aboade in the worde of God which will assure vs of all together Let vs not then measure our saluation by the present estate of the world and as it seemeth now in our eyes wherby we may well perceiue and discerne the same And why so Bicause that all things here belowe haue an ende as wee haue said that heauen and earth shall perish but God hath giuen to vs his truth which is of such an euerlastingnesse as that it surpasseth both heauen and earth It behoueth vs then to bee lifted vp and rapt with this eternitie of the kingdome of God so often as his word shall be spoken vnto vs wherein consisteth all our saluation And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God with acknowledging our innumerable offences by which wee cease not daily to prouoke his heauy wrath indignation against vs Beseeching him that it would please him to cause vs to feele our wretchednesse more then heretofore wee haue done to the ende we might be displeased with our sinnes seeke for remedie where it is shewed vs to wit that seing there is nothing els in vs and in all creatures but vanitie that we beseeche the same good God to confirme vs in his promisses that all our studie be wholy there knowing that all our life resteth in them to the ende wee searche no other where but there where hee hath promised wee shall finde it that is in his worde That it would please him so to make vs taste and sauoure the power and strength thereof as that we may be wholy giuen to serue him and that receiuing vs into his holy protection and conduct he wil not impute vnto vs so many vices and imperfections as are in vs but that he will supporte them through his goodnesse vntil such time as he hath despoyled vs of altogether And that it would please him also too vse the like grace and fauoure towardes all people and nations of the earth c. The thirteenth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteene Psalme MEM. O Lord what loue haue I vnto thy lawe al the day long is my study in it Thou through thy commaundements hast made me wiser then mine enemies for they are euer with mee I haue had more vnderstanding then al my teachers for thy testimonies are my studie I vnderstode more then the aged bicause I keepe thy commaundements I haue refrained my feete from euery euill way that I might keepe thy worde I haue not declined from thy iudgementes for thou diddest teach me How sweete are thy woordes vnto my throat yea sweeter then hony vnto my mouth Through thy commandementes I get vnderstanding therefore I hate all the wayes of falsehood WE shall see in this behalf a great many which will not sticke to bragge and say that they haue greatly profited in the woorde of God but yet if we looke into their liues wee shall see and finde that they haue profited as much as if they had neuer read nor heard one worde of the holy scripture Moreouer all the goodly and gay protestations which they shal make tende to none other end but to get them selues estimation and credit there is noone other thing in them but a foolish and vaine glorious shewe that is they desire to bee commended and praysed as though they were the most able and worthy people of all others Nowe when we will saye that we haue profited in the schoole of God first of all we ought to shewe by our life and conuersation whether it bee so or no. For this is the true testimonie whereunto wee must holde vs. God teacheth vs not to the ende we should do nothing els but prattle and babble but he instructeth vs in what maner we ought to liue Hee then which shall leade a dissolute and wanton life declareth manifestly that he neuer knew either God or his truthe Moreouer the meaning is not that we should set foorth our selues to bee had in estimation of men or to get vs reputation and credit but we ought rather to glorifie God knowing that we are so much the more beholden and bounde vnto him in that it hath pleased him too bestowe such his grace and fauour vpon vs as that we surmount others in learning for that commeth not vnto vs by reason that wee are sharper witted or that we haue gotten it through our owne industrie to know I say the way of saluation but it is a free gift which commeth vnto vs from aboue Furthermore when wee shall acknowledge this too come from God it is then great reason that we should drawe our neighbours with vs and like as we are in a good way euen so ought wee to bee desirous to haue euery one to followe vs. Loe to what intent Dauid declareth in this place that he hath loued the worde of God aboue all and that by it he hath beene so well taught as that hee surpassed his maisters and enemies and all those which were in great reputation and credit Very certaine it is that Dauid is not here led by an ambitious or high minded spirite meaning to be coyed and clawed and looking to bee thought to haue greater vnderstanding then others but desireth none other