much more in the world to come If any then shall come vnto vs to entice vs vnto any wickednesse whatsoeuer as Potiphars wife came vnto Ioseph Gen. 39.8 and enticed him vnto vncleanenesse wee shall not consent vnto him therein no more then hee did vnto her who was kept therefrom by the feare of the Lord. This should teach euery one of vs dayly to thinke of and bee fully perswaded of the glorious and continuall presence of Almighty God The presence of God euer looking vpon vs should be a meanes to keepe vs from sinne That wheresoeuer we are and whatsoeuer we thinke speake or do God vnderstands it knowes it beholds it our thoughts our words Psal 139.4 There is not a word in my tongue but thou O Lord knowest it altogether our deeds in publike secret Prou. 15.3 the eye of the Lord is in euery place beholding both the euill and the good This consideration and perswasion wee ought all to labour for it being a notable meanes to worke true feare in our hearts therefore let vs esteeme of euery place as Iacob did of Bethel what hee then sayde vrge still vpon thy soule The Lord is present and I was not aware of it Let thy shop bee a Bethel thy chamber a Bethel thy closet a Bethel for God is there present Oh that this meditation did take place in our hearts how many sinnes would it keepe vs from how conscionably should wee walke how vpright would be The chiefe sountaine of all hypocrisie is either ignorance or not cōsidering of this diuine property of God and surely if any thing will banish hypocrisie this will do it A man cannot chuse but be good sayth Boetius who still remembers that he stands in the presence of the Lord. Let this meditation then be euer in our mind that God is before vs and behind vs within thee and without thee on thy right hand and on thy left hand alwaies neere and neuer farre off and so shalt thou walke vprightly Holy Iob we see tooke that course that the Lord would haue vs take for the repressing of all inordinate lust and affections I made sayth he Iob. 31.1 a couenant with my eyes why then should I thinke on a mayde A carnal man would haue thought this too much curiosity and nicenesse what not to looke on the beauty and comely visage of a woman at least not to take some liberty for thoughts tending that way it is too too much precisenesse who can take any notice of such things in vs Vers 2. Oh sayth Iob what portion should I haue of God from aboue and what inheritance from the almighty from on high I durst not giue any way vnto the flesh in any sort for that were the directest course to depriue my selfe of the comforts of the word and spirit here and of the crowne of happinesse which is reserued for the Saints in the world to come Albeit I should speede litle the worse with men yet I should bee sure to come short of many speciall fauours and blessings of the Lord and further he addeth Is not destruction to the wicked and strange punishments to the workers of iniquitie Suppose I should escape the censures of men yet hath not the Lord meanes that I cannot conceiue of for the punishment of rebellious sinners and though things may be smothered for a time cannot he bring secret sins to open shame grant that it be kept close from the eyes of the world yet doth not he behold my wayes and tels al my steps though the eyes of men take the view onely of the outward actions yet hee looketh vpon the inward disposition and affection of the heart These and the like reasons he vsed to keepe himselfe in order and fright his conscience from all manner of sinne and impietie as is more fully described vnto vs in that chapter Fifthly this may serue for terror to all such as liue in sinne what greater terror to a theefe then to haue the iudge an eye witnesse of his vilany Let all dissemblers take notice of this So what greater terror to the wicked then this to haue the Lord behold their doings Come then and learne thou dissembling hypocrite thou that coggest and dallyest with the Lord God hath spyed and doth espy thy rottennesse within for all thy painted outside Hee knoweth that though thou wearest Christs liuery on thy backe thou wearest the diuels fauour in thy bosome Thinke vpon this you lurking diuels close enemies of the Church whose sleepe departs from you till you haue caused some to fall the Lord seeth your plots and cunning deuises your close practises against his Church and people But hee that sitteth in Heauen shall laugh you to scorne Psal 2. the Lord shall haue you in derision Take notice of this all you adulterers and whoremongers who say in your hearts Who sees vs wee are compassed about with darkenesse we need not feare Behold the Lord himselfe seeth thy villany and looketh thee in the face in the act of doing Let vs all consider this and bee better aduised thinke not by denying excusing colouring or cloaking them to auoyde the shame for what if men do count you innocent yet God will bring in euidence to finde you guilty and therefore he himselfe will witnesse against thee Psal 50. and set thy sinnes order before thee Sixthly this may serue to stirre vs vp and encourage vs to well doing What lazie seruant will not put foorth his strength when his maisters eye is on him So who is it were he well perswaded that the Lord is a spectator and beholder of his doings would not put foorth his strength to the Lords worke Were this well considered how couragious should wee bee both in the duties of our generall and speciall callings Seeing the Lord is the beholder of all our actions and wil reward thē let this enflame vs to practise pietie cause vs to make euen holy thoughs precious how forward would we be to euery good work Be not then slothfull in Gods seruice stand not all day idle be euer doing of good Not the least good can be done but he doth know it be it done neuer so secretly yet he seeth it hee seeth thy prayers hee heareth thy grones hee bottles vp thy teares which are shed at midnight and will reward them Thou needst not looke for witnesse to take notice of thy actions God himselfe is witnesse and thy owne conscience also thy conscience is as a thousand witnesses and God as a thousand consciences how many witnesses wouldst thou haue canst thou desire more Let this enflame vs to pietie and cause vs to make euē holy thoghts pretious for as there is not the least euill in the heart which can escape Gods knowledge no more is there the least good motion and cogitation Oh that this were well weighed then would not there bee so many lazie Christians as now there bee
