would gladly resist all temtations But what They compound with the Deuil conspire with him too set them selues against God flatter them selues in all their iniquities and desire wholy to giue themselues to all wickednes Are not heere I beseech you faire and proper petitions which we make with the mouth when as the hart bendeth it selfe altogither to mischiefe and iniquitie Is not this I pray you to mock God what other thing else is it Let vs then learne to say with Dauid O Lord I haue chosen the way of trueth and haue sticken to thy testimonies When he sayth that hee hath chosen the way of trueth hee meaneth that he desined nothing else but to follow that which was right and good as God had shewed it vnto him When he saith that he cleaued to the testimonyes of God he declareth what trueth that is whereof he made mention For men many times imagine vnto them selues certaine fantasie in their heads and think the same to be the best most sure foūdation in the world and that there is no other reason trueth nor wisdome but that which they haue conceiued in their owne braine Let vs now beware of that and assure our selues that trueth selfe is inclosed within the word of God that that is it which we must seeke And not to haue vs thinke that to bee the trueth which wee in our owne fantasies doe iudge too bee good but euen then haue wee chosen the way of trueth when as we shall sticke to the testimonies of God when we shall vnderstand and knowe that it is hee onely which may leade vs straight and that we haue doone this honour unto his woorde to be ruled thereby all the dayes of our life Loe howe we shoulde followe the way of trueth Nowe when Dauid hath made all these protestations hee desireth that hee may bee confounded As if hee shoulde haue sayde My GOD since that it is so that I desire to obey thee suffer me not now to bee confounded that I be not scorned and supposed to bee as a vacabonde and without a guide Loe heere a place which ought dilygently to be marked For I beseech you when we shall bee desirous to cleaue vnto God and his word when wee shall haue preferred the same before all our Iustes and pleasures yea aboue all whatsoeuer shall seeme good and right in our owne eyes if wee shall then I say bee put to confusion and shame what shall become of vs when we shall laye the raine of the bridle in the necke of all our desires and take from God all his authoritie Deserue we not to bee vtterly confounded No doubt we doe So then let vs way the firste parte of this doctrine that wee muste not let our tongues walke against God For he knoweth how to bee right well auenged thereof How many doe we see at this day too become after this manner so beastly as that it is shame to see their brutishnesse and what is the cause They haue cast of the yoke of God they haue not vouchsafed to do him that honor as to bee gouerned by him It is meete then that they be confounded in the open sight of the worlde that they may be pointed at that euen young Children may perceaue their beastlynesse and are very well woorthy so to be serued And so least wee fall into such shame let vs pray with Dauid that it woulde please God to make vs so too stick vnto him and his woord as we neuer be confounded Nowe too conclude with these eight verses aparte Dauid sayth I will runne the way of thy Comaundements when thou shalt inlarge mine hearte When he sayth That when God hath set his hearte at libertie hee will runne it is too shewe vnto vs that when our heartes are inclosed and fast shutte vp that wee are not able so much as too remoue one of our fingers to well dooing vntill such time as GOD gladdeth vs and sheweth vs a mery countenaunce Nowe Dauid in this firste place declareth vnto vs that wee are able to doe nothing except God stirreth vs vpp thereto And although he hath already solicited admonished vs yet that is not all We should cry out and Alas poure out some sighes and grones But because God will be serued with a cheerefull minde and not with an euill will so long as we are fast shut vp we cannot once stirre out of the place to goe on forwarde in the way of saluation And how can we then runne When as he shall haue set our heart at libertie to wit that he shal haue so disposed ordered vs as that we should freely bend our selues sully wholy yeeld our affections vnto him For otherwise we hauing our harts fast shut vp shal alwaies become the bondslaues of sin It is very true hat while we are in this world we neuer run so fast ne yet so perfectly as is required yea wee shall many times go as it were halting where in deede we should make hast But thus it is with vs that whensoeuer he shall gouern vs with his spirit and that we shall be vnder the conduct of our head Captaine Iesus Christ we may say with Dauid that we doe not onely walke in his commaundements but that we also runne in them Yea so that our affection bee not hypocritical and that our zeale be also feruent to addict ourselues vnto our good God since he hath placed vs in the world to this end to obey him and too glorifie his holy name And according to this doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the face of our good God in acknowledging our sinnes beseeching him that it would please him to make vs to feele our sinnes and iniquities more and more that it would also please him to make vs so to remember them that we may learne to acknowledge how necessary it is for vs to be more more encreased confirmed in his graces which he bestoweth vpon vs to the end that in allowing esteeming of his benefites as it becommeth vs we may render vnto him our humble and hearty thankes beseeching him also to continue vs in such sort in his holy vocation as that we may be glorified in the latter day in hauing fought a good fight and that we may inioy the prize rewarde of the victorie to triumph in our Lorde Iesus Christe Let vs beseech him that he will not onely giue vs this grace but also all the people and nations of the worlde c. The fifth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme HE. Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes and I wil keepe it vnto the end Giue mee vnderstanding and I will keepe thy lawe yea I will keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy Commandementes for therein is my delight Encline my hearte vnto thy testimonyes and not to couetousnesse Turne away mine eyes from regarding vanitie and quicken thou me in thy way
thought as S. Paul saith Loe then how Dauid desired to be quickened but that was in protesting that he was as touching him selfe and his owne nature but as it were a condemned man And herein must we also do the like For wee must goe vnto our good God as men condemned in our selues beseeching him that he would quicken vs. And when he shall haue caused vs to feele his grace and that wee haue stayed our selues thereon let vs say we beseeche thee O Lord that since it hath pleased thee to beginne in vs well doing that thou wouldest also perfourme the same in vs. And according to this doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the Maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our faultes Beseeching him that it would please him to make vs feele our miserie and wretchednesse whereunto wee are giuen whiles we liue here in this world to the end we may walke so fearefully and carefully as that wee may be able to perceiue that wee haue receiued some fauour and grace from our God and that in following the right way which hee hath shewed vnto vs wee may daily more and more aspire to the ende which he hath set before vs which is to attaine to that immortall glorie to conioyne vs vnto our head and captaine our Lord Iesus Christ after that he shall haue despoyled vs of all the vices and imperfections of our flesh and cloathe vs with his righteousnes And that he will not onely graunt vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations of the world c. The sixth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme VAV And let thy louing kindnes come vnto me O Lord and thy saluation according to thy promisse So shall I make answere vnto my blasphemers for my trust is in thy word And take not the worde of thy truth vtterly out of my mouth for I waite for thy iudgements So shall I alwaies keepe thy lawe yea for euer and euer And I will walke at libertie for I seeke thy commaundementes I will speake of thy testimonies also euen before kinges and will not be ashamed And my delight shall be in thy commaundements which I haue loued My handes also will I lift vp vnto thy commaundements which I haue loued and my study shal be in thy statutes THE beginning of these eight verses cōteine a request which Dauid made vnto God that he felt the accōplishment and performance or the promises which god graūted vnto him and after which he hoped As if he should haue said O Lord declare vnto me that the promisse which thou hast made vnto me to do me so much good be not in vaine but that thou wilt make me feele in deede that thy word and promise is most certaine and true Now that he founded him self vpō the promises of God appeareth by his thus saying And let thy louing kindenesse come vnto me O Lord and thy saluation according to thy promise So shall I make answere vnto my blasphemers for my trust is in thy worde Wherein also we see that Satan craftely goeth aboute to ouerthrow his faith as if God had made it nothing worth So then First of all we are to note that Dauid feeling him selfe pressed downe runneth vnto the promises of God And this is a poynt very profitable for vs. For beholde how we must put the word of God in practise when as we haue learned it that when we come to the fight and Satan assaileth vs on euery side in such sort as that it might seeme that all the worlde had conspyred against vs and that wee see nothing but destruction rounde about Euen then I say must we run vnto the promises which God hath made vs and make accounte of them and so apply them to our own vse that then wee may feele the power and strength of them Nowe it shall be an easy matter for vs when as wee are at rest and quiet to receiue whatsoeuer God hath saide vnto vs. And why so Because our Faith all that while shall not be exercised and troubled so that we shall neuer bee able to feele whether we haue beleeued in good earnest vntill such time as we are tryed Loe Why I haue said that this place is worthy the marking that Dauid speaketh not with out cause when he sayth So shall I make answere vnto those that go about to shāe me For by these words he protesteth that the wicked contēned despised mocked him as if he had bin a very foole in trusting so much vnto God but yet for that his faith was not shaken And see how Satan assayleth vs with temptations when as the wicked and vngodly speake reprochfull woordes of vs insomuch as wee haue thought it to be woonderfull straunge geere because that we hauing hearde the so honourable excellent promises of God thought our selues straightwayes to bee rapte and caryed aboue the cloudes and yet this same our persuasion proued nothing at all so as it made a shewe to the outward apparance Euen so likewise came it to passe in Dauid as we may especially see in the twentie and twoo Psalme And our Sauiour Christ also who is the very true patern and mirrour of all the Children of God hath sustained abiden such combates Very well said they vnto him hee trusteth in God Let him nowe see whether God will heare him or not Let vs then note that Dauid hath not deuised and made here any vaine speculations as an idle body might doe which neuer had beene tempted nor distressed But beeing so mocked by his enemyes that his faith seemed to be ouerthrowne and he him selfe in great hazarde vtterly to be destroyed then came he for refuge to the promises of God saying My God thou haste giuen mee thy worde which cannot fayle me Loe wherein is all hope and trust Euen so also ought we to followe this doctrine too wit when the worlde on the oneside shall deride and scorne vs because we haue ouer lightly credited God and that Satan shall trauel all he can too turne vs cleane away from the certaintie which wee haue had yet let vs not cease too say O Lord it is thou which hast spoken and in thee is all our hope and trust Moreouer as wee are to call too minde the promises of God when as wee are assayled by Satan and the vngodly Let vs also note as hath beene heeretofore treated of that this is it whereon we must builde al our requests For if we will earnestly pray vnto God and obtaine that which wee pray for we must not pray in the ayre say O Lord I pray vnto thee for such a thing and I would it might so come to passe For this were ouer rash and too too great boldenesse to think to make God subiect to our willes to briddle him as we list and to desire him to graunte vs whatsoeuer shall please our appetites but it is his worde that must leade vs and be our Cresset and we must referre
wee might stande sure against al our enemies yea verely for God wil neuer fayle vs whensoeuer we shall desire pray him to performe his promises vnto vs and make vs feele his goodnesse for our saluation Moreouer if we haue wherewithal too resiste the wicked and vngodly which come vppon vs too daunt and quaile our fayth we shall haue also wherwith to withstande Satan For whē men shal persecute vs or deride the promises of God and labour al they may to turne vs away from them it commeth not of themselues but it is the Deuill which pusheth them foreward Euen so then wee may fight and winne the victorie against al the combats of Satā if we wil pray vnto God after the example of Dauid This is also to be considered and noted which heere hee addeth when he sayeth My delight is in thy woorde Hee declareth what signes and tokens he desired of God here before that he would doo vnto him as he had promised For I haue delight therein saith hee would wee then haue God his promises to take place in vs to open the gate that wee might come vntoo him that they might bee as keyes too giue vs in entree too the ende our requestes and petitions might bee receiued wee must then ioyne hope therewith And loe what is the cause why wee feele not the power of the promises of God as wee ought the reason is for that we haue no hope nor trust in them It is most true that god for his parte is alwaies true of his woord and although we are miserable faythlesse people yet wil hee neuer falsify his fayth which he hath giuen to vs. But what Surely wee are vnwoorthy ones too feele such a pleasure In very deed god hath promised to powre his grace vpon vs as also hee offereth it vntoo vs But yet are wee vtterly vnworthy thereof without we belieue his promises would we that god shold do vnto vs according to his word we must then receiue his word and imbrace it by fayth Heb. 4. 