be the very beginning of true repentance and the first step to heauen and the saluation of a mans owne soule surely then most men be in a miserable and wretched estate for most men yet haue not set forward one foote nor gone one steppe to heauen For they haue neuer been humbled neuer touched neuer yet wounded nor pricked in heart for their sinnes and therfore must needs be in a dangerous estate Note Well then apply this to your selues didst thou euer in all thy life find thy heart pricked for sinne Did the sacrificing knife of the Word neuer wound thy conscience nor fetch one teare from thine eyes for thy sinnes Didst thou neuer finde thy heart to mourne and to be cast downe with remorce of conscience Certainely thy case is fearefull and dangerous thou art not yet gone one step to heauen nor moued one finger to eternall life no no thou art yet in thy sins in extreame danger to be damned Iames 2.19 Oh then let the word come home to you harden not your hearts against it neuer bee at quiet till you can say I haue felt my soule touched and wounded with the word of God Vse 2 This serueth for the comfort of GODS children for if we finde and feele our hearts broken and wounded for sinne so as wee mourne for them with godly sorrow because they be sinnes displease God offend his Maiesty it is a certaine signe we haue truly repented we are in the estate of grace Gods spirit hath met with vs the word hath not beene in vaine in our hearts but hath wounded sinne cut the throat of it blessed be God if thou canst say by experience that the Word hath beene powerfull to wound thy soule so as thy conscience is truly touched not only because of Gods anger but because of this that we haue sinned a gainst a mercifull Father This godly sorrow euer goes with true repentance not as Caine Indas 1. Cor. 7.10 c. who despaired of Gods mercy with a desperate sorrow because of the punishment but when we are wounded with sinne to mcurne for it because it offendeth God a louing Father Doctr. 3 From Dauids prayer The first thing Dauid craues is mercy and first petition marke what it is he so carnestly craueth not a kingdome nor gold or siluer not the life of his enemies but mercie mercie alone hee craued for nothing but mercy and therefore in his person wee learne what is that which we should most desire aboue all things in the world namely the fauor and mercy of God in Christ Iesus so that if it should be asked what we would desire in all the world we should answer Mercy and the fauor of God in Iesus Christ he is a blessed man that hath mercy Psal 32.1 2 Psal 4.6 Lu. 18.13 let other men desire worldly wealth riches honor gold siluer but Lord I craue nothing but mercy thy fauour and louing countenance The poore Publican comming to God he knockes on his breast and cries for mercie God be mercifull to me a sinner For there is nothing in the whole world that is able to appease the troble of a wounded conscience saue only the mercy of God in CHRIST IESVS Dauid no doubt had tossed many thoughts within himselfe when hee came to vtter this which heere is penned he had a true sight no doubt of the miserie and wretched estate wherein hee stoode by reason of his sinne Anâ—â—â—d there beene anie other way in the world to haue gotten out of that â—â—ate hee would haue found it But â—â—rke he casts his eie onely vpon â—he â—â—rcie of God making that his surâ—sâ— resuge in this his greatest necessitie Euen so howsoeuer the opinions of men as touching happinesse bee diuerse poore men thinking riches the prisoner libertie the sicke man health Although these desire all these yet the sinner euer desireth mercie This Mercy of God Dauid This sweete Singer of Israel had often times singed now hee desires it And this is the difference betwixt the godly and the wicked Honour me saith Saul before my People Haue mercie on mee saith Dauid Vse 1 Wee learne hence that nothing can pacifie a Wounded Conscience grieued and distressed for sinne but onely the fauour and mercie of God in Iesus Christ Men may in their distresses go to sport and pastime and merry company But alas this is no comfort to a wounded Soule onelie the mercy of God and feeling of his loue in Christ can asswage and pacifie the accusing of our Consciences A man in a hote burning ague may taste of colde water which may ease him for the present but alas after it will increase his torment And as an olde soare if it be not healed at the bottome though it seem to be found on the toppe yet it will breake out againe and become more dangerous and incurable euen so when men shall seeke to smother the accusation of conscience to blunt the edge of it it will after rebound againe and giue a deadly wound to desperation Vse 2 Dost thou find thy conscience vnquiet Dost thou feele it wound and accuse thee Nothing can pacify a wouÌ„ded conscieÌ„ce but God so as thou canst finde no comfort nor rest vnto thy Soule There is no other way in the world to pacifie thy conscience and to haue peace then to intreate and beg for mercy at Gods hands Ro. 14.17 The kingdome of God standâ— not in meate and drinke but in righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the Holie-Ghost So that although a wicked man enioy all the world yet if he haue not mercy and the pardon of sinnes alas he shall haue no sound peace of Conscience no ioy in his soule nor any drop of true comfort And therefore let vs all seeke reconciliation with God intreat for fauor and mercy and neuer giue any rest vnto our soules till we can feele and finde our Soules assured of GODS mercy in Christ and the pardon of our sinnes if any say O that I could feele this in my soule I haue an acusing conscicence I feele it terrifie me I am afraid I shall be condemned I can finde no comfort What shall I doe Euen as Dauid did heere beg hard seeke earnestly for so the Lord promiseth If wee seeke wee shall finde And therefore let vs pray and continue in prayer and know that the Lord will in the end heare and grant our requests The second point is the Partie to whom the Prophet directs his Prayer To whom and seeketh for comfort not to any Saint or Angell not to the Virgin Marie but hee goeth to God praieth to him Haue mercie on mee O God and he directs his prayer to the whole Trinitie Father Sonne and Holy Ghost to God the Father as the Authour of all mercy to IESVS CHRIST by whom and in whose name wee obtaine mercy and to the Holy Ghost because hee doth teach vs to pray and doth conuey and deriue all sauing comfort
