Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead To an inheritance incorruptible c. Mark also that true faith and regeneration do accompany each other Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God 1 Joh. 5.1 Now true believers are children Gal. 3.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus and so free as Matth. 7.26 they are heyres Gal. 4.7 and have great prerogatives implyed John 1.12 13. expressed Ephes 2.19 Fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Fellow-heirs of the same body Ephes 3.6 The Reason The reason hereof is plain for this change of state in soul by regeneration is the proper fruit of the spirit of Adoption in an affectuall applying of the power and efficacie of Christs death and resurrection both which proceed from the speciall love of God the father in that saving work which actually makes them his children and so heyrs of the kingdome Rom. 8.17 joynt heires with Christ and so free for the children are free Matth. 17.26 Christ Jesus the naturall sonne doth make them free and so they are free indeed Joh. 8.36 For where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 Therefore the Apostle saith this begetting again is to a lively hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled 1 Pet. 1.3 4. This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first use for instruction For instruction two wayes First that mans being in the state of grace may be truly and certainly known For regeneration or the new birth may be certainly known which is the unfailing foundation of the state of grace 1 Joh. 5.1 Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God And true faith may be known 2 Cor. 13.5 Again we see naturall generation is evident by the enlivenec parts of a true humane body their view and employment doth evince naturall or corporall generation why then shall not the lively parts of the new man declare certainly our regeneration whereby we are begotten and born of God as knowledge in the minde holinesse in the will and affections and righteousnesse in life and conversation Eph. 4.21 22 23 24. compared with Rom. 6.19 Whence we may see that the Papists do erre in saying that the state of grace cannot bee certainly known but by extraordinary revelation We may well say they erre not knowing the Scripture nor the power power of God See 1 Joh. 5.13 for faith and 1 John 3.14 for love as declaring this estate The second Use for instruction Secondly that Gods children shall undoubtedly persevere in the state of grace They that be endued with true faith and repentance and other saving graces shall never lose the same True grace may be lessened or weakened in degree but not finally or totally lost For all such are regenerate by the spirit and his work abides his seed remaines so as they cannot make sinne their trade by sinning unto death or with full consent 1 Joh. 3.9 and 5.18 Objection Answer But som believe for a time Luk. 8.18 Their faith is humane acquired and got by reading hearing and other good exercises of religion without the work of the spirit it is not infused by the holy Ghost in the foresaid means Between which kindes of faith this is the true difference that acquired faith ever leaves some corner for the devill some sinne unreformed as Acts 8.13 19 23. but faith infused purifies the heart from the dominion of every sinne as Acts 15.9 The use for admonition For admonition this serves effectually to move every one to give all diligence for this estate first to get it then to keep it For the getting of it consider Christs command Luk. 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate Which strift stands in two things First that we receive with meeknesse the word of God hoth the law to disecver sinne and to humble us for the same and the Gospel to cast into our hearts the seed of grace as Jam. 1.21 Receive with meeknesse the engrafted word wherein Gods spirit doth beget Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth 1 Pet. 1.23 25. Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God and this is the word which by the Gospell is preached unto you It is the word of faith Rom. 10.8 which doth ever accompany regeneration 1 John 5.1 Whence John â— 11 12 13. He came unto his own and his own received him not But as many as received him to them gave hee power to become the sonnes of God even to them that believe on his name which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Secondly that we pray unto God instantly and earnestly for Gods spirit which doth beget unto eternall life Luke 11.13 For the preserving and keeping of this estate we must do three things First keep fewell to the spark of grace cast into our hearts by regeneration which is by endeavouring that the word of God may dwell richly in us Colos 3.16 Secondly blow upon the spark when the fewell is put to which is by prayer as 1 Thess 5.17 This David did Psal 51.10 11 12. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me Thirdly wrath against sin which is as water to quench the spirit and walk in obedience which is pleasing unto God and entitles us to Gods presence and preservation If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed John 8.31 Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock And the raine descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock Mat. 7.24 25. Wherefore my beloved as ye have alwaies obeyed not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Seeing you have purified your soules in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfained love of the brethren 1 Pet. 1.22 The use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the regenerate for God hath begun a good work in them and will undoubtedly perfect it untill the day of Iesus Christ Phil. 1.6 herein is the riches of Gods love and mercy seen Of his love 1 John 3.1 Of his mercy 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Now whom he thus loves to the end he loves them John 13.1 His gifts and calling are without repentance Rom. 11.29 By regeneration we are sonnes and so heires Rom. 8.17 17. And who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect Rom. 8.31.33 The fourth Observation The fourth thing here to be noted is the people and
apprehension and conceit of that which is evill and hurtfull to us which whatsoever it is comes from sinne that is indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Prov. 1.33 Gen. 3.10 The cause of confidence and affiance is sure title to that which is good which none have but the righteous As Ps 37.17 The Lord upholdeth the righteous Vers 39. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord. Hence Solomon saith The righteous is bold as a lion Prov. 28.1 Now the way to be freed from sinne is by true repentance as Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out And the way to become truly righteous is to beleeve in God through Christ who is the end of the law for righteousnesse Rom. 10.4 which is never severed from righteousnesse renewed in sanctification as 1 Cor. 1.30 After these two graces must we give all diligence in the use of means the word and prayer in and by which the Holy Ghost worketh these and all other needfull graces in the hearts of Gods elect And for motives consider the present evill times in the common troubles of the Church abroad which if they befall as without repentance and faith we shall shrink under them Adde hereto the meditation of the terrour of death to them that want repentance and faith But most of all the horrour and terrour of the day of judgement The second Observation The thing expressed is this That Davids heart was confident and free from slavish fear of hurt from the strongest opposition and malice of all his enemies See Psal 3.6 I will not be afraid of tenne thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about The Reason The reason hereof was his being truly in covenant with God whereby he had title to Gods power and providence for his preservation See Psal 91.9 10 11. Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge even the most high thy habitation There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling For he shall give his Angels charge over thee c. So Psal 3.3 and Psal 118.6 Obj. David wanted this confidence before Achish 1 Sam. 21.12 13. Answ Hee had then the habit of faith in God in his heart but failed somewhat in that particular act as Peter did more when he denied his master Luk. 22.60 with 32. Which we must observe to restrain rash judgement against our selves or others for particular fals For as wee have sanctification in part and not perfectly so we may fail in many particular acts Which yet must not encourage any to go on in a course of sinne seeing raigning sinne and saving grace cannot stand together See Rom. 6.1 to 15. This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction see the great fruit of godlinesse in giving courage and boldnesse in his greatest distresse as is said in generall 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is profitable unto all things Psal 58.11 Verily there is a reward for the righteous The Use for admonition For admonition to labour to be such as David was if we desire to have the like courage Now David stood rightly in covenant with God and kept covenant testifying the same by new obedience See Psal 18.21 22 23. I have kept the wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God c. And say not this sampler is too high see Jam. 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an ensample of suffering affliction and of patience Nay Matth. 11.29 our Saviour himself saith learn of me And St. Paul Phil. 2.5 Let this minde be in you which was also in Christ Jesus Ephes 5.1 Be ye followers of God as dear children Vers 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple The meaning of the words HAving in the former verses plainly expressed the singular benefits he received by having the true God for his God as namely that he himself was encouraged in the greatest assaults of his enemies Vers 1 3. and on the other side his enemies were daunted and dismayed Vers 2. Here in this verse he shews his ardent affection towards the place of Gods worship being indeed the onely way for his soul to enjoy society with God who was his light and salvation and the strength of his life This affection of David towards the place of Gods worship is here notably expressed three ways First by this that he makes it the onely matter of his speciall suit unto God which both formerly he had desired and would yet also still seek after one thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. Secondly by the length of time for which he would enjoy that benefit namely all the dayes of his life Thirdly by the comfortable ends for which he desires it which here are these two first to behold the beauty of the Lord secondly to enquire in his temple For the first the Lords house in Davids time was the Tabernacle of the Congregation to which he had appropriated the ordinances of divine service for the performance whereof his people did thither assemble themselves while it stood and to the Temple built by Solomon afterward whereto God made the promise of his presence 1 Kings 9.3 whither the Tribes went up Psal 122.4 unto which place Davids heart was truly addicted as Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and the the place where thine honour dwelleth 1 Chron. 29.3 I have set my affection to the house of my God But now in the new testament difference of place in respect of holinesse is taken away Joh. 4.21 and Gods house is his Church 1 Tim. 3.15 that is such companies and assemblies of people as be in covenant with God and meet together in Christs name to perform worship and service unto God as Mat. 18.20 For the godly are Gods temple and Gods house 1. Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 1 Pet. 2.5 Now to dwell in Gods house is to continue a true member of Gods Church a true believer enjoying the liberty and comfort of Gods holy worship and service wherein though the Priests and Levites had a speciall priviledge whose calling was to do service in the sanctuary as Psal 134.1 yet it was not peculiar to them alone as appeares by Psal 15.1 and last compared with Luke 2.36.37 where men and women that are truly godly are said to dwell in Gods house The first Observation Here then in this first expression of Davids affection towards the house of God note two things First that Davids heart was set upon the house of God above all other things
me Psal 4.8 Thou Lord onely makest me dwell in safety Psal 62.6 9. He onely is my rock and my salvation he is my defence surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lye The first Reason The reason of this speciall favour from God to David was threefold First David stood rightly and truly in covenant with God he was one of Gods people and had the Lord for his God and so was interested in Gods speciall providence for protection and preservation See Psal 89.3 20 21 22 28 35. I have made a covenant with my chosen c. The second Reason Secondly David trusted in God Psal 7.1 O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust Now they that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion that standeth fast forever Psal 125 1. The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9.9 10. God is he that saveth by his right hand them that put their trust in him from those that rise up against them Psal 17.7 See Psal 91. 1 c. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty c. The third Reason Thirdly David was holy in life and conversation which gave him good assurance of speciall preservation See Psal 18.17 23. He delivered me from my strong enemies For I have kept the wayes of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God The Lord forsaketh not his Saints Psal 37.28 This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First see here in that which David professeth the stability of Gods love towards those that be truly his as David was for when their nearest and dearest friends do forsake them yet God will not Hebr. 13.5 He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee John 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end John 6.39 This is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing This we should observe and mark to strengthen our souls against the Popish and Arminian errour of finall and totall falling from true grace But blessed be God it is as false as uncomfortable crossing the will of the father and the fidelity of Christ Jesus before named as also the work of the spirit which is permanent as John 4.14 with John 7.37 38 39. If any that professe true religion and give good hopes for a time do fall away they shew by their apostaste that they began in hypocrisie or at the best were but like the stony ground who believed for a time Luke 8.13 having onely an humane acquired faith not that