thy hande for by this saying hee declareth what the office of God is to wit to be iudge of the worlde and beseecheth him to lay foorth his iustice in punishing the offences and horrible wickednesses committed here below that after he had suffered them a long time he desireth him to prouide for the punishing of all those which had beene so obstinate and hard hearted against him Now by this we are admonished when as we see that the law of God is as it were vtterly cast vnderfoote his doctrine to be a reproche amongst men and all right and equitie ouerthrowne so that there is nothing but confusion throughout that then we ought to pray vnto God the more earnestly to the end it might be known that he doth his office If this euer were necessary it is at this present most necessary For let vs cōsider the estate of the world I beseeche you what hauocke is there made of the lawe of God Are wee not come to the very extremitie to contemne all doctrine of saluation When God at this day speaketh vnto vs what eare giue we vnto him and how reuerently See heere hee hath bestowed vppon vs a singular grace at this daye when as his worde hath beene once againe published Let vs beholde our vnthankefulnesse Let vs lay all these things together and we shall see that the maiestie of God his woorde is no more esteemed then the very pyll of an onion as wee saye See I pray you too what a point wee are growne and come euen vnto such an horrible and brutishe impietie as is most lamētable Moreouer let vs looke into the maner of our life and the order of gouernement shall we finde either iustice loyaltie reason or modestie no but cleane contrary wee shall see the whole state of our life and order of gouernement full of treason malice crueltie and violence al full of blasphemie against God plentie of drunkennesse gluttonie and dissolutenesse store of lecherie and all other vyllanies whatsoeuer To be short it seemeth that the whole world hath conspired to exceede euen vnto the highest degree of wickednesse When then wee see the lawe of God to be thus ouerthrowne euery maner of waye ought not wee to giue our mindes a great deale more then wee doe to beseeche God to take order to prouide for the same Now when we shall haue such a zeale to pray vnto God as wee see that Dauid had let vs not doubt but that he wil remedy all the confusions which we see to be at this day And now he concludeth and sayeth Therefore loue I thy commandementes aboue gold yea aboue most fine golde Therefore I esteeme all thy commaundements most iust and all false waies I vtterly abhorre See here what a notable protestation he maketh such one as we ought throughly to marke For whē Dauid hath said here before that the wicked haue destroied the lawe yea speaking of no small number of men but as of all in general seeing al the world to exceede to be corrupt hee addeth for this cause O Lord I haue loued thy cōmandements aboue all gold yea and aboue most fine gold I haue loued them in all through al haue vtterly abhorred all false wayes Nowe I haue saide that this is an excellent protestation considering the circumstances For if Dauid had dwelt amongest the godly faithfull ones which had serued God and walked in his feare then it might haue beene said that it was an easie matter for him to haue conformed him selfe vnto them For although we see men alwayes enclined to euill yet they are many times reduced and framed to goodnesse through good examples But I pray you in what time was it that Dauid liued Forsooth in such a time as that he was compassed with the despisers of God hee see nothing but following of euill throughout the worlde hee see as it were a madde and diuelish impietie he see euery thing full of all infection to bee short there was neither iustice nor equitie no feare of God nor yet any religion And yet notwithstanding he saith that he loued the word of God and his commaundements and that hee made more accompt of them then of all the most precious things in the world Let vs thē learne to loue the word of God not only whē as wee shall be stirred vp by those which keepe vs company to serue God all with one accorde but also when we shall bee amongest peruerse and frowarde people that wee bee as it were in hell amiddest all the deuilles yet to perseuer in this affection and not to leaue following of the worde of God that whatsoeuer offences wee shall see committed by men that they withdrawe vs
not from the loue which wee ought to beare to the woorde of God See then what wee must keepe in minde for the vnderstanding of this text And after we are too note for the last verse that Dauid saying that he loued the commaundements of God saith not that he did it by halfes as wee many times doe but I sayeth hee haue loued thy commaundements aboue all thinges As if he should haue sayd I am not like vnto those O Lord which come to serue thee by halfes but in all and through all I loue whatsoeuer that thou hast commaunded And after this maner it is that we must also do for it is not in vs to deuide and make a partition of the worde of God neither yet can wee make it And therefore let vs bee wel aduised to obey God in whatsoeuer he shal commaund vs and to loue his commandementes from the first too the last and not to do as a great many do which wil be contēted to receiue the Gospel forsooth so farre foorth as it wil serue their turne and pleasure them Or els if they passe ouer this or that and thinke themselues to giue God greate