dwell in thy Courts wee shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house even of thy holy Temple Psal 65.4 being married unto him For thy maker is thine husband Is 54.5 And I will betroath thee unto me for ever yea I will betroath thee unto me in righteousnesse and in judgement and in loving kindnesse and in mercies I will even betroath thee unto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord Hos 2.18 19. so Psal 45. and Canticles In justification from the guilt of sinne Even as David also describeth the blessednesse of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without works saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sinnes are covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne Rom. 4 6 7 8. In adoption to the honour and state of sonnes and daughters Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God 1 John 3.1 In sanctification to the abolishing of corruption in regard of dominion and the renewing of the soule in knowledge righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.21 22 23 24. In which estate they are made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1.5 6. strengthened with all might according to his glorious power Col. 1.11 and stablished in Christ and on Christ so as the gates of hell shall not prevaile against them Matthew 16.18 See 2 Corinthians 1.2 c. In the world to come In the world to come Gods advancement of his Church is perfect unto all fulnesse of joy and height of honour for evermore Then they receive the Kingdome prepared for them Mat. 25.34 and weare the crown of righteousnesse laid up for them 2 Tim. 4.8 Now they have on them white robes of perfect holinesse and palmes in their hands of full conquest over all enemies Rev. 7.9 Now they are in Gods presence where is fulnesse of joy and at his right hand where are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 They enjoy that glory wherewith the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared Rom. 8.18 the hope whereof will sustain the soule in the greatest distresse as 2 Cor. 4.14 16 17. Knowing that he which raised up Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus shall present us with you For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory So as indeed we may say of these glorious joyes as the Queen of Sheba said of Solomons wisedome 1 Kings 10.7 the one halfe thereof was not shewed unto me 3. In the means of both Christ Jesus Thirdly the greatnesse of Gods love to his Church doth appear in the means of both the former which is the gift of Jesus Christ his only begotten sonne to become man and to dye for their sinnes and to rise again for their justification Rom. 4.25 He redeemeth his Church from the curse of the law by becoming himself a curse for them Gal. 3.13 He delivereth them from the wrath to come Thes 1.10 And hereupon by way of excellence is called the deliverer and redeemer Rom. 11.26 out of Is 59.20 where the same word is used which Job hath calling Christ his redeemer Job 19.25 It is he also that doth exalt and advance his Church to salvation and glory My sheep heare my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternall life John 10.27 28. For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.9 The Reason The reason hereof is not any thing in the Church existent or foreseen as a meritorious or moving cause for God loves her freely Hosea 14.4 Her loathsome state in corruption shewes it plainly when the first evidence thereof is given When I passed by thee and saw thee polluted in thy blood I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood live Thy time was as the time of love Ezekiel 16.6 8. Yet when the Church hath being as it is built upon Christ Iesus and is endued with the spirit and beautified with the graces thereof even for all these doth Gods love actually encrease towards his Church to the daily provocation of her love to him again with praise and thankes and more conscionable obedience for his glory as Deuir 10.12 c. This serves for instruction for admonition and comfort The first use for instruction For instruction two wayes First it shewes what a blessed thing it is to be a true member of Gods Church for all such have true part and portion in Gods speciall love as is before shewed Now this is the fountain of all blessings even of the blessing of blessings the gift of the sonne of God For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Sonneâ— that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John3 16 with whom come all other good things He that spared not his own sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8.32 We know that love is kinde or bountifull 1 Cor. 13.4 and hence we count Kings favourites happy as being near and dear to those that are so able to enrich and honour them in the world as Esther 6.6 c. How happy then are they that are favourites to the King of Kings the eternall omnipotent Lord of all See Psal 146.3 c. Put not your trust in Princes c. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the Lord his God c. Happy is the people that is in such a case yea happy is the people whose God is the Lord Psal 144.15 For who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high c. Psal 113.15 The 2. use for instruction Secondly it shewes one reason of the manifold and great troubles and afflictions of Gods Church and children here on earth when the wicked world is at ease and rest Zechar. 1.11 12. A case that troubled the Prophets of God as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well nigh slipt For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperitie of the wicked Psal 73.2,3 Righteous art thou O Lord when I pleade with thee yet let me talk with thee of thy judgements wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously Thou hast planted them yea they have taken root they grow yea they bring forth fruit thou art near in their mouth and farre from their reines Jerem. 12.1 2. And so may easily make weak Christians to stagger as Judges 6.13 If the Lord be with us why then is all this befaln us It is true that the sinnes of Gods Church and children lay
