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
mourning considered What are my wayes what haue I done Peter ere euer Christ looked comfortably vpon him againe after his deniall with bitter teares he coÌ„sidered what haue I done The Prodigall child and true paterne of a conuerted sinner before euer he saw his fathers face or house his first step was he considered with sorrow and tryed What haue I done Paul before his coâ—uersion heard from heauen and considered in his heart What hee had done before he said Lord what shall I doe The Iewes at Peters Sermon were pricked in their consciences and with griefe of minde considered What they had done before they could say Men and brethren what shall we doe For this triall is the first step and embracing of Gods mercie For from serious tryall commeth true acknowledging from true acknowledging commeth humble confession and from humble confession proceedeth the assurance of absolution and comfort of Gods spirit if we iudge our selues we shall not bee iudged saith the trueth and how can we iudge before triall and knowledge Therefore let euery yong man learne to trie himself and his wayes What he hath done according to Gods word For without this first â—nquisition to find out the errour impuritie of our waies we shal neuer attaine to the second to enquire Wherewith they shal be cleansed redressed or rectified The 3. thing which is to be noted by this inquisitiue manner of the Prophets speach and which may be called the second step to saluation is that after such diligent and earnest enquirie of our wayes What wee haue done wee must also ioyne a true acknowledging and humble confession of our errour transgression proceeding from an inward griefe with an heartie desire of redressing for how can a yong man inquire and desire of God that his waies may be redressed or cleansed except hee first try them and acknowledge the errour and vncleanes thereof Can a man turne to walke in the right way except first hee find and acknowledge himselfe to bee in the wrong Can a man seck for a Physitian except first he finde and acknowledge himself to be diseased Therefore if we would returne or be conuerted we must first by tryal acknowledge and confesse with Isaiah 53. 6. All wee like sheepe haue gone astray we haue turned euery one to his owne way And except with the Prodigall sonne we acknowledge first that wee haue gone in a farre countrie from our father wee can neuer resolue to draw nere againe except we coÌ„fesse humbly first vpon the knees of a sorrowfull soule that wee haue sinned against heauen and before him not being any more worthy to be called his sons Verily we shal neuer be imbraced in the armes of his mercie nor receiue the comfortable kisse of his loue thou must say Lord forgiue me the sinnes and rebellions of my youth before he say to thy conscience that they are pardoned thou must first acknowledge thy wayes to be polluted with the filth of sin and lusts of thy youth before thou can inquire Wherewith they may be redressed or obtaine that the Lord would cleanse and purge them in his mercie the poore Publican acknowledged first that hee was vnworthie to lift vp his eyes to heaueÌ„ in respect of his offences before he went home iustified before God the theefe vpon the crosse confessed that he dyed and suffered iustly for his sinnes before he receiued that comfortable promise and assurance from Christ to bee with him that same night in Paradise Dauid first confessed to the Prophet Nathan that hee had sinned indeede before he receiued the answer that his sinnes were forgiuen him With many such examples shewing that young and olde wee must al confesse our guiltinesse before that great Iudge and King of all Kings before wee receiue our pardon before earthly Kings and Iudges confession acknowledging of the fault maketh present coÌ„demnation before God almightie confession and acknowledging of our sinnes with sorrow maketh present absolutioÌ„ Therfore let euery man chiefly youth whose errors coÌ„monly are greatest professe confesse in all submissioÌ„ of hart before God the enormities vncleannes iniquitie of their waies that the God of all mercy loue may at his good will and pleasure reforme redresse and purge the same to his glory and our eternall comfort The fourth last obseruatioÌ„ that may be gathered by this interrogatory proposition of the Prophet in person of a young man and which may be truely called the third step to saluation is not onely to try our waies and to acknowledge the erroneous course thereof with sorrow but to make a further and second inquisition of the right way with a harty desire to walk therin I must not only examine my waies and course of life hitherto nor thinke it enough to bee sorrowfull and grieued for the erronious going astray therein which I deprehend and acknowledge but also I must ioyne this inquirie desire to know Whereby shall a yong man redresse or purge his way It is not enough to know that I am out of the way except I labor to