DAVIDS BLESSED MAN OR A SHORT EXPOSITION VPON THE FIRST Psalme directing a Man to true Happinesse Wherein the Estate and Condition of all Mankinde is laid downe both for this life and that which is to come The second Edition profitably amplified by the Author SAMVEL SMITH Preacher of the Word of God at Pritwell in Essex 1. TIM 4.8 Godlinesse hath the promise of the life present and the life that is to come LONDON Printed by NICHOLAS OKES and are to bee sold by SIMON WATERSON at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the Signe of the Crowne 1616. ⧠TO THE HONORABLE SIR ROBERT RICH KNIGHT OF THE BATH AND SON and Heire to the Right Honorable ROBERT Lord RICH and to the Honorable and vertuous Lady the Lady FRANCIS RICH his wife S.S. wisheth all true comfort in this life and Eternall happinesse in the Life to come HONORABLE IT is reported that when one presented vnto Antipater King of Macedon a treatise of Happinesse that hee reiected it with this answer I am not at leasure your Honor shal finde this a treatise tending to Happinesse and shewing the way to euerlasting blessednesse yet I assure my selfe it shall finde better intertainement at your hands and that you will finde leasure at your leasure to peruse it J must ingeniously confesse that many haue many times handled many points of doctrine deliuered in this treatise yet I haue done it after another method Jf the water I haue drawne from this Well shall delight you J hope it will not tast the worse being brought vnto you in this vessell I offer here vnto your view the Anatomy of Dauids blessed Man or a short Exposition of the first Psalme directing a man how he may be truly blessed Jt is not without desert that Ierome doth call this book of the Psalmes The Treasury of learning for out of it most frequent testimonies are brought by our blessed Sauiour himselfe And this first Psalme is a Compend or an abstract of the whole booke of Psalmes directing the way to true happinesse The text J am sure is excellent for the purpose but for my manner of handling it I leaue it to the censure of Gods Church In Preaching I haue euer counted plainnesse the best eloquence and the carriage of matters so that those of the lowest forme may learne somewhat the soundest and the surest learning For surely we are so fallen into the dregges of time which being the last must needs be worst that Security hath so possessed all Men that they will not be awaked but if at any time the word of God or any good motion of Gods Spirit hath met with them presently Security whispers them in the one eare that though it be fit to thinke of such things yet it is not yet time Youth pleades a priuiledge though many millions of yong men are in hell for want of timely repentance And Presumption warrants thē in the other eare that they may haue time hereafter And thus men spend their daies vntill at last their houre-glasse be run and time then is past Now if your Honor shal lay this to heart in the strength of your yeares it shall bee your chiefest wisedome And if to bee religious in all ages hath been held to be true honor how much more honorable is it in so impious an age It is religion godlinesse that shal embalme your name and make it shine before men and glorifie your soule amongst Angels Mary her box of Oyntment shall neuer be forgotten for Godlinesse hath the promise of this life that which is to come and without it there is no internall comfort to bee found in conscience nor externall peace to bee looked for in this world nor eternall happinesse to bee hoped for in the next Now how can Religion but promise to herself a zealous patrō of your honor being the son heire of so gratious and religious a father who hath shewed himselfe a faithfull Dore-keeper in the house of his God Let his godly example teach you not to drinke of those stolen waters or rather indeed the bloud of soules wherwith too many in these gold-thirsty daies doe purchase Acheldama vnto them theirs The Lord keepe this euer frō the purpose of heart in his seruants who haue so honourable and weighty a trust committed vnto them Let that exhortation of Dauid to his son Salomon be euer in your honorable minde And thou Salomon my sonne know thou the God of thy Father and serue him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and vnderstandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts If thou seeke him hee will bee found of thee but if thou forsake him hee wil cast thee off for euer The God of heauen so vouchsafe to water you and yours with the dew of heauen that with the godly man in this psalm you may prosper as trees of his planting and so bring forth fruit in due season in this A Table of the Principall Doctrines contained in this Booke VERSE 1. DOctrine 1. The godly man alone is blessed pag. 21. Doct. 2. The occasions of sinne are to be auoided pag. 46 Doct. 3. We must shun the company of wicked men pag. 53 Doct. 4. Wicked men are euer deuising of mischiefe pag. 61 Doct. 5. To giue euill counsell is a horrible sinne pag. 67 Doct. 6. The falles of godly