AN EXPOSITION VPON THE CXII Psalme The high way to euerlasting blessednesse Written for the benefit of Gods Church by T. S. Psal 111.10 The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good vnderstanding haue al they that do his Commandements Eccles 12.13 Therefore let vs feare the end of all feare God and keepe his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man LONDON Printed by Bernard Alsop dwelling in Distaffe Lane at the Signe of the Dolphin 1621. TO THE RIGHT worshipfull right vertuous truly religious and most worthy Mistres M. Murry wife to the honourable Mr. Thomas Murry Secretary to the Prince his highnesse the encrease of grace and all true happines externall internall eternall RIght Worshipfull the principall thing of which I reade in holy Scriptures which makes vs both acceptable to God approued of the godly is the grace of regeneration to become new creatures this alone when all other things faile commends vs to God this distinguisheth the good from the bad the precious from the vile the godly from the wicked this grace Right worshipfull as being of all others most requisite I most willingly commend to your wise and Christian Consideration hauing experience of your Christian loue The authour of this Psalme was blessed Dauid the sweet singer of Israel wherein the Prophet teaches vs the way to true blessednes that is to feare God and delight in his Commandements for circumcision is nothing 1. Cor. 7.29 and vncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of God I may truly say of this new creature Prou. 31.29 as Salomon speaketh of the vertuous woman many are the graces of Gods spirit but this excels them all This is it indeede which will make you thrise blessed both of God and all good men for the kingdome of God is not meate drinke but righteousnesse peace Rom. 14.17 18. and ioy in the holy ghost and hee that in these things serueth God is acceptable to him 1. Sam. 2.30 and approoued of men they that thus honor God hee will honour whereas those that despise him neglecting the meanes of regeneration shall be lightly esteemed for there is no respect of persons with God but be hee what he will be noble or ignoble in euery nation he that feareth God Act 10.35 and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him First therefore seeke the kingdom of God and his righteousnesse and all other things as honour Mat. 6.33 wealth and riches shall bee cast vpon you namely in the sober vse of lawfull meanes this is the good and right way only to feare the Lord and to serue him in truth with all our hearts 1. Sam. 12.23.24 by this ye shall be sure to haue the honor that comes from God as Christ sayth Ioh. 12.26 If any man serue me him will my father honour whereas on the contrary without this we can neuer haue Gods approbation though wee may haue the worlds commendation yea thogh the world and all men in the world speake wel of vs we may be accursed Luke 26. Cursed are you when all men praise you that is if God dispraise you and ye want his approbation and commendation Woe be vnto you though all men speak well of you and know it for your vnspeakeable comfort Psal 4.3 that you being godly God setteth you a part for his owne selfe all Gods delight is vppon the Saints on earth Psal 16.4 and vpon such as excell in vertue the Lord taketh pleasure in those that feare him the Lord taketh pleasure in his people Psal 147. 149.4 will beautifie the meeke with saluation and remember with ioy the words of God by Moses if wee heare Gods voyce indeed with care conscience to practise it by liuing in faith repentance and new obedience Exod. 19.5 you are Gods chiefe treasure aboue all people though all the earth be his Thus hoping for pardon of my boldnesse I intreat your fauourable acceptance and patronage hereof humbly take my leaue beseeching Almighty God to blesse you yours with the encrease of all blessings spirituall and temporall according to the many graces bestowed vpon you The Lord Iesus Christ himselfe and God euen our Father which hath loued vs and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation good hope through grace establish you in euery good word worke the Lord fill you with all spirituall grace that so you may be presented most glorious without spot wrinkle in the Church triumphant and that by our most blessed and alone Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous to whom be glory and maiestie dominion and power now and for euer Amen Your worships seruant in all duty to be commanded T S. TO THE WORshipfull vertuous and worthy Gentlewoman and my approued louing cousin Mistris Euelyen wife to the worshipfull Maister Richard Euelyen Esquire one of his Maiesties Iustices of peace in the county of Surry the encrease of all outward blessings and spiritual comforts be multiplyed through Iesus Christ IT is a thing better knowne then well considered of that in the mysticall body of Christ Iesus euery member hath his seuerall office whereon it must attend the weakest as well as the strongest and in the family of the great ruler of heauen and earth each seruant hath his seuerall talent which hee must employ the meanest as well as the worthiest for want of greater abilitie I haue done my best endeauour to shew the way to euerlasting blessednesse for the doing whereof I had rather vndergoe the censures of such as are curious then depriue those of a benefite that are religious and spiritually minded perhaps I shall be tossed by some with the stormy winds of euill censures but for them I passe not so I can benefit any this part of the Psalme I am sure is excellent for the purpose and Ierome doth call this booke of the Psalmes the treasures of learning Seeing therefore it was promised that vnder the kingdome of Christ the meanest or least should bee like vnto Dauid therefore trie your selfe if by grace you are partakers of Dauids disposition recorded in this Psalme you may be out of doubt that you shall be also partaker of his approbation for the Lord is no accepter of persons what he approues in one he will also approue another therfore follow Dauid in the practise of Pietie and then you shal be partaker of his praise which he receiued from God the generall complaint of the world is that there is no end of making many books because there is little or no fruit in those that reade them but as the grasse on the house top which withers afore it commeth foorth whereof the mower filleth not his hand Psal 129.6 nor the gleaner his lap neither they which goe by say the blessing of the Lord be on you we blesse you in the name of the Lord therefore read to some purpose that is intend of a reader