God set forth Christ Jesus to be a propitiary through faith in his blood giving the same name to Christ Jesus which the 72. give to the legall mercy seat to which also St. John alludeth plainly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. John 2.2 3. saying Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sinnes The second Reason Secondly God herein had respect to his own glory For this seeking of Gods face by frequenting the sanctuary was not only an obedience to his ordinance which was very pleasing unto him 1 Sam. 15.22 but a singular testimony of affiance in God through Christ which is the honour of the heart whereupon he accounts the neglect of this duty by his people when they go to false Gods a forsaking of him a thing whereat the very heavens should be astonished Jer. 2.12 13. nay more he accounts in their very deniall that they have any such God amongst them 2 Kings 1.6 Thirdly God herein had speciall regard to his peoples goods for this is the right way to the frâ—iâ—ion of his favours which is better then life Psal 63.3 this makes the Church to say cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved Psal 80.3.7.19 Thus they were onâ—iâ—led to three great blessings First to sâ—â—re direction in all important difficulties as 2 Sam. 21.1 Secondly to assured deliverances from all hurtfull evils as 2 Chron. 15.2.4 If you seek him he will be found of you and he that findeth him findeth life Prov. 8.33 Thus Ezra found of God a good way Ezra 8.21 23. This serves for instruction adnonition and comfort The use for instruction For instruction this charge and command of God unto his people to seek his face shewes plainly that the service of God is not a matter arbitrary to Gods people that is such a thing as they may at pleasure use or refuse without danger of Gods displeasure and of his heavy judgements thereupon Vnder the law the Iewes were straitly enjoyned to seek to the place which the Lord their God should chufe to put his name there and thither to come and bring their burnt offerings sacrifices vowes free will offerings c. and there eat and rejoyce before the Lord their God Deut. 12.5 6 7 12 17 18 26 27 28. and the Lords solemne feasts must every male observe and appear before the Lord with his gift or offering Deutr. 16.16 17. yea mark a severe threatning of judgement for the neglect of Gods worship profitically delivered in legall termes Zech. 14.17 It shall be that who will not go up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King the Lord of hoastes even upon them shall be no more rain And in plain â—ormes the Apostle saith to all Christians wee reseâ—ving a Kingdome which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we way serve God acceptably with reverence and godly sâ—an Heb. 12.28 The first Use for admonition For admonition First to informe our selves rightly in the will of God to toâ—ching his worship for as under the law so now we may not do what seems good in our own eyes 〈◊〉 12.8 but what the Lord appointeth â—lsâ— God may say to us as Christ did to the Jewes ye worship me in vain teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Mark 7.7 The true worshippers must worship the Father in spirit and truth Iohn 4.23 and that in and through the mediation of Christ Iohn 14.6 The second Use for admonition Secondly when we know how God will be sought in holy worship then we must be carefull that we be such as shall find him gracious and favourable unto us which estate requires two things of us First true repentance in regard of sinnes past for if we go on in a course of any known sinne we cannot have society with God see Psal 66.18 If I regard wickednesse in my heart God will not hear my Prayer Iohn 9.31 We know that God heareth not sinners The throne of wickednesse hath no fellowship with God Psal 94.20 2 Cor. 6.14 16. 1 John 1.6 therefore God denyeth favour to such Ezek. 20.3 4 Is 1.15 Secondly we must believe in God through Christ according to the word of the Gospell which is the word of the covenant of grace which being received by faith brings us truly into fellowship with God 1 John 1.3 4. See Heb. 11.6 The second Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to Gods people that make conscience of their waies in any distresse for God bids them seek his face wherein he calls them to him which is sufficient ground of comfort as the people said to the blind man whom Christ called Mark 10.49 Be of good comfort he calleth thee For so David assureth his son Solomon a little before his death 1 Chron. 28.9 If thou seek him he would be found of thee And the true God is the chiefest good so as happy are the people that be so yea blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God Psal 144.15 These people have plaid the good Merchants and found the pearle of price better then all the world beside Mat. 13.45 46. They may therefore on farre better grounds then Jacob did say I have enough my son Ioseph is yet alive Gen. 45.28 for Joseph dyed afterward but the true God whom the faithfull have for their God is the living God and in Iesus Christ their loving father who will provide for them not an earthly Goshen as Joseph did for his father and his brethren but an heavenly Canaan even the Kingdome of heaven as Christ said to his Disciples Fear not little flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdome Luke 12.32 and Luke 22.29 I appoint unto you a Kingdome as my Father hath appointed unto me Worldly troubles may hasten us sooner to this happy estate but they cannot deprive us of it Rom. 8.35 Therefore though the outward man perish yet look up towards this Kingdome and lift up thy heart to the living God thy loving father in Christ and the inner man shall be renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.14 15 16. The second Observation The second thing to be observed is Davids readinesse to yeeld sincere obedience to this condition of God to seek his face hereto Davids heart answered thy face O Lord will I seek Mark here then that Davids heart was sincerely set on Gods command to seek his face that is his grace and favour in the way he had ordained in his Sanctuary Psal 42.1 2. As the hart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soule after thee O Lord. My soule thirsteth for God even for the living God when shall I come and appeare before God Psal 119.20.58 with my whole heart have I sought thee I entreated thy favour with my whole heart The word translated favour is face in the originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the entreaty here meant is most earnest and importunate for the word
