the true Members of Gods Church who have the comfort and liberty of Gods holy worship and service are blessed and happy See Psal 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy Courts Hence it followes verse 10. A day in thy Courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickednesse The reason hereof is from the wonderfull rare heavenly blessings Reason which are here certainly enjoyed by the true Members of the Church and no where else Whereof the first and principall from which all the rest do flowe is the fruition of communion and fellowship with the true God one in essence three in person the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost who is onely in his Church to the true members thereof a God of grace and mercy and therefore they that are out of the Church are without God in the world Eph. 2.12 Here the first person is the father of mercies and God of all consolation 2 Cor. 1.3 the second person is a blessed Saviour and Redeemer Isa 9.6 unto us a childe is born unto us a Sonne is given a Saviour Luk. 2.10 11. with Isa 49.6 8. the holy Ghost is the blessed sanctifier and comforter being the spirit of grace Zech. 12.10 yet onely in his Church Joh. 14.17 Now this true God is in his Church to all the true members thereof not onely a Master farre excelling Solomon of whom the Queen of Sheba testifies that his servants were blessed 1 King 10.8 with Mat. 12.42 and such a Master as saith where I am thereshall also my servant be Joh. 12.26 with Luk. 12.37 43 44. but a father Matth. 23.9 Joh. 20.17 Yea an husband Isa 54.5 Thy Maker is thine husband and Isa 62.4 5. Thy land shall be married As a young man marrieth a Virgin as the Bridegroome rejoyceth over the bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Ier. 3.14 I am married unto you Hos 2.19 20. I have betroathed thee unto me for ever c. Secondly this true God in Christ gives to all the true members of his Church freedome and deliverance from all the miseries of nature that is from the whole guilt and curse of sinne in originall corruption and actuall transgressions See Luke 1.68.74 Gal. 3.13 Rom. 8.1 Acts 13.39 Thirdly here is afforded the full fruition of all needfull blessings as Eph. 1.3 who blesseth us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ And not only so but even with all needfull temporall blessings Matth. 6.32 33. These blessings may be reduced to foure heads First to direction in all the wayes wherein they ought to walke Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt goe Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell If the good houswife order the wayes of her houshold Prov. 31.27 how much more God Secondly to provision both for soule and body for Psal 34.10 They that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing for soule John 6.33.35.55.63 1 Cor. 10.16 Here is Christ the tree of life and the well of life whereon Psal 87.7 All my springs are in thee Rev. 22.1 2. And heaven for an inheritance Luke 12.32 1 Pet. 1.3 4. For temporall see Is 65.13 Psal 37.3 4. Thirdly to protection and preservation by speciall providence Psal 25.5 and Psal 91.1 implyed and assured to all the faithfull Mat. 10.29 30 31. The Kings servants in ordinary may not be arrested but upon warrant from the Lord Chamberlain but Gods servants have a greater priviledge God himself must grant the warrant else they may not be medled with Job 1.10 John 19.11 Acts 18.10 Psal 89.22 Fourthly to remuneration both here with honour of grace to be his friends John 15.14 15. 1 John 3.1 and attendance of Angels Psal 34.7 Psal 91.11 and hereafter Mat. 25.21.23 Luke 19.17 c. Mat. 19.28 29. Is it such a blessing to dwell in Gods house then it is a great curse to dwell out of it Vse 1 for so they should be deprived of all the forenamed blessings This made David to say Woe is me that I sojourne in Meshech that I dwell in the tents of Kedar Psal 120.5 and 1 Sam. 26.19 If they be the children of men cursed be they before the Lord for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord saying Goe serve other Gods The ancient resemblance of Gods Church to Noahs Arke is true and fit for this place Vse 2 Secondly wee must examine whether wee be such as dwell in Gods house as true members of the Church and such onely are true believers in Christ for no man cometh to the Father but by him John 14.6 Whereby will bee excluded all Gentiles who are without Christ Ephesians 2.12 and Turkes and Jewes who though they acknowledge the God that made the world and brought Israel out of Aegypt yet not believing Christ Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary to be the sonne of God and saviour of the world they shall dye in their sinnes John 8.24 Luke 13.28 Yea besides them Papists holding the Doctrine established in the Councell of Trent who do not only a Rhem. on Rom. 3.22 deride but b Conc. Trid. Sess 6. can 10. accuse the Doctrine of justification by imputed righteousnesse will be found Ismaelites the sonnes of the bondwoman such as must be put out of the house Gal. 4.21.30 and such guests as want the wedding garment which is Christs righteousnesse imputed and received by faith see 2 Cor. 5.20 Rev 3.18 Our white rayment to cover our filthy nakednesse of sin must be had of Christ also by their Idolatry they hold not the head Col. 2.18 19. Also they that professe the truth and yet content themselves with a dead faith are not dwellers in Gods house that is such as have a shew of godlinesse but want the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.5 who professe they know God but by their works deny him Tit. 1.16 Of such St. James speakes James 2.18.20 Shew mee thy faith without thy workes c. He that must abide in the house for ever must be a sonne John 8.35 which we all are through faith in Christ Gal. 3.26 and by regeneration 1 John 5.1 for of such the Apostle saith Thou art no more a servant but a sonne Gal. 4.7 Therefore whosoever would certainely know himselfe to be in Gods house and to continue therein must get true faith and keep it and shew the truth of it by works of love Gal. 5 6. and of obedience to Gods word 1 Thess 2.13 Vse 3 As we desire the assurance of true happinesse we must approve our selves dwellers in Gods house that is such as continue and abide the true servants and children of God Our holy calling to the faith of the Gospell gives us entrance and admittance into the family of God
nations in whom he gives instance pointing them out by name with command of speciall observance that by effectuall calling and regeneration shall become true members of his Church namely the Egyptians Babilonians Philistims men of Tyre and Ethiopians under whom he comprehendeth other Gentiles yet nameth such as were well known unto the Jewes then Gods only people formerly to have shewed themselves their greatest enemies Egypt and Babilon were the places of Israels bondage and captivity The Philistims likewise were sore oppressours and Lords over them Judg. 15.11 even forty years together Judg. 13.1 The men of Tyre were bitter enemies delivering up the whole captivity to Edom and remembred not the brotherly covenant Amos 1.9 Their cruelty see further Joel 3.4 6. and Psal 83.7 The Ethiopians were likewise grievous enemies as their bloody assault with a huge Army did plainly shew 2 Chron. 14.9 Yet for all this Behold saith the Lord these shall be converted and become friends to the Church free Denisons of Sion for all Nations shall serve him meaning Christ prefigured by Solomon Psal 72.11 The Gentiles shall come to thy light The abundance of the Sea shall he converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Is 60.3 5. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called saith the Lord Acts 15.17 In particular of Egypt and Babilon see Is 19.19 21 25. In that day shall there be an Altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt And the Lord shall be known to Egypt and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day and shall doe sacrifice and oblation yea they shall vow a vow unto the Lord and performe it And Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands And of Tyre Psal 45.12 The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift And of Ethiopia Psal 68.31 Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God But why doth he instance in these nations especially when as in them he intends to shew the conversion of the Gentiles The first Reason This he doth for three causes First to shew the greatnesse of his power who can not only confound but even convert the greatest enemies of his Church For their confounding see Exod. 14 27 28. and Numb 16. And for conversion see Acts 9.1 c. The second Reason Secondly this he doth to manifest even to enemies his great love unto his Church as he saith Revel 3.9 I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jewes and are not but do lye behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee Thirdly for the encouragement of his Church and children unto faith and patience The third Reason in the times of opposition by mighty enemies For the true God who is God of the Church can either confound or convert them at his pleasure or if he do neither of those things yet he can cause the wrath of his enemies to turn to his praise Psal 76.10 as is plain in the rage of Nabuchadnezzar against his servants Dan. 3.19 20 28 29. This serves for Instruction with confutation admonition and comfort The use for instruction For instruction In the conversion of these mighty enemies we may plainly see that when God is pleased to shew mercy in Christ the gracious work of his holy spirit is irresistible corruption indeed is strong but yet the grace of the spirit is stronger as is said 1 John 4.4 Greater is he that is in you them he that is in the world The Devill indeed is the strong man armed that keeps the house of every naturall heart but yet Christ by his spirit is stronger and can come in and cast out the strong man Luke 11.21 22. This is plainly shewed in fit resemblances Is 11.6 The wolfe shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lye down with the kidd c. which was truly verified in Saul that of a most bloody persecutor was made a zealous preacher Acts 9. according to that of our Saviour John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto mee Though none can come except the Father draw John 6.44 yet when God drawes they runne Cant. 1.4 By which it is plain that they grosly erre that hold Gods saving work of grace man be resisted by mans corruption for who hath resisted his will that can raise up children unto Abraham of very stones Rom. 9.19 Mat. 3.9 Indeed our Saviour saith to the rebellious Jewes Mat. 23.37 How often would I have gathered you as an heme gathereth her chickens under her wings but you would not And St. Stephen telleth the rebellious Jewes they had ever resisted the holy Ghost Acts 7.51 But they both speak of resistance made to the outward Ministry not to the inward powerfull work of the spirit The use for admonition For admonition it serves profitably both to godly Ministers and people not to despaire of any mans conversion though never so refractory or rebellious to Gods ordinance till they manifest their rejection of God by committing the unpardonable sinne whereof St. John speaks 1 John 9.16 For he can make a Paul of Saul and cause the Lyon and the Lamb to live together quietly This indeed ought to be their behaviour that wish and wait for the means of grace according to their places in instruction exhortation admonition and the like as a Tim. 2.24 25 26. in publike if they be Ministers and in private if they be private Christians as Mat. 18.15 c. If thy brother shall trespasse against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother c. For private Christians may be be means of conversion Jam. 5.19 20. Brethren if any of you do erre from the truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the errour of his way shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes Secondly they must pray earnestly to God for the work of his spirit 1 John 5.16 If any man see his brother sin a sinne which is not unto death he shall aske and he shall give him life for them that sinne not unto death From unfeigned desire as Paul did Rom. 10.1 My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved And Rom. 9.2,3 I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart For I could wish that my selfe were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh Consider Davids behaviour for the naturall life of his child 2 Sam. 12.16 David besought God for the child and David fasted and went in and lay all night upon the earth And shall not the spirituall life of the soule be esteemed much more precious
