bodily disease looked daily when his panting should have an end and would often say Quousque DomineÌ„ How long O Lord And some space before his death which was just in the same moment when the sunne did set his prayers were nothing else but an expression of his souls panting after the Lord. The death of Coma was thought to be very rare Intra pectâ—s incâ—usa aâ— mafiâ—â—m sâ— repeâ—â— c. Val. Maâ— lib 9. cap. 13. who dyed by his violent retaining holding in of his breath But now there is nothing more frequent than this kinde of death though not of the body yet of the soule in those men which doe never pant after the Lord. Wee thinke it bee the signe of a dying man when his breath growes cold And our coldnesse in seeking after the Lord doth discover that the soule doth languish and is voyd of the life of grace For if our soules were inflamed with zeale the Kingdome of heaven should suffer violence Mat. 11.12 and bee taken by force VERSE II. My soule thirsteth for God for the living God When shall I come and appeare before God IN that expression which David used of panting after the Lord wee may well observe that it was not a weake and faint desire but most strong and forcible Now that wee not thinke it to bee too violent to endure and to passe away as a sodain flame in his outward speech rather than to burn constantly in the holy disposition of his heart it pleaseth God to perfect his owne good work and to give him this heavenly thirst And nothing is more frequent than for these two Aeris alternos angustat pulmo meatus Rescâ—soque nocent suspiria dura palato Lâ—â—an Oraque retro sorbet anhela sitis Statius Panting and Thirst to accompany each other If we take them as perturbations of the body that may be said of them which is spoken of worldly sorrow that they drye the bones and cause death But as in this place being rich endowments of the soule they bring life and peace and joy By those the outward man doth perish by these the inward man is renewed daily There is a thirst which beginneth when we hang upon our Mothers breasts and continues in the strength and vigour of our lives and doth not leave us in the time of old age but even to the very end we hold a just proportion with this last age of the dying world Nec sitis est extincta prius quam vita bibendo Ovid in desiring wine and strong drinke that thereby our vitall heat and radicall moisture may be preserved So that through abuse this vice of intemperate drinking seemeth to have a speciall right in these dayes wherein wee live The uncleane drunkard thinketh there is no other thirst but onely that with which hee is possessed nor any better meanes whereby to obtaine health unto himselfe or to confer it upon others than by profound drinking whereunto he addresseth himselfe as if hee were to encounter with his greatest enemy Persae potum tanquam adversarium aggredâ—entes Aelian and doth more than fill himselfe with strong drinke inflaming wines and hot waters and though improperly drinking more than these only to kindle a desire of drinking more Vt Anglorum corpora in Barbarorum naturam degenerasse videntur Camden in Elizab. I affect antiquity herein and will not name that which I finde was never anciently named Hereby doth hee deprive himselfe of his reasonable soule and becomes voyd of sense and worse than the bruite beasts having no life left but onely that of the plants not being able to move and helpe himselfe And which I cannot mention without horrour how many are pierced with the dart of death as with the javelin of Phinehas in the act of wickednesse Iudg. 4.21 whose end is like unto that of Sisera after he had drunke at the same time to bee smitten in the head and deprived of life And whereas the death of a good man is called a sleepe the death of the drunkard is contrary whose senses being bound in the time of his life that hee could not use them by death hee is awakened Then doth hee see his estate to be miserable by the paines of losse and sense where againe hee thirsteth and cannot obtaine one drop of water to coole his tongue But why doe I speake to him who is not capable to heare whose case is most fearfull For whereas other sinners may bee convinced by reason he by the wilfull losse of understanding hath made himselfe a foole and is in danger of hell fire The contentious man thirsteth after the waters of Meribah and the cruell man for they must bee joyned thirsteth after bloud M. Anten vino gravis sitiebat tamen sanguinem Senec. Cyri caput in Val. Max. wherein is the life Nothing can satisfie him but the fall of his enemy But the bloudy minded man shall not live out halfe his dayes for though the divine vengeance should not overtake him as for the most part it doth with rancor and malice hee consumes himselfe and drinkes his owne bloud whose estate is worse than a Serpents for hee beareth about him such a poyson as doth destroy his owne life The covetous man is thirsty as the horse-leach Pro. 30 15. crying Give Give The adulterer refusing to drinke waters out of his owne cisterne desireth to drink stolne waters 9.17 which hee thinketh to bee sweet And the adulteresse thirsteth for that bitter water which causeth the thigh to rot a common judgement of these times Num 12.18.21 The swearer is so thirsty that he cannot speake without an oath in his mouth whose cursing shall come like water into his bowels Psal 109.18 and like oyle into his bones In a word every sinner thirsteth for the water of Marah which will be as gall in the belly and bitternesse in the later end Of all which I may speake as Samuel of the sons of Iesse The Lord hath not chosen these to obtaine a crowne of life But this holy thirst of the soule for God for the living God And whom should the soule thirst after but God alone For with thee is the Fountaine of life Psal 36.8.9 thou dost make me drinke of the river of thy pleasures 23.5 My cup runneth over 63.5 My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse 65.9 Our gracious God doth visit the earth 104.11 and watereth the ridges thereof abundantly and giveth drinke to every beast of the field Doth God take care for oxen 1. Cor. 9 9. then much more for man 1. Tim. 5.23 to whom hee giveth liberty to use a little wine which makes glad the heart But most of all for the soule of man and therefore he calleth Ho Isai 55.1 every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters and Iohn 4.14 whosoever drinketh of this water that
thirst for the living God and shall thy soule thirst for many gods for dead gods for idols that are no Gods but the works of mens hands Shall he thirst for God who doth satisfie us with all good things and wilt thou desire that thirst whereby thou canst never be satisfied Abstemious men without question For when God hath commanded to keepe a feast they will keepe a fast When God hath given unto all the cup of blessing yet they will refuse it as counting themselves unworthy of so great salvation What can they merit by this their abstinence even to drink of that cup in the hand of the Lord Psal 75.8 which he powreth out for them If they shall plead that the use of the cup is freely given to some of them yet then there must bee a miracle in the change which among the Heathens themselves was thought to bee prodigious Insusum paterae Xerxis vinum in sanguinem conversum est Val. Max. But were not that woman drunken with bloud Revel 17 6. shee could not think that to be bloud which shee drinks 2. King 3. â—3 But now both shee and her followers by thinking that to bee bloud which is not as the Moabites did they run upon their own destruction Now if any shall object that David might well thirst after God who had dealt so bountifully with him who looked upon his poore estate and exalted him when hee was of low degree unto the highest dignity who gave him victory over all his enemies and made a way for him to escape out of the greatest dangers So that it had beene unthankefulnesse in him to have done otherwise As for themselves they desire first to compose their outward affairs settle their estates that they may not appeare to be worse than Infidels and then afterward to devote the remainder of their lives to the service of God Whereunto let mee answer That thy petition is the same with Balaams Let me dye the death of the righteous Thou art therefore unexcusable O man who in thy Testament dost in the first place commit thy soule to God and then dispose of thy estate But in the former part of thy life by a confusion without any good order thy chiefe care hath beene about thy worldly possessions and now in thine end it is not the love of God but the love of thy selfe that constraineth thee to take care of thy soule Whereas such as have alwayes used a cloke of covetousnesse a garment well knowne to Iudas but never worne by S. Paul how can they ever expect to put on the Lord Iesus 1. Thes 2.5 or to be clad with the rich robes of his righteousnesse No that thine unsatiable greedinesse will in the end bee as deadly uncomfortable unto thee as the Babylonish garment was unto Achan Iosh 7 11. And such as addict themselves to voluptuousnesse rejoycing in their youth Eccles 11 9. walking in the wayes of their owne heart and in the sight of their eies but intending to rejoyce in the Lord that their soules shall thirst for the living God in the time of age and trouble when they can find no rellish in vaine delights At last when God doth bring them to judgement can they expect to heare that comfortable saying Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into thy Masters joy No Luke 16.25 they may feare to bee told that in their life time they received their good things but now there remaines no comfort for them Also such as are ambitious to make themselves a name laying a sure ground-worke as they thinke of honours and titles here upon earth intending with those foolish builders which had begun that they could not finish that the top of their tower should reach up to heaven hoping at last to obtaine a crowne of glory But that their Babel will prove their confusion Gen. 11. for they invert the order of Christ who hath commanded us in the first place to seeke the Kingdome of heaven And as in the creation Gen. 1.1 heaven is named before earth so our best endeavours should be to obtaine that estate of happines not casting our anchor of hope upon earth Heb. 6.19 but into heaven as David here did whose soule thirsted for the living God who did not then begin to serve God when he had received many outward blessings from him Such an objection came from Satan Iob 1. Doth Iob feare God for nought For who ever feared God for nought wee being lesse than the least of all his mercies De antiquâ—s illustrissimus quisque pastor erat Varrâ— But in his first estate in that most ancient kinde of life