thing saue that the profite which he had receiued by the lawe of God might be throughly engraffed in all men and that it might be a thing common vnto euery one In very deede since that we are all members of one body wee ought continually to labour and trauell for the vpholding and mainteining of it one with another neither ought any of vs to serue him selfe and his owne particular profit but we ought rather to desire to haue the graces of God to abound in all our neighbours that euery of them might haue a feeling of them and that when as wee shall haue enjoyed this common saluation that we might all with one accorde and as it were with one mouth glorifie him And besides Dauid sheweth soone after that hee was no babbling scholler to shewe it onely in mouth too haue many times turned ouer the leaues of the lawe of God and to haue very well vnderstood it but sheweth his life to bee agreing to his speeche and that God hath givē him grace to walke according to his will A great deale the rather ought we then throughly to consider of the order that is here set downe in the first verse he saith O Lord what loue haue I vnto thy lawe all the day long is my study in it The saying which Dauid here vseth signifieth speach and meditation And the verbe whereof it commeth signifieth to speake to deuise to talke or rather to applie his minde to any thing to be therein exercised and stadied Now there is no doubt but that Dauid spake here of a matter which is conioyned with meditatiō For as before we haue said it is not meant by them which make some certaine shew at their tongues ende and yet to haue
and handled hee maketh his complaint vnto God and sayeth O Lorde the Princes and Gouernours them selues doe sit and speake euill against me And yet for all that I haue kept thy Testimonies Herein summe we are to gather out of this place that if it so fall out when as wee haue walked vprightly and in a good conscience to bee falsely slaundered to bee accused of this and that whereof we neuer once thought yet ought we to beare all thinges patiently for let vs be sure of that that we are not better then Dauid although we would make neuer so great protestation of our integritie and puritie Dauid walked both before God and men so faithfully as none of vs all is able to doe and yet wee see that he was subiect to these slaunderous reportes Let vs then be patient when the like shall happen to vs. But let vs also follow his example in that hee sayeth that is that wee shoulde not be discouraged seeing our selues to be so euill and vniustly recompensed at mens handes that we forbeare not for all that to exercise our selues in the commaundementes of God And howe should we come by that patience wee must come to that which he there speaketh off to wit that wee take all our whole delight and pleasure in the commaundementes of God It is the thing which hee often beateth vpon before by me touched and therefore it shall not be needefull to staye vpon it any longer Let vs onely vnderstand this when Dauid sayeth that all his pleasure was in the commaundementes of GOD that we after his example must doe the like Hee added They are my Councellers Loe here a sentence worthy to be wayed of vs when Dauid calleth the commaundements of God his counsaylers for in the first place he meaneth that he might scorne at all the wisedome of the most able and most expert men in the worlde howe goodly and gay shewes soeuer their counsailes seeme to be to those which so exceedingly commend them and are also commended of all in that he was conducted by the word of God gouerned therby Lo what he meaneth here by the first point The second is That when he shal be so gouerned by the word of God he might not onely saye that hee was truely wyse but that it was so much as if he had all the wisedome of all the men in the worlde yea and a great deale more put euen in one man When any one man mistrusteth his owne witte hee will aske councell and arme him selfe the better and when he shall haue vsed such counsell as euery one shall soundly giue him hee will holde him selfe a great deale the better resolued Dauid then declareth vnto vs that if wee will not bee without good counsell and aduise we must follow the statutes and ordinances of God But what fewe men at this day are able in truth thus to saye Euery man will saye the best for him selfe he can and yet it shal be all but a mere mockerie Howe many of vs are there which will be contented to be gouerned as hee was by this counsell Wee shall hardly finde one amonges an hundreth Howe do we iustly promise our selues rightly to knowe that GOD hath spoken vnto vs And let it be that we are in the right way what assurance haue we of it It cannot be chosen but that the least let in the world will trouble vs Our spirite alwayes greatly desireth to be contrary to God we haue greater regarde to the vayne