children unto Abraham of stones as Mat. 3.9 to whom all things are possible Mat. 19.36 and nothing is too hard Jer. 32.27 Lastly doth heavinesse and deadnesse of heart oppresse thee Then get thee to the comforter even to God in Christ by his holy spirit who is the God of hope that can fill thee with all joy in believing Rom. 15.13 FINIS A Table of some speciall matters contained in these Expositions of the 27.84.85 and 87. PSALMES The first number hath reference to the Psalme the second to the Page A. Abraham HOw the Sonnes of Abraham may be known 85.26 Affliction How to be so prepared for afflictions as that we may glorifie God under them 27.42 43. How the godly may comfort themselves in afflictions 27.47 All affliction comes by divine dispensation 85.36 The difference between Gods children and naturall men under affliction 85.43 44. Anger Anger what it is how and why ascribed unto God in Scripture 85.18 19. Speciall means to turn away Gods anger 85.22 23. Gods anger may continue long towards his own people and why 85.37,38,39 Anointed All true believers are Gods anointed 84.67 68. What we must do that we may be of the number of Gods anointed ones 84.68 69. Answer Why God doth sometimes deny to give gracious answers to the prayers of his servants 27.56 What we must do that we may be enabled to to wait and listen for a gracious answer when we have prayed 85.60.61 What is required of men that they may walk worthy of the Lord and labour in some measure to answer his bounty 85.92 Apostasie They that end in Apostasie began in hypocrisie or at least had only an humane acquired faith 27.89 90. Assembly Christian Assemblies for Evangelicall worship are lovely places 84.15 B. Behave HOw Gods children must behave themselves when he hides his face from them 27.73 Mens behaviour and carriage towards their brethren will discover and manifest their estate and condition before God 85.89 Blessing The right way to partake of the best blessings 27.129 130. What it is to be blessed 84.36 The difference between Gods children and naturall men in the fruition of temporall blessings 85.48 Though many times they want the possessions yet the right of all Gods blessings belongs to them that are in Christ 85.90 They that live in sinne and want faith have no part in the best blessings have starved souls though in pampered and well clad bodies 85.92 There is small hope of Gods blessing to accompany the devils getting 85.92 The earthly blessings of Gods providence are attendants on the heavenly blessings of his grace 85.93 Book God hath three Books and what they are 87.122 C. Calling HOw men must wait upon the Gospel preached for an holy calling 87.106 Effectuall calling is actually writing in the book of life 87.125 Captivitie What sins brought the Captivity 85.10 Censure He that shall refuse subjection to the censure of the Church must be cast out as an heathen 85.101 Charmes Conjurers charmes are prayers to the devill 85.28 Church What wonderfull blessings are certainly enjoyed in Gods house his Church and no where else 27.25 26 27. In the visible Church hypocrites may have a place for outward worship 84.10 Gods Church on earth is fitly compared to the Moon and why 85.34 Gods true Church seeking Gods salvation pleads mercy not merit 85.56 The true Church is a spirituall building of Gods own founding and making 87.79 The inseparable property of Gods true Church is that it is holy and sanctified 87.82 Prophane and wicked persons are no true and lively members of the Church 87.82 83. God loves his Church above all other states and conditions of men in the world whatsoever 87.85 The greatnesse of Gods love to his Church seen in three things 87.86 87 88 89 90. How to know the true Church and how to become true members of it 87.93 The true Church of God is his own city 87.95 Gods Church is as Noahs Ark unto which all must come that look to be saved from the deluge of damnation 87.96 What the way into Christs Church is ibid. Why God doth mention glorious things to belong to his Church 87.98 99. The outward state of Gods Church in this world is many times not onely mean but miserable 87.99 The happinesse of Gods Church and children must be measured by their present title to Gods favour in Christ and their certain title to suture glory ibidem Gods Church is Gods kingdom into which man in the corrupt state of nature cannot enter as heir to inherit 87.107 By what titles Gods Church is his more then any other people in the world 87.120 The Church of God is the onely place for spirituall joy 87.127 What incomparable blessings God vouchsafeth to his Church which makes it the place for spirituall joy 87.128.129 Out of the Church no salvat on and why 87. â—34 â—35 The Church of God is surpassing excellent and happy above all other states of people in the world 87.135 Comfort True courage and comfort in evill times is the Lords gift 27.9 The right way to sound comfort and true patience in any distresse or bodily misery 84.44 45. Contempt Gods people sometimes are in great contempt and why 85.74 Conversion No mans conversion is to be despaired of 87.113 What they must do that wish and wait for the conversion of rebels 87.113 114. Multitude of converts is an evidence of Gods speciall favour 87.116 Corruption Naturall corruption judgeth many of Gods wayes unequall 27.98 The terrour that corruption causeth in the godly may easily manifest how terrible the tyranny of it is in naturall men 27.108 How to know where corruption bears dominion 27.108 â—09 110. Corruption of nature in the heart bewrays its dominion in naturall men by their ordinary practise of sinne in life 27.122 123. Originall corruption is in Gods people in a different manner and measure according to their estate before God 85.13 14. Originall corruption is not quite taken away by baptisme 85.14 Covenant They that stand rightly in covenant with God are in an happy estate 27.4 How to get into Covenant with God 27.6 Countenance We should labour in our countenances to expresse truly the affections of our hearts 84.64 65. Courage The way to get spirituall courage 27.141 142. Courts Gods Courts are the place of his solemn worship here on earth 84.70 D. Delay WHy God sometimes useth long delayes in answering the prayers of his children 84.58 Deliverance Deliverance by unlawfull meanes is not of God but the devill 85.58 Disease Sinne is a deadly disease in the soul to which turning back is a spirituall relapse more dangerous then a corporall 85.68 Displeasure The sense of Gods displeasure in a state of misery is to Gods people as a state of death and why 85.42 43. Doubling Doubling requests in prayer shewes fervency and earnestnesse for audience 84.57 Dwell What it is to dwell in Gods house 27.24,32 Three things required of them that would dwell in Gods
he was more in prayer and endeavour after this blessing to dwell in Gods house then after any worldly thing This he often testifieth as 1 Chron. 29.3 I have set mine affection to the house of my God Psal 26.8 Lord I have loved the habitation of thine house and the place where thine honour dwelleth Psal 122.1 I was glad when they said unto me let us go to the house of the Lord. So Psal 84.1 2 10. and Psal 42.1 2 4. This affection is the more to be marked in David because the world wonders at it in Gods children as Cant. 5.8 9. and derides them for it as 2 Sam. 6.20 therefore consider the reasons that moved him thereunto which are indeed the wonderfull rare heavenly blessings which are certainly enjoyed in Gods house The first Reason and no where else Whereof the first and principall from which all the rest do flow is the sure fruition of society and fellowship with the true God who is one in essence three in persons the father the sonne and the holy Ghost Who though the whole world be his yet onely shewes his speciall grace and favour to the true members of his Church as Psal 147.19 28. Hee sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation c. with Exod. 19.5 Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people And therefore they that are out of the Church are said to be without Christ and without God in the world Ephes 2.12 and cannot receive the holy Ghost who is the true sanctifier and comforter Joh. 14.17 What the priviledge of the Church is Behold then the priviledge of the Church and of the true members thereof the true God who is one in essence three in persons as God is their Lord and King which is a great ground of their true happinesse The Queen of Sheba accounted Solomons servants happy in having a King so eminent for wisedome 1 Kings 10.8 But behold a greater then Solomon is here Matth. 12.42 a King and Master in his Church who can give deliverance by command Psal 44.4 and will honour all his faithfull servants Joh. 12.26 Where I am there also shall my servant be If any man serve me him will my father honour so Luke 12.37 43 44. More particularly God the father is in Christ their father 2 Cor. 6.18 John 20.17 even the father of mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 who will take notice of the wants of his children and make supply upon their sober and sanctified use of lawfull means if first and chiefly they seek heavenly blessings Matth. 6.32 33. and what is wanting in their temporall estate he will fully make out in their eternall Luke 12.32 Also God the sonne is in and to his Church a blessed saviour and redeemer he is the head unto his Church which is his body Eph. 1.22 23. and the saviour of his body Eph 5.23 See Luke 2.10 11. Isa 49.6.8 Yea he is an husband unto their souls Isa 54.5 Thy maker is thine husband Isa 62.4 5. Thy land shall be married As a young man marrieth a virgin and as the bridegroom rejoyceth over the bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee And God the holy Ghost is to his Church a blessed sanctifier and comforter the spirit of grace and supplications Zech. 12.10 And because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his sonne into your hearts Gal. 4.6 Secondly the true God in Christ Jesus gives to all the true members of the Church freedome and deliverance from all hurtfull evils By imputing his righteousnesse unto them he doth acquit them from the whole guilt and curse of sinne both originall corruptions and actuall transgressions whereupon all the evils thereof in temporall and corporall miseries as they are curses are removed See Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us whereupon Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus and more generally Luke 1.68 c. Acts 13.39 The third Reason Thirdly here God affordeth to his children the full and sure fruition of all needfull blessings heavenly and earthly See Ephes 1.3 for heavenly and for earthly see Math. 6.32 33. The blessings of his house are great as Psal 65.4 Here is no lack Psal 34.10 See some particulars The first blessing in Gods house First here God gives direction in every good way Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with mine eye Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell A type hereof hee shewed to his people in the wildernesse Exod. 13.21 22. in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night The second blessing in Gods house Secondly here is plentifull provision both for soul and body Psal 34.10 For the soul see John 6.27 33 35 55 63. 1 Cor. 10.16 Here is the tree of life and the well of life Rev. 22.1 2. Psal 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life Psal 87.7 All my springs are in thee that is in the true Church For the body see Isaiah 65.13 Psal 37.3 4. The third blessing in Gods house Thirdly here is safe protection and preservation by speciall providence Psal 91.1 c. implied and assured to all the faithfull Matth. 10.29 30 31. It is said the Kings servants in ordinary cannot be arrested but by warrant from the Lord Chamberlain and ordinary attendants on Parliament-men have great freedomes but the servants of God have more see John 19.11 Job 1.10 Acts 18.10 Psal 89.22 The fourth blessing in Gods house Fourthly here is most admirable remuneration even in this life with the honour of grace and favour to be his friends Joh. 15.14 15. to be his children 1 John 3.1 and to have the attendance of the heavenly Angels Psalm 34.7 Psal 91.11 Heb. 1.13 but most aboundantly in the life to come Matth. 19.28 29. Matth. 25.21 23. Luke 12.32 This serves for instruction and for admonition The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First see here a plaine evidence of the great ignorance and unbelief of naturall men in the things of God for not one of a thousand hath Davids affection to Gods house and the true cause thereof is their ignorance and unbelief touching the good things of Gods house As in the like see John 4.10 and Cant. 5.9 Here it is true that the light that is in naturall men is but meer darknesse Matth. 6.23 The second Use for instruction Secondly that undoubtedly it is a wonderfull priviledge and prerogative to be a true member of Gods Church and to live in his house else David would never have so much desired it The first Use for admonition For admonition two wayes First to try our affection toward the house of God by Davids for sure it is if God be our light and