in the originall signifieth to make sick or sorrie The reasons hereof are many and great First before this time the Lord God had begun a good work in Davids heart by his holy spirit and revealed himself so far forth to David that Davids heart was inamoured with the Lord as he notably expresseth Psal 84.1 2. O how amiable are thy tabernacles My soule longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord My heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God as Psal 42 1 2. and Psal 143.6 7. I stretch forth my hands unto thee c. Heare mee speedily my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me And that this was the cause of Davids seeking Gods face and favour see by the like Cant 5.4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the doore and my bowels were moved for him The Churches beloved is Christ the Lord his hand is his power shewed by the work of his spirit with the word as Acts 11.19 20 21. when this comes the bowels earne as Peters did upon the view of Christs glory Matth. 17.2 4. The second Reason Secondly David knew that God had speciall regard unto the heart above all the parts of man as 1 Sam. 16.7 and therefore cals for the heart of every one that is his childe Prov. 23.26 and would have this part begin all the actions of his service See for hearing the word Deut. 32.46 Prov. 4.20 21. and for prayer Hos 7.14 which when it is wanting he rejecteth the service Mat. 15.8 9. The third Reason Thirdly the excellency of the blessing drew his heart unto it for Gods face is Gods favour and loving kindnesse wherein is life Psal 20.5 nay it is better then life Psal 63.1 2 3. Thereupon Psal 4.6 Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us and Psal 80.3 7 19. cause the face to shine and we shall be saved The fourth Reason Fourthly he knew the seeking of the heart was true and sincere seeking such as God required Ps 51.6 and such as he will speed for this and all other blessings Jer. 29.13 Ps 24.3 c. the way to joy Ps 106.3 4. to blessednesse Ps 119.2 This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First it lets us plainly see the right ground and foundation of acceptable obedience unto God in every duty which he requireth namely a good heart an heart set for Gods glory therein for the heart is the fountain of the actions good or evill as Christ teacheth Mat. 12.34 35. Out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evill man out of the evill treasure of his heart bringeth forth evill things which we are the rather to note because wicked men though they cannot justifie their actions yet they will plead for the goodnesse of their heart they have as good an heart to Godward as the best which if it were true Christ was deceived in the place aforenamed either make the tree good and his fruit good or the tree evill and his fruit evill as also Psal 78.8 36 37. the old Iewes were a stubborn and rebellious generation a generation that set not their heart aright they scattered him with their mouth and lyed unto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him The second Use for instruction Secondly see in David a double property of the godly First to make particular application to himself of generall commands given to all Gods people as Psal 4â— 7 So did Joseph Gen. 39.9 Secondly that the heart of the godly is set to seek the face of God to be made partaker of his grace and favour in Christ See Davids speech to Zadok when he brought out the ark 2 Sam. 15.25 26. But most plain it is in that of Paul Phil. 3.7 8 9. what things were gain to me those I counted losse for Christ c. The first Use for admonition For admonition two wayes First to get such an heart as doth minde the commandements of God and doth undertake for obedience thereto so did Davids This indeed none hath by nature for every imagination of the thoughts of mans heart is evill continually Gen. 6.5 meaning so long as the heart remaines naturall unsaâ—â—ctified Therefore they that would have a good heart like David must wait upon God in the use of means ordained by him for the bettering of mans heart That it is Gods work is plain Ezek. 36.25 26. I will take away your stony heart and give you an heart of flesh and therefore is regeneration called a new creation 2 Cor. 5.17 which is a work proper to God Yet God is pleased to do it in the use of means enjoyned to men which when we use in obedience to God we have title to his blessing Now the means to get a good heart is to be exercised much in the word and prayer for in these ordinances in the spirit given which renewes the soule as for the word is plain Acts 10.44 Gal. 3.2 and for prayer Luke 11.13 Now the obedienâ—â— manner of using the foresaid means is first to break of the course of sinne Prov. 1.23 for raigning sin and saving grace never dwell together 1 John 5.6 Secondly hunger and thirst after grace and mercy Is 55.1 and Is 44.3 Revel 21.6 Thirdly in the way of obedience unto that we know Acts 5.32 wait upon God in the foresaid means as the impotent people did at the poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.2 3 4. for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength Is 40.31 The second use for admonition Secondly learn of David to set the heart on work on every action wee performe to God yea let it begin the work This was Davids care as Psal 57.7 My heart is fixed or prepared O God my hedrt is fixed Consider the reasons before named The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to the upright hearted when they are not able to expresse in words what they conceive or to performe for Gods glory what they desire Let them here observe that there is sweet intercourse between the Lord and an upright heart he knowes the meaning of the sighes and groans thereof Rom. 8.26 The heart can speak to God effectually without the help of the tongue as Psal 25.1 Nehem. 2.4 and the heart can answer Gods command as in this place Verse 9. Hide not thy face farre from me put not thy servant away in anger thou hast been my help leave mee not neither forsake me God of my salvation The meaning of the words HEre David according to his holy profession in the former verse makes humble and earnest suit unto God that he may not be denyed nor deprived of the comfort of Gods favour and the light of his countenance This suit he puts up in