2. as also the Apostle treateth thereof And thus much as touching these two first verses Nowe it followeth Take not the woorde of thy trueth vtterly out of my mouth for I waite for thy iudgementes When Dauid sayth O take not the woord of thy trueth out of my mouth He meaneth not that it sufficeth too magnifie God with his toung and to make many goodly protestations before the worlde but he presupposeth that when he hath witnessed of the trueth of God with his mouth that it must also be graffed within his hearte And in deede Dauid speaketh not heere like an hypocrite as they do which would seeme to make a goodly shew before him and think them selues wel inough and in good case when as they are openly supposed too bee very faithful well thought off and taken to be very honest men this think they is all that is to be required But Dauid hath not proceeded after this manner For when he sayth Take not the word of thy trueth out of my month O Lord It is asmuch as if hee had fayde O Lorde doe me not onely this grace that I trust secretly in thee that I stay me vpon thy promises that I stand sure against all the assaultes of mine enemyes but namely and chiefely euen before the face of men that my faith might declare it selfe that by this meane I might guide and instruct all those which would come unto thee contrarywise that I might withstand all those which shall goe about to ouerthrowe this spirituall hope of mine which I have in thee and in thy trueth And when thou O Lorde shalte haue deepely rooted thy worde in mine hearte let it also bee often times in my mouthe that I may magnifie thy name before men Wee haue to learne out of this place that in the first place we must be assured of the trueth of God yea although that men perceiue it not vs And againe although euery man would keepe it so secrete too him selfe as that no man in all the worlde knewe thereof yet GOD and his Angels doe knowe how true and certaine we esteeme it to be and also how we yeelde therto the honor which vnto it appertaineth and to be such in deede as deserueth to bee holden for true and faithful And thus much for the first poynt Now for the seconde Let vs aduisedly consider to edifie our neighbours that they might be confirmed by our example and all with one accorde to trust in God that the wicked and vngodly might bee ashamed that we might vexe them that we haue wherin to glory notwithstanding all their windelasses priuy deuises and whatsoeuer mischiefe else they are any way able to imagine against vs and thinking to make vs as prophane as themselues yet that we may be able to cast them of after the example of Dauid Lo then the worde which he desireth to haue alwayes in his mouth too confirme all those which would trust in God and to confound all them which deride and scorne his worde and trueth But what meaneth he by this saying For euer That is that he beeing as it were forsaken of God in all his afflictions was as one that were dumbe and coulde not speake as he complayneth in another place And in deede so long as God sheweth vnto vs no token of his grace although our enemyes deride vs with open mouth yet we are not at that libertie to confute them and stop their mouthes Dauid then beeing thus tempted a long time desireth that the confession wherewith hee might be able to magnifie God might not to be taken frō him for euer Wherein we are to obserue that if God sometimes leaueth vs confounded after the maner of the world in steade of beeing dismayed wee ought too beseech him that hee woulde not suffer our mouthes too be stopped for euer Nowe he repeateth it ouer againe For my hope is in thy iudgementes It is not without cause that Dauid stil maketh this protestation For as I haue already saide behold what power and efficacy the woorde of God causeth vs to feele according to that place which I haue alledged out of the Epistle too the Hebrues when wee haue therewith hope also which hangeth vpon faith It is true that God stretched out his hand vnto his people when he brought them out of the land of Aegypt to the ende hee woulde bringe them into the promised land But what the people stayed not them selues vpon God and therefore it was meete that that promise should be voyde yea and that iustly vnto such a faythlesse people God had no long time to finde out such a woonderfull meruaylous straunge meane as that man could not possibly cōceiue how that might be brought to passe which hee had spoken But this auayled them nothing which were faithlesse For loe they beeing excluded from such a benefite are depriued of that promised inheritaunce Let vs then learne that when wee woulde haue God
not too flatter our selues when as the Lorde our God shall visite vs with any little affliction that wee thinke too haue doone euen sufficiently if wee call vppon him But if wee shall haue doone so an hundreth thousande times more yet that wee muste not giue ouer praying and calling vppon him And heerein may bee seeene the hypocriticall dealing of men For they are so womannishely minded and tender hearted that they thinke themselues too haue wrought a million of miracles when as they haue sustained neuer so little aduersitie no not woorth the value of an houre Moreouer if they be ouer loden with any aduersity they may be bolde as they thinke cleerely too forget both God and his woorde But our good God wil not haue vs to proceede in this sorte For he setteth before vs heere the example of Dauid for our instruction but yet hee hath set it forth vntoo vs for this ende and purpose that wee shoulde not cease to continue too cal vpon him in our aduersities yea were our afflictions neuer so great lasted neuer so long yet that we shoulde notwithstanding continually perseuere in prayer To be shorte let vs vnderstande that Dauid made this prayer at such tyme as hee thought not too haue liued any longer but that hee was as a dead man when hee sayeth O quicken mee Moreouer we may see that his constancy was not lyke a puft of winde but that he perseuered therein For although his troubles conteined that he was as it were in a very depe pit whereout he was not able too get yet ceased hee neuer but to trust that god would deliuer him out of it and there vpon called on him and receiued greate courage Namely he desireth too bee quickened according to the louing kindnes of God For wee must also bee at that point if we will bee hearde to knowe that God is bounde vntoo vs of his meere grace and fauour and that wee also must haue recourse vnto him if wee wil haue him too accomplishe his promises vnto vs. Men must not then abuse themselues too looke vntoo their owne dooinges ne yet too haue regarde vntoo worldly meanes But that they seeke for the same in GOD and in his meere goodnesse and free gifte for the which he wil heare them and receiue them also vntoo himselfe In the ende Dauid protesteth that he wil kepe the testimonies of the mouth of God Now let vs not vnderstād hereby that hee had not kept them before For wee haue seene the cleane cōtrary But this is to signifie That seing in the midst of the afflictiōs which I haue susteined thou hast alway giuē me the grace to perseuere in faith that I haue continually vpon thee Satan hath not shaken me to cause me too doe wickedly since then O Lorde thou haste giuen mee such constancy at the time that thou wast estraunged from me by a more strong reason when thou shalt be mine ayde and succour shalt restore me I shall haue a farre greater constancy to keepe the testimonyes of thy mouth See then howe that in the middest of all our afflictions wee must glorifie God not doubting of his faithfull dealing that he will performe whatsoeuer hee hath promised haue pittie on vs in the end and confirme vs more and more too keepe the testimonyes of his mouth knowing that hee wil continue to doe that vnto vs which he hath already once shewed vs. And according to this doctrin let vs prostrate our selues in the presence of our good God in acknowledging our offences Beseeching him that it would please him to open our eyes better that we may beholde the power and vertue of his worde and thereon to stay vs in bereauing vs of all the lightnesse and inconstancy which might turne vs away from it desiring him also not to suffer vs too wander this way and that way as commonly we are woonted to turne vs from the right way as we are by nature ouermuch inclyned therto but beeing fully resolued that it is not in vaine which he hath declared vnto vs that hee will assist vs in all our necessities which wee shall craue of him in true fayth yea not onely in our small and meane afflictions but euen when as he thinketh wee shoulde be vtterly ouerthrowne knowing that he will accomplish for our profite health whatsoeuer we may hope after and beholde with the eyes of fayth Let vs beseech him that hee will not onely graunte vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations of the Earth c. The twelfth Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme LAMED O Lorde thy woorde indureth for euer in Heauen Thy trueth is from one generation to another thou haste layed the foundation of the Earth and it abideth They continue euen to this day according too thy ordinaunce for all are thy seruauntes Except the Lorde had beene my delighte I shoulde nowe haue perished in my trouble I will neuer forget thy Commandements For by them thou hast quickened me I am thine saue me for I haue sought thy Commandementes The vngoodly layd waite for mee but I will consider thy testimonyes I haue seene an ende of all perfection but thy commaundement is exceeding large WEE see howe chaungeable men are It is very true that when wee shall talke of the shadowe wee may say that it remooueth and chaungeth euery minute of an houre so that it resteth not but if wee looke well and thorowlye search out that which is in the minde of man wee shall see there a great deale more vanitie and chaunge then is too be seene in the very shadowe And that which is more Dauid sayth in an other place that if man were laide in one schole vanitie in an other that vanitie which is nothing would way downe man greately And wee shall not neede too stande longe disputing of this For euery man by his owne experience can testifie what it is and what it can do albeit there were nothing written nor yet any thing thereof conteined in the Scripture What resteth there then for vs to doe Forsooth wee must seeke for our constancy else where then in our selues Nowe God giueth vs a very good meane if we will take it which is to builde and settle our selues vpon his word And for this cause it is Isai 40.8 that the Prophet Esaiah sayth That the worde of God indureth for euer Hee had spoken before of the frailtie and ficklenesse of men as that nothing could be more although it might seeme that there was some strength in them it is yet incontinent cleane parched and dryed vpp that it vanisheth away into lesse then nothing But he concludeth and sayth That the woorde of God abideth for euer So then see the meane howe that men although they be transitory and haue constancie at all in them shall notwithstanding haue a perfect constancy and sure estate to witte when as they shall stay themselues vpon the trueth of God and his worde
followe the doctrine heerein conteyned Nowe returneth hee to the firste Argument which we haue already touched to wit according to the woord of God Wherein we see that all the assurance and certaintie which we ought to haue in our prayers to God is to looke vnto that which hee hath promised vs. For they which trust vnto themselues and think there is sufficient in them why God should heare them it is most sure that they shal neuer open their mouthes to desire any thing of God or if they doe it shall be all but meere hypocrisie As in Popery where wee are not taught the promises of God True it is that they wil babble much mumble ouer a number of Pater Nosters with a mixture of Aues yea and will also direct their Pater-noster to the Puppet of S. Agatha or some other Saint as if it were too God Nowe this is nothing else but beastly to profane the name of God And therefore I haue sayde that the principalest poynt that we ought to vse in praying vnto God is to lay before him his promises saying O Lord God it is true that we rightly deserue to be reiected of thee but seeing thou inuitest and callest vs shall wee goe from thee Is it not meete that we should doe thee this honour as to giue credite vnto thy worde and to holde it for stedfast and sure Sithens then it is so that we haue thy promises we may boldely trust vnto them considering that they are true and because wee cannot but haue them graunted vnto vs we onely rest and stay our selues vpon them Loe heere the meaning of Dauid in this verse Nowe hee goeth on and sayth Take from me the way of lying and graunt mee gratiously thy Lawe Heere he acknowledgeth that although hee were already exercysed in the lawe of God and in his knowledge and that although he were a Prophet to teach others neuerthelesse that he was yet subiect to a number of wicked thoughtes and imaginations which might alwayes wickedly leade him from the right way except God had helde him with his mightie and strong hande And this is a poynte which we ought heere rightly to note For wee see howe men greatly abuse them selues When any of vs shall haue had a good beginning we straight wayes thinke that wee are at the highest we neuer bethinke vs too pray any more to God when as he hath shewed vs that fauour too serue our turnes but if we haue doone any small deede wee by and by lift vp our sayles and woonder at our great vertues To be shorte wee thinke straightway that the Deuill can winne no more of vs. This foolish arrogancie causeth God to let vs goe astray so that wee fall mightily yea that wee breake bothe armes and legges and are in greate hazarde of breaking our neckes I speake not now of our naturall body but of the soule Let vs looke vpon Dauid him selfe For he it is that hath made proofe heereof It came too passe that he villanously and wickedly erred when as hee toke Bethsabe the wife of his subiect Vry to play the whoremonger with her 1. Sam. 1◠that hee was the cause of so execrable a murder yea that of many for he did asmuch as in him lay to haue the whole army of the Lorde and all the people of Israell to bee vtterly ouerthrowne Loe then too too great negligence and securitie in Dauid and see also wherefore hee sayth Alas my good God I beseech thee so to guide me that I may forsake the way of lyings This is the whole summe that Dauid although he exceedingly profited in the lawe and word of God acknowledged that he was subiect and apt to be carryed away and abused that the deuill might sundry wayes beguile and deceaue him that hee might bee seduced through many temptations allured by the lustes of the fleshe and oftentimes fall were it not that God did take from him the way of lying Loe heere a poynte which we ought thorowly too mark O Lord saith he take from me the way of lying It is spoken to this ende that euery of vs might knowe our owne wante to wit that we should enter into our selues and meditate after this manner Goe to now I am as a poore wretched and so fraile a creature as is possible my faith so very weake and the lustes of my fleshe so stronge as that they might haue sudenly oppressed me Alas my God sithens I am so weake and feeble I must needs be assisted by thee and by thy power and might And againe howe many are our enemyes which molest and greeue vs howe mightie and strong is the Deuil How great and infinite are the meanes wherewith he assayleth vs and when hee shall assayle vs with his Dartes and arrowes it is impossible for vs too escape them we shall become then like vnto the Lambe in the throte of the Lyon Whē we shall thus haue vnderstood these our wantes and needes then may we say with Dauid O Larde take from me the way of lying Nowe he sheweth the remedy when he sayth Cause me to make much of thy Lawe or graunt me thy grace that I may keepe thy law For the word which Dauid vseth importeth meere fauour and free gift As if the should haue said it commeth of thy meere fauour and grace that thou giuest me thy lawe See heere the remedy which our lord and Sauiour vseth when he would withdraw vs from the law of lying to wit that we should keepe his truth For the truth of God is sufficiently able to encounter al the subtelties and slye practizes of Satan to withstande al temptations and to vanquishe and ouercome al the lustes of our flesh The trueth of God then wil suffice against al this And this is it whiche Saint Paule speaketh of Ephe. 6.10.11 12 c. that when we shal be str doctrine of the Gospel that then we shal haue wherwithall too bee Iusty and strong and become valiant Champions too fight vnder thensigne of our Lord Iesus Christ and triumphe ouer al our enimies So then wil we bee farre from hypocrisie wil we be deliuered from lying from al the subtelties of Satan and from al the deceits of the world Let vs beseeche God then to graunt vs his law and to doo vs that good that we might be instructed therein as wee are heere taught by the example of Dauid Now after al this he maketh his protestation That he hath chosen the way of trueth and hath cleauen vnto the testimonies of God that he hath folowed his iudgements and heerevpon he beseecheth him not too bee confounded Heere now we see that when we beseech God to giue vs his law to deliuer vs from temptations to suffer vs not too be deceiued neither by Satan nor the world that we doe it with such a true desire as Dauid sheweth vs heere in this place For there are many which may say with their mouth O Lord I