to become a doer so shall you auert this curse and reproch from you so shall God and man call you blessed and blessed shall you feele your selfe in so doing now if you shall lay this to heart in the strength of your yeares it shall be your chiefest wisedome for it is religion and godlinesse that shall embalme your name and make it shine before men and glorifie your soule amongst Angels Luk. 7.37 Maries boxe of oyntment shall neuer be forgotten for godlines hath the promise of this life and that which is to come and that without it there is no internall comfort to bee found in conscience in this world nor eternall happinesse to bee hoped for in the next hoping it shall finde entertainment at your hands and that you will finde time at your leasure to peruse it desiring your fauourable acceptance of my good meaning in this behalfe I humbly take my leaue recommending you to the Lord and to the word of his grace the God of heauen so vouchsafe to water you and yours with the dew of heauen that with the godly man in this Psalme your generation may bee blessed and that at the end of this life your reward may be true blessednesse which mercie the Lord grant you for his Sunne Iesus Christs sake Amen Your most bounden and in all Christian duties to command T. S. Faults escaped in Printing Page 21. line 8. reade chearefull p. 27. l. 7. r. q.d. p. 29. l. 1 r. dans p. 30. l. 18. r. in order p. 36. l. 16. r. late p. 81. l. 10. r. a to p. 81. l. 14. r. vnto p. 103. l. 23. r. heare p. 104. l. 22. r. the Sechemites p. 125. l. 22. r. to do p. 151. l. 7. r. of the Hebrewes p 157. l. 4. r. that p. 165. l. 8. r. in these p. 187. l. 14. r. this the. Christian Reader I feare there are other faults besides these I desire thee therefore to correct these and beare with the rest and so I bid the◠heartily farewell AN EXPOSITION ON THE CXII Psalme verse 1.2 VERSE 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and delighteth greatly in his commandements his seed shall bee mighty vpon earth the generation of the righteous shall be blessed THere is no greater encouragement or stronger motion to stirre a man to an eager and earnest pursuite of the meanes then to propose vnto him an end wherein at length his heart may repose as in a concurrance of al comforts and contentments to which there is no possibility of attainment but by purenesse of heart holinesse of life constancie in the course of sanctification which onely leade vnto the face and presence of God where and with whom alone is the highest perfection of blisse a riuer of infinite pleasures the well of life and endlesse rest of all created desires For the capacitie of mans soule cannot possibly be filled with the sufficiency of any creatures no not with a world of creatures for they are all nothing to the worth of a mans soule Christ himselfe hauing preferred it in valuation What shall it profit a man though he should winne the whole world if he loose his owne soule And therefore can neuer be free from motion and vexation vntill it reach vnto either in certaine hope or actuall fruition an obiect infinite as well in excellency of nature as duration of time Blessed then was the wisedome of the disposer of these heauenly songs of Dauid First this Psalme doth teach vs these two worthy points namely how the blessed man liues and that is in the feare of the Lord. Secondly what manner of life he leades and greatly delighteth in his Commandements These Psalms of Dauid the sweet singer of Israel are penned with such heauenly wisedome that they are convenient for the state of the whole Church and euery member thereof It is a banquet of heauenly wisedome saith Ambrose and as Basil speakes of another part of the Scripture likening it to an Apothecaries shop so may this booke of the Psalmes fitly be compared in which are so many sundry sorts of medicines that euery man may haue that which is conuenient for his disease for there is no sickenesse of man whereunto the booke of the Psalmes furnisheth not a present remedy First this blessed mā is described shewing what hee doth carefully embrace and follow Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that is that endeauors to the vtmost of his power to liue in the feare of the Lord. Secondly what is his practise namely to be much often in serious Christian meditation and delights greatly in his cōmandements Thirdly he sheweth the happy succes of this blessed man his seed shall be mighty vpon earth Now seeing this is the maine proposition of the psalm to proue that the godly man and hee that feares the Lord is onely blessed therefore the Prophet doth first shew who bee truely blessed and then wherein their blessednesse doth consist Dauid often vseth this phrase as in the first Psalm Blessed is the man that walketh not in the councell of the vngodly c. And in the 32. Psalme Blessed is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen whose sinnes is couered c. And as here we haue it Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. It seems to be the words of a man in admiration or admiring with himselfe as if he should say O the blessednesse of that man that feareth the Lord. In this duty I obserue three points first what is the true feare of God Secondly what wee are to feare in God Thirdly by what meanes wee may attaine to this feare There is a two-fold feare the one is holy and good called filial or childish the other is bad and naught termed seruile or slauish the filiall or childish feare is such an one as is in children towards their parents who doe reuerence and feare them as being vnwilling to offend them any way whether by words or deeds through the tender loue and affection which they doe beare towards them the seruile feare is such an one as is in bondslaues towards their maisters who doe reuerence and feare them through the dread and feare of punishment which otherwise they are sure to haue if they offend and doe contrary to their duties so that some do feare him through loue and care to offend him and others do feare him through dread of punishment and power to torment them and it may be defined thus What the feare of God is It is a reuerence of Gods maiestie in our hearts whereby wee are made vnwilling to offend him in any thing and most willing to please him in all things through the loue which wee beare towards him This is a vertue most necessary and requisite for all Christians whatsoeuer as might at large be shewed but let the example of Abraham suffice Gen. 20.11 who thinking that the feare of God was not in Gerar vtterly despayred of any other vertue and therefore mooued