to vs. Doctr. 1 Hence wee learne to whom wee must direct al our praiers namely to God alone God alone is to bee prayed to Rom. 10.14 Dan. 6. Psal 2.7 Leui. 19.31 Esay 8.19 Esay 59. Dan. 9.17 Father Sonne and holy-Holy-Ghost because we must pray to him alone on whom wee must beleeue Secondly God alone can and will pardon the sinnes of those that seeke vnto him for mercy Thirdly it is GODS commaundement that wee should pray to him and to no other creature Fourthly we haue promises that if we pray vnto him he will heare vs. Fiftly wee haue the examples of all GODS children who in all their troubles sought to GOD alone and to no other creature in the world and he preuailed How auaileable were the prayers of Abraham being made vnto God in faith Genesis chap. 18. That if ten righteous persons had beene found in Sodome GOD had spared those Cities for their sakes How was the Sunne and Moone staied by the praier of Ioshâ—ah till hee was reuenged on his enemies Iosua chap. 10. How did Elias by his praier obtaine rain which had been with-held from the earth 3 yeares and 6 moneths 1. Reg. 17. Iam. 5. Acts 12.1.2 Iohn 5.14 Dan. 9.17 Iohn 11.4l Vse 1 This condemns the blasphemous doctrine of the Church of Rome who teach men to pray vnto Saints and Angels to the Virgine Mary to stocks and stones and I know not what whereas the Lord saith plainely He wil gine his glorie to no creature Esay 41.8 Esay 63.16 Now that wee may not pray vnto them it is manifest first wee haue no commandement secondly no promise thirdly no examples of Gods children fourthly wee may not beleeue in them Nay would we not take him to be a foolish Suppliant that when the Kings Sonne offereth to speake for him to his Father would refuse to vse his mediation and goe to one of his scruants to intreate for him Is it not meete that such a one should bee said nay Euen so inasmuch as the Father sendeth vs vnto his Sonne the Sonne calleth vs vnto himselfe what madnesse is it then to runne as well from the one as from the other to goe from the Sonne to the Saints from him that can heare to them that cannot help depriuing the Father of his honour the Sonne of his office disgracing the Saints Away therefore with the mediation of Saints Angells who know not our hearts nor heare our prayers There is one Mediator betwixs God and Man the man Christ Iesus And 1. Iohn 5.14 This assurance haue we in him that if we aske any thing according to his will hee heareth vs. Let vs treade in the steps of Dauid and Moses and the rest of the Seruants of God who haue euer in their greatest troubles called vpon the name of the Lord. And howsoeuer Papists or Idolaters will bee ready to pretend humilitie that they will not be so bold to come to GOD themselues but they wil vse the mediation of such as are about him yet let vs know that Dauid when he came to GOD he was as humble as they and farre beyond them yet his humilitie did no whit hinder his holy boldenesse as to come into GODS presence For our humilitie doth not appeare in shrowding our selues vnder the Saints wings but by humble and hearty confession of our sinnes vnto God Vse 2 Let vs go vnto God in prayer intreate for mercy at his hands Let vs not goe to Saints or Angells or anie other creature saue God alone in the name of Christ Iesus what father is more ready and willing to heare his child then the Lord is ready and neare at hand to heare them that call vpon him in truth now that wee may pray vnto God for mercie and pardon of our sinnes wee must be perswaded of two things First of the power of God that he is able Secondly of his will that hee is willing to pardon them The poore Leper saith Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee cleane Matth 8.2 And therefore that wee may pray in faith and assurance let vs bee perswaded of these two First that GOD is almightie and is able to pardon all our sinnes though neuer so great Secondlyâ— that he iâ— most ready and willing for Christs sake in whose name wee come vnto him to pardon all our sinnes for if we doubt of either of these we cannot pray in faith and so shall not obtaine that we desire Vse 3 Seeing Dauid prayeth for pardon of sinne and craues it only at GODS hands wee see that that is a cursed and blasphemous Doctrine of the Papists who hold that their head the Pope can pardon sinne The Pope can not forgiue sinnes yea not only giue a man pardon for his sinnes past but for money can pardon and seale him a pardon for sinnes many yeares to come a most blasphemous doctrine and that which opens a gap to all sinne when a man shall haue promise of pardon for sins to come But wee see heere that the word of God speakes cleane contrary namely that GOD alone can pardon sins For who can forgiue sinnes saue God onely Luke 5.21 And where did we euer find that GOD did pardon a mans sinnes for time to come but rather threatneth sinners with Iudgement to make them beware of sinne so that we see the Pope is Anti-christ who setteth himselfe in the seate of God and exalts himselfe aboue God 2. Thes 2.4 in that hee takes vpon him that God neuer did to giue a man pardon of his sinnes before they be committed After thy louing kindenesse DAuid being dismayed and cast downe in the sence of his misery doth looke vp to Gods mercie and is emboldened thereby to draw nearer vnto him and with som comfort to call vpon him for mercy Doctr. 1 Whence we learne first of all this Doctrine ExperieÌ„ce of former fauour assureth of future fauour that the experience of Almighty Gods former fauour casteth off feare and causeth affiance in God and is one of the chiefest causes to moue vs stil to trust in him as Psalme 4. Heare mee when I call O God of my righteousnesse For thou hast set mee at liberty when I was in trouble haue mercy therefore vpon me and hearken to my prayer Where the Prophet reasoneth from the time past to the time to come and intreateth God to heare him now because hee had alreadie shewed mercie on him The like we may see Psal 22. Thou diddest draws me out of the wombe c. Out of which words we gather that the Prophet for benefites past assureth himselfe of deliuerance from dangers present The like of the Lion and the Beare 1. Sam. 17.34 Psal 3.4 7. Vse 1 We learne hence to acknowledge his great mercie that maketh one mercy seale of another one grace the pawne of an other Now what man or woman hath not receiued thousands and ten thousands of mercies from the God of mercy
