comparison for brotherly love is a celestial benefit how the spiritual dew is dispensed from God in heaven on those holy consecrated mountains Sion and Moriah where he vouchsafes his presence unto his people who resort thither to worship him and where they meet with soul-enriching graces and consolations othergets blessings than the dew of Hermon which makes them abound in faith and godliness to their own eternal as well as temporal felicitie such like is peace and love among the Israel and people of God it self is a special blessing from heaven and brings with it all manner of blessings from thence both temporal and spiritual if ever we mean to be rich and happie this is the way to live and love as sons of one father and mother God and the Church members of one body under one head the Messiah as all Israel shall be through love and obedience to David and his successours ruling in Sion as types of Christ. The cxxxiv. PSALM David being a man of fervour and affection in the service of God gives a watch-word to the watch-men of the Temple the Priests and Levites and in them to gospel-Ministers not regardlesly to passe over their duties but to be imployed for the whilst as Christ himself is for ever in praying for the people and Church of God and blessing both God and them and that in a proportionable zeal here to Christ and his saints in heaven in their respective imployments there See the title of the 120 Psalm 1 YOu that are by the special appointment and ordination of God chosen as Christ himself from among all your brethren and preferred to the honour of sanctuarie-administration continually in his presence consider the place you hold whom and what you personate even Jesus Christ in his Priestly office at the right hand of God who ever liveth to make intercession and offer thanks-givings for his Church to his father have that allwayes in your eie and be active suitably stand not idle in your offices nor keep not sleepie centry in the sanctuarie but as your turns come to watch do service there as well night as day rouse up your spirits call to mind the moral meaning of your imployments which is to improve your nearer interest in God by virtue of your offices for the good of his Church and people as Christ does in heaven continually through Christ presenting to God in the Churches behalf the spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanks-giving for his mercies vouchsafed together with prayers and supplications for the continuation and constant gracious dispensation of them still as there is need 2 I say again busie and lay out your selves in those sacred and religious imployments of praise and prayer neither idle nor nifle out your time and Turn in the sanctuarie nor yet with formalitie or hypocrisie do you do your service to him as bare pretenders but as holy and real performers clap your wings in your night-watches let your hearts be in heaven and your hands in token of the fervour of your spirits lifted up thitherwards and so bless the Lord not betwixt sleeping and waking but with the whole soul and bodie too considering he whom you worship is a spirit and his proper place of residence is above in the heavens whose service there for condiscention sake you personate in the sanctuarie here in types shadows wherein you must not stick but by them mount up higher even to him where he is in spirit and faith externally manifested by suitable comportment of bodily action and expression such as are significant and adorative commensurable to Gods glorie and greatness your own hearts puritie faith and fervour and the Divine condition of the Church-Triumphant in heaven 3 Your office is double faced upward and downward you are in Christs stead like Jacobs ladder on which and by which blessings are to ascend and descend for as you are the mouth of the Church and people of God to offer him their thanks and praises blessing him continually in their behalfs as Christ does the father for the elect so likewise are you to be the mouth of God down to his people to bless them from him which doubtless is as an honourable so a full imployment if you set your selves to do it as it ought to be done with that zeal and reverence the Church oweth to her head and with that delight and love the head hath in and to his bodie and fellow-members Pray therefore for and as presenting the person of Jesus Christ that effectual mediatour in his name also faithfully bless ye the Israel of God that do worship him in Sion his place of residence with the blessings of his special protection and salvation who is the onely true God and Allmighty master of heaven and earth The cxxxv PSALM The Psalmist quickens up the people of Israel in general the Priests and Levites more particularly but most especially the faithful of both sorts to magnifie and praise the Lord and this he doth by way of argument taken from the congruitie delectabilitie and dutie of it from such a people to such a God who as he is greatly to be preferred for his self-sake and the excellent power that is in him so for the effects of it towards them the grateful memorie whereof should ever be upheld for his glorie and his peoples faith sake All other Gods being but puppits he onely is God and onely to be blessed as such especially of them that are his onely people and Priests his Church preferred by him of all the world to that honour who therefore ought to honour him how and where he will be worshipped 1 O That all sorts of people would consider their dutie of praising God conscionably to discharge it in spirit and power to magnifie him for his greatness as Lord of and over all yea for his excellent attributes and properties not onely absolute but relative of grace and goodness and for his alonenes for as there is no God like him so there is no God but him O ye servants of the Lord chosen by him and set apart for that purpose what ever others do forget not you your duties not onely of your persons but of your places to praise the Lord worthily with hearts enlarged with the apprehensions of him and his manifold excellencies 2 I mean ye Priests and Levites principally be you especially conversant in this service of praising the Lord in his holy Temple where you are priviledged to administer like to the glorified saints in heaven that stand in his presence for ever more praising the Lord. Yea and all others also that are admitted to the participation of grace and that worship him in his ordinances though at greater distance whether Levites or people whose persons and praises faithfully tendered in spirit are yet really accepted and graciously regarded by the God of Israel whose presence is as well in the courts which also are sanctified as in
from the dead by freeing me from mortal dangers which put my very life in peril and caused much affliction of mind he hath carried on all the course of his providence towards me in a way of truth and faithfulnes according to his promise and that onely for his own free-grace and mercies sake therefore hath nothing failed of all that he promised me 4 Yea I have had such large and unquestionable experience of thy love and faithfulnes that though I should be brought into never so great danger and lie never so long under it yet will I not distrust thy deliverance at last for because all that befals me is by thy permission and makes not void thy grace and providence which is then with me when all things are against me Thou hast a rod of offence for mine enemies and a staff of defence and protection for thy sheep and for me thy servant which sustains my faith and courage against all fears and dangers 5 Thou hast plentifully provided for me enriched me with the spoil of my very enemies and made me master and owner of that was theirs to the great regret of those of them that live to see me so as many of them do Thou hast heaped such an abundance of all manner of affluence and beneficence both for honour delight and necessitie upon me that thou hast made me overflow in blessings and benefits unto others as shall Christ the head to his members 6 I cannot but conclude from that goodnes and mercie I have already found according to thy promise that I shall ever whilest I live be a large sharer in thy free and bounteous beneficence and liberality And I promise by Gods grace I will never so surfet of thy benefits as to forget my benefactor but will diligently frequent thy sanctuarie and hold on a constant course of praise and thanks-giving therein according to thy commandments as thou shalt hold on a course of mercie and favour to me according to promise ending as I begin The xxiiii PSALM David to invite men into a participation of the sanctifying graces of the spirit and salvation and glorification by Christ shews That though all the world and men in it belong to God yet with great difference for though all are his by right of creation yet hath his special favour of election and calling passed onely upon such as are holy others are but his creatures these his sons and daughters whom he spurs on to enlarge their desires after Christ in the exercise of faith and use of means and promises both him and together with him happines and security to such A Psalm made by David 1 THe Lord hath dominion over all the earth which together with those infinit species and individuals of creatures animate and inanimate that are in it are all of them his Yea the whole world from North to South and East to West is his and under his regiment together with all the inhabitants thereof every where 2 For it is he that hath made all both sea and land and that hath given an habitable existence and being to the earth above the waters which he hath placed below it in that great Abysse where the seas remain By his decree it is thus established over and above the waves and surges of the sea which else would soon surmount it 3 But though all the world be the Lords in common right of creation yet who are they that are his redeemed ones in special relation that have the honour and priviledge to be peculiarly elected and called out of the world to worship and serve him here and to be glorified of him hereafter like as in type we are being his peculiar and chosen people who of all the world are priviledged with his sanctuarie which we frequent and where we worship him upon mount Sion the figure of heaven 4 Why onely he that is holy and upright whose conversation and affections are changed from the corrupt course of the world in obedience and love to God purifying his heart from inward concupiscences and leading his life unblameably Who hath not either committed impietie in trusting in vain confidences or worshipping vain idols instead of the true God or iniquitie in swearing falsely to the wronging of truth or equitie 5 Such an one is and shall be blessed of the Lord with his grace and favour and shall partake the righteous reward of his holy walking at the hands of God who hath thereby ordained him unto salvation and glorification 6 These are the peculiar people and children of God chosen out of the world that do thus truly and sincerely set themselves to worship him Yea amongst Israel it self also there are none that are truly that is spiritually the children of holy Jacob that in this wise walk not in his steps sincerely serving and worshipping the God of Jacob. These are onely the blessed people of a blessed God 7 Ye that are thus the living Temples of the Lord and have already entertained his sanctifying spirit into you do you lift up your hearts in the use of holy ordinances through faith in joyful desires and assured expectation of him yea be you abundantly lift up by faith in the use of holy means who are the everlasting habitation of an everlasting God with a joyful and assured welcome of him for so shall you invite and undoubtedly entertain the high and mightie potentate the Lord Christ into your souls with the glorious manifestation and ravishing operation of his love benefits and graces 8 And know O all ye faithful and obedient ones for your courage and comfort who and of what qualitie this glorious King the Lord Jesus is whom the world despises but you honour Why he is the Almighty God of power all-sufficient to preserve and defend his people and Church that in trust of him do love and serve him against all the strength and power of men and devils that do or shall malign or oppose themselves against them and to put them to the foil as we his Israel in the letter have found by experience for your instruction and corroboration that are his people in Spirit 9 10 See the seventh and eigth verses foregoing These being a repetition tending to amplification for further assurance of what is there promised and ratified with a Selah for the incouragement of the Godly The xxv PSALM David notwithstanding the deep sense he had of his sins by reason of the great afflictions he lay under yet confidently repairs to God in prayer for justice against his enemies and mercie for himself both in the pardon of his sins and bestowing grace upon him assuring himself that herein he shall be heard because of Gods goodnes and the many sweet promises which in the general he hath made to his people which he applies to himself in particular And so ends as he begins with prayer forcibly urged upon God by the greatnes of