credit when as they shall giue him authoritie ouer them in some one point But if soone after they shall bee any thing grieued they wil neuer ouerslip that point Neuertheles we are there admonished too the contrary that it is not for vs as I haue already said to make a partition of that which god hath conioyned but wee must yeelde our obedience vntoo him euen to the ful that although whatsoeuer he saieth or commaundeth vs to do be hard and sharpe too our nature yet let vs take it in good parte with a gentle and mild mind and say with Dauid O Lord I haue loued thy commaundements which thou hast giuen me not in one two nor three points but in al and through al. According to this holy doctrine let vs humbly prostrate our selues before the Maiesty of our good god in acknowledging our offēces beseeching him that it would please him to make vs better to feele our miseries to the end we might be grieued with them and to seeke for remedy at his hands That in renouncing whatsoeuer that is in vs and whatsoeuer power and strength wee thinke our selues to haue let vs beseech him to fortifie vs and so to inlighten vs with his holy spirite as that wee may more and more draw neare vnto him And as hee hath already begunne to inlighten vs that it would please him too cause vs to see his brightnes better than we haue don heretofore vntil such tyme as we shal come vnto his kingdome where we shal perfectly see that which now we do but halfe know And although this worlde be so peruerse wicked as that we might take occasion to withdraw vs frō the right way notwithstanding let vs beseech him that he wil alwaies vphold vs with a mighty and strong hād to th end wee may stand stedfastly in that whervnto he hath called vs neuer decline frō it whatsoeuer came of vs. That it wold please c The seuenteenth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme PHE. Thy testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soule keepe them The entrance into thy wordes sheweth light and giueth vnderstanding vnto the simple I opened my mouth and panted bicause I loued thy commaundementes Looke thou vpon me and be mercifull vnto me as thou vsest to do vnto those that loue thy name Order my steppes in thy worde and let no wickednesse haue dominion ouer me O deliuer me from the wrongfull dealings of men and I will keepe thy commandements Shewe the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant and teach me thy statutes Mine eyes gushe out with ryuers of water bicause men keepe not thy lawe IN very deede the sentence cōteined in this first verse of the eight should be a very ordinarie and common thing with vs. And in very deede there is no man but will confesse it to be true but yet it is so very far of as that there is none of vs al which hath the feeling thereof in him selfe that is that the lawe of God is a wonderfull wisedome for we doe see how it is contemned and despised It is very true that God in all the holy scripture speaketh sharpely enough and also humbly but it is for this cause that he would fit himself to our simple capacities And bicause that wee are blockishe and earthly it is meete that he should so plainely speake as that wee might vnderstand him Neuerthelesse in this speache whcih carrieth no great glorie with it ne yet is coloured with any worldly eloquence are certaine secretes which may very well rauish vs with marueilous astonishment And in deede the very cause why these faithlesse and comtemners of God so little esteeme of the doctrine of saluation is for that they beeing brutish neuer tasted of that which it meaneth to vtter See then wherevpon this pride and vngodlinesse ariseth which wee see at this daye too bee in the greater parte of the worlde so that there are very fewe which beare that reuerence to the woorde of God as they ought for it is an olde saying no man can loue a thing before such time as he knoweth it They then which are so blockish as that they haue neither sense nor iudgement rightly to discerne of the truth of God slippe it ouer yea and treade such an inestimable treasure as it is vnder their feete But they which haue once knowne what it is that God teacheth vs in the holy scripture may very well saye with Dauid that they are wōderful things and so high mysteries as that we ought to wonder at them doe deserue that euery one of vs should wholy apply his mynd thereto Nowe he sayeth That for this cause his soule did keepe the testimonies of God This importeth a greater matter then if he had simply sayd I haue kept them for he signifieth that he hath kept them as we say with an hartie affection And loe howe indeede we ought to esteeme of the doctrine of God it is not onely to haue an opinion that it is excellent and worthy to be had in soueraigne and high honour but that we should be very earnestly touched therwith that we might haue such a feare and an obedience rooted in our heartes as that the saying of the Prophet Isaiah might bee fulfilled in vs that we might trēble at the voice of our God Loe here in effect the content of the first verse of these eight which we are nowe about to handle that is to saye that the faithfull whose eyes God hath opened might knowe that the holy scripture conteineth no common doctrine but such a wise doctrine as is worthy to be reuerenced and honoured all the world ouer Nowe when as we shal once haue knowne that God layeth wyde opē his heauenly mysteries in his lawe it is good reason that wee for our part be