manie pag. 74 Doct. 7. A godly man doth euer walke with God pag. 79 Doct. 8. Wicked men described pag. 84 Doct. 9. A godly man sinnes not with deliberation pag. 88 Doct. 10. Wicked men proceed by degrees to be exceeding sinful 99 Doct. 11. The marke of a lewd and wicked man pag. 107 VERSE 2. Doct. 1. Not to do euill is not sufficient it is damnable not to do good pag. 115 Doct. 2. A godly man performes godly duties cheerfully pag. 122 Doct. 3. The law of God is a godly mans chiefe delight pag. 134 Doct. 4. A godly man sets some time a part euery day for Gods seruice pag. 140 VERSE 3. Doct. 1. Ministers duty to instruct the simplest p. 158. Doct. 2. A double vse of all the creatures of God pag. 162 Doct. 3. All men that are not ingrafted into Iesus Christ are miserable pag. 170 Doct. 4. Onely the regenerate man is happy and blessed p. 176 Doct. 5. Members of Iesus Christ are euer fruitfull p. 189 Doct. 6. A true note of a godly man to waite all opportunities to do good p. 207 Doct. 7. Perseuerance required in each child of God p. 213 Doct. 8. By our vnion with Christ we are made sure of perseuerance p. 222 Doct. 9. God doth euer blesse the godly endeuours of his children p. 228 VERSE 4. Doct. 1. The estate of the wicked most miserable pag. 243 Doct. 2. The estate of the wicked exceeding changeable pag. 258 Doct. 3. The destruction of the wicked is vnreuokable pag. 269 VERSE 5. Doct. 1. The certainty of the day of iudgement
all godlinesse and euen to bleare out the tongue at Religion and Christian piety so that as they are wicked in heart and lewd in life so be they also hardened and confirmed in both of them for by Seate he noteth the fellowship and society with the vngodly Psal 26.4 Their actions described Secondly concerning the action the first is to walke in the counsell of the wicked To walke is to liue and frame his life to affect and approue of the waies and counsels of wicked men neither will hee once listen or lend his eare to the peruerse and naughty counsell of vngodly men much lesse will hee bee brought to frame his life after their wicked waies The second action or proceeding of a sinner is Standing as the former is in heart to like loue and approue of the waies of the wicked this is to obey them and follow them into the same excesse of riot So that the meaning of the Prophet is that a godly man doth not like loue nor follow that kind of life or conuersation which wicked men do vse and such as be giuen to sinne according to that of the Apostle Rom. 12.2 Fashion not your selues like vnto the world but doth by all meanes possibly shunne and auoide it The third euill which the godly man doth most carefully auoide is in these words and hath not sit in the assembly of the scorners that is will not bee familliar and haue acquaintance with such as bee mockers of God and all good duties hee will not bee their companion nor keepe them company who do openly professe impiety who make a scoffe at all Religion scorne the word of God and contemne the Seruants of God These be the three euils which the godly man doth most carefully shun and auoide In the whole wee may obserue the wonderfull growth that sinne hath in the heart of a sinner it stands not at a stay but is euer growing and neuer suffers any wintertide of blasting but euer prospers It first beginneth in the heart of the sinner with a doubtfull walking wandring as it were vp and downe as being vncertaine what to do the next step that it maketh is from Walking to Standing which signifies a determination after the former vncertainety and where sinne is not stayed neither in the conception nor in the birth Iam. 1.15 When it is finished it brings forth death euer ending in hardnesse of heart obstinacy of minde and obduracy of both Oh that all wicked and vngodly men would lay this to heart that making once shipwrack of faith and a good conscience and wounding their soules by sinne this spirituall disease of sinne growes daily to bee more incurable and the more sin groweth to bee a head the more the Spirit of God is quenched in a man and the worke of grace is diminished It behoues vs all therefore to keepe a dilligent watch ouer our owne waies to cut off the occasisions of sinne and to stay the beginnings of iniquity for a fire new kindled may easily bee quenched when the Ship beginnes to leake it may easily bee stopped and at the first sinne and sathan may easily bee resisted and wee may with the lesse difficulty withstand the force of it whereas the more it is practised the more the heart is hardned and sinne growes stronger and the sinner himselfe weaker according to that of the Prophet Ier. 13.23 Can the Blackmore change his skinne or the Leopard his spots then may yee also do good which are accustomed to do euill And therefore to this end the Lord laboured with Cain to stoppe his sinne in the conception or at least in the birth when that hee saw that his countenance was cast downe and that he had conceiued some euill against his brother the Lord tels Cain If thou dost well shalt thou not bee rewarded if thou