deliuered This will make vs to hate and abandon all sinne which are the cause for the most part of al his punishments Lam. 3.39 this will make vs afraid to displease God by any one sin fearing lest he should iustly giue vs ouer vnto the wil of our aduersaries this will make vs to fly to him for help succor to depend vpon him to seek by all meanes to come into his loue and fauour Least his wrath be kindled and so wee perish from the right way in a word this will be a speciall meanes to quicken vs to the performance of all dutifull obedience vnto our good God who hath been so gracious and mercifull to vs thus to deliuer vs. Secondly we must call to minde often our perils by land by water by fire at home and abroade our danger in sickenesse and diseases how many wayes God could plague vs with strange and grieuous visitations as the stone and chollicke the frencie madnesse and manifold destructions frō all which the Lord hath graciously preserued vs. We must remember Gods mercy in preseruing of vs in our conception in our birth in our infancy youth middle age old age and how he hath continually prouided for vs all things necessary whereas hee might iustly for our sinnes haue sufferd vs to starue and and famish for want of foode infinite are Gods works in preseruing of vs which neuer ought to slip out of our mindes but to be treasured vp in faithfull memories acknowledging that God and none but he doth all things for vs and who therefore would abuse this bounty and goodnesse of God and not rather as the Apostle Paul sayth Be moued by these to forsake our sinnes and turne to God by true repentance Rom. 2.4.5 being led as it were by these to returne the more speedily vnto God Here first wee are to consider how great things God hath done for our soules how he hath kept vs from the spirituall famine in giuing vs his word to bee so plainely and plentifully taught how hee hath kept vs from the powre and snare of the diuell how hee hath pulled vs out of the dungeon of hell and hath deliuered vs from Sinne Death Hel and Condemnation how he hath made vs to know his Wil to vnderstand his Word how he hath inlightned our vnderstandings informed our Iudgements in Truth Psal 24.2 sanctifying our affections renewing our wils rectified our reasons pacified our troubled consciences asswaged the maledy of our minds how hee hath kept vs from the power and dominion of sinne of children of wrath he hath made vs heires of heauen he hath not onely giuen vs his Sonne to be our Sauiour but his spirit to assure vs and his Sacraments to seale the assurance of our saluation in our hearts he hath elected called iustified and sanctified vs and many gracious promises hath hee made from which he will neuer go back that vndoubtedly he will glorifie vs he gaue vs power ouer sin and Sathan in our conuersion he hath giuen vs strength from time to time to withstand the temptations of the world the flesh and the diuell so that wee may truely say What could the Lord haue done more for his Vineyard the Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation neither had the Heathen such knowledge of his Lawes O that men would wisely consider these things it would make them leaue sinning moue them to exercise themselues meditating day and night to liue so and to please God O my people saith God What wrong haue I done vnto thee or wherein haue I wearied thee Micah 6.4 5 6 testifie against mee I haue deliuered thee redeemed thee and sent before thee Moses Aaron and Meriam i. Minister and Magistrate O my people remember now c. and this with Dauid this will make vs cry out and say Come and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soule Secondly we must remember the manner how God hath thus preserued vs both in body and soule and that hath beene extraordinarily for the most part on Gods part and vndeseruedly alwayes on our part extraordinary on Gods part as in those manifold treasons and treacheries beyond all expectation when there haue beene no way as we might thinke for vs to escape when they haue beene ready to put in execution their wicked deuises then hath God awaked as one out of sleepe to rescue and deliuer vs and that miraculously discouering their hidden treacheries as wee haue shewed before which the world knew not of Psal 107. O that men would therfore remember to praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare his wondrous workes to the Children of men Againe all this is vndeserued on our parts for we haue deserued iustly to bee cast off from God for wee diserue nothing but damnation and when we haue done all wee can doe yet still wee are vnprofitable seruants Luke 17. and therefore with Dauid wee may iustly say not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs Psal 115.1 Rom. 5. but to thy name giue the praise for thy mercy and truths sake Yea when wee were enemies to GOD yet did he looke vpon vs all which as it aggrauateth our misery and Gods mercy so it should aggrauate our hatred to all sin and loue to God and goodnesse Thirdly wee must remember the end of our preseruation that is to leaue vs so much the more without excuse at the latter day if we remember not these things to make aright vse of them Secondly to make our punishment so much the greater hauing abused Gods mercy Thirdly that we may be moued by the sight and consideration of Gods great mercy to yeeld him all possible thanks and praise expressing the same by all dutifull obedience to his commandements Fourthly that wee may hereby see our owne inabilitie weakenesse and insufficiencie how soone wee might perish were not God our good God to helpe vs and do for vs. Fifthly to make vs depend vpon his fatherly prouidence in the vse of all meanes Lam. 3.38 for out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth both euill and good That is both prosperitie and aduersitie Sixthly to make vs humble suters to Almighty God for euery good we stand in need of If the Lord himselfe had not beene on our side they had then swallowed vs vp quick for it is only Hee who preserues vs and euery good and perfect gift comes from aboue Iam. 1.17 Seuenthly to attribute nothing to chance and fortune but all to Gods mercy in Christ Iesus Lastly to deny our selues with all that wee haue acknowledging that not for any merit in vs but only because God had a fauour vnto vs he hath shewed such wonderfull deliuerance vnto vs both in soule and body for had it not beene Gods endlesse mercy wee had long since beene swept away as the Prophet Esaiah hath it Esay 19 Except the Lord of of Hosts had left vs a small remnant we
is the heritage of the Lords seruants and the portion of them that loue him for the Church is that Arke which mounts vp mounts vp higher as the water increaseth but cannot be ouerwhelmed Mat. 7.25 the bush which may burne but not be consumed the house built vpon a rocke which may be beaten with winde and raine but cannot bee ouerthrowne Besides all this it is not enough that wee are compassed about with firy walls that is with the sure custody the continuall watch and ward of the Angels but the Lord himselfe is our wall so that euery way wee are defended by the Lord against all dangers Therefore in our greatest mutations our hearts shold not be moued from confidence in God All which should learne vs in the greatest changes and alterations that fall out in the world to rest assured that the Lord will worke for the good of his Church though the earth should bee mooued and the Mountaines fall into the middest of the Sea yea though the waters there of rage and bee troubled yet there is a Riuer whose streames shall make glad the Cittie of God in the middest of it Yea if they who should bee the nourishing Fathers of the Church doe forsake her and become her enemies they shall most assuredly perish but Comfort Ioy and Deliuerance shall appeare vnto Gods people out of another place the Lord for awhile may put the bridle of bondage in the Philistians hands for to humble Israel for their sinnes but it shall bee taken away from them at the length then shall his Church with Ioy draw water out of the Well of Saluation and prayse the Lord their God saying Though thou wert now angry with mee yet thy wrath is turned away and thou comfortest me yea Sion shall cry out and shout for ioy for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of her And therefore in our lowest humiliation let vs answer our enemies Reioyce not against mee O mine enemies though I fall I shall rise when I shall sit in darkenesse the Lord is a light vnto me I will beare the wrath of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he pleade my cause and execute iudgement for mee hee will bring me forth to light and I shall see his righteousnesse then hee that is mine enemy shall looke vpon it and shame shall couer him who sayd to mee Where is the Lord thy God now shall hee bee troden vnder as the myre in the streets yea so let all thine enemies perish O Lord. The hilles stand ahout Ierusalem euen so standeth the Lord about his people Therefore seeing the Lord doth thus compasse the godly with such mercies O then labour to be godly men And such as trust in God to whom all these precious promises are made O how excellent is thy mercy therefore the children of men shall trust vnder the shadow of thy wings Here is a great comfort for the godly who haue no small securitie hence that whatsoeuer their outward estate is or may bee Gods mercy compasseth them as the hills compasse Ierusalem First if Sathan assalt vs on euery side wirh temptation to vexe and disquiet vs with inward feares hee shall not haue so nimble eyes to spy our weakenesse as the eye of the Lord to spye meanes to strengthen vs. Let him obiect the greatnesse and infinite number of our sinnes yet hee shall but amplifie the great mercy of God which is greater and more large then all the sinne and misery in the World Thus Moses comforteth Gods people Deu. 4.31 The Lord thy God is a