Commentary on Judges, Sermon 1
THE FIRST SERMON VPONUPON THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOKE OF IVDGES.
VERS. 1. And it came to paſſe after that Ioſhua was dead, that the children of Iſrael asked the Lord, ſaying: who ſhall goe vp for vsus againſt the Canaanites, to fight firſt againſt them?
VERS. 2. And the Lord ſaid, Iudah ſhall goe vp: behold I hauehave giuen the land into his hands.
IN this Chapter two things are chiefly contained, The ſumme and parts of this Chapter.(to ſet downe the ſumme of the Chapter and parts of it together:) The firſt is the commendation of the tribe of Iudah, to the 21. verſe: (the cauſe we ſhall heare afterward.) The ſecond is the ſetting downe of the ſinne of the tribes that are mentioned after, in that they ſlothfully ſuffered the Canaanites to liue by them, and did not expell them, and that is to the end of the Chapter. Iudah is commended in a double manner: firſt for the actes they did now at this time after Ioſuahs death, and they are to the eight verſe: and then for that which that tribe had done before his death in the reſt of the verſes to the 21.
The firſt part of the Chapter.
To come to the meaning of the firſt 7. verſes, ſeeing they lie together, after the death of Ioſhua, who had bin their guide and had gone before them, The meaning of the 7 firſt verſesthe children of Iſrael ſaw that they muſt make warre with the forraine nations: for vntounto that day the whole land though it was promiſed and deuided amongſt them, was not yet wonne by them, nor conquered, but in the lot and inheritance of eueryevery tribe there were the Canaanites their enemies ſtill dwelling and remaining. And ſeeing they knew they muſt be driuen out by force and ſtrong hand, as God had commanded; therefore they doubted not, whether they ſhould goe out againſt them to warre or no: but which tribe ſhould firſt begin, and goe before, and gouerne the reſt. And the thing was of ſuch waight, that they went to the Lord about it, and asked of him by the high Prieſt before the propitiatory and Mercy ſeat, as the manner then was in doubtfull caſes, which of their tribes ſhould begin the battaile. Exod. 28. 30.And ſo they had an anſwere from him to their ſatisfaction, who ſhould goe vp before them, and in that their attempt, God proſpered them, for he had promiſed ſo to do. And Iudah ſought helpe of Simeon his brother and neighbour tribe, who conſented readily ſo to doe: and they proſpered in that their attempt, and had victory ouer the Canaanites, as is ſet downe; together with the deſtruction of Adonibezek their King. Thus much for the meaning of theſe 7. verſes in ſome generall manner.
Now we hauehave the meaning of theſe verſes, it remaineth that we drawe from thence ſuch inſtructions as are afoarded vsus out of them, beginning with theſe two former here ſet downe: and firſt out of the firſt verſe. In that this people was now conſtrained to looke about them, and (now Ioſhua was dead) to doe that themſelues for their peace and quiet, which hee Doct. 1. in verſe. 1.was wont to doe for them: wee are taught, that when chiefe & ſpeciall perſons are taken away, who were wont to beare the burden for many other, then they who were left behinde, muſt put forth themſelues, and take the more paine, and be put to greater plondges then they were before. Oh it is a great eaſe, if men could conſider it aright, when they hauehave others to beare the brunt for them, while they them ſelues may as it were, ſit in peace: while our Sauiour Chriſt was conuerſant with his diſciples on earth, he ſheilded Note. Matth. 9. 11. 12them, prouided for them eueryevery way, and bare off the blowes from their ſhoulders. As when the Phariſies cauilled with them, (whereby they might eaſily hauehave bin diſcouraged) he tooke their part, they being too weake, and defended them. So he ſaid to Peter a litle before his aſcention: When thou Ioh. 21. 18.waſt young thou girdeſt thyſelfe, and wenteſt whither thou wouldeſt: but when thou art old, another ſhall girde thee, and leade thee whither thou wouldeſt not. When Kings gouerne wiſely and conſcionably, the people ſit vnderunder their vine and 1. King. 4. 25.figtree, as it was ſaid they did, that liued in the dayes of Salomon, when hee had about him Nathan the Prophet, Zadok the Prieſt, Benaiah a moſt worthy Counſeller, with ſuch like. Alſo when people are ſetled vnderunder faithfull and able teachers, who watch for their ſoules, they liue (as it were) in a corner of heauen, (if they can ſee) who obediently ſit at their feete to heare them. And ſo I may ſay of children, who hauehave their prouident and godly parents to regard their welfare, they know not what ſorrow and trouble meane: for the glory of children are their fathers. And of other inferiours, while they hauehave their good friends and gouernours about them, who ſeeth not, that they be priuiledged and prouided for aboue others: but when all theſe faile, then beginneth the woe and ſorrow of all thoſe, whom they leaue behinde them: which in the vnwelcome parting of couples in mariage, (the husband from the wife, or ſhe from her husband, where true louelove was betwixt them, is daily ſeene and proued, to the deepe ſorrow of the longeſt liuer of both.