our salvation and the strength of our life we cannot but desire to enjoy that place where wee may have society with him The evidence of good affection to Gods house Now the evidence of this good affection is First sorrow for want of liberty to Gods service as Psal 42.1 2 4. When I remember these things I powr out my soul in me c. And for want of Gods saving and sacred ordinances as Psal 74.9 Wee see not our signes there is no more any Prophet c. as Phinebas wife in travell 1 Sam. 4.19 20 21 22. The glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken c. Secondly joy in the meanes and liberty thereto as Psal 121.1 I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord. As when the Ark came to Bethshemesh from among the Philistims they of Bethshemesh rejoyced to see it 1 Sam. 6.13 and sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord. Vers 15. And David danced before the Ark for joy when it was brought to the City of David 2 Sam. 6.15 16. and so Nehem. 8.12 all the people made great mirth for understanding the word and Vers 17. in keeping the Lords feast there was great gladnesse The second Use for admonition Secondly to get Davids affection to Gods house which will be had by knowing their misery that are out of it as the world drowned out of Noahs Ark and as is expressed Rev. 22.15 with 21.8 also by their happinesse that bee the living members of it see Rev. 21.7 add 22.14 for then they have God for their God and right to all the blessings of the covenant in freedome from the miseries of nature as they are curses and fruition of all needfull good in direction provision protection and remuneration as before is shewed For the sanctifying of these things considered to our hearts we must pray for the spirit which quickeneth the dead and giveth light and sight to the blinde eyes of the understanding and with all endeavour to leave sinne and to live godly that so we may be more capable of the blessings of the spirit For the spirit of God is an holy spirit and will not dwell in an unclean and filthy heart as 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Mark the place where Christ eats the Passeover with his Disciples Mark 14.15 It is a large upper room furnished and prepared so it should be with our hearts if we would have the father and Christ to come unto us and make their abode with us John 14.23 yea to sâ—p with us Revel 3.20 The second Observation Secondly in his first expressing of Davids affection towards the house of God note also the means he used and the course he took to obtain this blessing namely with earnest desire and prayer to God he joyneth other endeavour and seeketh after it by doing what he can otherwise to get this estate Here are two words used declaring Davids behaviour to obtain this blessing that he might dwell in the house of the Lord. The first doth plainly point out the duty of prayer to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that of earnest prayer such as Beggars use who are usually importunate as Prov. 20.4 The sluggard shall beg in harvest The second word though sometime it expresse seeking in prayer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Pagnin in this word M. yet often betokens the use of other means beside prayer whereby the thing desired may be gotten as labour and pains in travail and otherwise as Psal 37.32 The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him and therefore it is sometime expounded by pursue as Psal 34 14. Seek peace and pursue it Whereby it seemes plain that David did with prayer joyn other endeavour to get this blessing to dwell in the house of the Lord. The first Reason The reason of this behaviour is twofold First obedience to Gods ordinance who required of those that would dwell in his house three things First repentance from dead works whereby they break off the course of all sin wherein they had formerly lived see 1 John 1.6 If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we lye Hath the throne of wickednesse fellowship with thee Psal 94.20 What fellowship hath light with darknesse c. 2 Cor. 6.14 15. David would not suffer an evill person to dwell in his house Psal 101.4.7 and shall we think that God will have his house defiled with such For reigning sinne is spirituall leprosie and though he were a temporall King yet bodily leprosie will cause him to be cast out of the Lords Sanctuary 2 Chron. 26.20 Secondly to bee beautified in soul with inward graces through regeneration as faith vertue godlinesse c. 2 Pet. 1 5 6 7 8. Heb. 11.6 He that cometh unto God must believe Thirdly to be adorned in life with new obedience Psal 15.2 3 c. Psal 24.3 4. And these things David must seek after if hee would dwell in Gods house and so no doubt he did The second Reason Secondly desire to enjoy the blessings of Godshouse wherein he knew that mans true happinesse did stand as Psal 65.4 Psal 84.4 As Paul did Phil. 3.13 14. Now in nature every thing desires the happinesse of its kinde so farre forth as the enlightning of the understanding can direct which being most perfect in Gods children they desire the fruition of the true God who is the fountain of the best happinesse This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction it shews us plainly whence it is that the greatest number in the world do fail of true spirituall grace and so indeed of salvation it self sure it is not for want of desire for wicked Balaam would have his soul to dye the death of the righteous Num. 23.10 But it is because with desire in prayer they do not joyn seeking after and holy endeavour in the diligent use of other meanes ordained of God for the attaining hereof For it fares with men that live in the Church for the blessings of grace and salvation as it doth with men in the world for temporall blessings of whom Solomon saith Prov. 13.4 The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing why so Because he is a sluggard and severeth diligence from desire as the opposition shews in the end of the verse but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat But the idle soul shall suffer hunger Prov. 19.15 And so it is for spirituall graces which are the treasures of wisedome heavenly riches as Christ implieth John 5.40 You will not come unto me that you might have life compared with Matth. 11.28 29. Come unto me all ye that labour c. And St. Paul shews it Acts 13 46 47. Seeing you put it from you c. and Luke 10.10 11 12. Into whatsoever city ye enter and they receive you not go your wayes out into the streets of the
The second Reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly because of iniquity for sinne is truly that Ate which brings all evill affliction followes sinners And here first Davids own sinnes make him liable to evils of affliction he complains that his iniquities took hold of him and so he felt 2 Sam. 12.10 Likewise the sinnes of the wicked in his time might make it to go farre worse with him as Eliah told Ahab thou and thy fathers house trouble Israel 1 Kings 18.18 and so we may think it was in the time of the Churches complaint Psal 44.9 10 17 18 19. The third Reason Thirdly Satans malice who cast out flouds against the woman Revel 12.15 and prevails with God for leave to afflict holy Job with grievous plagues Job 1.10 11. and 2.5 and let not David escape 1 Chron. 21.1 Being indeed that roaring lion going about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5.8 The fourth Reason Fourthly the malice of the wicked who are the seed of the serpent who hated and persecuted David not for his offence or sinne as Psal 59.3 4. but because he followed goodnesse as Psal 38.19 20. Like to Cain who slew his brother Abel because his own works were evill and his brothers righteous 1 John 3.12 whereof Christ forewarned his disciples John 15.19 20. This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction see from Davids resolution what is the case and condition of all the godly namely to be subject to evils and troubles which David made account of for all the fore-named reasons fasten themselves upon the godly now living as they did upon David And for plain testimony see Psal 34.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution For instance see Jacobs confession of himself Gen. 47.9 Few and evill have the days of my life been and the state of Job Chap. 1. and 2. And that of Moses Psal 90.15 Also Heb. 11.37 38. they whom the world was not worthy of were most miserable for outward things as Paul confesseth for all the godly 1 Cor. 15.19 The first Use for admonition For admonition two ways First to the wicked of the world to beware of self-deceit in promising to themselves continued happinesse and freedome from evils because for the present they enjoy peace and prosperity That this is their thought and course see Psal 10.6 He hath said in his heart I shall not be moved for I shall never be in adversitie also Isaiah 28.15 they say We have made a Covenant with death and with hell we are with agreement when the over-flowing scourge shall passe thorough it shall not come unto us But consider what God saith Verse 18. Your covenant with death shall be disanulled and your agreement with hell shall not stand c. Be not therefore deceived in a matter of such importance Judgements unlooked for will light and lye the more heavie Consider how the Holy Ghost reasoneth 1 Pet. 4.17 18. Judgement must begin at the house of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospell of God And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear So Jer. 25.29 Lo I begin to bring evill on the City that is called by my name and should ye be utterly unpunished Luk. 23.31 If they do these things in a green tree what shall be done in the dry Matth. 10.24 25. The Disciple is not above his Master nor the servant above his Lord If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his household The second Use for admonition Secondly to the godly to bethink themselves with David that troubles may come the dayes in which they live may be full of evils and thereupon to prepare for it and to glorifie God under afflictions if it please God to send them For the satisfying of the heart of every mans subjection to troubles consider the fore-named reasons from Gods soveraignty from sinne from the devill and the wicked of the world that are the instruments of Satan whereto if none can answer otherwise then by acknowledgement of subjection then will true wisedome say it is best to prepare for it that we may glorifie God under the crosse The way of preparation is this How to be prepared for afflictions First to make sure we be rightly in covenant with God which is undoubted to the true professours of Gods holy religion maintained amongst us wherein we avouch the true God for our God and he avoucheth us for his people as Deut. 26.17 18. with Deut. 29.10 11 12 13. whereof Baptism is a true Sacramentall signe and seal as circumcision was to the Jews Rom. 4.11 But he that would be assured thereof must make conscience to perform the vow of morall obedience made in Baptisme of forsaking sinne believing in God and walking in new obedience Secondly to get the grace of faith in Christ whereby we rest and relye upon him for all the blessings of the covenant This grace enables the just to live even in affliction as Heb. 1.38 whereupon Paul said he was able to do all things through Christ that strengthened him as to want and to abound to be full and to be empty Philip. 4.11 12. Thirdly to redeem the time by labouring to profit according to the means of grace afforded unto us Eph. 5.16 Fourthly to become mercifull to those that be in misery so shall we lay up in store a good foundation for mercy to our selves Psal 41.1 c. Matth. 5.7 Jam. 2.13 Then when affliction is come we must set faith a work by looking at Gods hand therein as Christ teacheth Mat. 10.28 29. which is the onely ground of true patience as Psal 39.9 Also consider what good it pleaseth God to to raise to his children by afflictions as Psal 94.12 Psal 119.67 71. adde 2 Cor. 4.17 18. The second Observation The second thing to be noted here is purposely intended That when God shall grant to David to dwell in his house he doth assure himself of speciall safety and protection in times of trouble for that he meanes by hiding in his pavilion and in the secret of his tabernacle and setting up upon a rock as we heard before See Psal 61.3 4 6 7. Thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from the enemy I will abide in thy Tabernacle for ever I will trust in the covert of thy wings Thou wilt prolong the Kings life and his yeares as many generations He shall abide before God for ever O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him The Reason The ground of this assurance was Gods own testimony for the continuance of his presence in his Sanctuary and for the exercise of his power and providence for their safety that be true members of