mercifull God hee will not forsake nor destroy thee nor forget the couenant of thy fathers which hee sware vnto them 〈◊〉 118. â—â— Secondly if vnmercifull men compasse them and come about them like Bees and sharpen their stings yet the mercies of the Lord are neerer them then that they can hurt them Thus Dauid comforted himselfe Psal 86.14.15 O Lord the prowde are risen against mee but thou Lord art strong and mercifull gracious and long suffering and a pitifull God Thirdly if a man should conflict with Gods owne hand by inward temptations or outward tryals of sicknesse pouertie persecution if he were so beset as hee could see nothing but troubles without feares within now is the time to mound fence himself with this comfortable doctrine that euen now Gods Mercies doe guard and compasse him seeing he cannot deny himselfe nor faile of any of his promises Dauid when hee was to chuse of the three rods of God the Sword Famine or Plague he chose to fall into the hands of God because he is mercifull He may afflict and chasten vs a while 2. Sam. 24.14 Isai 45.7.10 Psal 103.8 and for a moment seeme to fosake vs But with great compassions he will gather vs for he chides not alwayes neither retaineth he his wrath for euer Fourthly if a man were in the hands of death and the messengers thereof had already taken hold on him as on Hezekiah Yet euen then he need feare none ill seeing Gods mecrcies compasse him This is euer our couer though wee cannot alway see it as Elisha his seruant saw not the great mercies of God compassing him and his Maister Euen then when wee know not Gods mercy is all about vs. There are still more with vs then against vs our mountaine is alway beset with heauenly warriors Was Ionas euer more compassed with mercies then when he was in his owne sence cast off and compassed with waues and weeds Was Israel euer more coÌ„past with mercy then when they were compassed with Mountaines Sea enemies Death and deadly things these our extremities are Gods oportunitie Nay fifthly suppose a man were in the house of death in the graue yet euen this separates not from Gods mercyes which being eternal leaues vs not in death but when we are most compassed with dust and corruption shall then bee most abundant and mightie for vs. Oh therefore let so many as trust in God flye in all their straights to this sanctuary which can make not onely deaths fore-runners but euen death it selfe welcome which depriues vs of all things else but this mercy into the full estate of which it setteth vs. Let vs therefore labour aboue all things in the world to get part in this mercy by getting assurance of the pardon of sinne get this and thou gettest a mercy reaching vp to heauen a crowne of blessings a plentifull redemption Our Prophet here calls it a compassing mercie for a godly man thinketh not himselfe compassed with mercy when hee is compassed onely with outward blessings when God hath hedged about his house and he hath wealth to tumble in though the world breath after nothing else but when he hath a voyce telling him that God in Christ is merciful to his sin and hath couered his iniquitie oh now thinkes Dauid himselfe compassed with mercy and not before although he was a king and had
the wine in a cup. We must watch ouer our selues both alone and in company and not run into bad company least we come home by weeping crosse as Peter did Secondly we must not lye in our fals a man in his iourney if hee fall and lye still shall neuer come to his wayes end and if hee rise quickly though it hinder him a little it shall not bee much The Saints all of them recouered themselues out of their fals by renewing their Faith and Repentance A man out of his way must come backe againe the sooner he returnes the lesse is his labour Peter presently went out and wept bitterly and so was restored to Christs fauour Thirdly suppose thy fals be grieuous and often into the same sins yet let them not hinder thee still out of the way For as the Childe of GOD must neither presume nor purpose sinne so must he not despaire of rising hauing fallen into sinne seeing the promise is that If a mans sinnes for hainousnesse be as red as scarlet vpon his true repentance they shall bee made white as Snow And the parable teacheth that if a sinner offendeth seuenty times seuen times in a day and as often truly repent he shall be as oft forgiuen Fourthly after such falls we must be more warie and careful least we fall in the same manner A man yea a beast will be more carefull when it comes by the same place where it caught a fall yee cannot get it into the same hole againe Dauid no doubt would not count the Tribes againe after that fall in numbring them Thirdly hold on in this way constantly with perseuerance for the end of a worke crowneth it and the end of a way gladdeth and resteth the wearie traueller and this rest is without end Many set forth on this way but are discouraged by the hardnesse of the entrance whereas if they were a little entred the way would be pleasant and the yoake of Christ easie and sweete Others haue gone yet further but at length looke backe yea goe backe when a man would haue thought they had escaped the filthinesse of the world and these haue lost a great deale of labour and comfort Others yet farther then they as the bad earth euen so farre as a man could perceiue no difference betweene them and sound Christians and apparent difference was there none but in perseuerance and yet wanting soundnesse haue suffered shipwracke euen at the hauen and so their former righteousnesse is all forgotten a great deale of way they had gone and much worke had they rid whereof they shall neuer see crowne nor comfort Oh beware of wearinesse and relapse As towards the end of his way the traueller is most cheerefull so should we and the rather because first euery one affects a good end euen Balaam and will we not endure a little difficultie for it Fourthly seeing there are a number that deceiue themselues about their estate in which they are thinking that their waies are right when God knowes they are the pathes that leade to hell they boast of their supposed good when indeed it is nothing but a meere delusion of the Diuell to blinde the eyes of their minds to make them seeme that which they are not they boast and bragge of Iustification and yet liue without Sanctification Such people are out of the way and all this while they doe nothing else but deceiue their owne soules for he that is Iustified is also Sanctified and after Iustification there will follow Sanctification Wouldst thou then know whether thou hast throughly and effectually remembred thy fals and art conuerted and that God hath Iustified thee in pardoning and forgiuing thee all thy sinnes and acquitting thee from the guilt and punishment of thy sinnes and that God accepts thee through Christ as righteous before him and that thou shalt neuer be condemned for thy sinne then examine thy Sanctification Doest thou leaue thine waies and walke in the waies of GOD Doest thou vse all good meanes to come to saluation and auoide all occasions which might draw thee to destruction In a word doest thou deny thy selfe and wholy resigne vp thy selfe to bee guided by Gods Spirit in all things then thou art Sanctified and so maist approoue thou art Iustified else not Rom. 8.1 Now there is no condemnation to those which are in Christ Iesus There is Iustification who are such as walke not after the flesh Ephe. 2.10 but after the Spirit there is Sanctification It is the end of our new Creation and second birth Psal 125.5 which God hath ordained viz. to walke in good works Lastly in a word vtterly to renounce all sinne to hate loath detest and abhorre it so as to haue nothing to doe any more with it but to vow and resolue against it and so leaue it and forsake it and daily more and more to be out of loue with it and our selues for it is a most true signe of him that hath rightly searched himselfe and is truly conuerted Pro. 28.13 and such a man shall obtaine mercy at Gods hand in this world and euerlasting mercy in the world to come Wherefore seeing we haue these promises 2. Cor. 7.1 let vs cleanse our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit and finish our sanctification in the feare of God Signifying that it is not sufficient to purge our selues in part but it must be both from internall corruptions of the soule as also the externall pollutions of the body and to labour for the feare of God without which wee are impudent and bold in committing of vncleanenesse which wee would not dare to attempt if the feare of God were firmely setled in our hearts teaching vs also not to make a shew of holines for a time but to goe on constantly and to finish our Sanctification dayly proceeding in a holy course adding more holinesse still to more that so holding out vnto the end we may receiue the end of our Faith the saluation of our soules For he that continueth vnto the end 1. Pet. 1.9 he shall be saued PSALME 126. When the Lord brought againe the captiuitie of Sion wee were like them that dreame The Argument of the Psalme TOuching the Captiuitie whereof the Prophet speaketh in this Psalme The Interpreters doe not agree Some vnderstand it to be meant of the Captiuitie of Babylon some of the Captiuitie vnder the Romans other some do thinke that the Prophet meaneth heere all the Captiuities and deliuerances of the Prophet according to that promise that if they should at any time be led into Captiuity for their transgressions and by repentance should returne vnto the Lord Of what manner of Captiuitie this Psalme treateth he would shew mercy vnto them and bring them home into their land againe but in mine opinion they go neere to the sence and true meaning of the Psalme which doth referre it to that great and generall Captiuitie of mankind vnder Sinne Death