laine a long time in his filthy sinnes and neuer sought vnto God for mercy but being awaked by the reprehension of Nathan now he cries for mercy The Prodigall sonne a true paterne for all sinners he neuer seeks to his Father till he was in extreame misery and then he saith I will goe to my Father Luke 15. so the prowd Pharise neuer begges for mercy for he felt no want of it And the Church of Laodicea Knew not that shee was miserable poore Reu. 3.10 blind and naked For how can a man repent of that hee is ignorant of Sinnes committed can not be repented of till men see them and know them nay not barely to know them but to know the hainousnesse of them and the curse of God due vnto them so as a man may take it to heart and be troubled for his sins Dauid thogh a Prophet of the Lord yea a man after GODS owne heart yet lay a long time in sinne without repeÌ„tance because he did not weigh and consider with himselfe what hee had done And therfore in the word of God the Lord oftentimes calles vpon men to consider their waies to know their sinnes and the curse of God due vnto them Ier. 3.13 Know thy sins O Ierusalem Zeph. 2.1 2. Fanne your selues Lam. 3.40 O let vs search and trie our waies and turne vnto the Lord. Vse 1 Here we may see the maine cause why there is so little faith true repentance in the world why men are no more humbled for their sinnes do not repent for them poore souls they know not that they doe euill They either cannot or doe not search themselues Lam. 3.40 they neuer call their hearts to account Now then going on in security seeing and fearing no danger Alas how should they repent how should they turne to God For if thou couldest see the misery of thy soule and thy wofull estate by reason of sin if thou couldest see the number and greatnes of thy sinnes Oh thou wouldest euen tremble for feare and wonder at thy woful estate But alas most men are like a man that trauels in the night ouer a narrow bridge which is verie dangerous and vnder it runneth a bottomlesse gulfe so as if he fall he cannot escape but must needs perish And therfore in the darke night seeing not the danger hee feareth it not But let him goe that way in the morning he will wonder that euer he was so madde and desperate to go that way and will neuer venture that way againe So many poore blinde ignorant soules when they haue runne headlong in sinne al their daies and passed their vncertaine life in ignorance profanenesse and manifolde sinnes posting to Hell and damnation not seeing the curse of GOD that doth hang ouer their heads they feare nothing but runne on headlong into all sinnes But if it please the Lord to open their eyes to see their sinnes and the Iudgements of God due vnto them Oh they do wonder at their owne extreame folly and Gods infinite goodnesse and patience and would not bee in that case againe for all the world Well then marke this Doctrine doe not lightly passe it ouer but esteeme it as a blessed trueth of GOD. Christ saith Lake 13.5 Except ye repent ye shall allperish And for a man to see his sinnes the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of them it is the first steppe vnto repentance So that we see heere who they are that doe repent and shall be saued euen such as see their sinnes their wofull miserie and the wretched estate wherein they are and which doe most earnestly hunger and thirst after mercie in Christ Iesus Well then let mee aske thee this Question or rather demaund it of thine owne soule Didst thou euer see thy wofull miserie the wretched estate wherein thou arte by reason of sinne what a miserable sinner thou art by nature out of the fauour of God in the state of damnation in extreme danger for euer to be damned and to loose thy owne Soule Didst thou euer find thy selfe to stand in need of Gods mercie for the pardon of thy sinnes and extreme want of Christs bloud to saue thy Soule Hast thou felt thy hart wounded and bruised for thy sinnes that thy soule is euen sicke with sinne Didst thou euer thirst after GODS mercie in Christ aboue all the world so as thou hast with sighes and groanes yea with teares begged Gods mercie on thy knees as for life and death Io. 7.37 Esay 55.1 2. Esay 66.2 If thou hast not found and felt these things in thee in some measure thy case is dangerous and fearefull thou neuer yet didst truely repent the mercie of God belongs not vnto thee Vse 2 O then it is a singular fauour of God when he doth open a mans eies to see his misery to finde himselfe to stand in need of GODS mercy and extreame want of Christs bloud to saue his soule This is the beginning of all grace to feele the want of grace Dauid if the Lord had noâ— rowzed him out of his dead sinne wherein he lay a long time he might haue died and perished in it And therefore this should teach vs all to pray to God that he would in mercy open our eyes that we might see our sins and feele our miseries and that wee may see wee stand in extreame neede of Gods mercy and the contrary is a fearefull plague and iudgement of God for men to lie and snort in sinne without remorce of conscience without the sence and feeling of sinne or want of mercy this Dauid now knew by wofull experience that if hee had died without repentance he had perished of all diseases they bee most dangerous which bee least felt as a lâ—thargy or dead palsie or the like so it is a most fearefull estate for any man to lie in sinne without the feeling of it for then the hart is hardned and he makes no account of Gods mercy A man that thinkes he is well enough wil scorne the Physition so those blinde sinners that thinke they are wel enough and feele no want of mercy of all men they are to be pittied they be in a most dangerous state and condition And therefore we see it a great blessing of God to be told of our sinnes to bee reprooued for them that so seeing them and the danger of them wee may seeke to GOD for mercy Doctr. 2 Hence we learne that the first step to heauen Sâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 man and the beginning of true repentance is this for a man to bee grieued for his sins to be wounded in conscience for them for till a man see his sinnes and feele the burthen of them and feare the curse of GOD due vnto them he will neuer repent and seeke the pardon of them 2. Cor. 7.10 Matth. 26. Luke 18.13 This is that godly sorrow that leadeth to tepentance neuer to be repented of Vse 1 If this compunction and pricke of the heart