know also how I may come into the same again It is not enough for a man to know that he is sick except he study also to know whereby hee may attaine to his perfect health againe When a man is in a great danger or peril his chiefe deuising is how to come out of it It is not enough to know that I am in prison except I labor how to be freed Youth for the most part walketh loueth to walke in that broad by-way of liberty where there is no restraint or curbing of the affections and lusts of the flesh for a time delighting in vaine and transitorie pleasures which carieth a momentary sweetnesse with them to the flesh but leaueth behind them eternall bitternes to the soule this way is a strait and darke prison in the end It is a by-way that bringeth wearinesse to the soule the walking therein is in great perill and the foote-steps thereof woundeth the conscience therefore it is not enough to know see that it is euil erronious and vncleane but they must also earnestly seeke after the right way and follow it Whereby they may redresse and purge their wayes The Prophet of God Ierem. 6. 16. commandeth and sheweth this dutie to old and yong in these words Thus saith the Lord Stand in the wayes and behold and aske for the olde way which is the good way and walke therein and ye shall find rest for your soules Paul obserued this when hee said Lord What shall I doe The yong man in the Gospell that came to Christ obserued this also when he said Master What shall I doe to obtaine eternall life The Iewes that were pricked in conscience at Peters sermon obserued this when they inquired one another Men and brethren what shall we doe The Iailer Act. 16. 30. obserued this when he fel downe before Paul and Sylas and asked them Sirs what must I doe
is how to redresse vice and ouercome sinne in his mortal members that Gods free Spirit may make his aboad and comfortable habitation in his soule The diligent care of the other is how to represse and oppresse vertue and godlines that it take no roote in his soule nor bring forth no acceptable pleasant fruit before God but that as a sinke of iniquitie it may abound and yeelde forth out of the aboundance thereof rotten and vnsauorie smells in thought word and action The one seeketh to purge himselfe from the least spot of sin that might make him displeasing in his fathers sight yea hee abhorreth from the very appearance of euill or the least meane that might draw or perswade him any way thereunto The other seeketh the foulest puddle or mire of sin wholy in body and soule not caring to tuÌ„ble pollute himselfe as a filthy swine thereinto and as a dogge deuouring sinne griedily which deuoureth his soule and returning euer to his vomit he embraceth all occasions of sinne hee headlong runneth vnto the brinke of destruction as it were with cart-ropes of iniquitie he is swiftly carried as the oxe to the slaughter or the foole to the blocke vnto the bottomles pit of perdition The one for the least sinne he committeth that stayneth his soule hee heapeth and powreth out tears vpon tears as a treasure to be laid vp in a bottel before God that thereafter hee may reape the fruite of his seed sowed in tears in the ioyful and plentifull haruest of the Lord when he shall find true rest and comfort to his soule The other in his greatest sinnes hee most reioyceth and with Lamech vaunteth of his vngodly furie and crueltie of impietie inferred to his owne soule hee heapeth sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of wrath as a treasure and with all griedines filleth the cup of iniquitie to the full til God in his iust iugment giue to him also the full cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and make him drinke out the very dregs thereof for as he soweth so he shall reape The one sort being the children of the light and the day they walke in the light and doe the workes thereof therfore they shall enioy the cleare and endlesse light of that heauenly new Ierusalem which is the bright countenance of the Lambe The other being the children of darkenesse and the night they delight to walke in the wayes of darknes and to doe the workes thereof therefore with the prince of darkenesse they shall bee at last cast into vtmost darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth Finally as euerie tree is knowne by his fruite so by their works you shal know and discerne betwixt godly and vngodly yong men as a good yong tree bringeth foorth best fruite in the spring while it is yong so a godly yong man bringeth forth best fruits of vertue and pietie in his tender yeeres and spring of his youth not delaying till the cold winter of old age come wherein eyther no fruit at all or if any nothing but sowre grapes are to be expected but as no man can gather figs of thornes nor seeke for honie out of the viper so from those that consume their best age and prime of youth in all lustfull licentiousnesse outlaw liuing in sinne and slauish libertie of iniquitie nothing can be expected but that the