born again not of flesh nor of blood nor of the will of man but of God John 1.13 even by his spirit blessing the word unto our effectuall calling into his holy mountain his true Church where the wolfe shall dwell with the lambe and the leopard lye down with the kidd c. Is 11.6 c. where most cruell and bloody minded men as Saul was before his conversion Acts 9.1 shall lay aside their cruell nature and live most lovingly and peaceably with the children of God as Acts 9.26 and 20.24 Now this holy calling is wrought by God in the use of means ordinarily even in the word preached the law to discover sinne Rom. 3.20 and the gospell to sow the seeds of grace Acts 20 24. Herein must we exercise our selves as Cornelius did Acts 10.33 and as Lydia did Acts 16.14 and sanctifie our endeavour therein by prayer to God for the blessing of his spirit for by prayer the spirit is obtained Luke 11.13 of those that by repentance turn from sin Prov. 1.23 and by new obedience endeavour to adorn the gospell of Christ Acts 5.32 Thus waiting on the Lord we may with comfort expect his blessing as the poor impotent people did for their bodily cure at the poole of Bethesda by the Angells moving of the water John 5.1 c. Verse 13. I had fainted unlesse I had believed to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the living Vers 14. Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart Wait I say on the Lord. The meaning of the words THese two last verses contain the third and last part of the Psalm which is this Vpon acknowledgement of the great benefit he received by believing he doth notably encourage and stirre up himself and others to wait still on God by faith The acknowledgement of the great benefit of his believing on Gods promise is verse 13. the encouragement to his own soule and others also by faith to wait on God is in the last verse The sentence in the originall setting down the acknowledgement of the great benefit David had by believing Aposioposis is for some words though not in sense defective and imperfect requiring some supply which the scope and circumstances of the place do shew must be either what his enemies would have done if he had not believed namely they had prevailed and overthrown him and so (a) Juuius and Piscator some supply the defect or what he himself should have done if he had believed namely fainted and sunk under the burthen of violent persecution as vatablus whom our translations follow For we must not leave out the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bellarm. except as the Papists do saying it was left out by the Septuagint because it was of no great moment Following therefore the supply which is rightly made in our bibles the words bear this sense as if he should have said so great was my persecution that I had fainted and so the enemy had prevaited against me unlesse I had believed to see the goodnesse of the Lord that is to enjoy those good things both temporall and spirituall which the Lord hath promised me of his goodnesse and bounty So the phrase is taken Eccles 2.1 Enjoy pleasure in the Hebrew it is see good as also verse 24. and 3.13 and 5.18 In the land of the living that is in this world here on earth where the living are so with the scope of the Prophet here the use of the phrase generally in Scripture doth shew it must be taken and understood as shall be fully shewed afterward In the words thus understood note two things First the name or title which the holy ghost gives to this world Secondly that in this world God vouchfases to impart his goodnesse unto the sonnes of men Thirdly that David for his part believed to enjoy Gods goodnesse here on earth Fourthly that by believing he was upheld from fainting in himself and from ruine by his enemies The first observation For the first God by the mouth of David here calleth this world the land of the living This habitable place of the earth wherein men live a naturall life is the land of the living in the stile and and phrase of the holy Ghost This is plain and certain by the ordinary use of this phrase in Scripture See Job 28.12 The place of wisedome is not found in the land of the living that is among living men in this world for it were absurd to say the place of understanding were not to be found in heaven seeing it is there said God understandeth the way thereof verse 23. See also Psal 52.5 David foretelling the destruction of Deeg saith God shall take thee away and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place and root thee out of the land of the living not out of heaven where he never was planted nor grew but of this world where he grew as a great tree till God plucked him up and rooted him out by death and destruction Is 38.11 I said I shall not see the Lord even the Lord in the land of the living that is among the living here on earth for who can imagine that Hezekiah meant he should not see the Lord in heaven But here on earth the godly saw him in his ordinances as Psal 63.2 and 68.25 and his meaning he further cleareth in the end of the verse I shall behold men no more with the Inhabitants of the world The same phrase in the same sense is used Is 53.8 Ezek. 26.20 and 32.23 Psal 116.9 and 142.2 Jer 11.9 and in the same sense is the like phrase taken the light of the living Job 33.30 Psal 56.13 The Reason The reason why this habitable word is called the land of the living is because God created it and doth maintain and preserve it for mans habitation while he lives a naturall life in this world Psal 115.16 The heaven even the heavens are the Lords the earth hath he given to the children of men And opposeth hereunto the place of the dead calling it a land of darknesse and the shaddow of death a land of darknesse as darknesse it self and of the shaddow of death without any order and where the light is as darknesse Job 10.22 23. a land of forgetfulnesse Psal 88.12 This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction see here plainly that it is an errour and mistaking to take the land of the living for the Kingdome of heaven as generally the Papists do following herein the ancient fathers who * Hieron in Ps 26. August in Ps 26. Cassiodorus many of them doe so expound it Which I do therefore note to shew how uncertain a rule it is to tye our selves for the right understanding of Scriptures to the exposition thereof made to the ancient fathers for in very many things they differ in judgement one from another as the
so long He begins with the high esteem he had of the place of Gods publick worship which by way of admiration he doth acknowledge unto God to be most lovely and amiable verse 1. In the handling whereof we have these two things First the description of the person unto whom the acknowledgement is made Secondly the matter that is acknowledged The description of the person is the Lord of Hosts 1. Observation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so as the point is this The true God is the Lord of hosts The reason So verse 3.8.12 Ps 24.10 He is so called because all creatures in Heaven and Earth are at the Lords command as souldiers in an Army at the command of the Generall ready prest to doe his will Hence all creatures in heaven and earth are called the host of heaven and earth Vse 1 Gen. 2.1 This title shewes the Lords power and soveraignty over all creatures he may command and set their places and stations at his pleasure as generals do their Souldiers in an Army See 1 Kings 22.19 20. And hence are those strange events in warre that the weaker do conquer as Deut. 32.30 One chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight So 1 Sam. 14.6.13 Ionathan and his armour-bearer smote a whole garrison of the Philistines Vse 2 For admonition it serves three waies First for feare and reverence towards Gods Majestie he is the Lord of hosts having all creatures at his beck Ps 50.1.4 The mighty God even the Lord hath spoken and called the earth from the rising of the Sunne unto the going down thereof He shall call to the heavens from above and to the earth that he may judge his people Jer. 5.22 Feare ye not mee saith the Lord will ye not tremble at my presence Mat. 10.28 Feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell Secondly that we take heed of abusing any of Gods creatures for be they never so mean God can make Armies of them to destroy the wicked Consider his wonders in Aegypt of haile of frogs of flyes of lice Exod. 8.9 c. his dealing with Herod Acts 12. Reason as Isaiah 36.9 c. How wilt thou turne away the face of one Captain of the meanest of my Masters servants A terrour to the wicked Thirdly That we make sure we fight under his banner for he is the Lord of hosts and hath his spirituall armies and weapons See Psal 110.3 Eph. 6.10 c. and 2 Cor. 10.5 See Psal 24.7 c. Lift up your heads O ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doores and the King of glory shall come in that is the Ark. Then the Lord himselfe into mens hearts 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the doore and knock if any man heare my voice and open the doore I will come in to him and sup with him and hee with me Vse 3 For consolation sundry waies First to those that fight the Lords battels stand in defence of his Church See Psal 46.7.11 As he is the Lord of hosts so he hath made Jesus Christ the Captain of his host Iosb 5.14 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper If. 54.17 Secondly to any child of God in his particular distresse for he hath all creatures at command to serve and save his children and to destroy their enemies See Exod. 14.28 29. the waters of the red Sea are a wall unto the Israelites but drown the Egyptians Dan. 3. fire save the three servants of God and kills them that cast them in So do the Lions Daniel Dan. 6. dest thou want the Ravens shall feed thee 1 Kings 17.4.6 or Angels Psal 78.23 Art thou in the Sea a Whale shall bring thee to land Ionah 1.17 and 2.10 The matter acknowledged is the lovelinesse of Gods Tabernacles which surpassing Davids ability to expresse he propounds by way of admiration implying that they were to him most lovely and amiable far surpassing his ability to expresse For our better understanding hereof we are to search out as well the place as the property for which David doth admire it The place is Gods Tabernacles or dwelling places whereby he meaneth that speciall place of Gods publick and solemn worship which God had chosen for himselfe among his people in Davids time promising there to be present with them and to dwell among them Exod. 25.8 Levit. 26.12 Qu. But why doth he use a word of the plurall number saying Tabernacles whereas Moses erected but one for the Lord neither did the Lord allow of any other till the Temple was built by Solomon Au. a Iunius Piscator Some think he hath reference to the divers places where God was worshipped at the time for the Tabernacle was at Gibeon and the Ark at Mount Meriah 2 Chron. 1.3 4. But it is more probable that he hath respect to the severall parts and places of the Tabernacle which were made distinct by Gods appointment The Court was for the people as verse 2. the holy place was for the Priests and the holy of holies was for the high Priest once every yeare as Heb. 9.2.3.6 7. In all of which God dwelt though not inclusively as men do in their houses for so the heavens of heaven cannot contain him 1 Kings 8.27 But in regard of more speciall manifestation testifying his favourable respect unto their worship and service as 1 King 9.9 The property ascribed to this place is lovely or amiable 2 Observation that is such as drawes the best affections of the heart unto it Here then note two points one taken for granted the other purposely inteuded The point taken for granted is That God hath his Tabernacles or dwelling places where he doth in speciall manner abide among his people so as wee may say The Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them Rev. 21.3 Vnder the Law he had a materiall building called the Tabernacle of the Congregation erected by Moses at his appointment Exod. 25.8 and 40.34.35 which place was movegble and continued for Gods worship till God had given rest unto his people round about and then he caused Solomon to build him a Temple 1 Kings 6.1 2. Vnder the Gospell he hath a spirituall building 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye as lively stones are built up a spirituall house whose house are we speaking of all the faithfull who believe in God through Christ Heb. 3.6 who are the Temple of the living God in whom he dwels 1 Cor. 3.16 whether we conceive them joyntly altogether Eph. 2.21 or divided into particular holy assemblies Matth. 18.20 or personally considered 1 Cor. 3.16 17. and 6.19 The reason hereof is two-fold First The 1. reason the deerer evidence of his especiall favour and respect unto them above all the people of the world for the whole world is his and the