Bernard When we aske of God saith S. Bernard euen those things that concerne this present life our praiers are not so soone out of our mouth but they are written in his booke and we ought saith he to bee assured that he will either giue the thing it selfe which we haue asked or other things which hee knoweth to be more profitable for vs. To conclude Prayer is the most mightie and fruifull work of Charitie seeing by it we help our neighbours present and absent knowne and vnknowne great and little and that both with Spirituall and Corporall good things drawing by our Prayers the blessing of God vpon them Now the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus that great Shepheard of the Sheepe through the blood of the euerlasting couenant make you perfect in euery good worke to doe his Will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Iesus Christ To whom be glorie for euer and euer Amen FINIS A NECESSARY Prayer for the great deliuerie from the Gun-powder Treason O Blessed Lord and euerliuing God whose mercy is ouer all thy workes Wee thy poore vnworthy Creatures do heere powre forth our hearts vnto thee that we may neither vngratefully remember thy gratious benefits nor vngratiously forget thy seuere Iudgements who both in the one and the other hast beene beyond all measure so gratious vnto vs. We thanke thee O Lord for all the externall and internall graces bestowed vpon vs the Spirituall and Corporall the Ecclesiasticall and Terrestiall blessings which we haue receiued O Lord thou knowest that without thy helpe we cannot auoid our ruine We beseech thee O Lord let this thy mercy towards vs and our great deliuerance daily put vs in minde to be thankfull vnto thee O God we were without all meanes to foreknow such a miserie and without all Iudgement to vnderstand such a mysterie haddest not thou O Lord of thy great loue to true Religion and mercy to vs giuen meanes to discouer it O Lord if this had not beene we had beene blowne vp we had beene smothered we had beene dismembred we had beene persecuted we had been vndone Wherefore good Lord seeing thou didst bring vs to the graues mouth but hast not giuen vs ouer vnto death wee haue imprinted in our minds the horror of the danger and excited our soules to thankefulnesse for the rescue and therefore wee prayse thee wee blesse thee wee worship thee wee glorifie thee and wee render to thee all thanks Honor and power wee ascribe vnto thee for this thy gracious preseruation And wee beseech thee O Lord still to lend thy helping hand to this Kingdome To this end wee beseech thee to blesse our gracious King Iames our supreme Head next vnder thee O Lord make all thy good to goe before him day and night vphold his Crowne maintaine his State giue him continuall peace long life and much happinesse mercifully heare him in all his Petitions and effectually worke for him in all dangers Furthermore we beseech thee to blesse our Noble Prince Charles the Prince Elector Palatine the Lady Elizabeth his Wife and their hopefull Issue and the righteous Cause and when it shall make most for thy glory and their good giue them victorie O Lord ouer all their Enemies And we entreat thee O Lord still to lend thy helping hand to this Kingdome thy assistance to the Gospell and euer blesse the Persons and Consultations of that High Court with holinesse safety that we may inioy our Liues Liuings our Religion our King and that his Off-spring after him may sit vpon his Throne till the comming of Christ Iesus to our comfort thy glory to whom we offer our selues our soules and bodies to be at thy seruice for euer and euer Amen Amen ¶ A Morning Prayer for a Familie O God of glorie and Father of mercy eternall and incomprehensible Maiestie in whom we sinfull Creatures doe liue mooue and haue our being fauourably heare our vnperfect Prayers and mercifully grant our needful suites We sinfull creatures doe sue vnto thee for grace hoping in thy mercie towards vs which is ouer all Keepe vs we beseech thee this day as thou hast kept vs this night past Keepe vs in thy feare faith and loue O Lord turne thy face from our sinnes wherein we haue so delighted and blot out all our misdeeds alter our hearts and wash and cleanse vs from all staines and corruptions in the blood of thy Sonne forgiue vs all that is past euen all the euill that wee haue done or thought and graunt vs the assurance of that forgiuenesse sealed vp in our Consciences by thy holy Spirit Kindle thy loue so feruently in our hearts that wee may detest whatsoeuer is against thee and thy Word Forgiue vs our great contempt and intollerable barrennesse in good workes our soule vnthankfulnesse and the abuse of thy graces and strike our stony Hearts with the Rod of thy feare that wee may attayne vnto a due thankfulnesse for thy benefites and a most vnfayned and earnest repentance for all our sinnes O Lord wee pray thee send thy blessing vpon all our labours and giue vs a willing minde to helpe them that haue neede according to our abilitie and so prepare our hearts in all our businesses that wee may alwayes begin it in thy Name and goe forward in thy feare and finish it with thy blessing that whatsoeuer wee shall doe it may prosper Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christ his sake our onely Mediator and Redeemer in whose Name wee further pray vnto thee saying that forme of Prayer that hee hath taught vs. Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ An Euening Prayer for a Familie BLessing and glory and wisedome and thanksgiuing and power and might be vnto thee O Lord most high and immortall God for thy gracious goodnesse and mercie extended to vs this day past and alwayes notwithstanding all our Wickednesses which cry dayly against vs and our Enemies that would swallow vs vp Wee beseech thee O Lord be still our God and our Lord and continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vnto vs forgiue vs all the euill that wee haue committed this day or any time heretofore teach vs to sorrow for our sinnes and separate them from vs that would separate vs from thee O Lord pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes remoue from vs those things which our Consciences are afraid of assure vs of thy gracious Pardon and renew vs by thy holy Spirit that wee may vnfainedly hate and detest whatsoeuer is displeasing vnto thee and graunt good Father that wee may euer hereafter serue and please thee in holynesse and newnesse of life Bee thou our shield and defence against the suggestions illusions and temptations of Sathan against all the allurements and baits of the flesh with all alterations prouocations changes and chances of the world sanctifie vs with thy grace that we may keepe our bodyes
AN EXPOSITION ON THE CXXIIII CXXV CXXVI PSALMES Called the Psalmes of DEGREES Or The Churches Deliuerance PLAINELY SET FORTH for the benefit of Gods Church By T. S. Psal 40.12 Innumerable troubles saith Dauid haue compassed me Psal 129.1 2. They haue oftentimes afflicted me from my youth may Israel now say but they could not preuaile against me Psal 116.12 What shall I render vnto the Lord for his benefits towards me Seene and allowed LONDON Printed by B. A. for William Lee and are to be sold at his shop neere Sergeants Inne in Fleetstreet at the signe of the golden Buck. 1621. TO THE HONORABLE and my especiall good Master Mr. THOMAS MVRRY Secretary to the Prince his Highnesse Grace Mercie and Peace be multiplied in this world and eternall Glorie in the world to come Honorable Sir WE reade in the Booke of Exodus how God by MOSES Exod. 35.45 and MOSES from God commanded the people of Israel to bring their offerings and gifts for the erecting and building of the Tabernacle Whereof some brought more rich sumptuous and costly gifts as Gold Siluer Eare-rings Rings and Bracelets all being Iewels of Gold Some more meane base and of lesse value worth and estimation as Rammes skins Badgers skins Goates haire and such like all which they did performe and execute so willingly readily chearefully and freely that they brought too much and more then was sufficient for the seruice of this Sanctuary Exo. 36.5.7 and the vse of the worke of the Tabernacle which the Lord commanded to be made This most notable rare and admirable example of their willing hearts and minds in seruing God with their earthly goods I haue propounded to my selfe to be imitated and followed in a two-fold respect First for consolation herein comforting my selfe that God who accepted their meanest offerings towards the building of an earthly Sanctuarie will much more accept allow and approue of this Spirituall offering which so voluntarily and cheerefully I bestow to the glory of God furtherance of the worke of his Spirituall Sanctuary for God doth loue a cheerefull Giuer and regardeth more the heart in giuing then the gift it selfe Secondly for instruction teaching mee not to burie my gifts and Talents in the Earth with that euill and slothfull Seruant mentioned of in the Gospel Mat. 25.25 but to put them forth and imploy them to the vse and benefit of Gods people the good of his chosen the profit and commoditie of all true hearted and truly deuoted Christians Sir to this end therefore I haue written this little Booke First to admonish some kinde of people who for lacke of experience neuer feeling other daies then these full of peace and quietnesse that thereby they might learne the better to apply vnto themselues whatsoeuer they shall heare or reade of the tryall of GODS Children lest falsely imagining the same to appertaine either to the times that are past or to other Nations it fall suddenly vpon them as a Thiefe in the night and they be destitute of all hope and comfort Last of all to comfort another sort whom it hath pleased God to presse downe with sorrowes and to exercise with the continuall afflictions calamities of this Mortall life as no times seeming fauourable vnto them they can scarse receiue the words of any comfort And wheras euery one in his calling is bound to doe some thing to the furtherance