precious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 which is infused by the spirit Gal. 5.22 who is therefore called the spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 and the spirit of power 2 Tim. 1.7 greater then the evill spirit which is in the world 1 John 4.4 abiding in Gods children 1 John 2.27 even for ever John 14.16 17. being in the operation of saving grace a fountain of living water springing up unto eternall life whereof whosoever drinketh shall never be more a thirst John 4.14 This is that free spirit which doth establish the godly in the state of grace and is Gods seal and earnest in their hearts 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Eph. 1.13 14. Obj. But the godly may commit mortall sins as David did in adultery and murther now an adulterer is the member of an harlot 1 Cor. 6.13 and a murtherer is the childe of the devill John 8.44 1 John 3.12 was he not then fallen from grace Answ It cannot be denied but for these heinous sins David was justly under the wrath of God till by the renewing of his repentance and faith in the Messiah he obtained attonement But yet under the guilt of these sins he differed much from the impenitent and unregenerate not onely in regard of Gods certain purpose to renew him by repentance and restore him into favour but even in present state of soul two wayes First that the seed of grace did then remain 1 John 3.9 Secondly that he sinned not with full consent Rom. 7.17 19 20. and so could not be so totally under the curse as the unregenerate are For the better conceiving whereof we must know that every regenerate man whilest he is in this world hath in him both flesh and spirit in-bred corruption and renewed grace and so consisteth as it were of a double person the old man which is corrupt through deceivable lusts and the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.22 24. Now when the childe of God committeth sin even grievous sinnes as David did to speak as Paul doth of himself it is not he that doth it so farre forth as he is regenerate but he so farre forth as he is corrupt which Paul calleth sin that dwelleth in him Rom. 7.20 His service of sinne is with and from the flesh but in his minde renewed he serves the law of Christ Vers 25. which shewes that grace in the habit and seed and root doth then remain when and while corruption in sundry particular actions doth prevail Which to be true is plain also by St. Peter who denied his Master with cursing and swearing which in it self was a fearfull mortall sin Matth. 26.72 74. even after that comfortable speech of Christ unto him Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Luke 22.31 32. Shall we say he now by denying his Master lost all grace when as Christ had prayed for the continuance of his faith nay rather acknowledge that this failing was in this particular act not in the habit and seed of grace The second Use for instruction Secondly see here the happinesse of the godly who indeed alone have the Lord for their God for he is the strong and stable helper who will safely keep those that be his when all other helps do fail Ps 37.28 33. He forsaketh not his Saints The Lord will not leave him in the hand of the wicked Vers 24. Though he fall yet he shall not be cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand Psal 34.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth them out of all See Job 8.20 God will not cast away an upright man Job 5.13 14. He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles and in seven there shall no evill touch thee Happy therefore is the man that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the Lord his God Psal 146.5 Happy is that people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose God
Well mark here Gods good gifts come with his salvation in Christ therefore seek the Lord in Christ and thou shalt lack nothing that is good Psal 34.10 To this agrees Matth. 6.33 First seek the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added unto you For godlinesse hath the promise of both kinde of blessings 1 Tim. 4.8 in the meanes whereof we must endeavour as John 4.10 Ezek. 47.1 compared with Isa 55.1 c. Object Such as take this course are yet in much want Ans It may be so for outward things For the disciple is not above his master now the sonne of man hath not whereon to lay his head Matth. 8.20 and the promises of temporall blessings are to be understood with the exception of the crosse Yet know that Gods grace is sufficient as 2 Cor. 12.9 compared with 2 Cor. 4.16 And in the blessings of grace he makes supply to all temporall wants as Phil. 4.11 c. The second Use for instruction Secondly see here plain evidence of the worlds unbelief Lord who hath believed our report Isa 53.1 Are men perswaded that good gifts from God both temporall and spirituall accompany his salvation in Christ No surely for then they would labour first to become religious because that is the way to get Gods favour in Christ as John 14.6 Salomon saith Prov. 19.6 Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts that is seeks to be in his favour but few take this course Nay they rather seek to the God of this world the devill for so indeed they do that seek to thrive by ungodly courses as oppression lying stealing and the like The first Use for admonition For admonition it serves two wayes First to naturall men living in the Church that they take notice whence good things come both spirituall and corporall and thereupon labour for that estate whereby they may be interested thereto Hereto two things are required repentance from dead works for sinnes withhold good things Jer. 5.25 and faith in Christ for so is Christ himself ours and all things with him If any say they that regard not these things speed well in the world let them consider whether here they have not their portion as Psal 17.14 and Luke 16 25. Thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things But for the best blessings they have no part in them while they live in sinne and want faith as John 14.17 Acts 8.21 They have starved souls in pampered and well clad bodies The Use for admonition Secondly this must stir up the godly who have received good things from God to be carefull to continue in Gods goodnes as Rom. 11.22 which is by keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.18 19. Heb. 10.39 The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the godly in worldly wants for certainly God will give that which is good and though the outward man perish yet is the inward man renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.16 and we rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 Jam. 1.9 The brother of low degree must rejoyce in his exaltation with God for being a believer in Christ Jesus he is rich in God though poor in the world as Jam. 25. and Rev. 2.9 I know thy poverty but thou art rich And our land shall yield her encrease The second blessing accompanying Gods salvation in the kingdome of grace here assured to those that fear God and it is meerly temporall concerning the plentifull encrease of the fruits of the earth where they live that fear God Mark then in this part of their acknowledgement two things First their title to the land secondly the blessing whereof they assure themselves from it The second Observation For the first Gods people call the land of Canaan where they dwell their land their own land Verse 9. That glory may dwell in our land 2 Chron. 