dost euill sinne lyeth at thy dore q. d. Cain Cain bee warned betimes ere it be too late there is a reward that will follow thy righteous dealing but if thou go on to kill thy righteous brother thou shalt find that thy condition will bee farre worse then now it is This is the wofull and miserable condition of those that runne from euill to worse as it were adding drunkennesse to thirst and may bee a warning to vs to take heed least at any time wee giue any entertainement to sin And so our last end bee worse then the first Mat. 8. In the second Verse the Prophet describes a godly man affirmatiuely shewing what he doth most carefully embrace and follow The godly mans description affirmatiuely As if hee should say Hee is a blessed man that abstaines from euill if so be withall hee delight to doe good so hee doe willingly yeeld himselfe to performe obedience to the will of God and conforme all his thoughts wordes and deeds to the will of God Now the good things which hee must do are contained in two words First His delight must bee in the Law of the Lord Secondly Hee must meditate therein day and night But his delight that is the godly man who is truely happy and blessed indeed doth wonderfully loue the Law that is the word of God and that heauenly doctrine wherein is reuealed the will of God whereunto all our thoughts words and workes must bee conformed and which maketh knowne vnto vs the way to eternall life and saluation Secondly In this Law hee meditates day and night That is the godly man doth set his heart and mind vpon the word and doctrine of God so as hee doth thinke often and much muse vpon it it is his daily meditation so as hee sets some time apart euery day to study it Both to learne out of it how God must bee purely worshipped his owne life ordered as also to learne thereby how to mainetaine and keepe faith and a good conscience before God and man And thus the godly man is described by both parts of his life his eschewing of euill and his carefull and religious performing of good duties Secondly as wee haue seene a godly man described so now followeth wherein the happinesse of this man consists This happy man is described two waies First by a similitude The happinesse of a godly mā wherin it consists Secondly by the prosperous and good successe of all hee doth The happinesse of the godly man is described by a similitude whereby a godly man is compared to a tree which tree is described First by the place namely that it is a tree planted not of it own growing By the waters side Euen by the fresh and springing riuers which is a resemblance of our ingrafting into Iesus Christ by faith and the Spirit of God so as wee receiue and draw iuice and nourishment from him continually Secondly it is described by an effect namely That it brings forth fruit in due season And this is a resemblance of our regeneration or of our obedience because the godly man being
harbour there it guideth the affections loue hatred sorrow c. Such a man loues nothing more then God hates nothing more then sinne reioyceth in nothing more then in doing the will of God and sorrowes for nothing more their that hee should offend so good and gracious a God Againe it is the foundation of all our obedience For without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And without it wee can neither pray heare or performe any duety that shall bee acceptable with God 2 Of repentance The second is the fruite of Repentance whereby a man is humbled for his sinnes past and is affraid of sinne in time to come This fruit of Repentance is of absolute necessity to saluation according to that of our Sauiour Except yee repent yee shall all perish Luk. 13.5 And onely godly sorrow must worke this true repentance in a man Godly sorrow causeth repentance in a man to saluation 2. Cor. 7.10 And therefore in the Scriptures are recorded the mournings of the godly in the daies of their humiliation Dauids Fainting Psal 6.6 Ezechias chattering like a Crane Esay 38.14 Iob abhorring himselfe in dust and ashes Peter weeping bitterly Math. 26.75 Mary Magdalene washing Christs feete with her Teares Luke 7.38 And Paul crying out O wretched man that I am Rom. 7.24 Wee must mourne with these heere Psal 126.5 if wee will reioyce with them heereafter And surely if there were neither heauen nor hell neither reward nor punishment yet the godly would sorrow for sinne for offending their good and gracious God and louing Father Besides this sorrow in a godly man for his sins past he is exceeding affraid of sin in time to come as Dauid was who prayed vnto God so earnestly that hee would Stablish him with his free Spirit Psalme fifty one and the tenth verse That seeing hee had such woefull experience of his owne weakenesse he prayes vnto the Lord that hee would giue him his preuenting grace that hee might neuer fall into the like sin againe So the godly Israelites in Ezra his time Ezr. 9.10.3 when they had with griefe of heart bewailed their sinnes vnto God they resolue to make a Couenant with God and solemnly to bind themselues