hands to be judge of and pray thee O thou my righteous and good God in thy justice and faithfulness to defend the cause of thy servant where the fault is there let the punishment light and let not them that are wicked have cause to rejoyce at my destruction that am innocent 25 Let them never have cause to rejoyce in my ruin and say when they see it It is as we would have it let them not prey upon me and boast themselves against me and say we have our desire 26 Let them O Lord as enemies to Christ and his Church be shamefully defeated of their hopes and brought to utter destruction even the whole rout of them that unjustly wish me ill and rejoyce to see it befall me Let disgrace and obloquy be their portion that seek to make it mine and that proudly insult over me in my misery 27 And on the contrary let them as friends of Christ and his Church have their hearts desire and their bellies full of joy and comfort that out of love and pitty to mine innocency and the cause of Christ as it is engaged in me wish well to me and take part with me Let such have cause for ever to remember with praise and thankfulness thy loving-kindness and mercy to me thine annointed and chosen one shewn in my preservation and prosperous success against mine enemies and in thy vindication of mine innocency against my false malignant accusers 28 And I for mine own part promise that thy praises shall never die on my hand but when as thou shalt have fulfilled thy goodness and truth to me I will all my life long preach and declare thy faithfulness and grace for the defence of thy people and thy righteous judgements against their wicked enemies to invite others to trust in thee and wait upon thee of both which I shall be then a singular example which I will perpetually publish to thy no less singular glory The xxxvi PSALM David gives as I conceive the character of Saul and the rest of his enemies branding them deeply for wicked men and treacherous But with all incourageth himself in the superlative faithfulness mercy and loving-kindness which God hath promised and keeps in store for his people that serve him and trust in him which shall not deceive them and which he prayes may be ever the portion of all the godly but more especially of himself in his preservation and his enemies destruction To him that is first and principal of all the Quire is recommended for the care and ordering of it to be sung by David the designed and dedicated servant of the Lord this Psalm which himself made 1 THe constant course of wickedness which appears in my perverse and malicious enemies adures me that I may with a safe conscience censure them to be wicked men void of all conscience and piety enemies to God and goodness and that both they and their cause is naught 2 It clearly appears they are so for that they proudly bolster up themselves in their own evil wayes without remorse or amendment and so its like will ever do till God by his judgements convince them how hateful they are 3 They make no conscience to slander and dissemble they have quite given over the profession and practise of godliness and honesty counting it foolishness and practise nothing but craft and iniquity as if that were the onely wisdom 4 They set all their wits a work to do mischief night and day early and late they make a very trade of it with might and main endeavoring to work wickedness never scrupeling to act any thing be it never so sinful but the worse it is the better they like it 5 Yet have I no cause to dread them considering how far thy mercy and truth wherein I trust is able do for me above what they can do against me which as far exceeds them their power and policie as the heavens and the clouds above do the earth beneath 6 Thy righteousnes goes as far beyond all that they by unrighteousnes can do against thy people as great mountains do little mole-hills and thy wisdom is not to be fathomed by reason it is to it as the Sea to shallowes All thine infinit excellencies are thy peoples inheritances whom thou certainly wilt preserve and bless maugre their enemies who notwithstanding the worlds sinfulness preservest man and beast of thy meer faithfulness and them much more 7 Thy goodness appears to be so great in thy promises and such abundance of loving kindness and mercie is held forth therein as that it is a most sweet and powerful attraction to draw men to thee to trust in thee for salvation and protection whose eyes thou openest and whose hearts thou disposest 8 And such as do convert to thee and repose themselves upon thee with trust and confidence they shall not repent it but shall feel and find infinit soul-satisfaction in the track of pietie and use of holy ordinances and thou shalt utterly quench their thirst after the world and sin by inspiring them with thy divine and heavenly grace and consolation to their surpassing ravishment and content 9 For in thee and from thee onely is the life of grace and true consolation to be had in the light of thy countenance and gracious favour shining upon us and by thy illuminating us therewith we shall have inward light and happiness when we are otherways never so in darkness and infelicitie 10 O Lord as thou hast promised so perform thy grace and favour to them that are enlightned by thee and drawn to thee withdraw not the light of thy countenance from such as serve thee and believe in thee but shine upon thy faithful and sincere people and bless them with preservation and safetie answerable to thy promise and their trust 11 As thou hast so still continue to succour me and prevent the attempts of my proud and wicked enemies upon me who would tread me under foot let them not with all their might and malice be able to stagger my faith in thee nor compass my ruin 12 But let me for my part be able to see by experience and to say to thy glorie There are my wicked enemies for all their pride and power destroyed by the just judgement of God and that according to thy promise by thine almighty power they are utterly subdued under me and fallen without likelihood of recoverie The xxxvii PSALM David grounding much upon his own experience and observation of Gods dealing with himself presseth many excellent exhortations upon the people of God advising them to patience faith and comfort in God promising them in so doing a happie issue to themselves and an unhappie to their wicked adversaries which exhortations and promises doubled and redoubled the better to take impression and beget incouragement is the substance of this whole Psalm A Psalm made by David
by theirs overthrow and destroy them and through thy good grace faithfull promise we hope to speed no worse than they but that we shall be able to vanquish and subdue them that do oppose and subjugate us 6 For it is neither bow nor sword skill nor strength that we thy people trust in as do the heathens 7 But in thee who hast all this while hitherto from Abraham till now wrought and fought for us against our enemies and given us still the better and them the worse that opposed themselves against us and sought to destroy us 8 In thee the Lord for that thou hast done and promised to do do we boast our selves and glory in the faith thereof continually and in no strength nor power but thine the praise of all our prosperity as from aforetime till now so from hence even for ever shall it be ascribed by us to thee onely From our hearts we intend it 9 Thou hast been we must and do confess a praise-worthy God to us in former times but alas now thou seemest to have rejected us for thou makest us go by the worse and givest the enemy the better of us to our great reproach and thine not prospering our armies nor giving victory on our side as thou wast wont to do 10 Thou turnest our faith and courage wherewith we were wont manfully to withstand our enemies into fearfull and faint-hearted flight and whereas we used to vanquish and spoil them that fought against us now they on the contrary vanquish us and prey upon our substance enriching themselves upon our ruines 11 Thou hast wonderfully altered thy course of grace and providence towards us for we that once commanded and bare rule are now sold over to our enemies to be spoiled and devoured at their pleasure and thou hast driven us out of our countrey where once thou plantedst us and from the exercise of our religion there and made us bond-men to the heathen who formerly were so to us 12 Of lates dayes thou hast set light by thy people for whereas thou wast wont to prize them highly and to give nations for them now thou givest them away and exposest them to all that will spoil them they not being so much as sold for bond-slaves like unto others but are made so for nought in so much as thy people are less worth to thee than common bond-men are to their masters who use not to part with them but for their profit but so dost not thou by us 13 Thou hast brought us from such an height of happiness to such a low estate of miserie and subjection that now our neighbour-nations who once admired us and shewed all respectful behaviour to us in our prosperitie do now generally reproch us as an abject nation 14 Thou makest us that are thine own people chosen out of all the world to serve and worship thee and to relate peculiarly to thee to be the laughing-stock and scornful by-word of the heathen and because of our calamities to be esteemed an abject people by the abject Gentils 15 The woful condition we are brought into under our hateful enemie is sadly remembred and laid to heart alwayes by us and a dejected shamefastnes hath utterly possessed us 16 For because of the scorns and blasphemies that through us are cast out against thee by the revengefull enemie that hath longed for this hour wherein he might despight us and our God 17 All this woful miserie of bondage and reproch is fallen upon us yet in the midst thereof we forsake thee not but own thee still for our God trusting in thee and worshipping of thee nor have we broken covenant by deserting thee and chusing other Gods to worship them as do our enemies that revile us 18 We have not peevishly cast off our affection and dutie to thee neither have we sought our remedie by indirect ways but still trust in thee seek to thee and walk with thee 19 Though thou hast exercised and humbled us under sore and heavie trials and hast plunged us into a sea of miserie and brought us out of a happie condition into a most desolate state uncomfortably scattering us among fierce and cruel enemies so that nothing but present destruction seems to hang over our heads continually 20 If for all this we have forsaken the worshipping and trusting in thee or betaken our selves to other Gods than thee to pray to or trust in them for help 21 To God who we know to be jealous of his glorie and a searcher of hearts we appeal if this be so 22 Yea if on the contrarie for thy truths sake we suffer not continual martyrdom and persecution 23 We trust in thee and pray to thee but find no relief from thee O Lord bethink thy self of our miseries and thine ingagements forbear our enemies no longer but shew thy self against them and for us whom thou hast long exposed to their crueltie but now give an end to it in mercie 24 Why Lord dost thou so long turn thy back upon us in displeasure and shew us no favour but seemest utterly to have forgotten us as if we neither were nor never had been thy people and to have no regard at all to our miserable state and condition 25 For we fruitlesly afflict our souls and mourn in dust and ashes prostrating our selves upon the earth before thee in continual prayer and supplication but are not heard 26 Be moved at last O Lord to pitie our extremities and to hear our prayers after so long and great oppression and miserie shew us some mercie help and deliver us by thy great power out of our great straits and miserable captivitie xlv PSALM The Author of this Psalm commends Solomon and his Government and in him Christ and after puts the Church especially that of the Gentils in mind of her happiness in being married to such an husband under the type of Pharaohs daughter exhorting to carrie her self worthie such high preâ—erment and wooing her to it by many ensuing benefits A Psalm made and set to Shoshannim an instrument of six strings for instruction to the wife of Solomon and so to the Church especially of the Gentils to turn from false Gods and their worship to the imbracing of God in Christ. Being a love-song typically shewing the extraordinary love of Christ to and delight in his spouse the Church by the type of Solomons love and delight in his wife in case she became a proselyte And committed to the family of the Korathites for them to sing 1 MY heart is happily inspired and my spirit inkindled to speak of a remarkable piece of Gospel-misterie touching Christ and his spouse I borrow my speech and allusion from King Solomon and such praise-worthie things as are observable in him My heart is full of Divine inspiration to set forth the praises of Christ thereby and my