2.16 the land of Israel The Reason It was Gods gifts to them and their progenitors by covenant as Gen. 12.7 and 13.15 Psal â—4 3 2. 2 Chr. 6.38 Judg. 11.24 2 Chr. 20.6 7. The Use for admonition And if we look for blessing and comfort in the place where we live as the Israelites here assure themselves we must make sure we have good title to it from the Lord for there is small hope of Gods blessing to accompany the devils getting as 1 Kings 21.19 Jer. 22.13 Micha 2.1 2. Hab. 2.9 10. Isa 5.8 The third Observation The second thing to be here observed is purposely intended namely when Gods salvation in Christ comes among a people it brings with it plentifull encrease of the fruits of the earth see Psal 67.2 6. Psal 72.16 Salomons kingdome there spoken of was a type of Christs kingdom See the truth hereof by Gods speciall blessings accompanying those that in sinceritie have received the covenant as Gen. 13.2 6. Abraham was very rich in cattle in silver and gold their substance was so great that the land was not able to bear them and Chap. 24.35 The Lord hath blessed my Master greatly and he is become great c. Yea also Isaac sowed and received an hundred fold Gen. 26.12 Also Jacob was a blessing to Laban and himself encreased exceedingly Gen. 30.27 43. The Reason The reason hereof is this Gods salvation bringeth to men reconciliation in Christ for as he is Gods salvation Is 49.6 so in him God reconciles the world to himself 2 Cor. 5.19 Col. 1.20 Rom. 5.10 And hence comes a double benefit tending to plenty First the removall of the curse which Adams sinne brought even upon the ground Gen. 3.17 for though want may befall the godly yet not as a curse Gal. 3.13 it is onely as sicknesse is 1 Cor. 11.32 a chastisement and correction Secondly hereby a land is entitled to the speciall blessings of Gods providence that bring plenty as Deut. 11.9 10 11 12. And no marvell for if he have given Christ how shall he not with him give us all things Rom. 8.32 This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First here we may see that the earthly blessings of Gods providence are attendants on the heavenly blessings of his grace great plenty doth accompany true piety when men first seek Gods kingdome and his righteousnesse all outward things needfull shall be ministred unto them Matth. 6.33 Godlinesse hath the promise of all manner of blessings both temporall and eternall 1 Tim. 4.8 This we may see as before in Abraham Isaac and Jacob so manifested afterward to Gods people by speciall promise Lev. 26.3 4 5. If ye walk in my statutes I will give you rain in due season and the land shall yeild her encrease and the trees of the field shall yeild their fruit c. And as he spake with his mouth so he performed indeed unto David a man according to his own heart whom God
required For Ministers see 1 Cor. 4.2 Moreover it is required of the disposers or stewards that a man be found faithfull which faithfulnesse stands in giving unto every one his portion in due season Luke 12.42 43.46 That is judgements to the wicked and mercies to the godly after instruction See 2 Tim. 2.25 26. and 4.1 2. for instruction for rebuke 1 Tim. 4.20 with Psal 11.6 and 75.8 and for comforting the godly see Isaiah 40.1 2. Colos 4.8 1 Thes 5.14 warn the unruly comfort the feeble minded and for necessity 1 Cor. 9.16 Then for the people the necessity of their subjection and observance is plain Luke 10.10 13 16. with Prov. 13.13 who so despiseth the word shall be destroyed Prov. 28.9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law even his prayer shall be abhominable The charge of Christ in all his Epistles to the seven Churches of Asia that he that hath an ear to hear must hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 2.7 c. shewes the same besides the allurement from benefits thereby as Isa 55.3 Hear and your soul shall live Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God it is the word of his grace Acts 10.32 And for the sacraments the legall commination for neglect or contempt of circumcision Gen 17.14 and of the Passeover Exod. 12.24 with Numb 9.13 shewes in equitie the necessitie of due partaking of the â—â—vangelicall Sacraments And for prayer the neglect thereof is the brand of Atheist Psal 14.1.4 and a sinne liable to a grievous curse Psal 79.6 Powr out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee and upon the kingdomes that have not called upon thy name And he that shall refuse subjection to the censure of the Church must be cast out as an heathen Matth. 18.17 The weight of their censure following Gods word see Verse 18. Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall binde on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. I have judged already in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus The second Use for instruction Secondly see here also that the difference observed by Christ Jesus as well about the meanes of grace denying it some and vouchsafing it to others at least for a time as Matth. 10.5 6. Go not into the way of the Gentiles and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and Act 16.6 they were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia but vers 9 10. they endeavoured to go into Macedonia assuredly gathering that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel there as also for the gift of grace it self to some and the deniall of it to others amongst whom the meanes is sent as we may see Mat. 13.11 It is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdome of heaven but to them it is not given See I say that in both these is divine justice for they are the wayes of Christ and therefore just The first Use for admonition For admonition two wayes First to the wicked that they consider their fearfull and dangerous state wherein they stand being indeed enemies to righteousnesse both in the affections of their hearts and the actions of their lives as Paul told Elymas Acts 13.10 Thou childe of the devill thou enemy of all righteousnesse Now if Christs wayes be righteous wayes which they oppose then will it be a righteous thing with God to judge them as he threatneth 1 Cor. 6.9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God They must know that if in this life they do not by true repentance prevent it hereafter under Gods severe judgements they shall with Pharaoh when it is too late acknowledge the righteousnesse thereof Exod. 9.27 I have sinned this time the Lord is righteous I and my people are wicked The second use for admonition Secondly to the godly that they give evidence of their approbation of the righteousnesse of Christs ordinances and thereon so subject themselves thereto that they approve themselves wise Virgins who have the oyl of grace in the vessels of their hearts Matth. 