of the holy building I haue according to my duty brought my poore basket of stones to the strengthening of the walls of that Ierusalem whereof by grace we are all both Cittizens and Members And heere I present vnto your Honor this poore Talent of mine which may it please you to accept at my hands as at one that wisheth all happinesse to you and yours in the Lord. Your Honours acceptation shall be my sole satisfaction the bond of my dutie hath this onely bound of my hope humbly crauing that your fauourable wisedome would supply the wants of this thing and that this so simple a gift may be accepted of you rather for my good meaning and the end whereof I do it then for the value of the thing it selfe If you iudge them worthy vouchsafe them I pray you your Patronage if not your pardon at least your gracious and fauourable acceptance according to the kindnesse of your nature and wonted courtesie in other matters The which thing if you will bee pleased to doe it shall not onely greatly reioyce mine heart but make mee much indebted vnto you for the same The Lord for his Sonnes sake graunt that this labour of mine may bee accepted of the Saints and tend vnto Gods glorie and I heartily beseech the Lord the GOD of all Grace and Giuer of all Blessings that hee would multiply his heauenly Grace vpon you and yours that you may alwaies walke worthy of the Lord and please him in all things Thus crauing pardon for my boldnesse I humbly take my leaue The God of heauen giue you that blessing of blessings which Ierome saith few men haue that you may goe on from Grace to Grace and be a long time happie in this life and for euer happy in the life to come Your Honors humble Seruant in all obseruant to be commanded THOMAS STINT TO THE CHRISTIAN READER GEntle Reader the most skilfull Fisher may sometimes catch a Carpe for no doubt but there are many busie Braynes itching Eares taunting Tongues and carping Conceits that will critically play the right Momes especially they that doe least good will finde greatest fault with others good Endeuours But from such I appeale to thy courteous and charitable Censure with consideration of want of time commending this Booke to thy courteous entertainment Reade it at thy leysure and marke it well begin not alone but make an end for haply as it is in Saint Iohns Gospell the best Wine is reserued till the last And thus I bid thee heartily farewell in the Lord. A Plaine and familiar exposition vpon the 124.125.126 Psalmes called the Psalmes of degrees written for the benefit of GODS Church COncerning the Booke of the Psalmes it is an Epitome of the whole Bible teaching vs what we are to belieue and do both to God and man in which we may as in a glasse clearely behold the nature of God his wisedome goodnesse and mercy towards his Church and children as also most notable spectacles of his fearefull wrath and vengeance against the wicked and vngodly Next concerning the Title of the Psalmes first here riseth a question wherefore they are called the Psalmes of degrees or starres or after some translations of the ascending vp wherein the opinions of the Interpreters be diuers all which it shall not be needfull to rehearse Some expound these Psalmes steppes or ascending vp to signifie a compleating or finishing because they were commonly song in the end when the people should depart and the diuine seruice was finished and therefore were called the Psalmes of the ascending
and if you will goe through all the examples of the Booke of GOD yee shall finde that they who haue beene greatest in Gods estimation haue beene alwaies smallest in their owne eyes the heart which hath receiued most from GOD euer thinks least of it selfe The deepe waters of the proude haue gone euen ouer our soule Thus Dauid setteth out the afflictions and calamities of the Church and of the godly whom the world doth not onely hate but cruelly persecute whereby wee may see that it hath not onely a greedy desire but also power to hurt murther and destroy Sathan likewise goeth about like a raging Lyon seeking whom hee may deuoure that we fall not therefore euery moment into desperation or otherwise perish it is because hee is greater which is in vs then he which is in the world as Dauid saith If God had not beene with vs our enemies had swallowed vs vp quicke A proud man his owne punishment But here is the iust recompence of his pride Let the proud bee ashamed saith Dauid He would faine haue honour or preheminence which God wil not giue vnto him he flyes shame and contempt but God shall powre them vpon him The consideration of this serues to humble the pride of man Sith they are but men of clay why waxe they proud to oppresse others It was a very worthy warning which a certaine Ambassadour gaue once to Alexander the Great That flyes and wormes at length should eate the flesh of Lyons If proud men considered this that they are but earth and that shortly their beautifull bodyes will become carkasses to bee eaten by wormes it would abate their naturall pride by which they trample dowme others poorer weaker then they vnder their feete and when they shall goe the way of all flesh they shall then say What hath pride profited vs 2. Cor. 10. and what hath the pompe of riches brought vs to When they shall see that all the dayes of their life they haue wearied themselues in vaine and then shall be plunged into irreuocable and intollerable torments These are fooles The miserable condition of a proud man and of all fooles the greatest they set themselues as parties against the Lord for hee resisteth the proud not considering that hee is stronger then they and they cannot stand before him the Lord is the most high God but it is not height makes a man stand before him none so sure to stand in his sight as they who are humble and little in their owne eyes to them hee giueth grace where it is the iust recompence of the proud that because they vsurpe to bee before all others the Lord puts them behinde all and casteth them downe to the lowest roome for mounting to the highest A notable example hereof wee haue in that Pharesie who was not so farre before the Publican in his owne estimation as hee was behinde him in the account of Christ who iudgeth of things according as they are Here then wee must put a difference betweene sinnes of pride and sinnes of infirmitie hee that of rebellion and pride departs from Gods Commandements not so hee that sinneth of weaknesse in whom euery sinne committed increaseth a griefe for sinne a hatred of sin and a care to withstand it for to these there is no condemnation these are not vnder the Law but vnder Grace mercy alwayes waits on them as a refreshing Medicine to restore them when of infirmitie they fall But as for the wicked who sinne are proud impenitent in their sins the curse of God is vpon them though it be not seene at the first but like a moath or secret consumption it eates them vp it shall deuoure their substance and shall quickly turne their glory and prosperity into shame and confusion First let vs therefore consider and that seriously that all worldly pompe all thy brauery thy gay attyre and all thy vaunting of it in the world Eccles 1.2 all is but vanitie vanitie of vanities all is but vanitie This was the foot of Salomons saying who knew too much of this by experience and no question but the like conclusion a number of proud Gallants make in the world who haue delighted to see and follow fashions so long till all is spent and then hauing nothing cry out when it is too late All is but vanity and vexation of spirit and a most vaine thing to vaunt it so in pride therefore let vs lay this to heart 1. Cor. 7.31 that the time is short and the fashion of this world passeth away See this vanitie and it will abate thy pride Secondly learne to know thy selfe throughly remember thou art but a man therefore mortall frayle flesh thy body an house of clay why then wilt thou O vaine and mortal man bestow so much cost vpon thy rotten carkasse and pamper it vp in iollitie and in the meane time neglect thy soule Remember whosoeuer thou art of what degree soeuer that of Dauid Lord what is man or the sonne of man as if hee should haue sayd Lord man is nothing yea vanitie it selfe and lesse then nothing as Dauid speaketh elsewhere Yea remember with thy selfe that it is not all thy pride shall make thee to be respected but rather ridiculous to the world and in the ende breede sorrow to thy selfe In a word remember the saying of the Prophet Esay Esay 2.22 Mans breath is in his nostrils and wherein is hee to bee accounted of As if the Prophet had answered In nothing Obiection But I doe but as the most doe who follow the fashion Exod. 23.2 Answere Thou must not follow a multitude to doe euill Now it is a great euill and a grieuous sinne to bee giuen ouer to follow fashions it being expresly forbidden in the Word of God Be not conformed to this world Rom. 12.28 or Fashion not your selues according to this world Therefore to conclude Pride is a most accursed and damnable sinne Esay 28.13 Woe to the crowne of pride it shall be troden vnder feete Psa 119.21 Cursed are the proud Pro. 16.18 Pride goeth before destruction Pro. 18.12 and a haughtie spirit before a fall Esay 5.14 Before destruction the heart of man is haughtie their glory and their pompe shall descend into hell Reade Woe vnto them that are wise in their owne eies Dan. 4.30 to 37. vers 21. Psal 124.4 Gen. 19.24 Ezek. 16.49 50. Reuel 18.4 5 6 7 c. Esay 10.5 to 20. and 13.11 and prudent in their owne sight Remember how wonderfully Sodome Babylon and Tyrus came downe for their pride The Deuil throwne downe from heauen to hell for his pride in all which is set downe the terrible iudgements of God against pride Let women read with shame Esay 3.16 to the end I meane the proud Fizgigs of this age who decke and trimme the body beyond their calling and abilitie Reade Ier. 44.10.11 12 where as the Apostle would haue