vs it is good reason that hee take them from vs and set vs cleane without them yea and that hee take his holy spirite from vs although we had bene before endued with the same He added soone after Enclinemy heart vnto thy testimonies and not vnto couetousnesse Here we see how it hath already byn taught that God must haue the gouernement of all the partes of man that it is not enough that he giue him a good witt to the ende to iudge that which is good but his courage and minde must also be tied thereto He hath said before Giue me vnderstanding and by and by Encline my heart vnto thy testimonies And to what ende should he encline it Let vs here note that it is the office of God to encline our heartes vnto his ordinances or els they would goe cleane against the haire For if we were disposed of our selues to walke according to the wil of God to hold conceiue whatsoeuer is written in his worde Dauid needed neuer to haue made this request or els he should speake it faynedly and after a lying maner When then the besought God to encline his heart to well doing it is as much as if he had confessed said It is not in me O Lord neither yet in any mortal creatures to walke as thou hast commaunded for our heartes are altogether peruerse and wicked There is nothing in vs but rebellion and treason against thee wee shall neuer be able to walke in thy obedience nor neuer place ourselues therein except thou puttest to thy hand and enclinest our mindes and heartes thereto We see then what the condicion and disobedience of mans nature against God is vntill such time as hee hath softened our stony and flinty heartes and that we haue learned to beare his yoke to bee short that our heartes be so abased and humbled as that wee haue learned to hate that which is euill and to desire that which is good Loe what is declared vnto vs in the first place Nowe when Dauid speaketh here of couetousnes hee sheweth vnto vs that these thinges can abide no fellowship together as to followe the word of God to be giuen to the goodes of this world In very deede he putteth in here one kinde for al the whole But in the first place let vs note that in opposing against the keeping of the commaundements of God that which he knewe to be cleane contrary vnto it he meaneth to declare that wee are intangled with so many vices and desires as is most lamentable And to say the truthe what are the appetites and desires of men when as we shall haue called out euery of them by their selfe we shall finde nothing in them but a mere contrarietie to resist die Lorde our God For looke howe many thoughtes and affections are in vs they are euen so many mē of warre to fight against God So then Dauid acknowledged that he can not serue God vntil such time as he be clensed from all his euill desires and vitious affections and therefore he beseecheth God to expell out of him that peruersenesse which he felt in him selfe that he was ouermuch giuen to couetousnes and to such other like things And thus much for this first point Euen so when as wee would followe God let vs vnderstand that we can not do it without great conflict to wit vntill such time as all our passions are mortified For out heart will neuer place it selfe rightly vntill such time as our nature be brought vnder True it is that wee must not serue God either by force or constraynedly Yea but let vs see howe wee doe serue him Are wee thereunto enclined as of our selues Alas it is nothing so vntill such tyme as he hath renued in vs our minde and will For so long as we remaine in this our nature all our senses are stirred vp to doe euill so that as I haue before said wee shall neuer bee able to serue God in captiuing our affections and holding them in as prysoners to the end wee be not letted to followe that which God hath commaunded vs. Let vs now come to the second point Bicause that some vices are greater then other some and sithens that euery man may be giuen more to one vice then to an other let vs keepe good watche and warde and stande vppon our garde If there be any man that feeleth a vice to reigne in him selfe let him vnderstand and saye loe a combat euen ready at hand and so let euery other man doe the like As how If a man haue a great number of seruants vnder him he wil appoint euery one his taske hee will appoint to one man this thing to another that thing and euery of them must bestowe him selfe accordingly as hee is appointed Euen so is it in an army Some are appointed to wayte vpon the ordinaunce some other are harquebuziers some are horsemen and other some armed pykes or otherwise Now euery of these must haue regarde whereunto to applie him selfe and the same is looked for at his hand Euen so it is with vs when as any vice warreth against vs for it is as much as if God addressed vs to be exercised therewith to the ende wee might fight against it No doubte there is not that man which hath not in him selfe some one roote of all kinde of wickednesse and this is a bottomlesse pitte wherein we are all confounded But yet as I haue before saide there are vices which more plentifully doe abounde in one more then in another Euery man therefore ought to haue great regarde whereunto his nature is most enclined and so much the more enforce him selfe to resist all those temptations wherewith hee may bee most crusshed and shaken And that which is more wee must haue respect to those wicked affections and thoughtes which might in any wyse deceiue vs by occasions offered vs. It is not like to be true that Dauid was naturally couetous neither yet do we finde that he was so But wee reade that he was a king that he had a fertile and plentifull countrey and that he might haue gathered together excedingly as we also see he did When men come to wealth and riches after that maner it is great perill but that they will giue them selues too too much thereto where before they had them in contempt Euen so then it may be that Dauid had a care to desire to be more welthy thē he was although as the scripture witnesseth that Gold and siluer was then little set by For he had such plenty of them as that golde and siluer were no better accompted off thē leade or earth He then seeing him selfe to haue so great occasions to bee giuen and drawne vnto couetousnes was the more carefull to pray vnto God to deliuer him from it Wee haue now to gather out of this place a good and holsome doctrine that they which are chosen to dignitie and honour ought to haue great regard that
from many doubtes and griefes that we cannot bee vtterly ouerthrowne and caste downe although we happen to be pressed with some griefes because we alwayes conclude thus that wee cannot bee ouercome seeing God holdeth vs with a mightie and stronge hande And in very deede what is the cause I pray you that men are so oftentimes tormented but only that they submit not them selues vnto God It is very true that there are very fewe which knowe this but this is the very cause For when as wee shall haue looked somewhat neerer the matter wee shall find that nothing so much hath hindred vs as our owne vnthankfulness But because we wil be ouerwise in not yeelding vnto God the honor to gouerne vs wholy to rule our life ne yet become his subiects it is meet we should receiue the hier due for the same For men whē any thing is in question that they haue to do wil straight wayes enter into their owne speculations they neuer make question to haue recourse vnto God nor to cal vpon him but euery man wil doe what semeth best to himself And therfore it is meete that God pay vs in such mony as we deserued that he put vs I say in such doubt as that wee shall neuer be able to knowe what shall become of vs so that the anguishes shall force vs too say What shall become of this matters Which way shall I beginne And what shall bee the ende and issue heereof Beholde howe wee see the miserable and wretched worlde dayly so fast shutte vp in streights as that it seemeeth that wee are more then cast away And what is the cause heereof Euen the men which haue built vnto them selues such Mazes For it is euen they them selues that are the cause of their so greate tormentes For Dauid hath heere declared vnto vs that as many as seeke the Commaundementes of God doe walke at libertie It is very true that the faithfull although they indeuour themselues all they can to obey God and suffer him to gouerne them yet for all that they are not voyde of merueylous griefes vexations that they are many tymes at their wittes end and knowe not what to doe but yet they come vnto God and lay all their care vpon him as it is written in the thirtie and seuenth Psalme And there they finde them selues discharged and vnburdened And so goe they dayly on for they are assured that God can neuer fayle them Beholde then howe we may bee very well tempted with many sorrowes and griefes neither can wee be exempt from a great number of disquietnesses but yet God will alwayes vnburden vs of them as it is sayd in an other place of the Psalme that when we haue beene for a while fast shut vpp yet God will set vs at libertie as also Saint Paul sayth in the second to the Corinthes It is very true sayth hee that wee are oppressed with many tormentes and griefes but yet we continue not in sorrowe and payne For God will alwayes deliuer vs and will giue vs a good and ioyfull issue so that in the ende wee shall bee able to ouercome them See then what is declared vnto vs in this place where it is sayde I will walke at libertie O Lorde because I seeke thy Commaundementes Euen so let vs knowe that when our life is miserable and wretched and that we must needes liue in payne torment and sorrowe that all commeth by reason of our sinne because wee present not our selues before GOD suffer vs not to be conducted by him put not our liues into his handes neither doo wee come willingly too seeke for remedie after wee haue once knowen out griefe that is too say too desire God that it woulde please him to take vs into his custodye without hoping or wayting for any other thing but for that which he telleth vs out of his woorde For when wee shall so doo there is no doubte but that he will make vs too walke at libertie Nowe it followeth I will speak of thy Testimonyes also euen before Kinges and will not be ashamed Beholde a declaration of the matter which wee haue already touched heere before For Dauid making this request not to haue the woorde of trueth to bee taken out of his mouth for euer had regarde to twoo thinges that is to say beeing able too speake after that GOD in bestowing his grace vpon him had opened his mouth had confirmed the Children of GOD by his example and brought them vnto him in shewing them the way and in the meane whyle had foyled the wicked and despisers of God and of the Lawe the scorners of his hope and the blasphemers of God yet was hee able I say too beate them backe and make his parte good againste them all And this matter hee manifestly declareth whereas hee sayeth I will speake of thy Testimonyes because GOD shoulde no more take the woorde of trueth out of his mouth Nowe besides this that God giueth vntoo vs matter whereof to speake freely yet must that come from him as we heare that our Lord Iesus Christe hath spoken off that it is the holy Ghoste which guideth our tongues that it cōmeth not of ourselues to be able to answere our enemies that there neded but a small gale of wind to ouerthrow vs. So then it is meete that God shoulde vse his power that we might be confirmed by him For when as he shal put his woorde in our mouth we may speake before Kinges and Princes and neuer be ashamed As if he should haue sayde O Lorde thy woorde ought to be of such power vnto vs as that wee may foyle our enenemyes yea howe greate and mightie soeuer they bee albeit they should bee suche as were able to astonish and feare all the whole world yet let our Fayth be ouerthrowne through their mightinesse and pompe knowing that when as they shall thinke too swallowe all vp yet that we be left stil alwayes as Conquerors yea euen because we haue regarde to it Nowe heere wee are too note that when God maketh his trueth forcible in vs it shall bee sufficient too holde vs vpp yea notwithstanding all the Combates that the Deuill shall stirre vpp agaynst vs and that the whole world opposed it selfe too the contrary And it is not without cause that this is spoken for whereon is our fayth setled Euen vppon the trueth of God Let vs nowe compare God with men and with all their woorkes and vertues Let vs take Emperours and Kinges and let all their glorie and pompe bee set foorth too the shewe and let God be set right ouer agaynst them too witte whether men with all their mightinesse and great boasting are able too surmounte God too reuerse his will or too make voyde his power and vertue Oh it is very sure they can neuer be able to doe it So then let vs consider with whome wee haue too deale and remember this saying of Saincte Paule Thou knowest sayeth hee to
what ende thy beliefe serueth When then wee shall haue our eyes so fixed vppon GOD who hath armed vs with his infallible trueth wee may bee able too withstande and fall out with all whatsoeuer that lifteth it selfe vpp too the contrary Wee shall haue no occasion too feare the worlde for GOD is sufficiently able too ouercome all the scruples and griefes which the Deuill shall rayse vppe agaynste vs. And thus muche as concerning this poynte Moreouer we see that when there is any question to make confession of our faith it cannot be that men shal be able to abash and feare vs with al their power and might As at this day we see when as they woulde gladly make vs too tremble What I beseech you Sir wil they say you are but euen a handfull of people Doe you thinke your selues wiser then all the Kings and Princes of the world You see that all the world are against this doctrine which you holde professe and what doe you thinke to doe True in deede that at the firste sight this were euen inough too shake vs yea were it not that we knewe and were very certaine but when we looke vnto God then all this geere vanisheth intoo smoke these are but Bladders pufte full of winde and the leaste pinnes poynte will emptie them In very deede these will bee greate fraybugges but yet it will all prooue nothing Beholde these Frogges beholde these Pismeres yea beholde these Flyes and Gnattes for they are all no better then very vermine and wormes when as they shall lifte them selues vp thus against God So then let vs learne yea let vs learne to stay our selues so vpon God as that when we shall be called too make confession of our faith since it is so that it is GOD whiche hath spoken let all the creatures in the worlde be nothing to vs warde let vs not bee ashamed and let nothing hinder and stoppe vs from mainteining of his woorde In the ende Dauid concludeth and sayth My handes also will I lifte vpp vnto thy Commaundementes which I haue loued and my study shall bee in thy statutes These twoo verses heere neede no long declaration for wee haue already had the same sentences and yet notwithstandinge Dauid sheweth vs that it is not inough to thinke of this Doctrine for a time but wee muste all the course of our life profite our selues therein more and more Loe here the principall point which we haue to note that we must take pleasure in the commaundementes of God which we haue loued to wit that wee ought to learne to conceiue such an affection and desire to followe the worde of God and to sticke thereto as that we should be fully resolued to say In very deede this is the most sweete and amiable thing that possibly can be to subiect our selues vnder the yoke of our God and to beare it and therefore wee must drawe in it and obey him Haue we done this Wee must then in steade of a number of foolish vanities wherevnto we are enclined yea and in place of the wicked affections and allurementes of Satan learne to take pleasure in the worde of God so that we may protest in trueth after the example of Dauid that they are the commandements of God which we haue loued Moreouer let vs marke well this sentence when he saith My handes also wil I lift vp vnto thy commaundementes For this is as much as if he had said O Lord I will not onely protest with my mouth that I loue thy word but I will also lift vp my hands yea as wee commonly say I will lift vp my