tongue is made apt to utter them with a ready dexteritie 2 As God hath advanced thee O Solomon with honour to be King over Israel as Christ shall be over his Church so hath he beautified thee above the ordinarie ranck of men and adorned thee with excellent Divine wisdom and utterance worthie thy place of regiment like as he will do Christ the blessed King and bridegroom of his Church with all the excellent inward ornaments of grace and spirit wherein he shall exceed all and of which his excellencies he shall participate to all his people by his powerful and saving word of grace which is an infallible argument of the never failing love and favour God hath to thee and will ever bear thee the type as to Christ the antitype and the blessings that shall accompany it 3 Whensoever thou preparest for war prepare for victorie O thou that art mightily blessed and aided by the Almighty God of heaven and made the King of most renown and majestie in all the world as Christ shall be the most powerful and victorious Saviour of his Church and mightiest potentate to whom all power shall be given both in heaven and earth 4 And in the majestick power that God hath given thee prosperously proceed to aw and conquer all thine enemies not by falshood pride and injustice as do other Kings that move upon earthly principles but in Gods way by the exercise of his graces of faithfulness meekness and justice as shall do Christ by his Kingly office in behalf of his Church prevailing and conquering by the saving truth of his word patient long-suffering and righteous performing of his promises ruling and walking in this manner thou shalt be able to work wonders and shalt strike terrour into thine enemies and reverence into thy people as shall Christ into his 5 Those that shall oppose thy Sovereign rule and government will have but bad success for thou art as Christ shall be of power to quell them whereby whole nations of the Gentils shall be subdued to thy subjection and obedience as they shall to his 6 Thy dominion and sovereigntie O Solomon the type of Christ the son of God is not like meer earthly Kings that perish but it shall in him who is God and our Divine mediator be extended over all and to all eternity Thou hast right to rule for God himself hath given thee dominion over Jews and Gentils as he hath done to Christ over all the world a just and righteous government shalt thou the type execute in him the antitype who is the just and holy God not subject to the corruptions of earthly Princes 7 For he whom thou resemblest perfectly loves and obeys the holy and righteous will of God and as perfectly hateth both sin and sinners for which cause that he may be Gods high officer and King over his Church chosen peculiarly to that place and honour before all mankind and Gods own people too as David was before all Israel and both he and thou before the rest of your brethren therefore is he inabled and enriched from God whose son even by nature he is and whose love most especially he hath with the spirit of consolation and all his Divine graces in his humane nature even without measure whereof the adopted sons of God and fellow-members of Christ that are partakers with him of the Divine nature as he is with them of the humane do share but in measure short of him receiving grace for grace from him 8 All thy royall robes O Solomon are richly and odoriferously perfumed with the most costly aromatick spices when as thou shewest thy self to thy people from out thy stately palaces who at the sight and smell of thee are rejoyced and refreshed and reciprocally return their joyfull and loyal acclamations to thee again to thy great contentment as well as theirs Like as Christ shall come from heaven furnished in his humane nature with all excellent graces and perfections befitting his high office to the infinit joy of his people who enjoy the sweet and benefit thereof which they return again unto him in love honour and service to his good content 9 Thou art honoured with many wives and concubines of high birth even Kings daughters are in the number of them but especially and of most account with thee is Pharaohs daughter who is Queen above all the rest and more gloriously attired than any Like as Christ shall have the attendance and company of many noble and famous congregations that will profess him and worship him externally in his ordinances But his onely and principal spouse is the holy Catholick Church consisting principally of the elect Gentils whom he shall cloth like himself in his own righteousness and adorn her with the Divine nature and the graces of his spirit and prefer her to special favour here and glorie with him hereafter in heaven 10 O daughter of Aegypt whom God hath made so happie as to bring thee thence and to marrie thee to King Solomon the type of Christ be thou also the resemblance of his spouse the Church specially of the Gentils by hearkening unto and embracing the true and saving knowledge of the onely true God and be converted by it as she shall be and turn from the errours wherein thou wast bred and born inheriting them by education and birth-right as do even the elect of God their sinful and corrupt nature till they be married to Christ by a new nature and forsake all for him 11 So shall King Solomon far more entirely love thee and delight in thee thy beautie being much increased thereby and thou made glorious within as well as without who is thy Lord and husband and therefore one whom thou oughtest to obey and desire to please Like as shall the Church be infinitly pleasing to Christ when she hath given herself to him and is endowed with his graces whose Lord and husband he is and whom she ought to serve and honour 12 Nor shalt thou lose thereby but God will greatly increase thine honour and esteem far more than being the daughter of Pharaoah comes to for so shalt thou in conjugal participation gain the homage and subjection of great and rich nations the most mightie and powerful people of all the world shall be brought under and made glad of thy favour through the favour and blessing of God upon thee Like as it shall be with the Church which worships Christ in puritie and sinceritie she shall be so blessed by him as that no enemy shall stand before her but by the assistance of the power and grace of Christ her Lord and husband she shall be Ladie and Mistresse of the whole world sought unto of all nations for the knowledge of her saving truth and participation of her graces with the renouncing of their false confidences to share with her in Christ. 13 Thou the daughter of King Pharaoh art not gloriously
and great commander in chief the Lord of Hosts even of all the numberless number of created beings in heaven and earth is with us the God of Jacob that mightily delivered him is on our side and in covenant with us to do the like for us in time of danger and difficultie Let us therefore be comforted in him The xlvii PSALM The Author of this Psalm which seems to be penned in the time of the glorious condition of the people of Israel under David and Solomon in the name of the Iewish Church and nation invites all the world to yield obedience to the Government of Christ typified in theirs then ascendent and to be partakers of their happiness and tells them the danger of refusing for as Christ must prevail so must his Church and people whose happiness he greatly extols because of the love and presence of God with them for which he stirs them up mightily to magnifie the Lord. And prophesies the enlargement of Christs Kingdom over and amongst the Gentils by the Almightie over-ruling hand of God and the glorious condition of the Evangelical Church under him as of theirs under David or Salomon and far beyond it A Psalm committed to Heman the chief musician of the familie of the Korathites for him and them to sing 1 O That all the world would be advised to share in our happiness by entertaining that common salvation tendred them in the Messiah now as it were ascended into heaven in that pledge of his presence the Ark pitched upon Sion and that now they would subject themselves unto him together with us not of constraint but of a willing mind with joyful and thankful hearts as one day they shall receiving him for their Lord and King that he might triumphantly reign over Jews and Gentils 2 For they that refuse voluntarie subjection to him will have cause to repent it they will find him even the Messiah whom they slighted in his types on earth to be the most high God reigning not onely in heaven but on earth also yea all the world over as he will make it appear by executing terrible vengeance upon such as rebel against him 3 But for our parts that are his chosen people we shall be blessed of the Lord and how ever the Gentils do stubbornly refuse to come in unto us partake of our priviledges and subject themselves to his government among us yet shall they be made subject to us and to our Kings the types of Christ whose spiritual Kingdom shall enlarge it self over all the world over-powring by his spirit the most ignorant and rebellious to receive him and be subject to him 4 As he hath graciously made choice of us for his people so will he accordingly give us the utmost he hath promised to our forefathers his faithful servants and their faithful seed concerning both an earthly and heavenly inheritance maugre all enemies temporal or spiritual and dignifie us the seed of holy Jacob his beloved with those excellent priviledges appropriated by promise of Temple-worship and royal government figuring Christ his King and priestly office An honour unspeakable 5 How do we see it made good to us in that the Lords Ark the sure pledge and token of his presence with us and favour to us is at this time to be fixed in its abiding place upon mount Sion whether it is triumphantly carried with joyful acclamations and sound of trumpet answerable to the welcome entertainment of Christ in the hearts of his Gospel-converts and faithful people in his Church Evangelical on earth and his glorious entertainment at his ascention by saints and Angels in heaven 6 O that we could rise up to their pitch of praise and gratitude for this unestinable mercie and priviledge we enjoy of the gracious presence and divine favour of God in Christ to us and amongst us in its lively types but though we cannot but come short of what it merits from us yet let us lay out our selves to the utmost of our skill and abilities in praising magnifying and exalting the Lord both for his own excellencies and for our interest and proprietie in him and them as a people ought to do that have such a God for their King and gracious benefactor 7 We above all people have cause to praise him for though he be King of all the whole earth yet of us in a differing manner and eminencie so that though honour be due to him from all creatures yet more especially from us for that none have that knowledge of him and peculiar obligation to him that we have Therefore we are not to praise him as others that know him onely by acts of creation and providence and are subjects at large but with a saving Gospel-understanding of him in the Messiah and powerfully not formally acting-faith in our hearts answerably to the praises of our lips 8 And though we be now the onely peculiar of God and all the world but we are as it were exempted out of grace and favour Yet are the heathen as well as we under his government and power And the same God that hath been gracious to us can make them also his people when he pleaseth And doubtless will from heaven his place of holiness remember in truth and faithfulness the promises made to and concerning them for light to shine out of Sion to them that sit in darkness which he is able to fulfil and bring them in to himself accordingly 9 Yea and which he will certainly do in great abundance even Kings and Kingdoms that now are heathenish shall imbrace the faith of Christ preached amongst them out of Jerusalem and be ingrafted into the stock of faithful Abraham our predecessour as well as we our selves whose seed they all are that do or shall believe upon the face of the whole earth and have as good a right to the God of Abraham as we whose priviledge ought not to be in the flesh but in the spirit by and in which spirit shall Jews and Gentils be united when the power of God shall be made manifest in Christ then shall the great as well as the small belong unto God and how ever they have refused subjection to him and stood in opposition against him yet they shall take Laws from him and and that right willingly becomming of enemies friends yea under him protectors and defendors of their fellow-brethren believers in Christ throughout all the earth Thus shall God in Christ be universally worshipped and his Kingdom enlarged far beyond the bounds of Jewry The particion shall be taken down and his dominion shall be throughout all the world as Davids and Salomons is over Jews and Gentils The xlviii PSALM This Psalm seems to be made upon some notable deliverance that Ierusalem had from some potent armie made up of several nations that had besiedged it but by a special and immediate hand of God wâ—re wonderfully defeated and sent away
