hath reference to the action of redressing or cleansing the same in the question as if hee would say by taking heed to his wayes according to gods word a young man may redresse or purge the same The purging therefore or redressing of the waies of youth whereby euery yong man may insist persist in the right way of holinesse to saluation must bee in marking straightly and in taking heed carefully to the whole course of his life in thought word and deede directing and instituting the same according to the rule and expresse direction of the word of God in the which night and day he should meditate exercise himselfe continually that therby his whole life and all the waies thereof may bee kept spotlesse and cleane from all corruption of sinne and the filthy lusts of the flesh Therefore let all young men apply all the actions waies of their life to this touchstone of Gods word let them take diligent heede to thought word and deede marke them narrowly examine and iudge them diligently and vnpartially according to this rule and square that by God himselfe they bee not strictly marked here and seuerely examined iudged and rewarded in the world to come If they finde their waies to bee in some measure conformable to Gods word for none are perfite desire Christ to helpe their imperfection praise God for his mercy and this measure of sanctification desiring increase thereof and confirmation If by taking heede vnto their waies and due examination thereof they finde them disagreeable vnto the word of God then humbly prostrate themselues in true repentance and contritenesse of a broken and rent heart before the tribunall of that great King and Iudge whom they haue offended desire earnestly remission and cleansing of their sinfull waies by the precious bloodshed of Iesus Christ vow and performe reformation and conformation of their waies hereafter according to Gods word by a renewed and sanctified life and to that effect beg importunately with that poor widow froÌ„ the iust Iudge of all meÌ„ his holy sanctifying spirit to be their directer leader in that way of saluatioÌ„ to the end thereof This way of yong men vnto which they shold take heed according to Gods word so diligently is threefold 1. Their way of particular and lawful vocatioÌ„ 2. Their way of christian ciuill manners And 3. their way of true godlines the perfectioÌ„ of all According to this rule of the word of God let euery young man therfore I say take heed examin First his way of the ordinarie and particular vocatioÌ„ God hath called him to if in the same he hath behaued himselfe vprightly vsed aright the talent that God hath giueÌ„ him for that effect for to none of his seruants but God hath allotted giueÌ„ some special taleÌ„t gift fit to be vsed in a special particular vocation wherby in some measure they may be profitable to church CoÌ„monwealth from the Son of the Prince that sitteth on his throne to the sonne of the poorest begger by the hie way side to some hee hath giuen a quicke wit and diuerse inclination to diuers kindes of learning as Diuinitie the Lawes Phisicke c. wherein seuerally by euery one his glory may bee aduanced and the Church or Common-wealth in some measure profited to others hee hath giuen of his spirit in wisedome vnderstanding and knowledge to worke in all manner of workemanship as hee did to Bezaleel and Aholiab fitting them for seuerall mechanicall and handiecrafts and for some one particular of these two kindes of vocation that God hath giuen euerie one from his cradle a naturall inclination and speciall gift therfore if education bee ioyned it doth euidently appeare by experience Let euery young man then noble or ignoble consider take heede vnto this way of vocatioÌ„ according to Gods word that if God hath fitted him by some speciall gift and inclination he loose not spend nor hide his talent by idlenes for feare of the punishment that Christ hath mentioned in his worde therevnto for idlenesse and delicacie was the sin of the primitiue world that drew downe that fearefull deluge vpon theÌ„ idlenesse was the sin that câ—ied down fire brimstone vpon Sodome It is the impouerisher and destroyer of a Kingdome Citie house or man as industry is the enricher The one crieth for Gods curse on a people or person the other for a blessing Idlenes is the doore to let in sinne and the diuell euen in the godliest When Adam was idle from dressing the garden he was tempted to eate of the forbidden fruit and did fall and wee in him when Dauid was idle hee was drawen in adulterie and murder when Sampson was idle from the warres he fell a whooring with Dalilah and fearefull destruction came vpon him The little vnreasonable creatures of God condemneth it therefore Salomon Prou. 6. 