all outward things to his hearts wish Zacheus had mercy enough when saluation was come to his house hee neuer got so fast before as now he forgoes restores he was neuer compassed with mercy till now though he was a great rich man neuer so rich as now when he was impouerishing himselfe to entertaine Christ in his house and heart Iacob when he saw Iosephs face his best beloued Son now saith he I haue enough let me now dye seeing I haue seene my sonne Iosephs face how much more shall we haue enough to see the face of the well-beloued Sonne of God yea and God himselfe in that wel-beloued one appeased and fully pacified Simeon hauing seen Christ with his eyes and held him in his armes Now Lord said he let thy seruant depart in peace for mine eyes haue seen thy saluatiō but to see christ by the eye of faith hold him in our hearts will make death much more welcome to vs we shal think we haue enough the sweet sense of it will frame the mouth to speake plentifully of it as our Prophet doth in this place neither can any good heart either lightly account or speake slenderly of such a mercy neither content it selfe with slight meanes to get it or with superficial phrases in holding it In a word if once wee can claspe hold on this mercy of God in pardoning our sinnes we could desire euen to liue no longer in this world were it not to come to a more full sense fruition of it Where hee addeth from henceforth and for euer by rhese words he sheweth that this vigilancy of the Lord our God ouer vs is not temporall but eternall according to that which he sayd before in the first verse of this Psalme they shall remaine for euer Let vs learne therfore out of this Psalme that our constancy and perseurance consisteth in this that we are defended by the power and prouidence of the Lord on euery side Verse 3. For the rodde of the vngodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put their hand vnto wickednesse HEre the Prophet plainly decalreth that the people which rest vnder this defence and protection are afflicted and subiect to all miseries and calamities as touching the flesh although they be compassed about with high and mighty mountaines as touching the spirit as Sathan can neuer surmount yet touching the flesh and the old man they lye open on euery side to the darts of Sathan and of the world for God by these means will afflict and exercise the flesh that sinne and the foolishnesse of the flesh may be mortified in them and that spirituall wisedome and the inward man may increase this is the cause why we are according to the flesh as a broken hedge and as a citie Whose walles are cast downe and so lyeth open to the enemy on euery side Hereof cometh intollerable blasphemyes cruell torments and bloody slaughters of the Saints of God for the flesh hath no walles no munitions to defend it but the spirite therefore the flesh is in danger to all stormes and tempests as the Prophet Esay sayth which haue sayd vnto thy soule bow downe that we may go ouer thou hast layd the body as the ground and as the street to them that went ouer These afflictions wee must needes suffer and by patience ouercome them and withall we must beware that by these outward afflictions the inward man be not weakened or ouercome resting in the assured hope and trust that the Lord will neuer forsake vs but that wee are in the bosome of the Father and are closed within most sure and strong holds so that now although our goods our Wiues our Children yea our liues also be taken from vs yet wee shall neuer bee spoyled of our Christ by whom we are so surely defended that in the middest of all our tentations hee will make a way for vs to escape or else giue vs strength to beare them Blessed is the Man who indureth tentation Iam. 1.12 for when hee is tryed hee shall receiue the Crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Thus wee see what consolations the holy Ghost setteth forth vnto them which beleeue the word for vnto such as looke for a better life then this is all things are here full of calamities and miseries death followeth death as Saint Paul saith and we continually die one temptation followeth another vntill at the length by the death of the flesh all miseries shall cease and haue an end This verse therfore admonisheth vs that wee must suffer many troubles yet so that at length wee shall be safe and set at libertie from them although not in this life yet in the life to come as this verse full of consolation doth promise vs. Notwithstanding this promise seemeth incredible both to vs which suffer and also to them which persecute and aflict vs for if wee behold the same with our outward eyes what can be more false yea the contrary seemeth to bee most true behold our Sauiour Christ was hee not so forsaken hanging vpon the Crosse that the rod or scepter of the wicked rested vpon him did it not rest likewise vpon the Prophets the Apostles and orher holy Martyrs this matter then if we consider it with our outward eyes hath another meaning then the words doe import for they promise that the Scepter of the wicked shall haue no power ouer the godly and yet all Stories and examples doe testifie the contrarie therefore the holy Ghost calleth vs backe to the purpose and counsell of God reuealed in his word and commaundeth vs to weigh and consider not what we suffer but what is decreed with the Lord in heauen and he that can so sequester himselfe from the beholding of his afflictions and tentatfons and yeelde himselfe wholy to the will of God and there rest is a right diuine yea hee that is ignorant hereof in true diuinitie knoweth nothing at all for what knoweth he which is ignorant that God is such a God as will not suffer the godly to bee oppressed of the wicked For seeing he hath said I am the Lord thy God he will neuer suffer that which is his owne to bee wrested either by the world or by the gates of hell out of his hands if he then abide and continue they shall also continue for euer which are his Thus to beleeue and thus to lay hold on things inuisible is true diuinitie and true spirituall wisedome indeed Whereupon we may ground this proposition out of the inuisible counsell of God God hateth the wicked and loueth the iust ergo he will damne and destroy the wicked and will deliuer and saue the iust And heere we see that which is the chiefest thing in all Psalmes and Prophets to spring out of the first precept I am the Lord thy God Now haue we to learne how wee may apply this verse rightly and to our great comfort for
things labouring to approue our selues vnto GOD keeping faith and a good conscience which hath the promise of this life and that which is to come And wee must euer entertaine this holy resolution that nothing should draw vs from God and godlinesse 2. Cor. 1.12 This is our reioycing saith Paul the testimonie of a good conscience that is in simplicitie and godly purenesse and not in fleshly wisdome c. This yeelds vnto vs much comfort that our hearts can witnesse with vs that wee haue done our duties in obedience to Gods will Verse 4. Do well O Lord vnto them that be good and true of heart THE Prophet saith not heere doe well Lord to the perfect and such as offend in nothing but to the good and true of heart The good and true of heart are they which are of a single sincere and vpright heart for these are they which are most accepted of God although they also through infirmitie doe some times offend Heere is matter of great comfort to the Children of God that fall of weaknesse and infirmitie into the same sinne after repentance and such is the depth of Sathans temptations that he tels them that the Children of God fall not into the same sinne againe after their repentance if they doe hee telleth them that there is no place for a second repentance but this is false for the promises of God are without limitation of times or consideration of sinnes or respect of persons he will receiue to mercy all repentant sinners whether their sinnes be committed before or after repentance whither once or often so that they renew their repentance according as they haue sinned anew This pardon Christ himselfe publisheth Come vnto mee all yee that are wearie and heauy laden and I will refresh you Mat. 11.28 Yea the Lord inioyneth vs sinfull men to forgiue our Brother seauentie times seauen times if hee turne againe and say it repenteth me So that wee see this is a maruellous comfort to all such as groane vnder the burthen of sinne that haue fallen through infirmitie into one sinne often let not such be discouraged but assure themselues that albeit with Peter they fall often yet with him if they repent truly and weepe bitterly for their sinnes the Lord is mercifull to forgiue them their sinnes not that wee should liue proudly presumptuously stubbornely and obstinately against him but if wee fall through frailtie Psal 103. Psalme 103. The Lord knoweth whereof we be made hee remembreth that wee are but dust The Child of God not alwayes at one stay Hence wee learne that the Childe of GOD is not alwayes at one stay but there is an entercourse in the estate of a Christian man or woman sometimes full of comfort ioy and peace of conscience and sometimes againe heauie and sad yea full of sorrow and perplexitie euen as a man in an ague sometimes sicke and sometimes well and as it is with trees sometimes winter and sometimes summer This is the state of all Gods Children as Dauid Ioseph Hezekias Iob c. and continuall experience prooueth this that the estate of Gods Children ebbes and flowes hath their change when as they walke directly and vprightly with God then they haue peace and comfort but when that they start aside and commit some wicked sinne then they finde torments of conscience and great griefe of mind This shewes vs what is the state and condition of the Childe of GOD in this life hee is not so heere sanctified as that hee feeles no corruption of sinne to hange about him but rather such a one as feeles