given them Canaan the type of heaven which his people what ever they may suffer heâ—e shall be sure of For which mercies to all Israel but principally for his own particular ones which have been extraordinarie he promiseth praise with a free heart and a libâ—ral hand in all sorts of sacrifices appointed by God and would have the upright take notice for their learning that he never praid but was answered which he speaks to incourage such not Hypocrites who have no such priviledge as he and the rest of the â—aithful have whose prayers shall be effectual as his was To the President of the Quire is this Psalm committed for his ordering it to be sung and plaid by voices and instruments 1 THough all nations but we are as forreiners to God yet shall he have a Church of larger extent even all the World over that shall worship and praise him with joyful acclamations for his saving truths and benefits vouchsafed to them 2 They shall have their temple as well as we even the Gentils shall partake so liberally of his saving graces as that in the Antitype and complement of all our ceremonious musick they shall upon the coming of Christ his having a Church amongst them spiritually in a more divine strain than ours honour and magnifie his saving goodness gloriously praise him for it in higher degrees of faith and knowledge 3 Magnifie God for the terrible victories he hath at sundry times wrought upon the Gentils by the power of his might on the behalf of us his chosen people through the greatness of the power of whose grace shall these same rebellious Idolatrous Gentils one day be won to take Laws from God and become his people that now are in open enmitie against him and his Church to destroy it for which he so destroyes them 4 The time shall come that not we onely but the whole World shall know thee fear thee and believe in thee the Lord and shall offer thee that worship in substance which ours portrayes out in shadows the whole earth shall be thy temple and Quire for thy Church shall every where praise thee and magnifie thy saving goodness to them Lord let this thy Kingdom come 5 I would have all that are Gods in all ages often to recollect and consider for the strengthening of their faith and glorifying of God the wondrous things from time to time that he hath done for his Church and the works he hath wrought for the preservation of it how terribly he hath ever proceeded against the men of this World that have offended them and what judgements he hath alwayes executed upon such and ever will 6 How of old when his people Israel were in jeopardie and humanely impossible to escape being encompassed on all hands with unavoidable dangers the sea before and Pharaoh and his host behind how then the Lord by miracle wrought for them and divided the sea through which they passed upon drie land so also when they entred the land of Canaan what way the Lord made for them over Jordan in like sort though at that time it overflowed not going over it by help of boats or bridges but just as they did before through the red-sea the waters were divided miraculously and they went through on foot in the face of their enemies as if there had been no river betwixt O the joy that then was apprehended by our fore-fathers at the sight and experience of such wonderful power and goodness of God extended to his Church in their so supernatural accommodations for their safe transporting and their enemis destruction and disheartning which ought also in the memorie of it to rejoyce us and the people of God for ever being wrought by God as a pledge and assurance of his continual love towards the whole bodie of his Church and that he is the eternal Saviour of it from which act therefore ought to flow cause of rejoycing to us and all the Godly in all ages in the faith of the same immutable goodness 7 And power which shall never be weakened but as he then was so he is and ever will be of the same strength and sufficiencie to stand his Church in steed and to over-master their enemies nor will he be one jot less careful of his people hereafter than heretofore but as circumspect over them for their good in all parts of the world when they are universally called and gathered out of all nations to be peculiarly his as he was then to those that were so And as that ought to be an example and incouragement of joy and confidence for ever to the Church of God so of terrour and humbling to her enemies that having such a president before their eyes upon sacred and everlasting record dare rebel against God by wronging his people thinking to suppress and root them out because they are few and short of them for power and policie but it shall turn to their ruin in after-ages as well as then They may be sure of it 8 All Gods people ought to bless God and magnifie him for what he hath done and assuredly will do for his Church but especially we that are before-hand possessed of so many mercies and great deliverances we ought to resound and publish the praise of his famous acts for the Gentils to take notice thereof thence to be confirmed in faith and hope 9 From what he hath done for us who but for his care over us had long ere this been swallowed up a thousand times over of death and destruction by our many enemies which yet were never able to have their will of us but that still we are a people and have been upheld against as it were the whole world who because of Gods peculiar choice have a special malignant hatred to us 10 For Lord thou knowst what troubles we have undergone since we have been a people to thee and all to the end thou mightest have occasion to shew how firm thou art to us as thou hast ever made it to appear and to trie whether we will be as firm to thee in our faith in thee and worship of thee thou hast proved us over and over again by afflictions to give us testimonie of thee and that thou mightest have assurance of us a faithful sincere people 11 Thou thus to trie us and shew thy self hast many times led us into inavoidable dangers and to outward appearance exposed us into the power of our enemies to be destroyed by them and suffered them to oppress us sore as in Aegypt and otherwise 12 We have undergone as base and cruel usage as can be imagined counted no more of them than the dirt in the streets enduring the uttermost hardships under cruel task-masters and bloudie enemies as could possibly be invented and contrived against us and such things must thy Church alwayes look for in this World but thou hast made us
under his hand and come to nought even in a moment if he took that course he should destitute himself for ever of a Church and people upon earth and quite overthrow the design of his grace for of them Christ was to come which must not be frustrated 40 There is evident testimony of Gods long-suffering for how oft did they provoke him murmuring and quarrelling time after time in the wilderness where God did miracle after miracle for their sakes and still they were the same men persisting to sin against God and by their ungratefull unbelief and stubbornness to grieve his patience and irritate his anger even there where they were so at his mercy having nothing supplied to them by art and nature but were at his immediate finding who notwithstanding all their provocations there did either provide them food and raiment for which they neither digged nor span 41 Yea they appostatiz'd many and many a time breaking all ingagements and committing old sins upon new occasions never wanting any thing but presently fall a murmuring yea they threatened God to go back into Egypt again if they might not have their wills in the wilderness and thus provoked and tempted him to destroy them that would fain have saved them every foot questioning and mis-believing his power faithfulness and good-will towards them notwithstanding his gracious promises and wonderfull performances if they had not all things they had a mind to 42 And the cause of this was because they were a sinfull ungratefull people never heeding mercies longer than God wrought them nor valuing them for any other end than self-pleasing and preservation never regarding them as to God or the bettering of their faith and obedience unto him but so soon as they had suck'd the honey they despised the flower all mercies though miracles were transient things perished in the deed done even that great one when with such an out-streched arm he brought them out of Egypt and set them free from Pharaoh the very day and hour whereof they ought never to have forgotten 43 Yea every jot of that wonderfull deliverance ought to have been treasured up in everlasting rememberance which yet was quite forgotten what clusters of miracles there grew upon the stem of that one onely deliverance what clear tokens of his omnipotent power and goodness he made to appear then and there in his peoples behalf by those ten plagues brought successively for their sakes upon the King and kingdom of Egypt in Court and countrey The story is well known but not so well remembered 44 How miraculously he turned all the waters of Egypt into bloud by the stroke of Moses his rod the famous over-flowing river of that countrey with all their lesser streams yea their ponds and cisterns also all the land over was turned into bloud so that the fish died the river stunck and the Egyptians could not drink of the water no not of Nilus whose streams could not purge it 45 Also when that would not do to get Israels release he multiplied more plagues upon them sent grievous swarms of several sorts of promiscuous venemous flies and noisom worms into the house of Pharaoh and of his servants and into all the land of Egypt so that the land was corrupted with them and many of the Egyptians destroyed by them Aaron also brought frogs out of the waters of Egypt so abundantly that they covered the whole land went up into Pharaohs house his bed-chamber and bed and into the house of his servants and people their ovens and kneading-troughs yea crept upon the person and persons of the King and people and destroyed many 46 He also utterly destroyed the fruits of the earth to the loss both of their husbandry harvest by sending upon Moses his streching out his rod over the land of Egypt an East-wind over all the land which brought into and scattered all over Egypt such infinite of caterpillars and locusts exceeding grievous never was there any such nor shall be covering the face of the whole earth darkening the land devouring every green thing both upon the ground and growing on trees hearbs and fruits 47 48. He furthermore sent so terrible a hail and great quantities of hard frozen ice as brake the trees vines and sycomores destroyed the hearbs yea the very men and beasts that were in the field for it came tempestuously accompanied with thunder and fire that ran along upon the ground so that there was hail and fire mingled with the hail very grievous terribly tormenting and destroying all it light on 49 God did infinite of waies magnifie and manifest the power and terrour of his wrath indignation and anger and the ardencie of it also against those enemies of his people to be as an everlasting monument to his Church of his love and care over them and to their enemies of his fearfull displeasure for in the fierceness of his wrath he gave them into the power of the Prince of the air and his emissarie evil angels by whose means and operation many of those judgements which were inflicted upon Egypt were wrought and terribly executed 50 51. These plagues and more than these he sent upon the Egyptians which yet were all but fore-runners of the last which was worst and most capital of all the rest wherein his anger did most appear when as he sent a plague amongst them that at midnight destroyed the first-born in every house and caused such lamentation in Egypt as never was nor shall be the like for each father and mother there lost the first-begotten their dearest child the staff of their age the flower of Egypt throughout all the families of that cursed people who were the posteritie of Mizraim second son to Ham cruel oppressours and mortal enemies to the Church and Israel of God 52 The posteritie of Sem whom God chose to be a people to him peculiarly related his own both by choise and covenant and these in despight of their enmitie to them and empire over them he conducted by the guidance of Moses and Aaron himself especially being present out of Egypt from under their burthens and from amongst their cruel task-masters even every man woman and child of them as loth as Pharaoh was to part with them into the wilderness through the red sea where he had most tender care of them to protect them and provide for them as a sheepheard over his sheep 53 And for all that Pharaoh with his power and malice could do God preserved them as he could not keep them in Egypt so nor overtake them when they went thence though in eager pursuit after them to do them any hurt for God made them a passage through the sea it self where they went safely and without fear of drowning but Pharaoh and his whole host were over-whelmed in those waters 54 After that he had led them from station to station provided for them time