6. referreth the sluggard to the Pismire to behold her wayes and bee wise and Virgil saith of the Bees Illae continuo saltus â—yluasque peragrant Excudunt ceras mella tenacia fingunt Venturaeque hyemis memores aestate laboreÌ„ Experiuntur in mediuÌ„ quesita reponuÌ„â— Not like the Grashopper who singeth all the sommer but starueth in winter as many Gentlemens sonnes in their youth are idlely brought vp by their parents but in the winter of olde age must beg or try many vnlawfull shifts because they cannot frame themselues to worke nor were not in their youth trained vp to vertue It is a pittie that such should liue in a Kingdome or commonwealth but haue the Apostles Law He that laboureth not let him not eate And a greater pitty it is to see or suffer such idle bringing vp or rather bringing downe to pouertie and destruction in a ciuill or well instituted kingdome or commonwealth God our heauenly father euer worketh in propagating conseruing and gouerning of his creature so that if once hee should withdrawe his hand all should perish our soule also which resembleth him is called by Aristotle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a continuall operation As God then is euer occupied in doing of good so should we be and in so farre as we are idle so farre wee depart from likenesse to God and our owne soule The blessed and holy Angels also are euer occupied either in continuall praising of God their Creator or in doing his message for preseruation ministring to the godly and punishing of the wicked whereof many examples are in the Scripture the glorious Sunne in his swift motion compasseth the earth continually and assure thy selfe whosoeuer thou be that albeit thou bee idle from applying thy minde or exercising thy selfe in vertue while thou art young the diuell hee is not idle who compasseth the earth too and fro to intice thy minde to vice and lay snares before age come to draw thee to destruction and a shameful end Neither think albeit thou be a Noble or Gentlemans sonne or heire that
them lost a kingdom to the which he was called by the wicked and furious hote counsellers of our lusts and affections in our youth let vs not also loose the glorious kingdome of heauen to the which wee are likewise called by Gods word Neither as the yong mans loue to his riches made him to forsake Christ let the vncleane loue or desire to follow our youthly pleasures or to fulfill our filthy lusts and affections draw vs from following Iesus Christ our Sauiour and these godly examples and patterns of youth which in his word wee haue here set before our eyes but with yong Samuel when the Lord calleth vs in his Church to heare and do his word let vs so oft answere Lord here am I thy seruant to doe thy godly will speake for thy seruant heareth while the spring and seed time is of our tender yeeres let vs so sowe as wee would reape and so bud as wee would ripen our youth is the day to doe our works in the night of age commeth wherein wee cannot worke in that time wee shall say onely I might haue bin learned I might haue bin so or so if I had vsed my time aright but winter is come before I thought on seed-time and Times bald backe-side is turned to mee but the heary forehead which I might haue caught holde by is already past therefore the wise man saith Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth whiles the euill dayes come not nor the yeeres approach wherein thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in them whiles the sunne is not darke nor the light nor the moone nor the starres nor the cloudes returne after rayne when the keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shal â—ow themselues the grinders shall cease because they are few and they waxe darke that looke out by the windowes c. describing so metaphorically the infirmities of old age They who stept in first when the Angel came downe and troubled the waters of the poole Bethesda were cured of their disease so if we would be cured of our soules disease and leprosie of sinne wee must striue to step in first before others in our youth without lingring to be washed with the blood of Christ and liue a pure vnspotted life Ioseph before the time of famine came laid vp aboundance of corne prouidently for the same so before the leane and crinkled yeeres of age come we must prouidently in the Sommer of youth with the Bee and Ant gather and lay vp food for our soules filling the store-houses of our heart full with the knowledge and true feare of God to be our comfort and ease in that time that here in the world to come we may bee accounted among the number and of the sort of those forenamed who dedicated their youth and first fruites thereof to God their heauenly Father and now do enioy the ioyful recoÌ„pence of their labours with Iesus Christ in the presence of the Lambe for euer to remaine The answere that is made vnto this question is this In taking heed thereto according to thy word that is by these meanes a yong man may redresse his wayes and course of life if according to the rule and prescript of thy holy worde O Lord hee take heed thereto diligently and straitly marking examining and iudging the same and rectifying all his waies and actions by the direct line and rule of thy commandements This answere is made by way of prayer or confessioÌ„ to God or as it were by resolution froÌ„ God In taking heed thereto according to thy word thereby shewing and teaching all men that to know will or doe aright as God hath commanded according to his word is not of our strength neither can flesh and blood reueale it vnto vs but our heauenly Father it is the gracious worke of his glorious Spirit who as the knowledge of Gods will proceedeth of his speciall Illumination so the acting and doing of the same in an holy and vpright life is of his speciall grace and powerfull operation also who giueth thee knowledge will and power to doe the same Velle perficerâ— by enlightning