haruest shall be like the spring wherin they shal reape the fruit of their labours and their seed time of wickednes shall bee rewarded with the measure of bitter seuere punishment when the axe shall bee put to the root of the tree and euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall bee cut downe cast into vnquenchable fire The examples of both these sorts of yong men we haue in the Scripture set before the eyes of all youthes in this age to learne by and behold Of the one whom they should follow the examples of yong Abel vprightly sacrificing vnto God the first fruits and fat of the flocke as they should the first fruits and fat of their youth in vprightnesse and holinesse of life of yong Isaac exercising himselfe in prayer alone in the field of yong Iacob in suffering many wrongs obeying the good counsell of his parents fearing their displeasure dealing faithfully in an holy and humble mind with all men of yong Ioseph refusing the way of sinne and adulterous lust suffering patiently rewarding good for euill and being a comfort and reliefe to his old father and his whole family of Moses refusing to bee counted the sonne of Pharaohs daughter to bee esteemed the sonne of God and a faithful seruant in his whole house of yong Dauid in trusting euer stedfastly and beleeuing in Gods mercy towards him suffring much aduersitie and still sticking fast vnto the Lord who deliuered his enemies so oftentimes in his handes and his life out of theirs of yong Salomon in seeking the true wisedome of God before honour or riches of yong Samuel zealous and faithfull in Gods sanctuarie in his youth there seruing him of yong Daniel in walking with an holy and vpright heart before the almighty of yong Timothie brought vp froÌ„ an infantin the true knowledg feare of God a glorious starre painfull instrument in his Church of the children of the elect Ladie 2. epist. Ioh. 1. 4. whoÌ„ the beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ found walking in the trueth as God had commanded and therefore reioyced with such like examples which are set before the eyes of all youth according thereunto to reforme and coÌ„forme themselues in all things that they may obtaine that rich reward of eternall life whereof they are already in possession Of the other sort which wee should eschue and abhorre is malicious murdering and hypocriticall Cain who was accursed of God vaunting Lamech bragging of his strength furie to commit sinne in his youth Ham dishonouring contemning Noah his father Esau in being a griefe to his parents heart a profane A theist and persecutor of his godly brother Absolon a bloodie vnnaturall proud wicked sonne to his father Dauid whose end was a shamefull and sudden death Elies two sonnes who oppressed Gods people committed most vile filthinesse in Israel and were at last the death and heart-break of their old father and their owne destruction Ammon incestuous with his sister whose reward was cruel death and sudden destruction the young men of Sodome who in their filthinesse were consumed with fire brimstone Zimri and Cozbi in their burning lust thrust thorow by zealous Phineas with many other such examples of those who in the time of their youth fulfilled their owne lusts and wicked affections til they tasted of the full cup of Gods fierce wrath to their vtter destruction which was their sâ—al end lameÌ„table conditioÌ„ such therfore let vs abhor with their course of wicked life as we would eschue their feareful end most cursed death Râ—hoboam by his yong counsellers in obeying
Pro. 17. 28. that euen a foole when hee holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that stoppeth his lips prudent therefore the wise man of this age is pictured with a padlock vpon his lips for as of an arrow vnshot so of a word vnspoken as wee say proceeded neuer harme 3. Speake not before thy elders or betters but patiently wait without interruption or carping at their speech till they haue fully spoken according to the example of Elihu Iob. 32. 46. now Elihu had waited till Iob had spoken for they were more ancient in yeeres then he Therefore Elihu the sonne of Barachel the Buzite answered and said I am yong in yeeres and yee are ancient therefore I doubted and was afraid to shew you mine opinion suspecting and fearing his owne wisedome in humilitie and giuing place vnto his Elders as all yong men should for I said the daies shall speake and the multitude of yeeres shall teach wisedome The contempt of this when young men would take vpon them to giue better couÌ„sell to Rehoboam being wise in their owne conceit then the old beaten counsellers of Salomon 1. Kin. 12. and the forsaking of the experienced wisedome of these ancient and graue men for the rash vnexperienced foolishnesse of these young giddy heads that were brought vp with him made him to loose the kingdome of Israel to him and his posteritie thereafter Not excluding but sometimes more wisedome may bee learned from the mouth of a yong man then of the most ancient as it pleaseth God to distribute his gifts extraordinarily or in greater mesure as he did to yong Dauid Salomon Daniel c. and sometimes according to the Prouerbe Qui plus menti non etiam plus mentis habet hee that hath the whitest beard hath not euer the ripest wit nor soundest iudgement alwaies let none that is ancient bee therefore despised nor none that is yong so presume 4. Speake as moderately so modestly and bee not hastie or sudden therein for of them that bee hasty Salomon saith Pro. 29. 