handes to the caky God By this he letteth vs to vnderstande that if we would serue God as becommeth vs that it is not enough for vs to witnesse the truthe of God with our mouth but we must also shewe by our good and godly life that which wee protest with our mouth and that there be an accorde and sweete harmonie betweene the one and the other True it is wee shall finde some doubtes when as there shal be any question of following God but this sentence is to bee noted when hee sayeth I will lift vp my hands And to know that when God shall see that it shall surpasse our force and strength let vs pray vnto him to graunt vs that grace that we may lift vp our handes vnto his commaundementes to witte so high as we can possibly to the ende wee may take holde of his grace and vertue better then heretofore we haue done Lo in what maner we ought to doe in this case that not presuming of our owne power and strength we might praye notwithstanding this good God to make his grace so forcible in vs as that it may settle and reigne there and to haue vs know that it is not in vaine that hee calleth vs vnto him giueth vs his truthe Which thing no doubt he will doe so that wee reiect not his grace which hee so freely offereth vnto vs. And according to this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our faultes beseeching him that it would please him to open our eyes to the ende wee may know our wretchednes the miserable conditiō wherein we stande that wee might returne to him yea and that with a certaine confidence that hee will perfourme that which he hath promised vs that we be not frustrate of our hope when as it shall stay vpon him and in his truthe but that hee will more and more strengthen vs therein vntill such time as we come to the perfect knowledge of thinges which we yet knowe not but in parte That not only he will grant vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations of the world c. The seuenth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme ZAIN Remember the promise made vnto thy seruaunt wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust The same is my cōfort in my trouble for thy worde hath quickened me The proud haue had me exceedingly in derision yet haue I not declined from thy lawe I remember thine euerlasting iudgements O Lord and receiued comfort I am horribly afraid for the vngodly which forsake thy lawe Thy statutes haue beene my songes in the house of my pylgrimage I haue thought vpō thy name O Lord in the night season and haue kept thy lawe This I had bicause I kept thy commandements DAuid here maketh a request vnto God which wee are all wonted to make but not with such affection as hee deeth For wee can not protest after his example that all our ioye in the middest of our aduersities is in meditating and studying of that which God hath shewed vnto vs by his woorde And that it is so we see that whensoeuer any of vs shall endure and abide any grief whether runne wee then for refuge and ayde Forsooth euery of vs faineth him selfe a comfort as best pleaseth him For very fewe of
from vs and that the wicked and vngodly make a mocke at our simplicitie when I saye that wee are so assayled then must our faith shewe it selfe whether it be true or not And if then wee shall constantly perseuer without beeing vanquished and ouercome O see nowe a sure and certaine signe that wee haue beleeued in good earnest and not hypocritically that wee haue not taken his worde in vayne but it hath beene liuely rooted in our soules Let vs then well note that if wee will haue a true proufe of our faith and learne too speake in truth that we haue trusted in God and his promises it is meete that wee should feele very boysterous assaultes and yet for all that we haue not beene forsaken and left vntill such time as we withdrawe our selues from God Moreouer Dauid speaking here of the wicked calleth them the proud neither doth hee so intitle them without cause for it is the propertie of all those which trust not in God For it can not be chosen but that a man which putteth not his trust in God must needes growe proude and swell therewith like a toade And why so For when men do know them selues to bee such as in deede they are they must needes be cast downe and humbled And this cōmon prouer be which reigneth euen amongs the faithlesse saith he that knoweth him selfe maketh very litle of his painted sheath Now we will speake this with the mouth but yet it is to our condemnation Neuerthelesse it is God his will that all men should know this bicause there should be no excuse In summe this is very true that if men knewe them selues thy should be hūbled and vtterly discomfited Herevpon they would come to seeke God and hide themselues vnder the shadowe of his wings they would haue recourse to him to be aided in all their necessities Contrariwise as I haue already touched it must needes be that all the faithles be ful of arrogancie and presumption to lift themselues vp against God to promise wōders as of themselues where in very deede they haue nothing neither yet are any thing See now wherefore Dauid in this place speaking of the faithlesse and enemies of God calleth them proude And it is not onely here but the holy scripture vseth this speache throughout And herevpon also it is that the Prophet Abacuc saieth That a man shall liue by his faith Abac. 2.4 And hee setteth downe to the contrary that they which lift vp them selues and in such sort some out their pride shall neuer take hold they may well make a faire shew but it can not be but that they must needes fall downe hedlong Wee see then that the Prophet comparing the faithfull with the faithlesse giueth this title and qualitie to all those which put not their trust in God That they are puffed vp and presume without measure Euen so then let vs note that if wee will render a true testimonie of our faith we must needes be cast downe in our selues be truely humbled And contrariwise if we feele that pryde puffeth vs vp let vs conclude that we haue as yet profited very slenderly in the schoole of God that if faith reigned in our soules that this pride should there be corrected See then howe wee ought to put this lesson in practise Moreouer let vs also note that they which so lifte them selues vp against God contemne and despise their neighbours that all they which presume vpon their own power and strength knowing not that their whole blessednesse lyeth in the mere grace of God these men I saye can not be but cruell and will be fierse and malicious against their neighbours And therfore after that wee shall haue learned to humble our selues before God let vs vse such curtesie and gentlenesse vnto men as that we practise that which Saint Paul speaketh of Phil. 2.3 to wit That euery man esteeme of his brother better than of him selfe Let vs not study to go about to aduaunce and esteeme of our selues in reiecting and naught setting by of others but let vs acknowledge the benefites which God hath bestowed vppon euery one of vs and confesse the infirmities vices which be in our selues to the ende we might be humbled and rather commende and prayse others Let vs nowe come to this complaint and protestation which Dauid maketh The proud haue had mee exceedingly in derision yet haue I not shrinked from thy lawe When he saieth that the proude haue had him exceedingly in derision there is no doubt but that hee meaneth that they derided him for his simplicitie bicause hee put his trust in God Very well say they he thinketh that God should dandle him in his lappe but we no we see what is become of him Loe the combattes wherewith Satan daily assaileth vs. When as the vngodly do see the childrē of God in any miserie and calamitie they rushe euen vpon them at the first dashe and say ha ha this man thinketh that God ought to watche ouer him and that no sorowe nor grief shoulde come vpon him and nowe we see what is become of him And bicause hee hath heard him speake hee thinketh that God should neuer forsake him But we see now what commeth of it It is very true that the vngodly of their owne motion and inclination will soone vomit out such blasphemies but surely this commeth a great deale farther of for it is Satan that putteth it into their mindes pussheth them on thereto to the ende to shake their faith and vtterly to ouerthrowe it Nowe this is not the first time alone that Dauid hath beene thus assailed for this was an ordinarie thing with him as wee see throughout the whole two and twentieth Psalme and since he hath put his trust in God say they let him now saue him and let vs see whether God will helpe him or not And as Dauid was grieued with these torments there is no doubt but that Iesus Christe hath abidden the like conflictes And since that this appertained to the sonne of God we haue to note that it can not bee chosen but that it must spread it selfe throughout his members that euery faithfull man must bee exercised with such temptations And therefore if we see the wicked and the enemies of God iest and scoffe at vs when as we are in affliction taking occasion thereby to lift vp their hornes and to deride vs let vs not yelde for all that but let vs remaine firme and constant since that Dauid hath shewed vs the way and not onely he but also our Lord Iesus vnto whome we must be like and therefore we must be of a lusty courage to follow him And thus much for the first point For the second let vs note that we haue not warre with men when as the vngodly do so rise against vs and vomitte out such mockeries the same say I commeth not from them but it is Satan that casteth his dartes at vs and meaneth
to wit when as we are conformable to him and to his woorde Let it not now abash vs although wee feele so little taste of God his mercies And why so For what is he that will acknowledge it Wee are so beguiled with these false deceiptes of the worlde that we thinke we may triumphe by them that wee shall bee exceedingly blessed when as wee shall haue all thinges after our owne heartes desire But in thus doing we can contemne God and his grace We must not then be abashed if we be set besides that which apperteineth to our saluation and that God suffereth vs to languishe in wretchednesse and miserie And so let vs learne after the example of Dauid to bee as it were reiected of the worde of God and to bee as it were estraunged from it to craue in good earnest to cause his mercies to retourne vnto vs to wit that he would graunt vs this grace to let vs in such sort vnderstand what neede we haue of his fauour and aide that notwithstanding that we haue declined from his commandements yet that he would graunt vs for all that to feele his mercie although he hath held the same from vs for a season Now it followeth Let the proude be confounded for they haue delt wickedly and falsely with me but I meditate in thy commaundementes Here Dauid setteth downe another reason to confirme him self continually more and more that hee shall obtaine that which he praieth vnto God for to wit bicause the wicked do persecute him whom he calleth the proud And this is the sentence which wee haue already heretofore treated off neither will the time suffer vs to stay any lenger vpon it It shall therefore suffice vs for this time that faith onely is the thing which bringeth vs within the compasse of humilitie when as we know that there is nothing in vs but wickednesse and that wee are thereto tied by the iust iudgementes of God When I say that the faithfull knowe this it pulleth downe their high mindes they are no more arrogant nor presumptious to lifte themselues vp against God and their neighbours Contrariwyse the wicked and enemies of GOD are called proude for the pride which they vse against GOD engendreth also crueltie against their neighbours As many as will humble them selues before God will also bee very gentle too their neighbours but they which haue a fierse and high mynde to stande against God must needes likewise cast their poyson against their neighbours And for this cause Dauid sayeth let the proud O Lord be confounded for they go wickedly about to confound me Whereby wee are admonished that although the wicked vexe and grieue vs neuer so iniuriously and without cause yet we are thereby taught to haue the rather a great deale more trust that God wil haue mercie vpon vs. And why so bicause it is he which graunteth our request and when as we shall make it vnto him it shall not come of our selues but he shal be authour thereof So then when as we shall be grieued and iniuried by malitious and cruell men let vs go boldly vnto God and beseeche him to haue pitie and compassion vpon vs. Nowe he addeth that he neuer ceased to meditate vpon the testimonies of God although he was so afflicted And this is an excellent admonition for vs that when wee are tormented both from heauen and on the earth that God on the one side to the outwarde shewe estraungeth him selfe from vs and we on the other side are so forsaken that wee are troden vnder mens feete besides a thousand other villaines done vnto vs when as I say wee shall be so vexed and grieued We must learne after the example of Dauid to meditate of the testimonies of God and there to seeke our whole comfort for that is the very meane by which God meaneth to plucke vs out of all our anguishes and griefes which might any way trouble vs. That now which foloweth hath beene already handled to wit that men which feare God doe turne vnto him to say that they will keepe him companie And in the ende he setteth downe this conclusion Let my heart bee vpright in thy statutes that I bee not ashamed Now like as in the first verse hee desireth GOD to giue him vnderstanding that hee might learne his Lawe here he desireth that he would graunt him affection Whereby we may see that this proceedeth from vs from our nature to wit to be very poore blynd soule vntill such time as God openeth our eies And thus much for the first point But yet vnderstanding onely shall not serue God must make our heartes pliant vnto his obedience and place vs so with him selfe as that we haue none other desire but to serue him Let vs thē learne to pray vnto him as Dauid here hath done for after he had desired him to giue him vnderstanding of his law he desireth him also to giue him a pure and a sound heart yea and that we should also doe the same in veritie truth not doubting but that when God hath bestowed vpon vs some graces that he will also encrease them more more and haue compassion vpon vs so that we be obedient vnto him in our behalfe and yelde him the homage and authoritie which vnto him belongeth And according vnto this doctrine let vs in all humilitie prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God in acknowledging our offences beseeching him so to touch vs as that wee might learne after the example of his Prophet how to make and present our requestes vnto him to bereaue vs of all our earthly affections which we feele to be most violent against vs to the ende that our minde bee not withdrawne through them from his righteousnes but that wee submit our selues wholy vnto his holy will desiring nothing els but to haue him to gouerne vs to the end that being fortified by his holy spirite we might perseuere vnto the end to resist those temptations which shal grieue vs to obteine the victory abouesaid and come to the triūphe which is prepared for vs in heauen aboue That he wil not onely graunt vs this grace but also vnto all people and nations of the earth c. The eleuenth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme CAPH My soule fainteth for thy saluation yet I wayte for thy worde Mine eyes faile for thy promisse saying when wilt thou comfort me For I am like a bottle in the smoke yet do I not forget thy statutes How many are the dayes of thy seruant when wilt thou be auenged of them that persecute me The proude haue digged pittes for mee which are not after thy lawe All thy commandementes are true they persecute me falsely be thou my helpe They had almost made an end vpō me on the earth but I forsooke not thy commaundements Quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse so shall I keepe the testimonies of thy mouth IF we could rightly call to our remembraunce