the Spirit thus it did entitle him to GODS speciall mercy as Psalm 89.20 28. GOD promised saying I have found David my servant with my holy oyle have I anointed him My mercy will I keep for him for ever and David acknowledgeth Psalm 18.50 Great deliverances giveth he to his King He sheweth mercy to his anointed Reason 2 Secondly David propounds this motive to God to bestow upon him this favour because hereby he should be better enabled to walk worthy of the honour conferred upon him in his anointing as see Isaiah 2.3 here God teacheth his wayes for their enabling to walk in his paths This serves for instruction and for admonition Vse 1 For instruction two wayes First it lets us see a commendable property in the godly to observe and mark Gods favours towards them for their better encouragement to depend upon him and to pray unto him for further blessings See 2 Sam 17.34 37. Thy servant kept his fathers sheep c. Psal 56.13 Thou hast delivertd my soul from death wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling So did Sampson in his great thirst Judg. 15.18 This we should the rather mark for our example in following the godly herein both because God requires it for our good Psal 111.4 He hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred and verse 2. they are sought out of all them that pleasure therein Michah 6.5 Remember now O my people what Balak King of Moab consulted and what Balaam the sonne of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Giâ—gal that ye might know the righteousnesse of the Lord. And also blames those that forget his works and dealing towards them as Psal 106.7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt they remembred not the multitude of thy mercies but provoked him at the sea verse 13. They soon forgate his workes they waited not for his counsell verse 21. They forgate God their Saviour For this good King Asa is blamed 2 Chron. 16 8. Were not the Ethiopians c. Vse 2 Secondly here behold a great prerogative and priviledge of all the godly that be true believers for they have ever in themselves though not of themselves but from the Lord a comfortable ground of encouragement to go to God in prayer for any needfull blessing which is beside his command and promise Psalm 50.5.15 the honour of holy unction they are the Lords anointed ones though not with materiall oyle the use whereof ended in Christ as all legall types did Col. 2.17 Heb. 10.6 yet with the graces of the holy Ghost which are spirituall oyle as 1 John 2.20.27 By which they are made Kings and Priests unto God Rev. 1.6 an holy priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ whereon they are called Christs fellowes Psal 45. yea Christ himself is not ashamed to call them brethren Heb. 2.11 And so they are indeed by the grace of faith as Gal. 3.26 â— John 5.1 Christ indeed hath the preheminence for he is the naturall sonne as he is the second person in Trinity the only begotten John 1.14 and as incarnate made man the son of God also Mat. 3.17 by the grace of personall union For admonition two wayes to every one that would pray with comfort Vse 3 First to make tryall whether we be the Lords annointed spiritually which is by endowment with such graces of the spirit as declare us to be made of Christ Priests unto God to offer up spirituall sacrifices which are First our selves in soules and bodies through faith in Christ as Rom. 6.13 yeeld up your selves unto God Rom. 12.1 which is known by sanctification joyned with profession of faith as Rom. 15.16 Secondly our prayers and praises as Psal 141.2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense and Heb. 13.15 the sacrifice of praise the fruit of the lips or as Hos 14.2 the calves of our lips Vse 4 Secondly in the want of assurance of this honourable state to give all diligence in the saving and holy use of Gods means to attain unto it which requires first leaving the world though not for habitation yet for behaviour and condition for the world receives not this annointing John 14.17 whence Christ told his Disciples he had chosen them out of the world John 15.19 meaning by his holy calling whereto Paul exhorteth the Romanes chap. 12.2 Fashion not your selves c. The worlds fashion to be left is sinne in generall 1 John 5.19 and in particular the lusts of the flesh the lust of the eye and pride of life 1 John 2.16 Now this is by true repentance whereon the spirit is promised Prov. 1.23 with Acts 2.38 Secondly wait for this gift of the spirit in the sacred ordinances of the word and prayer the word Acts 10.44 Gal. 3.2 and prayer Luke 11.13 do herein as the people did at Bethesda John 5.3 4. yet let us look to the affections of our hearts towards this annointing in the use of meanes for we must do it with an holy desire Is 44.3 and ever joyn obedience with our endeavour Acts 5.32 Verse 10. For a day in thy Courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a Door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickednesse THe Prophet having sundry wayes expressed his zealous affection towards the house of God first by way of admiration verse 1.2 By plain discovery of his affection verse 2.3 By lamentation verse 3.4 By instruction touching the happinesse of the Priests and Levites verse 4.5 By humble and earnest supplication for audience and favour to enjoy the blessing he so much desired verse 8 and 9. doth in this verse to prevent the admiration of some and the derision of others who would account this holy longing to be but foolish doting render a good reason of his earnest affection towards the Lords Sanctuary drawne from the surpassing benefit of time spent there above any other place in the world for a day in thy Courts saith he is better then a thousand any where else speaking of the Sanctuary as the spouse doth of Christ Cant. 5.9 10. to give a reason of her ardent affection toward him she saith He is the chiefest of ten thousand And because the greater number might perhaps be otherwise affected therefore he doth make instance in himself because hee best knew his own heart and plainly professeth that his affection did more cleave to the Lords sanctuary then to any other place saying I had rather be a doore-keeper c. like as Joshuah had done before about the worship of the true God Josh 24.15 To begin with Davids reason it stands upon this ground Mans heart for earnest desire and delight should be there set where most and best good is to be received this is according to the Apostles councell 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts and 1 Thess 5.2 Prove all things hold that which is good There 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must needs sometimes be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
not his own divine essentiall righteousnesse for that indeed is infinite and incommunicable but it is the righteousnesse of Christ as he is Mediatour God and man which he fulfilled for his redeemed and is accepted of God as theirs that do truly believe Consider Heb. 7.2 Phil. 3.9 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Cor. 1.30 Jer. 23.6 And Gods peace sweetly accompanying the same is peace of conscience a sweet perswasion of reconciliation and so of love and favour with God in Christ Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God Rom. 14.17 His kingdome stands not in meat and drink but in righteousnesse and peace The Reason The reason hereof is in God alone First he bestowes on his Church righteousnesse in Christ to make a way for his mercy by the satisfying of his justice for all have sinned and so in themselves are unable of glory Rom. 3.23 The unrighteous cannot inherit the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 6.9 Therefore God intending in mercy to free his elect from hell which their sins did deserve and to bring them to heaven which for want of righteousnesse they of themselves could never attain unto doth bestow upon them Christs perfect righteousnesse as he is Mediatour both active and passive that by his sufferings they might be freed from hell Gal. 3.13 and by his obedience in doing all that the law required for them might be made righteous and so worthy of life Rom. 5.19 and 8.30 and 10.4 Then with righteousnesse hee gives peace of conscience by the work of his Holy Spirit that those who feare him may have confidence and boldnesse with God in prayer 1 John 3.19.21 and also may have in them matter of stay and comfort against the hatred and contempt and persecution of the world John 16.33 This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first Use for instruction For instruction first see the bountifulnesse of God in Christ Jesus towards those that fear him he multiplies heavenly blessings in great varietie and abundance he addes grace to grace and that by couples mercy and truth righteousnesse and peace Well may we say with the Prophet Psal 33.5 The earth is full of the loving kindnesse of the Lord. Psal 86.15 Thou art a God full of compassion and gracious long suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth Psal 130.7 With the Lord is mercy with him is plenteous redemption The riches of his grace and mercy in Christ are unsearchable Ephes 3.8 That which he said to Moses Exod. 33.19 he doth fully accomplish in Christ I will make all my goodnesse passe before thee It pleased the father that in him should all fulnesse dwell Col. 1.19 And if he spared not his own sonne but gave him for us how shall not he with him give us all things also Rom. 8.32 Qu. What shall we say to these things Rom. 8.31 Answ Surely we must labour to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing Col. 1.10 and in some measure labour to answer Gods bounty which requires first conversion from sinne Rom. 2.4 secondly love to the word of grace 1 Pet. 2.2 3. Thirdly that we admire Gods goodnesse Psal 31.9 Psal 116.12 Fourthly that we praise him for it Psal 136. throughout and Psal 145.1 7 c. Ephes 1.3 Fiftly that we order our lives a right Rom. 12.1 This hath the promise of Gods salvation Psal 50.23 The second Use for instruction Secondly see here plain evidence of the miserable state of all unrighteous persons that keep a course in sinne undoubtedly Gods salvation is not come unto them for he that is the servant of sinne is quit or freed from righteousnesse Rom. 6.20 and salvation is farre from such Psal 119.155 neither can they have any true peace Is 48.22 The third Use for instruction Thirdly here see both evidence and assurance for those that fear God and believe in him through Christ of their blessed and happy estate of salvation for Gods righteousnesse and Gods peace do kisse in their souls By faith they are made righteous in Christ Rom. 3.28 Gal. 3.11 24. and when they are justified they have peace with God Rom. 5.1 For God gives both joy and peace in believing Rom. 15.13 Papists call it a doctrine of presumption to lay claim to the knowledg and assurance of salvation by ordinary grace But Wisdome is justified of her children Math. 11.19 If we receive the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he hath testified of his sonne He that believeth on the sonne of God hath the witnesse in himself And this is the witnesse that God hath given to us eternall life These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Sonne of God that ye may know that ye have eternall life 1 John 5.9 10 11 13. Adde 1 Cor. 2.12 with Rom. 6.23 and Rom. 8.16 17. And by effects 1 John 3.14 2 Pet. 1.5 c. The Use for admonition For admonition this serves effectually to move all those that desire in their soules the true comfort of peace with God to labour to be partakers of Gods righteousnesse for righteousnesse and peace do kisse one another He that is made righteous by faith in Christ shall likewise by the same faith have peace with God through Christ for he is our peace Eph. 2.14 he makes peace by the bloud of his crosse Colos 1.20 therefore at his birth the Angels sung Glory to God on high and in earth peace Luke 2.14 Now Christs righteousnesse is made ours by faith Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ Now this faith is the work of the spirit 2 Cor. 4.13 in the ministery of the Gospel Rom. 10.17 and sheweth it self to be true by good works of love to God and to our brethren Gal. 5.6 The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to those that truly fear God professing the Gospel they undoubtedly be righteous before God and in him they shall have peace John 16.33 Isa 57.1 2. The fourth Observation Secondly here note that Christian righteousnesse and peace are conscionably exercised between man and man of all those that fear God living in his Church see Isa 11.6 7 9. The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb none shall hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain see instance Acts 2.44 46. and in Paul Acts 9.1 c. with vers 26. and chap. 20. vers 24. Phil. 2.17 The Reason The reason hereof is in the powerfull work of Gods spirit which gives them an holy calling and therein doth subdue corruption so farre that sinne shall not raign in them to keep them in the practise of injustice and contention and also doth renew the graces of Gods image in the soul which stands in righteousnesse and true