learne what a vile filthy and miserable thing sinne is in the sight of GOD it staineth a mans body it staines a mans soule it maketh him more vile then the vilest creature that liues no toad is so vile and loathsome in the sight of man as a sinner stained and defiled with sin is in the sight of GOD till hee be cleansed and washed from them in the bloud of Christ Leuit. 13. The Leprousie was a wonderfull disease it did infect the body yea the cloathes on a mans backe the walls of the house and the very stones but this leprosie of sin doth more defile a man it defiles the soule and conscience Yea the creature yea euen the very heauens and earth are stained with the contagion thereof and are made by reason of sinne subiect to vanitie and corruption Rom. 8.20 Oh then see how vile a thing sinne is in the fight of God that the infection thereof should seaze vpon the Creature and make them that they dare not abide the glorious presence of God their Creator Reu. 20.12 Vse 1 Seeing sinne is so vile a thing so filthy and vncleane so polluteth the soule and body and makes vs loathsome in the sight of God so as no carrion nor dung-hill sends forth a filthier sent of stench then sinne O! how should wee loathe and abhorre it quake tremble at the committing of it Oh! it is a wonder to see how warie men are to shunne the Plague they will not come neere the place and person infected but keep aloofe off Oh that wee could be as wise and carefull to shun this plague of all plagues sinne that is the plague of soule and body But alas alas poore plinde soules they who are most afraide of the bodily plague and infection feare not this wofull plague of sinne make no bones of horrible and grieuous sins of adultery drunkennesse lying stealing c. yea as Salomon saith Foolish men and poore blinde soules Wicked men adde sinne vnto sinne and pay one debt with another doe make a sport of sin and put on them the name of Vertue Swearing is a signe of a braue Gentleman-like minde drunkennesse good fellowship couetousnesse good husbandry fornication a tricke of youth pride cleanlinesse these men bee cleane contrary to Dauid he thought nothing more vile filthy and vncleane then sinne they iudge nothing more sweete and pleasant then sinne But if we could see the loathsome filthinesse of sinne how odious it is in the sight of God how it staines and defiles both soule and body then wee should hate it and lothe it more then a toad or a serpent and shun it aboue all things in the world but alas men sinne and yet see not that they do sin they see and feele no danger they are secure no man saith Ierem. 6. Alas what haue I done We be wary tauoyd temporall danger If a man should say to any of vs touch not that garmēt it is infected or taste not that drinke it is poisoned how ready would wee bee to shunne it and auoyde it we would not touch nor come neere it but yet though wee tell men of sinne bid them take heede of it it will infect soule and body and vnlesse men doe presently repent it will bring both to hell yet men euen mad men desperately rush into it wilfully casting away their owne soules Doctr. 4 Further Hard matter to bee cleansed from the pollution of sinne whereas Dauid prayes to bee washed yea to bee washed thorowly or much and often and more then that to be cleansed and rinsed from his sinnes we learne hence that it is not so easie a matter for a man to repent and to get the pardon of his sinnes to be washed and cleansed from them as most men thinke it is Dauid desireth the Lord to wash yea to wash him often againe and again and to bathe and rinse him from his sinnes shewing that it is a hard thing to haue the spottes of sinne to bee washed out a hard thing to obtaine the pardon of our sinnes to be cleansed from the staines and blemishes of them it will cost much sorrow many a teare many a sigh and groane euen a great measure of griefe for looke how grieuously we haue sinned so greatly should wee bewaile our sinnes And hence it is that the Lord calling the people to sorrow for their sinnes doth not require a light sorrow or some small measure of griefe but such a sorrow as should euen rent their very hearts Ioel 2.13 And the Prophet Dauid saith in the seuenteenth verse of this Psalme that a mans heart must be contrite and broken euen as it were rent asunder with godly sorrow or else his repentance will neuer be accepted of God Dauid saith Psalme 6.6 That hee watered his cowch with teares Againe he saith Psalme 42. His teares were his meate day and night And indeede it must not bee a small measure of sorrow that wee must shew for our sinnes For if wee had an hundred eyes and should weepe them all out And if wee had a thousand hearts and they should all break asunder with remorce and sorrow all were too little yea although wee shead euen teares of bloud for our sinnes Vse 1 This condemneth the common opinion of men and women Folly of naturall men described they doe think it the easiest thing in the world to repent to get the pardon of their sinnes they do thinke that Lord haue mercie on mee will serue Oh God is mercifull God is mercifull and so make Gods mercy a packe-horse of all their filthy sinnes but let no man deceiue himselfe it is an other manner of thing to repent then wee take it for it will cost thee many a teare and many a prayer before thou canst haue pardon it will cost thee many a sob and sigh and many a oh oh ere thou canst be assured of the pardon of them How then doe men deceiue their owne soules thinking euery little glimpse of their sinnes sufficient no no euery sorrow brings not with it repentance Ahab had sorrow 1. Reg. 21. He rent his cloathes and put on sackecloth and fasted but this sorrow was as the morning dew it did quietly vanish away The like may bee said of Felix Acts 24. of Herod of Pharaoh and the like all which haue had in them a kinde of sorrow but it was but carnall the end whereof is death It must then be a godly sorrow arising from the sight of our sinnes that we haue offended a good and gracious God and louing Father in Iesus Christ and this must euen wound our very soules as the people of the Iewes Acts 2.37 that wee know not which way to turne vs for comfort Vse 2 Let vs imitate Dauid let vs crie againe and againe vnto the Lord for mercy Psal 32.1 let vs beg hard for the pardon of our sinnes it is the greatest mercie in the world Pardon of
