blast of wynde to bee inconstāt and vnstedfast but whiles they are sayling through the waues of the sea they must holde them selues firme and sure in this righteousnesse and sinceritie which is in the woorde of God See then howe me must know the euerlasting stablenes of the righteousnesse of the lawe And in deede wee shall haue thereof a full feeling and declaration in the worde of God when as wee shall receiue it as wee ought but for so much as wee faile herein and that wee haue not as of our selues the spirite to comprehend this righteousnesse wherof in this place mention is made ne yet to attaine thereto yea and if that we should attaine therto so that there were nothing to leade vs to iniquitie yet let vs pray with Dauid that it would please God to giue vs vnderstanding Now it is most true that Dauid had already receiued some portion and measure of vnderstanding for els he could neuer haue saide I haue beene grieued and troubled and yet my delight was in thy lawe Hee coulde not possibly bee carried with such an affection but that the word of God had touched the very bottome of his heart but when he besought God to giue him vnderstāding he meāt to haue God to encrease that grace which before he had receiued Nowe if he who was so greatly aduaūced yea that had receiued the spirite of prophecie to instruct others which is the principall spirite to gouerne the people of God If hee I saye had neede to make such a prayer what shall wee do which haue scarsely any one sparke of vnderstanding in our myndes ought not we I beseeche you to praye with a more feruent desire to haue God to graūt vs vnderstanding And a great deale the more ought wee to bee stirred vp thereto when as Dauid sayeth that wee are not able too lyue vntill such time as GOD hath so enlightened vs too the ende wee might conceiue this truthe and righteousnesse which is in his lawe See here I saye howe that the life of men cannot be but accursed vntill such time as they are come euen vnto this point And so let vs not learne too please our selues as these miserable wretched worldlinges doe who are euen drunken in their pleasures and pastimes and thinke that there is no pleasure nor felicitie without they exceede and outrage in all vanities and follies But lette vs looke a great deale higher lette vs seeke after God know that then our life shal be blessed when as God shall haue deliuered vs from these vayne allurements of this wicked worlde to make vs feele truth and righteousnes which is in his word that it may be the onely ende of our life of all our councelles and our onely exercise and study To be short the very summarie of all whatsoeuer we take in hande According too this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences beseeching him that it woulde please him to make vs to feele them better then heretofore wee haue that we knowing our owne wretchednesse and miseries what neede we haue of his assistance might haue recourse vnto him hauing our whole refuge to his goodnes and mercy and stay our selues vpon his promises not douting but that as he is true and faithfull in all that he sayeth so also that he will fulfill whatsoeuer hee hath shewed vnto vs in his worde to wit that he wil so vnite vs vnto him self as that after he hath separated vs from all the filthinesse of this world he will make vs partakers of his righteousnesse and finally of his glorie That he will not onely graunt vs this grace but also all people and nations of the earth c. The nineteenth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme COPH. I haue cried out with my whole heart heare me O Lord and I will keepe thy statutes Yea euen vpon thee haue I called helpe me and I wil keepe thy testimonies Early in the morning I cried vnto thee for in thy word is my trust Mine eies preuent the night watches that I might be occupied in thy wordes Heare my voyce O Lorde according vnto thy louing kindnesse quicken mee according too thy iudgement They drawe nigh that followe after malice and are farre from thy lawe Thou art nigh at hande O Lorde for all thy commandementes are true I haue knowne long since by thy testimonies that thou hast grounded them for euer FOrasmuch as the most requisite thing that wee can possibly desire for our saluation is praier vnto God and bicause we are so slacke and colde therein or els that a very small matter will make vs colde we are to consider of the examples which the holy scripture setteth forth vnto vs of the children of God of the faithfull in deede how they continually were exercised in prayer Euen as in this place Dauid his meaning is to set before our eyes not that he meant to glorifie him selfe of his owne strength thereby to get him estimation but to the ende that this example might direct vs the right waye We see then howe carefull Dauid was to call vpō the name of God how he applied his whole affection