froward things c. When we once delight in the law of the Lord exercise our selues therein day and night then shal we florish like the planted trees by the riuers of water that are fruitfull in due season whose leaues shall not fade in any drought of danger thē I say whatsoeuer we do take in hand shall prosper so that if we delight in the Commandements we shall finde comfort in the ministery of the word for there is true ioy peace to be found there is ioy and saluation the sweet promises of God faith grace spiritual strength and euery good thing offered vnto vs. The church of God should bee our greatest pleasure for there wee shall find foode for our soules Gods Church with the holy ministry therof is Christs Garden of pleasures wherein he banqueteth with his elect euen he which is the fountain of the garden the true only head of all Churches the wel of liuing waters the Spring of Lebanon Can. 4.12.15 5. hither he cōmeth to eate his pleasant fruit this only true Christian Church being his sister Spouse is as a garden enclosed as a spring fountaine sealed vp hither Christ commeth to make merry with his friends and to banquet with his beloued there hee gathereth his myrrh with his spices there hee eates the hony-combe with his hony and drinketh his wine with his milke delighting himselfe with the sweete pleasant and profitable fruits that the children of God doe yeeld vnto him Comfort and loue to Gods word procures liking and diligent hearing and so by Gods blessing faith and obedience Rom. 10.14 Now the reason why the word of God cannot profite vs without delight is because that comfort and liking prouoke and procure men to bee diligent in hearing diligent hearing by Gods blessing begets faith and faith brings vs assurance of Gods loue protection the euidence and certainety whereof are Gods promises which are yea Amen Gal. 5.6 1. Co. 13.7 Gen. 31.30 40. Againe loue supporteth our labour and setteth our faith a worke It suffereth all things it beleeueth all things if endureth all things Iacob loued Rachel serued twise seuen yeares for her sake neither the heate of the day nor the frost of the night nor the breaking of his sleepe no danger losse or crosse could driue him out So the Israelites toyled and trauelled many miles to the temple hungry weary and thirsty they going through the vale of Baca make wells therein contented to refresh themselues with the raine that filled their pooles in so barren a wildernesse Psal 84. c. and thus they went from strength to strength till they appeared before the Lord their God in Sion And what was the reason hereof that they still proceed without any interruption euen this was the reason O Lord of Hosts how amiable are thy Tabernacles our soule longeth and fainteth for thy Courts our hearts and flesh reioyce in the liuing God Blessed are they that dwell in thy house and in whose hearts are thy wayes For the Lord our God is a Sunne and shield vs the authour of all good things and the deliuerer from euill hee will giue grace and glory and no good thing will hee withhold from them that are sincere therefore O Lord of hosts The onely way to profit by the word and ministry is to delight in the same blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Here we see that euery action without affectiō is laborious toylesome none euer soundly profited by the word and holy ministry thereof that delighted not in the same First this serueth to stirre vp our loue and liking of Gods truth to raise vp our dead affections and to cause our dull senses more earnestly to embrace the same and to set before our eyes the best examples for imitation and practise The word is of power and is able to conuert our soules to the liuing God and that we may be perswaded the better for the performance of this duty let vs consider the singular fruites and effectes of Gods word which wee ought so worthily to affect Gods law and word is perfect of it selfe to conuert our soules from sinne and Sathan to God and godlinesse heauen and happinesse his testimony is sure to giue wisedome to the simple The statutes of the Lord are right Psal 19.7.8 9.20.11 and reioyce the heart the commandements of the Lord is pure and giueth light to the eyes the feare of the Lord is cleane the iudgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether by them is thy seruant made circumspect in keeping of them there is great reward and therefore they are more to bee desired then gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then hony and the hony combe Gods word is the meanes for young and old to redresse their wicked wayes a counseller to aduise vs a Lanthorne to our feete a light to our pathes a resoluer of our doubts a sweetning of our affections able to reuiue vs being dead therfore saith Dauid I will delight in thy statutes I will not forget thy word Psal 119.16 72.97 ver 103. the law of thy mouth is better vnto me then thousands of gold and siluer O how loue I thy law it is my meditatiō continually how sweet are thy promises vnto my mouth yea more then hony vnto my tast thy testimonies haue I taken as an heritage for euer no earthly thing being comparable to them for they are the ioy of my heart they that know thy law haue great prosperitie and they shal haue no hurt Keepe them and doe them sayth Moses for this is your wisedome Deut. 4.6.8.9 and vnderstanding in the sight of other people who shal say onely this people is wise and what nation is so great that hath ordinances and lawes so righteous therefore take heede to thy selfe and keepe thy soule diligently let not these things depart out of thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy sonnes and thy sonnes sonnes Hence proceedeth all blessings from heauen and earth vpon man and beast corne and cattell wine oyle or what can be desired 1. Tim. 4.8 for godlinesse hath the promise of this life and of the life to come If we seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse all other things shall be ministred vnto vs Mat. 6.33 Mat. 13.44.45.46 Luke 10.42 this is the best part and most necessary duty that caused Marie to be preferred before Martha for setting all other things aside Hauing such promises let vs with Marie choose the best part which shall neuer be taken from vs. to come sit at Iesus feete to heare his word this Pearle must be purchased with all wee haue all other things are but drosse and dung in respect of the excellent knowledg of Christ Iesus our Lord therfore we must not only heare and reade and meditate but encrease our loue liking and delight to the