a vertue of faith to doubt of GODS loue Rom. 8.38 Iob 13.15 19 25. Psal 125.1 but how did Paul doubt when he saith I am fully perswaded c. Alas how dares a vile sinner not iustified nor assured of GODS loue and the pardon of his sinnes how dares he come to call on God and make his prayer vnto him dares a traitour come to his King speake vnto him not hauing his pardon Well this Doctrine of doubting it is a racke for wounded consciences and torments afflicted soules when they can not tell whether God loueth or hateth them nor know not that their sinnes be pardoned Vse 2 And therefore that religion which teacheth doubtings and pronounceth them accursed who â—old that a man may be assâ—red of saluation we accurse it as a Doctrine enemie to faith and saluation And indeed it is strange to see that whereas they teach a man is able to fulfil the whole law of GOD and by his workes to merit eternall life yet they accurse him if hee say hee is sure to be saued so directly doth one point of their false Doctrine impugne another Indeede it is no maruâ—ll though their religion can yeelde no comfort for certainety of saluation seeing they draw men from off the foundation Christ Iesus in whom only it is promised that we shall find rest for our soules Seeing Dauid prayes for this assurance of Gods loue to bee assured of the pardon of his sinnes by his spirit and that vpon his true repentance This shewes that the confidence that most men haue is a fond presumption and securitie They would not doubt of GODS loue for all the world they beleeued euer since they were borne and thus they brag of their strong faith but they deceiue themselues for till a man do repent turne to GOD beleeue in Christ be a new creature hee can haue no assurance of Gods loue or pardon of his sinnes Let all true Christians examine themselues whether they feele and finde this blessed assurance and perswasion of Gods loue and the pardon of their sinnes if thou hast it make much of it loose it not If thou want it vse all meanes giue all diligence to get it repent turne to God begge mercy and pardon for thy sinnes embrace Iesus Christ beleeue in him that thou mayest bee assured and neuer be at rest till thou canst say I am perswaded of Gods loue in Christ Iesus I know my Redeemer liueth I am perswaded I am the childe of God else a man can haue no ioy peace nor comfort Doctr. 2 Though Nathan had told him his sins were forgiuen Mans testimony of the remission of sins is nothing without the testimonie of Gods spirit yet Dauid could not be assured till he felt the inward assurance and certificate of Gods spirit to perswade and witnes the loue of GOD vnto him for the pardon of his sinnes Hence we learne that it is not the testimony of all men Angels that can assure vs in our soules of Gods loue and pardon of our sins without the inward speciall certificate and perswasion of Gods Spirit who is called the Spirit of Adoption Ro. 8.15.16 because he doth reueale yea perswade and assure our soules that we be adopted If Peter Paul Nathan yea al the world nay if an Angell from heauen should tell me I am the childe of God Note yet vnlesse God doe farther certifie my conscience inwardly by his Spirit I should not be assured but doubt stil euen as Dauid did in this place although Nathan had said Thy sinnes are for giuen yet Dauid could not bee assured vntill he had the inward and comfortable perswasion of Gods holy Spirit Men cannot know the secret councell of God they may deceiue and be deceiued but the Spirit of Gods knowes all things and the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 1.10 Ro. 8.15 16 Ye haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage to feare againe But ye haue receiued the Spirit of Adoption whereby yee crie Abba Father The same Spirit beareth witnesse to our spirit that we are the children of God Galat. 4.6 2. Cor. 1.22 And because ye are sonnes therefore GOD hath sent foorth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts whereby we cry Abba Father Againe God the Father hath sealed vs and put into our hearts the earnest of his Spirit So that you see it is the proper worke of the Spirit to assure our harts and consciences of Gods loue and the pardon of our sinnes and without this inward certificate and assurance of the Spirit all the testimonies of men and Angells can not assure our consciences Vse Well then seeing that there can be no assurance in a mans conscience of the pardon of sinne and life eternall but by the inward certificate and testimony of Gods Spirit let vs pray for this labour to find and feele our hearts perswaded and assured inwardly by the holy Ghost of the pardon of our sins and the loue of GOD in Christ 2. Cor. 13.5 Proue your selues whether yee be in the faith And because men are deceiued generally with a fond presumption and foolish opinion that they be the children of God and shal be saued and this carnall presumption is more common then true sauing faith Markes of Gods Spirit I will shew how we may know this testimony and certificate of Gods Spirit when it is in our consciences First the Spirit of God assures no man of the pardon of his sinnes That Man repents of his sinnes but such as be humbled for them repent of them leaue and forsake them become new creatures and walke in newnesse of life and therfore if thou liue in sinne be not humbled for them nor bewaile them hast a purpose to liue still in thy sinnes ignorance lying swearing couetousnes vncleanenes c. Thou canst haue no assurance of Gods loue and this perswasion of thine if thou hast any it is meere presumption for where men doe not repent and turne vnto God and amend their liues there is no faith neither is the Spirit of God in them and therefore they can not bee assured of GODS loue and mercie Secondly Is perswaded of the Spirit the spirit of Adoption doth not onely tell a man that hee is the child of God but doth by sundry arguments and reasons perswade the childe of God that hee is elect that God loues him and that his sinnes be pardoned but wicked men haue no such perswasion in their hearts onely they haue a fond opinion and conceit which is no good ground neither did the Spirit of GOD euer perswade their hearts thereunto We shall know the testimony of Gods Spirit The effects will appeare that it is sure and sound by the fruits and effects of it for if the Spirit of God do truly testifie the loue of God for the pardon of our sinnes and life eternall then it will follow that we shall hate our sins loathe abhorre them because they grieue
