But yet haue I chiefely desired thy word haue euen striuen with my self to subdue al the euil affections of my flesh Here we see what doctrin we haue to gather vnto our selues out of this place to wit that if we wil be the good scholers of God and take delight in the way of his testimonyes we must first subdue the lustes of our fleshe not learne to be giuen to worldly things neither yet to bee nousled in that which we imagine to be the highest pointe of our felicity but that we might vnderstand to contēne riches al other things whatsoeuer which might withdrawe vs from our God and our sauiour Iesus Christ Phil. 3.8 to make no more accoūt of it then of doung and dyrt as S. Paule saith And yet it is most sure that Dauid contemneth not the riches which he had For beeing a mightie rich king as we know yet he cast not his Golde siluer into the bottō of the sea but vsed of the abundance store which God had giuen him yea wee see what an excellent and beautiful house he had as the holy history telleth vs. But yet he followed the rule which the Scripture setteth downe vnto vs which is that hee so vsed the goods of this world as though he neuer had them We must therfore passe through this world 1. Cor. 7.31 without staying our selues altogether in it as S. Paul exhorteth that if God giue vs abundāce of riches we might know how to vse thē with out hauing our harts imprisoned in them yet notwithstāding to be pore in spirit to wit to be redy to forsake all whatsoeuer as often as god would haue vs to be rid of thē to haue alwaies one foote redy lifted vp to go vnto him whēsoeuer it shal be his wil pleasure to take vs out of this world But it is not without cause that Dauid hath spoken heere of the abundaunce of riches For wee see it maketh men couetous which is the springhead of all mischiefe as Saint Paule saith 1. Tim. 6 1◠Forasmuch then as we are so much giuen to the goods of this worlde and that we holde our selues accursed if we haue not wherwithall and them to bee blessed which are wel furnished with them let vs keepe well the lesson which is heere taught vs to wit that all our desier must be in the way of the testimonyes of God as in all manner of riches to wit that all our delight and contentation be wholly in them Now in the end Dauid goeth on and sayth I will meditate in thy Commaundementes and consider thy wayes My delight shal be in thy statutes I wil not forget thy words This is the conclusion to confirme the matter which we haue already spoken off For Dauid heere speaketh of no newe matter but protesteth as he hath begun That his delight shal be alwayes in the commandements of God in the doctrine conteined in the holy Scripture and that hee wil bestowe his whole study therin so continue the same and neuer forget the desires which he hath to profite in the obedience of God If Dauid nowe hath thus saide let vs vnderstand that it is not inough for vs to be wel affected to serue God and that for the performing thereof that wee haue already sufficiently traueled but we must also be pricked forwarde that we might alwayes goe on For euen the very faithful neuer runne with so feruent and hote a desire but that they continually draw one leg after them neuer come vnto God but in halting wise What is there then for vs to doe Forsooth wee must protest with Dauid neuer to forget that which God hath once declared vnto vs and also neuer to cease to pricke our selues on to the ende there might be greater vehemencie in vs to goe vnto him with a more seruent desire and boulder courage So that at the last we may growe to this perfection whereunto God calleth allureth vs that is that beeing vncased from out of our flesh and nature hee might fully conioyne vs vnto his righteousnesse that thereby his glory may shine in vs. And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the face of our good god acknowledging our innumerable sinnes by which we continually prouoke his heauy wrath and indignation against vs. Beseeching him that it would please him to make vs to feele our sinnes and iniquities more then euer to fore we haue done to the end we might seke for such remedies as he hath ordained for vs in exercising our selues about the reading of his holy word and the dayly Preaching thereof which hath graunted vnto vs. And furthermore not to forget to stir vs vp to call vpon him to the end that by his holy spirite he might to put his helping hande euen in our heartes and not too suffer the doctrine which we heare by the mouth of his Preachers to become vnprofitable vnto vs but that it may haue the full power strength so that we may from day to day be confirmed therein and more and more learne to forsake the worlde and all whatsouer may withdrawe vs from the vnion and coniunction of our Lord and Maister Iesus Christ who is our heade And that hee will not onely shewe vnto vs this fauour and grace but also vnto all people and nations of the earth c. The third Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme GIMEL Bee beneficiall vnto thy Seruant that I may liue keepe thy woorde Open mine eies that I may see the wondrous things of thy lawe I am a straunger vpon Earth hide not thy commandements from me My hart breaketh out for the desire vnto thy iudgementes alwaies Thou hast destroyed the proude cursed are they that doo erre from all thy Commaundements Remoue from mee shame and contempte for I haue kept thy Testimonyes Princes also did sitte and speake against mee but thy Seruant did meditate in thy statutes Also thy Testimonyes are my delight and my counsaylers IT shall greatly haue profited vs if so be wee haue learned what the ende of our life is For for that cause hath God placed and bringeth vs vpp in the worlde and yet fewe there are which thinke vpon it True it is that euery man will say that it is good reason wee should doe homage too GOD for our life and beeing because wee holde all of him and that wee should glorifie him with so much of our goods as he hath largely bestowed vpon vs. But what of all this When as wee haue confessed that it is but to shewe our ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse and yet no man maketh any account heereof Loe heere wherefore the holy Ghoste seeing vs so tyed to the worlde putteth vs in minde too what ende wee liue heere As heere Dauid maketh this request to God too obtayne that benefite of his Maiestie That hee mght liue and keepe his woorde As if hee should haue sayde I desire