books Those rubs being now removed and his Expositions of foure select Psalmes readie to be offered to the publike view I am bold to present this unto you and under your name to commend it to the use of all those children of the Church who enjoying the comforts are willing to maintain the credit of those great priviledges that are granted to it and would be as loth to forfeit as they are to forgoe their Charter Amongst whom your Ladiships sincere affection and zeale to religion entitles you to so high an esteem that they unto whom you are best knowne will soonest conceive that it is not resolution onely but reason also which moveth me to bind your name as a frontlet on the forehead of this book and to underwrite my selfe Your Ladiships most humble servant CHRISTOPHER HARVEY AN EXPOSITION Of the 87 Psalme Psalme 87. A Psalme or song for the sons of Korah Verse 1. His foundation is in the holy Mountaines c. IN this Psalme the holy Ghost doth plainly set out sundry Priviledges and prerogatives of Gods Church The scope and generall division of the whole Psalm wherein she hath surpassing advancement above all other places states and conditions of the people in the world beside Whether it were penned after the return of the people from the captivity of Babilon for their encouragement being but very few and for their comfort being under great contempt from enemies round about them as some godly and learned interpreters do think is not set down and so not certain Yet sure it is this Psalme was penned for the comfort and encouragement of the godly in such times as the Church is in danger misery and calamity by the consideration of her founder which is the Lord Jehovah verse 1. of his speciall affection towards her werse 2. of the glorious things which are spoken of her verse3 as great encrease and enlargement by the calling and conversion of forrain nations verse 4. great honour by the regeneration or effectuall calling of many in her and great safety by the Lords own establishment of her verse 5. and great renown by inrowling her true members in his book verse 6. Lastly joy and comfort unspeakable by the cheerfull service of God and the well-springs or fountains of saving graces in her The Title of the Psalm explained verse 7. Before this Psalme is this title A Psalme or song for the sonnes of Korah Which Title shewes two things the use of it in Gods service and the parties by whom it should be used For the use it is a Psalme or Song or a Psalme and Song that is an holy hymne which was both to be played on their musicall instruments and to be sung with voice together And here the musicall instruments were to lead the voyce as Psalme 67.1 and 68.1 Sometime the voyce was to lead the instruments as Psalme 48.1 A Song or Psalme Hereon we need not long insist because this kind of singing was peculiar to the Tabernacle and Temple and so ended in Christ as Heb. 7.11 with 19. as Colos 2.17 Yet thus much it sheweth 1. Observation That God required joy and gladnesse in his service therefore would he have instruments of joy used in his service which David prepared 1 Chron 23.5 and 1 Chron. 25.1 And he bids all his people to rejoyce in their feasts Deut. 16.11.14 which feasts did represent the lives of Christians And in Evangelicall worship he requires making melody to the Gord in their hearts Ephes 5.19 The reason is great for in Gods service we have society with God The Reason which is a just cause of exceeding joy Herein God vouchsafeth us evidence of his speciall favour and if we shall take no delight therein it argues fearfell contempt which God cannot endurt without revenge as Deut. 27.47 48. Because thou servâ—â—st not the Lord thy God with joyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the abundance of all things Therefore thou shalt serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakednesse and in want of all things and he shall put a yoak of iron upon thy neck untill he have destroyed thee Whereto adde Amos 8.5.11 The Vse This should move us to stirre up in our hearts and to expresse in our behaviours this spirituall joy in Gods service To this end we have need of the spirit to sanctifie us which will make us to rejoyce in Gods Word as one that findeth a great spoyle Psal 119.162 And conceiving it to be the food of our soules let us labour to hunger and thirst after it and then with Job shall we esteem it above our appointed food Job 23.12 And when we know God to be our God and the fountain of blessing to us we shall come before him with gladnesse in prayer Psal 100.2 and our mouth shall praise him with joyfull lips Psalme 63.5 The second thing to be noted in the dedication is the parties by whom it is to be used The sonnes of Korah These sonnes of Korah were the posterity of that rebellious Levite who with Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses and Aaron Numb 16. which Korah was consumed with fire verse 35. compared with 17. Howbeit there were of his sonnes that dyed not Numb 26.11 departing as it seemeth from their fathers Tent as all were commanded Numb 16.24.29 And of these is numbred a family of the Korathites Numb 26.58 of whom came Samuel the Prophet and Heman his Nephew 1 Chron. 6.33 a great singer 1 Chron. 25.4 5. Here then we may observe 2. Observation that the sonnes that is the posterity of wicked and rebellious Korah have an honourable place in Gods sacred and solemne service for to them sundry of Davids Psalmes are commended as Psal 42.44 45 46. c. which is no small honour The Reason No doubt David saw them being by place and birth Levites to be faithfull and diligent in their place and thus renownes them to all posterity that he composeth speciall Psalmes for their ministry in the solemn service of God Vse 1 Here see the verifying of Gods word for the comfort of all godly children that the sonne shall not bear the iniquity of the father Ezek. 18.14 17 20. if he see his fathers sinnes and turn from them But 1. Objection the Lord is a jealous God visiting the iniquities of the Fathers upon the children Exod. 20.5 That is Answer enquiring for the sinne of the Fathers among the children and if he find it there then payes he them home Achans sonnes and daughters are stoned and burnt for their fathers sacriledge 2. Objection Josh 7.24 25. and Dathans and Abirams little children are swallowed up Numbers 16.27 For ought we know they might be of years of discretion Answer and privie to their fathers stealth When little ones dye in the punishment of their fathers sin God layes not the punishment of the fathers sinne upon
ground and cause of the former benefit and of all other that follow For the better understanding whereof we must know that there is a double trope in the words First the gates of Sion part of the building of the city upon mount Sion are put for the whole city as it was a type of Gods Church in Christ who as Mediatour here began the setled building and government of it as Psal 2.6 compared with Luke 1.32.33 Secondly Jacob is here put for his posterity the whole twelve tribes who inhabited all the land of Canaan as if he would have said The Lord indeed bears a good affection to the whole land of Canaan where his people dwell as Deut. 11.12 A land which the Lord thy God careth for the eyes of the Lord thy God are alwaies upon it but above all the places thereof he bears a good affection towards Mount Sion whereon his holy city is built which is the type and beginning of his true Church in Christ visibly represented in a setled choyce place In the words thus conceived note this point The observation that God loves his Church above all other states and conditions of men in the world whatsoever Mal. 1.1 2,3 The word of the Lord to Israel that is the posterity of Jacob the Church in those dayes I have loved you saith the Lord and that more then others for was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau which in the most mild and favourable interpretation taking hatred for lesse love as Gen. 29.30,31 proveth the point in hand that God loves his Church above all other states and conditions of men in the world John 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end Eph. 5.25 Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved his Church Christ Jesus in love to his Church makes himselfe a pattern to husbands to love their wives Now we know every husband should love his owne wife more then any other woman in the world and therefore wee need not to doubt but Christ doth so to his Church The greatnesse of Gods love to his Church seene in three things This will yet more plainely appeare by these three things First Gods delivery vouchsafed to his Church from evils Secondly his advancement of her to speciall estate of happinesse Thirdly the means of both which is Jesus Christ given unto her 1. In delivering her from evils For the first the greatnesse of Gods love in his delivery of his Church will plainly appear by that which is said thereof both in generall and in particular In generall Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Psal 34.19 He visiteth and redeemeth his people and delivereth them out of the hands of all their enemies Luke 1.68.74 In particular Gods Church in her self is liable to temporall evils in this world and to evils eternall in the world to come for they were by nature the children of wrath even as others Ephes 2.3 Now from eternall evils God gives to his Church absolute and perfect deliverance There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 On them the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 But it is not so with others that be on t of the Church to them it will be said Depart from me ye curâ—â—d into everlasting fire Mat. 25.41 And for deliverance from temporall evils in this world whether corporall or spirituall Gods Church hath a great prerogative above others though not in absolute freedome from them for we must through many tribulations enter into the kingdome of God Acts 14.22 and the Church of God is greatly afflicted when all the earth sitteth still and is at rest Zech. 1.11 12. Yet in her sufferings the Church of God hath a great measure of deliverance which the world doth ever want namely from the curse of God which ever accompanieth temporall evils upon the men of the world as Zech. 5.3 For Christ hath redeemed his Church from the curse of the law Gal. 3.13 and. the evils that lye upon them are corrections for sinne When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 or trials of grace as Jam. 1 2,3 My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience 1 Pet. 1.6 7. wherein ye greatly rejoyce though now for a season if need be ye are in heavinesse through manifold temptations that the triall of your faith being much more precious then of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Job 2.3 The Lord said to Satan hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evill and still he holdeth fast his integritie although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause For the second 2. In advancing her to a speciall state of happinesse in this world Gods advancement of his Church to a speciall estate of happinesse is two fold partly in this world and principally in the world to come In this world sometime with outward peace and plenty to the admiration of the world as in the dayes of Solomon 1 Kings 10.21 c. And though many times the Church of God hath a small portion in temporall blessings for their felicitie is not in this life if in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 yet hath she alwaies in Christ Jesus true right unto all temporall blessings for Christ is Lord of all Mat. 28.18 and in him all things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come 1 Cor. 3.21 22. She hath also a sanctified use of what she enjoyes and sweet content therein whether her portion be small or great I have learned in what ever state I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4.11 12. living under that speciall providence whereby she is preserved night and day Isaiah 27.3 But in spirituall blessings is her speciall advancement above the world Blessed with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Eph. 1.3 Eye hath not seen nor eare heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 As in effectuall calling to the state of grace wherein they have spirituall society with God in Christ Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee that he may