and continued therein bicause that euery of vs might doe the like Nowe in the first place he sayeth I haue cried out with my whole heart Wherety he signifieth vnto vs that he babbled not euē as the hypocrites doe or els that he cried not out vppon God for a fashion or coldely but prayed with a true earnest zeale Neither do we any otherwise but euen prophane the name of God when as wee pray vnto him without attentiue mindes hauing our thoughts wandring this waye and that waye and on euery side Let vs then consider what it is principally to be required in our prayers which is that we must not only wagge the tongue and open our mouth with an intent to pray vnto God but we must pray sincerely and purely also vnto him from the bottom of our harts Now in very deed we ought to bring this into a more plaine order But yet according to the manner which wee haue heretofore kept in handling of this Psalme it shal suffice that we set down euery thing briefly in certain articles It remaineth then for this tyme that euery one priuately by himself doth more diligently meditate bestow his whole studie herein Nowe let vs see how we ought too make our prayers to God to wit our prayers must not proceed from the midst of our mouth but from a godly minde and pure truth This word to cry out importeth vehemency as shall again soone after be spoken of Nowe Dauid meaneth not that he strained his throate to cal and cry out but he rather signifieth that he went not coldly vnto it as they do which pray vnto God they know not why nor wherfore without it be for a fashion or if they be pressed through any neede yet 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
men And whence then proceedeth this Verily from their owne securytie and negligence because they thought them selues to bee very perfect But Paule is c1eane contrary to this for thus he sayth I haue not attained as yet to that ful perfection neuerthelese I haue done what in melyeth Phil. 3 12. When he sayth I haue doone what in me lyeth he declareth that there was that humilitie in him whereof he spake in the place before by me already alleaged and this humilitie importeth that we should call vpon God as Dauid did as he sheweth vnto vs heere in this place It followeth I haue hid my promise within my heart that I might not sinne against thee When Dauid speaketh after this manner I haue hid thy word or promise in mine heart he wet declareth that if we haue but only a wandring knowledge that the same wil not holde vs in but that the Deuil hath by and by woone vpon vs to oppresse vs with temptations and in the ende to cast vs downe hedlong What must wee then doe It is not inough that we haue beene at church and heard what hath bin there said vnto vs and that euery of vs hath mumbled vp vnto himselfe some one thing or another but the word of God must be setled in vs and be hid in our heart to wit that it may there be resiaunt and continually abyding and to haue receiued it with such an affection as that it bee as it were imprinted in vs. If this be not so sinne will reigne in vs for it hath by nature his habitation with vs For all our senses are wicked and corrupt all our willes and desires are enemyes vnto God vnlesse Gods woord be wel hidden in our heartes Moreouer we are to vnderstande that Dauid heere vaunted not him selfe of his owne power strength as though he were in admiration thereof but the spirite of God speaking by his mouth entendeth to giue vs a glasse wherein we must be confirmed to weete that we must not haue onely our eares beaten with the Doctrine of saluation and receiue it in our braine but that it should be hidden in our heart to wit that we should lay it vp as in a Treasure house For this saying to hide importeth that Dauid studyed not to be ambitious to set foorth him selfe and to make a glorious shew before men but that he had God for a witnesse of that secret desire which was within him Hee neuer looked to worldly creatures but being content that he had so great a Treasure he knewe full wel that God who had giuen it him would so surely and safely garde it as that it should not be layd open to Satan to be taken away Saint Paule also declareth vnto vs 1. Tim. 1.19 that the chest wherein this treasure must be hid is a good conscience For it is said that many beeing voyde of this good conscience haue lost also their faith and haue beene robbed thereof As if a man shoulde forsake his goods and put them in aduenture with out shutting of any dore it were an easy matter for theeues to come in and to reaue and spoyle him of all Euen so if wee leaue at randon too Satan the Treasure which GOD hath giuen vnto vs in his word without it be hidden in this good conscience and in the very bottome of our hearte as Dauid heere speaketh we shal be spoiled thereof He addeth immediatly after Blessed art thou O Lorde O teach me thy statutes After