requireth nothing els of me but that I should come vnto him is it reason that I should sit still shall I become a blocke shall I become a sensles and witles creature shall I not be moued with such fauour and grace as my GOD sheweth vnto me and maketh me to feele See here what Dauid meaneth to teach vs in this verse O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy commaundements When as he speaketh of his waies he meaneth al the actiōs of his life for the life of mā is called a Waye And that not without cause for all our thoughtes and affections are as wayes and as our footesteppes Nowe he sayeth O that my wayes were made so direct that I might keepe thy commandementes Herein he declareth that a faithful mā after he hath knowē this mercie of God in guiding our life ought to enter into him selfe and thinke that there is neither reason nor wisedome in him how to gouerne him selfe but that all proceedeth from the good will and louing kindnes of the Lorde Sythens then that wee are so enclined to roue in our owne wayes hether and thether by reason of the foolishe presumption and vaine confidence which we haue of our own wisedome let vs vse such remedy as God hath assigned vs to weete that we forsake our selues and treade vnder foote this carnall reason which deceiueth vs that wee set at naught all our lustes and vngodly affections that God only may beare rule and our life be guided according to his his lawe It followeth Then should I not bee confounded when I haue respect to all thy commaundementes Here Dauid confirmeth him selfe in the doctrine next before for hee declareth what the marke is whereat he aymeth O Lorde sayeth hee when as thou shalt doe me that good that I may be directed according to thy word I shal neuer be cōfounded When Dauid now hath such a desire he there by right well declareth that euery man ought to be careful to endeuour himself therūto or els he shall neuer obey the will of God cōsidering that there are so many gainsayings in our flesh nature as is most pitifull to thinke vpon For looke how many our affections thoughtes are we haue euen so many enemies rebelling against God and which hinder vs to walke after his will Wee ought therefore to praye vnto him that he will holde vs in that he may be our maister we his vassails Moreouer let vs consider wel of that which is here spoken to weete that in keeping the c̄omaundementes of God we shall neuer be confounded By this he doth vs to vnderstād that so many as followe their owne lustes fantasies which looke this way that way and do imagine them selues a marke forge them selues such away as seemeth good in their owne sight that they shal be confounded and deceiued No doute when men do that which best liketh thē selues they streightwayes thinke all things shall goe so well with them as is possible to bee wished glorying in their owne vaine imaginations but what followeth thereof God confoundeth them in their owne arrogancie wherwith they were puffed vp for a time Woulde wee eschewe this confusion of the vnbeleeuing persons Let vs haue an eye to the commaundementes of God to wit let our eyes be setled on them and looke not on our owne reason nor of our naturall sense neither yet of any other thing that lieth in our owne power which may turne vs away from them And it is a necessary point for vs to be enfourmed thereof For as often as men will giue them selues leaue to imagine and thinke what they list to haue done there shall a thousand thoughtes for close their mindes and so will turne them away from God and wholy estraunge them from the doctrine of saluation And for this cause Dauid declareth that there is but one onely meane to wit that we should wholy settle our eyes vpon the Lawe of GOD without turning away from it either on this side or on that as commonly and vsually we doe Afterward he goeth on and sayeth I will prayse thee with an vpright heart when I shal learne the iudgementes of thy righteousnes Dauid sheweth in this verse how we may praise the Lord our God and that is continually following the plainnes of his matter For wee must all confesse that our life is miserable if it tende not to the prayse and glorifying of God Let vs now see how we may prayse him We must be exercised in his iudgementes that is in the rule which hee hath set downe vnto vs. For this word Iudgements importeth that wee are taught and instructed of that which wee haue to do For our life is outragious if we passe the limits and boundes which he hath appointed vs and contrariwyse we keepe a true vprightnes in obeying of him Now then he sayeth that when he shall haue learned the righteous iudgementes of God that then he will thanke him with an vnfained heart By this hee signifieth vnto vs that although men persuade them selues to loue GOD as much as is possible neuertheles that it is but fained vntill such time as they are vnfainedly instructed in the lawe And thus much for that Moreouer here is to be noted that that is not all which wee haue learned that God sheweth vnto vs in his word but Dauid speaketh here of an instruction which taketh roote and is settled and abideth in the heart of a man according to that which hath heretofore beene said For a number may imagine of their own braine what the lawe of God is but in the meane while it standeth so with them that when we beholde their life and conuersation it appeareth that they haue profited no whit at all in his schoole It is meete therefore that out heart be brought to the schoole of God to weete that whatsoeuer hee teacheth vs it may bee throughly imprinted and engrauen within And this is that maner of learning whereof Dauid here speaketh For if we haue beene exercised in this sort that we haue holden the doctrine and law of God we may very well glorifie his blessed name to weete we may truly praise him as he hath commaunded vs. When he saieth I will keepe thy Statutes that is That he is so resolued and confirmed in the doctrine of the lawe that he hath ouercome all the affections and lustes of the flesh and the worlde which might resist and hinder him in the seruice of God He hath sayd before O that my wayes were made so direct He desireth as a man which when he cannot haue that which he wisheth for is in great paine and trauell It behoueth vs also to poure out such sighes groanes considering the rebellion of our flesh which is so cōtrary to the righteousnes of God that all our thoughtes and affections as is abouesaid are so many gainesayinges that they turne vs cleane away from his obeysaunce Wee must therefore saye
that we hold no way although we think al to the contrary But we are to consider why he especially speaketh here of a yong man For we are sure that God hath geuen his law aswel for the great as the smal for the olde as the yong that when we shal begin to be taught it euen frō our youth we must hold continue it to the graue Wherfore then doth Dauid straine this doctrine of the lawe too yong men It is not for that it reacheth not vnto the aged but there are twoo reasons why he so spake We knowe the hoat affection that is in youth and that there is suche an heate in vs as that it seemeth it can no way be kept in And because it is a harde matter too represse the hoat and exceeding boyling affections of yongmen Dauid especially sheweth that the word of God is the best remedy to represse the same As if he should haue saide It is very true that yong men are recheles and do erre yea like vnto wilde beastes which caste no doubtes so hoate and furious as that it is almost impossible to bring them to any good passe or yet to restrayne them For when we thinke to haue surest hold on them then are they farthest off but if they shal be aduised and counselled to be ordered and gouerned by God no doubt of it they wil be greatly daunted And although their passions and affections doe greatly exceed yet shall a man see in them some modestie and a quiet and courteous behauiour The mischiefe then is that yong men will not be subiect to God for if they woulde they should finde a good meane in his word yea and the same very sufficient to remedy all their vices