found to be true by good experience Psal 40.1 2. I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and established my goings according to the Lords promise Is 40.30 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength The first Reason The reason hereof is plain First to wait on the Lord and to encourage our selves in affliction are notable actions of faith as is shewed before Now the grace of faith doth surely intitle us to the participation of Gods power 2 Chro. 20.20 Believe in the Lord your God so shall yee be established The second Reason Secondly in waiting on the Lord and encouraging our selves in time of affliction are the right improving and employing of the talents which the Lord hath left with us for in so doing we set faith a work And this behaviour hath title to encrease for to every one that hath it shall be given Mat. 25.28 29. It is said of Paul that he encreased in strength Acts 9.22 and the way and means thereof is shewed by himself 1 Cor. 15.10 I laboured more abundantly then they all This serves for instruction and for admonition The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First see here plainly that Gods gracious gifts and works in our hearts are vouchsafed though not for yet in and upon our endeavour in obedience to his will in the use of those means wherein he is pleased to work the same as here encrease of strength from God is promised upon our obedience in waiting on the Lord and encouraging our hearts so to do So Is 55.3 Heare and your soule shall live for faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 and he that believeth in me saith our Saviour shall never dye John 11.26 A most needfull point worthy of all observation because the corruption of nature is such that we willingly yeeld to the contrary conceit which is to hope for good from God though we neglect the means wherein God is pleased to work the same and therein separate the means from the end as the Jewes looked to have eternall life in the word and yet would not search to find therein what it testified of Christ John 5.39 They would have life but they would not come to Christ to have it in him verse 40. As on the other side we easily perswade our selves we shall escape damnation though we make bold upon sinne the meritorious cause thereof to live therein The second Use for instruction Secondly here see the true fountain of alâ— that courage and boldnesse which in all ages Gods children have shewed for Gods glory and for the maintenance of his truth even to the amazement of their adversaries as in David against Goliah 1 Sam. 16.32 34. Psal 3.6 and 23.4 in the three servants of God before Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 3.16 17. in the Apostles before the rulers of the Jewes Acts 3.13 and in many thousand Martyrs before their persecutors whereof the Ecclesiasticall histories give plentifull testimony Surely they had it from the true God who did strengthen their hearts and this the godly have confessed as David often calling the Lord his strength as Psal 18.1 2. Psal 144.1 and Paul 2 Tim 4.17 This Lord stood with me and strengthened me The first Use for admonition For admonition it serves First to observe the wayes and means whereby God doth strengthen the hearts of his children that so we may therein wait upon God in the day of affliction for encrease of strength and courage in our soules Gods wayes for this end are of two sorts some extraordinary as the touch of Christs hand vouchsafed to Daniel How God doth strengthen the hearts of his Children Dan. 10.10 16 18. and the laying on of his right hand vouchsafed to Fohn Rev. 1.17 Others are ordinary and that of two sorts outward and inward Gods ordinary outward wayes of strengthening the heart are foure First and chiefly his word spoken either by God himself as Josh 1.6 7 9. or by his servants in the ministery thereof as Heb. 12.12 Lift up the hands that hang down Is 40.1 2. Comfort yee comfort yee my people speak yee to the heart of Jerusalem Hence David saith â—his is my comfort in mine affliction for thy word hath quickened me Psal 119.50 and Jerem. 15.16 Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart A good weapon in a mans hand puts courage in his heart against an enemy now Gods word is the sword of the spirit Eph. 6.17 yea the sword of Gods mouth Rev. 2.16 nay sharper then any two edged sword Heb. 4.12 Secondly the works of his providence wherein we have had experience of his goodnesse in former deliverances Thus Davids heart was strengthened to encounter with Goliah by the experience of Gods power and providence in killing the Lyon and the Beare 1 Sam. 17 34 35 36 37. yea the remembrance of Gods power and mercy unto others in like case puts life and courage into the hearts of God children in distresse Psal 22.4 5. Our Fathers trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered Here thou maist say as Elisha did at the waters of Jordan where is the God of Elijah 2 Kings 2.14 Thirdly the company of the godly puts courage into the distressed Acts 28.15 When Paul saw the bretheren in his dangerous voyage he thanked God and took courage Prov. 27.9 17. O intment and perfume rejoyce the heart so doth the sweetnesse of a mans friend by harty counsell Iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend Fourthly and lastly prayer to God as well by our selves as by others in our behalf Thus the Apostles sought courage and boldnesse when they were threatned by the rulers of the Jewes Acts 4.24 29. and Paul for this end intreated the Ephesians to pray for him Eph. 6.19 Gods inward way of strengthening the heart is by the work of his spirit for that is the comforter John 14.16 17. and the spirit of strength Is 11.2 of power and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.7 By the assurance of the abode of this spirit among them the Lord encourageth Zerobabell Jehoshuah and the people Hag. 2.4 5. Now these being some of Gods speciall wayes whereby he strengtheneth the hearts of his children we must stirre up our selves to wait for his work of mercy for the strengthening of our hearts when terrour and fears take hold upon us The second Use for instruction Secondly we must labour to be such both in state of soule and behaviour of life as to whom God will vouchsafe the blessing of strength of heart in evill times This requires besides the duties here named of waiting upon God and encouraging our hearts in evill times that before hand in the dayes of peace First we beware of sinne and break off the course thereof by true repentance for guilt of sinne brings a trembling heart and great astonishment as Deut. 28.65 66.
