must bee with euery true penitent True it is in the time of our impenitency like wilde and mad horses we gallop in the way of sinne yet in the day of our repentance the spirit of God as with a bit or bridle giueth vs a checke and turnes vs backe and setteth vs as fast a going the other way insomuch that our olde companions stand wondering at the matter admiring that wee so suddenly breake off company 1. Pet. 4.4 and runne not with them to the same excesse of ryot so great is the change that not onely our selues but others also see it admire it Now then thou that talkest of repentance and of thy obedience to the commandements is this change in thee assure thy selfe if thou hast repented it is and all the world may see it Canst thou with a good conscience say of thy selfe as Paul did of the Corinthians 1. Cor. 6.10.11 I was once a thiefe a drunkard an adulterer a reuiler an extortioner a couetous person and the like but now I am washed now I am sanctified yea iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of my God canst thou thus say of thy selfe and that in truth why then to thy comfort be it spoken this is a notable euidence of the truth of thy repentance but if it be otherwise thou mayest deceiue thy selfe for if no reformation followes these are not signes of true repentance for this is true repentance Augustine saith Augustine so to bewayle sinnes past as that we commit them no more which wee haue bewayled It is to no purpose then for vs to bewayle our former courses vnlesse there follow amendment let not then this deceiue thee For where the Lord giues repētance there he giues the grace of reuocation whereby they becom new creatures for thou doest but mocke and not indeed repent when thou still doest that whereof thou hast repented this is true repentance so to repent that thou hast sinned as that thou doest so no more till therfore thou doest cease from sinne and reforme thy wayes vntill thou doest find this change in thy selfe so that thou canst truely say I was thus and thus but now the case is altered thou canst haue no comfort in thy repentance nor in the commandements for asure thy selfe that repentance and continuance in the old wicked courses can neuer stand together Lastly this may serue for the comfort of all such as doe finde this change in themselues who can say with that blinde man who had his sight restored one thing know that whereas I was blinde now I see Ioh. 9.25 whereas I was filthy and vncleane I am now washed and cleansed Oh happy is the condition of such a one thrise blessed is the estate of that man onely manifest this change vnto the world that others may also say How is this man cbanged from what he was that as others haue beene witnesses of thy sinne so they may bee also witnesses of thy repentance This may serue for reproofe Loose professors reprooued as being farre from keeping the commandements against our loose and leud hypocrites masked vnder the name of pure professors promising to thēselues though liuing and lying in their sins far frō keeping the cōmants the reward of glory no as thou sowest thou must reape as thou bruest thou must drinke if thou sowe tares neuer looke to reape wheate if thou Brue with crabs neuer looke to drinke milde Beere Can men gather figges of thorns or grapes of thistles so I comparing our workes to trees their rewards to the fruits say the like thinke you euer of the thorns and thistles of couetousnes pride vncleannes blasphemy swearing profanation of the Sabaoths euer to gather the sweet figges or pleasant grapes of glory and happines will this gall and wormewood euer make pleasant drinke◠will these wilde and sower grapes euer yeeld sweete wine Oh that wee could seriously lay this to heart that wee must all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christ 2. Cor. 5.10 11. to receiue according to that which we here haue done whether good or euill that hee that soweth of the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption Gal. 6.8 and hee that soweth of the spirit shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting then would we presently begin to reason with our selues Alas how poore how how barren am I in good workes how fruitfull in ill it is true indeed that according to the quality of our works we shall be iudged alas what other works can I present the Lord withal besides the works of death and darknes if these had the promise of reward then were my case good let vs examine our hearts herein and thinke euer with our selues thus long haue I liued but what good haue I done eyther to my selfe or others where are my prayers fastings humiliations meditations well spent Sabaoths well gouerned children and seruants where are the workes of mercie to my brethren either to their soules in holy admonition reprehension exhortation or bodies in ministring reliefe to their necessities how can I look for the penny that hath stood idle in the market place all the day long for the crown