And it tendeth to this end to declare vnto vs what vertue is in the worde of God euen to suppresse the most outragious passions that may possibly be within vs. And thus much for the first point The second reason is that Dauid his meaning is chiefly to shew vnto the yonger sort that they had great neede to be held short for otherwise they woulde exceede more more in all mischief for their nature is the rather more more enclined to euil bicause it hath little aduice and small wisedome His minde therefore is to aduertise them of this necessitie because they should be more careful to bestowe their study vppon the woorde of God And to be brief his meaning is to aduertise the whole worlde in general that we ought betimes to enter into the schoole of God if we wil be taught according to his will We know what Solomon saith in the booke of Ecclesiastes that wee must not tarry vntill we come to old worne yeeres Eccl. 12.2 then to remember God thinke vpon him But that we should beginne so soone as God hath giuen vs wit and discretion and to cōtinue it vnto the ende Loe here a doctrine which ought throughly to be marked of vs for wee see frō whence the springhead of all the excesse and wantonnes which do nowe reigne and haue in al ages reigned in the world commeth bicause that God is not obeyed for if that were so we should haue a bridle to keepe vs in awe and in good order so that we would suffer our selues to be ordred by the doctrine which is conteined in the holy scripture If we thē would humble our selues and be subiect to God as to our Maister all things should be aswell directed as wee could possibly wishe But why do we not so The world forsooth wil not obey God as becōmeth it neither wil it he brought to this reason Behold then the cause why we see all things so confused as they are So it is that we are altogether inexcusable seeing that our God so offreth him selfe vnto vs declareth vnto vs that if we will followe his worde that all things shall go well with vs that our way shal be pure and cleane and that our life shal be true perfectnes it selfe And whē God giueth such a testimonie vnto his law al mouthes must be stopped and we must be cast down hedlong when as we know that we thus rebelled against our God who is alwayes ready truedy to guide vs. And thus much for this Moreouer if our affections be so contrary that our lustes affections be like wilde beastes that we cannot represse thē let vs know that our God will giue power and strength to his word that we may be ioyned with him if so be that wee will direct our selues to that marke And to proue it to bee so he here speaketh especially of the corruptions of youth which as I haue already declared are more excessiue and disordered then they are in the aged But so it is that both great and small might very wel be brought to this passe to suppresse their inordinate affections and lustes if so be they would giue that honour to God which vnto him apperteineth that is if they would follow his word Furthermore wee are here to note the exhortation which we haue already touched to wit that it is Dauid his meaning to manifest vnto vs that wee ought betimes to bee Gods schollers and to suffer him to rule vs and to continue and holde vs in this study all the daies of our life Let vs not then tarry vntill we come to the graues brinke to become wise in this behalfe as wee see these scorners which make them selues mery and outrage in mocking of God saying Well sir wee shall haue leisure to repent time enough For if we may haue but one hearty sighe care away Sithens then this is most sure that it is Satan which eggeth thē thus greeuously to abuse the patiēce of God let vs bew are that we be not so bewitched But let vs follow that which is here set downe to weete that wee may be Gods schollers euen from our youth And aboue all things let vs consider that yong mē haue here a speciall lesson to learne as before hath beene touched For Dauid here declareth vnto them Psal 73.22 that they haue a great deale more neede to bee restrained thē any of the rest It is very true that we are before God alwayes euen as yong childrē Yea I say that the elder sort of greater experience and such as appeare graue and wise to the world are without all dout before the maiestie of God very fooles and idiotes We heare also what Dauid confesseth of him selfe in an other place where he saieth that he was like a calfe and a beast without reason or wisedome And if it went so with him with him I say that was so excellent a Prophet what shall become of vs I say then that the elder sort ought greatly to profite in this schoole of Gods wisedome and yet this is no vaine thing whereunto Dauid here especially exhorteth the yongemen And why so For as I haue already sayde this age is so without any consideration as nothing
hee sayeth O Lorde open myne eyes that I may see the woonderous thinges of thy Lawe Wherefore vseth hee this woorde woonderous It is as if he would haue saue saide Although the world taketh the lawe of God to be but a light thing and seemeth to be giuen but as it were for simple soules yong children Yet for al that there seemeth such a wisedom to bee in it as that it surmounteth all the wisedome of the worlde and that therein lye hidde wonderfull secrets Asmuch is saide of the Gospell and that not without great cause And in very deede that which at this daye is most plainely declared in the Gospell was before conteined in the lawe onely these were darker shadowes then they are which were since the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ And yet notwithstanding there is no chaung or alteration in this wisedome as God also is not mutable Ephes 3.10 1. Pet. 1.12 It is not then without cause that all the holy scripture is called wisedome and that the Angels of heauen theÌ„selues do woÌ„der thereat If then the Angels be astoyned at the secrets conteined in the holy scripture I beseeche you tell mee what reuerence deserueth it to haue among vs mortall men For we are but poore wormes vpon earth creeping here belowe If there be comparison made betwixt vs and the Angels what shall it be See howe the Angels are wonderfully rauished to see the wisedome of the word of God and yet we make no accompt of it but esteeme of it as a base and childish thing The more therefore ought wee throughly to marke this saying of Dauid that the doctrine of the lawe is not as wee take it to bee to wit a thing of small valure or a common and ordinarie doctrine but a wonderfull wisedome wherein are such secrets as ought to rauish vs with admiration bicause they farre surpasse our wit and reason But what is the cause that we so lightly esteeme of the lawe of God that is to say his whole word Herein the common prouerbe is verified when we saye A foole regardeth nothing Which prouerbe we declare to be rightly verified in vs For many of vs make no estimation of the holy scripture it seemeth to vs that that which we reade there is too to coÌ„mon and this is the reason bicause we know not what it is â—â—e yet the great and abundant treasure hidde therein But such as haue once knowen what the Maiestie of God is which hee sheweth and declareth him selfe to be there and do see whether it is that God calleth and allureth them and do also vnderstand