Paul professeth of himselfe Luke 8. Phil. 3.7.8 that he esteemed all things but dung in comparison of CHRIST IESVS and the fauour of God in him And the reason is plaine because if a man had all the world and wanted the loue and fauour of GOD was in his displeasure Mat. 16.26 and vnder the curse of God what good could it do him Euen as if a Subiect should haue ten thousand pounds and yet the King cannot abide him but seeke his death And therefore the childe of God if hee were asked what is the thing hee desires most in all the world would answer Mercy and the loue of GOD in IESVS CHRIST hee would despise honours lands Psal 32.1.2 liuings gold siluer pleasures and delights and preferre one dramme of mercy and the least drop of Christs blood for saluation before all the world Vse 1 This may serue to reproue thousands in the world carnall men and women so they haue the world at will and may lieu at ease eate drink and bee merry they feele no want of Gods mercy no need of Christs bloud they esteeme not Gods fauour and loue desire not reconcliation but say Who will shew vs any good Well diddest thou neuer feele the want of GODS mercy no hungring and thirsting after IESVS CHRIST and his righteousnesse it is manifest thou dost not belong to GOD thou waste neuer yet truely humbled Vse 2 Let this Doctrine admonish vs to labour with our heartes to bee affected with this namely to esteeme more of GODS loue and fauour and assurance of his mercy then all the world let vs desire it more let vs reioyce more in it so as if the question should bee asked what is the thing that thou doest most desire and affect and what thou dost most delight and reioyce in of all the things in the world wee may be able in truth to answere and say with feeling and comfort I desire nothing more vnder Heauen then the mercy of GOD in IESVS CHRIST to be in his fauour to be reconciled vnto his Maiesty and with Paul to esteeme all things but dung in comparison of that And till this be in vs in some measure we can neuer finde true comfort to our soules and bee assured that we haue true sauing-faith in Christ For this is a certaine fruite and note of an humble and beleeuing heart to hunger and thirst after Gods mercy in Christ and to esteeme more highly of the least drop of Christ his precious Bloud for our saluation then of all the world if it were offered vnto vs. Vse 3 Wee must labour to manifest this our earnest desire and great account of Gods mercy by vsing all blessed meanes to attaine vnto it wee must repent and bewaile our sinnes leaue and forsake them wee must embrace Iesus Christ by faith and cry with teares vnto GOD for mercy Knocke Seeke Aske Math. 7.7 Acts 13.20 And let vs doe as the men of Tyrus and Sydon when Herod tooke a pitch against them and intended to warre against them they came all with one accord and besought Blastus the Kings Chamberlaine to haue peace So let vs go vnto IESVS CHRIST the Peace-maker desire him to speake to GOD the Father for vs that there may bee an euerlasting peace Doctr. 3 When Dauid prayeth that God would restore vnto him State of Gods children not alwaies alike The ioy of his Saluation those sweet comforts he was wont to feele and finde in Gods mercy and feeling of his loue in Christ wee learne that the state of Gods children is not alwaies alike full of ioy comfort and gladnesse but sometimes full of griefe misery cares and trouble For the dearest children of God who are replenished with the greatest measure of ioy and comfort in the feeling and assurance of Gods loue in Christ when as the Lord leaues them to fall into some sin against knowledge conscience they shall finde not onely a great decay but an vtter losse of ioy and comfort for the time Thus it was with Dauid who though he was a man after Gods own heart enriched with great blessings and spirituall mercies most deerely beloued of God sanctified in great measure yet now hauing fallen into these two filthy sinnes of Adultery and Murder see how he if perplexed in great distresse and trouble of minde and now the feeling of Gods mercy and ioy in Gods Spirit seemed to bee cleane lost So it was in Peter Luke 23. and so it is in euery childe of God Didst thou euer sinne against knowledge and conscience since thou wast conuerted thou shalt finde then a wonderfull deadnesse of heart trouble of minde and feeling of Gods anger with the losse of comfort for a time Vse 1 Seeing sinnes against knowledge and conscience wound the soule exceedingly and depriue vs of the peace and comfort and ioy of GODS Spirit and bring terrours feares and gripings with them Let vs as to auoid all sinne so especially auoid sinne against knowledge and conscience and labour in all things in all places and at all times to liue and walke so vpright with GOD that thou neuer wound thy conscience though thou mightest get the greatest gaine honour or pleasure yet if it bee sinne and that against knowledge and conscience abhorre it and commit it not if thou louest thy owne soule for if sinnes of ignorance shall not escape punishment vnlesse men repent much more sinnes against knowledge and conscience for these prouoke the Lord exceedingly to turne away his fauour from vs draw downe his iudgements vpon vs wound the conscience depriue vs of the feeling of Gods loue and fauour bring trouble of minde and a wounded conscience oh then would you inioy this great blessing of peace of conscience which is a continuall feast would you be loath to loose the feeling of GODS loue and comfort of Gods spirit auoid all sinne but especially presumptuous sinnes against knowledge and conscience they wound especially and depriue vs of peace of conscience Vse 2 If the Lord doe at any time leaue vs to sinne euen presumptuous sinnes against knowledge and conscience which is a fearefull thing yet let vs not despaire vtterly of Gods mercy but seeke to renew the feeling of Gods loue againe intreate the Lord to restore vnto vs the ioy of his saluation and that wee may obtaine the fauour of God againe and renew the feeling of his loue let vs renew our repentance bewaile our grieuous and heynous sinnes seeke earnestly for grace and pardon and giue the Lord no rest at all till wee finde and feele him to bee reconciled vnto vs in IESVS CHRIST Doctr. 4 Marke what was the speciall thing wherein Dauid this holy seruant of GOD did reioyce Pardon of sinne the soundest ioy not in gold or siluer not pleasures and carnall delights not in lands and liuings not in a Kingdome but in the saluation of GOD in his loue in pardon of his sinnes and saluation of his