25.4 and good and faithfull servants who have well improved their masters talents vers 16 17. with 20 23. moved thereto by the fearfull state of the foolish Virgins vers 8 9. and the idle servant vers 24 c. The use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to all those that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for as God is righteous in this kinde of tryall and correction upon his children Psal 119.75 I know O Lord that thy judgements are right and that thou in very faithfulnesse hast afflicted me so he will approve himself righteous in an happy deliverance Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled rest with us 2 Thes 1.6 7. THE GREAT CHARTER OF THE CHURCH CONTAYNING A Catalogue of gracious Priviledges granted unto it by the King of HEAVEN OR AN EXPOSITION OF THE LXXXVII Psalm By Mr. THOMAS PIERSON late Rectour of Brompton-Brian in the County of Hereford LONDON Printed for Philemon Stephens at the gilded Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1647. TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS and religious my most honoured Ladie the Ladie ANNE WHITNEY MADAM ALthough the eminence of your well known worth will admit no addition from any expressions that I by my tongue or pen can make yet I hope your Ladiship will give me leave as well as I can to improve the evidence of mine own unfeigned thankfulnesse by a publick acknowledgement of the dutifull respect wherein I stand obliged unto you for your many undeserved favours unto me and mine whereof I may sooner cease to be then suffer ingratefull oblivion to blot the memorie out of my mind Nor will it I am confident be any grief of heart or occasion of offence unto your Ladiship that I take this opportunitie at once both to tell the world how much I am indebted unto you and to intitle your Ladiship in a speciall manner unto a part of his works of whom you not only had a reverend esteem whilest he lived but likewise still preserve his memorie as precious I doubt not but you and manie others have long agoe thought it high time that he whose happie hand was an instrument to bring many posthume works of Mr. Perkins to the Presse and after to reduce the scattered pieces into three large velumes should have the like measure measured unto him again wherewith he had meted to another And so it had been but that there were some obstructions in the passage to the Presse the womb of printed
here spoken of must be understood to denote the true Church of God in all ages as being in the Prophets time when this Psalme was penned both the chief feat and true type thereof so as for us the point here contained is this The true Church of God is Gods own City The first observation Hence it is called Jerusalem from above Gal. 4.26 The heavenly Jerusalem the holy City the new Jerusalem the great City the holy Jerusalem Rev. 21.2 10. The reason hereof is Gods free grace and favour choosing his Church in Christ to be his own by covenant The reason even his house Heb. 3.6 1 Tim. 3.15 His Temple so as he will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6.16 And so his city where the Tabernacle of God is with men Revel 21.3 This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction to our great comfort that God certainly will defend his Church against all enemies for so much will every King do for his chief city that is the chamber of his Kingdome and every housholder for his own habitation as Mat. 24.43 If the good man of the house had known in what watch the thiefe would have come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up See Gods promise and performance for Jerusalem while it remained the seat of his Sanctuary Is 37.35 I will defend this City to save it for mine own sake and for my servant Davids sake Hereupon the people of God say God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Though the Waters thereof roare and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most high God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.1 c. God is known in her pallaces for a refuge Psal 48.3 And for the true Church her selfe in all ages Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemne Isaiah 54.17 The first use for admonition For admonition it serves two wayes First as we desire true safety and salvation eternall so to joyn our selves truly to Gods Church for upon Mount Sion shall be deliverance Obad. 17. This is as Noah's Ark into which all must come that look to be saved from the deluge of damnation Heb. 11.7 Therefore it is said that God added to his Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2.47 Now the way into Christs Church is by true repentance and faith in Christ Jesus as Acts 2.38.41 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sinnes and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules The second use for admonition Secondly when we do professe the truth of Chirst we must walk worthy of this holy place by a continuall daily strife and endeavour after sanctification testified in new obedience Hereinto none do enter or continue that are unholy or prophane There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lambs book of life Rev. 21.27 This is Gods holy city not only in regard of the owner God himself but of all the free denisons the true inhabitants thereof Gods people are an holy nation 1 Pet. 2.9 and the Lord saith Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 11.44 45. Even holy in abstaining from outward pollution by unclean creatures The same duty is enjoyned upon the prohibiting of idolatry and witchcrafts Levit. 20.7 So that whether the sin be small or great we must abstain from it because we have an holy God and live in an holy place which is his Church as we say in the confession of our faith I beleev the holy Catholike Church Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place He that hath clean hands and a pure heart c. Psal 24.3 4. Hence was the use of the paddle in the camp to cover their excrements because God walked in the midst of the camp Deut. 23.13 14. The second thing to be noted here is the declaration of the Churches happinesse in the sure ground of her certain hopes of her future blessings namely Gods gracious promises of glorious things to be done unto her every one whereof is mentioned in Gods Word as the phrase in the originall doth imply joyning a participle of the singular number to a noune of the plurall which some render thus Glorious things is spoken of thee meaning that every one of them concerning the Churches happinesse is particularly mentioned in Gods Word The second Observation Mark then that God in his word doth plainly and particularly mention exceeding glorious things belonging to the Church touching her future happinesse These do concern partly her happy deliverance from evils for God shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Psal 130.8 When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and thorow the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorow the fire thou shalt not be burnt c. Is 43.2 c. But chiefly her fruition of blessings even in this world under the Kingdome of Christ called the accepted time and day of salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 the time of reformation Heb. 9.10 Glorious things indeed were spoken of these times as 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of mans the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Pet. 1.12 See some particulars which are for quality admirable and for number almost innumerable Now the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sunne and the light of the sunne shall be seven fold Is 30.26 meaning that there shall be a wonderfull encrease of knowledge and of the comforts of grace Now Kings shall be her nursing fathers and Queens her nursing mothers c. Is 49.23 Adde hereunto Is 54.1 2,3 11 12 13. and Is 60. 1 2. and 62.1 2. and 65.17 18. and 66.11 12. and the 21. and 22. chapters of the Revelation And whatsoever shall be wanting to the Church or to any true member thereof in this world shall be superabundantly supplyed and recompenced in the world to come as Rom. 8.18 1 Cor. 15.53 54. 2 Cor. 4.14 16.