and knowe the large and sweete promises offered vnto them therein such I say will say with Dauid O Lorde thy law is wonderfull And so consequently will desire that their eyes might be lightened confessing them selues to be blind vntill such time as God hath ayded them with his holy spirite Now it followeth I am a stranger vpon earth hyde not thy commandementes from me When Dauid did put to this verse he ment to confirme the matter which before he touched that is to say that he desired not simply to liue as if his life had beene deare and precious vnto him without any other respect but he had a further meaning For he saith by a by after I am a stranger in the world therefore hyde not thy commandements from me They which make their continuall nest here according to their owne fansie and thinke to make their heauen in this world these men I say haue nothing to do with the commandementes of God for their saluation For they are safe enough if they may eate and drinke to be glutted that they may take their pleasures and delightes that they may be honoured that they may be in estimation and credit loe here is all that they desire or wysh to haue Yea forsooth For they looke no further but to this corruptible and transitorie life These men I saye are not greatly troubled ne yet haue any care of the commaundementes of God but when as they shal be taken from them all shall be one to them When as the couetous man the whoremonger the dronkarde the ambitious person shall heare no preaching of the word at all neither any talke of God ne yet of Christianitie nor of life euerlasting He in the meane time ceaseth not to pursue his owne waye Yea and it is to them a lothsome and vnpleasant kinde of speach to heare God spoken of but had rather haue no mention in the whole worlde made of him And therefore it is not without cause why Dauid requireth not to haue the coÌ„mandements of God taken from him this is his reason to wit bicause he is a stranger on the earth As if he should haue sayd O Lord if I had none other consideration but of this present life I should be euen accursed and it had beene better my mother had beene deliuered of me as of a dead body and that I had beene an hundred times plunged in hell And why so For we are here in this world but as pilgrims and wayfaring men and we passe to a more excellent life as to that also wherein we repose our whole trust Seeing then O Lord that I am a stranger in the world let not thy commandementes be taken away from me Nowe in this part is conteined a very profitable doctrine and exhortation for vs for we knowe how cold wee are where in deede we ought to haue an ardent desire to be taught the worde of God and to be more and more confirmed therein And I beseeche you how carelesse are we But what is the cause hereof No doubt of it we must alwayes euen searche and looke into the depth and bottom of this corruption and mischiefe for when we see any vice in our selues we ought to enquire from whence the cause proceedeth to the ende we might finde remedy for the same Now the reason is bicause we are blynde and do suppose our abode should bee here still vpon earth and euery man imagineth him selfe to haue here euerlasting life Wherefore when we are thus giuen to the world thinke our selues to haue here an euerlasting enheritance loe this is the cause of our thus conteÌ„ning of God and his word or rather that we care no whit at all for the seeking out of the doctrine of our saluation What must we then do Forsooth wee must looke a great deale further then to the world if we will come vnto God and be exercised in this study wherof meÌ„tion is here made and to say with Dauid O Lord bicause we are strangers in this world to wit that we are to passe here only that nothing can be shorter then our life is here let not thy commandements be taken away from vs. On thother side Dauid his meaning here is to signifie vnto vs that he was but as a poore pilgrime and wandring man without he were conducted and guided by the worde of
beguile his neighbours and craftily inuent how to giue himselfe too all iniquitie Such is the wysedome of this worlde But in the meane whyle let vs note this by the way that these woordes are not spoken without cause too witte that al our wysedome and reason consisteth heerein that wee walke in the feare of God and seeke after his wil yea and too holde vs too it In the second place as Dauid hath already protested that wee are not capable to vnderstande the lawe of God and the contentes thereof if wee bee not taught from aboue that is by the holy ghost hee also addeth that hee can haue no good affection nor desire to giue himselfe thereto vntil such tyme as his heart bee reformed The law of God may seeme to be but a common thing yea we our selues do see that the proude men of this world contemne it as a thing too too common But yet as Dauid hath before said God hath set downe vntoo vs in his lawe wonderful secretes which hee heere repeteth not in vaine that it must needes bee that in receiuing the spirite of God from heauen hee shoulde bee conducted to the ende to followe the commaundementes of God Nowe he namely saith That I will keepe yea that I will keepe it with my whole hart This is no superfluous repetition when he saieth That I wil keepe yea that I wil keepe it with my whole harte For beholde what it is that abuseth a great number of men so that they cannot be reprehended by men that their life is not so dissolute as that they may bee pointed at and bee not brought to rebuke and shame Loe these men bee lyke little Angelles They make themselues belieue that they are more then iust before God they feele themselues guiltie in nothing For this cause then Dauid hauing said that he wil kepe the lawe of God declareth that it is not so common a thing to doo as we take it And why so For saith he he must keepe it with his whole heart When he meaneth to shewe vnto vs what the good keeping of the law of GOD is and such an obseruation as God requireth of vs it is not onely meant that our feete and handes should be seene to bee well ruled and compassed that our sinnes and iniquities should be so apparaunt as that they might be cōdemned in the sight of the world this say I is not all as to vse such an obseruation But wee must saith Dauid keepe the lawe of God with our whole heart When as we shal be neuer so litle affected or desirous thereto it shal be a great deale more worth then all the substance in the worlde But we must beware that we haue not a double heart that our desire be so colde and feeble as to say very well I would gladly that God would bestowe his grace vpon me that I might followe his commaundemēts and thereupon to shewe our selues wearie and slougthfull but we must haue a true sinceritie to walke therein with all fulnes and integritie But I beseeche you what is he that is able to attaine to that perfection It is so farre of that there should be any such vprightnes in vs as that we are not able to thinke once a good thought except God chaūgeth our peruerse nature which before should be repugnāt and contrary vnto his righteousnesse Wherefore in summe Dauid after that he had prayed vnto God that he woulde instruct him to the ende hee might keepe his commaundementes addeth for a more ample confirmation