20. that there is mâ—re hope of a foole then of such and as the wise man hath commaunded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ne lingua pracurrat menti let not thy tongue runne before thy minde seeing it should be the minds interpreter onely and the mind should speake inwardly to an ende before the voyce expresse outwardly the sense meaning thereof not setting the cart before the horses or the plough to runne before the oxen Periculosa temeritas rashnesse or hastinesse in word or deed is perilous And in all thy speech or conference take heed according to Gods word to speake the trueth onely abhorring from lying as from Sathan the father thereof to speake euill of no man albeit thou mayst truely and to abstaine not onely from euill words which corrupteth good manners as the Apostle saith but also from ieasting which is not comely and all idle words of euery one whereof wee must render account at the day of Iudgement as Christ the trueth testifyeth speake all to edification in knowledge or godlinesse giue to none the least offence iustly by thy speech and desire to profite all men thereby and so as euery one is knowne to be such a Countrie man or of such a Kingdome by his tongue or speech so by thy good speech and language thou shalt be knowne to belong to God the wel-spring of goodnesse and to the kingdome of Heauen the land and countrie of that spirituall Canaan To this effect desire God by his holy Spirit to purge and sanctifie thy heart first which is the root and out of the abundance whereof the mouth speaketh and then with the Prophet Dauid to set a watch before thy lips and a barre before thy tongue that as wel in thy speech as actions his will may bee done in earth as it is in heauen In thy gesture also take heed to behaue thy selfe dutifully comely towards al meÌ„ according to Gods word without all rudenesse on the one part or curious affectation of apish noueltie on the other part rather to bee contemned then any way imitated by any ingenious young man or person whatsoeuer 1. As thou art commanded Leuit. 19. 32. thou shalt rise vp before the hoare-head and honour the person of the old man not rudely sitting or not giuing place to them whom God hath blessed with many and good yeeres but so doing to them and honouring such as thou wouldst be of thy yongers if God so long prolong thy life and respecting their infirmitie by weak old age with consideration of thy better abilitie in thy yong stroÌ„g yeeres who may better stand then they as also before thy betters thou shalt rise or them to whom thou art bound in dutie according to Salomons example 1. King 2. 19. 2. Stand where thy beters sit according to the example of Abraham Gen. 18. 8. And he tooke butter and milke and the calfe which he had prepared set before them and stood himselfe by them vnder the tree while they did eate where notwithstanding iâ— he had pleased hee might haue commanded a seat for himselfe 3. When thou commest to appeare before thy betters or elders in a comely fashion shew the reuerence of thy heart towards them by bowing the knee of thy bodie before them according to the example of sundry in the Scripture as Abraham Genes 18. 2. when hee saw the Angels a farre off he came to them and bowed himselfe to the ground also Gen. 23. 7. 12. And he bowed himselfe before the people of the land of the Hittites so Lot to the two Angels Gen. 19. 1. Iacob to Esau Gen. 33. 3. Iosephs brethren to him Gen. 42. 6. Salomon to his mother 1. King 2. 19. with many others but châ—efly that example of the yong man who came to Christ Mark 10. 17. And when â—ee was gone out on the way there came one running and kneeled to him and asked him Good Master what shall I doe that I may possesse eternall life shewing so the honour of his heart to Christ by this outward gesture of his body and reuerent speech of his mouth in calling him Good Master 4. Set not thy selfe downe in the chiefest place any where but rather take the lowest roome that those that haue authoritie may rather set thee vp with honour and thou be called humble then displace and set thee downe with dishonour and shame and thou bee called proud according to the Parable of Christ to the guestes in the Pharises house Luke 14. 8. When thou shaâ—t be â—idden of any man to a wedding set not thy selfe downe in the chiefest place c. But when thou art bidden goe and sit downe in the lowest roome c. for whosoeuer exalteth himselfe shal be brought low and he that humbleh himselfe shall be exalted Fiftly and lastly as for the vncouering of the head and all other points of good manners in Christian and ciuill societie according to the rule