our vnderstanding reforming our wicked will and conforming the same vnto the holy and perfect wil of God and with his coÌ„mand to rise from the sleepe and death of sinne to a new and sanctified life giuing vs a power and flowing light and life from himselfe to doe so as when Christ our Sauiour said Talitha cumi or Lazarus arise c. and at that last day when it shall be said Rise dead folke come to iudgement and so in all Gods word when hee commandeth to repent beleeue bring forth good fruit or so we must not thereby thinke because God commandeth so therefore that we haue knowledge or free-will to doe or not doe so but with the command there floweth a concomitating power and vertue from Gods spirit to the hearts of the faithfull predestinate for saluation to doe this command as a further induration to harden the hearts of the sonnes of reprobation in their stiffe-necked disobedience to Gods will euen as at the words of Christ the fig-tree withered free wil then and strength of our selues to know and doe euill wee haue for it is according to our nature for by nature wee are the children of wrath and all the imaginations of our heart are onely euill continually from our very infancie and it is the worke of our flesh for the flesh coueteth against the spirit but to know will or to do well we haue no power at all but it is Gods sanctifying Spirit who giueth both and it is aboue nature yea it is the worke of the Spirit against nature Therefore let vs not trust to our owne knowledge or wisedom for it is darkenesse foolishnesse nor thinke of our owne will or strength that we can doe or truely desire or know that which is good being so peruerse and wicked but with the Prophet after his example acknowledg al our knowledge of his will or of the right way to saluation to proceed onely from the illumination of his good spirit and that the will or strength to doe and performe the same is onely his owne free worke in mercie also and let vs by earnest prayers as in all ages so chiefly in our youth implore his holy helpe to teach vs according to his word how to walke in his wayes and to take heed to our owne in greatest difficulties consult with him who is true light and wisedome and in whom is no changing in greatest tentations by continuall prayer let vs flie to him that with his all-sufficient grace he may euer assist vs when Sathan would not only buffet but kill deuoure our soules with the poyson of sinne and our owne lusts and in all things let him be our onely refuge resolution and comfort continually In taking heed thereto c. this action of taking heed to our wayes in the answere
seuerall and distinct verses beginning all in the originall Hebrew text with one seuerall letter wherein some will haue a mysterie included But there are three chiefe reasons rendred thereof the first is that it is done and composed so for the greater ornament of the Psalme the matter thereof being so excellent The second is that the excellent doctrine and matter of the Psalme may bee the more diligently noted greater delight estimation had thereof And thirdly that these excellent doctrines abounding so in euerie part and verse of the Psalme being many diuers and so necessarie by this forme of composition and order they may more easily be comprehēded in our memory But Ambrose vpon this same Psalme yeeldeth a fourth reason vse diuerse from the former of the notation of this Psalm so which is thus Vt paruulorum Ingenia primis literarum elementis legendi vsum addiscunt ita nos buiusmodi elementis vsum viuendi As the Ingines or wits of little children saith he by the first elements of letters learneth the vse of reading so let vs by these Elementes learne the vse of liuing The full Alphabet whereby this Psalme is noted noteth to vs the fulnes of the matter therein contained and that wee with our whole affections should fully embrace the same and with all our heart and soule desire it and delight therein The diuersitie of the letters sheweth the diuersitie and plentie of matter that is set before our eies as so many pleasant holesome delicate dishes at a bountifull bāquet The vnitie of all the verses in euery octonarie beginning with one letter doth demonstrate the vnitie of the matter therein contained to the delight whereof if wee will vnite our hearts it is able to vnite vs with God our Father in loue By the octonar number in euery section is declared that as the purification of vncleannesse and the celebration of Circumcision whereby the fore-skin of the flesh was taken away by Gods law was obserued the eight day euen so by the embracing of these doctrines and obseruing of Gods holy Lawe whose excellencie and powrefull effects are set downe in these octonaries our hearts shall be purified and made cleane before God hauing thereby the fore-skin of our heart which barreth out Gods spirit that king of glory from entring into it and our carnall affections taken away our drossie vncleane corruption by the fire of that word and spirit burned vp and consumed and the Image of God Iesus Christ that second Adam restored to vs with whom wee must rise in righteousnesse as by sinne in that first Adam we al did fall and lost that glorious Image of our Creator and God As for the Argument of the whole Psalme In the same the holy Prophet of God exhorteth all the faithfull and members