not after thy lawe Here Dauid pursuing his purpose maketh mētion of the griefes which he endured that is the wicked and vngodly persecuted him wrongfull and that hee beeing retired to God as to his saulfegarde found no succour of him at the first dash but that God held him at a bay as a forlorne mā Now herevpon hee rightly sheweth that his faith was not clerely quenched ne yet lessened but that he stil continued in prayer And in the ende concludeth that he will yet better remember the word of God when as he shall bee so restored by him and raised vp againe as it were from death Let vs then note that Dauid here setteth downe a certaine maner and order to shewe vs that when God to the outward shewe shall seeme to estraunge him selfe yet we must take hede that the same keepe vs not from hauing recourse vnto him Now it may very wel seeme that God sometimes thinketh not of vs but specially when hee shall suffer the wicked to runne whether they lift and let them doe whatsoeuer they desire Now this is a terrible temptation And why For on the one side we looke that if God tooke vs for his children loued vs as he testifieth should he not by and by haue compassion of our miseries should he not put forth his hande to helpe vs When then he suffereth vs to be thus vniustly troden vnder foote it is a signe that hee hath forsaken vs and that he hath no care of vs nor of our health Loe heere a very hard and greeuous temptation And the second is that it should seeme that God doth not his office How is that Beholde how the vngodly fall out with him so that it seemeth they would giue him open defiaunce For is not this to make warre against him when as they giue them selues licence to doe wickedly that whatsoeuer can besayd vnto them they can neuer bee brought too goodnesse And yet God maketh semblaunce as though he had no care of their wicked dealing These we see are two maruelous daungerous temptations And this is the cause namely why Dauid hath heere recited his persecutions which he abode at the handes of the wicked Now it is so that he beeing in such conflictes hauing to fight against these two temptations which I haue noted sheweth right wel that he remained stil conqueror And see why he sayth How many are the dayes of thy seruant when wilt thou be auenged of thē that persecute me Dauid signifieth that he made not this request vntill such time as hee was driuen too this extremitie that he was no longer able to abide it As if he should haue sayde Alas my good God wilte thou helpe me after I am deade For thou seest that I haue already abidden so much as it is not possible to indure more thou seest me euen at the graues brinke It is now time or else neuer to helpe But yet I perceiue no succour comming from thee And what is the cause When wilte thou doe it It cannot bee chosen but that Dauid had as it were an intollerable affliction when he called vpon God in this manner Wherefore we are so much the rather to meditate on this place For although God suffereth vs to be afflicted but for a little while yet the same lasteth so with vs as that we beeing vexed euen to the vttermoste will say I knowe not where I am nor what to doe heerein What is the cause why God deferreth his ayde so long For in steade too call vpon him it is out of doubt rather that we murmure yea and moyte as it were secretly against him Nowe the right remedy to ouercome these temptations not so to murmur against God in our afflictions is this to call vpon him with full assuraunce beseeching him to graunt vs his grace that notwithstanding al the afflictions which he layeth vpon vs yet that he leaue vs not for all that too hope after that which hee hath promised vs. And this is it which Dauid declareth yet more fully when after he had sayde that the vngodly had gone aboute to digge pittes for him which is not after his lawe hee addeth and sayth All thy Commaundements are true they persecute me falsely be thou my helpe Heere he expresseth what the iniuryes outrages were which they had done him They haue saith he digged pittes for mee yea and he protesteth that they did it vniustly that he neuer gaue the wicked occasion to hurt him but that he had walked in a good and pure conscience Yet saith hee They haue gone about to circumuent and compasse mee rounde about Wee see then that Dauid had no small assaultes but such as were euen deadly that it was without all question that he must be vtterly confoūded yea although he neuer hurt any of them that it might be sayd that he had iniuriously persecuted them yet had he alwayes his recourse vnto God So then we may now bee better confirmed in the doctrine which we haue heeretofore handled to wit that to whatsoeuer extremititie we are driuen vnto in our afflictions we shall bring them to a very good end when as we being fenced with the power of the spirit of God do looke vnto his promisses Now let vs see why he addeth and sayth Thy Commaundementes are true they persecute me falsely O help me Dauid setteth downe heere three poyntes The one is that God is true after he addeth a protestation of his good conduct and guydance and of the malice of his aduersaryes Thirdly he calleth vppon God in his afflictions Now as concerning the first hee sheweth vs that although Satan to shake vs and in the ende vtterly too carry vs away subtilly and cunningly goeth about to deceiue vs we must to the contrary learne how to knowe his ambushes and to keepe vs from out of them So often then as wee are greeued with aduersitie and affliction where must we beginne See Satan howe he pitcheth his nettes and layeth his ambushes to induce and perswade vs to come into them what sayth he doost thou not see thy selfe forsaken of thy God where are the promises wherevnto thou diddest trust Now heere thou seest thy self to be a wretched forlorne creature So then thou right well seest that God hath deceiued thee and that the promises wherevnto thou trustedst appertaine nothing at all vnto thee See heere the subtlety of Satan What is nowe to be doone We are to conclude with Dauid and saye yet God is true and faithfull Let vs I say keepe in minde the trueth of God as a sheelde too beate back whatsoeuer Satan is able to lay vnto our charge when as he shall goe about to cause vs to deny our Fayth when as also he shall lye about vs too make vs beleeue that God thinketh no more of vs or else that it is in vaine for vs too trust vnto his promises But let vs knowe cleane contrary that it is very plaine and sounde trueth which
According to this it is heere sayd Thy worde O Lorde abideth for euer in heauen Some expounde this as if it had beene sayde That because the heauens haue continued long they render a good testimony of the trueth of God But heere Dauid namely speaketh of the heauēs because we see by them a more manifest signe of the Maiestie of God then we see here belowe on earth And in deede in that we are rude and earthly we had neede to haue God to guide vs and too lifte vpp our mindes when that he would haue vs to thinke on him too the ende we might forget the world all the corruptible things heere beneath See thē the reason why Dauid in this maketh the seate and house of the word of God in heauen because we had nede to looke a great deale more hyer then into our owne senses when wee would comprehend howe God is true and faithfull When wee woulde feele the certaintie and assuraunce of his woorde we must enter into a more deepe consideration then our sense is able too beare and not looke so into the visible thing or into that which we conceiue on earth Hee addeth That the trueth of God it from generation to generation As if hee shoulde haue sayde It is true O Lord that men are heere very circumspect and aduised and we see also howe thinges haue their alterations so that there is nothing which is not wauering and inconstant wee are as it were in the whirlewindes and tempests and if at some time thinges bee in peace and at quiet it lasteth not longe and although the creatures bee peaceable and at quiet yet are the men neuer at rest but are continually chafed and troubled But thy trueth O Lorde is sure and certaine which can neuer be shaken through the alterations and chaunges which heere we see no otherwise but by the lightnesse and inconstancy of men when as they doe nothing else but wander heere and there True it is O Lorde that all this impayreth no whit the certaintie of thy trueth and woorde Loe heere in summe the meaning of Dauid in this place Nowe hee bringeth in a proofe of this sentence too witte That God hath layd the foundation of the earth and it abydeth that is to say That the order of nature hath her course and so continueth without ende And why so Forsomuch as God hath appoynted them because that hee hath so declared it and that al creatures are subiect vnto him This disposing ordering must needs continue in his estate And although wee see all things to turne on this side and on that yet God alwayes giueth vs some visible signe too shewe vs that hee neuer altereth nor chaungeth his purpose And chiefely that his trueth is neuer subiecte too any chaunge We see nowe in summe what the substaunce is that is contayned in these three verses Nowe that wee may apply all this too our vse and too make our profite heereof let vs learne too haue recourse vnto the woorde of God so often as wee shall bee astonyshed and knowe not what shall become of vs too witte all the dayes of our life For there passeth not one quiet day ouer our heads wherein wee are not mooued too thinke either of this thing or of that Sometimes the temptations are easie too ouercome but after wee shall see some apparaunce of daunger that shall trouble vs a great deale more yea and some one threate or other we shall haue that shall euen abashe vs. And if that were not so yet shoulde wee haue occasions enough in out heads too make vs vnquiet that we should not nede to be otherwise troubled but euery one of vs hath in himself store of tempests stormes so that if there were nothing else but our owne very fantasyes they would be so many whyrlewindes too make vs neuer to haue quiet mindes Nowe see then a good remedy that is Let vs knowe that although wee are enuironed with a great number of daungers although there bee no certayntie in our life although there is alwayes an hundreth deathes before our eyes yea that we thought the deuill shoulde swallowe vs vpp euery minute of an houre yet must we be peaceable and holde our selues quiet and stil because that God hath layde the foundation of our saluation in his woord and that he hath promised to keepe our life When then wee shall haue the worde of God to certifie vs that he hath care both of our soules and bodyes let vs knowe and be certainly assured that heerein consisteth all our constancy So then let vs rightly applye this doctrine for our instruction that when it is sayde that the worde of GOD is permanent in Heauen that his truethe sheweth it selfe from age to age so continueth that it is namely spoken to the ende that we should be patient in the middest of all the troubles giefes and anguishes which wee may haue beeing shaken amidst so many daungers and also seeing the endlesse and incessaunt chaunges which are heere beneth and nothing else but all vnquietnesse Let vs then see what is heere to be considered for the first point wee must not seeke to take our rest in this worlde for wee shall neuer haue it heere But let vs alwaies haue our recourse too the trueth of God Moreouer let vs see if we can rightly practise this doctrine that nothing hinder vs but that wee may liue in peace and tranquilitie in the middest of the most great and dangerous confusions which may light vpon vs. Let vs also see that whether the windes blow in this corner or in that that there be garboyles of war that there bee pestilence famine and such like that it seemed wee should perishe a thousand manner of wayes yet all they which settle them selues vpon the woorde of God wil neuer be but certaine For they shall feele bothe in life and death that they are in his hande and protection And hauing this confidence with themselues they will make no reckoning of all whatsoeuer shall come vnto them as wee see Saint Paule commaundeth vs too exalte our selues against all thinges present and too come so that wee be fully resolued that God loueth vs. When this shall be in vs Rom. 8.38.39 and we shall haue heereof a good testimonie in our owne consciences through Fayth and the woorde of God Loe howe wee may assure our selues and solace our selues in the middest of all our troubles and confusions which heere wee see and by that meanes be neuer at peace and reste and not too be greatly turmoyled for any thinge that may come vnto vs the next day And why so For hath God who hath declared him selfe vnto vs too be our Father spoken it but for a day onely where as hee hath testifyed vnto vs that hee will haue our saluation in his hand is heere any time lymitted Nowe we see too the contrary that God sayeth That hee will neuer forsake vs. Our hope then
must stretch it self cleane beyonde the worlde and so we shall not bee tossed with the windes and tempestes which shall blow against vs to make vs turne back when as we shal haue a sure foundation vpon the word of God And as concerning this proofe which Dauid addeth saying That God hath layd the foundation of the earth the same is but a little tast which he giueth vs of the trueth of God Nowe it is not enough for vs to haue this taste onely to knowe whether God be faythfull and that his trueth is euerlasting For to proue it to bee so we see that neither heauen nor earth but are subiect too corruption and that all muste passe onely the woorde of God is said too last for euer And it must needes bee so for else what shoulde become of our saluation It shoulde be corrupt very soone Let vs not once thinke then that Dauid his meaning heere is too make a comparison and an equall proportion of the continuance of this worlde and the constancye which wee see in the order of nature with the trueth of God But he sheweth vnto vs that euen in these corruptible thinges wee might the better perceiue howe faythfull GOD is and if hee bee true in these thinges on the earth what shall hee him selfe then bee I beseech you tell mee from whence hath the earth her foundation It is founded bothe vpon the water and also vpon the ayre Loe her foundation Wee can not possibly build a house fifteene foote hight vpon the firme grounde but that wee muste lay a foundation See all the whole earth is founded onely wauering and as it were hanging yea and vppon so bottomlesse deapthes as that it might be turned vpsidedowne in the minute of an houre and the whole substaunce of it vtterly ouerthrowne It must needes then be that there is a wonderful power of God shewed in the conseruing of it in the same sort it stādeth And that is it which is here shewed vnto vs to witte because that God hath sayde That the earth was in the middest of the worlde and that it was so layde as it is heereby we knowe what the certaintie of his trueth is But wee must heere forsooth compare the lesse thinges with the greater as we say How from the lesser to the greater I wil shew you by example If I say we did se such excellēcie in the body of a man as that it might bethought to be euen the very image of God wherby we knowe the thing that is writtē that God hath ordayned man to be the chiefe of all his creatures and giuen him greate dignitie noblenesse and power ouer all liuing creatures Psal 8.6 Euen so also in praysing that which is in man we may descende from the body to the soule and this is from the hyest too the lowest and from the lesse to the more So likewise is it in this place when Dauid setteth before our eyes the order of nature This is not as I haue already sayde to measure and compare the trueth of God with such a measure But to the ende wee might reason and say If in these frayle and transitory thinges which are subiect to corruption wee see such a constancy because it is God his will it shoulde be so What shall we then say of his trueth which surpasseth all the worlde When then we shall make such a comparison betweene the state of the worlde and the trueth of God we may certainly conclude that God sufficienly graunteth vs wherewith too settle our