opinions and fantasies of men then to the heauenly doctrine so that we lende out eares to whatsoeuer men bable and are so caried with euery wynde that we knowe not what it is to holde our selues to the counsell of God And so let vs bee aduised to make out profit of this sentence beseching the Lord to graunt vs that his grace that we may be gouerned by him and that with such humilitie and reuerence as that whatsoeuer is set before vs in this world we may alwayes go on our wayes in true and inuincible constancie And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate out selues before the face of our good God in acknowledging our faultes beseching him that it woulde please him to gouerne vs in such sorte as that we looke not downe here on the earth ne yet stoope downe to the corruptible things of this world but that we might continually aspire vnto this heauenly life where unto hee daily calleth vs by his worde And for performance thereof to suffer vs to be truely vnited to our Lord Iesus Christ yea and that with an inseparable bond as wee may alwayes followe the waye which he hath shewed vnto vs vntill such time as wee be come to that immortall glorie whereunto he hath gone before vs to gather vs all vp vnto him and to make vs partakers of that blessednesse which hee hath gotten and purchased by his death and passion and where of he will make vs enheritours with him in the kingdome of heauen That he will not onely graunt vs this grace and fauour but also vnto all people and nations of the earth c. The fourth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme DALETH My soule cleaueth vnto the dust quicken me according to thy word I haue declared my wayes and thou heardest mee teache me thy statutes Make me to vnderstand the way of thy commandements and I will meditate of thy wonderous workes My soule melteth with very heauines rayse me vp according vnto thy word Take from me the way of lying and graunt me graciously thy lawe I haue chosen the way of truth and thy iudgements haue I laid before me I haue sticken vnto thy testimonies O Lord confound me not I will runne the way of thy commaundements whē thou shalt enlarge mine heart DAuid sheweth vnto vs in these eight verses what the ioye and contentation of the children of God ought to bee And this is a doctrine for vs most profitable For there is not that man which longeth not too haue the thing that may content and delight him but there is none of vs which holdeth the true meane So much the more therefore ought we rightly to recorde the lesson heere conteined to wit that all our reioyring is accursed and will come to an euill end if wee looke not to God and to his worde Loe wherefore here he sayeth My soule cleaueth vnto the dust quicken me according to thy word Dauid confesseth here that hee was driuen to an extremitie For behold what hee meaneth by this saying That his soule or life cleaueth vnto the dust As if hee shoulde haue said O Lord there is nothing that I more looked for then my graue I am like to a poore castaway and forlorne creature Nowe whether or to whome should he haue recourse Euen vnto God hee desireth to be restored And how may that be according to the promisse which he hath receiued We see then whether and to whom we must haue
Stablish thy promise to thy seruant because he feareth thee Take away thy rebuke that I am afrayde off for thy Iudgementes are good Beholde I desire thy commaundements quicken me in thy righteousnesse THese eight Verses heere conteine the Prayers which wee haue already before seene to witte that Dauid prayeth too be taught in the lawe that he might the better serue God Nowe vpon this wee haue to note that this is not all to heare and to be taught by preaching vnto vs that the same is as it were from the trueth of GOD but wee must also be taught by the holie Ghoste yea and that twoo manner of wayes For when God shall haue inlightened vs to the end we might knowe that it commeth from him it behooueth that he imprinte in our heartes a desire too cleaue vnto it for without that wee shall doe cleane contrary as naturally we are enclyned So then although it bee not superfluous too reade and heare yet wil it profite vs nothing at all excepte the holy Ghoste teacheth vs yea and that to discerne aswel betwene good and euill as also to be wel and rightly affected too walke according to the Commaundementes of GOD. Which thinge is sufficiently confirmed vnto vs in the person of Dauid For as wee haue heretofore declared hee was a moste excellent Prophet Nowe it appeareth that hee was not onely sufficiently instructed for him selfe but GOD hadde also ordayned him too gouerne and instructe others this was the Doctor of the whole Church And yet notwithstanding hee confesseth him selfe too be vtterly ignoraunt and blinde except God directed him by his holy spirite Yea and hee declareth vnto vs moste