of the true Church of Christ carefully to retaine keepe and obserue the word of God in all sinceritie puritie of truth eschewing all addition or mixture of mans wisedome which is foolishnesse thereunto and worshipping God as hee hath commanded and warranted vs in his word onely As also that not onely wee retaine the same in the sinceritie thereof worship GOD onely according thereunto but also we make it a rule to all our actions practising the same dayly night and day delighting and meditating therein laying and hiding it vp in our hearts and by the sanctificatiō of our life to shew the pietie of our heart thought word and deed agreeing therevnto And because to vnderstand Gods word in respect of our naturall ignorance and in our life to practise the same in respect of the dominion of sinne that he hath gotten ouer vs is not of the strength of man but must be the power worke of Gods holy spirit therefore he mixeth often prayers to open his eyes to make him vnderstand the way of his precepts to direct his steps therein and to let no Iniquitie haue dominion ouer him by this example teaching vs the like dutie There are ioyned also thanksgiuings of the Prophet that already as he confesseth to Gods glory the incouragement of the faithfull hee had found and perceiued in his heart the beginnings of true faith comfort and new obedience to be kindled which earnestly he craues to bee augmented and confirmed in him thereby also in his person teaching vs our dutie to enquire if wee can or haue found Gods graces begun sowed or rooted in our hearts if not as yet to desire the same earnestly if alreadie to craue the increasing and confirmation further thereof and be truely thankfull for that we haue receiued Hee complaineth also shewing the heauinesse faintnesse griefe and feare that he hath conceiued for the horror of his sinnes notwithstanding comforting himselfe and all the godly that are inwardly or outwardly afflicted by relying in faith vpon Gods promise and saluation reuealed and made to him and to all those that beleeue in his name which is and must be the onely ease and comfort to any afflicted soule As also of the multitude greatnesse and crueltie of his enemies that despising Gods lawe themselues did seeke likewise to hinder him from walking therein for whom his eyes notwithstanding did gush out with riuers of water because they kept not the same desiring God therefore to represse their crueltie and wicked enterprise and the more they did seeke to drawe him away from his law and obedience that hee would in his mercie the more confirme and establish him in his statutes shewing thereby the many hinderances that the godly hath euer had and shall continually haue cast in their way by Sathan to hinder their iourney to that spirituall Canaan with their Ioshua Iesus and our dutie therein to bee sorie for their aberring and desire our owne confirmation likewise as hee did shew that they were blessed who walked in Gods law so to the wicked hee sheweth their condition and that their portion is shame and confusion if they will not returne and walke also therein so setting before euery mans eies with Moses life and death to choose The diuision of the Psalme according to the matter therein contained may be in foure parts In the first whereof he sheweth the true felicitie and happinesse of the godly to be placed and consist in the studie beliefe and obedience of the will of God reuealed manifested vnto vs in his word which in respect of the excellencie thereof the desire and estimation wee should also haue of the same in our heart is adorned with many titles proper thereunto In the second part the Prophet for an example to the faithfull earnestly desireth God to informe and confirme him in the knowledge studie beleefe obedience of his reuealed will by the operation of his powerfull spirit who may inlighten his vnderstanding reforme and conforme his will to his owne sanctifie his affections and all the members of his body seeing the same is not in the power of man to doe
Thou therefore that teachest another teachest thou not thy selfe thou that preachest a man should not steale doest thou steale Thou that saiest a man should not commit adultery doest thou commit adulterie thou that abhorrest idols committest thou sacriledge And therefore in his charge to Timothy he saith But thou O man of God flee from these thinges meaning pride auarice c. and follow after righteousnesse godlines faith loue patience and meekenes c. Which many men preaching onely to others may and hath become notwithstaÌ„ding reprobates theÌ„selues but the Apostle hauing in his own life first practised his own doctrine to others and like a Cocke wakened and raised himselfe first by his voyce sheweth the like dutie to all other Pastours in a holy liâ—e to goe before their sheepe when he saith Be ye followers of mee and in another place adding as I am of Christ. For as Aaron had vpon his breast Vrim Thumim that is knowledge and holinesse so must euery true Minister haue the same in his breast and heart the one to preach well and goe before in voyce the other to liue well and goe before in good example For I will be sanctified saith God in them that beare mee And if they that should be the light of their flocke be darknes how great is that darknes For as Amâ—rose in Psalm 119. saith