selues vpon his woorde we muste not bee so inconstant as too let our Fayth bee shaken so often as wee shall see the worlde tossed with any troubles but rather too take this place which is heere shewed vnto vs by Dauid for our refuge And this is the summe of this place Nowe it followeth afterwarde Except the Lorde had beene my delight I shoulde nowe haue perished in my trouble Dauid heere speaketh this of his owne proper experyence and knowledge before hee spake of the trueth and excellencye of GOD in generall and sayth that it was in heauen and afterwarde he prooueth it by visible thinges which is very manifest vnto vs and which God poynteth out vnto vs as it were with his finger In the third place hee sayth that he speaketh not of vnknowen thinges that hee might dispute of them at randon but that hee had rightly practized that which he had spoken because that hee was preserued by the woord of God And therefore hee nowe sheweth vs where we ought to seeke for this worde whereof hee had generally spoken heeretofore For wee may vse this name of the woorde of God and yet it may be hidden in the ayre or emongst the Cloudes But because hee hath giuen vnto vs his word familyarly and communicateth the same with vs dayly euen in the holy scripture Let vs consider that in giuing honor vnto the worde of God Wee say that it is infallible Let vs not imagine it to be an vnknowen word but let vs goe vnto that which God at all times hath giuen to his seruaunts and that is it which is contayned in the law See then how God hath first declared his woorde vnto vs wherein our saluation is altogither certaine Nowe heere wee haue to note in this streine that Dauid hauing had such experience deserueth wel to be heard and that they are no vayne woordes which hee heere setteth downe before hand But that God also woulde haue it so too the ende wee should giue the more credite vnto it and that wee shoulde no whitte doubt of any thinge that hee teacheth vs when as hee him selfe hath made proofe of all that which he before had spoken And thus much for the firste poynte The experience then whereof Dauid speaketh shoulde very well serue vs in steade of our Seale by which GOD meaneth too make the Doctrine of his Prophet to be of so much the more antiquitie And thus much for this Moreouer let vs learne rightly too vnderstande howe sure wee ought too bee of the woorde of GOD not too seeke for the certaintie thereof without our selues but rather in our owne Consciences It is true that wee ought throughly too looke bothe aboue and beneath too make the testimonies which GOD giueth vs too serue our faith too the ende wee might bee certified of the trueth of his word as already wee haue heard but yet the principall point is this for euery man to enter into himself and make such accompt of this certaintie of the woorde of God that it may take such roote in our soules as that wee may there feele it to be such as here it is said to wit that it neuer be shaken although the whole world should be confounded and that it is the same which must giue vs peace and rest notwithstanding it seemed that all were vtterly ouerthrowne We must then acknowledge the effect and accomplishment of this certaintie which the Prophet here attributeth
that which is euill vntill such time as wee know what goodnesse is It is very true that we shall somtimes see men to haue a great desire to doe good forsooth as they thinke But indeede that is nothing all is but hypocrisie vntil such time as God hath so taught vs that wee might knowe and discerne in good earnest and say Loe it is God that speaketh and therefore let vs see what it is that hee sayeth vnto vs. And so after that we are fully resolued in his truth then shall we beginne to hate all the wayes of wickednesse For it cannot otherwise be but whatsoeuer is against God wee must needs detest and abhorre For howsoeuer Satan indeuoreth himselfe to carry vs to doe wickedly we ought too haue this by and by in our mindes What shall we estrange our selues from our creator whose we are Shall the deuill beguile vs too make vs renounce him who hath so dearely bought vs And besides we also knowe that the health of our soules and all our felicitie consist in the obedience of our good God Whē thē we shal be thus taught by the word of God we shall hate all wicked wayes Without this contrariwise it must needs be that we should be wholy inclined thereto and that the deceits of Sathan shall please vs as we see it come to passe emongst the infidels vnto whom we shal be very like without God restraine vs with a bit For if we walke after our owne nature and fantasie what shall beecome of all our wicked wayes And so let vs learne that we shall neuer be brought to that which Dauid heere speaketh of vntil such time as wee are instructed and vnderstande it by the word of God and the testimonyes of his lawe And according too this holy doctrine let vs prostrate our selues before the maiestie of our good God with acknowledging of our faultes beseeching him to make vs so to feele our wretchednesse as that we may learne too seeke our felicitie in him onely And because hee so familiarly instructeth vs by his woord let vs not bee so accursed as too reiect this inestimable treasure whereof wee may be possessed but that beeing in possession thereof wee might increase dayly more and more in the knowledge which hee hath giuen vs and continue therein vnto the ende and vntill such time as wee shall attaine vnto that Heauenly inheritaunce and too the full possession of that eternall reste which he hath promised vs after that we shall be deliuered from all the assaults of this fraile and transitory life That he wil not onely bestowe this grace vpon vs but also vpon all people and nations of the earth c. The xiiii Sermon vpon the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme NVN. Thy woord is a Lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my pathes I haue sworne and will performe it that I wil keepe thy righteous Iudgements I am very sore afflicted O Lord quicken me according vnto thy worde O Lord I beseech thee let the free will offeringes of my mouth please thee and teach mee thy iudgemeates My soule is alwayes in mine hand yet doe I not forget thy lawe The vngodly haue layde a snare for mee But yet I swarued not from thy commaundements Thy testimonies haue I claymed as mine heritage for euer for they are the very ioy of mine heart I haue applied mine heart too fulfill thy statutes alwayes euen vnto the ende IF we did throughly consider that it were very requisite for vs too reade the worde of God and to listen vnto the doctrine taken out of it wee should not neede to haue the mater to be so much preached off what profite and vse we receiue by it For euery of vs should feele the same by experience But because wee are so colde blockishe in reading and hearing of that which God declareth vnto vs it is meete we should be stirred vp therto som other wayes and be shewed for what cause the word of God shall profite vs when as we shal be thus wise and of this mind throughly to exercise our selues to apply our whole study therein And see why Dauid pursueth this matter so diligently For besides that which we haue already seene heere before hee addeth saith Thy word is a Lantern vnto my feere a light vnto my pathes Wherby he sheweth that it is an inestimable treasure which we shal receiue when as we be taught by the word of God to wit that we shall neuer erre al the dayes of our life as the vnbeleeuers do who know not whether they go but walke at randō Dauid sheweth vnto vs that whē as we shal be guided by the word of God we shal be without al danger of falling Now because it is a very easie thinge for a man to say thus it seemeth at the first sight that this saying is so common as that we neede not to stay any longer vpon it But in the meane while let vs se how the world practizeth that which is heere spoken In deed we shall see it all cleane contrary for there are very fewe that wil abide to be guided by the word of god but the more part reiect it like rather to follow their own wills and desires or rather can be contented to be gouerned as it pleaseth men so that they will not suffer God to beare any rule or authoritie ouer them Therefore let vs well mark what this importeth when as it is said That the word of God hath bin as it were a Lantern vnto the feete of Dauid as a light vnto his pathes Nowe hereby he signifieth that he meaneth not to bee wise in his owne conceite but hath sought how he ought to be gouerned by the word of God so wholy held him self thereto Now if this hath beene a necessary poynt for Dauid let none of vs thinke that we can go beyond him And see also why S. Peter writing too all the faithful in generall telleth them that they should doe very well to be attentiue and to take hede to the word of God as to a light shining in darke places 2. Pet. 1.19 By this S. Peter declareth vnto vs that it is not without cause that Dauid hath vsed this similitude of a Lanterne And why so For he sayth that we being in the world are as mē in the darke to proue it to be so I beseech you what wisdom is in any of vs Although that euery of vs estemeth of him self inough a great deale more thē needeth yet for all that when as wee shall be throughly knowne we shall finde all our vnderstanding too be full of vanitie and follie and although we think our selues to haue a goodly light yet are we in a deepe dungeon of darkenesse And besides let vs seeke all the meanes possible too guide and gouerne vs well heere in this worlde yet shall it be alwayes but darkenesse Let vs then vnderstand that it cannot be chosen but
naked and bare of all goodnesse For so much then as wee are too liue here amongst contemptuous and outragious people who haue neither fayth trust nor truthe and that these tēptations are very perilous vnto vs as wee see what a great number of men are corrupt by them Dauid saith Awaye from me yee wicked bicause I keepe the commaundements of my God Here wee are to note as before I haue touched that hee speaketh not this too make recitall of his worthinesse or that hee alledgeth it for his power and strength to wynne him reputation but speaking by the spirite of God he admonisheth vs to liue holily to wit that if we will walke in the feare of God and be vnder his yoke wee must in the first place separate out selues from the vngodly Nowe this is an easie doctrine to be learned but it is so slenderly practized of vs as that we had neede better to thinke of it then heretofore wee haue done If there were a great number of offences in Dauid his time which were to turne the faithfull awaye from the feare of God and too leade them to doe wickedly in what case then stande we nowe It is very true that we are come to the full measure of all iniquitie For if wee doe beholde at this day the states and conditions of all men it wil seeme that it is impossible for the world to be worse that the deuill so possesseth both great and small in townes villages as that it is a very hell and tormentory to see it Euen so thē howe is it possible that a faithfull man can perseuer to liue in the feare of God and in such soundnesse as he hath commaunded without hee stande very sure vpon his guarde without he keepe a good watche and chiefly except he separate him selfe from so great a number of corruptions For at this daye a man can come in no company but that the talke shall tende to the dishonouring of God with all vngodlinesse or els the talke shall bee so vaine as that it shall haue no good sauoure yea and too make whatsoeuer good seede that is in any man who is yet teacheable to bee nothing worth And yet many times this shall not bee the greatest mischiefe but a man shall heare the most cursed blasphemies that may be vometed out by these grenning helhoundes at this day who are growne to the full measure of impudencie like vnto shamelesse harlottes discouering their vilanies not onely against God and all true Christianitie but doe also euen like mastife curres barke against al religion This we see let vs then come to the greatest number of those which seeme to bee a little more tollerable I beseeche you what lesson or fruite shall wee reape by them We shall finde some of them to vse aboundance of wicked traffique craftes deceiptes or els outrages violences oppressions and cruelties against their neighbours Another sorte shal be giuen to lech ery and to such beastlinesse another kinde shall bee gluttons and such like brutish people of life and conuersation To be short turne which way soeuer we will and wee shall finde nothing but corruption so that if this doctrine hath beene any time necessarily to bee taught it is at this most necessary and hie time since wee are come euen to so full a measure bottomlesse depth of iniquitie let vs then be well aduised too departe from all those that worke iniquitie yea and let vs chase them farre from vs if we will faithfully and truely serue God It is most sure that we must needes be conuersaunt with the vngodly or els departe out of this worlde at once but yet we must not keepe them companie so familiarly as too drawe with them the same yoke Let vs take heede that wee in no wayes wynde our selues in with them but that our life and conuersation bee so simple and playne as that they be neuer able to bring vs in and to bee infected with their vices For we heare what the holy scripture saieth that we had no neede of any thing to corrupt good manners For as a little leauen sowreth the whole lumpe of dough euen so when the deuill can thrust in amongst vs the least drop of corruption loe all shall be peruerted and come to naught We see not at the first sight howe the deuill goeth about to beguile vs and therefore we ought to be so much the more watchfull Let the vngodly complaine as much as they will as wee see at this daye the murmurers and grudgers doe that they thinke them selues to bee ill dealt withall when as we will not be partakers of their filthines Nowe wee knowe right well that they seeke none other thing but too make wicked whatsoeuer is well ruled and ordered too ouerthrowe whatsoeuer hath beene builded vp in GOD and too bring soules too destruction All this wee knowe Nowe if any man keepe him selfe from this here at they are all grieued Howe so They say our company is eschewed Yea but giue you the occasion that you may be followed seeke the right meane to giue your selues to God and follow you the right way of saluation and the better sorte will not absent them selues farre from you but will rather ioyne with you If they shall see you ready to march forward they will say Let vs goe togither If they shall see you goe before they will come after if they shall see you tarry behinde so that you be entred into the right way they will stirre you vp too followe them But when as we see such kinde of people to goe cleane backwarde from all goodnesse and desire nothing else but to leade vs too wickednesse yea too cast vs downe hedlong with them into hell mouth wherein to they runne like mad men what should we doe but separate our selues from amongst them and retire vs from thence as Dauid sheweth vs. And namely he sayth For I wil keepe the commaundements of my God As if he should haue sayd These cursed men doe right well shewe that they haue no feeling nor knowledge of euerlasting life but that they liue here like to brute beastes Neuertheles for my parte I will not goe one foote forwarde with them but will goe towards my God And out of this saying we are to gather a good instruction to wit that when we see rounde aboute vs all people giuen ouer to wickednes that it seemeth the worlde hath conspired to make the maiestie of God nothing worth that wee declare by our lines and conuersation that wee haue no knowledge of euerlasting life when as then wee shall see such impieties it is euen to this end and purpose too withdrawe vs quite and cleane from our God It is very true that these are very daungerous offences and temptations But let vs alwayes be sure to abide firme and stedfast let vs continue constant in this trueth which once we haue receiued See then what Dauid meaneth to expresse in this saying