to put away their strange wiues whereby they had so much dishonoured him And so it is with all the faithfull euen as a good child hauing by his vntowardnesse vexed his father is carefull afterwards to please him againe by all meanes possible Well then dost thou finde these fruits of true repentance in thee art thou grieued and euen payned at thy heart for thy wicked life for thy ignorance vnbeleefe hardnesse of heart thy neglect of prayer and calling on Gods Name Art thou grieued for want of reuerence in Gods worship for thy abusing Gods Name by swearing cursing and banning for contempt of his Word and Sacraments for prophaning of his Saboaths carelesse gouerning of thy Family for thy malice vnbeleefe vncleane proud and couetous thoughts drunkenesse vncleanesse and the like Againe dost thou finde in thee an earnest desire to walke with God in obedience to all his Commandements to liue in no knowne sinne but in all things to please God to the vtmost of thy power These be the fruites of righteousnesse whereby wee are knowne to bee of God The third is the fruite of New Obedience or of a godly life 3 Of Obedience both in the obedience of Gods Lawes in the first and second Table Christ makes this the eare-marke of his sheepe To heare his voyce and follow him Ioh. 10. And wee are willed by the Authour of the Epistle to the Hebrews to cast away euery thing that presseth downe Heb. 12.1 and the sinne that hangeth so fast on and to runne with patience to the race that is set before vs. This was godly Dauids resolution I will runne the way of thy Commandements Psa 119 32 and Dauid describing the true worshippers of God Psa 119.1 Psal 15.2 saith They goe on from strength to strength seruing God in truth of heart without hypocrisie And it is said here That the fruit of a godly man doth neuer fade And howsoeuer the worke of mortification is neuer perfected in this life but that the remnants and reliques of sinne will still remaine euen in the godly themselues yet they euer sinne with griefe of heart and CHRISTS death doth set such a worke-against all sinne that the regenerate man can truely say It is not I but sinne that dwelleth in mee So then if thou desirest to please God in all his Commandements at all times and in all places and to doe all duties of loue vnto men required in the Commandements of the second Table shewing thy fruites in doing good to the poore distressed Members of Iesus Christ feeding cloathing and comforting them in their need In thy generall calling to bring forth the fruit of godlinesse to bee much and often exercised in Prayer Hearing Reading Meditating c. As also in thy particular calling to do thy duety with faith and a good conscience without fraude guile deceipt c. These be the fruits that are required in all those that are the Members of Iesus Christ and ingrafted into his mysticall body This Doctrine doth flatly condemne Vse 1 all such as vnfruitfull and barren Trees as bring forth no fruit of a godly righteous and religious life such as liue in continuall ignorance blindnesse hardnesse of heart in contempt of the Word prophanation of the Sabaoth our ciuill honest men which are so much admired if they bee not good Christians who should And if they bee not saued I know not who should goe to heauen Well euery good Tree brings forth good fruite Math. 7.17 Where bee your good fruites No fruit of faith no fruit of repentance nor new obedience but in stead thereof the fruites of infidelity hardnesse of heart and disobedience Alas that poore soules should thus goe blinde-folde to hell to thinke that such should be saued what then should become of hell As though a man might be a true member of Iesus Christ and ingrafted into his mysticall body and yet bee barren of good fruite No no it cannot bee for there is such a liuely power in this stocke of life Christ Iesus That they who are once ingrafted into him bring forth fruite incontinent As wee may see in the Theefe vpon the Crosse Luke 9. what fruite hee bare in an instant of time confessing first his owne sinnes secondly reprouing the sinnes of his companion Thirdly cleering Christ to be innocent Lastly praying that Christ would remember him when hee came into his kingdome And this wee may see in Zacheus Lydia c. Math. 22. Actes 16. Who were no sooner conuerted but brought forth fruit incontinently And yet wee see how many dry fruitlesse and barren trees deceiue the world as the figge-tree Christ Oh hee is a very honest man keepes a good house Math. 3.10 doth