plainely that hee had neede of these twoo partes of the grace of GOD heere by vs touched to witte to bee taught too knowe that which is good and afterwarde too haue his minde framed to continue therein This circumstaunce also is specially too bee noted that Dauid in making his requestes heerein conteyned was no Nouice For God had already instructed him by his holy Spirite And that which is more he declareth that hee had already desired too followe God and too obay his Commaundementes Wherefore then is it that hee prayeth afreshe but onely that hee felte in him selfe greate weakenesse in this point and that hee was but in the mid way Let vs thē vnderstand that euen they which are inlightened by the spirit of God are wel affected ought not to content themselues heerewith as if they were already come to a ful perfection but rather to acknowledge their weakenes that they are not growne to that forwardnes but that they may faile and that it is God which causeth thē to perseuer and to be more and more confirmed Loe heere what wee haue yet to obserue by the example of Dauid Nowe let vs follow the words which he vseth to the end the effect of this doctrine may the better be imprinted in our memoryes Teach me O Lorde the way of thy statutes and I will keepe it vnto the end Heere Dauid declareth that he hath well begun to serue God but he right wel feeleth that we are so frayle that wee can neuer come home to the mark without God strēgtheneth vs wherfore he hath recourse vnto this high mighty power by which God remedieth the vices that are in his chosen which he knoweth not to be in their nature We see then that when God stretcheth out his hande vnto vs so that we haue alredy bin instructers teachers of our neigh bours yet that we must not presume of our owne power strength but stand alwaies vpon our garde beseeching god with all humilitie and reuerence that as he hath wel begun in vs so he wil performe go through with the same Dauid said not O Lord I haue strayed But he hath very well said heretofore that he was by nature a wandring shepe so shall we see him to be And yet notwithstāding our Lord had already brought him into the way of saluation yea and had bestowed vpon him excellent graces But yet he knowing that he might erre an hūdreth times in a minute without God held him with a mightie hand prayeth to be instructed anew as if all the rest which hee had done had bin nothing So then when as God shal haue bestowed vpon vs his graces let vs not be negligent secure to lul our selues asleepe as though our state and condition were not to bee amended But let vs rather think with our selues and consider that he which hath bin taken and holden for a good vertuous man for the space of ten or xx yeeres might bee seene ouercome in a matter of nothing were it not that God assisted him Loe here how the faithfull after that God hath liberally bestowed vpon them great graces ought alwaies to walke in feare and humblenes knowing that they are subiect to many temptations which they are neuer able to resist if God continued not the same in them as well to instruct them as also to ayde them with his power and strength to fortifie them more and more as before I haue said And here we are diligently to marke this saying And I will keepe it vnto the end As if he should haue said My God I haue already followed thy commaundementes for a certein time but what shall become of it if thou doest not alwayes put too thy helping hand vnto me as thou hast already done I may in one minute fall into a great and horrible confusion O Lord I beseeche thee therefore that as thou hast begunne well in me so to perfourme the same throughly By this we see what a diuelish arrogancie that of the papistes is wherewith they are puffed vp when as to their seeming that a man after God hath once stretched out his arme vnto him can by and by worke wonders of him selfe and is sufficiently able too ouercome all temptations But let vs rather vnderstand and knowe that euen as it is God that must beginne to set vs in the right way so likewise that we cannot continue and abide therein without he alwayes holde vs by his mightie hand and neuer to suffer Satan to seduce vs neither yet to bee wickedly led by his subtelties and wyles And thus much as touching the first verse Now it followeth Giue me vnderstanding and I will keepe thy lawe yea I will keepe it with my whole hart Here Dauid declareth vnto vs in the first place what our true wisedome is to wit that we should walke in the feare of God as also it is said in the scripture That the feare of God is true wisedome In summe wee haue here the confession of Dauid that al they which withdrawe themselues from the obediēce of God are people voide of wit iudgement wisedome and reason In very deede wee shall neuer haue the worlde to iudge thus of it For wee will saye loe this is a witty fellow this man is very wyse when hee is able to