Supper came to him to wash his feet he refused no Lord thou shalt neuer wash my feet but wheÌ„ Christ told him that otherwise he shold haue no portion with him and had washed his feet then Peter who refused before now beggeth Lord not onely my feet but my head and hands also so it is with vs before wee taste of the sweetnesse and refreshment of Gods word to our wearied soules and the ioy thereof to our wounded and sorrowful consciences we esteeme of it as Aesops Cocke did of the Iewell hee found in the doung-hill wee had rather haue a grayne of Barley or any thing that testeth to the flesh or is agreeable to please our affections Gods word is as it were pearles cast before swine wee are rather ready to turne backe and teare them in pieces that offered them vnto vs then to giue them any thanks we refuse then with Peter the water of life but as soone as it hath touched our hearts and our soules haue found the refreshing sweetnesse thereof then wee will begge and importunately intreat Lord not onely this measure but a greater dayly of the knowledge and comfort of thy word fill my whole soule with the power thereof and stuffe all the corners of my heart with the aboundance of the same let it not onely be in my head to talke of it but in my hands to doe it and in my feet also in thy way to walke according thereunto This should bee our desire and estimation of Gods word for if wee be sicke to death as it were wee would esteeme much of that Doctour that could tell and shew vs what and from what cause our sicknes came and could giue vs a present remedy to restore vs to the perfect health of our bodies that wee should liue long but wee haue the infectious and deadly sicknesse of sinne euery one of vs in our soules Gods holy Word doth shew vs what our sicknesse is and by what way or meanes we came by it it offereth to vs present remedie not to restore the bodie to a kind of health that it may liue a miserable momentaneall life for a while but to restore the soule to perfect and true health that it may liue a blessed ioyfull and eternall ioy in heauen with God and his blessed Angels how then should we esteeme of this Physition Physicke To such a Physition of the body wee would thinke that we did owe our life who restored vs to the same to such a Physition of the soule then how much more do we owe this teÌ„poral miserable life for the defence thereof and how can we sufficiently value or loue the same we wold account of him much who would giue vs such a right whereby we should possesse the whole kingdoms of the earth peaceably yea or to be heire to any one kingdom but so it is that Gods word if wee beleeue the same maketh vs heires to the eternall Kingdome of Heauen and giueth vs sufficient right and title that wee shal bee peaceable possessours thereof in euerlasting Ioy and Glory infinite In a darke perilous way wee esteeme much of a Lanterne such is Gods word to our wayes of this life in a dangeâ—ous long iourney wee would esteeme much of a faithfull skilfull vnburdenable and sufficient guide readie to ouercome and encounter all perils or enemies of ours such is Gods word in the long wearisome and dangerous iourney of this life where when we meet with any temptatioÌ„ if we answere It is written and firmely beleeue the same in so resisting Sathan we shal ouercome his temptations and at last make him depart at least for a while from vs by the strength of this our Guide In a great and doubtfull matter knowing our owne simplicitie and foolishnesse we would much esteeme of a faithfull and wise counseller two wayes are set before our eyes one leading to death another to life to the wrong we more naturally encline then to the other therefore in this great matter of life and death eternall and the doubtfulnesse of these two waies at one of which enter wee must wee haue most great neede of this wise and faithfull Counseller whom wee should much esteeme and follow in all things Moses sheweth Israel what the value of this worde of God is what value they should esteeme it of when hee saith It is your life and your wisedome whereby you excel all other Nations therefore hee exhorteth them neuer to let it depart out of their mouh nor heart but continually to talk of it going in and comming out at home and in the fields night and day to meditate thereon to make it a signet vpoÌ„ their finger a frontlet betweene their eyes and to esteeme nothing neere vnto it nothing equiualent to it nor nothing aboue it Of the great estimation of the word and trueth of God we haue one notable example in the Scripture of the good and godly king Iosiah who when the booke of the Law of God being found by Hilkiah the Priest and presented to the King by Shaphan the Chanceller hee hauing heard the words thereof rent his clothes and went to the house of God with all the people of Iudah Ierusalem