15.9 and reforming the ife Act. 19.19 Vse 5 For comfort this practise of the godly shewes plainly that the child of God is never left of God in misery without true ground of stay and comfort God may hide his face and we may be troubled Psal 30.7 and 69.2 3. but as Ps 43.5 wait for Heb. 13.5 he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee and consider 2 Cor. 4.8 9. Wee are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed verse 16. Though the outward man perish yet the inward is renewed daily while wee look not at things that are seen but at things which are not seen The second thing to be noted here 4. Observation is the high esteem and account which the godly Jewes did make of Gods blessings of grace to be received in his holy worship namely that they are to their soules as the rain of blessings that covereth that is as a plentifull raine which abundantly refresheth the dry and thirsty land This may be seen in Davids desire and acknowledgement answerable to the matter in hand Psal 63.1 2. My soule thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is To see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in thy Sanctuary What benefit should David reap by this ver 5. My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse for Christ in grace comes downe into mens hearts as rain upon the mowen grasse as showers that water the earth Psal 72.6 In his dayes shall the righteous flourish verse 7. So Hos 6.3 Reason 1 Now thus they expresse their esteem of Gods grace partly because the remembrance hereof did notably serve to cheer up their soules in their dry sandy and wearisome way as is said before Reason 2 And principally because they knew out of Gods word and by experience in themselves having tasted formerly of Gods good work of grace that Gods graces were to mans soule that which plentifull seasonable rain is to the dry ground which is evident by the state of the soule as well wanting grace as being endued therewith In the want of grace what is the soule but as dry barren ground without raine or water Jer. 17.5 6. Hee whose heart departeth from the Lord shall be like the heath in the desart and shall not be seen when good cometh but shall inhabit the parched places in the wildernesse in a salt land and shall not abide 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the soule stored with grace is like a field which the Lord hath blessed with plentifull rains viz. both fruitfull in it self and pleasing and profitable to the owner see Ps 72.6.16 When Christ comes downe like showers there shall be an handfull of corne upon the top of the Mountaines the fruit thereof shall shake like Libanon and they of the City shall flourish like grasse of the earth Ezek. 34.26 I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing I will cause the shower to come downe in his season there shall he the showers of blessing and the tree of the field shall yeeld her fruit and the earth shall yeeld her increase This serves for instruction for admonition and comfort Vse 1 For instruction two wayes First see in this resemblance the absolute necessity of grace to the welfare of the soule for so is the moisture of rain or water to the earth that it may be fruitfull and so pleasant and profitable unto man as we may see by the cursed vineyard Is 5.6 and by the Mountains of Gilboa whereon Saul and Jonathan fell 2 Sam. 1.21 which is a most materiall point for every mans heart to be resolved of Vse 2 Secondly this resemblance doth plainly and sweetly illustrate this materiall and weighty point in Christian Religion viz. that saving grace to the soule is a supernaturall gift of God neither is it in the power of man of himself to get saving grace see John 3.27 A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven as before verse 3. Except a man be born from above he cannot see the Kingdome of God with verse 7.8 Can the earth be fruitfull without moysture and can it of it self cause the clouds to drop downe raine upon it No such thing Vse 3 For admonition it serves notably to move every one to set his heart to think seriously on this resemblance as Deut. 32.46 with reference to verse 2. that so wee may labour to bring them to be affected to Gods saving graces as dry ground is toward rain and moisture which we see doth chop and gape after moysture and so in its kind cry to the clouds for showers This was in David Ps 143.6 with 63.1 But alas this thirst is rare to be found Worldly thirsts there are in many the drunkards thirst Deut. 29.19 the worldlings thirst Hab. 2.5 the Epicures thirst whose belly is his God Phil. 3.19 the ambitious mans thirst Diotrephes 3 John 9. and the malicious mans thirst the blood-thirsty Psal 5.6 Thirst after these things doth keep away this thirst after grace without which we shall never escape Dives thirst in hell Luke 16.24 If we have a godly thirst it will appear by diligence in frequenting the place and means of grace Prov. 8.34 bruit beasts for want of water will break thorow hedges and grace-thirsty soules will make their wayes thorow all incumberances to come where they may have satisfaction secondly we will delight herein as David did Psal 4.7 thirdly we will receive satisfaction and shew it Vse 4 For comfort it serves to encourage them that find themselves so affected to the blessings of grace as the Jewes did here viz. to esteem them as the rain of blessings they may assure themselves that they likewise shall find the like fruit and effect of them to be covered that is to be abundantly refreshed by them The third point to be noted here is implyed 5. Observation viz. the place and meanes wherein they assure themselves of these blessings namely in the holy worship of God which he ordained in his Tabernacle which made David to long and to thirst after them verse 2. see Is 2.3 Let us goe up to the Mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob Psal 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest c. The reason hereof is Gods sacred ordinance Reason who hath here assured the blessing and life for 1 Kings 9.3 his eyes and his heart are there perpetually and so as elsewhere it is not to be had Zech. 13.17 18. Now the gospell preached is to us Gods tabernacle Rev. 21.3 as Acts 15.16 This serveth for instruction and that two wayes Vse 1 First see one main cause of the want of grace in mens soules they do not love Gods house nor wait upon him in his ordinances but count them a