performe it open therefore the eyes of our minds that we may see what is good put thy good Spirit within vs giue vs fleshly hearts and pliable affections draw our minds from the loue of this present world teach vs to vse it as if we vsed it not that we haue heere no continuing Citie but to seeke one to come that so wee may seeke for that kingdome that cannot bee shaken but eternall in the heauens Lord teach vs to do thy wil knit our hearts vnto thee that we may feare thy name ô Lord heare ô Lord forgiue ô Lord consider the complaint that we make vnto thee and giue a gracious answere vnto our prayers for the Lords sake And now ô Lord we thanke thee euen from the bottome of our hearts for thy inestimable blessings wherwith in Christ Iesus thou hast blessed vs for our Election before the foundation of the world for our Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Preseruation and for that thou hast put in vs a hope of Glorification in the life to come We thank thee more especially for that thou hast defended vs this night past from all perils dangers and hast safely brought vs to the beginning of this day Now Lord wee humbly pray thee keepe vs and all that belong vnto vs this day from al euill that may hurt vs set thy feare before our eyes and let thy spirit so rule our hearts that we may not sin against thee As for outward things we submit our selues to thy wise and fatherly prouidence only we beseech thee to giue vs this day whatsoeuer thou knowest needfull behouefull vnto vs let vs not want those things without which we cannot serue thee blesse vs in our going out and our comming in and grant that whatsoeuer we shall thinke speake or doe may tend to thy glory the good of our brethren and the comfort of our owne consciences when wee shall come to make before thee our last accounts Blesse thy whole Church O Lord and build it vp more and more in perfect beautie disappoynt the hope of the Papists let them perish as many as haue euil wil at Syon comfort them that mourne especially such as mourn for sin fulfil the desires of all that truly long sigh after thee Blesse this good land in which we liue make thy glorious Gospell to shine more more vntil it be perfect day Lord send it where it is not and blesse it where it is that Babylon may fall and neuer rise vp again and to this end strenthen the hand of thine annoynted seruant and our dread Soueraigne Iames Lord make him to see and know euery day more and more what belongs vnto thy glory what belongs vnto his owne peace and safety and Lord giue him a heart that he may duly practise the same Blesse likewise our gracious Queene Anne Prince Charles and rhe Count Palatine of Rhine with the Lady Elizabeth his wife Assist with thy spirit and grace all that are in authority sanctifie all those whom thou employest in the Ministery Be mercifull vnto all that wee are bound in duty to pray for as if we had named them in particular vnto thee Hasten the comming of Iesus Christ make vs euer mindfull of our last end and of the reckoning that one day we are to make vnto thee And in the meane time Lord make vs carefull to follow Christ in the Regeneration during this life as that with Christ one day we may haue our portion in the resurrection of the Iust when this mortall life is ended These graces and all other blessings which thou knowest to bee needfull for vs O Lord we humbly begge and craue at thy hand in the name and for the sake alone of Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne and in that forme of prayer which hee himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. A Prayer for the Euening O Lord God by whose gracious prouidence the night succeedeth the day and the day the night wee acknowledge thy wonderfull power therin forasmuch as day vnto day vttereth thy goodnes and night vnto night teacheth knowledge O Lord amongst other thy mercies with which thou doest euen follow vs most rebellious wretches wee must needs acknowledge that this is not the least that we haue this libertie to come into thy presence O Lord wee come not now to excuse our selues but to accuse our selues yea and to acknowledge that we are worthy of all those iudgements which thy iustice might most iustly inflict vpon vs our sinnes they make vs seeme vile in our eyes how much more loathsome in thy sight O Lord we must needs confesse that we are so farre vnworthy to bee called thy sonnes as that we are not worthy to bee reckoned amongst thy seruants yea were it not that thou wert a God of mercy and that thy mercy were ouer all thy workes and doth extend it selfe euen to poore sinners we should vtterly be discouraged in comming vnto thee considering that our whole life hath been but a life of sinne and that we haue drunke downe iniquity as it were water euer powring in but neuer powring out our filthinesse O Lord teach vs to value this mercy of thine aright that thou hast spared vs so long and giuen vs so large a time of repentance that thou hast not preuented vs with death in the time of our ignorance hardnesse of heart as many haue beene before vs O Lord it is thy mercy not our worthinesse Thus hast thou shewed thy selfe to be a God of mercy one that delighteth in the prosperity of thy seruants Now Lord we humbly entreat thee that thou wouldst pardon and forgiue vs all our sins and offences bathe them in the bloud of thy Sonne naile them to his Crosse bind them in a bundle and throw them downe into the bottome of the sea that they may neuer rise vp against vs either in this world to accuse vs or in the world to come to condemne vs. O Lord wee are heartily sorry that wee