Al this which I hauehave ſaid, ſhould what on ſuch as are ſo backed by others, to weigh the great goodnes of God in giuing them ſuch helpes, and to yeild them due reuerence, louelove, and obedience in the Lord, and to be more carefully giuen to eueryevery good worke, while they hauehave ſo great incouragements. But becauſe the inioying of ſuch is made ſo common a matter, and a thing of no great reioycing while they liue with them: (for according to the prouerbe, we beſt know what a good thing is worth when wee feele the want of it) therefore it were good for them to ſuppoſe oft times, and to put the caſe, that ſuch worthy helpes and friends are taken from them, and what they ſhould then doe being left without them; for as the vine wanting his raile to prop it vp, runneth on the ground and waxeth wilde and vnfruitfull: A ſimile.ſo inferiours being deſtitute of their godly ſuperiours, waxe degenerate, and grow out of kinde, lying open to miſchiefe as Saul did after Samuels death. 1. Sam. 28. 15.But to ſpeake the truth (the more is the pitie) this is rare and hardly to bee found, that ſuch take any great good by thoſe helpes while they inioy them, (vnleſſe it be in things temporary, for their eaſe, maintenance, and ſeeking Note.of liberty to the fleſh,) neither when they forgoe them, hauehave grace to bewaile the loſſe of them in any other reſpect then that which is earthly: neither doe they looke to ſtand vp as they ought (in the want and roome of them) with care and confidence to become lightes and good examples, and to keepe themſelues from euill, as they were kept ſome of them (no doubt) by their good friends before. Such prouide ill for themſelues, ſeeing as it was with this people of Iſrael heere, when Ioſhua was dead, that they had a great loſſe, and were conſtrained now to looke better about them then they needed to doe before, euen ſo they hauing now the like befalne them, muſt now take the burden on themſelues, which was borne by others for them before. The which being ſo, men ſhould make this vſe of ſuch changes, to Vſe 1.prouide and learne to want their good helpes and friends before hand, and arme themſelues as Iob did, to looke for their change, when they ſee they muſt needs forgoe them. They ſhould alſo acknowledge daily with hearty thankes to God, what a benefit they hauehave of them, while they inioy them, Vſe 2.and doe all good that they may by the helpe of them. Which they cannot doe, but they muſt of neceſſitie feele the loſſe of them, to be very great, and ſee that they muſt now lay their ſhoulders to the burden, and therefore labour to be the fitter to beare and vndergoe it, and to want them, who were wont to ſtand them in ſo great ſtead. This as it is wholeſome direction and aduice to ſuch as hauehave their helpers and friends as yet remaining with them: ſo it is eaſie to ſee eueryevery where, what calamities they ſuſtaine, who made no ſuch vſe of them, while they comfortably inioyed them. For the which purpoſe, this I adde, and ſo I end this point: oh how ſweetly and to their good liking hauehave many liued, when they had others to beare their burdens for them? as husbands, wiues, ſubiects, children, neighbours, and other by their friends: in which benefits they who inioyed kindely and aright, there is no doubt, but that (which is the chiefeſt of all) they hauehave therewith, that God is their friend alſo: but ſeeing many depend onelyonly on them in a carnall manner, and on their liuing ſtill with them, and reſt not on God; therefore their proppes faile them, and their deſolation commeth vponupon them, as the enemy vponupon an vnarmed man.