and restife lades too wynse and kicke at him but that being gouerned through his bountiful goodnesse we might be easie and tractable to bee guided according to his will So it is as already I haue sayde that wee ought in deede to be tamed through afflictions or els wee should alwaies become like vnto sauage and wild beastes And too proue that it is so wee see our nature so rebellious as is most pitifull and our affections such terrible beastes as that we are not able to holde them in any good order in so much that if God slack the reynes and laye the brydle in our necke it is out of all question that wee will be very stubborne and rebellious against him and in such sort outrage that wee will desire nothing els but clearely to ouerthrowe all iustice equitie and right To be short it wil be out of all doubt that wee will euen iustle and spurne against God when as we shall liue at our owne pleasure and in great prosperitie Nowe there is none other remedie to helpe this matter but to haue God to afflict vs for this is the only meane by which he keepeth vs in subiection and in awe otherwise if he leaue vs in rest and at quiet it were vnpossible but that our nature should stubburnly rebell against him If wee carrie away this lesson well wee should neuer be so grieued with the afflictions which he layeth vpon vs as wee are but wee should take another maner of consolation in all our miseries and aduersities then wee doo knowing that although they be bitter medicines vnto vs yet that they shal turne to our health Let vs chose whether wee will be like wilde and madde beastes straying from the waye of saluation yea euen like very frantique men to lifte vp our selues against God rather then to bechastised with his roddes and to be so cōquered as that by the same meane he might order vs to liue in his obedience Since then we be so profited through afflictions as that the gaine which we get thereby is not heauy and grieuous to beare let vs comfort our selues therewith attending the issue which God shal giue vnto vs. Moreouer let vs also haue in memorie that wee must not bee incorrigible after that God hath lifte vp his hand to chastise vs and hath rebated out foolish and inordinate appetites neither moyle and groyne as we are wonted as if he did vs great wrong but let vs suffer our selues to be chastised and afflicted after the example of Dauid Loe the very sauage and fierce beastes yet for al that at last they may be made tame whē as a painfull and industrious man shall take them in hande which can tell howe to rule them Beholde the vntamed horse of nature fierce and stout and yet for all that he suffereth him selfe to be handled and led turneth with the bit when he shall haue a man vppon his backe which knoweth howe too ride and tame him I beseeche you ought not wee to be greatly ashamed when as our God shal employe him selfe to order vs and winne vs vnto him selse and yet cannot compasse it So then let vs after the example of Dauid striue to profite our selues vnder the rodde of God to the ende wee might keepe his lawes after that hee hath scourged vs. Nowe it followeth soone after Thou art good and gratious teach me thy statutes Dauid here repeateth againe the same petition which we haue heard And it is the very same which I haue already touched to wit that amongs all the praiers which we must make vnto God this is one of the most principall to desire him to instruct vs in his woorde that wee be not giuen in such sort to that which concerneth this present life and our bodies as that wee thinke no whit of the glasse of our soules Nowe this glasse is it which consisteth in the worde of God So then let vs not forget this so great a benefite when as we are about to praye vnto God that wee haue this in a most especiall remembrance that wee may be instructed in his statutes Nowe ouer and beside this request Dauid vseth the same reason which hee hath set downe in the first verse that is when he sayeth That God is good and gratious It is very true that they are twoo sundrie sentences but yet they proceede from one self same springhed and the meaning also tendeth to one and the self same ende Hee hath saide thou hast dealt liberally with thy seruant and here thou art good and gratious There hee hath sayde euen according too thy woorde and here hee hath put them in both so that wee may see that this verse is but a confirmation of that which wee haue seene in the twoo first that Dauid alledging to GOD his bountie which hee vsed towardes his euen accordinig to his nature beseecheth him that hee woulde teache him his Statutes Nowe he addeth The proude haue imagined a lye against me but I will keepe thy Commaundementes vvith my vvhole hart This is alledged for two reasons the one is that by it Dauid sheweth the neede which he hath of God his helpe and to be confirmed