haue abused thy blessings prophaned thy Saboths despised thy word and quenched thy Spirit For these and the like blessed father we condemne our selues do not thou therefore marke them nor deale not with vs as we haue deserued but teach vs to rise vp against our sinnes that our warre with them may assure vs that wee haue peace with thee O Lord we abhorre our selues for to vs belongs nothing but shame and confusion of face for euer and we do humbly entreat thee to looke vpon vs in thy Son Christ Iesus O let the chastisement of our peace bee vpon him and heale vs through his stripes Lord let vs euer remember our latter end and the straight reckoning that we must render vnto thee one day and in health and prosperity to thinke of a time of sicknesse and aduersity and especially good Lord deliuer vs in the houre of temptation that when Sathan his assaults shall be greatest as his policy is when wee are weakest and least able to resist him that thy power may then appeare in our weaknesse that these things may not ouertake vs as a snare but that with the wise virgins wee may in some sort bee prepared for the comming of Christ Iesus the sweete Bridegroome of our soules And to that end we may haue comfort both now and at that time goe forward wee humbly pray thee with the worke of our new birth that thou hast begun in vs and neuer take away thy hand vntill such time as thou hast made an end of it And now O Lord hauing in the first place sought thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof giue vs leaue in the next place to seek thy fauour in outward things First according to our duty we giue thee hearty thankes praise for that thou hast this day preserued vs from all euill and danger wee humbly pray thee take care ouer vs this night and defend vs from that roaring Lyon who night and day goeth about seeking whom hee may deuoure Take thou vs this night into thy blessed tuition we know that thou dost neither slumber nor sleepe keepe vs euen in our sleepe from being vnmindfull of thee that whensoeuer thou shalt call for vs by the generall Alarum of thy iudgement whether at mid-night at Cocke-crowing or at the dawning of the day we may bee found ready to accompany the Bridegroome into the Marriage-chamber And to this end Lord sanctifie our sleep vnto vs that by it wee may bee the better enabled to performe the duties of the next day and night and day being guided by thee they may fit vs and prepare vs for that day of thine that shall neuer giue place to night And we beseech thee O Lord to be mercifull likewise to thy whole Church heare the cries of thine elect heare the mourning of all such as mourne in Syon let the cries of thy children cry downe the cries of the sinnes of this land and bee reconciled vnto vs O Lord our God in the multitude of thy mercies that so thou maist continue still a mercifull God vnto this Land the Vineyard which thy own right hand hath planted Preserue our gracious King blesse and prosper the Queene the hopefull Prince Charles Princely Palsgraue of Rhene with the Princesse Elizabeth his wife And as thou hast crowned them with worldly honour vpon earth so direct them vnto that more glorious Crowne in heauen Blesse the Nobility and Magistracy of this Land Prosper the worke of thy Gospell in the hands of thy Ministers And good Lord giue vs all grace to bee one of those wise virgines that our hearts may bee prepared like a lamp furnished with Faith and good workes like Oyle to meete the Lord Iesus Christ the Bridegroome of our soules there to see the felicity of thy chosen and to reioyce with the ioy of thy people To whom with thee O Father and thy blessed Spirit bee all Honour Glory Might Maiesty and Dominion henceforth for euer Amen FINIS
reproue the cursed practise of vngodly men Vse it is wonderfull to see how bold they bee to abuse Gods Seruants to mocke them and to disgrace them to slander and reuile them they thinke them the worst men that liue in the world they traduce them and bring them on the Stage they loade them with vile and odious names Now what doe they else then set themselues against God himselfe seeing they hate them whom God loues And as this may serue for the terrour of the wicked so it serues to comfort euery poore child of God What though the world hate thee so God loue thee Oh remember that the Lord loues and allowes of thee Now then if God approue of thee what though all men in the world did refuse or condemne thee If the King should grace a man and honour him what would this man care for the contempt of a Scullion boy Well let this be a comfort and encouragement vnto vs that God knowes and allowes of vs For what were the fauour and approbation of men if this were wanting Obiect How a mā may know whether Christ approue of him But how shall a man know whether God knoweth him thus with his speciall knowledge or not I answere First if God know any man for his by his speciall and effectuall knowledge Answere then hee begets in him the knowledge of himselfe As the light of the Sunne falling on our eye by whose light wee