Thy faithfulness whereupon the promise of mercie and grace is builded and whereby it shall be fulfilled it is engaged and ratified to thy son the Churches head in heaven on thy Churches behalf on earth therefore sure enough to be accomplished from first to last both here and hereafter as well in heaven as on earth nothing shall hinder 3 Even this mercie which thou hast declared and stipulated Covenant-wise and sworn it too the faster to bind thee and strengthen our faith to thy chosen servant even to David that Kingly type of Christ and head of thy people 4 That thou wilt establish the Kingdom and Church in David the type and his posteritie in successive generations and in Christ the antitype for ever and will make his throne glorious and his dominion to increase and enlarge it self to all nations and all generations Even so Amen 5 According to which Covenant for the fulfilling thereof in the preservation and deliverance of thy Church thou shalt manifest such power and do such wonders as shall affect the very Angels in heaven who shall in the sympathy and love they bear to thy people praise thee as if themselves shared in the benefit and in heaven magnifie thy faithfulness as well as we on earth for keeping promise and remembering thy Covenant to fulfil it 6 For as there is none that on earth ought to be adored and magnified but God so nor in heaven where he alone rules as well as here below the Angels are our fellow-creatures and subjects as much inferiour to him as we are to them Yea though they are not of humane race propagated as we are but by the immediate hand of God created as was Adam yet there is no more comparison betwixt them and him than betwixt us and him he alone is absolute and Almighty 7 As God is great yea the sole Monarch of heaven aswell as earth so is he there greatly had in reverence and so ought to be of those his holy Angels and glorified saints aswell as here of his people they therefore have the honour to be his servants in ordinarie domesticks in heaven with him that they may glorifie him sutably to their excellent natures and happie condition it is their dutie and his due 8 O God that hast the sole Empire in heaven and earth and the sovereign chief command of all creatures in both who therefore is of strength like unto thee nay of any strength at all but thee from whom all things are and thou onely eternally of thy self who then can match thee in power or in faithfulness which is equal to thy power and appears in all things wherein thy power appears be they acts of providence or created Beeings and where is it that thy power appears not on every side in heaven or earth before or behind on the right hand or on thy left and of like extent is thy truth thy promise being as large as thy power and thy goodness as large as both in thy Churches behalf for her preservation and accomplishment 9 10 What was it but thy power and faithfulness that when time was did dispose and rule the unruly waters of the red-sea for the preservation of thy Church then ready to be killed or drownd by it before and the Egyptians behind whom thou as it were at one blow cutst off and destroyest as one man at once and didst defeat those thine enemies because thy Churches and their great preparations and bloudy designs upon thy people by a mightie manifestation of power which thou shalt ever put forth in thy Churches behalf stilling the storms that every where in the world she shall meet with like a ship at sea and preserve her spite of all her enemies though never so proud and potent 11 How can it be otherwise for all is thine and at thy dispose heaven earth and all things in them both it is thou that hast given existence and Being to the whole world and all things in it both sea and land as many as they are 12 Thou hast created all things from one end of the heavens to the other from pole to pole thy Church every where from East to West for so it shall spread as Judea from mount Tabor in the West to mount Hermon in the East shall have cause of rejoycing in thy power and faithfulness manifested in her behalf and to praise thee for it 13 Thy strength and power when as thou pleasest to make use of it and put it forth either by means or miracles in an ordinarie or extraordinarie way it is unresistable and prevalent 14 As thou hast power worthie thy greatness to execute thy will withall so also justice judgement mercy and truth the beauty and establishment of thrones and dominions these are principally and originally in thee who governest and orders thy jurisdiction over the world respectively to good and bad by them dispensing to the unrighteous enemies of thy Church and thee justice and judgement and unto her even all thy holy ones thou wilt exhibit merciful providences and for her fulfil faithfully thy promises with the gracious manifestation of thy love and favour to her in all those thy dispensations 15 Blessed are thy people above all the world for they onely of all the world are acquainted with the inward sense and savorie tast of thy peculiar love and saving grace whispered into their consciences by the still voice and secret workings of the spirit to the ravishing their hearts with joy unspeakable and glorious as thine Israelites are inured to and cheared with the sound of the sacred trumpets of God in their solemn feasts and sacrifies Such shall comfortably run their race in the whole progress of their lives they shall walk in a steady course by a faithful dependancie upon thy faithful providence and in sweet interviews of thee and frequent feelings of thy favour 16 Such as these shall all their life long have cause of rejoycing in thy powerful dispensation of providences from time to time in their behalf and in thy keeping promise with them the experience and faith whereof shall lift up their heads above dangers and difficulties 17 For their glorying is in thee who though weak in themselves yet are as it were omnipotent by their interest in thee and relation to thee that art so by whose power and gracious favour we that are thy people Israel resemblancers of thy Church doubt not of a prosperous state both civil and sacred and to have the better of our enemies 18 For the great and faithful God is our defence protection his power and goodness shall preserve us as a shield the holy Lord that hath chosen Israel to be a holy people and that shall ever have on earth a holy Church is the Sovereign Lord and protector of us and it and so shall Christ his vicegerent be and David his 19 Thou Lord in
wert not God alone yet thou wilt now set their judgements right and let them know that none can pretend to Godhead but thy self as heaven is thy throne so the earth is thy foot-stool and shall be subdued unto Jesus Christ for that in him thou shalt be magnified beyond all that are called Gods who shall then appear to be what indeed they are Lying vanities and so shall be accounted of 10 Great shall be the numbers of Professours and pretenders to Christianity infinite will give their names to Christ and be ambitious to have his name named upon them in those dayes but there is more belongs to it than so He that is indeed the Lord Christs a loyall subject of his Kingdom and member of his Church must sincerely love him and that must appear by an upright walking with him and believing on him he must fear to offend him and therefore hate sin because it doth so and so doing be fearless as touching his salvation and preservation faithfully relying upon the truth and providence of God for both maugre both his ghostly and temporall enemies which God may suffer to hazard his Church and people for the triall of their faith and exercise of their graces but never to ruine them 11 For when ever God seems to plow and harrow his Church by persecutions and troubles that is his and her seeds-time then is he but husbanding his field weeding and clodding it all that time of darkness and infelicity is but the seed-season and preparatory to the breaking out of greater favour and grace upon her which he preserves in store she shall not lose but gain by it when the spring and harvest comes her joy shall be redoubled when the ecclipse is over Thus shall it be not with all professours but with the uncorrupt and pure in heart who are the Lords as well within as without in affections as actions whose ends and motives are principled from God and for God by faith in him and love to him 12 Let such righteous ones though they meet with never so many rubs in the way be so far from being dismaid at them as to go on with full sails of assurance and joy in God making no stop but over-topping all fear by faith still casting their eye upon Gods never-failing faithfulness and being as thankfull for a happy issue and deliverance out of their afflictions as if they had it because of the ingagement of Gods holiness which cannot deceive them The xcviii PSALM This Psalm is as if it had been made by Iohn Baptist himself pointing out Christ and his Kingdom already come through the propinquity and certainty of it shewing sorth the prais-worthy deliverance and universall benefit that to Iew and Gentile shall accrue thereby yea to the very irrationall and unsensible creatures whereupon be excites all rationall and irrationall to praise the Lord proportionably A Psalm to be sung 1 O what wonderfull occasions from time to time hath God given his people Israel of frequent and fresh praises by deliverance upon deliverance and all of them so strange and miraculous that we could not have the face to ascribe them to any but to him to whom we have endited and sung many a new Psalm for new mercies all which temporall salvations and our thanksgivings for them were but prefigurations of that one onely salvation of his Church by Christ God incarnate whose powerfull triumphant death and holy life active and passive obedience hath gotten so glorious a victory to his everlasting praise over all the spirituall enemies of his elect and faithfull people which as it is the deliverance whereof all others were but adumbrations so ought it to have the praise above them all joyntly or severally A Quire of Angels are but fit to celebrate this great and Gospel salvation the good news whereof ought much more to set the spirituall Preists and people of God on work to praise him for it that are saved by it 2 The heathen people have admired our salvations and wondrous deliverances many a time which the Lord hath wrought for us in their sight and hearing But they shall have much more cause to admire their own when God shall proclaim the year of Jubilee to the Gentiles and bring them by the redemption of the Messiah which is at hand out of the power of Hell sin death and darkness setting wide open to them the doore of life that were shut out and Preaching salvation of free-grace to all the world according to his promise 3 The promised Messiah which was to come of the seed of Israel our Father and in whom is to be accomplished all those covenanted engagements and Gospel promises made with Abraham of grace and mercy pardon and atonement God in faithfulness and fulness of time hath sent him in whom all the nations of the earth are to be blessed for the benefit both of Jews and Gentiles whose all-sufficient merit and common salvation shall in the fame and promulgation of it extend it self by a gracious and free tender to all people in all places of the world without exception our God is their God in and through Christ and his salvation both ours and theirs they being through grace adopted and ingrafted into one stock with us the faithfull seed of faithfull Abraham every where sharers in the blessing 4 5 6 We a corner of the world a few in comparison of the whole O how were we wont to resound and eccho out the Honour and praises of the Lord in that onely Temple with all manner of musicall Instruments and Voices for our temporall and comparatively petty deliverances from earthly enemies and humane captivities and imbondagements O with what ineffable rejoycings in the superlativest manner we could devise did we magnifie the Lord and set the Crown of all glory upon his head How much more now are his praises to exceed when as all the earth is his Church Christ himself the Saviour and the termes to and from which we are saved are heaven and hell the subject of his salvation our pretious souls as well as mortall bodies both redeemed not onely into a capacity but certainty of spirituall and eternall life and freed from death of both sorts What praises are enough for this how can the redeemed of the Lord each whereof is a Temple and each Temple a Quire sufficiently extoll the Lord the King Christ Jesus dead and risen yea ascended into glory Go not less in the praises of such a Saviour for his salvation in the universall Catholick Church than we did for ours in our particular nationall Sinagogue But let your faith praise him in full assurance your joy in heart-ravishment your love by being such as many waters cannot quench your hope anchored within the vail Let all these graces by a joynt harmony like the voices and instruments of the Temple be sublimated to their highest sphear of activity in the celebration of