and feare of God or els will be so lightly discharged thereof as that it may be done without any great paine As howe I praye you We see that they which pretend colour of ignorance which haue neither knowledge either of God or of true religion will say surely for my part I am but a poore simple man and without learning and therefore I will leaue this geare to those that are learned One sort will excuse them selues one way another another way but yet they all tende to this ende to exempt them selues from the obedience of God not to be subiect either to him or yet to his word See here the common saying amōgst the Papistes Ha sirra This is the office of the priestes the cloysterers our prelates haue the charge ouer vs wee are secular and lay men we must haue nothing to do with this geare And besides euen the meanest sort of vs haue also our excuses and will say I am a poore mā I must get my liuing with great paines all the day long by my handy worke I haue scarsly any leysure once co come to heare a sermon on the Sunday See what starting holes we finde out to the ende we might followe our vanities pleasures and idle times or I knowe not what other our slouthfulnes rather then wee woulde heare the word of God and meditate thereon So then Dauid contrarily sheweth that whiles he was small and of no reputation yet that he neuer ceased continually to be exercised in this lesson euen to submit him selfe to the obedience of God And so we see him to be giuē from his childhood and that he did not onely take pleasure therein when God had aduaunced him to the kingdome that hee did not begin then to taste of the lawe of God to apply his whole study thereto but when hee kept his fathers sheepe and cattle and was brought vp in the sheepecoates before hee came any thing neare the court euen all that while I say he neuer ceased but was wholy occupied in the holy study of the lawe of God Nowe let vs learne hereby not to exempt out selues by our trifling excuses as a great number of men do but let vs vnderstand that Dauid here exhorteth all the faithfull in general that the contemptible base and simple pesons yea euen as simple as yong children and that haue no knowledge of that which is most esteemed amōgst mē that they ought not for all that to forget the word of God And so let also both great and smal giue them selues to the study thereof that we may be all the schollers of the lawe and of the Prophets but especially of our sauiour Iesus Christ seeing that God hath now bestowed a more excellēt grace vppon vs then euer hee bestowed vppon Dauid For ouer and besides the doctrine which Dauid receiued from the mouth of Moyses see how God hath layd open vnto vs the infinite treasure of his heauenly wisedome insomuch as we haue the Gospel out of which the sonne of God hath spoken vnto vs who is maister ouer the whole houshold as it is said in the Epistle to the Hebrewes Now is this the doctrine that must make heauen and earth to tremble Heb. 3.6 as it is spoken by the Prophet Haggay as this place is alledged by the Apostle Hag. 2.7 to shew vnto vs that we ought to receiue the Gospel with greater reuerence then the fathers did the law the Prophets For God made the earth to shake when he gaue the law by Moyses Heb. 12.25.26.27 which since that time hath bin cōfirmed ratified by the Prophets but when as hee opened his holy mouth by his sonne to teach vs that was to make both heauen and earth to shake bicause he hath layd open such a wonderfull wisedome as that it ought to shake astonish vs when as God speaketh with such power maiestie vnto vs. See then as concerning this saying where Dauid saith that he did not forget the cōmandemēts of God although he was smal of no reputation Now he addeth Thy righteousnes is an euerlasting righteousnes and thy lawe is the truth Yea in such sort that when he was afflicted grieued that he tooke pleasure in saying thy righteousnes is an euerlasting righteousnesse heere Dauid repeateth a word which hath a double significatiō For in the first place Righteousnes signifieth the law of God that bicause it is the rule of all goodnes And thē next he giueth it the title of righteousnesse signifying thereby that this law is so certaine a rule as that when we shal haue throughly soūded it euen to the bottome we shal finde that God hath set down therein a perfection of all equitie and sinceritie as if hee should haue said this is without all doubt a perfect rule of righteousnes Now he coupleth as hee hath already before done truth with righteousnesse I haue already saide that these wordes here are oftentimes repeated and yet it is no superfluous kinde of speache And what is the reason Because we might fully and wholy confesse that God hath spoken moste wisely that all mennes mouthes might be stopped and that we al at once might be silent and stil to heare him There is no man but will confesse this at the tōgues end But in the meane time for vs to knowe this equitie and trueth which is contayned in the word of God Alas we are too too farre off So then let euery man looke well vnto him selfe and see whether his life be agreeable vnto the word of God or no. And if it be it is a manifest proofe that the righteousnesse and trueth thereof is deepely imprinted in his heart Nowe if this be so then no doubt of it God his woord is honoured as it is worthy Then let vs render vnto him effectually the prayses which are heere attributed vnto him and as they doe appertaine vnto his maiestie But if wee doe say that the word of God is good and holy that it is a wonderful righteousnesse and power that cannot fail and yet despise it in deede shewe our selues cleane contrary vnto it in our life and conuersation and making a goodly shewe to honor it doe spit at it What a kinde of honor call yee this Wherfore we are to consider that it is mete that this righteousnesse and trueth of the lawe of God be imprinted in our heartes that we may make such a confession thereof as Dauid heere hath doone And see why heere hee addeth Yet is my delight in thy Commaundements Yea when hee was afflicted and in aduersitie For it is an easy matter for men to praise God whiles they are quiet and out of trouble haue all their heartes desire Yea wee shall see the very hypocrites cry out with open mouthe O blessed bee God and our good God Forsooth when as hee sendeth them euen their wishe and intreateth them according too their owne desires But when God shall
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
God presenteth himselfe thus vnto vs Are they our merites haue we any wayes on our parte deserued that he shoulde be so louing and kinde vnto vs No without all doubt We must then needes conclude that the promises do spring out from this fountaine euen his meere mercie And therefore it is not without cause that Dauid after hee hath spoken of the promises of God declareth heere that he desireth not to bee heard but in this respect That God is good and merciful As if he shoulde haue sayde O Lorde if any man inquire the cause why thou hast hearde me and haste pittie on me I am able to say nothing as touching mine owne person but that I iustly deserue too bee reiected of thee but thou hast taken the matter and cause vnto thine owne goodnesse and righteousnesse Now it followeth soone after They drawe nighe that follow after malice and are farre from thy lawe Thou art nigh at hand O Lord for all thy commaundements are true Heere Dauid complayneth vnto God and desireth him to helpe him against the wicked and vngodly contemners of his maiestie As if he had said vnto him O Lorde I can alledge nothing at all for mine one defence but that they which draw nigh vnto me to hurt me are so much the farther of from thy lawe and I the neerer thy commaundements It is a commonen entendement that they which doe imagine ma1ice are farre from God in withdrawing themselues from his lawe but when as wee shall narrowly looke into the matter that is the very true and naturall sense of the Prophet which I haue already touched that they which imagine malice or deceit are farre off that is they are retyred from the lawe of God to persecute those which drawe nigh vnto it And see how Dauid hath taken for his aduantage that that the wicked are farre from God bicause hee did very well see that he had beene ouerthrowne through their malice without God had holpen him Which thing he sheweth by this cōplaint that the wicked troubled him euen to the vttermost And so much the more ought wee to consider of this bicause we being so womānish as possibly may be do by by think that if the wicked beare the sway and craftily goe about too deuise any thing against vs that all is loste and that God hath giuen vs ouer for a spoile We can in no wise abide that God should exercise our patience nor yet humble vs. Let vs then throughly confider of the example of Dauid For although that God had specially chosen him out amongst the rest and had bestowed so many excellent graces vpon him yet for all that hee was contented that the vngodly shoulde persecute him neither could he make them stande aloofe off for hee had neither Rampares or Bulwarkes that he was able to saye you shall not come neare me For he saieth that they drew nigh him So then when God giueth such leaue to the wicked as too haue the raines at will so that it should seeme that they had the power euen to set their feete on our throates yea and to swallowe vs cleane vp Let vs consider that it hath beene the will of our God in all ages to haue his children subiect to the malice of their enemies Let vs also haue a further cōsideration of this which he sayeth that they are farre from the lawe of God For this importeth that they neither had truthe nor equitie in them When then the vngodly shall with the contempt of God and an extreeme impietie euen rushe vpon vs to ouerthrowe vs let vs then I say remember the example of Dauid and saye wherefore doe the wicked thus persecute vs without any regarde too him who ought and will when it pleaseth him both with force and violence represse them It is bicause they are both blynde and blockish and are without all truthe and equitie But on the contrary side let vs not be afearde bicause wee knowe that God is nigh vs let vs continually cal vpō him to the ende he may be alwayes nearer and nearer vnto vs too put him selfe betwixt vs and make him selfe our buckler to put backe the attemptes and to beare the blowes wherewith the wicked shal assail vs. Moreouer let vs besure resolute that notwithstanding that the vngodly shall thus oppresse vs yet that God is not farre from vs although that we can not perceiue it For God will oftentimes be neare vs when as we shall thinke that he is cleane hidden that is to say he sheweth not vnto vs his power and vertue neither laieth he it open at the first chop For we must also call vpō him that we might shew what honour wee beare him that although hee prolongeth the time and tarrieth longer before hee helpe vs then we would yet must we notwithstāding tarry his good leisure In summe we must alwayes bee resolute in this which Dauid here speaketh of saying are the vngodly nighe very well and God is at hand That is to say God is not asleepe in heauen whiles these men are maliciously imagining to do vs hurte God his armes are not a crosse neither are his handes closed notwithstanding that these men seeke nothing els but to deuoure vs. God is not yet blynde whyles these vngodly awake to destroye and confounde vs. Se then howe God according to the necessities which he knoweth to be in vs will alwayes be at hande so to assist vs as that whatsoeuer mischiefe is neare vs it shall neuer be able to ouercome vs yea inuent the wicked what they can on all sides This is it that Dauid meaneth to signifie in this place Nowe he also sayeth That the commaundements of God are true Wherein he exhorteth vs to haue recourse vnto the worde of God for although wee are thus tormented and fast closed vp in sorrowe and griefes yea and that we looke this way and that way for helpe and yet see not God to remedie the same then I saye hee teacheth vs too haue recourse vnto his worde And this is a most profitable admonition For when we seeke after God we must not haue regard to our own fantasies nor to any worldly maner as we are accustomed nor too looke that hee submit him selfe vnto our will to shewe him selfe vnto vs after a visible sort to haue him come downe from heauen in his maiestie too consume with fire and brimstone all our enemies to set vs aloft and to beare vs such fauour as that wee might haue all things at our owne desire Loe I beseech you howe wee desire to haue GOD to shewe him selfe for like as wee are fleshly so also would we haue him to shew him selfe vnto vs in a visible maner All this while his worde is of no great authoritie with vs for if hee shewe vs not why and wherefore we are not contented with that which hee hath spoken but we would forsooth see his hande altogether open Wherefore this admonition which Dauid
whome he so greatly loued as the scripture witnesseth of him Nowe heere we are to note two things The one is that when Dauid desired God to looke vpon his afflictions and to deliuer him out of them hee confesseth that hee was astonyed as if God had turned his backe vpon him It is very true that Dauid considered not of all that was too bee considered neither did he conclude that God would cast off his children in such sorte But yet so farre forth as naturall reason coulde reach see howe he might iudge of his estate And at that pointe also are all the Children of God For on the one side when as they shall looke vppon their owne state and condition they cannot chose but that they must be forced to say what a thing is this Surely if God hath any compassion vpon vs and that he seeth vs is it possible that euer wee should bee thus cruelly handled will not he take some better order for this See then that wee cannot choose but to conceiue these and such like imaginations in our heartes when as wee are greeued and persecuted and looke into our owne present estate yea euen as I haue already sayde we cannot choose euen too feele our selues as it were to be forsaken of GOD. And yet for all this wee muste bee fully perswaded and resolued that GOD beholdeth vs and although it seemeth that hee hath turned his backe vppon vs yet that hee ceaseth not too helpe vs and is carefull for our saluation yea and though wee see nothing yet let vs holde this for a certaine and an vndoubted trueth in oure heartes And therfore so often as we shall be thus troubled to thinke that God hath no lenger care ouer vs but that he hath clerely forsakē vs yet let not this hinder vs from praying after the example of Dauid neither let vs be slacke but euen say O Lord beholde me In the second place we haue to note the reason which Dauid here setteth downe For I do not forget thy lawe If then wee will haue God to heare vs wee must haue his lawe as it were fully settled in our heartes And howe is that Forsooth wee must thinke and study vpon his promises we must know him to bee louing and mercifull to helpe all those that are his and too ayde them in all their necessities and besides this must bee oure sure foundation that his promises are infallible and that he will not suffer his children to goe emptie away when as they shall tende them selues thereto See then how we must meditate vpon the lawe of God that is to say vpon his word For vnder this worde the law there is no doubt but that Dauid comprehended the summe of al the doctrine which God gaue vnto his church Euery of vs then must be exercised in this study and we hauing the lawe thus imprinted in our heartes may bee certaine and sure that God beholdeth vs and will helpe vs in all our afflictions yea although it seemeth and wee may iudge according to our carnall senses that hee hath turned his backe vpon vs or that he hath closed vp his eyes and sleepeth and as a man would saye neuer thinketh more of vs. Now it followeth in the second verse Pleade my cause and deliuer me quicken me according vnto thy worde Here Dauid expresseth what this his affection is whereof hee hath spoken too wit howe that the wicked vniustly persecuted him as againe hereafter shall more at large bee declared Now wee knowe that the griefes which the children of God doe