1.5 6 Hebr. 11.6 for hee that wauers can haue no hope to obtaine at Gods hand Whosoeuer doubteth whether God will grant his requests or not can neuer pray for any thing earnestly and effectually This our Sauior teacheth Mar. 11.24 Whatsoeuer yee desire when ye pray Beleeue that ye shall haue it and it shall bee done vnto you And none can haue this assurance that GOD is ready to heare them and to grant their requests but onely the faithfull who haue first this assurance that their sinnes are pradoned and that they are reconciled vnto God in Christ Iesus Vse 1 How should this mooue vs all to labour to get sauing faith that so we might pray in faith and obtaine our requests pardon of sins wisedome the gifts of Gods spirit c. for hee that comes in vnbeliefe can looke for no mercy at Gods hands and therefore the prayer of many vnbeleeuers ignorant soules alas they be but babblings and can doe no good O then let vs labour to bee able to say my God giue mee this or that Vse 2 This must teach vs to moderate our desires and take heede we aske not any thing that is not warranted by the word for vnles it be warranted by the word wee cannot haue anie assurance hee will heare vs for there is no faith without the word and therefore when wee shall aske things at our lust and pleasure it is iust with Almightie GOD not to heare vs. Doctr. 6 When Dauid calles the Lord Praise of our saluation properly belongs to God Ro. 6. vlt. My God and the God of my saluation He acknowledgeth that saluation pardon of his sinnes life and all good things come from God and are his gracious gifts in Christ It is hee who at the first gaue vs life when wee were starke dead in trespasses and sinnes It is he againe that keepes our soules in life If we fall hee rayseth vs vp when wee wander he recalleth vs from iudgements past present and to come hee hath doth and will deliuer vs so that hee may well be called The God of our Saluation Vse 1 Let vs then acknowledge this that al the good things we inioy the fauour of God pardon of our sinnes iustification sanctification redemption c. all these are the free mercie and gifts of GOD in CHRIST and then wee shall learne to depend on GOD for the comfort of this life for if we know God hath giuen vs Christ and deliuered vs from sinne death and hell how then can hee deny vs the lesser things for this life Rom. 8.32 Vse 2 Seeing saluation is the gift of God we see that the Doctrine of the Papists is erronious who teach men that they may merite saluation and mercy at Gods hand pardon of sin saluation and life eternall Dauid acknowledgeth it to be the free gift of God Rom. 6. Dan. 9. Iob 42.6 Ephes 2. and therefore let vs abhorre their doctrine and our goodnesse or worthinesse and acknowledge that all wee may enjoy for saluation it is the free and vnderserued fauour of God in Christ Iesus Dauid hee felt now the heauie weight of Gods anger which pressed him downe exceedingly and brake his heart yet withall hee felt the mercie of God which made him bolde to goe to God for pardon so that hee could call him my GOD. Wherein we may note the difference of Gods children from infidells that haue no faith the child of God although he be touched at the quicke with the feeling of Gods displeasure yet he can by faith goe to his father and make his moane vnto him But a wicked man that hath no faith in Christ Note hee conceiueth nothing but GODS anger and iudgement and therefore flies from him and cannot giue one rap at Gods mercie seate cannot for his life cry My God and my Father but is faine to run from GOD and so in time to dispaire as Caine and Iudas And my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse THese wordes containe in them the reason of his request as if he should say If thou shalt O Lord pardon my sinne and in mercie deliuer me from the curse and punishment due to me for them my tongue shall be a Preacher and publisher of thy mercie vnto others And my tongue shall sing of thy righteousnesse By righteousnesse is not meant here the iustice of God whereby he takes vengeance for sinne but by righteousnesse is meant the mercifull dealing of God in keeping promise with all repentant sinners in pardoning and remitting their sinnes and receiuing them to mercy Doctr. 7 It is impossible for any man or woman Gods mercies must vntie our tongues to praise him Luke 22. 1. Chro. 19 Acts 11.18 1. The 2.19 who haue truly tasted of Gods mercy in CHRIST for life and saluation to keepe it in as it shall not breake foorth and appeare but he that hath his hart affected with Gods mercie in CHRIST it will vntie his tongue to speake of it and to praise God for it As it is not possible to keepe fire so close but it will smoke and flame in time so the feeling of Gods loue can not but break out and appeare to the good of others Wel by the rule of this doctrine wee may see that very few haue their hearts affected with the mercie of God in Christ Luke 17. because they seldome or neuer take occasion to speak of it and to prayse God for it The poore Leaper finding himselfe to be cleansed came to praise God for it and Naaman would giue Elisha a reward but our hearts haue no comfort in it therefore we open not our hearts to praise God And my tongue MArke how Dauid speakes that as in heart he will blesse God so in words hee will praise him Doctr. 2 Of all the partes of mans bodie the tongue serueth to honour GOD and to praise him that serueth to vnfolde the truth of God to blesse him to praise him and to instruct others Iames 3. Vse 1 Well seeing that God hath of all members of the bodie ordayned the tongue to be that member whereby we shall honour and praise him let vs gouerne our tongue so as it may serue to open his will to praise and blesse him to speake of his wonderous woorkes let vs vse it well in prayer in speaking of Gods mercie and iudgement to instruct others and in any case let vs set a watch before our mouthes that we sinne not in speeches Iames 3. If any man sinne not in his tongue he is a perfect man Of thy righteousnesse Doctr. 8 HE calles Gods faithfulnes and truth in keeping promise to repentant sinners His righteousnesse Gods rightteousnes what wherein note a wonderfull comfort to all repentant sinners that GOD auoucheth he should be vniust Note and vnrighteous if hee should not giue them mercie and pardon when they repent seeing hee hath tied himselfe by hiâ— promise so as if he should not shew