the comfortable support of other of Gods people in affliction that however they may unadvisedly misjudge themselves as exposed of God in a regardless manner to the malice and furie of their enemies when their lives are indangered yet it s far otherwayes The Lord makes more account of the lives of his holy ones which he will suffer no man nor men on earth to have the command and dispose of but onely himself they are too precious to be set so light by and therefore be confident such cannot miscarrie by any policie power or malice of men whatsoever but by special commission from God for special purposes and when they do miscarrie by his ordination they still remain dear to him aswel dead as alive 16 Blessed Lord I now well perceive those words true which sometime I thought to be false how that thou hast indeed ordained me to the honour to be thy servant and that in an eminent manner which truly is my highest title and preferment to be thy servant and the son of thy spouse and handmaid the Church visible and invisible and thus to be delivered by thee from a state of thraldom and miserie to a condition free to serve thee is infinite goodness 17 For which I will magnifie thee and with publick praises and peace-offerings will make my thankful acknowledgements of thy power and goodness to me-ward 18 And what I vowed in my miserie when I prayed for mercie I will accordingly perform it now that thou hast set me free to do it all Israel being witness 19 Openly in the publick convention of all thy people at thy sanctuarie in Jerusalem the place appointed for thy solemn sacrifice-worship there upon thine Altar will I offer my sacrifice of thanks-giving in the view of all Israel and in their hearing praise thee with me praise ye the Lord all his people The cxvii PSALM The Psalmist in Prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles and uniting all in one Church through the head Christ exhorts all to praise the Lord for so great goodness and rich mercie so freely extended 1 O All ye nations and people throughout the world Gentiles as wel as Jews praise the Lord praise him every where without exception 2 For his saving grace and mercie by the redemption of Christ is extended unto both in him we are made one Church that were a divided people and an undeserving the one as well as the other his grace alike free and his goodness great to both of us For for his promise sake once delivered and never to be reversed hath he done this for us and as well all other promises as this will he perform to the end for and concerning his Church his faithfulness cannot fail though our sins deserves it should Therefore in the faith of his faithfulness and love of his goodness that hath made all partake of Christ let all men praise the Lord. The cxviii PSALM David seated in the throne quickens up the people and Priests of the Lord unto thanks-giving for his endless mercies to his Church as himself in the behalf thereof which he personated had experimented whereby his faith was raised to an holy insultation over his enemies for the future Further shews the happiness that God hath brought to his Church by the change of him for Saul and the glorie he hath got to himself which for his part he ingageth himself to celebrate solemnly in his sanctuarie which upon this occasion both he and the rest of the righteous will now they may frequent There he will praise him for making him as in humiliation so in exalâ—ation the type of Christ. Prayes for the Churches happiness upon this wonderful change pronounceth certaintie of blessing to himself and Christ in the office and errand God sets them in and sends them about Concludes with the manifold hearby praises of God both from himself and the people whom he exhorts allwayes to be praise-ful as God is graâ—iously faithful 1 LEt us be mindful of the goodness of God to be thankful for it whose mercie to his Church and faithful people never failed nor never shall 2 Let his adopted people now in this their flourishing condition give him the glorie of those many mercies which ever since they were known by the name of Israel they have successively in all ages partaked of 3 Let the Priests and Levites their adjutants that occupie Aarons place and office in the sanctuarie now that they are reduced into such a form and model as never before of worshipping the Lord acknowledge his mercie and the succession of it to them according to promise from their first progenitors 4 Yea let those that are Gods Priests and people indeed that believe and obey him say now if God be not as good as his word in shewing mercie to his Church those I mean that fear his name 5 I have had my share of sufferings in which I personate the Church and yet I can say and do that his mercie endureth for ever and so shall she in all ages for when ever the Lord put me to it and that I was distressed I put him to it in humble wise I minded him of his promise and this way my constant custom and so it was his ever when I did so to deliver me all along till now that he hath set me quite at libertie from my troubles enlarged my happiness as you see 6 I have had such experience of the Lords being for me against mine enemies that however I look never to be without yet that shall not trouble me neither their power nor their plots for he that could deliver me then can and will much more protect and prosper me now that he hath brought me to this estate 7 I have ever found it and doubt not but I ever shall that God blesseth me and those that side with me many or few with good success which makes me confident that as I have had so I shall ever have the better of mine enemies what or how many soever they be and in stead of ruining me I shall ruine them 8 9 I have found it better and so shall who ever tries it to put confidence in God than men of what number or degree soever and mine enemies have found the contrarie for by that means I a despicable lone man am preserved and exalted and they for all their honour and power above me are destroyed by his Allmighty hand so much above them 10 11 12 I have been as the Church allwayes shall be the mark that all men have shot at I had all the world against me and none for me but God his power was is and ever shall be my sole trust and confidence O with what deadly hatred from time to time have I been hunted and how many times hath my life been endangered that I could see no way to escape and yet I have
shall have no more power to hurt thee through his gracious providence and protection over thee than a worm under thy feet 7 Fear neither less nor more great nor small for God shall certainly protect thee as well from one evil as another especially thy soul whether respecting life temporal or eternal shall have a special guard fear that least because as it is most of wroth in it self so also in Gods esteem and valuation 8 God is every where in all places at all times thou needest not put cases of fear and doubt to thy self of this though not that may befal me and then though not now for whatsoever thou doest and whither ever thou goest God is with thee and it and will ever be so to keep thee from evil and bless thee with good and to prosper thee in all thy wayes of well-doing believe it stedfastly and live comfortably in the faith thereof The cxxii PSALM David overjoyed to see the universal concord and conformitie in his people for the bringing the Ark to Ierusalem and worshipping the Lord there as God had appointed the more to sharpen them to it and ingratiate it to them highly commends the prerogative of that place and that people by reason of it and therefore exhorts them not to degenerate but in love and zeal still to labour and pray for the happiness of it promising happiness to those that do so and so does he himself and shews the reasons why See the title of the 120 Psalm the Authors name superadded here 1 HOw infinitly did it rejoyce me to hear and see such an universal unanimity in my people Israel to submit to and approve of the transportation and fixing the Ark and sanctuarie in Jerusalem where God had appointed it with desire and forwardness to worship God there without the least scruple or question 2 Saying amongst themselves with rejoycing now is the time and Jerusalem is the place that God will fulfil his promise by giving his Ark a settled condition which hitherto hath moved and removed from place to place and together with his Ark his Church and people Israel who have been both for worship and Government in an unsetled and various state but now shall there be an happie establishment as both Christ and the Church by Christ shall have at his glorifying 3 And indeed a blessed and desireable place Jerusalem is exceeding lovely for uniformitie of structure order in Government and harmonie of hearts and affections in the inhabitants towards the true worship of the onely true God stately and strong both in men and materials sweetly composed and well compact a Citie specially blessed of God to represent the happie condition of his Church both under Christ on earth united by faith in him their head and with Christ in heaven 4 It is the most beautiful place of the world and enriched with the most singular and Divine priviledges of any on earth being a resemblance of heaven it self and the Church both there and here for as thither the twelve tribes of Israel a chosen generation out of the whole world do congregate and ascend to the mount of God solemnly to worship him before the Ark the testimonie of his covenant and presence with his people so shall his elect the Church of the first born all the world over be gathered to Jesus and ascend into the heavenly Jerusalem evermore to praise him in that general assembly the celestial Quire of innumerable Angels and spirits of just men made perfect Yea by spirit and faith they shall meet in one bodie mystical on earth and with raised affections worship one God in Christ that blessed Emmanuel the mediatour of the new testament upon mount Sion in spiritual Jerusalem the Church that Citie of the living God 5 And as Christs Priestly office is established and clearly held forth in the sanctuarie-worship in Jerusalem so also is his Kingly in those thrones of honour and justice civil and ecclesiastical erected and perpetuated there in the royal line of David his posterity Kings of Judah the figure and progenitours of Christ according to the flesh as is his tribunal in heaven where he hath dominion over his Church and the whole world and from whence he shall come to judge all flesh at the latter day 6 Many are the enemies of this flourishing Citie Jerusalem as shall be to the Church yea all the world is against it and the worship and Government that is in it but yet we need not fear for God is for it able to preserve it in peace and prosperitie maugre all its adversaries if our sins and carnal presumption do not indispose him to it Therefore all ye Israelites specially ye that with a spiritual understanding are inlightned to know the worth and excellencie of the place which is in the world as the sun is in the firmament mystically comprehending all that Divine light and life that the sun of righteousness the Messiah shall illuminate the world withall when he comes to save his Church as Gods High-priest and take possession of his Kingdom as King of Kings and Lord of Lords do you serve the Lord and seek to him for the continuation of his grace and favour to it and his blessing upon it that it may be evermore happie with his love and presence and as a consequent thereof have rest and quiet from its enemies And of this be confident that they that thus for Christ and religion sake under that notion and relation sincerely love pray for and endeavour the happiness of it shall how ever it may suffer by other mens sins and formal hypocrisies within the pale or without by external violence of Gentile enemies be themselves happie and blessedly rewarded of God with grace peace and protection in their own particulars 7 It is and shall be my heartie prayer that the Lord will preserve thee as from outward forrain enemies so also from intestine civil broils and disunions in peace unanimity and concord within thy self as the Church shall be in heaven and ought to be on earth as one so at one under their one and onely head the Lord Christ. And that the throne of David his royal seed successours over his people Israel here in Jerusalem may successively flourish in peace and prosperitie and by the blessing and favour of God be established in judgement and righteousness there administred in honourable equipage as shall the Prince of peace Christ Jesus the righteous his throne and dominion over his Church be for ever in heaven 8 Nor am I a self-seeker in my well-wishes to this place no the Lord can witness for me that I desire the good and happiness of all the faithful yea of all Israel as mine own who to me are as dear as my nearest kindred and acquaintance by that relation natural and civil that God hath given me to them knowing right well that in the peace and