suffer in this worlde are diuerse and sundrie For sometimes God will lay heauy hande vppon them without any man his touching sometimes also men shall persecute them with vniust actions so that the wicked shall torment and grieue them Dauid then sheweth that the affliction which he endured was of this second kinde to wit that hee had enemies which did vniustly trouble him And see wherefore hee desireth God too pleade his cause and restore him By this wee are admonished according to that which I haue already saide that when we haue liued in a good conscience and haue trauelled euen to doe good vnto euery man so that no man hath any cause iustly to complaine of vs yet although wee are persecuted and troubled wee must not for all that bee ouermuch abashed bicause as great matters as al these were layde vpon Dauid For this is most sure that hee walked so marueilous soundly as that euery man had occasion too loue him And yet notwithstanding hee was not without troubles amongest men And why so Bicause of their vnthankefulnesse Let vs then vnderstande that this vice began not first in these dayes I meane the vnthankefulnesse and iniquitie of men But long time a goe and therefore as much as in vs lyeth let vs seeke after peace but if so be wee shall procure to doe any wrong the worlde will neuer giue ouer hating of vs and procuring of our hurte yea and goe about euen to destroye vs. But as I haue already saide let not that seeme straunge vnto vs seeing it came so to passe in Dauid And thus much for this Nowe in the second place wee are to beseeche God too auenge our cause too comfort vs when we see our selues to be wrongfully dealt withal when as we are oppressed with false and slaunderous reportes that we are euill spoken of without iust desert we must thē desire God to be our warrant and deliuerer and let vs not dout but that he will take our cause into his owne hand shewe him selfe to be more then a protector lawyer For he saieth that he is the aduerse partie for the maintenance and defence of the causes and quarrels of all his when as they shall haue walked sincerely before him selfe before men Loe here a notable and very profitable admonition That is we must cast all our care vpon God when as we are wrongfully accused iniuriously dealt withall troubled and oppressed and beseech God to take the cause into his own hand and to auenge it him selfe Nowe this may serue too make vs patient for what is the cause that men so trouble and torment them selues waxe so fierce and cruell vse reuenge or els growe to be very cowardes when any wrong is done them but bicause that they haue not recourse vnto God put not thē selues vnder his protectiō pray him not to holde his holy hand ouer them and to defend their cause Now if wee knowe this it is most certaine that oure heartes shall incontinent bee a great deale more quiet and let vs not haue such boyling affections as wee haue to be auenged of them which trouble vs but let vs followe the doctrine which is here set downe vnto vs to wit that when we are vniustly entreated let vs pray vnto God that he will auenge our cause And besides also let vs learne to stay our selues of the promise which is made vnto vs thereof for
that in this worlde he hath care ouer vs and our life is as it were committed vnto him so that herein lieth the whole substance that after hee hath pardoned vs of our sinnes hee alloweth vs for righteous and will also gouerne vs with his holy spirite See then what it is that is conteined in the testimonies of God And so Dauid in summe protesteth in this verse that he alwaies walked in this loue of God which hee founde in his promises This is it which he protesteth and thereupon sayeth Quicken me according vnto thy mercy If Dauid then loued the commaundement of God and his testimonies wherefore desireth he not to be quickeâ—â—ed according to his merites And if it be so that he hath deserued why hath he recourse to the mercie of God Nowe he very well sheweth that he meant not too boaste of his vertues neither yet of any such I know not what perfection to haue fulfilled the lawe of God but he had a speciall regard as I haue already saide to the content of God his promises He alledgeth not here that he had deserued to bee holpen but he desired to bee defended according to the mercie of God In this point he setteth before vs his example to the ende wee might followe him as this is also the meaning of the holy Ghost when as he spake by the mouth of Dauid Now he goeth on for a conclusion and saieth Thy word is true from euerlasting and all the iudgementes of thy righteousnes endure for euermore That is to say thy iust iudgementes are euerlasting or els thy iudgementes are alwayes righteous Heere Dauid in summe meaneth to signifie that hee so stayed him selfe vpon the worde of God as that he had set his heart vppon it yelded him selfe wholy vnto it and bestowed all his thoughtes wittes on it And why did he so sayth he The beginning of it is true and the righteousnesse thereof endureth for euermore As if he should haue thus said Thou O Lord art true in thy word shalt alwayes bee found so afterward It is nothing but righteous it is true from the beginning thy righteousnes shall endure vnto th end and with out end See how the two borders or limittes of the worde of God are layde out When as we shall seeke for this word wee must make a destinction and difference betweene truthe and righteousnes with this resolution see how God sheweth him self true and righteous And the farther we go on the better shall we finde his worde to bee such so that after we haue throughly vnripped and examined it we shall not haue one syllable where righteousnes truth wil not shewe them selues Euen so may wee alwayes attribute this title to the woorde of God as Dauid here sheweth vs. In summe when as wee would haue a perfect assurance to be confirmed and strengthened in all temptations so that the deuill shall neuer be able to take fast holde vppon vs let vs haue this regard to stay our selues chiefly vpon the worde of God and therewith to arme vs attributing thereto these true titles which are here set downe that there is nothing in it but all truthe and righteousnesse And therefore this ought greatly to content vs to assure our selues of God not doubting but that hee will graunt vs the grace that when he hath once brought vs into the waye of saluation that he will continually conduct and gouerne vs and hold vs with a mightie strong arme vntill such time as hee hath brought vs to that ende whereunto he hath called vs. 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 would please him to make vs better to feele our miseries then wee haue heretofore felt them to the ende we may laye our selues open vnto him And that we may in the meane while attaine too that remedy as to craue pardon of him for them not douting but that he will graunt vs pardon for them according to our desire through the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ albeit we are miserable sinners And also that he wil through his holy spirite so purge vs froÌ„ our sinnes as that we desire nothing els but to be coÌ„firmed vnto his righteousnesse to come vnto him to aduauÌ„ce vs thereunto daily more and more vntill such time as he hath coupled vs vnto that holinesse of life whereunto he continually exhorteth vs. That hee will not only graunt vnto vs this grace but also vnto all people nations of the earth c. The xxi Sermon vpon the hundreth and nineteenth Psalme SCHYN Princes haue persecuted me without cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy worde I am as glad of thy worde as one that findeth great spoiles I hate falshood and abhorre it but thy lawe doe I loue Seuen times a daye doe I prayse thee bicause of thy righteous iudgementes They that loue thy lawe shall haue great prosperitie and they shall haue no hurt Lord I haue trusted in thy sauing health and haue done thy commaundements My soule hath kept thy testimonies and I loue them exceedingly I haue kept thy commaundementes and testimonies for all my wayes are before thee WHen as men shall trouble vs and do vs many iniuries or els any waye griue and vexe vs yet are there twoo thinges too leade vs too walke wickedly without the feare of God The one is that it wil seme that God hath not compassion of vs to helpe vs. The other that wee will bee more afearde of men then in deede wee ought For we imagine that all is in their hand and that they may doe all thinges at their owne pleasure and as them selues liste doe God what he can to the contrary Lo heere I say what it is that he hindereth vs froÌ„ perseuering in the feare of God That is That when men trouble vs with iniuries violences extortions we are straightwayes discouraged And so we are heere throughly too consider of this place where Dauid saith that hee stoode in awe of the woorde of God although princes persecuted him without a cause in deede wee ought euen then most specially too weygh it when as we fee the mightinesse of men to astonish vs our enemies to be in great credit and authoritie yea that it seeme we are euen as sheepe in the iawes of woulfes that we haue no meane too resist their violence but that they may do whatsoeuer seemeth good-vnto them in so much that no man dareth once to open his mouth against them When as I say our enemies shall haue all this and bee thus highly lifted vp ouer vs that wee knowe not what shall become of vs then it is a harde matter for vs too conceiue what the helpe which God hath promised vs is worth so that we are ouertaken with this feare to say O see wee are vtterly vndone all our cause is cleane cast to the
Priestes doe sing or rather which they bleate and houle out in their Churches are that they are without either vnderstanding deuotion and any good desire whatsoeuer And they thinke it not inough that they shewe them selues in deede openly to mock God but their deuilish doctrine also emporteth the same that they cannot but merit hauing this finall meaning to prayse God So that when a Chanon hath put on his Grayamisse and Surplisse and going out of his Chamber with this finall intent and yet anon after thinketh of his Gossip his cheere and his pastime yea that he play the Hypocrite there yet forsooth he must needes merit It is very true that they will confesse that there is veniall sinne entermedled amongest but yet that the same cannot hinder them from meriting when as they had this finall intent to prayse God yea and so also as that when they come home againe vntoo their house they think them selues to haue discharged their dutye To be short so that at the beginning and the end they had some motion to deuotion it is inough And is not this wholly to mock God and to dally with him more then a man would dandle a young Childe But see how this miserable cursed people haue peruerted all the holy Scripture in mingling it with so shameful thinges that euen the very Heathen when as they shall haue gotten the vnderstanding of the least sparke of trueth will bee ashamed too see such seruice in the Papacy too bee called godly seruice When it is all after this manner I pray you what praysing of GOD shall there remains Let vs then vnderstande that these people are very farre from Dauid and that if wee woulde take example by them they right well shewe that they knowe not what it is too prayse God but rather prophane his holy name when as they wil thrust in such abhominatiōs amongst as we dayly see them to commit against his worde Now Dauid addeth soone after They which loue thy law shall haue great prosperitie and they shall haue no hurt Heere Dauid beeing led by the spirit of God as a true Prophet contenteth not him selfe with speaking of the benefites which hee had receiued But instructeth others of that which they haue to doe Although in trueth all the protestations which wee haue seene heere are full of doctrine And that it is so wee see that Dauid might very well haue praysed God in his hart without declaring what he had done But it was needefull that he might be set as a Glasse before our eyes to the ende we might be ledde too followe him But yet in this verse he more expressely setteth foorth the office and duetie of a prophet when as hee sayth They which loue thy lawe shall haue great prosperitie and they shall haue no hurt Nowe by this he sheweth vnto vs that wee are euen in good earnest accursed when as wee giue our selues vp vnto our owne fleshly liking because we would bee esteemed amongst men and take pleasure in our pastimes and delightes And why so Because we shall be alwayes tormenmented with vnquietnesse and griefe so that we shall neuer be at peace and rest And although wee veryly thinke our selues to be assured of victory all the dayes of our life yet shall we reele this way and that and willingly hurt our selues so that it shoulde seeme we had a will too breake both our armes and legges in the end neck and all And the reasō is for that we follow not the way which God hath set before vs. Let vs then cōsider what the meaning of Dauid is to wit that we must not make reckoning of any assurāce heere in this worlde except we loue the woorde of God yea and that so to as that we desire nothing else but to be wholly ordered by it to submit and holde our selues therto without beeing withdrawen by the intisementes of Satan and with all the temptations of our corrupte fleshe and nature shall laye before our eyes In very deede it may very well seeme at the firste sight that experience teacheth vs the contrary of that which Dauid speaketh For who are moste greeued vexed and troubled Forsooth euen the children of God who haue al the shame offences doone vnto them Euen the selfe same men For it is saide That our sauiour Christ is as it were a badge and marke of all these contrarieties we must then haue all the vngodly to be our enemyes In summe all they which intend too serue God cannot escape from shame and slaunderous reportes from beeing despised troubled and outraged to indure great numbers of iniuryes and violences Loe howe the Children of God are intreated and handled in this present life And so by this reason it seemeth that Dauid promiseth vs heere that which we haue not But we are heere too consider that Dauid promiseth vs not such a rest as shal be as it were an earthly Paradise Hee speaketh of this true prosperitie which the Children of God haue when they are contented to serue him that in all their griefes yea in all their anguishes and troubles they runne onely vntoo him and lay all their cares vpon him not doubting but that he will helpe them and afterward heerevpon not too feare whatsoeuer that mortall men can imagine or deuise against them When as then wee shall haue such a peace as this although our estate and condition be in the viewe of men the moste miserable in the whole worlde yet ought we too bee throughly contented knowing that God will raise vs vp and make vs to tryumph ouer all our enemyes although we thought we should fall euen to bee crusshed and vtterly beaten too poulder yet will God bee ready too vpholde vs Psam 91. and make vs to be blessed As it is said in the 91. Psalme That God will not suffer his faithfull too tumble ouer and ouer neither yet so to fall as that they shall not be able to releeue them selues againe but will rather sende his Angels to lifte them vpp into the Ayre In very deede yet shall it not bee so as that we shall not sometimes hurt our selues howbeit the assaultes shall not be such as to frush vs deadly howe euer it bee wee shall in the ende feele in what sort God shall haue assisted vs by his Angels This is the meane and the manner too feele by effecte that which Dauid speaketh off Now in trueth the wicked shal neuer be able to take any such holde because they are not worthy of it For by reason they know not what God nor his worde is without it be to hate him and too anger him it is meete that they proue by experiment the contrary of that which is heere spoken of by Dauid to wit because they loue not the lawe of God it is good reason that they shoulde bee inwardly troubled and greeuously tormented without end Now it followeth Lorde I haue trusted in thy sauing health and haue done thy
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