he had fayd I haue sought thee with mine whole heart hee addeth Blessed art thou O Lorde O teach mee thy Statutes Dauid sheweth in this verse that the request which he made here afore is not founded or grounded of any merite or desert which he pretended to haue In very deede at the first sight it might be said that Dauid ment that God would not for sake him because he had sought him thervpon conclude that man must first beginne to goe on too preuent Gods grace and then that God wil afterward aide him Yee see here what men may imagine but this is not Dauids meaning and purpose And to proue it to be so it is moste sure hee attributeth it not to his owne power and strength that he had sought God with his whole heart for we must first be touched with the spirite of God when as we haue any such affection And why so For by nature we haue all strayed from God and all our force power and study bende them selues to estraunge vs from him And therefore wee must come vnto him in such sorte as is declared unto vs in many places of the holy Scripture Dauid then was preuented already by Gods grace and hee onely requireth of God to continue the same in him which hee hath begunne for he knewe right well that hee had greate neede thereof As if he should haue said I know very wel O Lord that thou hast already mightily put too thy helping hand by thy holy spirit when as I sought thee in very deed I had neuer done it without I had beene conducted by thy holy hand neither is this yet inough except thou continue the same in me when thou shalt so doe O Lord all praise and glory shal be thine for the same because thou hast done it of thy meere fauour and grace By this then we may see that Dauid heere meaneth not to glorifie himselfe as beeing puffed vp with his owne vertues and merites But because God deserueth to be blessed and exalted to the end that we shoulde render vnto him all honor and glory See now wherefore hee assureth himselfe that he will teach him and that he shall be more and more confirmed in that doctrine which he hath already learned For when he sayth Teach me thy Statutes O Lord it was not because that he was altogither rude and ignorant that hee coulde bee nowe a Nouice which was a Prophet had charge to instruct others and was also a King Dauid then spake not as one that was vnlearned but hee knewe well inough that all this was not sufficient without hee profited still more and more Now if Dauid spake after this manner I beseech you what ought we to do When soeuer then that we would obtaine this grace at Gods hands to be instructed in his statutes let vs bring this reason vnto him ground our selues vpon this to wit that he be blessed and praysed And aboue all things let vs vnderstand the great neede we haue heereof that is that although wee haue already beene instructed in the holy Scripture that wee must be Scholers vnto the ende and too pray vnto God dayly to encrease our fayth I meane such chiefely as are appointed too preach the woorde True it is that it were a meruelous great presumption for any man too come into the Pulpit and to vsurpe the office of a Preacher excepte hee were well studyed in the holy Scripture But so it is that wee goe vpp
But yet haue I chiefely desired thy word haue euen striuen with my self to subdue al the euil affections of my flesh Here we see what doctrin we haue to gather vnto our selues out of this place to wit that if we wil be the good scholers of God and take delight in the way of his testimonyes we must first subdue the lustes of our fleshe not learne to be giuen to worldly things neither yet to bee nousled in that which we imagine to be the highest pointe of our felicity but that we might vnderstand to contēne riches al other things whatsoeuer which might withdrawe vs from our God and our sauiour Iesus Christ Phil. 3.8 to make no more accoūt of it then of doung and dyrt as S. Paule saith And yet it is most sure that Dauid contemneth not the riches which he had For beeing a mightie rich king as we know yet he cast not his Golde siluer into the bottō of the sea but vsed of the abundance store which God had giuen him yea wee see what an excellent and beautiful house he had as the holy history telleth vs. But yet he followed the rule which the Scripture setteth downe vnto vs which is that hee so vsed the goods of this world as though he neuer had them We must therfore passe through this world 1. Cor. 7.31 without staying our selues altogether in it as S. Paul exhorteth that if God giue vs abundāce of riches we might know how to vse thē with out hauing our harts imprisoned in them yet notwithstāding to be pore in spirit to wit to be redy to forsake all whatsoeuer as often as god would haue vs to be rid of thē to haue alwaies one foote redy lifted vp to go vnto him whēsoeuer it shal be his wil pleasure to take vs out of this world But it is not without