holy ministry of Gods word longing and thirsting after it Psal 42.1.2 with Dauid As the Hart panteth after the water brookes so panteth my soule after thee O God Thus euery good Christian must whet the appetite of his soule to delight in Gods law by conference meditation hearing reading praying preaching and dayly frequenting of holy assemblyes Psal 122.1 I was glad when they sayd vnto mee let vs goe into the house of the Lord. So was it prophesied of the christian church that many people should go and say Mich. 4.1 Esa 2.3 Esa 60.7 Come let vs goe vp to the mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Iacob and he will teach vs his wayes and we shal walke in his paths who are these that flie like a cloude and as Doues to their windoes Noting not onely the greatnesse of the number but diligence and zeale of such as should come to Christ and receiue his doctrine and Christ sayd Mat. 11.12 that from the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Thus the zeale of Gods house should eate vs vp The least danger or weaknesse doth put of such as are backward in Gods seruice Secondly this serueth to confute and reproue all such as are backeward and carelesse in this necessary duty being idle and vaine in their excuses or reasons to hinder their zeale and loue to the word any feare the least danger Prou. 22.13 Psa 119.51 62.7.11.12 Luk. 14.18.19.20.23.23 and worldly businesse doth put them off There is a Lion in the way Some haue their oxen to prooue their Farme to see their wife to marry all these yet are inuited to come to the Feast though vnworthy of the same therefore God will fill his house with any others then with such euen those that sit in the high way and vnder hedges the most basest and vilest of men shall enter before them and bee saued Mat. 21.31.32 euen whores and harlots shall sooner be receiued then those that seeme children of the kingdome God will raise vp to Abraham sonnes of stones rather then these viperous serpents shall haue the name of his seed Mat. 3.9 Others there are that thinke if we should make conscience of religion begin to read the word to frequent sermons to haue prayer in our families and the like this would make vs to bee scoffed and mocked at but let such heare what the word saith that pronounces them blessed that delight in the law of the Lord Psalme 1. and meditate therein day and night and that seeke him with their whole hearts yea albeit they should meet with some disgrace and opposition in the world Psal 119. Math. 5. Blessed are yee saith Christ when men reuile you and persecute you and speake all manner of euill against you falsly for my names sakt Reioyce and be glad for great is your reward in heauen is it not better to endure a little mocking from men for a time and that for well doing then to vndergoe the wrath of God for euer for ill doing Let vs consider in particular what benefit we may reape by the ministry of the Gospel Isai 5.3 Heare saith the Prophet Isaiah Iam. 1.21 thy soule shal liue receiue the word with meekenes saith Iames which is able to saue your soules Reu. 1.3 blessed is he that reades heares the words of this Prophesie saith the spirit in the Reuelation And on the other side Prou. 28.9 he that turneth away his eare from hearing the law his prayer shall bee abomination saith Salomon and againe the wisedome of God speaks thus because I haue called and ye refused Prou 1.24.25.26 I haue stretched out my hand none would regard but yee haue despised all my counsell and would none of my correction I will also laugh at your destruction and mocke when your feare commeth These and the like places if wee could throughly consider of they would worke more powerfully with vs to cause vs to desire the word and to retaine and keepe our hearts still in loue and liking of it then all the reproches and persecutions in the world could to withdraw our affections from it God is to be heard before any Therefore they that come to receiue benefit by the ministery must not harken what reasons flesh and bloud can yeeld them against it but what reasons God can giue them for it for the diuell will haue much to say against goodnesse and our owne fleshly wisdome will haue haue as much the world will be as great a pulbacke vnto vs if we will giue it the hearing but if we can bend an attentiue eare vnto the Lord wee shall finde that hee will bring better arguments to perswade vs to goodnesse then all those our enemies can to disswade vs from it therefore it is that men are so often and so grossely deceiued because they heare what the one side can say to discourage and hinder them in actions of piety and godlinesse but not what the other can say to harten and draw them onward in good wayes for if they did bring a spirituall eare to receiue the proofes that are brought from the word they would be more forceable to bring them to God then al other means could be to allure them to forsake God Eph. 4.30 If wee cherrish in vs the gifts of Gods holy spirit it assures vs of deliuerance from the wrath to come and to embrace or hearken to the allurements of this present world therefore Paul writing to the Ephesians he saith thus grieue not the holy spirit of God nor that holy delight in the commandements he brings a forcible reason wherby you are sealed vnto the day of redemption This is the onely euidence wee haue of freedome from condemnation this is Gods marke and character set on vs and seizing vs for his owne this is like the blood that was stricken vpon the doore posts Exo. 12.22 which shall make the Lord to passe ouer vs and not suffer the destroyer to come neare vs when he goeth to smite the Egyptians By this wee are assured that the day of iudgement shall bee to vs no day of wrath but a day of redemption so then thus wee may take the Apostles meaning as you desire to retaine assurance of your deliuerance from the wrath to come and that the Lord should take notise of you for his in the day of that dreadfull separation so see that by all meaanes you cherish in you the gifts and operation of Gods holy spirit grieue it not by strangling and choaking of those holy motions and operations but let them be cherished and preserued without any the least abatement Thirdly Let vs beware of quēching the motions of the spirit for the sin is fearefull this serueth to condemne such as nip the bud so soon as euer it