More particularly, we are taught hereby their example, who ſought to God in their doubtes for counſell and reſolution, that in all our doubtfull Doct. 2.caſes, (which are not fewe) partly touching our eſtate towards God, and partly particular duties and actions of our ſpeciall callings and conditions of life: while we remaine here on earth: we ſhould conſult with and aske counſell of God for our reſolution, in ſuch manner as he hath taught vsus: and in no wiſe to conceale and bury our wants and defects that trouble vsus, or paſſe by the ſinnes that cleaue to vsus, or other difficulties in our dealings and buſineſſe that oppreſſe vsus, for ſo we prouide ill for our ſelues, euen to liue in ignorance and ſorrow (with other inconueniences annexed thereunto) for euer after. And yet when we ſeeke anſwere and reſolution, wee muſt not thinke, that we are inioyned of God to doe it in the ſame particular manner that theſe did, by the high Prieſt, for that might be thought a great trouble to vsus, ſeeing there is none in theſe daies to aske counſell for vsus: but we muſt know, that we hauehave Moſes, the Prophets and Apoſtles: and (by the helpe of them) the Miniſters of God, Paſtors and Teachers, to bring vsus Gods meſſage and minde out of his word, and thereby to inſtruct vsus. And wee our ſelues, as occaſion ſerueth, are to ſearch the Scriptures, and anſwere our owne doubts thereby, and ſettle our eſtate to God ward, as Dauid did in the Act. 17. 11.Pſalmes oft, and namely where he ſaith: Why art thou heauy (O my ſoule) and Pſal. 43. 5.why art thou ſo troubled within mee? Still truſt in God, and praiſe him which is the beſt of all. And againe: whereby ſhall (a man yea) a yong man (who doth Pſal. 119. 9.more hardly ouercome his paſſions) denie his way, that ſo hee may proue himſelfe bleſſed? he anſweres out of the Scripture, euen by taking heed thereto as Gods word teacheth. Thus I ſay, we are to ſearch the Scriptures by hearing and reading them, which doe reueale Gods will vntounto vsus, or conſult with the men and brethren whom the holy Ghoſt hath ſet ouer vsus to that ende.
But this is the miſery of this age, nothing is to be called into queſtion among Note.vsus: we thinke we hauehave all knowledge, and doubt of nothing, no, not in the waightieſt matters: why ſo, I pray you? is it becauſe we be diligent and carefull to learne, and daily to ſearch into our ſelues and into the word to ſee what is a miſſe, that we neede no helpe of other? Nay, that is fewe mens care, the moſt are no ſuch: but they chiefly are deſirous to enquire further what the good will of God is toward them, who hauehave moſt profited thereby already, and ſo ought other to doe: who if they were not both careleſſe how they liued, and ſo obſerue no want in themſelues: and drowſie or wandring when they heare, it could not be, but where there is an ordinary miniſtery, they ſhould grow much in ſetledneſſe and ſound knowledge: whereas we ſee, ſtrangers who are not taught at home, but reſort where ſound teaching is, they I ſay, though they know as much as other, are more inquiſitiue and deſirous to be anſwered in their doubts, then ſuch as hauehave the daily meanes at hand whereby they might be reſolued. It were to be reioyced for very much, if hearers of the Goſpell did frequent the houſes of Preachers, as they do Phyſitians to enquire of their bodily health: then there were ſome hope that they looked to liue for euer, as they deſire to liue long heere in bodily health, though that can be but for a very ſhort ſeaſon. But thoſe daies are gone, which yet I in my time hauehave ſeene, when in the places, which I meane, both men women and ſeruants would riſe early to diſpatch their buſineſſe on the Lecture day, to the end they might repaire thither, and inquire of God in the congregation, and would be as ready to take good priuatly alſo by queſtions to very good purpoſe, and neceſſary, when they might. About maintenance and bodily prouiſion, how many queſtions (I pray you) are moued before one dayes or weekes worke bee brought to an end? and is any ſo ignorant, that he knoweth not, that he that mindeth his way to eternall life, hath many cauſes in the day and weeke, to aske of himſelfe by ſecret queſtioning, whether all be well with him concerning his account making to God? But there are few or no doubts about ſuch matters as doe greatly trouble vsus now a daies, wee run on at ſixe and leuen as the blinde man caſts his ſtaffe, not looking before vsus, that we might be ſafely guided. But what commeth of ſuch raſh proceeding without conſulting with God, by that one example in the booke of Numbers may ſufficiently Numb. 14. 45.appeare, when certaine of the people of Iſrael would needs goe vp to fight with the Amalekites and Canaanites of their owne head, not ſent by the Lord: for they came out againſt them and deſtroyed them.