the burthen of his corruptions hindering him in this his course of Christianitie vnder which hee grieuously sighes and groanes labouring by all good meanes to bee disburthened Indeede it is a matter of great comfort to feele the graces of Gods Spirit as Faith Loue c. but no Childe of GOD can alwaies feele the comfort of grace but as fire that is raked vp in the ashes it is hid from his feeling for a time but at the length it will breake out againe to his great ioy and comfort Well seeing this is the state of Gods Children heere they finde great peace and comfort sometimes griefe and sorrow let vs not bee to much discouraged but rather when as by our falls and slippes wee haue weakened our comfort let vs intreat the Lord to renew our comfort againe let vs doe as a poore traueller who if he misse his way and goe out of it he will hasten into it againe and trudge and plucke vp his heeles with all speed to recouer that which hee hath lost So let vs when we haue sinned and gone out of the way make hast to returne and as a man that hath beene long sicke and growne feeble and weake will vse all meanes to gather vp his crums and to recouer his former strength againe So let vs when wee haue lost some part of our comfort and heauenly strength let vs I say vse all blessed meanes to recouer our former health and comfort againe Let vs pray much reade much heare much and meditate much let vs bewaile our former sloth and make our steps more vpright in time to come to Gods kingdome c. A purpose not to sinne the marke of a sanctified Heart Note heere that it is the speciall fruite and marke of a sanctified Heart and of the Minde renewed to haue a purpose not to sinne but in all things to please God and to doe his Will to walke with God in all his Commaundements Whereas on the contrarie Psal 50.17 when a Man hath a purpose to liue in any knowne sinne it is a fearefull and a manifest signe of a naughtie and wicked Heart For when the Heart is truely sanctified then will bee brought this right Spirit not to sinne in any thing I doe not say that the Man sanctified and regenerate doth not sinne at all but hee hath no purpose to sinne no delight in sinne but beareth a constant purpose in all things to please God When hee can say with Dauid I haue refrayned my feete from euerie euill way Againe Hee that is borne of God sinneth not that is Iohn 3.9 with full purpose of heart with delight in Sinne and as they purpose not to sinne so they endeuour it they are afraid and suspect themselues shunne the Occasions of Sinne Gen. 39.9 and striue against their owne Corruptions and Sathans Temptations This Doctrine doth euidently conuince the greatest number to bee such as neuer had the true Worke of Sanctification wrought in them Their Hearts bee not sanctified and their Mindes are not renewed Why Namely because they want this marke and fruite of a sanctified heart for though they heare of their sinnes bee told of them and the fearefull iudgements of GOD denounced against them yet they will not leaue them nor forsake them but will continue in them yea though it cost them the losse of Gods
themselues redeemed but those who are cleansed from sinne and haue a care to forsake sinne so it is as true that none doe more keepe themselues from sinne then those that doe dayly meditate of and remember their Redemption it being the speciall end of our Redemption to cease from sinne and to serue God in righteousnesse and true holynesse all the dayes of our liues Lu. 1.74 75. As our Sauiour Christ when hee had cured him that had beene sicke thirtie eight yeeres meeting him in the Temple hee like a good Physician giueth him wholesome counsell and bids him Sinne no more But first prepares him to this dutie by calling to remembrance his mercie and fauour towards him in healing of him Iohn 5.14 Behold sayth Christ thou art made whole Sinne no more So if we would seriously remember the loue and mercy that God hath shewed in redeeming vs by his Sonne and the vnspeakable loue and care that Christ had on vs to die such a cursed Death for vs it would make vs breake forth with a full resolution of heart and say by our selues Behold I am made whole I am redeemed I will therefore defile my selfe no more I will leaue all sinne I will sinne no more lest a worse thing happen to me and it would make vs practise the contrary vertues When Paul would haue the Ephesians not to haue any fellowship with vnfruitfull works of darknesse but to walk as children of the light he doth first put them in mind of their new estate and makes them to consider of it seriously as being a notable means against sinne saying Ephes 5.8 9 10 11. Yee were once darkenesse but now are light in the Lord walke as children of the Light approouing what is pleasing to the Lord and haue no fellowship with vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse but rather reprooue them It is a manifest note of one redeemed Rom. 6.2 to be dead to sinne and if we are dead to sinne how shall wee any longer liue therein Forget not therefore this wonderfull benefit of Redemption Psal 103.2 3 4. sayth Dauid to his Soule And surely if this loue of Christ were truly remembred it could not be that we should sinne so commonly against him and so cruelly handle him by our sinnes euen by crucifying him afresh againe as wee doe First this Meditation as it is a notable meanes to preserue vs from all sinne so especially it keepeth vs from these and stirreth vs vp to the practise of the contrary vertues First it banisheth all vnthankfulnesse and stirreth vs vp to blesse and praise Gods Name who hath done so great things for vs. This was Dauids Meditation and practise Psal 103.4 Luke 1.68 1. Cor. 15.57 My soule praise thou the Lord and all within mee shall praise his holy Name and forget not all his benefites who redeemeth thy soule from destruction c. This did Zacharias thus did Paul and so will all doe that do finde and feele their part in this redemption Secondly this Meditation will keepe vs from fainting vnder the Crosse and make vs constant to vndergoe affliction and without this we cannot doe either Consider and remember therfore Christ Heb. 12.3 which endured such contradictions of sinners against himselfe lest yee bee wearied and faint in your minds Verse 1.2 and that we may cast aside euery sinne that hangeth on so fast and runne with patience the race set before vs let vs looke vnto Iesus the authour and finisher of our Faith Heere we see this is a great meanes against any sinne as well as impatiency inconstancy and the like and holds vs in a continuall course of doing well and walking aright in our Christian race Thirdly this is a speciall dutie enioyned vs in the right participation of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper without which wee cannot receiue as fit guests but vnworthily eating and drinking our owne damnation And therefore Christ himselfe in his first Institution gaue vs this in speciall charge saying 1. Cor. 11.24.25 Doe this as oft as ye doe it in remembrance of mee repeating the same to shew vs the necessitie of it Fourthly this giueth vs comfort in sicknesse and at our death and stayeth vs against despaire of Gods mercy and at our death assure vs of endlesse mercy in the world to come besides al Gods blessings in this life temporally For if we remember that he dyed for vs and rose againe for vs Some shall also rise with him from the death of sinne vnto newnesse of life here and to immortall glory hereafter For where our head and member Christ is there also must we his members redeemed bee also And if when wee were enemies to him Christ died for vs Rom. 5.10 much more being now reconciled Rom. 8.1 shall we bee saued by him as Paul saith Now there is no condemnation to vs. Fiftly it maketh vs constant in all good duties stedfast and vnmoueable it maketh vs rich in all good workes when with Iob we can say I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob 19.25 This is that which Paul remembred with thankfulnesse and remembring it did stirre vp himselfe and others to abound in good workes which none can doe but those that cease from sinne 1. Cor. 15.57.58 Thankes bee vnto God who hath giuen vs victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ therefore bee yee stedfast and vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the worke of the Lord. For as much as ye know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. Sixtly in way of thankfulnesse beware of turning backe to the seruice of sinne and obey the precept giuen to the blinde man as hath bene shewed before Luke 7.47 Thou art made whole sinne no more Seuenthly loue him much who hath forgiuen so much Eightly studie to please him in all things Psal 116.8 Because thou hast deliuered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feet from falling I will walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing Lastly magnifie and speake of this great deliuerance and saluation as the Church did Psal 126.1 Luke 1.49 The Lord hath done great things for vs whereof we reioyce and say with Marie He that is mightie hath done great things for me and holy is his Name Verse 2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with ioy THis Psalme hath in it a singular Maiestie and therefore the Prophet vseth here many figuratiue or borrowed speeches By laughter he signifieth the voyce of the Gospel for the Gospel should be to vs nothing else but ioy and gladnesse especially if we compare it with the Law for the Law terrifieth and killeth whose vse and office is to breake and mollifie the hard and stonie hearts of the impenitent as Ezechiel saith for they must bee broken with this iron Scepter as it were and beaten downe to hell as the Psalmist prayeth Let the wicked be turned into hell Psal 9.17 and all