that refused to runne Rom. 2.7 for a good crop in haruest that would not sowe in seed time let vs no longer deceiue our selues no glory honor and immortality can be found of any but such as seeke it by continuance in well doing and in keeping the commandements and delighting therein Seeing then the greater our zeal paines and trauell hath beene in Gods cause the greater shall bee weight of our glory the twelue Apostles shall haue twelue special thrones at the day of iudgement and whereas otherwise men shall but shine with the brightnesse of the firmament Dan. 12 3. they that turne others from their euill wayes with brightnesse of the starres Phil. 4.17 hee that soweth liberally shall reape liberally and euery good worke added to the number of the former helpeth to further our reckoning in the day of the Lord. Mat. 12. And here for our comfort let vs remember that God rewards euery one according to his worke for he will reward the least good worke euen a cup of cold water an t 5.1 eating not onely of our honey but of our hony-combe yea at the last day notice will bee taken of inferiour sorts of workes as giuing a peece of bread or a peece of cloath God forbid then that any should say with those in Malachy It is in vaine to serue the Lord therefore let vs feare Gods saying Behold I come quickely and my reward is with me When Mordecay had performed a worthy seruice to Ahashuerosh in discouery of a dangerous treason Est 6.10 hee had not his reward presently but yet his seruice was registred and so afterward when the king looked vppon the records it was royally recompenced Malachy teacheth vs that there are books of
remembrance written for them thar feare the Lord Mal. 3.16 and in this Chronicle all our good seruices euen euery action of obedience is recorded that it may bee rewarded our labour then shall not bee lost nor so much as our teares but they are blotted men may forget vs as Pharaoh did Ioseph Iudg. 9.17 Gen. 41 42. and Sechemites Gedeon but God wil not our reward is sure though not so speedy as wee desire Here is great comfort to all faithfull Ministers who spend their strength to turne sinners from their euill wayes great is their reward in Heauen We must liue the life grace heare if we meane to shine in glory hereafter God heere assures vs of reward in the Kingdome of Heauen Behold what comfort shineth from hence to all you who haue spent your strength in the seruice of God and conuersion of sinners great is your reward in Heauen you shall shine as starres in the Ftrmament for euer and euer From hence we learne that the degrees of glory heereafter shall bee according to the degrees of grace here so that if wee would then shine in glory now we must shine in grace therefore take the aduantage of this thy corruption shake of all spirituall sloth vse it as a goade in thy side to make thee sweat againe in Gods worke double paines shall bring thee double pleasure double deligence double delight double holinesse double honour Who will be a common stone in the building when he might be a Piller Who would be a Doore-keeper when he might be a Steward therefore let vs looke to the whole course of our liues God rewards vs not according to our good or euill worke but according to our workes to the ordinary course of them this must teach vs faithfully to walke before the Lord in the discharge of our seuerall callings let vs look well to our worke that wee doe it and God will looke farre better to reward our worke Oh then that instead of taking thought how to get this or that good thing promised wee would once take thought how to doe this or that good thing commanded and so doing our duty we should be happy for euermore In worldly affaires no weighty thing can bee done without diligence farre lesse in spirituall Cursed be he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently how shall hee looke for the penny that hath stood idle Oh that there were no such to bee found in these our dayes 2. Tim. 4 2. forgetting the rule of the Apostle Preach in season and out of season Hence it commeth to passe that their Sheepe belonging to their charge are like Pharoa his Kine so leane and euill fauoured and so weake as euery bush is able to entangle and euery ditch ready to drowne them and euery blast of vaine Doctrine able to blow them away Oh that this charge were considered and that we remembred that belongeth to them that preach not the Gospell Art thou a Steward Art thou an Ambassador Why then dost thou not distribute Gods food vnto his people How wilt thou be able to looke him in the face at whose barre one day all flesh must stand Luke 16.21 and if the rich man were cast into Hell who did not relieue poore Lazarus with his bread What shall become of those that haue famished the Soules of their people for want of holy admonition and instruction First to all bee it spoken both Minister and people let vs auoyd all sinne and endeauour our our selues to the vtmost of our power to keepe