made famous by so many worthyes as Abel Iacob Moses and the like hee put his whole confidence in the Lord who delivered him out of the paw of the Lion 1 Sam. 17.37 and out of the the paw of the Beare which he remembred with thankesgiving 16.16 And having that leasure which shepheards have Pastor otiosâ—s Otium voluptatis ac lasciviae pater In Scal. he did not abuse it to wantonnesse and folly as they were wont for the most part to doe but being a cunning player on the Harp and a divine Poet Videtur autem modulatâ—o in pastroâ—â—b inventa prâ—mum Id. that art of poetry having its beginning from shepheards as the song of Moses doth testifie who formerly had led the flocke of Iethro Exod. 3.1 who at that time led the people like a flocke Hee composed most heavenly and melodious pastorals in praise of his Creator After that being lifted up by the right of the Almighty who loveth a cheerefull giver and not by his owne pride whereof hee was unjustly taxed by Eliab who foresaw that the elder must serve the younger he kept in tune still and did more excell the best of his nobles in gratitude and zeale than in regall dignity And here in his distresse a time of sufficient triall you see with what patience hee endured the cursing of Shimei and what confidence hee placed in God Hee doth not aske the life of his enemies you know the charge hee gave to the contrary and how hee was blamed for too much love of them 2. Sam. 1â— 6 Hee doth not aske long life that hee might bee restored unto his Kingdome and many yeares added unto his reigne But having a wise and understanding heart hee seeketh for God himselfe his soule thirsted for the living God hee knew if his prayer were acceptable God would give him more than hee asked as hee did afterward to Salomon 1. King 3. â—3 And if God gave himself he would give all things also Wherefore let us bee followers of him as hee was of God Phillip 3.8 And with S. Paul suffer the losse of all that wee may winne Christ It will be our best advantage and greatest gaine by any outward losse or imminent danger to be
everlasting weight of glory wherefore acknowledge this to bee thine infirmity rebuke and smite thy selfe saying Why art thou cast downe O my soule and why art thou disquieted in mee It must not bee denied that the soule is sometime disquieted when wee are not able to give any reason of it But then it behoveth us to make strict inquisition into our selves and to see if there bee any root of evill Iosh 7. like Achans wedge which is the cause of our trouble If there bee any Ionas lurking in the bottome which may be sufficient not only to cast downe the soule but also to cast away the soule by a tempest of Gods wrath When we find our selves to bee innocent from great offences and acquitted from regarding iniquity wee must with patience wait upon the Lord How unsearchable are his iudgements Rom. 11. verse 33.34 and his wayes past finding out For who hath knowne the minde of the Lord Iob. 11. Loe hee goeth by me and I see him not Hee passeth on also but I perceive him not Behold hee taketh away Deut. 32.39 who can hinder him Hee woundeth and hee healeth hee bringeth low and hee lifteth up Shall wee receive good at the hand of the Lord Iob 2.10 and shall wee not receive evill Have wee learned to abound and be full of spirituall comfort Phil. 4.11 and have we not learned to suffer need and be abased in the sense of our wants and confession of our unworthinesse who are lesse than the least of all his mercies God will have us to see that wee are not able to merit any of his blessings which are wholly in his own disposing It is not in man that walketh Ier. 10 23. to direct his steps There may bee many devices in his heart neverthelesse the counsell of the Lord that shall stand Pro. 19.21 Also wee must know that wee are now in our passage through the vast wildernesse of this troublesome world unto the heavenly Canaan And we were of all men most miserable if our greatest comforts were not reserved for a better life God doth first cast us downe and then raise us up to a glorious estate Though wee walke in the midst of trouble hee will revive us Light is sowne for the righteous Psal 138.7 97.11 and gladnesse for the upright in heart That which thou sowest is not quickned except it dye first 1. Cor. 15. verse 36. So although wee seeme to be without the life of ioy yet we hope to reape everlasting consolation As sorrowfull wee alwayes reioyce 2. Cor. 6.10 There is an outward apparence of griefe There is an inward substance of true ioy But I may well desist from speaking of this sadnesse whereof wee can give no reason when there are so many causes of heavinesse whether we looke upon the sinnes of other men with charitable compassion or upon our own offences with sorrowfull compunction Psal 119.136 How did David lament for the transgressions of the people And may not we take up the complaint of the Prophet Isai 1.6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundnesse in it How great is the number of them that have sold themselves to worke wickednesse and never thinke of their redemption by Him who paid the ransome for us Quibus contra naturam corpus voluptati anima oneri fuit Salust whose bodies serve them for pleasure and their soules are as a burthen such a burthen as will bee greater than they can beare ready to sinke them to the pit of destruction Yet who doth repent of his wickednesse saying What have I done Every one turned to his course Ier. 8.6 as the horse rusheth into the battell Which of them doth search their heart by the light of the Word as with a candle and say as justly they may inverting these words of David Why art thou not cast down O my soule and why art thou not disquieted within mee Wherefore leaving them unto this examination let us reflect upon our selves and as the Circle Circulus fortitudinâ— atque capacitate caeteris figuris praecedit Clavius which doth returne upon it selfe is the strongest and most capacious figure and may bee resembled by the shape of a mans body Vmbilicum esse centrum c. Iul. Scal. So if wee doe returne unto our selves and search our owne hearts wee shall become more strong and capable of grace The opinion of Aristotle is to bee preferred before that of Plato The one held Visio fit recipiendo Arist Emittendo spiritum animalem Plato Keckerm that our sight was by receiving the image of the object into the eye The other by sending out those opticke rayes unto the object It will be our wisedome to keepe within our owne bounds and to looke into our selves rather than to exceed in curiosity to discover the blemishes of other men Like her whom they feigned to have used her sight onely when shee went abroad Lamia in vimineum cophinum oculos exemptiles inâ—iciâ—bat Erasmus but not when shee returned to her owne house Wee ought rather to look into our selves with David who seemeth here to strike his hand upon his breast saying Why art thou full of heavinesse O my soule God onely knoweth the hearts of all the children of men but by this private search 2. Chron. 6.38 1. King 8.38 every man may know the sore and the griefe and the plague of his owne heart and may find that his foule is cast downe when it is surcharged with thorny cares which choke the good seed O curvae in terris animae coelestâ—um inanes Persius and maketh him to become unfruitfull Can that souldier fight the good fight of faith who intangleth himselfe with the things of this life Habak 2.6 Woe to him that ladeth himselfe with thicke clay Such a man may in vaine beate the ayre but hee cannot runne with patience unto the race that is set before him Heb 12.1 unlesse hee doth cast aside every weight that may hinder him therein At the time of death wee see how dangerous and offensive it is by clamour to interrupt the soule in its departure from the body O that wee could as heedfully practise this during our whole life 1. Cor. 15.31 Every good man with Saint Paul doth dye daily being at all times ready to yeeld up his spirit How prudent should wee bee to avoyd all meanes of disturbance that our soule may not bee vexed and disquieted within us as it is oftentimes through distrust and infidelity when there is an inward combat betweene the flesh and the spirit the one lusting against the other Gal. 5.17 and being contrary the one to the other Gen. 25.22 like Iacob and Esau strugling in the wombe Whereas if Christ did dwell in our hearts by faith Ephes 3.17 wee should overcome the world and bee delivered from this vexation
mercy give him all good blessings needfull for him after hee had waded through these troubles which hee now endured In the meane while being deprived of his former liberty of worshipping the Lord in the assembly of the Saints hee doth stirre up the gifts and graces that were in him by remembring the goodnesse of God and the blessings which he had received In so doing he becomes a good example unto all them that are robbed of that blessed meanes of comfort which they formerly enjoyed and unto all inhabitants of villages which in the old law were counted as the fields of the countrey Levit. 25.31 And as too frequently wanting a faithfull watch-man are more exposed to the treacherous assaults of the enemy than Cities environed with Gods favour and enriched with the pledges of his love that they would provide against the worst famine and keepe those things which have beene committed unto them 2. Tim. 1 14. 