magnifie this great mercy of God this deliuerance from Sinne and Death To this doe almost all the Prophets beare witnesse In the 8. of Zacharie 23. it is said That out of all Languages the Nations should take hold of the skirt of him that is a Iew and say Wee will goe with you Which place of Zacharie seemeth to be taken out of this Psalme In the first of Isaiah likewise All Nations shall flow vnto the Lord and many people shall goe and say Come and let vs goe vp to the Mountaine of the Lord to the House of the God of Iacob and he will teach vs his wayes and wee will walke in his pathes O come and let vs sing vnto the Lord let vs heartily reioyce in the strength of his Saluation But the wickeds Come The wicked Come but farre different from the godly is to Conspiracie and Treason as wee reade in the second Psalme in which they are more diligent then the Children of Light are in their good for their Bodies meete their Heads meete their Hearts meete and they haue their Come alwayes for all their Plots Such a Come wee reade of against blessed Ieremie Come saith the Wicked Ier. 18.18 and let vs imagine a Deuice against Ieremie let vs smite him with the Tongue and not giue credite to any of his words Such another Come haue Ruffians and Theeues and swaggering Fellowes in the Booke of the Prouerbs Come Pro. 1.11 and cast in thy Lot with ours for we will haue all but one Purse Such another Come hath the Harlot to the young man Come Pro. 7.18 let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning let vs take our pleasure in dalliance for mine husband is not at home he is gone a Iourney a farre off c. But to such cursed Comes let vs neuer hearken according to the good counsell which Wisdome doth giue vs in the Prouerbes saying My sonne Pro. 1. walke not thou in the way with them refraine thy foot from their pathes And let vs euer remember what the Psalmist sayth Blessed is the Man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked Psal 1.1 2. nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the Seat of the scornefull but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night These things doe make for our comfort which are not of the Seed of Abraham after the Flesh For albeit the Promise was not made vnto vs yet when it was accomplished wee were made partakers thereof but by the Iewes notwithstanding according to the words of the Promise In thy Seed shall all Nations be blessed and Saluation sayth Christ commeth of the Iewes Thus doe we Gentiles pertaine to this Redemption although it was not due vnto vs for to vs it was not promised but came by the free mercie of God through this Laughter and Ioy which the Prophet speaketh of published and preached not onely in Sion but amongst the Gentiles also which doe enioy all the good blessings and benefites of God together with his holy people as followeth Verse 4. Yea the Lord hath done great things for vs already whereof wee reioyce HEre you see one Church gathered together of the Iewes and of the Gentiles and with one voyce magnifying the workes of the Lord That as Paul sayth yee may with one minde and with one mouth glorifie God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ For as the Church of the Iewes singeth The Lord hath done great things for vs so singeth the Church of the Gentiles also being both partakers of one Fruit both knowne by one true signe to be the People of the Gospell namely because they are the People of Ioy and Gladnesse as these words declare therefore wee reioyce Consider now the Kingdome of the Pope and the horrible abominations thereof in the which there was nothing heard seene taught read or exercised but mens Traditions mens Dreames which of their owne nature can doe nothing else but discomfort and afflict the Conscience for one Tradition bringeth forth another one obseruation followeth another and that worst of all is they are not onely burthens to the Body but are now become Snares to the Conscience Wherefore there was not one iot of this Doctrine in the Popes Kingdome that ministred any occasion of ioy or gladnesse to the poore Conscience Great cause haue we therefore to be thankefull vnto God for this inestimable benefit that wee now know the Doctrine of the Gospell to be the Doctrine of Consolation and Saluation through the which Doctrine looke how much Ioy thou feelest in thy heart so much thou doest enioy of Life and Saluation But if thou feele thy heart still oppressed with heauinesse the Deuill hath not yet giuen ouer to vex thee Wherefore thou must haue thy heart well instructed in the true vse of the Law and of the Gospell as wee haue said before that thou mayest know that the Law ought to be vsed onely against the obstinate and impenitent and that therein consisteth the true and proper vse of the Law But when it vexeth and terrifieth such tender Consciences as are too much feared alreadie it is not rightly vsed And therefore terrified Consciences may in no case hearken vnto the Law for to such pertayneth Laughter and Ioy the preaching I say of the Gospell or remission of Sinnes giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus And to this effect wee must beware of the subtill sleights of Sathan who to the end that hee may spoyle vs of this comfort in Trouble endeuours by all meanes eyther to quench the Light of God vtterly in our mindes or at least to darken and obscure it by precipitation of our vnbeleeuing hearts Therefore sayth Dauid Surely the Lord will not fayle his People nor forsake his Inheritance Againe thy standing against so many assaults of the Diuell proues that the least sparke of Christs liuely Grace in a Christian is stronger then that the Gates of Hell are able to preuaile against it Bee therefore comforted O thou Man of God For if it had beene in Sathans power to haue quenched thy Life hee would haue put it out long ere now Bee assured thou shalt preuaile and obtayne the Victorie in the strength and might of that mightie Lord the Lord Iesus Christ Verse 5. Turne our Captiuitie O Lord as the Riuers in the South HItherto he hath entreated and prophesied of the Kingdome of Christ and of the Redemption to be wrought by Christ and afterwards to be published to all Nations that thereby might be gathered one Church of the Iewes and the Gentiles in the which should be preached nothing else but Laughter and Ioy Prayse and Thanksgiuing Now he proceedeth further to describe this Church and sheweth what followeth this fruit of Redemption and this communion of the Iewes and Gentiles namely the great necessitie of continuall and faithfull prayer like as the Prophet Zacharie also ioyneth with the
wicked king Achab Wilt thou helpe them that hate the Lord Wee may turne to those in our time that are enemies to the children of God Wil ye hurt them whom the Lord helpeth The children of God in all their infirmities haue the holy Spirit for their helper it cannot then otherwise be but in the end comfort must â—e to them and confusion vnto their enemies 2. Chr. 19.2 onely let those who are troubled by the malice of the tongues of wicked men make sure to themselues that they haue the spirit of grace and of glory resting in them partaker with them of their afflictions then let them be assured that either their enemies shal become their friends or then the righteous Lord shall render vengeance vnto those that trouble them For euery cuppe of trouble which the wicked fill vnto vs they fill with their owne hand another cuppe of wrath vnto themselues which how euer for awhile they set by them yet as the Lord liueth they shall bee compelled in the end to drinke them out And as concerning the losse of worldly goods whosoeuer bee the instrument learne thou to take it as a cup out of the hand of thy heauenly Father after the example of Iob Iob. 1.21 who passing by the Sabeans and the Caldeans looked to the hand of God The Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken sayth hee blessed bee the name of the Lord. It is not for lacke of loue that the mother withdrawes from the childe the vse of the Pappe but that shee may acquaint him with stronger meate and if the Lord take from vs these transitorie things it is not because wee are not beloued of him but that wee may set our hearts vpon those things which are more weightie and permanent which if wee doe then are our sufferings with him Who beeing rich became poore that in all things wee might bee made rich in him And the same are wee to doe in those troubles which wee sustaine in our bodyes Heb. 12.9 For if as the Apostle sayth wee haue had fathers of our bodyes who haue corrected vs and wee haue giuen them reuerence should wee not much rather bee in subiection to the father of spirits that we might liue And if wee can yeeld our bodyes to Physitions to be cut or burnt at their pleasure how much more should wee submit them to the Lord in all humble contentment to bee chastised as hee will seeing hee protests himselfe he doth it not but for our singular profit that wee might be partakers of his holinesse There is nothing that may comfort a naturall man but Duuid had it yet cannot all these keepe him from that heauinesse whereunto as witnesseth S. Peter the children of God are subiect in this life through their manifold tentations the men of the world are so farre froÌ„ this disposition that if they haue health and wealth they maruell what it is should make a maÌ„ heauy they are not acquainted with the exercises of a feeling conscience they know not the defects of the spirituall life and are not grieued at them being dead in sin they feele not that they want life all their care is to eate and drinke and make merrie but miserable are they for in their best estate they are as Oxen fed for the slaughter woe to them that laugh now they shal mourne Mat. 5.5.6 but blessed are they who mourne now for they shall be comforted Therefore there is a time appointed wherein mourners shall be comforted Pro. 24.26 The iust man falleth seuen times a day that is into distresse and trouble but riseth againe The state of the godly in the Sea of this World is like the Sea