in his worde yea and to be instructed in the same And why so Forsooth to withstand temptations As if he had sayd Alas my God if thou instruct mee not and guidest me e by thy holy spirite what shall I doe For I am not without temptations when as I shall haue but mine owne will which euer striueth against thee But I haue also enemyes without which oppresse and greeue me Wherfore I haue very great neede to be guided and gouerned by thy hand Dauid then considered that it was needefull for him to bee chastised of God to the ende he might a great deale the easelyer obtaine his request Nowe in the meane while hee meaneth too shewe that he made his prayer without hypocrisie that he came too GOD in very good earneste and with a pure and sincere affection as if he had sayd O Lord I desire not to be instructed in thy lawe and Statutes for fashions sake but because I esteeme of this good that is in it and for that I knowe this to be the moste soueraigne felicitie that we can haue And to proue that it is so although the wicked haue assayled me and taken great paines to drawe mee too doe wickedly and haue bent all all their force and power thereto yet haue I kept thy commaundements By this hee hath made good proofe howe greatly hee loued the woorde of God when as hee lothed it not whatsoeuer they craftely and malitiously practized against him See then the two reasons which we haue heere to note Now in the first place when Dauid speaketh heere of the proude let vs remember that it is the title which the Scripture cōmonly attributeth to all Infidels contemners of God For from whence commeth this villanous and beastly impietie that men will not bowe them selues vnder the
it is like a bottomles pitte although before we somewhat trusted and hoped vpon God yet for all that wee shall then bee driuen and egged to seeke for aide here and there we know not where And howe so Is it not possible for me to finde remedie Bicause I saye wee are so dull and the hope which we haue in God passeth so lightly away from vs and melteth and runneth about this way and that way Dauid for this reason sayeth That hee hoped for the saluation of God Hereby then hee sheweth that although this occasion was offered him to seeke after other helpes and to cast his eyes vppon creatures and to forsake God yet that the temptations had not so wonne vpō him but that he alwayes remained constant in this resolution that it was God which must relieue his neede Nowe herevpon he addeth Mine eyes faile for thy promise saying when wilt thou comfort me I haue abready said that this verse conteineth no new or strange thing but Dauid chaungeth onely the order of the wordes For when he saieth That his eyes sore longed after the word of God he meaneth none other thing but this that although all his wittes were troubled and that hee was as it were blinded with the multitude of afflictiōs which he endured yet that hee alwayes stayed him selfe vppon this word of God and neuer ceased calling vpon him saying O when wilt thou comfort me By this hee sheweth vs that if we haue a true faith setled vppon the promises of GOD made vnto vs when as it shall please him soone after to afflict vs we must not by and by bee angry biting the bit as Mules do but let vs yelde him true obedience saying O Lord when wilt thou comfort me Wee must then suffer and abide thus to do to wit that when we beseech and require God to helpe vs according to his promise wee must also desire him to shewe it vs by the effect and wee must remaine firme and constant vntill such time as he causeth vs to perceiue it for although hee delayeth his aide and holdeth it as it were in suspēce yet must we be fully persuaded that he hath not forgotten his office which is to comfort vs. By this meane we shall finde in the ende the fruite of our prayers Nowe he fully and wholy explaneth in the third verse following when as hee sheweth it to be no small matter to be thus cast downe had not the woorde of God sustained and vpheld him but that there was great reason in it I am saith he like vnto a Goates skinne wherein oyle or wyne is put hanging in the smoke and so dried and parched as that there was neither substance nor moisture left in him Dauid vseth this similitude to shewe that his afflictions were so great and excessiue as that hee was without all strength and without hope of life Now he addeth notwithstanding That he did not yet forget the statutes of God Loe an example which wee ought too followe neither must we alledge here our infirmitie for Dauid was a passionate man as we are he might very well haue fainted if God had not strengthened him And how so Hauing the promises he hoped vpon them knowing that God continueth his benefites towardes his children bicause they should haue recourse vnto him hee called vpon him for that hee had already founde mercie and succour of him God so holpe