1. Tim. 6.19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life As Paul gave direction for the collection of the Saints that every one upon the first day of the weeke should lay by him in store as God hath prospered him So wee for the furtherance of the worke of our sanctification in our first dayes which wee ought to remember to keepe holy in remembrance of our Creator while wee reside in places that are enlightened with Gods favour should lay up against the time of want Dan 6.10 that as Daniel prayed and gave thankes unto God his windowes being open in his chamber towards Ierusalem So wee looking unto the former part of our lives may bee excited to prayer and thankesgiving He is a wise sonne that gathereth in summer Pro 10.5.14 6.8 laying up knowledge and keeping instruction Salomon might justly produce the Ant gathering her food in harvest thereby to convince the slothfulnesse of most men when the least and meanest of the creatures shall exceed man in prudence And surely most men if they should rightly consider of the former part of their lives they could not with David here remember God in so doing for God is not in all their thoughts Psal 10.4 nor his feare before their eyes Their dayes have beene few but the evils therein committed very many Where the youth is vaine the age is like to bee unprofitable when nothing shall be left but the lees and dregs of our life Eorum animi mâ—â—es aetate fluxi dolis haud difficulter capiâ—bantur Salust As Catiline desired the acquaintance of young men who being plyable were soone taken with his fraudulent baits So Satan laboureth to bring such unto destruction and when the strong man doth get possession in time of strength he is not readily cast out Difficulter reciduntuâ— vitia quae nobiscum crevciuâ—t Senec It is an hard thing to pare off those vices which have grown up together with our selves Wherefore let us so order and dispose of this instant time in doing good that the use which wee make thereof may bee beneficiall unto us for the present and coÌ„fortable in remembrance hereafter Whereas David remembreth God from these places here named we may collect That if we be well affected there is no place wherein we may not be put in mind of the bounty and goodnesse of God Whose eyes runne to and fro 2. Chro. 16.9 throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him And as Ioseph in a place of pleasure provided against death which at first sprung up in a garden So those places which in themselves are most delightfull may by our good improovement become most profitable whereof I may have occasion to treat hereafter if it shall please God to give life and ability In Christs Kingdome every valley shall be exalted Isai 40 4. and every mountaine shall be brought low 1. King 20.28 The Lord is God of the hills as of Hermon and Missar as also of the plaine as this land of Iordane From the valley which adjoyneth to the river Gen. 48.16 where fishes grow into a multitude and is thereby made the more fruitfull we may learne to be humble God will give grace unto us And by the hills we may be put in mind 22.8 of Abraham his offering up his sonne upon a mountaine of Christ his transfiguration upon an high mountaine Mat. 17. of his frequent praying upon Mount Olivet Luk. 22.39 and at last his ascension upon the same Mount Act. 1.12 Which may instruct us to offer up the sacrifice of our prayers unto God that he would make us inwardly glorious and in the end receive us into his heavenly kingdome If we lift up cleane hands a pure heart we shall ascend into his holy hill The Psalmist doth fiâ—st speake of the land of Iordan and then of Hermon and Missar shewing the low estate whereinto he was now brought when the waters were ready to overwhelme him and the streame to goe over his soule But then having confidence in remembring Gods mercy he will feare no evill though he walke through the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23. Thy judgments are as a great deepe 〈◊〉 36.6 thy righteousnesse like the great mountaines God who by his strength setteth fast the mountaines 65.6 which bring peace to the people will establish and support his children and give them a good issue out of all their trialls As a man that thinkes hee hath escaped the perill of water being come unto the shoare and yet is presently beaten back by the tenth wave and brought into his former estate of daunger So David who began to be refreshed in remembring Gods love is now again overtaken with sorrow When VERSE VII Deepe calleth unto deepe at the noyse of thy water spouts All thy waves and thy billowes are gone over mee DUring our whole life there is a continuall ebbing and flowing And this time of Davids affliction is like a double tide wherein new troubles did arise before the other were past away If hee found a short time of release it was like a fayre day in winter which we use to say doth breed fowle weather afterward That strength which he then recovered did enable him to undergoe those calamities which should come upon him But for the most part in this time of chastisement there was no other voyce heard but that of the flying Angel Revel 8.13 which said Woe woe woe as if God who afterward did smite the people for the sin of the King should now smite the King for the transgressions of all the people As in Iobs tryall Iob 1.14 15 16. while one messenger was speaking another came bringing sad tidings so here before one calamity was past another cause of sorrow did afflict him To bee cast out of the
in the overthrow of those that are good How did the heart of Herodias dance within her for joy that Iohn was put to death with whose head they sported as with a Tennis-bal How did the fire wherein the Martyrs were burned warme the very hearts of their persecutors unto whom the light thereof seemed more glorious than the Sunne in the firmament Confugiâ—nt ad homines Plini Cantu mulcatur animal stupidum Iul. Scal. Aut pâ—niccae septum formidine pennae Virgil. As the Hart seeketh reliefe from man when it is distressed and is deluded by a pleasant sound and readily driven into the nets and taken so there is nothing more easie than to deceive a good man who many times reposeth confidence in those that prove treacherous unto him in charity believing all things hoping all things not having that worldly wisdome that others have But as the best and surest refuge of the Hart when his might is empaired and hee beginneth to descend and bee spent then to proffer and desire the river so it is thy wisedome in affliction early to seeke unto the Lord who redeemeth thy life from destruction Psal 103.4.5 and satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the Eagles In the time of our necessity there is no helpe for us but onely in the name of the Lord. All other succour reliefe will prove as weake and impotent as the broken reed of Egypt was to the Israelites or the hornes of the Altar to Ioab where wee may be taken and utterly destroyed If we trust to riches we provide for our selves Luke 12.19 as the rich man did that bade his soule live at ease because hee had plenteous increase of the fruits of the earth whereas the soule of man liveth not by bread therefore being famished may that night bee taken from him If we trust to wisdome and policy when the houre of darknesse commeth wee may with Ahitophel set our house in order but what mansion have wee provided whereinto our soules may bee received In the time of our sicknesse if we seeke to the helpe of man alone as Asa did wee may well expect the same successe that he had If we thinke our house to be our castle to defend us from storme and violence know Iob 1. that Iobs heire had as good an habitation How soone may wee with Nebuchadnezzar be driven away exposed to the dew of heaven Dan. 4.33 Miserable comforters are they all for who is God save the Lord Psal 18 3â— but let my soule long after thee O God Observe the benefit wee have by affliction when the winter of persecution and trouble doth kindlâ— our affection and stirre up in us a desire and appetite towards heavenly things Iâ— poverty was to bee liked because it shewed the fidelity constancy of our friends then may we esteeme this to be a great commodity that wee have by our affliction discovering not other mens but which more neerely concernes us our owne hearts It makes us see our poore weake estate and to seeke for strength and a rich supply of heavenly graces Our want doth cure our wantonnesse and calleth us who are troubled about many things to seeke that one thing needfull which is yet wanting Before wee were afflicted wee went astray like the Prodigall and walked in our owne inventions But when wee come to suffer hardship and are ready to dye for hunger wee begin to thinke of returning to our Father Et sua quemque advigilare sibi iussit fortuna premendo Manil Our calamities lying heavy upon us doe awaken us out of the sleepe of security and are as beneficiall as the mighty tempest was unto Ionah bringing us to true confession of our sins to fervent prayer unto the Lord our God who doth restore us unto the joy of his salvation If our tryalls have this happy and comfortable effect wee may safely conclude It was good for us wee were afflicted as David here who being hunted as a Partridge in the mountain is thereby excited with the more vehemency to seeke after the Lord. To seeke after the Lord wee have great encouragement who is a God nigh at hand ready to heare and deliver us in the day of trouble who is found of those that sought not after him that asked not for him Then doubtlesse will he in mercy reveale himself unto us if we cry unto him And our extremity is Gods oportunity when all other helpe is vaine then we see it to bee the Lords right hand that our soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler Then we are bound for ever to be thankefull unto the Lord who saveth us out of all our troubles Then we are taught to put our whole confidence in him having tasted and seene how good the Lord is in assurance that wee shall not want any good thing if wee seeke him The ungodly are not so but are like the chaffe which the winde driveth away having no harbour of safety being more destitute than any bruit beast The foxes have holes the conyes have rockes the Hart desires the river no creature but hath some place of shelter when it is distressed whereby it is relieved But these men though they have beene unjust with the Steward Luke 16.4 yet wanting his providence have not any house whereinto they may be received living within the reach of Gods might Eucherius ad Valerian out of the protection of his love Being outlawed from his favour and custody they may feare with that fugitive and vagabond Cain Gen. 4. that every one that findeth them shall slay them When the sound of Gods justice shall bee more terrible than the voyce of thunder and their owne guilty conscience like lightening shall strike them with horrour and amazement will they with that unworthy Emperour which hid himselfe under the bed Ad maiora tonitrua fulgura sub lectum se condere solebat Caligula Sueton seeke a covert to keepe them from the presence of the Almighty No their nakednesse and shame will then appeare to God themselves Therefore acquaint thy selfe with the wayes of the Lord seeke him while he may be found let thy heart be fixed and prepared Mat. 25.6 that though at midnight there be a cry made though thy danger and trouble bee both great and sodaine thou maist with the wise virgins bee received into the favour tuition of the most high Art thou oppressed and disquieted by an evill sonne who in stead of fulfilling his name or thy hope in being the Fathers peace proves contrary like Absalom the Fathers war seeking to thrust thee forward unto thine end Eucherius and desires thy death though hee received his life from thee Quis non patrisuo supremum diem ut â—nnocens sit optat c. Senec. Quid enim maius dare numina possunt Iuven. Mat. 8.21 who would willingly joyne