and dost thou not rest in Negatiues abstaining only from what is forbidden but hast thou also regard to affirmatiues doing what God hath enioyned to bee done esteeming this latter as necessary as the former Surely if it bee thus thou mayst haue comfort that thy obedience to the Commandements is sound and good but yet a little further thou abstainest from grosse euils and art seuere and sore against others that fall into them such such sinnes thou dost not commit but what is the ground of thy abstaining Is it the law of the Magistrate feare of Gods wrath or shame of the World or is it because thou wantest ability or opportunity if this be the ground let me tell thee this is a false ground will deceiue thee in the end But dost thou leaue these H s 3.5 Psal 130.4 because they are euill and displeasing to the Lord Dost thou feare the Lord and his goodnesse and tremble to offend him because of his mercy Why then it is an euident signe of a sanctified soule Oh that we would deale truely with our selues that we would now at the last learne to be wise and not gull our soules as most doe and therefore consider with thy selfe and be thou better aduised cast of all profainenes follow holines and piety for without it no man shal euer see God to his comfort Seeing therfore examination is so necessary for euery one Examination so necessary that without it no state of life can bee rightly ordered let vs goe one step further in this tryall of our selues Hast thou felt by thine owne experience this great worke of regeneration and change wrought vpon thy soule Hath the powerfull Word by the inward and effectuall working of his Spirit broken and bruised thy hard stony heart Hath it pierced and purged the very closest and vnsearchable corners thereof hath it humbled it with the sight of thy sinnes hath it filled it with fearefull terrours remorse and true sorrow for thy life past hath it after quieted and refreshed it with a sure faith in Christ Iesus and a delight in heauenly things hath it mortified thy inward corruptions broke the heart of thy sweet sin hath it planted a holy moderation in all thy affections that whereas heretofore they haue beene enraged with lust with immoderate anger with ambition with insatiable desire for the inlargement of thy possessions greatnesse and with hatred of Gods dearest seruants and their holinesse are they now inflamed with zeale for Gods honor truth seruice with a feruent loue vnto the Lord and his Saints with Christian courage to oppose against the sinnes of the time to defend goodnesse good causes to contemne the lying slanders and profane scoffes of worthlesse men hath it begot in thy will an hunger and thirst after the spirituall foode of thy soule the Word and Sacraments so that thou hadst rather part with any worldly good then not enioy the incomparable benefit of a conscionable and constant ministery are thy thoughts which hertofore did wander vp downe at randome wickedly idly wantonly are they now bounded within a sacred compasse and spent vpon holy things and the necessary affaires of thy honest lawfull calling Is thy vnderstanding informed acquainted with the mistery of saluation which the world the wise men thereof account nothing but madnes and folly is thy memory which hath heretofore bin stuffed with trash and toyes vanities and follies now capable and greedy of diuine knowledge are thy words which heretofore haue bin full of profanenes worldlines now directed to glorifie God to giue grace to the hearers Nay yet further besides this reuocation of the faculties of thy soule hath the power of grace sanctified all thy outward actions Dost thou order in euery particular all the businesses of thy vocation religiously conscionably by direction out of the Word of God Dost thou now heare the Word of God not only of course and custome but of zeale conscience to reforme thy selfe by it to liue after it Do not the weekdaies duties and worldly cares drown thy mind on the sabbath dost thou exercise daily with fruit feeling prayer that precious cōfort of the faithfull Christian Thou being conuerted dost thou labor the cōuersion of others especially of those which are committed any way to thy charge and for whom thou must giue a more strickt account as if thou be a master of a family dost thou pray with them instruct them in the doctrine of saluation wayes of godlinesse dost thou now not only sticke at and forbeare great and grosse sinnes but dost thou euen hate the garment spotted of the flesh and all appearance of euill Thes 15.22 doth the tendernes of thy conscience check thee for the least sin make thee feareful to offend thogh it be but in a wandring cogitation after euery fal into infirmities art thou carefull to renew thy repentance learn wisedom watchfulnes to auoid thē afterwards dost thou feele thy selfe profit grow increase in these fruits effects of grace hast thou such a gracious taste of the glory of God of eternal life that thou art euen willing desirous to meete thy Sauior in the clouds not so much to bee rid out of the miseries of this life as to be freed from the heauy burden of Heb. 12.1 sin which hangs on so fast to enioy his presence in the heauens for euer in a word as thy soule giues life spirit motion to thy whole body euery part thereof doth the Spirit of God euen so inspire thy soule and body and all thy actions with the life of grace why then thou art possest of the state of true blessednes Here is great comfort for all such as can find this vprightnesse in themselues they neede not feare thogh the earth should bee mooued yet they shall abide and be safe in the Day of the Lord. thou art then happy that euer thou wast borne thy life is certainely the way of life and I can assure thee and I dare boldly speake it that thou art already out of the reach of all the powers of Hell Satan is chained vp for euer doing thee any deadly hurt all the creatures are reconciled vnto thee at league with thee thou hast filled the angels with ioy at thy conuersion they will for euer gard thee thou shalt neuer more be afraid for any ill tidings though the earth bee moued Psal 46.2 and though the mountains fal into the middest of the sea thy heart shall abide strong vnshaken and comfortable when thou fallest downe vpon thy bed of sickenesse thou shalt finde no mortall pryson in thy flesh no sting in death no darkenesse in the graue no amazement at that great and fearful day for all the merits and sufferings of Christ are thine all the comforts of Gods children are thine all the blessings in the booke of God