That I may keepe thy commaundementes with my whole heart As if he should haue saide O Lorde I knowe that we men as we are puffed vp with pride and arrogancie doe thinke vs too haue accomplished and fulfilled all the whole lawe when as wee haue set a good countenaunce of the matter and haue made some apparaunce or shewe to the worlde if there were no more in it but this yet shoulde it be enough for mee considering that all our members doe so rage in wickednesse as that it is very harde too holde them in But all this shoulde bee nothing For it shoulde be all but meere hypocrisie and bycause that thou hast respect to the heart all my carnall passions and affections must be pulled down my selfe in such sort renued as that I may be wholy conformed vnto thy righreousnes Alas my God and if I must be brought to that I see it to be an impossible matter And so thou must needes put thy helping hand vnto me that I might be taught by thy holy spirite It followeth in the thirde verse Make me to goe in the waye of thy commaundements for therein is my desire Here we see that which hath beene touched to wit that Dauid prayeth not vnto God that he would beginne to set him in a good way For he was already entred into it hee had already walked in it a good long season And in deede this desire is a very great furtherance vnto vs when as wee may praye vnto God to beseeche him to gouerne vs and we ought to preferre this felicitie or blessednes before all the things in the worlde And herein let vs shewe our selues to haue greatly profited Now Dauid protesteth without hypocrisie that he hath kept the cōmaundements of God Neuerthelesse he beseecheth the Lord to graunt vnto him power to perseuer therein and that hee may come to the perfection thereof Wherein wee see that it is not enough that whē God hath begunne and set vs in a good way that we may euer after doe what soeuer seemeth good in our owne sight We see here to the contrary that when God shall haue taught vs and that we haue beene apt to learne from the beginning neuerthelesse that his grace shoulde be made voide euery minute without hee did continue it And so in the first place when as God shall haue instructed vs to make vs to come to a good vnderstanding and knowledge he must also graunt vnto vs a good affection and desire And hath he giuen vs that It is also meete that he continue the same in vs and make vs desirous to walke in his commaundementes Finally after that he hath giuen vs to will the must also giue vs to perfourme as S. Paul saith that he doe all in all but not to rewarde this good will or any other good preparation which is in vs but to doe it according to his pleasure to wit of his free mercie Moreouer let vs on our behalf consider when as wee would obteine any such grace at Gods handes to witte to leade vs into the way of his pathes that our hearts be there setled as that we be not so accursed as to forsake God and to set light by him to quēche this light which he shal haue put in vs. For otherwise if wee bee alwayes giuen to the vanities of this world as commonly we are and that wee make no accompte of the graces which God shall bestowe vppon
from many doubtes and griefes that we cannot bee vtterly ouerthrowne and caste downe although we happen to be pressed with some griefes because we alwayes conclude thus that wee cannot bee ouercome seeing God holdeth vs with a mightie and stronge hande And in very deede what is the cause I pray you that men are so oftentimes tormented but only that they submit not them selues vnto God It is very true that there are very fewe which knowe this but this is the very cause For when as wee shall haue looked somewhat neerer the matter wee shall find that nothing so much hath hindred vs as our owne vnthankfulness But because we wil be ouerwise in not yeelding vnto God the honor to gouerne vs wholy to rule our life ne yet become his subiects it is meet we should receiue the hier due for the same For men whē any thing is in question that they haue to do wil straight wayes enter into their owne speculations they neuer make question to haue recourse vnto God nor to cal vpon him but euery man wil doe what semeth best to himself And therfore it is meete that God pay vs in such mony as we deserued that he put vs I say in such doubt as that wee shall neuer be able to knowe what shall become of vs so that the anguishes shall force vs too say What shall become of this matters Which way shall I beginne And what shall bee the ende and issue heereof Beholde howe wee see the miserable and wretched worlde dayly so fast shutte vp in streights as that it seemeeth that wee are more then cast away And what is the cause heereof Euen the men which haue built vnto them selues such Mazes For it is euen they them selues that are the cause of their so greate tormentes For Dauid hath heere declared vnto vs that as many as seeke the Commaundementes of God doe walke at libertie It is very true that the faithfull although they indeuour themselues all they can to obey God and suffer him to gouerne them yet for all that they are not voyde of merueylous griefes vexations that they are many tymes at their wittes end and knowe not what to doe but yet they come vnto God and lay all their care vpon him as it is written in the thirtie and seuenth Psalme And there they finde them selues discharged and vnburdened And so goe they dayly on for they are assured that God can neuer fayle them Beholde then howe we may bee very well tempted with many sorrowes and griefes neither can wee be exempt from a great number of disquietnesses but yet God will alwayes vnburden vs of them as it is sayd in an other place of the Psalme that when we haue beene for a while fast shut vpp yet God will set vs at libertie as also Saint Paul sayth in the second to the Corinthes It is very true sayth hee that wee are oppressed with many tormentes and griefes but yet we continue not in sorrowe and payne For God will alwayes deliuer vs and will giue vs a good and ioyfull issue so that in the ende wee shall bee able to ouercome them See then what is declared vnto vs in this place where it is sayde I will walke at libertie O Lorde because I seeke thy Commaundementes Euen so let vs knowe that when our life is miserable and wretched and that we must needes liue in payne torment and sorrowe that all commeth by reason of our sinne because wee present not our selues before GOD suffer vs not to be conducted by him put not our liues into his handes neither doo wee come willingly too seeke for remedie after wee haue once knowen out griefe that is too say too desire God that it woulde please him to take vs into his custodye without hoping or wayting for any other thing but for that which he telleth vs out of his woorde For when wee shall so doo there is no doubte but that he will make vs too walke at libertie Nowe it followeth I will speak of thy Testimonyes also euen before Kinges and will not be ashamed Beholde a declaration of the matter which wee haue already touched heere before For Dauid making this request not to haue the woorde of trueth to bee taken out of his mouth for euer had regarde to twoo thinges that is to say beeing able too speake after that GOD in bestowing his grace vpon him had opened his mouth had confirmed