Euripus that ebbes and flowes seuen times a day it ebbes no oftener then it flowes againe so the godly haue as many comforts as sorrowes According to the saying of our Sauiour Christ Ioh. 16.20 Ye shall indeed sorrow but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy It had beene a great comfort if Christ had onely promised that their sorrow should be mitigated and more to haue said it should be shortly ended but to say it shall be turned into ioy Comfort against contempt of men whereby they scorne the godly for sighing and teares ministreth abundant consolation and strength in the patient expecting of so happie a change And here because the prophane World makes a scorne of the contrite disposition of the godly laughing at their teares taunting them in their sighes and sobs let vs looke here to Dauid if it cannot alway be an argument to moue men to godlinesse yet is it forcible to moue God to mercy The broken heart for the griefe of Sinne and loue of Righteousnesse how euer the World despise it the Lord will not despise it yea it is the Sacrifice of God acceptable to him in Christ Iesus Seeing then that all they which will liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution wee must hold fast this Consolation whereby we may as it were season these Afflictions namely that the Holy-Ghost doth here prophesie That wee must sowe in teares but biddeth vs be of good comfort notwithstanding for the more plentifull and bitter the teares be the greater laughter and ioy shall follow Like as he setteth forth also a contrary example The World soweth in laughter but afterwards it reapeth in euerlasting sorrow anguish and miserie But our Tentations and Afflictions doe here endure but for a little time Let vs therefore patiently suffer in hope that in stead of this painefull sowing for so small a time wee shall hereafter reape euerlasting ioy and blessednesse And this also bringeth great Consolation That albeit our whole Life be full of Sorrow bitter Afflictions and sowing altogether in Teares yet God will suffer no Tentations alwayes to continue but like as Stormes and Tempests haue their Seasons and afterwards commeth faire Weather as also after Labour followeth Rest and Quietnesse euen so experience doth teach vs that when our hearts haue beene vexed and oppressed with cogitations of Desparation Mistrust Impatience before God and the World for a day two or three or else longer God rayseth them vp againe with some Spirituall comfort therefore our afflictions are tempered with some consolations that we should know that God will not suffer vs to be altogether swallowed vp with sorrow He will correct vs as the Psalmist sayth but will not giue vs ouer vntill death Let vs learne therefore to know these things and that we must suffer Afflictions and sowe in Teares lest when Tentation commeth we be offended as though some new or strange thing were happened vnto vs and so flye from God and fall to dispaire and let vs hold fast this consolation that our Haruest is in Heauen euen Life euerlasting which we shall reape with ioy As the Wine fayled in that Banquet whereat Christ was present so oftentimes fayleth ioy euen in the heart where Christ dwelleth but as in the one
vndefiled as the Temple of the Holy Ghost and that our Soules may be defended cherished and tendered as the apple of thine Eye Keepe vs Lord this Night from all euill which may happen eyther to our Bodyes or our Soules extend thy Goodnesse toward all those that depend vpon vs or wee on them Giue vs quiet sleepe and rest and when wee shall awake let all our thoughts and cogitations be holy Meditations on thee and thy Law Blesse vs O Lord all the Nights and Dayes of our Life and at the end thereof send vs a blessed departure and afterward a ioyfull resurrection vnto Life eternall Graunt vs these good things most mercifull Father and all other needfull Graces not onely vnto vs but vnto all thy deare Children throughout the whole World euen for Iesus Christ his sake in whose Name we further call vpon thee as hee hath taught vs in his Gospell saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. ¶ A priuate Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord God great in Power fearefull in Iudgement and rich in Mercy which bindest and no man looseth and looseth and no man bindeth I yeeld thee most humble and heartie thankes for that of thy fatherly Goodnesse thou hast vouchsafed me this last Nights sleepe in peace and rest and againe loosing the bands wherewith I was tyed hast giuen me power to see this Morning Light Now O Lord I beseech thee powre vpon me this Day the Dew of thy Blessing that through the operation of thy gracious Beames I may bud forth and beare the fruits of true Faith in my life and conuersation Continue this goodnesse and mercie towards me and by thy power rayse me from the deepe sleepe of all vnrighteousnesse Discharge me from the works of Darknesse and cloath me with the armour of Light that I may walke honestly as in the Day and liue soberly righteously and godlily in this present World Mortifie O my God all corrupt affections in me pardon my innumerable sinnes Fill mee this day with thy grace that I may spend it to the honour of thy Name Set a watch before my mouth and order my lips that I may vtter nothing vnaduisedly eyther before thee or men Keepe my senses within their limits direct my will to that which is good and order my iudgement for the accomplishing of those things that appertaine to my Vocation O Lord I beseech thee preserue and keepe my senses safe and sound that I be neyther corrupted by prosperitie nor cast downe by aduersitie nor be too fearefull of thy Iudgements or too bold vpon thy mercy but graunt me grace O mercifull Lord that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a Religious contented Minde and in the end of my dayes by a liuely Faith may ioyfully arriue in the Land of Promise the Kingdome of Heauen through the merites of Iesus Christ my onely Sauiour and Redeemer Amen Amen ¶ A priuate Euening Prayer O Most holy Father and my gracious God which giuest vnto all sorts of men the chearefull light of the Day that in thine assistance they may follow their honest Vocations and likewise sendest the silent Night that then they may rest their wearied Limbes and busied Mindes and so returne their due thankes for thy Goodnesse I sinfull Creature adore and prayse thee for the totall summe of all thy Mercies whereof I haue beene this Day partaker O Lord I am vile looke not vpon mine vnworthynesse folly and wickednesse but appease thy anger iustly conceiued against me and forgiue what hath beene amisse in me this day or at any other time euen for his sake who is thy welbeloued Sonne and my deare Aduocate Pardon the sinnes and offences which I haue committed this Day in thought word and deede eyther against thee or my Neighbour Giue me grace to water my Couch with Teares in vnfayned Repentance for all my former sinnes and grant that I may so passe the residue of my life as that in regard of thy Iustice I may retaine a holy feare to stand alwayes in awe of thee and in regard of thy Mercy conceiue sure hope neuer to despayre or distrust in thee O Lord keepe me this Night both in Soule and Body that I may with the next Light ioyfully rise againe bee thankefull vnto thee and carefully walke in my Vocation and Calling to the glory of thy holy Name and the good of my Brethren amongst whom I liue for Iesus Christ his sake in whose Name I further pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. FINIS A TABLE DIRECTING where to finde the chiefe Matters contayned in this Booke A. ACcesse The godly haue free accesse to the King of Heauen when they please Pag. 322 Accomplishment Wee must looke as well to the accomplishment and end as the beginning of Gods workes 392 Aduersarie See Enemie Aduersitie See Trouble Afflictions Turne to the good of the godly 97. They humble vs for Sinne 99. Gods Name a Sanctuarie for vs in them 115. The fruits of them 122. They are but short 190 196 355. God hath set a time how long they shal last 192. which should worke patience in vs 193. Impatience in them dangerous 198. We must endure them constantly 199. Our Nature abhorreth them 326. They are no testimonies of Gods anger 334. Comfort against inward affliction 340. and outward 341 Amendment The amending of our liues brings endlesse comfort 131 Apparrell The vanitie of Brauerie gay Attyre and Apparrell 78. Fashion followers therein taxed 80 B. BAckward It is dangerous to goe backward in matters of Religion 204 Baptisme What a solemne Vow we haue made in it 10. wherein wee are made sworne Seruants of God 10 11. And haue receiued Wages aforehand of seruices to bee done 12. which God will require at our hand 14 Beginning A godly beginning without going forward auayles vs nothing 202. The end of a Christian better then his beginning 330 Beleeue The endlesse comfort of those that beleeue in Christ 131. The separation Christ will make betweene Beleeuers and Vnbeleeuers 143. Where a few true Beleeuers are for their sake all the multitude are called Gods people 155 Blessing The way to true blessednesse 152. They are blessed that keepe Gods Commandements 224. The godly make least esteeme of outward Blessings 170 Body See Preseruation Brauerie See Apparrell C. CHild of God neuer at one stay 210 Christ a powerfull Sauiour 56 Christian Different courses of the Christian and Worldling worth noting 329 Church The Rage of the Churches Enemies described 45. To what the Church may be compared 46. Gods prouidence limitteth the time in which it shal suffer and no longer 113. None can hurt it 159. What the state thereof is 161. since the Apostles time there haue been deceiuers in it 241. The troublesome estate of the Church causeth mourning in the godly 370 Cittie See Beleeue Commandements They are blest that keepe Gods Commandements 224 Come The wicked come farre different from the godly