are thine euen all things are thine and thou art Christs and Christ is Gods onely stand fast in thy faith quit thy selfe like a man and bee strong gird thy sword vpon thy thigh buckle fast to thee the whole armour of God ride on because of the word of truth Psal 45.3 and the Lord thy God bee with thee breake through for a while with vndanted courage the bitternesse of the worlds malice the keene razours of empoysoned tongs the teares and tediousnes of a few wretched daies for thou art neerer the prize of the high calling thē when thou first beleeuedst shine more and more in faith in patience in loue in knowledge in obedience and all other christian graces vntill the perfect day vntill thou reach the height of heauen and the full glory of the Saints of God A true mark of our repētance if we haue left our euill wayes to serue the liuing God First here is matter of great consolation for vs for hereby wee may gather assurance vnto our owne hearts of the soundnesse of our repentance and conuersion to the Lord if we haue indeede turned from our euill wayes to serue the liuing God so that we delight in the commandements therefore they may take this for their comfort who are still proposing of good questiōs what they must do and how they must do it by what meanes they may get out of this or that sinne and attaine to such or such a grace how they may bee profitable helpfull and comfortable to themselues and others this was the practise of the Publicans and Souldiers and all sorts that were inwardly touched in their consciences by the preaching of Iohn Baptist Luk. 3.10 euery one of them came vnto him saying What must we do and of the Iayler who when once hee began to be humbled came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas saying Act. 18.29.30 What must I doe to be saued For howsoeuer Gods seruants haue learned for the most part what things in general must be done yet still they need to bee enformed in many things therefore if wee truely repent vs of our sinnes the Lord wil neeuer leaue vs till all our iniquities bee quite remoued from vs for they that turne to the Lord by true repentance the Lord will wash them from all their sinnes by the bloud of his Sonne that whatsoeuer offences we repent of wee shal be sure to haue thē pardoned Secondly God accepteth of penitent persons the wil for the deed as for the fulfilling of the law in absolute perfection If we haue a willing mind to performe our duty the Lord will accept the will for the deed that Christ alone hath performed he hath paid our debt and cancelled the bond and taken away the hand-writing that was against vs now this onely remaineth for vs that we haue a good inclination and a willing mind to performe our duty and labor to the vtmost of our strength so to do seeing and bewailing our manifold imperfections errors faylings in euery one of our seruices which if wee can doe God will bee as well pleased with vs through his beloued sonne as if wee had kept the whole law without any declining from it at al eyther to the right hand or to the left That which is spoken in the matter of communicating vnto the necessities of the Saints in the Epistle to the Corinthians to wit if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath Cor 2.8.12 not according to that he hath not holdeth as true in all other seruices that wee are accepted with the Lord according as we are inwardly affected albeit our actions bee not answerable to our desires for hee that hath a ready minde to what hee can and doth the same would bee as ready to doe a great deale more if his ability did serue and therefore the Lord will shew his gracious acceptance of that which is done by him though it be neuer so little as well as if it had beene a matter of a farre greater worth Now that the true purpose and intent of the heart is that which God principally regardeth in his seruants is plainly proued out of holy Scripture for we may reade in Genesis what God saith of Abraham Gen. 22.7 By my selfe haue I sworne saith the Lord because thou hast done this thing and not spared thine only son therefore I will surely blesse thee and yet Isaac was not slaine but Abraham withdrew his hand from him and spared him yet because hee was content to kill him and made all things ready for the sacrificing of him God accounts it as good and rewardeth it as wel as if he had killed him indeed So Dauid had but a purpose to build the temple 1. Chron. 17 1. 1. Kin. 8.16 which worke was afterward layd vpon Salomon and by him performed yet the Lord giueth him a good testimony and large reward for his readinesse that way hee was content to spare him because he had beene at great paines before in shedding the bloud of many enemies of the Church and some remained yet still to be subdued by him yet this he telleth him for his comfort whereas it was in thine heart to build an house vnto my name 1. Chro. 17.10.11.12 thou diddest well that thou wert so minded and besides this he biddeth Nathan to carry him this message that the Lord would build him an house and would raise vp seed after him and employ his sonne in that honourable seruice of building an house vnto the name of the Lord and that hee would establish his throne for euer and therefore if we can beleeue that hee is pleased with our good actions we may as well bee perswaded that hee is delighted with good our motions and holy desires that are stirred vp in our hearts by his owne spirit And the reason why God taketh such small things in good worth is Psal 103.13 because hee is both in name and nature a father Mal. 3.17 yea an heauenly father and therfore hath compassion of those that feare him now hee that is a most mercifull and wise and louing father as those will be most mercifull to others that haue tasted most of Gods mercy to themselues when he seeth that his child doth as well as he can though it be but simply and poorely yet hee will shew his liking of it commend him for it and so will God deale with vs though wee cannot doe things perfitly yet if we doe them obediently hee will shew his loue and approbation of vs and of our workes When a little child doth cheerefully ayme and shoot at the marke which his father proposeth vnto him though by reason of his weaknesse he shoot very wide and short yet it is well accepted of his father as if hee did hit the white and the like fatherly dealing shall we finde in God that if wee bee faithfull in a