Thirdly they must walk before them in the example of a godly life as St. Peter exhorteth Christian wives to do before their heathen husbands 1 Pet. 3.1 2,3 Ye Wives be in subjection to your husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the word bee wonne by the conversation of the wives c. This godly life hath a gracious promise Prov. 16.7 When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be aâ— peace with him The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the godly in the strongest opposition by malitious enemies let them look up to God and consider what he can do either for the confusion or conversion of their enemies For confusion see what hath been said before and adde the consideration of Gods dealing with the two Captains 2 Kings 1.10 12. and for Gideon against the Midianites Judg. 7.22 and for Jehosaphat against the three Kings of Moab Ammon and mount Seir 2 Chron. 20.22 23. For conversion of enemies God can do it either to temporall outward kindnesse as in Laban towards Jacob Gen. 31.29 in Esau toward Jacob Gen. 33.1 4. or to true sincere and unfeigned love as in Darius Dan. 6. and in Saul that was afterward called Paul towards the Church Acts 9.26 Verse 5. And of Sion it shall he said This and that man was born in her and the highest himself shall establish her The meaning of the words HEre the Psalmist proceeds in the confirmation of that he had said of the City of God in the third verse that glorious things were spoken of her namely that beside the conversion of many unto her out of forrain Nations which had formerly been her greatest enemies verse 4. she should enjoy within her self a double honour first the calling and conversion of many within her secondly confirmation and establishment from the most high For the first the calling and conversion of many within her is thus expressed Of Sion it shall be said this and that man was born in her Where by birth as hath been said verse 4 we must understand not naturall birth by corporall generation but spirituall birth in regeneration And the phrase this and that man or man and man as it is in the Hebrew and the Greeks do so render it may note out every man meaning that is converted as the like words are taken Est 1.8 and so Paul saith Jerusalem which is above is the mother of us all Gal. 4.26 Or in regard that the phrase man and man here used is opposed to the like phrase in the former verse this man was born there it seems likest that here he denoteth the conversion of moe in Zion then in other particular places The first observation Mark here then that it is and shall be Sions glory and renown to have man man born in her that is many men of all sorts and conditions born of God called and converted in her to the true faith See Is 54.1 Sing O harren thou that didst not bear break forth into singing and cry aloud thou that didst not travell with child for moe are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife saith the Lord. Which place is best expounded by Gal. 4.27 Sarah long barren and her sonne did prefigure Jerusalem from above the heavenly Jerusalem Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 Hagar and Ismael prefigured the people of the Jewes that clave to the covenant of works given in Mount Sinai which gendreth unto bondage see Gal. 4.22 26. This glorious thing foreshewed of Gods City received accomplishment partly in the Apostles time when even in Jerusalem moe were converted unto the faith at one or two sermons then we read of in any other place three thousand Acts 2.41 five thousand Acts 4.4 Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Acts 5.14 But chiefly it shall be accomplished in the second calling of the Jewes when all Israel shall hee saved Romanes 11.26 The reason is plain For multitude of converts is a manifest evidence of Gods speciall favour The Reason in the blessing of saving grace which is the greatest renown that can bee as we may see by Christs own rejoycing in it Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me In ancient time it was counted a great renown to have many children as Gen. 30.20 Leah said God hath endued me with a good dowry now will my husband dwell with mee because I have born him sixe sonnes And of O bed Edom that he had eight sonnes because God blessed him 1 Chr. 26.5 How much more then is it an honour to bring forth children unto God This serves for instruction and for admonition For instruction see here what is the true renown of any Kingdome The use for instruction County City Parish or Family namely to have man and man born of God there that is many people effectually called and converted unto God as Acts 19 10. There be many things that will commend men in the world as honour wealth beauty power c. but none of these nor all of them without an holy calling will commend men unto God The use for admonition For admonition it serves effectually both to Ministers and to people that they give all diligence in Gods means for the attaining of this estate Ministers must endeavour both for themselves and others and for this end must receive into their own hearts and dispense to others the pure word of God which is the immortall seed of this new birth as it is called Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.23 25. For their diligence in faithfull dispensation see 2 Tim. 4.1 1 Cor. 9.16 1 Cor. 4.2 And because all their endeavour without Gods blessing is nothing therefore they must pray instantly and earnestly for the blessing of the spirit to sanctifie the word as St. Paul doth Ephes 3.14 c. For this cause I how my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God And that they may have better title to audience they must endeavour to walk before God uprightly and and honestly For God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him he heareth John 9.31 And the people seeing the benefit is theirs must conscionably exercise themselves in the same Christian duties viz. hearing the Word praying unto God and a godly living For the word it is the seed therefore