and delight in the Commandements not one but al and that we may not deceiue our selues herein let euery man examine himselfe at this marke and with a single eye and vpright heart take a view of his affections whether his ioy bee inward and spirituall that is in the assurances of God fauour in his word in his Children in Prayer and continuall practise of Godlinesse or outward and carnall that is in attainement of greatnesse and worldly pleasures in the encrease of our Corne and Wine and Oyle vvhether hee loue the peace of Conscience farre more dearely then the fauour of men or his owne life Whether hee bee more zealous for the honour and praise of GOD then his owne Whether hee bee more afraid of secret sinnes then open shame of offending God then outward afflictions Whether he bee more angry in the cause of Religion and concerning Gods glory or for our owne priuate wrongs and so throughout the rest of our affections Secondly wouldest thou repent thee of thy sinnes turne from them and haue them pardoned then labour to know them striue to find them out Consider of thy wayes make a stand for a while and examine thy courses put the question to thy soule what haue I done and againe propound it wherein am I fayling take the light of Gods Law that will shew thee thy filthinesse that will discouer vnto thee thy great corruptions and many faylings bee not backward in this duty the more backward thou art the greater cause thou hast to feare thy estate Bankerouts that are not worth a groat do not dare look into their state because they know they bee worse then nought bee then perswaded to call thy courses to account Consider the estate wherin thou art thy case is fearefull because thou art ignorant of it but it is desperate if thou wilt not be perswaded to looke into it but on the other side if thou wilt take thy selfe aside and commune with thy owne heart as Dauid speaketh Psal 4.4 surely then thou wilt be in a fayre forwardnesse to sound conuersion But heare some may aske Obedience to all the Commandements is an infallible signe of a true iustifying faith how shall I know if I be such a one or not I answere thou mayst easily prooue it in keeping the Commandements and delighting therein by this maist thou know and therefore try thy selfe whether thou hast respect to the first Table as well as to the second to the second as well as to the first dost thou performe good duties for conscience sake dost thou as well make conscience of dissembling with the world defrauding thy neighbour lying or equiuocating for aduantage as of blaspheming Gods name of prophaning Gods Sabbath of neglecting holy exercises Dost thou lament and bewayle thy dulnesse and deadnesse thy drowsinesse and heauines in the performance of holy duties to God and honest duties to men Art thou grieued and disquieted when thou findest not the efficacies and fruit of those good exercises in thy heart hast thou learned to make conscience of sinnes of omission as well of commission Dost thou as well open thy mouth to speake to his honour as keepe it shut from dishonouring him Dost thou as well make conscience of doing these good duties on the Sabbath Day hearing reading meditating and the like which God requireth as thou dost from abstaining of the workes of thy ordinary calling which hee forbiddeth
AN EXPOSITION VPON THE CXII Psalme The high way to euerlasting blessednesse Written for the benefit of Gods Church by T. S. Psal 111.10 The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good vnderstanding haue al they that do his Commandements Eccles 12.13 Therefore let vs feare the end of all feare God and keepe his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man LONDON Printed by Bernard Alsop dwelling in Distaffe Lane at the Signe of the Dolphin 1621. TO THE RIGHT worshipfull right vertuous truly religious and most worthy Mistres M. Murry wife to the honourable Mr. Thomas Murry Secretary to the Prince his highnesse the encrease of grace and all true happines externall internall eternall RIght Worshipfull the principall thing of which I reade in holy Scriptures which makes vs both acceptable to God approued of the godly is the grace of regeneration to become new creatures this alone when all other things faile commends vs to God this distinguisheth the good from the bad the precious from the vile the godly from the wicked this grace Right worshipfull as being of all others most requisite I most willingly commend to your wise and Christian Consideration hauing experience of your Christian loue The authour of this Psalme was blessed Dauid the sweet singer of Israel wherein the Prophet teaches vs the way to true blessednes that is to feare God and delight in his Commandements for circumcision is nothing 1. Cor. 7.29 and vncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of God I may truly say of this new creature Prou. 31.29 as Salomon speaketh of the vertuous woman many are the graces of Gods spirit but this