cause that Dauid hath spoken heere of the abundaunce of riches For wee see it maketh men couetous which is the springhead of all mischiefe as Saint Paule saith 1. Tim. 6 1◠Forasmuch then as we are so much giuen to the goods of this worlde and that we holde our selues accursed if we haue not wherwithall and them to bee blessed which are wel furnished with them let vs keepe well the lesson which is heere taught vs to wit that all our desier must be in the way of the testimonyes of God as in all manner of riches to wit that all our delight and contentation be wholly in them Now in the end Dauid goeth on and sayth I will meditate in thy Commaundementes and consider thy wayes My delight shal be in thy statutes I wil not forget thy words This is the conclusion to confirme the matter which we haue already spoken off For Dauid heere speaketh of no newe matter but protesteth as he hath begun That his delight shal be alwayes in the commandements of God in the doctrine conteined in the holy Scripture and that hee wil bestowe his whole study therin so continue the same and neuer forget the desires which he hath to profite in the obedience of God If Dauid nowe hath thus saide let vs vnderstand that it is not inough for vs to be wel affected to serue God and that for the performing thereof that wee haue already sufficiently traueled but we must also be pricked forwarde that we might alwayes goe on For euen the very faithful neuer runne with so feruent and hote a desire but that they continually draw one leg after them neuer come vnto God but in halting wise What is there then for vs to doe Forsooth wee must protest with Dauid neuer to forget that which God hath once declared vnto vs and also neuer to cease to pricke our selues on to the ende there might be greater vehemencie in vs to goe vnto him with a more seruent desire and boulder courage So that at the last we may growe to this perfection whereunto God calleth allureth vs that is that beeing vncased from out of our flesh and nature hee might fully conioyne vs vnto his righteousnesse that thereby his glory may shine in vs. And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the face of our good god acknowledging our innumerable sinnes by which we continually prouoke his heauy wrath and indignation against vs. Beseeching him that it would please him to make vs to feele our sinnes and iniquities more then euer to fore we haue done to the end we might seke for such remedies as he hath ordained for vs in exercising our selues about the reading of his holy word and the dayly Preaching thereof which hath graunted vnto vs. And furthermore not to forget to stir vs vp to call vpon him to the end that by his holy spirite he might to put his helping hande euen in our heartes and not too suffer the doctrine which we heare by the mouth of his Preachers to become vnprofitable vnto vs but that it may haue the full power strength so that we may from day to day be confirmed therein and more and more learne to forsake the worlde and all whatsouer may withdrawe vs from the vnion and coniunction of our Lord and Maister Iesus Christ who is our heade And that hee will not onely shewe vnto vs this fauour and grace but also vnto all people and nations of the earth c. The third Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme GIMEL Bee beneficiall vnto thy Seruant that I may liue keepe thy woorde Open mine eies that I may see the wondrous things of thy lawe I am a straunger vpon Earth hide not thy commandements from me My hart breaketh out for the desire vnto thy iudgementes alwaies Thou hast destroyed the proude cursed are they that doo erre from all thy Commaundements Remoue from mee shame and contempte for I haue kept thy Testimonyes Princes also did sitte and speake against mee but thy Seruant did meditate in thy statutes Also thy Testimonyes are my delight and my counsaylers IT shall greatly haue profited vs if so be wee haue learned what the ende of our life is For for that cause hath God placed and bringeth vs vpp in the worlde and yet fewe there are which thinke vpon it True it is that euery man will say that it is good reason wee should doe homage too GOD for our life and beeing because wee holde all of him and that wee should glorifie him with so much of our goods as he hath largely bestowed vpon vs. But what of all this When as wee haue confessed that it is but to shewe our ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse and yet no man maketh any account heereof Loe heere wherefore the holy Ghoste seeing vs so tyed to the worlde putteth vs in minde too what ende wee liue heere As heere Dauid maketh this request to God too obtayne that benefite of his Maiestie That hee mght liue and keepe his woorde As if hee should haue sayde I desire