Vita bona sine doctrina â—abet gratiam sed doctrina sine vita integritateÌ„ non â—abet And as Christ sheweth if that seruaÌ„t that knoweth not his Masters will and doeth not the same shall bee beaten with fewe stripes what shall be to him who knoweth not his Masters will and yet in some measure doeth the same But he that knoweth it yea teacheth others to know it and persuadeth himselfe that hee is a guide to the blind a light of them that are in darkenes an instructer of them that lacke discretion a teacher of the vnlearned c. and yet doth not the same himself but wilfully runnes into the pit truely hee is worthie and shall be beaten with many grieuous stripes one day Lorde graunt many in this age may preuent them Iudas preached Christ yet sold him through couetousnesse and was a child of perdition Balam said All what the Lord shall command that will I speake yet was a false couetous Prophet and likewise perished Yea the Diuell himselfe could crie out that hee knew he was that Iesus the sonne of God and so gaue publike testimonie of Christ yet he persecuted him and now is condemned Many in that last day with their true preaching shall plead miracles also yet because they wrought iniquitie they shall heare that fearefull Away from mee I know you not Therefore let all true Pastors goe before the flocke in good and godly example also in life doctrine so shining as bright lampes and starres in Christs right hand or familie saying and doing according to the counsell of the same Ambrose ibid. Nec vita sit sine doctrina nec doctrina sine vita sed vna adstipuletuâ— alteri and this is the second marke whereby true Pastors are knowne by Matth. 7. 17. For by their fâ—uâ—tes saith Christ you shall know them for as from Vrim or knowledge must proceed the ringing of the bels of Gods word before the people to heare so from Thumim or holines must proceed the pomegranates pleasant sauory fruits of good works to be seene and imitated of Gods people that as they are followers of Christ so they may be followers of them againe as the Apostle saith of himselfe The Lorde of the haruest increase the number of such painefull godly labourers who may not onely bee diligent in preaching but beeing zealous of good works also may shine in a good life before the flocke concredit to their charge and by these two markes bee knowne so to bee true Pastours in his owne time remoue these rauening woolues clothed in lambes skinnes who vsurpe like lords ouer the Lords inheritance seeking to feede themselues and not the flocke no waies considering that if Labans sheepe were kept by Iacob so carefully in the frost of the night without sleepe and in the burning heate of the day that much more the sheepe of Iesus Christ bought by his owne heart-blood should bee with a carefull eye ouer-seene and fed tithing the mint cumming seed but omitting weightier matters stealing killing and deuouring Christs flocke beating out their fellow seruants their separation with hypocrites is at hand the Lord graunt they may speedily preuent it The two like markes of Christs true Shâ—â—pe and Sheepefolde are First they heare and know their Pastors voyce and Secondly as hee goeth before them in an holy life so they follow him then as hee is not dumbe to speake so they are not deafe to heare they heare then his voyce they know it and will not follow the voyce of a stranger so that God giueth them knowledge and discretion not ignorance to bee a mother of their deuotion noâ— fearefull simplicitie to be led euery where if the scriptures be hid they are not to them but to those that perish they search the Scriptures their chiefe Pastors voice which testifieth of himselfe they trie the spirits if they bee of God or no and if an Angell from heauen should lay any other foundation except that which is layd Iesus Christ the Lambe or should teach any other doctrine then that which the holy Apostles haue taught they should hold him accursed they are as liuely stones in Sion builded onely vpon the foundation and doctrine of the holy Apostles they doe follow precisely and onely the voyce and written word of Iesus Christ their chiefe Pastor and Shepheard of their soules which soundeth daily in the middest of his Church and family accounting all other voyces to bee of theeues hirelings and dissembling woolues they are in Christ who is the light of the world and in whom is no darknes and according to the Apostles commaund they striue to grow in graceâ— and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ so true sheepe must heare the Pastors voyce receiuing the seed that is sowen they must know his voyce discerning if it be good seed or no wheate or popel that is sowed And thirdly which is the second marke also of the true sheepe they must bring forth good fruite thereby according to the measure of Gods grace in them The Pastor soundeth his voyce and they heare and know it and he goeth before them and this must be their following of him by hearing commeth their faith so by their faith and from the same as the fruit and effect if it bee liuely and true proceedeth and must proceed this imitation of good workes they must follow their Pastor as he is a follower of Christ but if hee bee not according to Christs counsell and command what he biddeth obserue that obserue and doe but after his workes doe not if hee say