And in the pursuite of any of them wee may well consider that wee our selves are pursued by the enemy of our soules Sed maiori cum fastu Vbi aspexit venientem ad retia cervum Venator tacito â—audia corde premit Bal. Castâ—â—o who doth more desire to take us than wee to take the Hart in our toyles And wee may at the same time both take and be taken as many are who turne their liberty into licentiousnesse If after this manner our thoughts be lifted up in the time of refreshing Meditabar aliquid ut si manus vacâ—as plenas tamen ceras reportarem Plini Iun. Vt quamvis nihil â—â—perim non nâ—hil â—eferam Idem though wee get nothing wee may gaine something and both the outward inward man may be renewed Wee deny not this exercise of hunting to bee very commendable Romanis solemne viris opus utâ—â—etan ae vitaeque membris Horat. venatâ—o Suevorum vtres alit Caeâ—ar the which was much used by many nations in ancient times who beside that helpe of sustenance found many other benefits thereby Their health was preserved their bodies were strengthened Hoc se labore durant adoâ—escentes Gormâ—â—â— Idem and themselves by the hardship endured the better fitted enabled for more serious employment especially for military discipline Venatu extendere vitam abnuit Silvis Non me ulla vetabunt fâ—â—gora Virgil. Manet sub Iove frigido Venator Horat Iugurtha in Salust Olim certabant cum â—â—gacibus feris cursu cum aâ—dacibus râ—bore cum cailidis astâ— Pli. â—â— in Panegyr Pâ—al 32.9 Illa iâ—sa 〈◊〉 delectant nâ—cesse est â—vâ—cent ab intentione operis destâ—nati Quintiâ—an lib. â—o cap. 1. Maleficium â—oâ—â—us quam artific um Io. Sarisb when by those beasts which they hunted they may learne from such as were swift-footed speed and agility from such as were daring valour and courage from such as were crafty stratagems and policy Moreover the minde being surcharged may thereby find some release BUT in the use of them wee must not bee as the horse which hath no understanding Our affections must be restrained that our delight therein bee not either inordinate or immoderate God created us for his owne service we must not bee so re-created by our sports as if we had beene framed for nothing else Heb 11.25 In so doing wee make them pleasures of sinne for a season and that very short and it is folly in any man to place his chiefe contentment in that which he cannot constantly enjoy Also it doth discover the unsufficiency of these sports to satisfie the heart of man when wee shall see many being satiated with their former delights to be ever desirous of new esteeming that to be tedious and irkesome which before seemed most pleasant Great forrests and wide desarts for beasts of chase have proceeded from undigested riches and boundlesse luxury Barbarae opulentiae haud ulla sunt maiora indicia quam magnis nemoâ—bus â—altibusque nâ—bâ—lium ferarum grâ—ges claâ—si Quin. Curt. Camden in Oxon. And it is a strong presumption of the vaine and riotous prodigality of this Kingdom The having more Parkes than all Christendome beside That prophecy of the Apostle may strike terrour and examination into every one of us where he saith That in the last dayes perillous times shall come 2. Tim. 3. â— when men shall be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God Such as are too violent therein doe renounce that which is of more consequence and ought chiefly to bee sought after And those that are ravished with the pleasures of this pilgrimage Qui bestâ—arum cubiliâ—â—ndagat potiora deserit Segec Heb. 11.14.16 Cui peregrinatio duâ—â—â—non amat â—atriam Gen 25. â—7 declare plainly they doe not desire a better Countrey that is an heavenly Profane Esau is described to bee a cunning hunter and was thereby occasioned to sell his birth-right And afterward while hee was hunting he lost the blessing also finding no place of repentance though hee sought it carefully with teares Quam nunc â—ncâ—gnita vellent lustra sibi nuâ—losque datos venatibus annos Val. Flac. O pereant sylvae deficiantque canes Tibul. Take heed lest while thou art wholly devoted to thy delights our heavenly Father doth confer his blessings upon those his children which formerly sought unto him and so thy vanities end in vexation of spirit Then let your moderation herein bee knowne unto all men Phil. 4.5 Veloces iaculo cervos cursuquae satigat Acer an helaâ—ti similis Virgil. Spend not your whole strength and best endeavours so wastfully so unfruitfully Let not thy soule pant after the Hart but as the Hart panteth after the water-brookes so let thy soule pant after the Lord. There are two naturall causes of panting Wearinesse through overmuch labour Defatigatio ex laboris nimietate vel propter pulmonis parvitatem Causabon and so we being wearied with the restlesse troubles of this life should thereby bee excited to pant after the Lord. The other cause of panting is when the lungs are strait and small and not able to receive much breath which is differing from this for we pant after the Lord not when we are straitned in our owne bowels like the Corinthians 2. Cor. 6 12. but when our mouthes are open to cry unto him and our hearts are enlarged to seeke after him Then be you also enlarged and imitate this holy man David whom you may heare speaking of himselfe Psal 63.8 84.2 My soule followeth hard after thee My soule longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord Psal 119.20 My soule breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times Thus should wee from the beginning of our lives unto the end thereof pant after the Lord who is Alpha and Omega 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life Gen 2.7 That wise man among the Heathen Dici suspirium potest Hoc est aniâ—am agere Medici hanc medâ—tationem mortis vocant facit aâ—quando spiritus ille qâ—â—d saepe conatus est Senec. epâ—st â—5 being tormented with the disease of short breathing which he thought to be most painfull doth call it the Meditation of death wherein the breath doth often attempt to doe that which one day must bee done Then well may wee so often as we draw our breath bee put in mind of our latter end when the spirit doth returne to God that gave it And yet the greatest part of men are never sufficiently instructed to pant after the Lord untill extreme sickenesse and the pangs of death doe teach them whereas it the former part of our life had beene spent in numbring our dayes and remembring our Creator with what assurance and comfort might wee expect our dissolution Worthy Calvin Dâ—spâ—aeâ— Assidu è eâ—pâ—â—â—o dum me aâ—heliâ—us dâ—â—icâ—at who laboured of this
can the Lord stay the course thereof Psal 74 15. Hee dryeth up mighty rivers So that in our greatest necessity wee may bee to seeke when our goods which we thought to be our chiefest good shall deale by us as those brookes did by the troups of Tema Iob. 6.17 what time they waxe warme they vanish when it is hot they are consumed out of their place But let us grant their request which is the desire of the most the most they do desire that they may possesse great plenty of all things during their life yet even therein do they deceive their owne soules Their greedy desires being more boundlesse than the sea which hath it's limits how farre it shall passe whereas they are never satisfied untill death robs them of all And that which is added unto them Cum plenâ— aquâ sint sitiunt semper Alex. Aphrod is but as so much drink â—o him that hath the dropsie to increase his thirst The more wood is heaped on the fire is the greater and their covetous appetite increaseth with their meanes Also though for the present their thirst doth seeme to be allayed yet will it be like the use of snow-water coole and pleasing at the instant Tabemque morbos sensim vâ—â—cenbus â—â—seminaâ—â— A. Cell but ingendring manifold diseases Their wealth which seemed most delightfull will prove a cause of sorrow and anguish unto them When they are in perplexity their estate may be like his Pompâ—ius cum tot â—â—umina possideret mendicavit stillicidia Sence who had the royalty of many rivers and yet was driven to beg a few drops of water So they notwithstanding all their treasures will bee compelled to sue for inward consolation and yet finde the doore shut against them Offer unto that man which is thirsty the best provision of meate and hee will reject it as unprofitable unto him onely give him drinke and his spirit will come againe as Sampsons did Iudg. 15.19 and he shall be revived And therefore well might Saul have a cruse of water together with the speare at 1. Sam. 26.21 his bolster shewing that the one was as needfull to sustaine life as the other to defend it In the greatest exigent when our strength is dryed up like a pot-sheard Psal 22.15 32.4 and our moisture is turned into the drought of summer who can relieve us but God alone what can refresh us but onely this water of life Then let my tongue cleave to the roofe of my mouth rather than I should thirst after any thing but the God of my salvation How intolerable a torment thirst is there is none but have had sufficient experience Our Saviour chose to expresse the paines of hell by the torture which the tongue hath in extremity of a burning ague And here the sick man commeth to be cured Flagrat incensum siti cor Senec. in Thyest whose disease is like a fire in his bones whose bowels are burnt like an hearth whose heart is melted like waxe Then doth he implore the helpe of man Vbi definit medicus incipit theologus Psal 146.3 Quae sitaeque nocent arâ—es cessêre magistri Virgil. Cadunt medentes morbus auxilium trabit Senec. for to proceed otherwise is a methode unknowne to the world and thought to be ominous But there is no helpe in the sonne of man his breath goeth forth and he returneth to his earth Unto whom it may in vaine be said Physitian heale thy selfe As not being able to obtaine deliverance from that anguish which himselfe endureth At last some better helpe is required at which time that saying of the Apostle is true If in this life onely I have hope I am of all men most miserable Unlesse thy soule can finde ease by thirsting for God thy fever is come to torment thee before the time There 's no other remedy but only the sure mercies of David even in death it selfe to thirst for the living God who giveth unto all men the life wee now have who giveth unto King David and to us as Kings 1. King 1.31 that life which is for ever In this my proceeding I finde the poore man desiring drinke to quench his thirst I cannot passe by one in so great misery but with the good Samaritan I must make provision for him Luk. 10.34 Dost thou live in penury and sorrow Know that Christ himselfe did drinke of the brooke in the way Psal 110.7 that is suffered manifold afflictions in this life Art thou denyed reliefe for thy body There is no new thing happened unto thee Did not a woman refuse to give water unto Christ Iohn 4. being wearied with his journey And before that Nabal