monsters to make no account of God nor godlines must we not needs be greeued as Dauid was Let vs know that God wil blesse our crying and groning when we shall haue this godly sorrowe as too see his law thus destroyed and ouerthrown not to bee regarded with that reuerence that it deserueth And yet notwithstanding the contemners of God must one day come to an account when as they shal be mery after another sorte then they shal be assured to make a reckoning for the grones and lamentations of the childrē of God when they do not only vexe the mortall creatures of God but euen the liuing God him self and his holy spirit which dwelleth in vs frō whome all such sighes and grones doe proceede And so when as we lament to see the law of God to be so destroyed by the wicked let vs put them ouer too the iudgement of God before whome they shall make an accounte of all the grones and sighes whiche wee shall haue powred out which they thought by their gibinges and laughinges too strangle and choke For although they treade vnder foote the lawe of God so much as in them lyeth yet the sorrowe and griefe which we abide for it shall ascend into the heauens to cry for vengeaunce of them According to this holsome Doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences beseeching him that it woulde please him to make vs better to feele our miseryes then we haue heretofore felt them yea to the end we may lay them open vnto him and to seeke for remedy where it is too bee founde that is that after this our good God hath inlightened vs in his knowledge that it would please him more and more to increase the brightnesse thereof in vs and so to confirme vs as that wee neuer chaunge from the right way And although we are too withstand a great number of assaultes and that the Deuill neuer ceaseth craftely too goe about infinite wayes too trouble vs yet notwithstanding let vs beseech him too giue vs an inuincible power to resist them vntill such time as we beecome fully Conquerors and bee conioyned vnto him selfe too liue in his kingdome in euerlasting ioy and felicitie The xviii Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme ZADE. Righteous art thou O Lorde and true in thy Iudgement Thou hast commaunded iustice by thy testimonies and trueth especially My zeale hath euen consumed me because mine enemyes haue forgotten thy words Thy word is proued moste pure and thy seruant loueth it I am small and of no reputation yet doe I not forget thy commaundements Thy righteousnesse is an euerlasting righteousnesse and thy lawe is the trueth Trouble and heauinesse haue taken holde vpon mee yet is my delight in thy commaundements The righteousnesse of thy testimonies is euerlasting graunt me vnderstanding and I shall liue IT is certaine that there is no man but will easily graunte the lawe of God to be bothe good and holy and that wee ought not onely to allowe of it but also to receiue it with all feare and reuerence Notwithstanding there are very few touched with this affection to vnderstand that there is such a perfection in the word of God as that nothing can bee founde therein but all puritie and sinceritie and too be so infallible a trueth a righteousnesse so certaine as possible can not be more certaine and sure But very fewe there are which vnderstand this or at the leaste which are very greatly touched heerewith And therefore it is not without cause that Dauid in this present psalme vseth such a repetitiō that he so highly magnifieth the doctrine which hee hath learned out of the lawe of God to the ende too declare vntoo vs that wee haue greatly profited when wee shall haue such a sauour and iudgement throughly imprinted in our heartes When as I say this righteousnesse this wisedome and this sinceritie which is contayned in the woorde of God shall be very well and throughly knowen vnto vs then may we be able to say with Dauid Righteous art thou O Lord and true in thy iudgements Now as the holy spirite of God speaking by the mouth Dauid hath set down here no superfluous matter but such as he knewe to be profitable for our instruction Let vs also dillgently weigh and consider all the wordes which are heere touched In the first place he sayth Righteous art thou O Lord and true in thy Iudgements We haue already heretofore handled that the iudgements of God in this Psalme are called the commandements of the law which he giueth vnto vs to rule our liues by Euen so when Dauid saith that God is righteous true in his iudgemēts It is asmuch as if he had said That god hath declared what his nature is in his law that we might behold him in it as in a glasse This then is asmuch as if he should haue said O Lord wee haue thine Image truely and liuely pictured and expressed in this doctrine which thou hast deliuered vnto vs in thy law there we see thee to be righteous and also that thou hast commaunded nothing therein which tendeth not to the same ende Wil we thē magnifie God aright We must know him to be such