him through his holy spirite Nowe haue not wee at this daye the same promises which Dauid had Yea haue wee not more large and ample promises Haue not wee great deale more familiar accesse then Dauid had bicause that Iesus Christe is declared too bee a mediatour more manifestly then he was vnder the lawe When God then rendreth vs such a testimonie of his good will that wee may freely come before him to praye vnto him to the ende hee might helpe our necessities I praye you what excuse shall wee make if wee come not boldely vnto him as Dauid did and be constant to perseuere in the same purpose seeing that God offereth the selfe same meanes to fight against whatsoeuer may turne vs awaye from it Moreouer is the power of God lessened since that time Doth he not at this day helpe all his faithfull with his holy spirite as he did vnder the lawe Yea doth not he saye that he will encrease the kingdome of our Lorde Iesus Christe more then euer he did at that time There is nothing then but our vnthankefulnesse which hath shut the gate against God so that his graces can haue no accesse nor entraunce into vs. It is very true that he will say enough vnto vs but we will stope our eares he wil make vs fayre promise enough but we will soone forget them or els if we keepe them in minde it shal be but a raunging imagination neither shall it haue any deepe print or yet liuely roote in vs. Bicause therefore that wee esteeme not of the promises of God loe the reason why wee are so suddenly cast downe euen with the least temptation that may come Howe exercise we our faith in prayers what readinesse and zeale is there at this daye amongst Christians in calling vpon the name of God Alas it is so colde and feeble as it can not be more And so see why God hath pluckt backe his hand from vs bicause of our infidelitie so that we feele not his helpe as we should The more depely therefore ought we to consider of this sentence here when Dauid declareth that he was cleane dried vp and yet for all that forgot not the promises of God Let vs now goe and vaunt our selues to bee good Christians that we haue greatly profited in the Gospel and yet when as wee shal be touched with any little yea and that with a very light affliction wee shall bee so amased as it is woonder Alas what should become of vs if wee should be as Dauid protesteth hee was that God threatned vs through stitche that there were but one droppe of substance of life and that it should seeme that we were euen as it were dead If then there were such a kinde of parched drynesse in vs what should become of it But what herein resteth the faulte that euery man flattereth him selfe and wee also thinke that GOD shoulde submitte him selfe to our flatteries But it is not in vaine that this example is here set before vs. Let vs exercise our selues then better then we haue heretofore done and call to minde the testimonies of God When as we shal bee parched and so dried as that it might seeme wee had not one droppe of life let vs notwithstanding meditate yet more thē euer before we did of the promises of God to the ende we might get vs newe force and strength Now when Dauid had thus spoken he addeth How many are the daies of thy seruant when wilt thou be auenged of them that persecute me The proud haue digged pittes for me which are
they no whit at al rightly moued bycause they doo not assure themselues that hee will heare and receiue them Dauid thē sheweth that he was not so blockish but that he had such an earnest desire as pusshed him thereto as S. Paul saieth that when we come to pray vnto God Heb. 5.7 wee ought to approch with groaning harts which no toung cā expresse by which we are pusshed forward by the spirit of god Se thē the 2. cōdiciō which is required in our prayers that is that we must lift our harts minds vp into heauen when as wee pray vnto God For we knowing what great need we haue of his help must pray that he wil haue cōpassiō of our miserable estate yea cōfesse that we are the childrē of perditiō if hee stretched not foorth his merciful hand vntoo vs and therefore that hereupon we ought to set out and call vpon him with an earnest affection Nowe in the third place Dauid telleth vs that he was very diligēt in praying vnto God to wit that he hoped euen vnto the last cast as there are very many which doe so when as they see welynough that they can go no further except God help them and yet for all that they steppe backe from him as much as in them lyeth and are neuer carried to the very point with all their heartes to call vpon God without it bee that they can neither will nor choose and are driuen euen too their wittes ends as we say Dauid declareth that he was not so drowsy for he saieth that he preuented the night watches that hee occupied him selfe seeing that it was the true and onely refuge of the children of God and the very faithfull to