rejected David Shall I take my water and give unto men whom I know not whence they be 1. Sam. 25.11 And therefore well might Dives that Nabal in the Gospel be denied a drop of water seeing hee denyed to succour those in want But though the hearts of men be hardened 2. Sam. 24.14 Isai 41.17 55.1 the mercyes of the Lord are great who calleth him to the waters that hath no money who giveth liberally Iam. 1 5. and upbraideth not as man often doth who calleth not many mighty noble but hee sendeth the springs into the vallies Psal 104.10 hee causeth the precious dew of heavenly comforts to rest upon those that are lowest and meanest in this world And if the deniall of ordinary water hath beene esteemed so great an indignity Virgil. petiit a Nolanis aquam nomen urbis ex carmine suo derasit A Gell. then how should we esteeme of Gods bounty towards us Ic circo nimirum hoc dicta es nomine Nola Noluâ—ris magnis quod placuisse viris Sanuazar in giving the waters of life without money and without price O that we were as sensible of the drought of the soule as we are of the body then should our soules thirst for God for the living God who hath promised not to forsake the poore needy When they seeke water and there is none their tongue faile for thirst Isai 41.17 I the Lord will heare them And if it be so great a benefit to shew the fountaine unto those that bee thirsty Beneficâ—â—m â—st arentibus siâ— sonâ—em â—sten leâ—e Senec. Then returne returne why will yee dye O yee house of Israel All those that have forsaken God and his true Church wherein is the fountaine of living waters and have hewed out cisternes Ier. 2.13 broken cisterns that can hold no water Come againe and yee shall be satisfied with the breasts of consolation 1. Sam 30.11.12 and as that Egyptian by eating of bread and drinking of water found his spirit to come againe to him so you by the use of the Word and Sacraments shall finde the holy Spirit to come into you Come now and let us reason together Shall the soule of holy David
excited to seeke for heavenly blessings and spirituall graces VERSE II. When shall I come and appeare before God IT was Davids resolution One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seeke after Psal 27.4 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life Here you see the performance thereof He doth not grieve for the losse of any outward benefit nor so much as mention his former estate but onely desireth to appeare before God whereby he hoped to obtaine that for which his soule thirsted It is true that God seeth us in all places Whither can I goe from thy face O Lord or whither can I flee from thy presence But his favour and loving countenance is chiefly revealed in the assembly of the Saints Cant. 6.2 My beloved is gone downe into his garden to the beds of spices God is present in the congregation where the prayers praises of his children are offered up as sweet odours before him In it selfe the presence of God may seeme a cause of horrour and feare to us sinners who are as stubble be him a consuming fire Wee know that the Israelites were afraid to come nigh Moses Exod. 34.30 unto whom the Lord had appeared Naturally we are ready to hide our selves from the presence of the Lord God â—en 3.8 But in Christ we have confidence and free accesse and having found him a loving Father we for ever pray Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us Psal 4 which wee desire above any good above all the good in the world The father in the parable said Luk. 15.31 Sonne thou art ever with mee and all that I have is thine So we by presenting our selves before the Lord come to be made partakers of all his blessings Thereby wee are gathered under his wings of providence and mercy Mat. 13.48 Thereby wee are within the compasse of the net and shall be taken with the good Thereby wee have communion with God and his Angels and one with another Then let us come and appeare before God The children of this world are wise in their generation If they have hope of benefite or advancement from any superior how diligent will they be in their attendance Oâ—arem ut oâ—â—endas me 〈◊〉 esse hominâ—â— non ingâ—atum Poâ—â—â— an Nâ—â— indignus quâ—m tu alâ—qâ—â—ndo respicâ—â— How desirous to bee ever in view How politicke in that which they give chusing some Present of use and remembrance Happy were we if wee were thus provident for our soules Then would we set our selves before the Sunne of Righteousnesse the light whereof would be sweet and pleasant unto our eyes Our darke understandings should be illuminated and we made glorious within But if wee neglect such precious means of salvation our danger is greater than that of Queene Esther Esther 4. shee feared to perish by a temporall death because shee went unto the King not being called We may feare to perish both body soule unlesse wee doe come unto the great King who hath so often called us who hath held out the golden scepter of his word unto us Absalom having lived two yeares in Ierusalem and not seene the King shewed the dutifull affection of a good sonne in this particular 2. Sam. 14.32 that hee had rather bee put to death if there were any iniquity in him than to bee any longer deprived of the sight of his father By which example wee may learne to value this royall priviledge that wee have in appearing before God And to count it more deare unto us than life it selfe And yet most men do not value this singular prerogative that God hath given them even the whole world abideth in this sinne There was a day Iob. 1. when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord but the sonnes of men care not for the seaventh day nor any other day wherein to present themselves before him Some there are that be worse than the three guests invited to the marriage Luk 14.18 for they pretended that they could not come these absolutely deny and say they will not come and before that they will come they will pay the earnest peny here and reserve the greatest payment untill the last For with what comfort can they expect to appeare before God in that great day who never cared to appear before him in their life yea rather than they would then appeare they wil call to the hils to cover them There be others that are so encumbred with the affaires of this life that they little thinke of appearing before God untill that hee doth punish them for that neglect As the Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ by instruction Gal. 3.24 so the judgements due by the Law for our sinnes have beene as our Schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ by correction When wee have beene as wanton children addicted unto play and omitting that which wee ought most seriously to intend the Lord hath dealt with us as hee did by Lot and his wife being mercifull unto them Gen. 19.16 while they lingred and were backward in departing from Sodom God sent his Angels which layd hold on them and brought them forth While wee have beene unwilling to forsake our sinnes and ascend up into the holy mountaine God hath sent his Angels with their swords drawne some great plague which hath cut off many thousands in the way that could not then come and appeare before God and hath scourged others into the TeÌ„ple which before were carelesse in that duty though formerly wee would not say with Samuel Speake Lord for thy servant heareth then wee have beene enforced to say Heare Lord for thy servant speaketh Being poore wee have spoken supplications wee have humbled our soules in fasting and mourning and the Lord in wrath hath remembred his wonted mercies Some there bee that come abruptly without due preparation as if they were brought thither unawares by some greaâ— strong wind 1. King 19 â— but the Lord was not in that winde They looke for the same immediate and miraculous assistance of Gods spirit which the Apostles had who tooke no thought what to speake Mat. 10.19 for it was given them in the same houre So they take no thought what they heare nor how they heare thinking it shall bee given them in the same houre Their customary performance in the first entrance I cannot relate without indignation how rude and insufficient it is doth appeare unto all men Will God regard that prayer which thou thy selfe dost so little regard Whereas thy Soliloquie then though performed with the best reverence should be but as the Amen to thy private devotions that went before judge in your selves is it comely so to doe Holy David who so earnestly desired to appeare before God when hee had that liberty granted unto him did hee rashly and unadvisedly thrust himselfe into
tongue blesse wee God even the Father Iam. 3.9 and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God So those men will speake to the praise of God that they may bee reputed the children of the most High and yet will vilifie such as they in scorne and the Scripture in honour call Brethren who labour to repaire that image which was defaced by the fall of Adam and doe give unto the Lord that which is the Lords But envy hath ever beene like unto fire which ascendeth unto that which is highest David Invidiam tanquam ignem summa petâ—re Livi. whom God exalted to bee head of the people had many enemies And the men of this world doe hate those whom God hath chosen out of the world unto whom hee will give a crowne of life Yet their owne consciences doe tell them that they are more righteous than themselves Wherefore those servants that shall thus smite their fellow-servants for many Mat. 24.49 stripes are more tolerable than evill words their Lord shall come in a day when they looke not for him Qâ—i mortem ac verâ—era toleâ—â—biliora câ—â— aâ— quam 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—osa verba Sence and appoint them their portion with the hypocrites As for our selves 〈◊〉 2.20 if we suffer for doing well and take it patiently it is acceptable with God And hereunto were wee called because Christ also suffered for us who when hee was reviled reviled not againe Let us consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners Heb. 12 3. lest wee be wearied and faint in our minds Yee know how the whole band of Souldiers mocked him saying Haile King of the Iewes And they that passed by reviled him saying If thou be the Sonne of God come downe from the crosse Yea the chiefe Priests like whited walls contrary to the law spake evill of the Ruler of the people of the Lords Christ of that high Priest that offered up himselfe for us Hee trusted in the Lord let him deliver him if hee will have him And the theeves themselves to make the cause of their suffering to bee more just thought they could not spend their last breath better than by casting the same in his teeth All which reproaches were but as so many variations of that which was