small and great the Priests and Leuites and there in audience of the whole people did reade the law himselfe in their eares shewing what estimation and reuerence euery King and people shold haue to the word of God we must heare and reade it with great reuerence as becommeth the word of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords to bee heard with the hand of faith wee must receyue it and with all estimation wee must lay it vp in the chest and coffer of our hearts to bring forth the fruit of obedience thereunto as becommeth good subjects naturall children faithfull seruants in our life and conuersation It is the most precious Iewell that a yong man can weare the greatest riches that he can possesse a chayne of gold about his necke true wisedome to his heart the faithfullest tutor to direct and gouerne him and the most delightfull pleasure greatest profit that euer he could wish for godlines is profitable vnto all things and hath a promise of this life and of the life to come It is to the aged their greatest honour their truest wisedome and grauitie when sicknesse and age oppresseth them it is a comfortable salue to their soules and the best company they can seeke to or desire it is the skilfulest Doctor that can best ease theÌ„ and it is the strong hand that bringeth them safe and sound thorow all griefe dolours temptations sicknesses and the passeouer of death it selfe vnto the kingdom of God the eternal ioyes of heauen Therefore let yong and old esteeme of it greatly and of the bearers thereof highly as of the ambassage ambassadours of the Prince of all Princes and Lord eternall ouer all Lordes and Potentates in this temporall and momentaneall world that receiuing
it and them with reuerent and dutifull estimation laying it vp in their hearts practising the same in their life and conuersation by redressing their wais according therunto they may be crowned immortall and glorious Kings in the world to come and raigne with Christ Iesus eternally world without end For who esteemeth of it esteemeth of God his worde and himselfe being all one as who contemneth it to heare or doe the same contemneth God to heare or obey him who receiueth it and the Preachers thereof receiueth Christ as himselfe testifieth and who reiecteth it or them reiecteth Iesus Christ and the mercy benefites and loue of the Father offered in him willingly and wilfully giuing ouer themselues to darkenes to the Prince of darknes and to the condemnation of and with the Prince of darkenesse for euer Finally to conclude seeing the excellencie of Gods word is such and the estimation thereof and reuerence in our hearts should bee such wee may perceiue the great iniquity and fearefull offence of all those who keepe the same secret and hide from Gods people lest they finding this iewel with the wise merchant should onely cleaue vnto it and hide it vp in their hearts and soules it is life therefore they from whom it is hid walke in the shadow of death it is light therefore they to whom it shineth not walke in feareful darknesse it is the foode phisicke of the sicke soule of a sinner onely therefore they who know it not nor wil not know it must starue and die eternally it is our directer and counseller to whom then it is hid they wander astray in the paths of foolishnesse Except this seede be sowen how can we bring forth good fruit in a true faith to a ioyfull haruest it is the power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue and by faith wee are made members of Iesus Christ but how can wee beleeue except wee heare for faith commeth by hearing and how can we heare it except it bee preached Therefore who taketh away diligent preaching they take away carefull hearing and who taketh away hearing they take away the faith in so farre as in them lieth and so sheweth themselues plainely to bee enemies of Iesus Christ and of his crosse By it wee are digged about the rootes planted and watered and made fruitfull vines and sweete fig-trees in Gods garden and vineyard therefore who taketh away the same maketh God in his wrath to put to the axe to the roote of the tree to cut it down and cast it being barren and vnfruitfull into eternall fire being so slow and backward when wee are often inuited to come to Gods house banquet how much slower shall wee be without the hearing of the inuitation of Gods worde Wee are too barren ground euen when that raine and dew falleth vpon our soules but how much barrenner shall wee be and lesse fructifie when it doeth not fall Happy for euer is that Kingdome or Citie that retaineth the same in the pure sinceritie thereof without addition diminution mixture or amission as thrise woful is the same that retaineth not the same so The most fearefull threatning wherewith Christ Iesus that Alpha and Omega threatneth any of the seauen Churches is that of the Church of Ephesus I will come against thee shortly and will remooue thy Candlesticke out of his place except thou amend The most fearefull famine that