behold the Sunne againe Ioh. 10. I know my Sheep saith Christ and they know mee Secondly if God thus know any man with his especiall and effectuall knowledge of his so as hee loues and likes of him it begets the loue of God in a mans heart So as God loues him hee is inflamed to loue God againe 1. Ioh. 4.9 and in loue vnto him is loath to offend him and most carefull to please him And therefore if wee would know whether wee be thus knowne of God let vs labour to finde our hearts thus enflamed with the loue of him Thirdly whom GOD knoweth thus he chuseth to bee his Childe in CHRIST IESVS delights to blesse him Now then this workes in the heart of a godly man another work namely to choose God to bee his God to set his heart on him to delight in him to adore him as his God to loue him feare him obey and cal vpon him and to trust in him as his God Thus you see how a man may know whether God know him with this special and effectual knowledge which is proper to the Elect alone namely by these fruites and effects in our hearts For as we see though euery man cannot come to see the Kings Broad Seale yet can discerne the picture of it in wax and say This is the Kings Broad Seale So though men cannot ascend to Heauen to know the secret counsell of God yet by these fruites and effectes of his knowledge men may know his will whether they be his or not Well to conclude seeing the Lord thus knowes and acknowledgeth yea loues and likes of the life of a godly and righteous man let vs bee encouraged to goe through-stitch and to resolue of this neuer to be daunted or discouraged with the hard measure of vngodly men All our care should bee to please God and to bee approued of him and therefore so long as hee doth approue of vs let vs not care what man can doe against vs. But the way of the wicked shall perish Doct. 2 The Lord hates a wicked man and al he doth Esay 1.11 HEere we learne that the whole life of a wicked man and whatsoeuer he doth is abhominable the Lord hates him and all he doth What haue I to doe with the multitude of your Sacrifices saith the Lord. And againe Esay 66.3 The Sacrifices of the wicked are abhominable vnto the Lord. Now if the best actions of a wicked man his Hearing Reading praying Ier. 7.8 Prou. 15.8 and Receiuing be abhominable to the Lord how much more their swearing cursing banning prophaning the Sabboth drunkennesse vncleannesse lying stealing c. Againe without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Now no wicked man can haue true faith because Faith purifies the heart Acts 15.9 and is neuer seuered from true repentance and amendment of life And therfore the way of the wicked seeme it neuer so goodly and glorious in the world all their studies and endeuours shall perish and come to destruction in the end Pro. 20.17 Iob. 20.29 This is the portion of the wicked man and the heritage that he shall haue from God for his workes This shewes the state of most men to bee miserable and vnhappy Vse For onely those bee blessed whose liues do please God Now alas what delight can God haue in the filthy liues of most men whose whole delight and study is in sin and wickednesse in all kinde of lewdnesse and prophannesse haue no care to please God but euen obstinately rebell against him surely the Lord hates them and all they do O wofull condition of such sinful men that betake themselues thus vnto the way of sinne Not as though they walk therein but for a time but as such as purpose to tread therein for euer From this wofull estate the Lord deliuer vs for his Christs sake Amen A Prayer for the Morning O LORD and our good GOD wee thy poore vnworthy seruants according to our bounden duetie are heere assembled together in thy Name O LORD it is thy owne Commandement that wee should call vpon thee in all our necessities and it is likewise thy promise that thou wilt heare vs in assurance whereof wee are bold now to come vnto thee acknowledging first of all that wee are altogether vnworthy of our selues as of our selues to request for any fauour or mercie at thy hands for from our cradles vnto this present there hath beene in vs nothing else but Apostasie and rebellion yea Lord we haue so added sinne vnto sinne as if there were no other end why wee were sent into the world but to prouoke thee to wrath and to heap vp a great measure of iniquitie against our own soules against the day of wrath Our sinnes of omission our sinnes of commission ô Lord they are many and great and if thou shouldest call vs to a reckoning euen for the least of them we are not able to answere thy Maiesty for one of a thousand yea Lord wee confesse that it is thy mercie that endureth for euer and that hath beene the cause that wee haue not long agoe tasted of thy iudgements O Lord be thou mercifull vnto vs still for thy Names sake separate our sinnes as farre from thy presence as the East is from the West Bury them in the graue of thy Sonne Christ that they may neuer rise vp againe in this world to accuse vs or in the world to come to condemne vs. Teach vs to consider good much lesse to