the Children of GOD by his example and brought them vnto him in shewing them the way and in the meane whyle had foyled the wicked and despisers of God and of the Lawe the scorners of his hope and the blasphemers of God yet was hee able I say too beate them backe and make his parte good againste them all And this matter hee manifestly declareth whereas hee sayeth I will speake of thy Testimonyes because GOD shoulde no more take the woorde of trueth out of his mouth Nowe besides this that God giueth vntoo vs matter whereof to speake freely yet must that come from him as we heare that our Lord Iesus Christe hath spoken off that it is the holy Ghoste which guideth our tongues that it cōmeth not of ourselues to be able to answere our enemies that there neded but a small gale of wind to ouerthrow vs. So then it is meete that God shoulde vse his power that we might be confirmed by him For when as he shal put his woorde in our mouth we may speake before Kinges and Princes and neuer be ashamed As if he should haue sayde O Lorde thy woorde ought to be of such power vnto vs as that wee may foyle our enenemyes yea howe greate and mightie soeuer they bee albeit they should bee suche as were able to astonish and feare all the whole world yet let our Fayth be ouerthrowne through their mightinesse and pompe knowing that when as they shall thinke too swallowe all vp yet that we be left stil alwayes as Conquerors yea euen because we haue regarde to it Nowe heere wee are too note that when God maketh his trueth forcible in vs it shall bee sufficient too holde vs vpp yea notwithstanding all the Combates that the Deuill shall stirre vpp agaynst vs and that the whole world opposed it selfe too the contrary And it is not without cause that this is spoken for whereon is our fayth setled Euen vppon the trueth of God Let vs nowe compare God with men and with all their woorkes and vertues Let vs take Emperours and Kinges and let all their glorie and pompe bee set foorth too the shewe and let God be set right ouer agaynst them too witte whether men with all their mightinesse and great boasting are able too surmounte God too reuerse his will or too make voyde his power and vertue Oh it is very sure they can neuer be able to doe it So then let vs consider with whome wee haue too deale and remember this saying of Saincte Paule Thou knowest sayeth hee to
hand of GOD but are hardened and lifte them selues vpp against him It cannot bee chosen but that this muste needes be an horrible pride Euen so then this infidelitie is it that giueth too man as it were Hornes which he so naturally esteemeth although in deede it bee lesse then nothing and thinketh the same to be wonderfull And contrariwise let vs marke that it is onely Fayth that muste induce vs to humilitie and which frameth and fashioneth vs therein considering this swelling of our hearts our growing in presumption like vnto swelling Toades There is nothing I say that can amende this vice but Fayth alone The reason is because that Fayth bringeth vs vntoo God Nowe when as wee knowe what the righteousnesse of God is Let vs then come vnto our selues and wee shall finde in vs nothing else but iniquitie when wee shall consider of the Wisedome of God we shall see that all whatsoeuer we thought too be good reason to be nothing else but vanitie and follie So then when men doe wonder and looke at the brightnesse of God they then learne that they are no better but doung and filthy stench are euen angry and displeased with them selues and greately ashamed of their owne filthynesse See then that humilitie proceedeth from faith And therefore Dauid sayth that the proude to witte the wicked and Infidels imagined a lye against him Let vs then knowe that pryde is ingendred of men and that they bringe it with them into the worlde so soone as they are borne that it groweth and increaseth vnto ful age vntill such time as God correcteth it by his holy spirit and by Fayth And so when as wee shall see the contemners of God and the wicked who knowe not what it is too be ordered by GOD when wee shall see them I say thus outrage let vs not think it straunge seeing it is the course of nature Moreouer let vs well note that Dauid speaking of the neede which hee had of God sheweth vs by his example that the more wee are vexed with temptations that so much the more bolde wee ought too be too beseech him of his ayde that he will reach out his hand too vpholde vs and not to suffer vs to be ouercome And this is specially too be noted for when wee are greeued with any temptation we knowe not that the same is to make vs runne too God who is the onely remedie by which wee must be deliuered And so the Diuell may very easily enter into vs too ouerthrowe our faith since it is as it were put out there vnto him as a pray and besides we vouchsafe not once too receiue the remedy which is offered vs for our helpe So then let vs keepe the order which Dauid heere setteth downe to witte that if we be assayled with great and very strong temptations that then it is high time for vs to haue recourse vnto God beseeching him to saue vs and too remedy our faultes which else would leade vs too euerlasting destruction And thus much for this Nowe wee haue soone after too note that we shall make good proofe of our well willing to serue God if wee resist the temptations If the wicked goe about too drawe vs vnto wickednesse and yet wee stand fast and sure then is our Fayth and constancy well approued And this is spoken to the ende that no man shoulde flatter him selfe for wee thinke this to be a sufficient excuse and that God should also bee well contented therewith too say that wee were drawne to doe wickedly by the meane of some other See I pray you will euery one say I was once in a very good forwardenesse and desired to liue according too the will of God But when I see the worlde so peruerse and wicked and that all men were giuen to so many vices it was impossible for mee too escape but that I muste doo as other men did When wee shall alledge for our selues such excuses wee thinke that God shoulde holde himselfe well contented therewith But contrarywise we see heere that the faithful neuer cease for all that to serue God when all the whole worlde goe about to hinder and let them that although the wicked inuent neuer so many lyes lay neuer so many stumbling blockes in their way to cause them too turne and decline from the right way yet doe they still stande firme and sure And see also how we must be faine too doe that if wee will faithfully serue our good God wee must not cease too pursue our vocation yea although the wicked bente all the force they were possibly able to make against vs too turne vs cleane from the way of saluation Nowe if this admonition hath beene alwaies necessary it is more needefull at this day then euer it was For wee see that the worlde is growne too a monstrous heape of all iniquitie that we are not able too step foorth one step but that we shall meete with great store of euil and daungerous incounters which might weary and withdrawe vs and carry vs to doe wickedly in all kinde of thinges Therefore we ought so much the rather to practise this doctrine That the wicked haue imagined lyes against vs but yet that wee haue kept the lawe of God