here spoken to David Where is thy God True it is that our blessed Saviour did seeme to bee forsaken of God for a time that wee might for ever enjoy the presence of the Almighty If we love him both He and the Father will come unto us Mat. 28 20. Iohn 14. and make their abode with us even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him But yee know him for hee dwelleth with you and shall bee in you How then can wicked men object Where is thy God seeing he is graciously present with us at all times and neerest unto us in any trouble as hee hath promised to bee with us in fire and water In gravescente rerum adversarum moleâ—ta frangitur piorum animus ut etiam ipsi dicant sibi c. Flamiâ— and the greatest danger Yet we our selves in the time of afflictioÌ„ through weakenesse want of faith may thinke that wee are cast out of his sight not clearely discerning his love towards us But as Iacob when he awaked out of his sleepe said Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not Gen. 28.16 so when the Lord doth raise us from our deadnesse and heavinesse of spirit we then find that hee was present with us in our disconsolate estate disposing all things for our future good And therefore wee may answer them as David doth Psal 115.3.4 Our God is in the heavens he hath done whatsoever hee pleased Their idols are silver and gold the worke of mens hands Such are the idols of all those that serve Mammon who keepe their gold and silver safe as being their onely gods that must defend them Gen. 31.34 But as Laban sought for his gods and could not finde them so they may hope for comfort and not finde it And then we may say unto them Where are thy gods Wee know that no man can see God and live The people said unto Moses Exod. 23.20 20.19 Let not God speake with us lest wee dye Gideon and Manoah feared death having seene an Angell And the souldiers themselves Mat. 28. became as dead men when the Angel of the Lord descended And yet such is the perverse corruption of mans nature that they neglect the worship of God the Creator of all things and doe bow downe to such Gods as they see with their eyes The Israelites having formerly seene the Egyptians worship Apis which is the same with Osyris in the likenesse of an oxe Sandys they forgat God their Saviour and began with a calfe saying These bee thy gods Num. 32.4 O Israel which in a short time would have multiplied into many gods The love and reverence which little children beare to their babies are evident seeds of Idolatry Moulin in buckler Imagines statuae deorum nâ—hil aliud sunt quam grandes pupâ—e and the Images of the gods are nothing else but babies come to the full growth Such as have blotted out that second commandement may justly feare that God will take away their part out of the book of life If in the time of affliction when God punisheth us for our offences it be a great addition to our misery the harsh censures and malignant speeches of wicked men Then it is our best wisedome so to walke with God that hee may be unto us a sunne and a shield bringing all good and defending from all evill And as Enoch pleasing God Heb. 11.5 was translated that hee should not see death which is the wages of sinne So if wee bee in all things obedient unto Gods Word hee will take us into his favour and wee shall bee delivered from unreasonable men Rom. 3.13 whose throate is an open sepulchre Wherefore as the lamp went not out in the Temple before the Lord called Samuel 1. Sam. 3.3 so the light both of good workes and also of joy should ever ascend untill God call us unto himselfe That others beholding the same may bee ashamed that they have falsly accused our good conversation and may be stirred up to glorifie God 1. Pet. 3.13 For who is he that will harme you if yee bee followers of that which is good Also our owne guilt doth set an edge upoÌ„ the reproaches of wicked men and make them to bee like a sword in our bones Whereas if wee were innocent wee should like the daughter of Eli neither answer nor yet regard what is spoken unto us Bitter invectives being contemned doe vanish away but by anger wee confesse them to be true Sâ—reta exoleseunt si irascar agnita vidâ—ntuâ— Tacit. Wherefore that wee
and spirituall wickednesse in high places But then wee must take heed to observe the manner here prescribed which is to powre out the soule to confesse all our sinnes to purge out the old leaven Wee cannot thinke to possesse our vessels in holinesse 1. Thes 4.4 if wee suffer any dregs of uncleannesse to remaine in them And as the sent tast of the first liquor will continue a long time in a vessell after it be emptied Quo semel est imbuta â—â—cens servab â—odorem Testa diu So though wee have sincerely repented of all our sinnes yet that originall corruption remaining will make us cry unto the Lord to deliver us from this body of death But such as are indulgent to themselves may feare that their presumptuous sinnes will get the victory over them Wherefore as it is more commodious in the first making and digging of a garden to have it once well weeded when the bad roots may bee taken out than many times afterward So if thou wouldest bee like that paradise wherein God walked like that garden into which Christ delighted to come Cant. 5.1 6.2 then search every corner of thine heart in the time of humiliation that there may not be any roote bringing forth gall and wormewood Deut. 29.18 Wee know that the least childe remaining in the house doth hinder in giving state And how can God take possession of thy body to be his Temple when there is any sinne reigning therein If wee sinne we have an Advocate with the Father And as that client is like to speed ill in the triall who giveth advantage to his adversary in concealing the worst of his case from the Councell So hee shall bee confounded in the day of judgement that hath sought to hide his sinne For Satan thine accuser will discover that which thou didst hope should have beene for ever buried Then learne of Him that thus humbled himselfe to acknowledge all thy transgressions Hee is a foole in worldly affaires that powreth out all at once But it is heavenly wisedome in confession of sinne Pro. 29.11 to powre out all at once and not to keepe it in untill afterward David saith I powre out my soule in mee His prayer was sincere before God and it was inward and hidden from the world There was a time when hee cryed unto the Lord Psal 22.1.2 Why art thou so farre from the words of my roaring But now the greatnesse of his sorrow for his grievous sinnes and the calamities waiting upon them made him stand amazed as not being able to speak And doubtlesse there is great benefit in the use both of secret and open prayer As Paul became all things to all men that hee might winne some so wee may use every kinde that wee may receive a gracious answer Sometime to cry aloud lifting up both heart and voyce to shew our fervency and importunity and it shall bee opened unto us that knocke Sometime to shew our reverence by a still voyce that God may therein reveale himselfe unto us Sometime praying with the spirit and with understanding speaking in the heart onely not daring to use our tongues to call upon his name seeing wee have dishonoured him thereby Hâ—miles preces in excelsa porâ—â—gite Boet. And those our humble prayers will ascend into heaven Though wee shut both the doore of our closet and the doore of our lips when wee pray being wholly spirituall therein our Father seeth in secret and is well pleased with such a sacrifice If wee desire to make our tongue to be our glory therein yet the sound of our words may bee submissive and rather a gentle noyse than a voyce They that doe thus they speake softly Qui Deum precantes susurrant tacitè loquuntur atque intus clamant but inwardly they cry aloud Hannah when shee prayed did move her lips but her voyce was not heard yet shee found such comfort that her countenance was no more sad VERSE IIII. For I had gone with the multitude HIs present misery is increased by comparing the same with his former comfortable estate wherein hee served the Lord And the sorrow for the losse of his perfect freedome doth exceed the griefe of worldly men in their crosses as much as the gladnesse in his heart Psal 4. had formerly beene more than the joy which they received by the increase of corne and wine Outward benefits are deceitfull and vaine Riches and the like may betake themselves to their wings and fly away But heavenly blessings are unchangeable did not wee by our disobedience stop the course of Gods mercies and cause his judgements and curses to fall upon us Wherefore when our destruction doth come from our selves when by our rebellion wee shall pull downe Gods anger InfelicissimuÌ„ genus est infortunii fuisse felicem Boet. Then the remembrance of our former happinesse is the greatest aggravation of our present wretchednesse and woe Also we may observe that hee was not satisfied with that good which he had formerly done neither did hee rest contented therein But his chiefe desire was ever to continue in those holy exercises From whence wee receive this instruction that wee ought to forget those things which are behind Phil. 3.13 and reach forth unto those things which are before pressing toward the marke having set our hand to the plough not to looke backe nor to spare and favour our selves during the time of our pilgrimage Such as desire to worship the Lord unto the end of their lives and are constant unto death they shall receive a crowne of life and an everlasting inheritance But ungodly men that forsake their first love like those foolish Galatians bewitched by that evill spirit and with Demas doe embrace this present world 2. Tim. 4.10 they shall undergoe the fierce anger of the Almighty And as Iordan divided the tribes of Reuben and Gad from the rest of Israel who Num. 32. allured with the fertility of the countrey did set themselves downe and take up their habitation before they came to the land of promise So there shall be a great gulfe to separate the wicked who like sluggards fold their armes together as if they had wrought sufficiently from those that abide in the place of blessednesse Whereas hee speaketh of himselfe that hee had gone with the multitude it will not bee impertinent to consider his twofold regiment Over the Priests 1. Cron. 15. verse 17. Rex Anius â—ex idem homâ—num Pâ—aeb que sacerdos Vittis c. Virg. and the people For at this time when hee blessed the people hee had put on a linnen Ephod over his kingly robe Also his sonne Salomon succeeded him therein who was called the Preacher This was observed by many nations that their Kings were Priests Gen. 14.18 So Melchizedek was King of Salem and Priest of the most high God So was Numa the second King of the Romanes Livi. lib.