a one as he sheweth himselfe to be by his word not to fashion our selues like vnto a great number of scoffers which wil not stick to say that god is altogither good wise and righteous but yet they wil separate them selues frō his word forge thēselues a God in the aire or else they would bee contented that there were such a medley as that there were no more diuinitie known Now see how god sheweth himself as I haue said by his word We must then if wee intend to cōfesse him to be righteous good true faithfull to giue these cōmendarions vnto his word wherin he hath once for all declared vnto vs his wil. Now after Dauid hath vsed this word righteous he addeth Thou hast commanded iustice by thy testimomes and trueth especially See thē how Dauid handleth it him selfe shewing that the lawe of God is wholy righteous because saith he that it leadeth vs to righteousnes and trueth Now when these two thinges are in it what may we say but that which hath already beene before said What is that It is so far of with a greate number that when they are cōuinced heerof are perswaded in good earnest to say Amen without dessēbling And to proue it to be so how many men shal we see submit thēselues in this point to the trueth of God whereunto he desireth to leade vs by his word How many I say shal we find which wil yeeld thē selues teachable vnto it But contrariwise we shall finde the greatest part cleane contrary It is very true we shal be ashamed yea euen horribly affraid to say that there is any thing in the law of God which is not true iust yet for al
that it may as easily be perceued that there is no such knowledg ingrauen in our harts as to be assured therof To be short this is fardest of from our mindes when we shal say thus I speake now of those which are not yet throughly instructed by the spirit of God Neither yet let vs think this too be a common ordinary thing when as Dauid saith That the testimonies of God are nothing but true righteous For although we haue learned somwhat out of them yet is not this inough vntil such time as we are conformed framed vnto them that we fully wholy agree with this saying cōmendation which is heere giuen to the law of God Now because Dauid would shew with what affectiō he is moued he protesteth that he was not only greued whē as he felt in himself any rebellion against God but whē he perceiued it in others that he conceiued a wonderful sorrow and griefe yea euen a memelous torment of minde For hee sayeth That his zeale had euen consumed him that he was as one deade and so throwne downe as hee coulde not be more Now he namely speaketh of his enemies and of such as had affiled him But hee signifieth anon after that all the mischiefes and iniuryes which they had done vnto him did not halfe so mightily greeue him as the contempte which he kriewe to be in them touching the lawe of God For hee sayth My zeale hath euen consumed me because mine enemyes haue forgotten thy woordes Heere then Dauid sheweth in effect that hee was not so greatly greeued nor yet so sorrowfull for all the euils and wrongs which he indured at the handes of men as too see the woord of God to be cast vnder feete and clcerely forgotten See heere I say a moste sure testimony that he highly preferred the word of God before his owne person that he had not that pleasure in his life nor in whatsoeuer concerned the same as he had in the reuerēce which al the creatures of God ought to haue towards his maiestie Nowe if he had not had this zeale he could neuer haue bene thus grieued and vexed when as men made no reckoning of the word of God and cast it behinde their backs And heere we are throughty too consider that Dauid spake not in this place of a meane sorrowe For then this had beene inough to haue said Alas my God I haue beene a great deale mote greeued to see the wicked cōtemne thy word then when as they persecuted my self although that I wis sore troubled greuously oppressed yet had I greater regard to thy law then to alwhatsoeuer concerned mine owne person This had bin inough say I if Dauid had said but thus much but he went a great deale farther saying The zeale of the house of God hath euen gnawne and eaten me vp Heere he saith that he was consumed brought to nothing fo that he had no strength in himself Now here we must note by the way that Dauid spake not this to bragge of him self but rather hath set foorth this his example for our better instruction to the ende we might learne to haue the honour of God and the reuerence of his woorde in such recommendation as that when we see the worlde to make light of it and too forget it we should be grieued and tormented a great deale more then if we did abide all the griefes extreeme wronges and iniuries that were possible yea that all our particular benefite or domage and whatsoeuer is most deare ought to be nothing vnto vs in respect of this light