Job 1.8 Prov. 14.2 Thus shall we be surely entitled to Gods blessings Psal 25.12 13 14. What man is he that feareth the Lord His soule shall lodge in goodnesse or dwell at ease as it is translated The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his covenant Psal 31.19 O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast layd up for them that fear thee and wrought for them that trust in thee even before the sonnes of men Thirdly we must walk in obedience in well doing according to the duties of our places labouring in all things to keep a good consciente both towards God and men Herein stands the power of godlinesse which hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 No good thing shall be lacking to him that walketh uprightly Psal 84.11 What man is hee that desireth life and loveth many dayes that he may see good Keep thy tongue from evill and thy lips from speaking guile Depart from evill and do good seek peace and pursue it Psal 34.12 13. Yea to them that by continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality shall be eternall life glory honour and peace to every man that worketh good Rom. 2.7.10 The thiâ—d Use for admonition Thirdly when we enjoy any good we must remember whence it comes and stirre up our selves to true thankfulnesse 1 Thess 5.18 In all things give thankes Psal 50.23 He that offereth praise and thanks honoureth him Therefore we must with David study the art of thankfulnesse as Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me and call upon our soules for the performance of this duty as Psal 103.1 2. Blesse the Lord O my soule c. remembring the Samaritan Luke 17.15 19. who upon his thanksgiving was sent away with a better blessing for his soule then he obtained for his body by humble supplication For comfort this makes greatly to all the godly in any want or distresse The Use for comfort for surely their God is kind to the unkind and in temporall blessings very liberall even to the wicked as we may see Psal 73.3 4 5. c. The wicked have proserity there are no bands in their death their strength is fiâ—m c. Psal 17.14 They have their portion in this world their bellies God filleth with his hid treasure Now all they have are but effects and fruits of his common favour what then do we think hath he in store for those whom he loves in Christ Surely for them he hath a worthy dowry as 1 Sam. 1.5 Consider Mat. 6.26 c. Behold the fowles of the ayre for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barnes yet your heavenly father feedeth them are not you much better then they c. when a gentleman keepeth his dogs and his hogs fat and faire shall we think he will suffer his children to starve for want of food and raiment Nay nay though deer parents may sometimes prove unnaturall and a mother forget her sucking child yet will not God forget his children Is 49.15 The third Observation The third thing to be noted here is this David believed that he should enjoy the goodnesse of the Lord in this world Psal 116.9 10. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living I believed therefore have I spoken and more plainly Psal 23.1 5 6. The Lord is my shepheard I shall not lack Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies thou annointest my head with oyle my cup runneth over Surely goodnesse and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life The Reason The reason of this his perswasion was the goodnesse of God to David both making promises of these blessings unto David and also enabling him by grace to rest and rely thereon as he confesseth unto God Psal 119.40 Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope The promises of God to David were twofold First generall which are good to all Gods people that be truly in covenant with God and make conscience of obedience which are at large set down Levit. 26.3 4 c. to 14. and Deut. 28.1 c. to 15. and fully though briefly Psal 34.9 there is no want to those that fear him Psal 37.3 Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Secondly more particular and personall unto David himself alone for the honour of the Kingdome over Israel assured by speciall promise Psal 89.20 21 22. and ratified by holy annoynting 1 Sam. 16.13 and for the building and blessing of his house 1 Sam. 7.11.27 This serves for instruction and for admonition For instruction The use for instruction see here plain evidence of the great use and benefit of faith it serves to entitle us not only unto spirituall and heavenly blessings in Christ but even to the good things of this world in temporall blessings as here David layes hold on Gods goodnesse promised in this world So did Noah by faith build the ark for the saving of his houshold in the flood Heb. 11.7 So did Paul receive safety to himself and those that sailed with him in his dangerous voyage Acts 27.24 25. Thus Asa and his people received victory in time of battell 2 Chron. 18.8 and Jehosaphats preservation from assault 2. Chron. 20.20 And what shall I more say saith the Apostle for the time would faile me to tell of Gideon of Barack of Sampson of Jephta of Samuel David and the prophets who through faith subdued Kingdomes c. Heb. 11.32 33 34. So as we may well say of faith what the Apostle doth of godlinesse 1 Tim. 4.8 that it is profitable for all things and hath the promise of all kind of blessings for true faith is the prime grace of godlinesse to the sure entitling of us to the best blessings as Gal. 5.6 Here indeed every Christian must wisely and rightly consider the different nature of blessings promised and according to the Lords meaning intitle themselves thereunto For some promises concern blessings simply necessary to true happinesse as be justification and sanctification other promises are made of blessings both spirituall and temporall which are very good and comfortable but not simply necessary to salvation as be peace of conscience and joy in the holy ghost and all degrees of spirituall graces above that which shewes the truth and life thereof as abundance of knowledge strong faith fervent love and the likeâ— which high degrees of grace some have had as Abraham Rom. 4.19 20. the Centurion Luke 7.9 and the woman of Canaan Mat. 15.28 whereas the disciples themselves were for a good while men of little faith Mat. 6.30 and 16.8 and the Church of Philadelphia had a little strength Rev. 3.8 Now the promises of blessings simply necessary