1. and Augustus the second Emperor who after the death of Lentulus did take unto himselfe that dignity of being chiefe Pontifex Pontificatum maxâ—mum mortuo demum Lentulo suscepit Suet that thereby his authority might bee made complete Gratianus pâ—â—mus Imperatorum Christianorum deseâ—vit ab hoc mâ—â—oruâ— in sâ—â—tâ—â—o Causabon Which order continued untill that Gratian did neglect that rite and custome observed by all those Christian Emperors before him This hath beene the use in this Land since that intolerable yoke of servile subjection unto Rome hath bin cast off that our annointed Soveraigne should bee the chiefe head of the Church and in all causes Ecclesiasticall supreme governor Now where much hath beene given there much will bee required Therefore that should be imprinted in their hearts which was written upon Aarons crowne of fine gold Exod. 19.30 Holinesse to the Lord And as the head doth guide and conduct the body so ought they that are most eminent to leade and direct such as are under them that they may walke in this way which bringeth to life and salvation We use to say that the meanest officer would be knowne in his place being unwilling to bee abridged of the extent of his power Then how should they that are raised to highest honour exercise their authority to reduce men to the service of God as thinking to be their most royall prerogative so to doe Blessed are the people that bee in such a case yea blessed be the people whose God is the Lord And great is the comfort that would be found by the serious performance hereof when the chiefe ruler like a good shepheard Iohn 10 4. doth goe before his sheepe and they doe follow him then may he have this good testimony in the latter end 17.4 12. That in some measure hee hath finished the worke which was given him to do and hath not willingly lost any of those that were given unto him At which time he may pray as Nehemiah did Nehem. 13.14 Remember mee O my God concerning this and wipe not out my good deedes that I have done for the house of my God Surely there is a fulnesse of joy in the fulnesse of the assembly when the voyce of the congregation praising the Lord like that noyse of Charets which the Syrians heard 2. King 7.6 shall bee able to put that enemy to flight which doth continually besiege us Also therein is a most blessed resemblance betweene the Church militant and triumphant for as God commeth with tenne thousands of Saints Deut. 33.2 and hath tenne thousand times tenne thousand Angels to stand before him Dan. 7.10 So likewise many and great multitudes of his servants here upon earth doe desire to appeare in his presence Luke 15.10 And as the Angels rejoyce over one sinner that repenteth so the Saints doe rejoyce in this powerfull meanes whereby many sinners are converted Also it will not bee impertinent to consider how David was willing to joine with the meanest of his subjects in the service of God And would bee base in his owne sight though in so doing hee seemed vile unto others Thus in the Kingdome of grace Isai 40.4 every valley shall bee exalted and every mountain and hill shall bee made low Where truth and sincerity are there is also a ready disposition to receive benefit by those of least accompt yea and to doe good unto them without respect of persons Paul that was indued with such excellent gifts yet as hee desired to bee brought on his way towards Iudea by 2. Cor. 1.16 the Corinthians so in like manner hee desired to bee conducted towards that heavenly countrey whereof Iudea was but a figure by the Romanes where hee writeth Rom. 1.12 For I long to see you that I may bee comforted together with you by the mutuall faith both of you and me Whereas David makes mention of that singular consolation which hee found in this communion with the people they that are most mighty and noble may from hence learne how to esteeme of their poore brethren for whom Christ died Amongst barbarous nations there is most tyrannicall usurpation of power who thinke the vulgar unworthy to inhabite the same walls Quod spiratis quod vocem mittitis quod formam hominum habetis indignantur T. Livi lib. 4. to enjoy the same light to breathe to speake to have the shapes of men But as the brethren of Dives and all others who seeme to be gods upon earth shall dye like men So they which now seeme to bee as wormes and no men after death shall become glorious Likewise we may take notice how worthy of blame they are who doe oppose themselves against the godly example of David thwarting and contradicting his heavenly carriage by their unadvised practice of the contrary Here hee speaketh that hee went with the multitude and they peremptorily affirme that they will not go because of the multitude Hee who was a true Israelite Iohn 1.45 in whom was no guile knew right well that they were not all Israel which were of Israell Rom. 9.6 But yet the duty it selfe being holy and ordained as the royall meanes to make chose which were the seed of Abraham to become children he was ready to joyne with them therein Who have more need of the Physitian than the sicke and to be called to repentance than sinners Wherefore they offend that forbeare assembling themselves together And they also may justly be reproved who thinke if they should goe with the multitude their name would lye hid in obscurity and therefore out of vainglorious singularity Ambitio magnis addita est virtutibus Et eminendi fervor vinci dolens Cupido famae Dom. Baudius Act. 5.36 they seeke out many inventions with Theudas boasting themselves to bee some body Thus doe hereticks and sectaries by jarring warre against the peaceable estate of the Church But there was a curse pronounced against him that should attempt the building of Iericho Iosh 6.26 which was overthrowne by Ioshuah And there is no blessing due unto them that againe doe lay the foundation of these confused Babels which have beene razed and laid levell by the Churches champions That may bee said of our times which was once spoken of the Israelites The wood devoured more people than the sword 2. Sam. 18.8 We may praise God that wee are delivered from the sword of persecution and of our enemies But in the meane while how many doe lose themselves by intricate by-paths thinking there bee more wayes than one to walke in and thereby fall headlong into dangerous errors It sheweth the desolation of a countrey when the Kings way shall be forsaken Isai 33.8 Iudg. 5.6 so that none doe travaile therein And we may feare that it doth not prognosticate any happinesse unto our Land when this way of King David shall lye waste For now men will goe by themselves
but hee went with the multitude VERSE IIII. I went with them to the house of God BEcause the greatest number doe goe in the broad way that leadeth to destruction Mat. 7.13 and wee are forbidden to follow a multitude to doe evill Exod. 23.2 therefore upon the first mention he presently addeth the place whither hee went with them which was to the house of God Hee was not occasioned thus to doe in imitation of others which did the like though it were to bee wished that wee had attained thus farre that wee would be followers together of him Psal 3.17 and marke those which walke after this ensample But as it is more blessed to give than to receive Act. 20 35. so it is a greater happinesse to give this good example unto others than to take it from them Thus David shined as a Light in the world Phil. 2.15 that the people being illuminated by this pillar of fire might come to the estate of blessednesse And thus wee Vt sidera contrarium mundo iter intendunt ita sapiens Senec. Et qui exemplo aliis esse debetis aliorum exemplo peccetis potius quam alii vestro recte sacitis Livi. lib. 3. if wee desire to shine as the stars whose motion is contrary to the world wee should labour to rectifie others rather than to bee depraved with their vices Though wee faile of this holy ambition or want meanes and ability to bee as Leaders in this noble army yet wee may bee drawne by the example of the multitude which for the most part use to bee very powerfull to joyne with the assembly in all heavenly duties And not to do like unto those which stand convicted because they will not goe with the flocke to heare the voyce of the shepheard Nor yet like those which discover their backwardnesse by comming after the multitude to the house of God Whereas it were more commendable to goe with them or before them Such may feare to receive a curse in the end for their negligent sloth Occupet extremum scabies Horat. rather than the blessing in the conclusion In Carvans which goe unto the Temple at Ierusalem Sandys the hindermost are exposed unto the greatest danger of the free-booters And in this passage to the house of God they that are last may soone bee surprised by the enemy and hindered in their dull proceeding Whereas if wee were indued with the Spirit like those Worthies which brake through the hoste of the Philistims 2. Sam. 23. to draw water wee would overcome all impediments that wee may obtaine the water of life And as the chaines did fall from the hands of Peter so we should cast off all incumbrances wherewith our feete are bound that wee may runne the wayes of thy commandements Yea then wee would thinke Gods house to be like Goshen inlightened by his gracious countenance And to be debarred from it more grievous than all the plagues and judgements of Egypt There the frogges came into the house and chamber of Pharaoh Exod. 8.3 And thou hast noysome lusts and uncleane thoughts in thine heart which should bee the throne of the great King They had thick darkenes which might bee felt 1â— 2â— so that no man rose from his place But thy grosse darkenesse which hath overspread the whole man is the more fearefull because thou hast no feeling thereof whereby thou dost continue in the estate of wrath as at the first There was the death of the first-borne in whom pâ—rents seem to live even when they are dead â—2 29. And thou destroyest thine owne soule which in the beginning did give life to thy body and by which the righteous shall live for ever in blisse happinesse And yet though Gods judgements be so great and terrible upon those that want or neglect this meanes of perfect freedome and the mercy and deliverance so rich and plenteous that is offered thereby how foolish and carelesse are most men in their contemptuons vilifiing