that faile in the maner of doing of it to offer sacrifice was the Commandement of God but when the Iews thought by their sacrifices to appease Gods anger without the sacrifice of Christ they sinned and God abhorred them and cared not for them Againe to preach the word of God is his commandement but when Iudas shall preach the word to cloake his couetousnesse and treacherous heart it is a sinne in Iudas to giue almes it is a thing commanded and a sacrifice wherewith God is well pleased but if men shall giue to merite and to be seene of men the Lord careth not for it so as wee see a man may doe things which God commands men to do and yet be so farre from pleasing God that they shall sinne and prouoke him to anger because they doe them not in an holy manner Pro. 15.11 in faith repentance obedience and zeale of Gods glory Vse 1 This condemns almost the whole seruice of God amongst the Papists who do all to this end to merit and deserue at Gods hands pardon of sin and freedom from punishment but this is to a wrong end wee must doe good works not to merit but to honor God to giue good example to make our calling sure to our selues Vse 2 This must admonish vs all not only to doe that God commands as to preach the word heare pray receiue the sacrament c. but to do it as God commands or else he abhorres all we do vnlesse we do them in faith repentance and obedience all is in vaine Doctr. 3 If the Lord abhorre those sacrifices which hee commands for mans sinne Popish Sacrifices abhominable how much more those sinnefull sacrifices which haue beene inuented by man without any warrant from his word as the Idoll of the Masse Popish pilgrimages perpetuall chastity voluntary pouertie liuing in a cloister c. Vse 1 Wel then let vs take heed not only that we doe not abuse those sacrifices which the Lord commands by our euill doing and performing of them but much more that we be not so bold at any time to offer vnto the Lord such sacrifices as are condemned in the word of God to offer with strange fire as Nadab and Abihu and such as Paul calles Wil-worship and Christ calles The inuentions of men for these the Lord abhorres Vse 2 It condemns that bloody beastly sacrifice of the Papists who offer in Masse Christ daily for the quicke and dead an horrible abuse of Christ Iesus for Christ hath by his owne sufficient sacrifice of his bodie and bloud on the Crosse appeased his fathers anger for the sins of the world and put an end to all these sacrifices and if they offer vp CHRIST in the Masse for quicke and dead then Christs sacrifice was imperfect that must be patched vp with that abhominable Idoll Concerning these sacrifices which were Lambs Sheep Goats or Bullockes and were all slaine offered to God in fire let vs marke that they were all so many figures types and shapes of that euerlasting sacrifice of Iesus Christ which hee offered vpon the Crosse in his owne person Doctrine Christ an end of all other Sacrifices Then this doth commend vnto vs that blessed and most meritorious sacrifice of Christ the lambe of God seeing there was so many prophesies of it euen from the beginning of the world and so many shadowes and types of it as can not be numbered because there neuer passed one day amongst the Iewes from the time of the Law till Christs comming but they offered at least morning and euening sacrifice as shadowes of Christ Iesus to come and the people of God the beleeuing Iews and holy Fathers and Prophets did in them beholde Iesus Christ as slaine and crucified before their eyes And as Christ saith The holy Patriarkes and Prophets and famous Kings desired to see my dayes and would be glad to see and yet saw it not Vse Well seeing the sacrifice of Iesus Christ is so excellent meritorious of endlesse worth to procure Gods fauour to vs how should we often thinke vpon it neuer let it depart out of our mindes And to this end wee should be more willing to approch and come to the Supper of the Lord that so there as it were in a plaine Table and Picture and not painted on a woodden crosse as the Papists do we might behold Christ crucified and his bloud shed for our sins so often as we see the bread broken and the wine powred out So often as yee doe it 1. Cor. 11. doe it in remembrance of mee to shew foorth my death till I come For the remembrance of Christs sacrifices it is a sweete comfort to all wounded and distressed soules it is sacke and sugar to them all that truly beleeue in him it is an excellent means to kill sin and to humble our hard hearts that we should remember our sinnes were as the bloudie nailes and the speare which put him to death and a powerfull bridle to restraine vs from sinne because so often as wee sinne wee doe as it were pierce his heart afresh and as for those that care not for comming to the Sacrament nor yet for the word wherein Christ is liuely crucified they shew they haue no benefit by this sacrifice of Christ VERSE 17. 17. The Sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit a contrite and broken heart O God thou wilt not despise Dauid hauing shewed what be those Sacrifices wherein the Lord God hath no pleasure namely such as men shall offer with hope to merite or without faith and repentance Now he shewes what is that Sacrifice wherein the Lord takes great delight and is well pleased and that is in one word A broken spirit a heart truely wounded for sinne In this verse let vs first finde out what is the broken and contrite Spirit Secondly the commendations of it namely it is called the Sacrifice of God Thirdly that hee doth not despise By a broken and contrite spirit is meant such an heart as is truly humbled with sight of sinne wounded and pierced with feare of Gods anger grieued for offending so mercifull a God and louing Father and doth begge for mercie at his hands as for life and death besides the endlesse mercy of God in Christ which breaketh the heart of a poore sinner So then there be two things that wound and bruise the heart of sinners First the sight of sinne and knowledge of our misery by reason thereof Secondly the endlesse mercie of God in Christ so as it cuts vs at the heart to remember that wee haue offended so good and mercifull a Father Doctrine Broken hart most rare thing to be foūd Seeing this is that broken heart which is thus bruised with the sight of sinne and is humbled for them yea hath a most lowe conceit of it selfe as most vile and vnworthy wee shal see that it is a most rare thing to be found for generally men are so blinded