mountain First the Churches acknowledgement of Gods favour and mercy in the removall of former evills verse 1.2 3. Secondly her humble and earnest prayer for the perfecting of that mercy begun by the removall of some heavy judgements which were renewed upon them for their sinnes verse 4.5 6 7. Thirdly her godly behaviour in waiting for mercy in a gracious answer to her prayers with the sure grounds thereof verse 8. c. The title of the Psalm explained These are the generall parts of this Psalm which I will handle in order But first a word or two of the title prefixed which sheweth the dedication thereof To the chiefe Musician and pointeth out the persons that were specially to be employed in the singing thereof namely the sons of Korah The dedication is to the chief Musician or master of the Quier For 1 Chron. 16.4 David ordered a Quier to sing thanksgiving and penned Psalmes for that end which he delivered to the master of the Quier verse 7. Of their ordering See 1 Chron. 25.1 7. The parties by whom it is to be used are the sons of Korah These sonnes of Korah were the posterity of that rebellious Levite who with Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses and Aaron Numb 16. Which Korah was consumed with fire verse 35. with 17. Howbeit there were of his sonnes that dyed not Numb 26.11 departing as it seemeth from their fathers tent as all were commanded Numb 16.24 26. And of these is numbred a family of the Korathites Numb 26.58 of whom came Samuel the Prophet and Heman his nephew 1 Chron. 6.33 a great singer 1 Chron. 25.4 5. The first Observation In this title observe two things First that God required joy and gladnesse in his service which David prepared 1 Chron. 23.5 and 25.1 and bids all his people to rejoyce in their feasts Deut. 16.11.14 which feasts did represent the life of Christians And in Evangelicall worship he requires making melody to the Lord in their hearts Ephes 5.19 The Reason The reason is great For in Gods service we have society with God which is a just cause of exceeding joy Herein God vouchsafeth evidence of speciall favour and if we should take no delight therein it argues fearfull contempt which God cannot endure without revenge as Deut. 28.47.48 whereto adde Amos 8.5 11. The Use This should make us to stirre up in our hearts and to expresse in our behaviour this spirituall joy in Gods service To this end we have need of the spirit to sanctifie us which will make us to rejoyce in Gods word as one that finds a great spoyle Psal 119.162 and conceiving it to bee the food of our soules labour to hunger and thirst after it and then with Job shall we esteem it above our appointed food Job 23.12 And when we know God to be our God and the fountain of blessings to us we shall come before him with gladnesse in prayer Psal 100.2 and our mouth shall praise him with joyfull lips Psal 63.5 The second Observation Secondly here note that the sonnes that is the posterity of wicked and rebellious Korah have an honourable place in Gods sacred and solemne service for to them sundry of Davids Psalmes are commended as Psal 42.44 45 46. c. which is no small honour The Reason No doubt David saw them being by place and birth Levites to be faithfull and diligent in their place and thus renownes them to all posterity that he composeth speciall Psalmes for their ministry in the solemn service of God The use for instruction Here see the verifying of Gods word for the comfort of all godly children that the sonne shall not bear the iniquity of the father Ezek. 18.14 17 20. if he see his fathers sinnes and turn from them Obj. Exod. 20.5 Visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children Answ That is inquiring for the sinne of the fathers among the children and if he find it there then payes hee them home Obj. Achans sonnes and daughters are stoned and burnt for the fathers sacriledge Josh 7.24 25. And Dathans and Abirams little children are swallowed up Numb 16.27 Answ For ought we know they might be of years of discretion and privy to their fathers stealth When little ones dye in the punishment of their fathers sinne God layes not the punishment of the fathers sinne upon the children but to make the fathers sinne more odious doth then bring upon the children the fruit of their own originall corruption which is death determined upon all flesh as Gen. 2.17 with Rom. 5 12. As a creditor that hath both the father and the sonne debtors unto him The Use for comfort may upon the fathers provocation lay the forfeiture upon both being both in his danger Secondly here is speciall encouragement to the children of wicked parents to become godly and faithfull in their places In some sense they are the sonnes of strangers for the wicked are estranged from the womb Psal 58.3 Yet if they leave their fathers sinnes and become faithfull to the Lord here is comfort for them in the honour of Korah's posterity See If. 56.3 Let not the sonne of the stranger that joyneth himself to the Lord say the Lord hath utterly separated me from his people for verse 6 7. the sonnes of strangers that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord shall be brought unto his holy mountain and made joyfull in his house of prayer for them that honour me I will honour saith the Lord. 1 Sam. 2.30 Thus much of the title the Psalm it self followeth Verse 1. Lord thou hast been favourable to thy land thou hast brought again the captivitie of Jacob. The meaning of the words IN this and the two next verses are contained the Churches acknowledgement of Gods great favour and mercy here propounded not only to testifie their thankfulnesse for the blessings they enjoyed but also to be a ground of encouragement unto their new requests in the 4 5 6 and 7. verses And so conceived we may therein observe one thing in generall viz The first Observation That Gods Church doth think upon and acknowledge the blessings they lye still in other things under some heavy judgements Compare the three first verses with the 4 and 5 which will well agree either to the times of Ezra and Nehemiah when notwithstanding their return from Babilon the people were in great distresse at Jerusalem as Nehem. 1.3 or to the more heavy times when Antiochus Epiphanes did tyrannize over them as the book of Maccabees shewes more at large 1 Marcab 1.25 36. c. Like unto this is Psal 44.1 c. We have heard with our eares O God our fathers have told us what works thou didst in their dayes in the times of old c. Thou hast saved us from our enemies and put them to shame that hated us verse 7. But thou hast cast off and put