reckoning of the word of God Loe here what holsome lessons and instructions we haue to gather out of this place Nowe when he saith that it grieued him to see the word of God cleane forgotten what then shall become of the matter when as men shall not onely forget it but euen with a most detestable furie oppose them selues wholy against it As at this day we shal not onely say that the word of God is forgotten but men of a set purpose runne violently vpon it vtterly to abolishe it And to proue it to bee so I beseeche you whence commeth this crueltie and furie of the Papistes but bicause that they are purposed clerely to goe against it to be angry with God not abiding too suffer them selues to be subiect vnto him by any maner of meanes They will not say thus in plaine woordes but wee may iudge of the matter so farre foorth as wee see it For howe should it be possible that they should so rage against the knowne and certaine truth if they were not euen the very professed enemies of God and without they went about to stand against him euē to the hard hedge as we say I will not denie but that men many times shall forget the word of God when as they shal be carried away with their wicked affections As thus when a man is greatly giuen to lecherie this villainous desire so blindeth him as that hee clerely forgetteth whatsoeuer he hath heard spoken against it neuer so little before to wit they which defile their bodies with lechery do deface as much as in them lieth the image of God pollute his temple deuide and pull in pieces the body of Iesus Christ shut them selues quite out of the kingdome of heauen and prouoke the heauy wrath and curse of God against them And yet an whoremaister forgetteth all these notable sayings which are set downe too keepe him within his reyne The couetous man also forgetteth what equitie and right is let him be admonished thereof neuer so often as to bee pitifull to his neighbours to helpe the poore and needy rather then to take away an other mans goods and substance and to be so giuē to our own gaine to procure and profit the welfare of our neighbours rather then to be giuen too seeke our owne priuate commoditie A couetous man I say will quite forget all this And why so Forsooth bicause he is blinded with this couetous desire of gayne and too heape vp together the goods of this world See then when it is that the worde of God shall be forgotten verely euen then when as men shall be drunken with their inordinate greedy passiōs But they which set them selues against God yea with a fury frensy vtterly to abrogate his worde too turne his truth into leasings these mē I say do not onely forget the word of God but remember them selues of it too too much euen to sett them selues purposely against it And we need to go no further but euen into the state of Popery to see such a villanous and detestable impietie For we shal see these contemners of God which are euen here amōgst vs yea and which come sometimes to defile the temple of God to thrust in their swynish groynes and to scorne the doctrine which shal be read which maketh euen the very deuils in hell too tremble Wee shal see then here
vs and therefore that we cannot flye from his hand but must submit our selues vnto it albeit wee wil not doe it freely and of our owne accorde And so let vs willingly be contented to be ruled by him beeing certifyed of his loue and goodnesse towards vs to the ende wee might in trueth make this protestation which Dauid heere maketh According too this holy doctrine let vs humbly prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good god in acknowledging our offences beseeching him that it woulde please him to make vs to feele the power of his woorde in such sort as his holy Prophet heere sheweth vs and so too feele it as that wee may wholy submitte our selues vnto it Knowing that when it shall come in question for vs too remitte our selues and cleaue vnto him as hee requireth that wee must forsake the whole worlde and all our carnall affections which any way hinder vs from comming vnto him to the ende wee may so climbe vp vnto his maiestie as that not fearing the world nor all his assaultes wee may putte our whole confidence in his mercifull goodnesse and boldly present vs before his face to the ende the may receiue vs so that wee might alwayes bee gouerned through his holy spirit vntil such time as he hath brought vs vnto that perfectiō wherevnto he calleth and biddeth vs. That hee will not onely graunt vntoo vs this grace but also c. The xxii Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme THAV Let my complaint come before thee O Lorde and giue me vnderstanding according to thy word Let my supplication come before thee and deliuer me according vnto thy worde My lippes shall speake of thy prayse when thou hast hast taught me thy statutes My tongue shall treate of thy worde for