euer came vpon any Land Kingdome Citie or soule is the famine of the word of God when the staffe of the heauenly bread thereof is broken This plague or the report thereof may make euery eare to tingle for where it is it is neuer alone but with it is the infectious plague of the pestilence of sinne suffocating euery soule vnto death eternall not taking men out of worldly miserie to eternall ioy as the bodily plague doth many but from their temporall ioy in sinne vnto eternall miserie of punishment And euer with it or after also followeth the sharp and seuere deuouring sworde of Gods fierce wrath and consuming hoat displeasure It is a fearefull thing when the watch or watchman of Gods word in the head of the Tower is dumbe when there is no barking about the sheepe how can the sheepe be safe It is a wofull thing to see godly Samuel remoued from Saul that he dares not speake Gods word plainely but must tarie at home all his life and mourne onely for Saul and his doings when hee is compelled to answere God how can I goe for if Saul heare he will kill me It is wofull to see Ieroboam the King put out his hand and bid take holde of the Prophet of God because at the commandement of the Lord hee cried against the Altar of Bethel It is fearefull to heare that the Lords true Prophets must be hid in caues and feede on bread and water being dumbe when Eliah knoweth none but himselfe left alone to plead Gods cause boldly and must bee faine to flee from place to place in great necessitie from the presence of Ahab and his false Prophets because he spake Gods word truely therefore hee must bee called a troubler of Israel and the estate It is lamentable to see that Michaiah for not speaking of pleasant things as the false Prophets of Ahab did shall bee beaten by Zidkiiah a false deceiuing and flattering spirit and sent to the prison house by the King to eate and drinke the bread and water of affliction to see bloody Iehoram send for the head of Elisha in his wrath or Herod for the head of Iohn the Baptist for speaking the word of God freely because Vriiah prophecied the trueth in the name of the Lord to be sent for by Iâ—hoiakim the King and beheaded likewise Ieremiah for speaking of that whereof God commanded him not to keepe a word backe to bee apprehended by the Priests and people and to be censured worthy to die the death to see Daniel cast in the Lions den and the three children in the fierie furnace for professing the seruice of the Lord their God is it not a woful thing to see Iesus Christ persecuted daily for proclaiming the will of his Father and that ioyfull yeare of Iubile for the freedome of mens soules to see Steuen stoned to death for the testimony of Iesus Peter and Iohn imprisoned for the preaching of the Gospel freely and with threatning commanded that they preach no more to see the Apostles beaten and oftentimes incarcerated Paul stoned smitten apprehended bound c. The beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ exiled to an I le Patmos and Gods seruants the bearers of this glorious iewell of his word by manifolde waies to be troubled onely for the testimonie of the trueth and of a good conscience which the itching eares of these last times cannot abide to heare albeit they shoulde most desire the same For where Gods word is not preached the people perisheth as testifieth the Preacher And the chiefe cause that Gods word
is so restrained in many places the mouths of Gods seruants so shut vp and the veritie repressed and bound as it were is Alexander the Copper-smiths profite will cease if Paul preach where Gods Arke commeth in place Dagon must fall and if Iesus Christ in such humilitie be suffered to bee acknowledged the Sauiour the Hie Priests honour iurisdiction and profit must cease if Daniel be suffered hee will discouer the Priests knaueries and Elias will shew that Baal is no God nor heareth not when Moses commeth with the Tables of the Law from the mount the golden calfe must downe if when Michaiah commeth to speake the truth freely he beleeued Zidkiiah the falsflattering Prophets with their hornes of yron should be put out of credit fauour and authoritie if Iohn the Baptist should be obeyed then Herod must put away his Herodias And where Gods sincere and pure word only getteh place and libertie downe must goe idolatrie and not a relict or hoofe thereof remaine tyrannicall authoritie of these who with Diotrephes loueth the preheminence and to rule as lords ouer the Lords inheritance must bee trod downe vnder the humble feete of Iesus Christ and of his word who pratleth against Gods true seruants with malitious words not therewith content neither they themselues receiue the brethren but forbiddeth them that would and thusteth them out of the Church The triple crowne must yeelde to the crown of thornes al popish ethnish apish ceremonies must fall downe before this Arke of Gods pure worde where the worde of Christ who came to serue getteth right place gracious Lord must cease Caeser must