books Those rubs being now removed and his Expositions of foure select Psalmes readie to be offered to the publike view I am bold to present this unto you and under your name to commend it to the use of all those children of the Church who enjoying the comforts are willing to maintain the credit of those great priviledges that are granted to it and would be as loth to forfeit as they are to forgoe their Charter Amongst whom your Ladiships sincere affection and zeale to religion entitles you to so high an esteem that they unto whom you are best knowne will soonest conceive that it is not resolution onely but reason also which moveth me to bind your name as a frontlet on the forehead of this book and to underwrite my selfe Your Ladiships most humble servant CHRISTOPHER HARVEY AN EXPOSITION Of the 87 Psalme Psalme 87. A Psalme or song for the sons of Korah Verse 1. His foundation is in the holy Mountaines c. IN this Psalme the holy Ghost doth plainly set out sundry Priviledges and prerogatives of Gods Church The scope and generall division of the whole Psalm wherein she hath surpassing advancement above all other places states and conditions of the people in the world beside Whether it were penned after the return of the people from the captivity of Babilon for their encouragement being but very few and for their comfort being under great contempt from enemies round about them as some godly and learned interpreters do think is not set down and so not certain Yet sure it is this Psalme was penned for the comfort and encouragement of the godly in such times as the Church is in danger misery and calamity by the consideration of her founder which is the Lord Jehovah verse 1. of his speciall affection towards her werse 2. of the glorious things which are spoken of her verse3 as great encrease and enlargement by the calling and conversion of forrain nations verse 4. great honour by the regeneration or effectuall calling of many in her and great safety by the Lords own establishment of her verse 5. and great renown by inrowling her true members in his book verse 6. Lastly joy and comfort unspeakable by the cheerfull service of God and the well-springs or fountains of saving graces in her The Title of the Psalm explained verse 7. Before this Psalme is this title A Psalme or song for the sonnes of Korah Which Title shewes two things the use of it in Gods service and the parties by whom it should be used For the use it is a Psalme or Song or a Psalme and Song that is an holy hymne which was both to be played on their musicall instruments and to be sung with voice together And here the musicall instruments were to lead the voyce as Psalme 67.1 and 68.1 Sometime the voyce was to lead the instruments as Psalme 48.1 A Song or Psalme Hereon we need not long insist because this kind of singing was peculiar to the Tabernacle and Temple and so ended in Christ as Heb. 7.11 with 19. as Colos 2.17 Yet thus much it sheweth 1. Observation That God required joy and gladnesse in his service therefore would he have instruments of joy used in his service which David prepared 1 Chron 23.5 and 1 Chron. 25.1 And he bids all his people to rejoyce in their feasts Deut. 16.11.14 which feasts did represent the lives of Christians And in Evangelicall worship he requires making melody to the Gord in their hearts Ephes 5.19 The reason is great for in Gods service we have society with God The Reason which is a just cause of exceeding joy Herein God vouchsafeth us evidence of his speciall favour and if we shall take no delight therein it argues fearfell contempt which God cannot endurt without revenge as Deut. 27.47 48. Because thou servâ—â—st not the Lord thy God with joyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the abundance of all things Therefore thou shalt serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakednesse and in want of all things and he shall put a yoak of iron upon thy neck untill he have destroyed thee Whereto adde Amos 8.5.11 The Vse This should move us to stirre up in our hearts and to expresse in our behaviours this spirituall joy in Gods service To this end we have need of the spirit to sanctifie us which will make us to rejoyce in Gods Word as one that findeth a great spoyle Psal 119.162 And conceiving it to be the food of our soules let us labour to hunger and thirst after it and then with Job shall we esteem it above our appointed food Job 23.12 And when we know God to be our God and the fountain of blessing to us we shall come before him with gladnesse in prayer Psal 100.2 and our mouth shall praise him with joyfull lips Psalme 63.5 The second thing to be noted in the dedication is the parties by whom it is to be used The sonnes of Korah These sonnes of Korah were the posterity of that rebellious Levite who with Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses and Aaron Numb 16. which Korah was consumed with fire verse 35. compared with 17. Howbeit there were of his sonnes that dyed not Numb 26.11 departing as it seemeth from their fathers Tent as all were commanded Numb 16.24.29 And of these is numbred a family of the Korathites Numb 26.58 of whom came Samuel the Prophet and Heman his Nephew 1 Chron. 6.33 a great singer 1 Chron. 25.4 5. Here then we may observe 2. Observation that the sonnes that is the posterity of wicked and rebellious Korah have an honourable place in Gods sacred and solemne service for to them sundry of Davids Psalmes are commended as Psal 42.44 45 46. c. which is no small honour The Reason No doubt David saw them being by place and birth Levites to be faithfull and diligent in their place and thus renownes them to all posterity that he composeth speciall Psalmes for their ministry in the solemn service of God Vse 1 Here see the verifying of Gods word for the comfort of all godly children that the sonne shall not bear the iniquity of the father Ezek. 18.14 17 20. if he see his fathers sinnes and turn from them But 1. Objection the Lord is a jealous God visiting the iniquities of the Fathers upon the children Exod. 20.5 That is Answer enquiring for the sinne of the Fathers among the children and if he find it there then payes he them home Achans sonnes and daughters are stoned and burnt for their fathers sacriledge 2. Objection Josh 7.24 25. and Dathans and Abirams little children are swallowed up Numbers 16.27 For ought we know they might be of years of discretion Answer and privie to their fathers stealth When little ones dye in the punishment of their fathers sin God layes not the punishment of the fathers sinne upon