and disdainfull reiecting of this blessed liberty Mention is made of one that was slaine by the people which trode upon him in the gate 2 King â— ver 17. when with greedy violence they strove for their bodily sustenance but there is no such violence offered in seeking for that heavenly food and yet we live not by bread but by the Word which is exhibited unto us in the house of God And in the time of famine of warre 1. King 8. ver 37 38. of pestilence and any other calamity wee finde release by the prayers and supplications which are offered up unto the Lord. Come then and let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob He will teach us of his waies Isai 2.3 and wee shall walke in his paths One day in his courts is better than a thousand How glad was David when they said unto him Psal 84.10 122 1â— Let us goe into the house of the Lord As here he testifieth that when hee went into the house of God it was VERSE IIII. With the voyce of joy and praise AND now wee would thinke that the whole world should follow him Omnes cendunt ad gaudium Senec. for what man is there that doth not labour for ioy But as some have put out the element of fire affirming that there is no other but this grosse terrestriall fire which wee use So most men thinke there is no other ioy but this which they find in their sensuall delights True it is that there may bee a confused sound of ioy in earthly pleasures but the voyce of ioy is onely in heavenly things And as that excellent musick of the voyce is to bee preferred before the harmony of instruments without life whether pipe or harpe though they give a distinction in their sounds So this ioy doth farre transcend all those vaine and empty delights which wee finde here upon earth It is reported of some that they have beene able to containe their greatest ioy within themselves Metellus summum gaudium intrase cont insit Val. Max. that none could take notice thereof Nec sunt grata tibi gaudia siqua atent Martial but Davids ioy was so great that out of the abundance of his heart hee could not forbeare to speake with his mouth And ever since in our best mirth and reioycing wee seeke to imitate the voyce of David in singing of Psalmes Iam. 5.13 whereby wee endeavour to bee composed and prepared for that life when wee shall alwayes bee lauding the name of the Lord Psal 108.1 2â— And as David saith I my selfe will awake early I will sing and give praise even with my glory Soe we that are dead in Christ shall then rise first out of those beds where wee have slept and rested that wee may for ever sing praises unto the Lord. These two Ioy and Praise are so ioyned togethâ—r
otherwise than Herod thought to worship Christ Mat. 2.7 when he enquired diligently after him He hoped to have killed the Lord of life and they purpose to doe no lesse comming out with swords Mat. 26.55 as against a theefe though they aime at the members yet they smite the head it selfe in their persecution Act. 9.4 5. What is done to one of those little ones is done unto Christ and what is done to Christ is done to one of them A servant of God cannot heare His holy name which wee ought not to use without great reverence to bee dishonoured but his righteous soule must be vexed thereat It was this which did strike so deepe into David and vexe him so sore See the coherence which hee makes in the same verse Psal 69.9 For the zeale of thine house hath eaten me up and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are falne upon me How free hee was from anger and revenge in his owne particular case may appeare by his carriage when Saul had a quarrell against him For though Saul had so highly offended God by his folly in offering a burnt offering for the which hee was told that his kingdome should not continue God having sought a man after his owne heart And againe hee rebelled by disobedience in sparing Agag the best of the spoile at which time the Prophet threatned him that his kingdome should bee rent away from him And though David was anoynted by Samuel and might have set upon Saul when hee cut the skirt of his robe privily and another time might have suffered Abishai to smite him and make him sleepe his last yet hee would not upon these pretences put forth his hand against him but lamented at his death and calls to the daughters of Israel to weepe over Saul But here when God was contemned he was pricked to the heart and his marrow was turned into the drought of Summer He was upon the racke and all his bones were broken when he heard their evill speeches whereby they infected the ayre and poysoned their owne soules Now between David and most men living in these daies there is as great a difference as betweene the King upon the throne and the meanest subject grinding at the mill Hee had a soveraigne command over him selfe and was slow to anger not sinning by wrath yet most sensible oâ—e malicious words tending to the dishonour of God Whereas many that in Gods cause are like dumbe idols which have eares and heare not as if it did not concerne them being never touched with inward compunction when his name shall bee blasphemed but will rather give some consent thereunto as if they were well pleased with such lewdnesse And yet when their owne reputation shall be brought in question they will whet their tongue like a sword in sharpe invectives and will whet their swords also that they may wash off the least disgrace with the bloud of other men But if God doth whet his glittering sword and his hand take hold on judgement Deut. 32.41 he will render vengeance to all those which are of that mercilesse disposition that Cain was who thought the life of his brother to bee the most acceptable sacrifice VERSE XI Why art thou cast downe O my soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God VVHereas David so often repeateth these words we may observe the manifold troubles which befall us in this life Having mentioned his teates and his banishment in the beginning at the fift verse he rebukes his soule for sadnesse Having rehearsed his other afflictions he now againe chides himselfe for this distrustfull heavinesse As Peter Mat. 14.30 though he began to sinke the first time hee went to Christ upon the water Yet he was not thereby discouraged from casting himselfe into the sea againe Iohn 21.7 and then he passed safely to the shoare where Christ was So though the waves billowes went over David when hee hoped to approch unto God by faith yet here againe hee calls upon his soule and casting himselfe upon Gods mercy he arrives at the port of blessednesse Hee did not overcome these temptations and trialls at the first assault nor yet was he wearied with the continuance of them But whensoever he was molested with any evill he labours to strengthen his confidence in Gods love that he may be restored to comfort As Paul prayed thrice that the messenger of Satan might depart from him 2. Cor. 12. â— So our Author shutting up the next Psalme with the same conclusion doth the third time seek to be freed from this thorne in the flesh this heavinesse that was so offensive unto him By this we may learne that lesson which we shall have cause to remember and occasion to practice That through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdome of heaven Act. 14.22 2. Cor. 7.5 Without are fightings within are feares A wounded spirit who can beare What sorrow so neere what trouble so heavy as this when the soule shall be disquieted with doubt of Gods love or sense of his displeasure And yet wee must not faint and forsake our assurance but continue faithfull unto the death that wee may receive the crown of life In afflictions wee must not thinke some new thing doth come upon us which hath not beene before Wee will not compare our sufferings and trials with those which David endured Wee may take this one Prophet for an example of suffering affliction yet did hee not cast away his confidence but hoped in God therfore let us also hold fast the profession of our faith Iam 5.7 Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it untill hee receiue the earely and later raine let us also stablish our hearts that wee may bee refreshed with Gods favour As in water face answereth to face Pro. 27.19 so if wee looke unto the Lord Psal 42.5 we shall praise him for the helpe of his countenance who is the health of our countenance and our God The consideration hereof may be of speciall use and importance in all the casualties of this life but chiefly at the time of death Iob 18.14 when wee are brought to the king of terrors when this earthly house is dissolved we shall be conducted to the kings palace when these old garments be laid aside we shall be arraied in long robes I shall yet praise God yea I shall for ever praise God when I shall alwayes appeare in his presence Who is the health of my countenance who raised me from sicknesse to a sound estate who gave me strength after infirmity who filled me with plenty after adversity who revived me with comfort after sorrow and who will bring me to life after death Being then especially the health of my countenance when hee makes my face to shine as the sunne by beholding his glory And doth change this vile mortall corruptible body into a glorious body The lame man Act. 3.4 who was laid at the gate of the temple looking upon Peter received strength and entring into the temple praised God Though now our soules be cast downe yet if we trust in the Lord all our infirmities shall be cured entring into the holiest place we shall blesse the name of the Lord for evermore Then be not discouraged with present afflictions let thy hope be stedfast and sure Though in tempests sometimes they cut the anchors leave them in the sea Act. 27.40 that the men may be saved yet if we let our hope depart from us we perish The time of our life is but as sixe dayes of labour and sorrow and in this space we have so many nights of quiet and comfort yea we have an evening before the morning a time of strength before a time of triall But in the end there is the eternall Sabbath of blessednesse when we shall for ever magnifie the name of the Lord Amos 8.5 Though the carnall man doth with the Sabbath gone that he may set forth wheate and falsifie the ballances by deceit yet let not beleevers make hast by impatience but waite upon the Lord knowing that by this difficult ascent we come to sit upon the throne FINIS