recommend them selues into his protection Nowe he lastly declareth that he continued it that it was no suddaine motion or blast and afterward to waxe colde agarne as some do and I would it pleased God that we might not practize it so often as wee haue done But there is not that hee amongst vs which hath not founde by experience that wee are by and by tyered in praying to God and that wee waxe very colde so soone as we haue poured out one onely sigh and groane For we thinke it inough if we haue set down our whole summe to God in a worde a and do suppose that if we haue made one onely prayer that we are discharged of all together and that God will helpe vs if hee thinke it good Nowe Dauid sheweth vnto vs that hee perseuered in calling vpon the name of God Loe heere the foure pointes which we haue to note in this place to the ende that euery of vs might discharge our selues of them For see from whence we must learne the maner to pray wel to wit in the first place not with hauing our mouth going but we must lay open our heartes and all our affections before the maiestie of God and pray in spirituall truth and not onely so but we must also be enflamed with such a zeale as that wee be fully assured that he will both heare and helpe vs. And for performance hereof we must be touched to the quick with the knowledge of our sinnes and knowe that our estate is moste accursed if God hath not pittie on vs and also what the saluation is which he hath promised vs wee must haue alwayes these things in minde to the ende wee might be the more carefull watchfully to call vppon him and not to waite vntill God constrayneth vs through extreeme necessities but to be alwayes in such a readinesse as Dauid heere speaketh of we must day and night and euery minute be occupyed to looke vnto God and too call vpon him and to haue this vnderstanding with vs that whensoeuer any of vs shall wake in the night that it be to this end to poure out some sighes vnto our good GOD for our sinnes and transgressions And also when as wee shall be alone by our selue wee muste doe the like knowing right wel that God seeth vs and that we are alwayes as it were in his presence Lastly we must perseuer heerein not take vp the Bucklers and by and by lay them downe againe and be soone wearyed But we must still continue in our prayers as Dauid heere sheweth vs an example Nowe after hee hath made these protestations he goeth on and sayth That after he shall be hearde and shall haue obtayned his requests that he wil keepe the testimonies of God Heere Dauid sheweth that he will not be vnthankfull for the grace which was bestowed vpon him And this is a poynt which ought greatly to be considered of by vs. For what is the cause that God so easily graunteth vnto vs whatsoeuer we demaund according to his holy will that he so louingly intreateth vs yea that his hands are continually open vnto vs to the ende liberally to bestowe his benefites and riches vpon vs Wherefore sheweth he himselfe so liberall euery way vnto vs It is to the ende that wee might haue wherefore to yeelde him our heartie thankes and too glorifie him Let vs then learne that it is impossible for vs rightly to pray vnto God except we be already prepared to acknowledge his benefites and too haue this full resolute minde that Dauid had to wit to glorifie God when as he shall haue hearde our prayers As also we see these two things to goo togither in another place where it is said Call vpon me in the day of trouble and I will deliuer thee and thou shalt gorifie me See then what we haue to note vpon this saying where Dauid sayth That hee will keepe the ordinaunces and testimonyes of God But wee are to consider in the seconde place what the thankes are which God requireth of vs after he hath holpen vs that we haue felt his goodnes in not reiecting our prayers Now this is true that it is meete that the mouth doth his office to magnifie the name of God in confessing how greatly we are beholden vnto him and yet it is not inough that our mouth hath spoken but wee muste glorifie him with the whole action of our life and too shewe this acknowledgement howe greatly we are bounden vnto him in seruing honowring him in all and through all Dauid then in saying That he would giue thanks vnto God because he heard him sayth not that he wold do it only with the mouth but sheweth that he will passe farther that is to keepe the testimonies of God and to submit him vnto his ordinaunces See howe the glory of God ought to resound not onely at the tounges end of the faithfull but also in the whole action of their handes and feete and whatsoeuer else ought to apply them too honor this good God that wee should doe him homage all our life longe considering that wee holde all of him and not onely for our creation but also for our maintenaunce and conseruation and for that hee continually sheweth him selfe