For the lyes which the proude and the enemyes of God doe imagine against vs are not of one kinde For sometimes they wil seduce vs vnder the colour of Friendship sometimes they will charge vs with a great many of thinges to make vs faint harted sometimes they will make such a confusion of all that we shall not be able to discerne betweene white and black We must then be so much the more well aduised and stand the surer vpon our garde And although the deuill transforme himselfe so into diuerse manners let not vs leaue to keepe the lawe of God yea and that with out whole hearte which is a thing that we ought diligently to mark For if we haue but only some little and feeble affection too followe God wee shall soone be very weary thereof Our heart therfore must be wholy addicted thereto for els we shall neuer be able to make our parte good againste Satan Nowe it is sayde a little after Their hearte is as fatte as greace but my delight is in thy lawe Heere Dauid maketh a comparison betweene the contemners of God and those which desire to serue him And why doth he so He sheweth that the cause which so induceth the Infidels too contemne GOD is the dissolute and brutishe life which they leade because they are as fatte as an Hogge in his stye that hath beene fed with Accornes and Barley and that lyeth wallowing on an heape in his owne greace Hee is so very fatte and heauy that hee is not able to get vp and although hee bee already a meruelous fatte and â—â—auy beast which desireth nothing else but draffe and swill yet will hee bee farre fatter and heauyer when as he shall be styed vpp
not after thy lawe Here Dauid pursuing his purpose maketh mētion of the griefes which he endured that is the wicked and vngodly persecuted him wrongfull and that hee beeing retired to God as to his saulfegarde found no succour of him at the first dash but that God held him at a bay as a forlorne mā Now herevpon hee rightly sheweth that his faith was not clerely quenched ne yet lessened but that he stil continued in prayer And in the ende concludeth that he will yet better remember the word of God when as he shall bee so restored by him and raised vp againe as it were from death Let vs then note that Dauid here setteth downe a certaine maner and order to shewe vs that when God to the outward shewe shall seeme to estraunge him selfe yet we must take hede that the same keepe vs not from hauing recourse vnto him Now it may very wel seeme that God sometimes thinketh not of vs but specially when hee shall suffer the wicked to runne whether they lift and let them doe whatsoeuer they desire Now this is a terrible temptation And why For on the one side we looke that if God tooke vs for his children loued vs as he testifieth should he not by and by haue compassion of our miseries should he not put forth his hande to helpe vs When then he suffereth vs to be thus vniustly troden vnder foote it is a signe that hee hath forsaken vs and that he hath no care of vs nor of our health Loe heere a very hard and greeuous temptation And the second is that it should seeme that God doth not his office How is that Beholde how the vngodly fall out with him so that it seemeth they would giue him open defiaunce For is not this to make warre against him when as they giue them selues licence to doe wickedly that whatsoeuer can besayd vnto them they can neuer bee brought too goodnesse And yet God maketh semblaunce as though he had no care of their wicked dealing These we see are two maruelous daungerous temptations And this is the cause namely why Dauid hath heere recited his persecutions which he abode at the handes of the wicked Now it is so that he beeing in such conflictes hauing to fight against these two temptations which I haue noted sheweth right wel that he remained stil conqueror And see why he sayth How many are the dayes of thy seruant when wilt thou be auenged of thē that persecute me Dauid signifieth that he made not this request vntill such time as hee was driuen too this extremitie that he was no longer able to abide it As if he should haue sayde Alas my good God wilte thou helpe me after I am deade For thou seest that I haue already abidden so much as it is not possible to indure more thou seest me euen at the graues brinke It is now time or else neuer to helpe But yet I perceiue no succour comming from thee And what is the cause When wilte thou doe it It cannot bee chosen but that Dauid had as it were an intollerable affliction when he called vpon God in this manner Wherefore we are so much the rather to meditate on this place For although God suffereth vs to be afflicted but for a little while yet the same lasteth so with vs as that we beeing vexed euen to the vttermoste will say I knowe not where I am nor what to doe heerein What is the cause why God deferreth his ayde so long For in steade too call vpon him it is out of doubt rather that we murmure yea and moyte as it were secretly against him Nowe the right remedy to ouercome these temptations not so to murmur against God in our afflictions is this to call vpon him with full assuraunce beseeching him to graunt vs his grace that notwithstanding al the afflictions which he layeth vpon vs yet that he leaue vs not for all that too hope after that which hee hath promised vs. And this is it which Dauid declareth yet more fully when after he had sayde that the vngodly had gone aboute to digge pittes for him which is not after his lawe hee addeth and sayth All thy Commaundements are true they persecute me falsely be thou my helpe Heere he expresseth what the iniuryes outrages were which they had done him They haue saith he digged pittes for mee yea and he protesteth that they did it vniustly that he neuer gaue the wicked occasion to hurt him but that he had walked in a good and pure conscience Yet saith hee They haue gone about to circumuent and compasse mee rounde about Wee see then that Dauid had no small assaultes but such as were euen deadly that it was without all question that he must be vtterly confoūded yea although he neuer hurt any of them that it might be sayd that he had iniuriously persecuted them yet had he alwayes his recourse vnto God So then we may now bee better confirmed in the doctrine which we haue heeretofore handled to wit that to whatsoeuer extremititie we are driuen vnto in our afflictions we shall bring them to a very good end when as we being fenced with the power of the spirit of God do looke vnto his promisses Now let vs see why he addeth and sayth Thy Commaundementes are true they persecute me falsely O help me Dauid setteth downe heere three poyntes The one is that God is true after he addeth a protestation of his good conduct and guydance and of the malice of his aduersaryes Thirdly he calleth vppon God in his afflictions Now as concerning the first hee sheweth vs that although Satan to shake vs and in the ende vtterly too carry vs away subtilly and cunningly goeth about to deceiue vs we must to the contrary learne how to knowe his ambushes and to keepe vs from out of them So often then as wee are greeued with aduersitie and affliction where must we beginne See Satan howe he pitcheth his nettes and layeth his ambushes to induce and perswade vs to come into them what sayth he doost thou not see thy selfe forsaken of thy God where are the promises wherevnto thou diddest trust Now heere thou seest thy self to be a wretched forlorne creature So then thou right well seest that God hath deceiued thee and that the promises wherevnto thou trustedst appertaine nothing at all vnto thee See heere the subtlety of Satan What is nowe to be doone We are to conclude with Dauid and saye yet God is true and faithfull Let vs I say keepe in minde the trueth of God as a sheelde too beate back whatsoeuer Satan is able to lay vnto our charge when as he shall goe about to cause vs to deny our Fayth when as also he shall lye about vs too make vs beleeue that God thinketh no more of vs or else that it is in vaine for vs too trust vnto his promises But let vs knowe cleane contrary that it is very plaine and sounde trueth which