light were not so great the times the nations had not sinne who amongst vs is so ignorant but hee knowes that Idolatry swearing stabbing whoring and excessiue drinking are sinnes and that for these things comes the anger of God Is any so simple that hee knowes not the ten Commandements and the sum of the Gospel yet how desperately doe men rush on the pikes carelesly wittingly willingly seeing the gulfe and yet leaping into it Vpon this therefore doe I wish Christians would set prices and spend their studies euen about the art of doing the Conmandements But here some may aske how shall wee attaine this facility and faculty of doing I answer to wish it Good desires is the best halfe especially when it breeds praier for the dead and heartily to desire it is halfe yea and the best halfe of the worke for a man or woman to effect goodnesse aboue cunning is a good signe and a good helpe and step to bee such an one especially when this desire breeds prayer for power to doe knowing that without Christ wee can doe iust nothing therefore let euery one of vs do that we should do and blessed are we If we know that Baal be God if Rome be the true Church let vs turne to it againe if wee know that swearing dicing swaggering and foolish fashion following be good things let vs all fall to doe those things but if God hath giuen vs the truth and the light let vs walke in it and worke by it while it is to day lest if we play reuell and riot by it the Candlesticke be remoued and the light put out if purity sanctitie and sobrietie be knowne to vs to be good things and pleasing to God to keepe the Commandements and delight therein O happy then thrise blessed are we if we doe them Therefore to conclude though I confesse my selfe vnworthy to write The consideration of the blessednesse of that man that delighteth in the commandemeÌ„ts shuld moue vs to get our part therein yet I beseech you let my counsell be acceptable to the Reader that is let euery one of vs get some part in the CoÌ„mandements for the which the Lord may remember vs and the remembrance whereof may bee a comfort to vs at the houre of death let vs prouide with Ioseph in the time of plenty against the day of scarcity Iohn 92 the night commeth when no man can worke God loues a liuing sacrifice and a chearfull giuer therfore let vs thinke with Titus Vespasian wee haue lost thay day wherein wee haue not done some good O what a blessed houre shall that be wherein our soules shall expire with Hezekias words Esa 38.3 I beseech thee O Lord remember how I haue walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and haue done that which is good in thy sight Iud. 5.21 Then may wee say with Deborah O my soule thou hast marched valiantly Psal 116.7 Yea then may wee say with Dauid Return vnto thy rest O my soule for the Lord hath rewarded thee Death is the worlds strict doore keeper and will see 1. Tim. 6.7 that as wee brought nothing into the world so we shall carry foorth nothing againe yet can he not hinder vs from that blessednesse which the Oracle of heauen hath proclaimed to all those that delight in the Commandements Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord they rest from their labours and their works follow them Reu. 14.13 Let vs consider that onely our good workes will be our companions to heauen they shall bee our honour in life our comfort in death and our crowne at the last resurrection beseeching him to enable vs with grace for the performance of all thy Commandements for thy truth and for thy names sake Amen VERSE 2. His seed shall bee mighty vpon earth the generation of the righteous shall be blessed HAuing spoken of the blessednesse of that man that feareth the Lord and delighteth in his Commandements Now in this Verse the Prophet Dauid sheweth the happy successe of this blessed man His seed shall bee mighty vpon earth c. That is they shall not onely haue spirituall grace but also right vnto and the right vse of all the benefites of this life True obedience bring outward prosperity for true obedience to Gods Commandements though it bee not perfect brings the blessing of God vpon vs for outwards things as well as for inward This is promised in Deuteronomie where Moses speaketh thus vnto the people of Israel Deu. 28.2 c. If thou shalt obey diligently the voyce of the Lord thy God and obserue and doe all his Commandements which I command thee this day then the Lord thy God will set thee on high aboue all the nations of the earth and all those blessings shall come to thee c. Belssed shalt thou be in the citie and blessed also in the field 2. Cor. 9.7 c. Shewing that true and faithfull obedience is that which bringeth all manner of blessings for body and soule for name and estate yea and for seed and posteritie also and therefore the Apostle telleth Timothy 1. Tim. 6.5 that godlinesse is great gaine and that it hath the promises of this life and of the life to come In which regard Dauid saith I haue beene yong and now am old yet haue I not seene the righteous forsaken â—sal 4 â— 25. nor his seed begging bread therfore Dauids speech is well to be obserued for he doth not say the righteous is neuer forsaken How to vnderstand Dauids wordes but I neuer saw it speaking there of his own experience and obseruation hee had seene and so may wee that children of great men haue broken foorth into many horrible sinnes and so haue beene brought to a strange and miserable and violent death many wofull straits extremities before their death but he neuer saw neither shall wee see the godly seed of godly men forsaken of God and men and left as vagabonds to beg their bread but God hath euer had and still will haue a speciall care of them and euer made all necessary prouision for them either hee himselfe by a more particular prouidence of his casteth sufficency of these outward things vpon theÌ„ or blesseth their labours so that they are made a meanes of maintenance vnto them or if they fayle that way hee mooueth the hearts of some other of his seruants to pittie them and to supply their wants so that whatsoeuer their necessities bee they are freede from that curse that is denounced against the seed of the wicked to wit that they should wander vp and downe as vagrants begging their bread and making a trade of that vile wretched course of life Nothing that is needfull shall be wanting when Gods fauour is not Teaching vs this much that nothing that is needful shall be wanting to those that are in the fauour of the Lord such as haue