to true happinesse are made absolutely in Christ to true believers without any other condition as Acts 16 31. John 3.16 but the promises of blessings not simply necessary to salvation must be understood to be made with the exception of the crosse which is this That God out of his soveraignty over his dearest children may deny the accomplishment of these promises either for correction or prevention of sin or tryall of grace which well considered prevents much perplexity and distresse in soule to those that labour to walk honestly and yet are more under the crosse then some of Gods children be with whom they live For admonition The Use for admonition this serves notably to stirre up every one to get true faith for every one desires to enjoy Gods goodnesse many say who will shew us any good Psal 4.6 Now the way is to get faith which entitles us to all Gods promise and the right course herein is to begin with the main promise in Christ to get that faith in him which may intitle us to his righteousnesse for in him we are restored to sanctified right in the creature and in him all things are ours things present and things to come 1 Cor. 3.21 22. All the promises of God are in him yea and in him amen 2 Cor. 1.20 Therefore Christ himself bids his Disciples First seek the King dome of God and his righteousnesse and then all these things pertaining to food and rayment shall be ministred unto us Mat. 6.33 For if God spared not his own some but gave him for us how shall he not with him give us all things also Rom. 8.32 Now this true faith is never severed from true repentance not new obedience for by sight and sorrow for sinne the way is prepared for Christ and his Kingdome Mal. 3.1 and Mat. 21.32 And new obedience in eschewing evill and doing good is that behaviour which comes from love a fruit of the spirit by which faith worketh Gal. 5.6 22. The fourth and last point to be here observed is The fourth Observation the benefit which David received by believing Gods word and promise hereby he was preserved from fainting in himself and from being foyled by his enemies in their most violent opposition for one or both of these evills he confesseth would have befallen him if he had not believed see Psal 3.3 6. Thou Lord art a buckler for me there is his saith I will not be affraid of ten thousand of the people that have set themselves against mee round about there is his security from faith Psal 57.1 3. My soule trusteth in thee yea in the shaddow of thy wings will I make my refuge till these calamities be overpast He shall send from heaven and save me c. The reason hereof is plain The Reason for his faith intitled him to Gods power and providence for protection and safety in time of danger from whence sprang that courage which upheld him from fainting in the depth of distresse whereas if he had wanted faith he had indeed been out of covenant with God and so void of title to Gods power and providence and so must needs have fainted when worldly power and refuge had wholy failed him This Davids enemies knew well and therefore thinking that God had forsaken him they do thereupon encourage themselves to persecute him with assurance to take him Psal 71.11 This serves for instruction The first Use for instruction and for admonition For instruction two wayes First it lets us plainly see the great evill of unbelief for it takes away heart and courage in time of persecution This we may seeby Nabal whose heart dyed within him when he heard of deadly danger already past 1 Sam. 25.37 and in Saul when the Philistines came upon him he was sore troubled at the sight of that huge Army 1 Sam. 28.5 and afterwards fainted when he heard by the witch of Endors means the heavy tydings of his approaching ruine verse 20. and the day following desperately fell upon his own sword when the Philistines pressed near unto him 1 Sam. 31.4 Hence Ahaz and his peoples hearts were shaken as a leaf when they heard that Syria and Ephraim were conspired against him Is 7.2 at which time the Lord promised him mercy but withall tells him of the hurt of unbelief verse 9. If yee will not believe yee shall not be established Secondly here again see the great benefit of faith The second Use for instruction both for courage and comfort in time of danger for the righteous is bold as a Lyon Prov. 28.1 when the wicked flye and no man pursueth and also for safety and deliverance while it is a blessing to them See Psalm 31.19 20. Psalm 91.1 2 9. For admonition The Use for admonition it serves notably to move every one to get the grace of true faith and to set the same a working in the time of danger This world is full of evills and troubles as the Sea is of stormes and waves now faith is as the sterne that guides and the anchor that holds fast against the greatest blasts and billowes Heb. 6.19 this intitles us to Gods power and providence which is like the pillar of a cloud by day and fire by night to guide and keep us as it did Israel Exod. 13.21 22. and 14.19 This gave courage to the three children Dan. 3.16 17 18. Verse 14. wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart wait I say on the Lord. THese words are the Prophets zealous exhortation and encouragement The meaning of the words both to his own soule and to others to wait on God and be of good courage meaning in time of trouble and affliction Vnto which good duties he doth stirre up himself and others by the benefit they shall receive thereby viz. God will strengthen their hearts and afterward repeats the first duty again for waiting on God to shew the necessity of it So that here in generaâ—l we have to handle the duties propounded and the reason to enforce them The duties are two both of them respecting our behaviour in time of affliction First to wait on God secondly to be of good courage For the first to wait on God is patiently to tarry the Lords leisure for the things we desire whether it be to be freed from evills or made partakers of blessings or both though here the exhortation hath speciall conference to expectation of deliverance from evills So that the first thing we have here to note is this That every child of God The first Observation who is under any evills of body or mind or both must stirre up his heart to wait the Lords good pleasure and leisure for deliverance Psal 130.6 Let Israel hope in the Lord Luke 21.19 By your patience possesse your selves when you are betrayed by parents kinds folks and friends now waiting on God is the holy art or work of patience Rom.