all thy cōmandementes are righteous Let thine hande helpe me for I haue chosen thy cōmaundementes I haue longed for thy sauing health O Lorde and in thy lawe is my delight Let my soule liue and it shall prayse thee and thy iudgementes shall helpe me I haue gone astray like a sheepe that is lost seeke thy seruaunt for I doe not forget thy commaundementes THese eight last verses which arche knitting vp of the whole Psalme do shew vnto vs that which we oftentimes haue before seene to wit that Dauid his chiefest desire was this to be duely and truely instructed in the word of God and therin to be cōfirmed for he tooke such pleasure in it as that all the rest was little or nothing worth vnto him in respect of the same Now it is very true that he hath already sufficiētly spoken of this matter and yet that which he presently addeth is not supperfluous especially if we consider in what sort our carnall desires rule vs. For that is it which letteth vs that we can not onely haue that feruency which Dauid had to seeke throughly to profit in the schoole of God but we scarsely haue so much as any small desire And therefore as I haue already said we are too too much nuzzeled in our earthly affections Wherefore this is a lesson which ought many times too put vs in minde that if wee will pray vnto God according vnto his will wee must not come vnto him with a desire of our owne to saye whatsoeuer commeth in our brayne yea and to leaue out the most principall parte but we must beginne with this saying to wit that it would please God so to instruct vs as that our life may be squared according to his law and we to cleaue so vnto it as not to come with a double and twyfold heart Although we are to striue against the worlde and our owne nature yet must we remaine constant in this chiefly to loue the woorde of God And therefore for this cause Dauid here sayeth Let my Complaint come before thee O Lord and giue me vnderstanding according vnto thy word When he speaketh of his complaint which hee maketh vnto the Lord he sheweth that he made no cold prayer vnto God as we many times and as it were daily do but with great vehemency I can not deny but that an hypocrite may very well make complaint with a loude noyse and thrust out his weasaunt But Dauid hauing here consideratiō of God meaneth not to make an outward shew before men Wherefore That he cried out aloude importeth as much as an earnest testimonie wherewith hee was pricked forward Now by this we see that he chiefly desired that which he craueth to wit to haue God to instruct him and to giue him vnderstāding And in desiring this gift of God he cōfesseth that he was of him selfe a very wretched blind soule that hee neuer vnderstoode any thing yea although he had the lawe in his hands which he might reade wherein was conteined a true perfection of all wisedome yet that he still continued euē like a poore miserable blind wretch except God enlightened him So then let vs vnderstande that this is an especiall gift which God bestoweth vpon vs when hee openeth our eyes too make vs vnderstande that which is shewed in his word whether we reade it or that it be preached vnto vs. Yea and let vs not here make any exception thinking our selues to bee more sharpe witted or abler then Dauid was but let vs rather knowe that if hee needed to beseech God to giue him vnderstanding that we for our partes haue as great neede So then it can not bee chosen but that whē God hath deliuered vnto vs his word and declared his will therein conteined and for performance hereof inlighteneth our hearts by his holy spirite for other waies we shal haue our cares beaten in vaine and then the doctrine which we haue heard will do vs no good Now that which followeth According vnto thy worde may two wayes beset forth According vnto thy word that is to say that thou wilt make me wise And after what maner That I be altogether ruled by thee and do that which thou commaundest This is a very true saying for by this wee are admonished to heare God speake and we againe must suffer him to haue dominion ouer vs and not to be ouertakē with this fooolish arrogancie and saye I haue knowledge inough I neede not so much teaching Wherefore when as God shall haue spoken the worde let vs passe it simply and without gainesaying This sentence then which I haue spoken is very true but yet it agreeth not with the meaning of Dauid he yet with the plamenesse of the text For he craueth here two things the one in the first verse the other in the second He sayeth in the first verse Let my complaint come before thee that I might be instructed according vnto thy worde And afterwarde he addeth 〈◊〉 my supplication come be fore thee and deliuer me according vnto thy worde It is very true that he vseth two sentences but yet they are not without a marueilous grace in one selfe same signification and by this repetition we