hoggeshead wil be empty but when as the woorde of God hath serued to quicken vs it still remaineth sound and whole without diminishing any whit at al. So then let vs learne after the example of Dauid too make estimation of the vertue and power which God hath giuen to his worde and neuer forget it Nowe hee addeth by and by after I am thine saue me for I haue sought thy commandements The vngodly layde wayte for me to destroye me but I will consider thy testimonies After that Dauid had made such protestation hee committeth him selfe to GOD euen declaring that hee hath sought his commaundementes And so hee speaketh not only of the time past but remaineth alwaies cōstant in this purpose Now we haue here to cōsider of three points the one is the request which Dauid maketh to God O saue me The second is the reason why he desireth God to saue him Bicause saith he I am thine And afterward he sheweth how he is gods that is for I saieth he haue sought thy commandements And thus we see in the first place how God offereth him selfe vnto vs and that hee desireth nothing els but to holde vs in his protection to haue care of our saluation yea so that we come vnto him after the example of Dauid And I beseeche you what priuiledge is this that we haue such libertie to come vnto God and to commit our selues into his handes whether we wake or sleepe whether wee labour either in the towne or in the fieldes that God is as it were a watchman ouer vs to keepe vs Yea and that he hath not care ouer our soules to keepe them from the ambushes of Satan but also that his fatherly prouidence and loue extendeth it selfe euen to our bodies When God thē I say giueth vs the libertie that we may make such request vnto him I pray you tell me is not this an inestimable priuiledge But we neuer a whit thinke of this as may well be seene by our slackenesse and wearinesse in prayer to God at this daye And yet for all that it is not without cause that Dauid setteth downe here this request but to the end that we should knowe that in praying to God he will graunt vs the grace to commēd our selues wholy vnto him no more also should wee haue too top great a care ouer our life for we being assured of his loue should bee contented with all the rest whatsoeuer And thus much for the first point Now for the second we are rightly to consider that if we will haue God to be our warrant and to be vnder his protection we must needes be his and may say truly as Dauid here doth It is very true that God keepeth his creatures who are not worthy thereof as hee also causeth the Sunne to shine as well vppon the good is on the bad and that it is of his owne goodnesse and mercie that the wicked doe liue but yet to their vtter destruction And when it is here said to be kept by God it is such a keeping and preseruation as that the issue thereof is both good and healthfull And this is not done saue onely to such as are truely the possession and inheritance of God and his true housholde seruantes and children Will we haue God then to receiue vs into his protection and to be our protector Wil we haue him to take care and charge both of our soules and bodies Let vs first be his And howe shall we be his Forsooth we must come to the third point to wit to seeke his testimonies Loe then how God will take vs for his possession for hee euen then alloweth vs for his children when as wee put our whole trust in him seing that he hath so familiarly called and bidden vs and hath certified vs by his word that he will neuer forsake vs. If then we so seeke the testimonies of God and sticke vnto them with a sure faith let vs neuer doubt but that he wil allowe vs for his houshold meiny and children And then we may well say with Dauid saue me O Lord. See I say in what maner we ought to come vnto God if we will be sure to haue him to protect vs. Now Dauid addeth The vngodly haue laid wayte for me to destroy me but I wil consider thy testimonies Whereby he doth vs to wit that although God is stedfastly purposed to be the protector of the faithfull yet that they are not without a great number of griefes and troubles subiect to many sorrowes and bee maruelously encrapped and thereby thinke that they can not chose but to fall into the snares of the vngodly And besides the subtelties of Satan are great and againe all the vngodly which serue Satan and are lead by his spirite cease not to inuent subtelties and deceiptes to entrappe the childrē of God by lying in wayte for them Dauid his meaning then here is to declare vnto vs that although God preserueth vs it is not therefore to be said that we are without molestations and temptations But what So it is that the woorde of God ought to suffise vs as he faieth I will consider thy testimonies As if he should haue saide O Lorde I haue made this my buckler and fortresse which is that thou hast promised to be my sauiour and hereupon haue not forced for all the treasons that all the vngodly can conspire against mee It is very true that they haue layde a platforme to betray me yea and it seemeth that I am already within their clawes and teeth ready to be deuoured but thy testimonies O Lorde haue so strengthened me as that I haue not fainted Let vs learne then to fight in this sort against all the subtelties of Satan and malices of men and notwithstanding that they shall goe about to destroye vs yet let vs fasten our eyes vpon the worde of God attende vpon it and therein perseuer vnto the end Nowe for cōclusion Dauid addeth I haue seene an ende of all perfection but thy commaundement is exceeding broade or large The word then which Dauid vseth signifieth sometimes perfection and sometimes accomplishment bicause that the things which are come to a perfection haue an ende Now he saith in summe that when he hath throughly considered of all things that there is nothing in this worlde which hath not an end and that is not consumed by continuance but that the word of God is plentiful that is it extendeth it selfe vnto all the creatures of God and ouer all whatsoeuer wee are able to see See here a sentence very like vnto that which we haue seene in the first verse Dauid then by this conclusion confirmeth the saying which before hee held to wit that the word of God is euerlasting Although that we here see maruelous alteratiōs that we se the world tossed with so tempestuous whirlewindes as that there is nother end nor measure of thē yet shal we haue in the midst of al those troubles an euerlasting