excels them all This is it indeede which will make you thrise blessed both of God and all good men for the kingdome of God is not meate drinke but righteousnesse peace Rom. 14.17 18. and ioy in the holy ghost and hee that in these things serueth God is acceptable to him 1. Sam. 2.30 and approoued of men they that thus honor God hee will honour whereas those that despise him neglecting the meanes of regeneration shall be lightly esteemed for there is no respect of persons with God but be hee what he will be noble or ignoble in euery nation he that feareth God Act 10.35 and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him First therefore seeke the kingdom of God and his righteousnesse and all other things as honour Mat. 6.33 wealth and riches shall bee cast vpon you namely in the sober vse of lawfull meanes this is the good and right way only to feare the Lord and to serue him in truth with all our hearts 1. Sam. 12.23.24 by this ye shall be sure to haue the honor that comes from God as Christ sayth Ioh. 12.26 If any man serue me him will my father honour whereas on the contrary without this we can neuer haue Gods approbation though wee may haue the worlds commendation yea thogh the world and all men in the world speake wel of vs we may be accursed Luke 26. Cursed are you when all men praise you that is if God dispraise you and ye want his approbation and commendation Woe be vnto you though all men speak well of you and know it for your vnspeakeable comfort Psal 4.3 that you being godly God setteth you a part for his owne selfe all Gods delight is vppon the Saints on earth Psal 16.4 and vpon such as excell in vertue the Lord taketh pleasure in those that feare him the Lord taketh pleasure in his people Psal 147. 149.4 will beautifie the meeke with saluation and remember with ioy the words of God by Moses if wee heare Gods voyce indeed with care conscience to practise it by liuing in faith repentance and new obedience Exod. 19.5 you are Gods chiefe treasure aboue all people though all the earth be his Thus hoping for pardon of my boldnesse I intreat your fauourable acceptance and patronage hereof humbly take my leaue beseeching Almighty God to blesse you yours with the encrease of all blessings spirituall and temporall according to the many graces bestowed vpon you The Lord Iesus Christ himselfe and God euen our Father which hath loued vs and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation good hope through grace establish you in euery good word worke the Lord fill you with all spirituall grace that so you may be presented most glorious without spot wrinkle in the Church triumphant and that by our most blessed and alone Sauiour Iesus Christ the righteous to whom be glory and maiestie dominion and power now and for euer Amen Your worships seruant in all duty to be commanded T S. TO THE WORshipfull vertuous and worthy Gentlewoman and my approued louing cousin Mistris Euelyen wife to the worshipfull Maister Richard Euelyen Esquire one of his Maiesties Iustices of peace in the county of Surry the encrease of all outward blessings and spiritual comforts be multiplyed through Iesus Christ IT is a thing better knowne then well considered of that in the mysticall body of Christ Iesus euery member hath his seuerall office whereon it must attend the weakest as well as the strongest and in the family of the great ruler of heauen and earth each seruant hath his seuerall talent which hee must employ the meanest as well as the worthiest for want of greater abilitie I haue done my best endeauour to shew the way to euerlasting blessednesse for the doing whereof I had rather vndergoe the censures of such as are curious then depriue those of a benefite that are religious and spiritually minded perhaps I shall be tossed by some with the stormy winds of euill censures but for them I passe not so I can benefit any this part of the Psalme I am sure is excellent for the purpose and Ierome doth call this booke of the Psalmes the treasures of learning Seeing therefore it was promised that vnder the kingdome of Christ the meanest or least should bee like vnto Dauid therefore trie your selfe if by grace you are partakers of Dauids disposition recorded in this Psalme you may be out of doubt that you shall be also partaker of his approbation for the Lord is no accepter of persons what he approues in one he will also approue another therfore follow Dauid in the practise of Pietie and then you shal be partaker of his praise which he receiued from God the generall complaint of the world is that there is no end of making many books because there is little or no fruit in those that reade them but as the grasse on the house top which withers afore it commeth foorth whereof the mower filleth not his hand Psal 129.6 nor the gleaner his lap neither they which goe by say the blessing of the Lord be on you we blesse you in the name of the Lord therefore read to some purpose that is intend of a reader