and 5.1 c. Philip. 3.20 21. The ground and reason of this course of Gods dealing in mentioning glorious things to belong to his Church is three-fold The first reason First to allure and draw naturall men to joyn themselves unto the Church that their part may be in the fruition of these glorious things as Moses allured Jethro called also Hebab to go with them into the land of Canaan Numb 10.12,32 Come thou with us and we will do thee good for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel And it shall be if thou go with us yea it shall be that what goodnesse the Lord shall do unto us the same will we do unto thee The second Reason Secondly to encourage the true members of the Church unto growth and perseverance in grace and obedience for in these glorious things promised we may see the reward of religion even the comforts of grace here and crown of glory hereafter as Moses on Pisgah saw all the land of Canaan Deut. 34.1 c. Herewith the Patriarchs were allured to follow the Lord and Moses to leave the honour of Pharoah 's court Heb. 11.13 24 25 26. This hastened St. Paul to his holy endeavour for perfection in grace Phil. 3.13 14. This one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I presse toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus The third Reason Thirdly to comfort the godly under afflictions which follow the sincere profession of the faith and are as sharp and dangerous storms to passengers by sea But in these glorious things promised we may cast anchor safely and behold the quiet harbour of rest and safety In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul Psal 94.19 Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope This is my comfort in mine affliction for thy word hath quickened me Psal 119 49 50. See also Rom. 8.18 with 2 Cor. 4.14 16. and 1 Pet. 1 5 6. This serves for instruction admonition and comfort The first Use for instruction For instruction two wayes First that the happinesse of Gods Church and children must not be measured by their outward state in this world which many times is not onely very mean but miserable as the Apostle shewes 1 Cor. 15.19 If in this life onely we have hope in Christ Jesus we are of all men most miserable Their happinesse therefore must be measured by their present title to Gods favour in Christ through the covenant of grace whereby they have the Lord for their God which is true happines Psal 144.15 Happy is that people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose God is the Lord. And by their certain title to future glory wherein they greatly rejoyce though for a season they be in heavinesse 1 Peter 1.6 The second Use for instruction Secondly see here what a profitable and comfortable thing it is to be much conversant in Scripture which is the Great Charter of Gods Church shewing all the glorious things whereto she hath right and interest in Christ Jesus And indeed they are very great for if God spared not his own sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8.32 He is made unto us of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Those Gentlemen that fall Wards in their minority take great delight to reade or hear of their deeds and evidences which shew what Lordships what demaines and royalties do belong unto them Why should not we so delight in Gods word The godly have so done Job 23.12 I have esteemed the words of of his mouth more then my necessary food Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of mine heart Jer. 15 16. How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth Psal 119.103 I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Psal 119.162 The first use for admonition For admonition two wayes First that living in the Church we make sure we have good right and title to these glorious things that are spoken of her It is true these days of grace under the Gospel have accomplishment of them in good measure as 2 Cor. 6.2 Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation But yet our personall right must be measured by the truth of our Faith for these precious promises do belong to them that have obtained like precious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 4. We must therefore prove our selves whether we be in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 which is best known by the work of the word 2 Thess 2.13 in the sanctification of the heart Acts 15.9 and reformation of the life Acts 19.18 19. The second use for admonition Secondly that we walk worthy of the Lord and of his glorious promises in the profession of our faith The way is shewed upon this ground 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God And Coloss 1.10 c. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitfull in every good work and encreasing in the knowledge of God c. The use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to every true member of the Church in any misery They must call to remembrance these precious promises of future glory and so though the outward man perish yet the inward man will be renewed daily 2 Cor. 4.14 19. Thus have the godly comforted themselves in all times Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darknesse the Lord shall be a light unto me Micah 7.8 As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolations also abound by Christ 2 Cor. 1.5 For if we suffer we shall also raign with him 2 Tim. 2.12 Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Hence it is said that Christ himself for the joy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame Hebr. 12.2 So saith St. Peter Rejoyce in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4.13 Verse 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me Behold Philistin and Tyre with Ethiopia this man was born there The meaning of the words HEre he comes to confirm the truth of that he had said in the former Verse touching the glorious things spoken of the Church by particular instance in the calling and conversion of many forraign nations even of such as formerly
1 Cor. 1.9 And in this estate there is no difference from outward things Where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision Barbarian Scythian bond nor free but Christ is all and in all Colos 3.11 It pleased the father that in him should all fullnesse dwell Colos 1.19 and all that are effectually called are compleat in him Colos 2.10 Whereupon the same Apostle saith Art thou called being a servant care not for it For hee that is called in the Lord being a servant is the Lords freeman likewise also he that is called heing free is Christs servant 1 Cor. 7.21 22. This serves for instruction admonition and comfort For instruction see plainly here that the dignity and honour of an holy calling to be a Christian is exceeding great The use for instruction their prerogatives above naturall men that remain uncalled be much every manner of way as Rom. 3.1 2. It is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.14 A chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people 1 Pet. 2.9 Now they are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Eph. 2.19 Fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ Eph. 3.6 Vppon occasion of which spirituall and heavenly dignities undoubtedly it was that Paul a prisoner wished of God that Agrippa a King and all that heard him were altogether such as hee was that is true believers in Christ except his bonds Acts 26.29 The first use for admonition For admonition it serves two wayes First to naturall men if ever they desire true spirituall happinesse and honour to their soules they must take notice of that ordinance of God wherein he vouchsafeth unto men an holy calling and of that right manner of using the same whereby Gods ordinance may be sanctified unto them The ordinance is the holy Gospell preached That the Gentiles should be fellow heires and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospell Eph. 3.6 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth whereunto he called you by our Gospell to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 2.13 14. I declare unto you the Gospell which I preached unto you which also ye have received and wherein ye stand By which also ye are saved c. 1 Cor. 14.1 2. This Gospell preached is the word of faith Rom. 10.8 The immortall seed of our new birth in all saving graces 1 Pet. 1.23.25 And so the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 The right manner wherein we must wait in the foresaid ordinance for the blessed work of the spirit in an holy calling is this First by the law to see our miserable estate by nature which will stirre up the soule to seek mercy as Acts 2.37 they were pricked in their hearts and said Men and Brethren what shall we doe and to break off the course of sinne whereon is promised the gift of the spirit Prov. 1.23 Turn you at my reproofe behold I will porore out my spirit unto you Secondly to hunger and thirst after the work of the spirit as the dry ground doth after rain as Psal 143.6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee my soule thirsteth after thee as a thirsty land This hath the promise of the spirit Is 43.3 I will poure water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will poure my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine off-spring This carnest spirituall desire must be testified by waiting in the means for the work of the spirit as the impotent persons did at the poole of Bethesda for the moving of the waters by the Angell John 5.3 4. And also by earnest prayer to God whereto the spirit is promised Luke 11.13 If ye being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy spirit to them that aske him Thirdly to yeeld obedience to that we know for to such the spirit is promised Acts 5.32 We are his witnesses of these things and so is also the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him The second use for admonition Secondly all godly men professing the faith must hereby be admonished to walk worthy of their holy calling as Eph. 1.4 which if they would do they must remember their present state which is fellowship with God in Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 and their future hopes in eternall glory 2 Thess 2.13 14. Both which do call for daily and constant care and endeavour to leave sinne and to live godly as 2 Cor. 7.1 2. And every one that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure 1 John 3.3 The Use for comfort For comfort this makes greatly to all godly ones that are effectually called when misery and distresse in the world shall come upon them they have wherewith to comfort themselves for God by his holy calling hath brought them into the societie of his sonne as before is shewed and nothing that befals them outwardly can seperate them from them his love but in all the afflictions of this world they are more then conquerours Rom. 8.35,37,38 This calling is of grace Gal. 1.15 And grace is a sufficient ground of comfort under the greatest buffeting 2 Cor. 12.9 My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me The third obervation The third thing to be noted here is that speciall state which declares any man of any nation to be a free Denison of Gods City and a true member of his Church namely to be born there yet not by naturall generation but by spirituall regeneration whereof Christ speaking saith they must be born again or from above John3 3 borne of water and of the holy Ghost John3 5 Not of flesh nor of blood nor of the will of man but of God Joh. 1.13 Mark here then that To be born again declares any man of any nation to be a free Denison of Gods holy City and a true member of his Church This is plain by the former place Joh. 3.3 6. to all those that understand the nature and force of an exception to a generall rule which is to put the contrary to the rule It is indeed a true rule in Scripture That Gods Church is Gods kingdome into which man in the corrupt state of nature cannot enter as heir to inherit Flesh and bloud cannot inherit the kingdome of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption 1 Cor. 15.50 But yet if such a one be born again he doth certainly enter as heyr and shall inherit as 1 Pet. 1.3.4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away And they shall call thee the City of the Lord the Sion of the holy on of Israel Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went thorow thee I will make thee an eternall excellency a joy of many generations The Lord shall be thine everlasting Light and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Is 60.14 15 20. For your shame ye shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoyce in their portion therefore in their land they shall possesse the double ever lasting joy shall be unto them Is 61.7 See it assured by Christ himself John 16. 