haue that which belongeth to him and all pastours with Paul must graunt themselues to bee seruants onely to Christs flocke for his cause their right title is the most honorable that they can haue euen the title which Iesus Christ is called by to bee Sheepheards of soules where Gods word shineth their shining before the flock must not be in gold silkes but in good workes where Gods word ruleth their rule and gouernement must be onely by Gods word their scepter that scepter which subiects scepters to it selfe their crowne their flocke you are my crowne saith Paul their sword not temporal nor Caesars but that two-edged sword that is in Christs mouth Gods and all their authority from Christs commission onely As my Father sent me so I send you where Gods sacred Law commeth there they must not worship the golden calfe of profit onely neither can Alexanders Diana bee so fat vnto him but with Moses they must looke onely for the reward of God Christs kingdome is not of this worlde in it then they must not looke for any recompeÌ„ce Paul saith I haue fought a good fight c. from henceforth is laid vp for me a crowne c. there is the reward hee looked for I goe saith Christ to my Father to prepare a place for you this is Christs promise For in the world you shall haue affliction and if you were of the world the world should loue you but because you are not as I am not therefore it hateth you In it then nor of it Pastours must not thinke their reward to bee and if in the world of the same they haue here their reward it is to bee feard that they shal neuer haue any other but as the world loueth theÌ„ they the world again that their coÌ„demnation is like to bee with the world also Therfore where Christs word taketh place worldly profite and full bagges must depart and albeit the Minister must liue of the Altar to supply necessitie yet Christ for Christ and his glorie onely must bee preached pride in the hie Priests and auarice in Iudas was the first betraier of Christ pride and auarice now is and euer shall be the only betraier of Christ and his cause and they know little the power of Christ in their heart or soule as they preach his name with their mouth who with Zebedeus sonnes here seeketh onely for their prefermeÌ„t because they haue followed him but they who truely follow him must denie here se suos sua take vp their crosse and follow him The same is his answere to all Ministers as it was to Peter who when hee asked what they should haue because they followed him he answered that they should sit on twelue seates with him and iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel so he saith to euery Minister that followeth him truely as they did not that hee shall be so or so powerfull in the world for hee hath chosen the weake ones of the world but that hee shall sit at his right hand with him in his kingdome when he shall iudge all the Tribes and Nations of the world they then who pertaine vnto that kingdome will desire that great reward honour only more then all the honour and kingdoms of the world with their glory esteeming all as dung to win Christ many soules vnto Christ to know the power of his death resurrection in themselues and see it in their flockes But who pertain not to this kingdome they wil preferre their owne profite before all things if the preaching of Gods word hinder or take away their profit with Alexander that Diana goe not downe they will stirre vp kings kingdoms cities rulers and people against Paul and his preaching and if thirtie pennies may be had Christ Iesus shall be betrayed with a kisse If this light and fire of Gods word should come in place it would consume like Moses rod or serpent the serpentine and profitable fire of purgatorie If it were preached plainely vnto Gods people and to the soules of men that we must come onely to Christ who callâ—th and commandeth vs aske of the Father who can denie vs nothing through him according to his will and that the King against whom wee commit the offence onely can forgiue the same Where should the golden pardons of the Pope goe or the profit of the confessors if it bee preached that Christ the Master had not a hole to repose his head in nor so much mony as could pay tribute for him and â—or Peter And if it be reported how Peter Acts. 3. said Siluer or golde haue I none where shall the princely pallaces of the seruants goe the great treasured heapes of golde they lay vp Paul soiourned in a poore Tanners house that dressed leather and when hee sent for his cloake and his scrolles he maketh no mention of any great treasure but hee laid vp his treasure in heauen where the moath the canker nor the theefe coulde not come gaining and treasuring by his Talent many soules to God Peter got a great treasure and conquesed much when at his Sermon so many soules were conuerted to Christ ioyned to the Church But these fat woolues and dumbe dogges they care not for such a treasure or conquest woe be to them for they doe not the worke of the Lorde at all