at the right hand of his Father in the heavenly Jerusalem whose blessed exaltation unto the execution of those offices there is the desire and delight of his soul as being onely well pleased in him and reconciled by him therefore so is Sion here which is the representation of him and them 15 I will multiply blessings for so thou hast said upon the whole land for Sions sake that she may be provided with all manner of store for holy services Let not the poor Israelite fear to bring his offerings and disfurnish himself to worship me as I have appointed for if the service of my sanctuarie lessen his store if there he seek me faithfully he shall carrie such a blessing home with him as he shall have no cause to repent him for I will both bless him with lively-hood let him not fear it and bless it to him 16 The Priests that there officiate in consecrated garments shall be in like manner clothed upon with the saving and sanctifying righteousness of the Messiah which in their zeal and faithful discharge of their places they shall hold forth to the example and edification of their brethren who in the sinceritie of their hearts shall bless the Lord for such happie times wherein so much of God his grace and favour appears in blessing them with a holy Priest-hood and Divine worship and powerfully protecting both it and them 17 I will bless Sion and there shall David my servant be blessed not onely in himself during the time of his regencie but after him his successour and Gods anointed King Solomon shall far exceed him in power and glorie whose wisdom which I shall give him to govern by shall shine with that brightness as shall wonderfully increase his fame and dignitie the world over who shall be a lively pattern of the anointed Messiah that also shall spring out of the stock of David that spiritual Solomon the Prince of peace and mightie counsellour 18 And his enemies that would not he should rule over them but oppose his advancement or disturb his Government I will shamefully cut off both them and their enterprises but him will I bless with a flourishing reign of glorie and affluence at home and abroad resembling Christ both in his own happiness and his enemies confusion The cxxxiii PSALM David being received of all Israel for their King by common and joynt consent after much disagreement and war among the tribes some being for and some against him He shews the happie condition they were now in upon the change how amiable and acceptable unitie had rendered them to God what a flourishing Church and Common-wealth they had and should have by it and that nothing can be a greater blessing to them nor shall be to the Church and people of God in all ages than for them to honour their father and head in heaven by living in brother-hood here on earth See the title of the 120 Psalm the Authors name superadded here 1 COnsider well the singular mercie of God in uniting all the tribes sons of the same father both by nature and adoption that were so far asunder at deadly feud and open war among themselves to the hazard of the whole had not God graciously over-ruled them to peace and unitie under one head and to be all of one heart And as the mercie so the good and benefit of this union is worthie your consideration to move you to cherish and nourish it all you can for besides that Harmonie of hearts is it self an unestimable Jewel and beautiful ornament in the Church and among the people of God a very resemblance of that concord and consort which shall be in heaven the commodities also that issue thence to the publick and every mans particular weal is very considerable and impulsive how thereby all things go well and happily forward in Church and Common-wealth the worship and service of God that flourisheth the re-publick that does the like things are now orderly constituted magistracie maintained people protected justice administred and whereas before we weakened our selves by civil wars now we are strong to defend our selves and offend our enemies round about us In breef it renders us acceptable to God comfortable to our selves and an astonishment to our adversaries both profit and pleasure yea all manner of good that can be named is complicate in and productive from this one comprehensive mercie of concord we for our parts find the sweet of it and so shall the Church of God allwayes especially after such sowr dissentious as we have waded through 2 If I would compare this brotherly union of us so of the people of God in all ages in the pleasurable delectable part of it to any thing it must be to a non-such for such it is I cannot liken it to any thing that in all points better resembleth it than that rich sacred odoriferous ointment made by the special appointment of God himself for so is peace unitie in his Church for the consecration of Aaron and his sons to their holy office and service which being plentifully poured upon the High-priests head did diffuse it self down to his beard and so from thence to the holy vestments from top to toe such in perfect analogie is this general amity wrought by God among us in the sweet savour and blessed effects of it God by me your King and head consecrated as it were to mine office by this your unanimous consent and election as with an holy unction as well as by Gods immediate designation conveighing the benefit and sweetness thereof through the blessing and mediation of the Priestly office and service as by Aarons beard down to you again and so you made happie in the sweet and comfortable benefits and blessings of both by means of amitie and unitie with them and among your selves like as the Church mystical united to her head Christ at Gods right hand in glorie and at brotherly love and amitie in it self shall be unspeakably blessed with those Divine influences of grace and spirit derived from her King and Priest Christ Jesus by the mediation and ministration of his Evangelists and Gospel-ministers down to all the members of his bodie partakers of the sweet fruits and benefits of all his offices and thereby consecrated a sweet savour even Kings and Priests to God with the self-same spirit or holy unction to their infinite honour and consolation 3 And as brotherly love and concord is a pleasant and amiable thing in it self and sweet and acceptable with God so also it is exceeding profitable and brings with it abundance of blessings peace God is wont to bless with plentie whereas wars and discord are accompanied with curses and scarcitie Look how the fruitful dew that falls upon and from mount Hermon that fertil hill down into the fields of Bashan and so abundantly enricheth them to the owners benefit or look which is indeed a properer
the Temple it self with his Church on earth as well as in heaven Praise ye therefore the Lord ye that worship him without as well as within the holy sanctuarie of our God both Priests and people 3 Be not so much awed by fear to praise the Lord as induced by love for those lovely excellencies of grace and goodness that are in him and shine forth from him to his people let the faith and experience the Church hath had thereof in all ages tune your voice and instruments to the exaltation of his name in praise-worthy commemoration of all the good he hath either promised or performed which to do is delightfull to God and every good heart 4 Surely we far above all the world are debtors to God ow more in way of praise than ever we can pay him for this unestimable mercie and priviledge of adoption to be his peculiar to name his name upon and marked out of all the great fold of the world for his people and the sheep of his pasture even we a poor hand-full that came out of the loins of one man our Father Jacob that he should choose him and his out of all mankind to set his love upon and thus to honour as to esteem none else worth reckoning of but us and us as his treasure and Jewels of value whom he onely sets by as he shall by his Church and people in all the world and onely by them 5 Under what notion soever we apprehend God he is worthie our uttermost praises whether as good to us or as great in himself who indeed is of that immensitie as that his positive admits of no comparative degree he is abstractly great even greatness it self in power majesty beyond humane apprehension and capacity in the faith whereof yet we ought to praise him for so his people best know him and that not onely as absolutely and essentially so but also relatively and derivatively so to us this great God being greatly our God his greatness as it is superlative to all greatnesses whether humane powers or imaginarie deities so his grace shall extend it accordingly unto our protection and preservation against them and to the confusion of men and Idols that are set against him or us his Church and people 6 I mean the great and mightie God the sole Sovereign and Monarch of all the world both heaven and earth who of his meer will and by his onely word made all things to be that they are from the highest to the lowest whether in the heavens above or in the earth beneath or in the waters under the earth and the invisible depths of both down to the very center and as he commanded them to be so he rules and commands them now they are to be and do what he would have them and not otherwayes to his praise and his peoples security 7 He createth ruin by appointing and impowering the sun from all parts of the world sea and land to exhale the vapours which we see ascend on high into the middle region of the air where they engender clouds those clouds rain which by his providence is dispersed and dispensed all the world over what the earth sends up in exhalations from all parts it receives down again every where for its use in showers and dews Yea what a piece of Artifice do our eyes behold when by the force of thunder he sends lightning and rain fire and water out of one and the same cloud so that when we see the one break forth we conclude the other not far behind as if naturally fire produced water which are so contrarie but yet are made to cohabit till and be subservient when he pleaseth to dispose of them in storms and tempests The wind also blows when where and how he lists and not otherwayes how unruly and boisterous so ever it seem it breaks not prison of it self but is let out of its restraint by him without whose will and pleasure it cannot so much as breath who is the God of nature ordeining and ordering her in all causes and all their effects how rare soever beyond our knowledge and above our reach transacted in the heavens whereof these are few instances 8 Yea and on earth too where not a few things praise-worthie have been wrought by the same Almighty power for his people Israel whereof we will enumerate some a few of many as the high mightie slaughter he made of the first-born both of man and beast in Egypt with a strong hand bringing his people thence spite of Pharaohs power and oppugnation 9 He wrought miracles and made strange demonstration of his heavy displeasure by manifold judgements destructive signs and prodigies in the midst of thee O Egypt for their sakes when his people the Israelites had no harm there forcing thereby hard-hearted Pharaoh thy King and his courtiers to acknowledge his power and at last submit to his will 10 Nor in Egypt onely did he do wonders and execute judgements upon his Churches enemies but when by a mightie hand the destruction of the Egyptians he had brought them thence by the same out-stretched arm did he lead them through the wilderness destroying all that made opposition to them both Princes and people though far greater and every way better provided then they way-faring men were 11 As for instance Sihon the King of the Amorites and Og that mightie man the King of Bashan who opposed their passage these Kings and their people they destroyed on the other side Jordan and on this side even all the Kings and Kingdoms of Canaan thirty one in number those under Moses these under Josua were subdued by the Lord who fought for Israel against all their enemies 12 And he that is Lord of all the earth as before he had promised to Abraham so now he fulfilled his word by an effectual possession and implantation of his people Israel in the lands and possessions of all the foresaid Kings and Kingdoms gave them to them and their heirs for ever which he hath ever since preserved to and for them and their posteritie with as Almighty a hand as at first he gained and gave them 13 The glorious manifestations thou hast alwayes made of thy powerful goodness and gracious faithfulness in the behalf of thy people against their enemies ought to be renowned for ever hereafter in all ages which also shall produce experiments answerable to those thy properties which are ever the same in thy Churches behalf who shall transmit the grateful memorie of thy former mercies and miracles down from age to age and from one generation successively to another to thine everlasting glorie and their corroboration and comfort in the faith of thy faithfulness to thy covenant and promises the grand charter of the Catholick Church theirs as well as ours made to them as to us 14 For the Lord is his peoples according to covenant so