There is another fault committed in this kind, though, I am perſwaded, not with ſo bad a mind: but ſeeing it is not without great danger, I will giuegive warning about it. And that is, when men do feele many doubts to ariſe, by reaſon of their ſinnes, and fore trouble of conſcience: but yet through feare leſt they ſhould not hauehave an anſwere to their liking, or for ſhame, leſt they ſhould bewray their ignorance, and ſecrets, and ſo bee reproched and mocked for the ſame, they do conceale them, till ſorrow deuoure them for not opening their mindes about them, euen as water pent in, burſteth out violently Note.and doth much hurt, which in time hauing been let foorth and vented, might hauehave auoided it. What had become of the people in the booke of the Actes of the Apoſtles, when they were pricked at their hearts, as with the point of a ſword, if they had not come to the Apoſtles, and made their complaint, ſaying: Men and brethren, what ſhall we doe? and yet they had Act. 2. 37.ſtrong temptations not to open their griefe to them, becauſe they had much prouoked them before, and railed on them. Therefore if any be troubled, as theſe were with doubts, eſpecially in their conſcience, and bee in great ſtraights and vnquietneſſe, through feare of Gods diſpleaſure and wrath, if they cannot with their owne knowledge put away their trouble of mind, let them inquire of the men and brethren, whom they are well perſwaded off, for reſolution and comfort, as they did: who, as they hauehave been inſtruments of God to pricke and wound them, ſo are they alſo to helpe to eaſe them: and they need not feare (God hauing promiſed) but that they ſhall find reſt to their ſoules, how impoſſible ſoeuer it ſeemed to them to bee ſo. And this be ſaid of the firſt verſe.
In this next it is manifeſt, that God gaue them an anſwer from the Propitiatory Verſe 2.or Mercy-ſeate: which they receiued by the high Prieſt: for ſo hee vſed to doe, and it was one of the ordinarie meanes, whereby God ſpake to them in thoſe daies. And he did not onelyonly ſo, whereby they were ſatisfied, (their queſtion being anſwered:) but he alſo incouraged them to goe to the worke he ſet them about, promiſing them the victorie in that warre againſt the Canaanites, ſaying: I hauehave giuen their land into the hands of Iudah, who ſhall goe before the reſt in attempting the warre againſt them.
Out of the which words witneſſing ſo gracious an anſwere to them from God, we may clearely ſee, that our ſeeking to God in our doubts and neceſſities, is not in vaine, neither is the labour loſt in ſo doing. For we are to know and be perſwaded, that God anſwereth his in their ſuites and demands, and indeed otherwiſe it were a deadly diſcomfort, and would diſcourage vsus much from the well doing of dutie, as it maketh (we ſee) the wicked at their wits end, when they being in great danger, can hauehave no helpe from God, as we reade it was with Saul; who, when he ſought to God and asked counſell of him, to ſerue his owne turne thereby againſt the Philiſtims, rather then to pleaſe him, and hee anſwered him not; hee in depth of ſorrow complained and cried out, ſaying: The Lord hath forſaken mee, and anſwereth me no more, neither by Prophets, nor by dreames. But bleſſed be his name, he dealeth not ſo with his: neither let this trouble them, (for ſo they will ſay) that although God anſwered this people of Iſrael here, when they ſought to him, yet hee doth not ſo to vsus now: for they are to know, that it is his promiſe to vsus, in all that we aske of him according to his will, to grant it, as well as here hee anſwered 1. Ioh. 5. 14.to them in that they asked. Therefore in the Pſalme he ſaith. Call on me in the time of trouble, and I will heare thee, and thou ſhalt glorifie me: which agreeth Pſal. 50. 15.with the words of our Sauiour vttered to all his; Aske, and it ſhall be giuen you: ſeeke and ye ſhall finde.Matth. 7. 7.