20 22. Ye shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into joy your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man â—â—keth from you And verified in Christians Acts 2.40.47 They continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart praising God and having favour with all the people Acts 5.41 They departed from the presence of the Councell rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name As 1 Pet. 1.8 Believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Thess 5.16 Rejoyce evermore And rejoyce in the Lord alwayes again I say rejoyce Phil. 4.4 The true ground hereof is from the incomparable blessings of the covenant vouchsafed to the true members of his Church The first reason For first in Christ Jesus God himself doth betroath them unto him yea marry them and become their most dear and loving husband as Hos 2.19 20. Is 54.5 Now times of espousall are times of rejoycing Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come Rev. 19.7 With gladnesse and rejoycing shall they be brought they shall enter into the Kings Pallace Psal 45.15 We will be glad and rejoyce in thee we will remember thy love more then wine saith the Church to Christ Cant. 1.4 Secondly he doth fit them for his neer spirituall society by giving his own son The second Reason to be their Saviour and Redeemer washing away their sins in his blood 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made unto us of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Ephes 5.25.26 Christ gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it and make it to himself a glorious Church c. Now the remembrance hereof is matter of exceeding great joy Luke 2.10 Therefore the blessed Virgin Mary saith My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my saviour Luke 1.46 47. The third Reason Thirdly he bestoweth on them is holy spirit John 14.16 17. for whosoever hath not the spirit of God is none of his Rom. 3.9 Now this spirit is the fountain of joy and thereupon is called the Comforter the graces whereof he doth plentifully bestow upon them and therein gives them cause of everlasting joy The fourth Reason Fourthly God sendeth and continueth unto them his blessed word the gospell of peace and the word of their reconciliation with God and of salvation to their soules whereof the Psalmist saith Blessed are the people that know the joyfull sound Psalm 89.15 and the Apostle Paul out of the Prophet Isaiah How beautifull are the feet of them that preach the gospell of peace and bring glad tydings of good things Rom. 10.15 Solomon saith light is a pleasant thing Eccles 11.7 Now the gospell preached is a spirituall light that shineth unto those that sit in darknesse and in the shaddow of death even to guide their feet in the way of peace then which nothing can be more pleasant and joyfull see Mat. 4.16 Luke 1.77 79. The fifth Reason Fiftly Gods speciall providence is over his Church not only to preserve them from evill both corporall and spirituall which their enemies would bring upon them but also to enrich them with all needfull comforts and blessings both temporall and spirituall In that day sing ye unto her a vineyard of red wine I the Lord do keep it I water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day Is 27.2,3 This is that keeper of Israel who doth neither slumber nor sleep who keepeth his Church from all evill The Sun shall not smite her by day nor the Moon by night The Lord shall preserve thee from all evill he shall preserve thy soule The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth even for evermore Psal 121.3 c. This serves for instruction and for admonition The use for instruction For instruction it sheweth plainly that naturall men are fearfully blinded by the God of this world for they live in the Church among the godly yet they do not conceive of nor discern their happy estate as St. John saith the world knoweth us not 1 John3 1 They think the state of a Christian to be very forlorn and miserable void of all content and comfort therefore do they debase them in their esteem accounting them the filth of the world and the onscouring of all things 1 Cor. 4.13 They reproach and revile them with most base and odious termes as 2 Kings 9.11 What did this mad fellow with thee Acts 24.5 Wee have found this man a pestilent fellow And Festus saâ—th Paul thou art beside thy self much learning doth make thee mad Acts 26.24 Yea Christs own friends judged so of him Mark 3.21 and the Jewes said he hath a devill and is mad why hear ye him John 10.20 Now if they do this to the green tree what will they do to the dry Luke 23.31 But wisdome is justified of her children Mat. 11.19 As the things that are magnified in the world are abomination with God Luke 16.15 see it in the lukewarmnesse of the Laodiceans Rev. 3.16 17 19 So the things that are magnified with the Lord are abominable to the world as to live godly making conscience of all sin and of every good duty and being zealous of Gods glory Whereby we may see that the vaile of ignorance hangs over their eyes They can no better discern the happy state of the godly then a blind man can judge of colours The Use for admonition For admonition this serves notably to move every one to be as carefull to become a true member of the Church as he is desirous of true and lasting joy The way is hewed 1 Pet. 2.4 6. in so yeelding to Gods means of an holy calling that we forsake our sinfull waies as Is 55.7 do come to Christ by faith and as living stones be builded on him the tryed corner stone to become a spirituall house Which estate we must testifie by the properties of the godly who be true Citizens of Sion set down particularly Psal
Worship Neither dignity nor distresse should exempt men from the zealous pursuit of Gods holy worship 84.3 Till we have hearts for Gods worship we have â—o souls fit for heaven 84.16 Wrath. WHat sinnes especially provoke God to wrath â—5 20 21 22. Z. Zeal HOw to get zeal and fervency in prayer 27.58 59. Zion How God was seen in Zion 84 55. Zion a type of the Church 84.56 A Table of some places of Scripture explained or vindicated in these Expositions of the 27.84.85 and 87. Psalmes   Psal Page Genesis 2 1 THe Host of Heaven and earth 84 6 6 5 heart evill continually 27 68 40 20 Pharaoh lifted up the head of the chief Butler 87 122 Exod. 20 3 Before me 27 62 20 5 Visiting iniquities of fathers on children 84 4 21 13 14 Take him from mine Altar that he may dye 27 39 23 21 Will not pardon your transgression 85 16 24 4 Twelve Pillars Twelve Tribes 84 10 Joshua 24 19 Will not forgive the transgression 85 16 Judges 2 16 Jud es which delivered them 85 25 1 Sam. 21 12 13 David feigned himself mad 27 22 22 15 Did I then begin to enquire for him 27 36 2 Sam. 6 17 David set the Ark in his place 27 54 2 King 2 14 Where is the God of Elijah 84 59 2 Chron. 7 14 Seek my face 27 63 Job 26 14 Lo these are parts of his wayes 27 93 28 13 Wisdome not in the land of the living 27 125 40 19 Chief of Gods wayes 27 93 Psalm 10 16 Heathen perished out of Gods land 85 6 18 28 Thou wilt light my candle 27 3 18 48 From the violent man 27 118 24 7 The King of glory shall come in 84 7 25 19 Cruell or Hatred of violence 27 120 35 25 Ah so â—ould we have it 27 107 37 9 They shall inherit the earth 27 137 37 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous 27 29 38 5 Because of my foolishnesse 85 66 41 2 Wilt not deliver him to the soul or will of his enemy 27 107 46 4 Though the earth be removed 87 120 46 5 God is in the midst of her 27 43 52 5 Root thee out of the land of the living 27 126 53 4 They eat up Gods people as bread 27 13 Psalm Vers Psalm Page 69 12 They that sate in the gate 27 103 72 11 All nations shall serve him 87 111 72 6 My doctrine shall drop as the rain 84 33 74 9 We see not our signes 85 49 77 19 Thy way is in the sea 27 93 88 18 My kinsmen stand afarre off 27 86 89 10 Broken Rahab in pieces 87 102 89 15 Blessed that know the joyfull sound 27 52 103 7 He made known his wayes unto Moses 27 93 105 4 Seek the Lord and his strength 27 63 119 58 I entreated thy favour with my whole heart 27 66 140 4 Preserve me from the violent man 27 118 Proverbs 2 7 A buckler to them that walk uprightly 84 62 13 4 The sluggard desireth and hath nothing 27 30 19 6 A friend to him that giveth gifts 85 91 22 15 Foolishnesse in the heart of a childe 85 66 26 11 As a dog to his vomit so a fool 85 66 Canticies 5 4 My beloved put in his hand 27 67 Isaiah 11 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb 27 123 30 26 Light of the Moon as the light of the Sun 87 98 37 35 For my own sake and Davids sake 27 44 38 11 In the land of the living 27 126 51 9 Hath cut Rahab wounded the Dragon 87 102 Ezekiel 47 1 Waters issued from under the threshold 87 133 Daniel 9 17 Cause thy face to shine for the Lords sake 84 65 66 Hoseah 12 4 He had power over the Angel 84 59 Joel 3 18 A fountain forth of the Lords house 87 133 Zechariah 13 1 A fountain for sinne and uncleannesse 87 132 Malachi 1 1 2,3 The word of the Lord to Israel 87 85 Matthew 3 15 To fulfill all righteousnesse 85 99 5 29,30 If thy right eye offend pluck it out 85 15 6 9 Our father which art in heaven 85 59 18 20 Meet together in my name 27 55 23 33 Generation of Vipers 27 102 23 37 I would have gathered you but you would not 87 113 Luke 1 6 Righteous before God 85 14 8 18 From him shall be taken what he seemeth to have 87 109 10 10 Rejoyce that your names are written in heaven 87 124 John 3 21 He that doth truth cometh to the light 27 5 4 14 In him a Well of water springing up 27 90 7 37 39 If any man thirst let him come to me and drink 84 15 10 14 Workers of iniquity he knowes not 84 34 John 15 19 I have chosen you out of the world 84 68 Acts 7 51 Ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost 87 113 Romanes 7 20 No more I but sin that dwelleth in me 27 91 Romanes Vers Psalm Page 7 23 Captivity to the Law of sinne 27 98 12 2 Fashion not your selves 84 68 69 1 Corinthians 1 21 The world by wisdome knew not God 27 33 11 22 Despise ye the Church of God 27 55 2 Corinthians 4 1 As we have received mercy we fains not 85 80 6 15 What concord hath Christ with behall 27 119 Gal. 4 27 The desolate hath more children then c. 87 116 Philip. 2 11 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 27 127 4 3 Whose names are in the booâ— of life 87 124 1 Timothy 4 16 Thou shalt save thy self 85 25 Hebrewes 11 10 A City whose builder and maker is God 87 79 James 1 15 Lust conceiving bringeth forth sinne 27 109 110 1 Peter 2 5 Ye also as living stoves are built up c. 87 93 2 Peter 1 19Vntill the day Star arise in your hearts 27 34 1 John 2 4 The truth is not in him 85 14 2 19 They would have continued with us 27 32 Revel 7 9 Clothed with white robes and palmes in their hands 87 89 13 8 Whose names are not written in the book of life 87 123 20 12. And the bookes were opened 87 122 Materiall faults escaped in Printing the Expositions of the 27. 84 85 and 87. Psalmes fit to be amended before reading IN the Epistle to Sir Robert Hatley page 2. line 28. for effect read affect In the Exposition of the 17. Psalme p. 6. l. 5. for prayer râ—pray l. 11 for uâ—r us p. 55 l. 22 for recreation r. correction p. 61 l. 8. for so r. sow l. 7. after evils r. as 2 Chron. 7 13 14. Thirdly to the comfortable fruition of all needfull good l. 26 after worship r. under the Gospel prophetically p. 66 l. 23 for 20 r. 10 p. 68. l. 7. for scattered r. flattered p. 80. l. 30 for need r. deep p. 81 l 14 for carnall r. corporall p. 82. l. 6 for bed r. God p. 87 〈◊〉 last r. the stream l. 34. for head r. hand p. 97. l. 8. after humility r. and meeknesse Psal 25.9 the meek will he teach his way p. 103. l. 28 for exposition read opposition p 107. l. 33 after great r and for danger p. 125. l. 2. r. had not p. 131. l. 3. r. prosperity p. 136. l. 9. for conferenâ—â—â—r reference l. 34. r. hath not p. 142. l. 24 r the Prophet In the Exposition of the 84 Psalm p. 17 l. 5. r. maintenance p. 37. l. 34 r. whom whosoever p 4â— l. 4. r. shall not see In the Epistle to Sir Robert Whitney l. 4. r. Sir In the Exposition of the 85 Psalm p. 4. l 32. r. the Lord p. 5. l 11. r. blessings they have received from him though notwithstanding those blessings they lye p. 11 l. 6. Dele brought back his people that had p. 14. l. 12. r. this life p. 17 l. â—â— after diligence r. hereunto to become Gods people that so they may have title p. 18. l. 18. after also r. describeth the blessednesse of the man unto whom God l. 19. after 7. r. See Mat. 9 â— p. 2â— l. 10. in the margin read to wrath p. 21. l. 17 r. these men p. 25. l. 10. for Pal. r. verse l. 22. r. got not p. 73 l. 3. for serve r. fear p. 76. l. 10. r. and those that follow l. 12. r. raciows p. 101. l. 25. r. an Atheist In the Exposition of the 87. Psalm p 98. l 20. r. Hobab p. 108. l. 18. r. effectuall p. 110. l. 21. for wrath r. watch p. â—â—â— l. 33. after for r the conversion of Rebels First they must endeavour in p. 115. l. 30. r. and renown p. 118. l. 4. r. belliever l. 7 â—â— instant p. 126. l. 16. for word r. work Iâ—â—â—â—â— faults are left to the Readers ingenuity FINIS