that by his power so alters the face of the heavens as we often see from serene and clear suddenly over-spreading them with thick and dark clouds so disposing it for the use and benefit of the earth that needs as well rain as fair weather which he transmits by those clouds so convoked and thereby causeth the earth to fructifie which else would be barren and like fallow land yea the very mountains are made pasturable by this means that are not capable of the benefit of flouds like lower grounds yet by his blessing from above are usefull and productive of grass and hearbs 9 And so provideth sustentation for the irrational creature making nature to supply the want of art and husbandrie to the very beast and that variously too according to the several kinds thereof in apt times and places producing suitable food to the several Species of that vast Genus and the birds as well as beasts are sustained and provided for by him yea those that we least set by the raven that though it be not meat for man yet God it being his creature provides meat for it and that too when they are young and early forsaken of the old and so want skill to shift for themselves yet have they their cries heard which nature hath taught them to put up their need supplied by God who even hears them 10 Think not that it is any created excellencie that commends men to God he is not moved by such objects and arguments as man is he bestows not his blessings upon man either by or for his own or the creatures strength or exceellencie to give success either therefore or thereafter 11 No that whch moves with God is his own graces active and stirring in the hearts of his people if you would be blessed of him be in favour with him then with filial fear endeavour his pleasing in all you do and avoid the contrarie and so walking before him confidently trust in him for grace and mercie chear-up your hearts in hope of his goodness and faithfulness toward you this and onely this is the way to be accepted of him and blessed by him 12 Wherein you that are his Church and people have the odds of all the world who for those extrinsecal created priviledges of men and horses may go beyond you but not as to God it is your intrinsecal graces wrought by him and active towards him that prefers you above all the world in his esteem O therefore praise the Lord ye his Israel his Church chosÌ„e that have the happiness to congregate at Jerusalem to worship him there in his holy mountain which he hath peculiarely set apart for the place to be worshiped in like as you for the people representing his church universal chosen out of the world to have the honour to worship and serve him from all others on whom he bestows his grace and in whom he onely takes content and pleasure no creature but the new creature since the fall being delightfull to him for which they therefore that are so ought to praise him even for this their happie proprietie and interest in him 13 Whereby it is that Jerusalem both real and mystical is fortified against all earthly power by divine protection stronger than horse or man the sons and daughters of the Church whereof God is the father is blessed in that their relation and interest and are under the Lords special care and power for their preservation as Jerusalem with the inhabitants and faithfull worshippers therein is and shall be secured by the special presence of God there resident 14 To whom he giveth peace and preservation spite of her many enemies even in all the borders of Israel who by the blessing of God in their own land enjoy peace and tranquilitie as his Church and people shall peace of conscience yea and with peace plentie and that of the best of earthly blessings of the flower of wheat the staff of temporal life like as his Church shall be happie as in peace of conscience so in Angels food the joy of the holy Ghost testifying the mind of God his love and favour toward them the best upholder of life spiritual 15 This thy God O Israel is he that commands all the world over and whatsoever throughout the whole creation he pleaseth effectually to will is by all creatures obeyed accordingly and can be no other nothing can give impediment to his will all second causes being at his beck to do his pleasure so that the word of command is no sooner given to any creature or creatures from one end of the world to the other but it is obeyed and the thing acted that he commanded the whole course of nature being nothing else but a ready and actual fulfilling of those things which he commands 16 Witness the several and wonderfull effects thereof how in the winter time by Gods appointmen and transmutation the earth is quite changed in form and complexion being covered over with snow a white and light substance as sheep with wâ—oll which he transmits from above and makes the hoarie frost lye upon the face of the earth scattered and dispersed as ashes when they are blowne about by the wind 17 Also the hail when it falls it is he that as he formed it above so sends it down below not in one intire coagulated bodie as is the nature of ice which would overwhelm and destroy the creature but in those showers and dispersions piece-meal as we see Who lives that is not sensible of the pinching weather that in winter time he is pleased to send and that is able to endure the extremitie of cold without helps and arts whereby to keep them warm 18 And as before he sent out his word and that caused them to be both snow and frost when and whilest they were so when he pleaseth to change the scene and that the earth and waters shall return to their proper elementarie appearance again he doth but give the word and it is done as it made them so it dissolves them he commands but a moist thawing wind for the winds also are his and at his dispose to blow and that melts the snow and ice into the water whereof it was congealed and so reduceth the rivers which in that could season were bound up with a firm unmoveable bodie of ice into their motion and current as before with an over-flowing augmentation by the dissolving of those waterie Meteors 19 By the word of his power creative and providential he is thus seen and known all the world over no people nor nation but partake thereof evidently But to Israel Jacobs posteritie his Church and chosen people doth he besides that hold forth another manner of word to wit a word of grace declaring his whole will to them and government over them not onely as a Creatour but a Lord and Saviour and so also owning them for his not
onely as creatures but sons and servants under the dispensations of grace on his part toward them and laws and ordinances of holiness and righteousness on their part toward him 20 This peculiar priviledge hath the Israel of God above the whole world besides and that by the meer and free grace of God all nations in nature being alike to him it is neither the people nor the place that makes the difference but his election which for any reason out of himself might have passed upon any other people as well as you they might have had the sun of righteousness the star of Jacob risen in their Hemisphere the word and will of God savingly and sanctifyingly revealed to them as it is to you and you have been in darkness as they are at this day but in mercy it is quite contrarie you have what they want and they want what you have even all the world are in darkness and in the shadow of death for want of the word of light and life of holiness and righteousnes on his part and theirs but you be ye therefore stirred up to suitable praise and thanks-giving O ye his peculiar people for such rare and singular mercies and benefits so peculiarly bestowed upon you The cxlviii PSALM David being himself a man of a praisefull spirit an inlarged heart to God-ward in that way feeding that happie temper by frequent observations and and deductions He also factours for God and negotiates in this Psalm with all things in all places to be industrious in his dutie he summons heaven and earth to pay their tribute and do their homage to the most high God for all they themselves are and have as being the maker of them and giver of that and who himself is all that and much more And the better to effect his design when he hath first bespoke them in the general from heaven to earth he also makes a scedule or enumeration of several created existencies of both sorâ—s and of different rancks ages and sexes exciting them all severally by name to make up a joint harmony and Quire according to their utmost capacities of praisefull solemnization to the Lord paramount But principally and above all his Church and chosen people so much obliged to him beyond all for his 〈…〉 love to them in exalting them so high in his favour by Covenant-inâ—â—â—est 1 ALl creatures that have their being from the Lord one other in their several kinds places and offices wherein he hath disposed them set ye forth his glorious greatness and goodness unto the praise thereof More particulary all ye rational and irrational one whose position and residence is above in the heavens whether within the Imperial or on this side it be occupied in his praises according to your several natures some actively towards God others declaratively towards men which is the end of all our beings and of that your advancement also into such a superiority of place and excellencie of nature and offices above sublunaries 2 But in particular principally and primarily ye that are his glorious Angels the immediate favourites and domesticks in the court of heaven which in infinite number he hath created to serve and honour him there and dignified with eminencie and proximitie to himself above all his creatures even to the numberless number of you his heavenly hosts do I speak who are ordained to do his commands that commands in chief over all created beings how excellent soever do you I say who ow it and are enabled to it above all joyn with the rest of your fellow creatures in this duty of praise your proper office to mend the musick 3 Also you inanimate creatures that possess the suburbs of those celestial mansions and in your kinds are glorious and excellently usefull endowed with singular proprieties and significant representations of the greatness and goodness of him that made you that you are and honoured you with the places you hold and the offices you perform even all the Lunaries of heaven great and small sun moon and stars that by day and night according to your appointments and capacities enlighten the earth and the inhabitants thereof act you your part in praising the Lord by doing his will and manifesting his power and glorie run your courses keep your orders do your offices that all times and seasons which are ruled by you that are ruled by him may exalt him 4 From the lowest to the highest of all those several spheres all which are above the firmament wherein are diversly situate first the fixed stars and then the moveable planets in their several and subordinate orbs and the ponderous clouds that weigh so heavy containing such oceans of waters in you and yet hang so high above the aerie regions all you excellent creatures of several natures in your gradual existences above in the heavens do you declare as indeed you do the praise-worthy work-manship of him that is above all that hath so orderly disposed you in that vast expanse such variety and infinite of created lights and clouds fire and water that do severally inhabite those upper lofts and chambers over our heads without confusion intermixtion and destruction of nature which else would follow 5 Do you and every of you jointly and severally according to that power wisdom and goodness that shines forth in you declare the glorious skill of such celestial arts to the praise of the Artificer in those admirable transcendent properties of his who was able to bring forth such things of such use and in such an order by his meer fiat he but bid them be and they were he made use of no other tools or instruments to build so great and strange a structure but his bare word of command which gave being to all those celestial altitudes with the stars and meteors that inhabite them 6 And as his word gave them a being at first so also did he command their perpetuity and orderly existence and influence to the last wherefore it is that they have continued all this while and must do so from one generation to another to the end of the world not by the power and efficacie of their own natures which in that regard are as all things else are reductive to a nothingness every moment but by his eternal decree and edict past upon them is it that these supernatural creatures are the same in existence that ever they were as also in their motions and operations which are guided by God his appointment and providence unalterably to those ends and effects for which he hath ordained them 7 8 So also all ye creatures though in inferiour situations who yet have the same Creatour and are the products of the self-same wisdom and power that the heavens and the things contained in them are whose habitations are in these lower parts terrestial or aerial do you also praise him Let the great God have glorie from all his