the foundation of these evils for affliction followes sinners as Jer. 9.12 c. Who is the wise man that may understand this and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken that he may declare it for what the land perisheth and is burnt up like a wildernesse that none passeth through And the Lord said Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them and have not obeyed my voyce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peccatum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 danum neither walked therein c. Sinne brings in death it selfe and all evils that forerunne or accompany the same By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Yet Gods dear and fatherly love to his Church comes in as a moving cause of the Churches afflictions that thereby he may bring them to repentance and to escape condemnation see Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chaster whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every sonne whom he receiveth Heb. 12.16 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that wee should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.30,32 Herein it is with our heavenly Father as Solomon saith of earthly parents Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes Hence David pronounceth them blessed whom the Lord correcteth Psal 94.12 and acknowledgeth it was good for him and that God did it of very faithfulnesse Psal 119.67.71 75. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word c. This we are to note to prevent rash judgement against our selves and others under the crosse whereto how apt we are against our selves see Is 49.14 Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten mee against others If. 53.3.12 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrowes and acquainted with griefe and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and wee esteemed him not Hee was numbred with the transgressours The first use for admonition For admonition two wayes First to give all diligence to become true members of the Church that so wee may have part in Gods speciall love wherein stands true happinesse And hereto two things are required first that we know the true Church and secondly that we be not only in it but of it For the first where the true Church of God is what people professing religion be Gods true Church is a great question of large extent and much disputed between Protestants and Papists For our direction and resolution briefly let us learn this That the true Church is Christs mysticall body Eph. 1.22 23. Gave him that is Christ to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body That spirituall building which consist of spirituall living stones built upon the foundation Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 6 7. Mat. 16.18 1 Cor. 3.9 That is such professours of the the faith of the Gospell as by the work of the spirit are indued with true faith and adorn their profession with new obedience Now then those that professe Religion and have communion and fellowship with Christ through the work of the spirit in grace undoubtedly are true members of Christs Church But those that be evidenced to want fellowship with Christ through faith are no Church of God nor true members thereof Now they of the Church of Rome are cut off from this fellowship by their ido atry Col. 2.18 19. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puft up by his fleshly mind and not holding the head c. By their opinion of justification by works Christ is become of none effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the Law ye are fallen from grace Gal. 5.4 By making the Pope the head of the Church for he is Antichrist and those that so hold are Antichristian the true Church hath not two heads The way to become true members of Christs Church for sure title to Gods speciall love is humbly and reverently to receive the word of the covenant and conscionably to yeeld obedience thereunto as Deut. 33.3 Mark 16.26 The right receiving is by faith 1 Pet. 2.7 And the truth thereof must be testified by obedience For true faith worketh by love Gal. 5 6. And this is the love of God that wet keep his Commandements 1 Iohn 5.3 The second use for admonition Secondly the wicked of the world must hereby be admonished to beware of wronging Gods children for God that loves them above others will require and requite it Psal 10.14 as Psalm 105.14 15. He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine annointed and do my Prophets no harme He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Zech. 2.8 Therefore it will be good to regard and follow the counsell of Gamaliel Acts 5.38 Refrain from these men and let them alone lest we be found fighters against God and it be said to us as it was unto Paul Acts 9.4 5. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me c. For consolation it makes greatly to every true member of Gods Church in any distresse for certainly they have a speciall part and portion in Gods love from which no afflictions can separate them see Rom. 8.35,37,38,39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword Nay in all these things we are more then conquerours through him that loved us c. Having loved his owne which were in the world hee loved them unto the end John 13.1 Therefore even in affliction they may say Rejoyce not against me O mine enemie when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darknesse the Lord shall be a light unto me Micah 7.8 Verse3 Glorious things are spoken of thee thou City of God The meaning of the words A Third thing setting out the happinesse of the Church that though her present outward state be not alwayes comfortable and glorious yet even then her future hopes upon divine prophecies and promises are great and excellent In the words note two things First the description of the place Secondly the declaration of her happinesse in the ground of her hopes For the first the place here spoken of is Jerusalem thus described thou City of God so called because of Gods sanctuary here seated on Mount Sion which place God chose and desired for his habitation saying This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 132.13 14. Whereupon in the new Testament it is called the City of the great King Mat. 5.35 Now the earthly Jerusalem