So that it is certaine, that eueryevery child of God, that maketh his mone, and thus poureth out his complaint to him, ſhall be heard, which ſhould not a little whet vsus on, and animate vsus to draw neere to God: wee hauing ſo ſure a word of promiſe, that he will draw neere to vsus. For in ſeeking to a mortall man Iam. 4. 8.in our diſtreſſe, though he be little aboue vsus, we know how readily & chearefully we goe about it, when we are perſwaded of a good anſwer, and when we doubt not of his kind and louing affection toward vsus: and on the contrarie, how hardly wee are drawne to ſue to one, that is alienated from vsus. And ſeeing the care thus ſtandeth betwixt God and vsus, that the oftener we come to him, the more welcome wee are, (for this is as true as the former ſpeech) ſeeing ſuch are moſt inward with him, and beloued of him, as Abraham, Moſes and Dauid, who of others repaired ofteſt to him, and receiued moſt of him; I ſay, ſeeing it is thus betwixt God and vsus, how lamentable is it, and to be bewailed, that this is not more common for men to repaire to God? who if they could marke it, may eaſily perceiue, that while they neglect to doe ſo, they increaſe their trouble, and get nothing. But ſeeing I am entred vponupon this matter, I thinke it not amiſſe, to ſhew, how three ſorts offend about this. The common ſort wholly neglect and omit prayer altogether: the firſt thinking that though they pray not, they ſhall ſpeed as well, and hauehave as good lucke (for ſo they terme it (as others ſhall: boldly affirming, that they ſee no good come of it, they: and yet in their diſtreſſe they thinke they ſhould pray: but then they hauing neither will nor skill thereto, in ſtead thereof, do curſe and rage for that they are not helped and deliuered: though ſome of them do vtter words in their paſſion, the Lord heares them not, as we read, Pro. 1. Pro. 1. 20.For it is all one as if they vttered none. And though they cannot pray to God, yet they make their complaints, and moane to eueryevery man that they hauehave acquaintance with, and that will heare them. And for them to breake their minds to them that cannot helpe them, when yet they would ſo gladly finde helpe, and to paſſe by him in whom there is preſent and ſure helpe to be found, what folly? nay, what madneſſe is it? for (to ſay the truth) God is not ſought vntounto in any ſort of ſuch, no, not when all other ſhifts faile: (as I hauehave ſaid.) But to ſpeake of the ſecond ſort, who being profeſſors, a forwarder ſort in religion then the former, theſe ſhould pray, and that in faith, confidence, and repentance with comfort, as well as in deſire of obtaining the things which they want, with patient waiting Gods leiſure, but euen they ſeeke not to God in this manner, which yet is the onelyonly right way of praying, that he teacheth vsus, or alloweth in vsus. For prayers made to him without theſe properties, are but a bare noiſe of words, vaine repetitions, and idle Matth. 6. 7.ſpeeches, which God abhorreth: neither may ſuch looke to receiue any thing, as S. Iames ſaith: Ye aske and obtaine not, becauſe ye aske amiſſe.Iam. 4. 3.
And when they ſee they receiue not the things they aske, euen they as well as the other who are further off, doe gather, and imagin, though falſelie and vniuſtly, that prayer doth no good, and that it is but loſt labour, ſeeing they are not heard in theirs, when they pray amiſſe, and ſo they waxe more ſlacke and negligent therein, as the other omit it altogether. And the leſſe maruell it is, ſeeing euen good Chriſtians (to come to the third ſort) who go farre beyond both, do ſo forget themſelues ofttimes, and are ſo deluded by the diuell, that euen they omit zealous and ſeruent praying, and fall to pray coldly, deadly: ſo many vaine deluzions, and alurements ſtand vp in their way to vnſettle them, and miſty clouds of trouble to diſcourage them. And while it is thus with them, and while the fleſh iuſtleth againſt all that good is (they not reſiſting it in time) it commeth to paſſe, that euen they who hauehave Gal. 5. 17.learned to pray aright, and hauehave oft and vſually done ſo: do yet ſoone decline, ſometime and before they bee aware, fall to pray more by cuſtome Matth. 6. 57.and courſe, then hartily and aright. For we are not to be ignorant of this, that we are as wel vndermined and ſlily deceiued by the malice and ſubtilty of the diuell and our euill hearts, about our prayers to corrupt and hinder Luk. 18. 1.them, as we are in our liues to breake out and be offenſiue therein. And we ought to marke our declinings and decay in the one, as well as our coldnes and deadnes in the other: for pray well and liue well, and contrary. For want of the which, it goeth ſo ill with vsus as it doth, that we walke oft times Note.heauily, and cannot ſay that God heareth vsus, as it is heere ſaid of this people, that God anſwered them: for euen after we hauehave prayed, yet we are not ſatisfied, neither reſt we by faith perſwaded that God will heare vsus: which yet is one of the chiefeſt fruites of prayer. And thus much of Gods anſwere to them.
But yet further we are to marke, that he did not barely anſwere them, as he might hauehave done, and hauehave ſaid onelyonly, Let Iudah goe vp: that ſhall be mine anſwere to you: but he addeth to it a gracious incouragement, which was more then they demanded, ſaying: I hauehave giuen the land into his hands: Commonly men in their ſuites to their betters, aske more then they looke for: thinking by that meanes to obtaine ſomewhat anſwerable to their expectation. But God giues more then is asked, or thought needfull. The which dealing of his doth adde yet greater hartening and incouraging of vsus to prayer, when we ſee that he oftentimes promiſeth and giueth more to vsus then we looked for: as the deare Saints of God hauehave found in their time. Ioſeph whoſe feete were pinned in the ſtockes, prayed that he might be deliuered Pſal. 109. 18.out of priſon, whereinto he was thruſt at the ſuite of his whoriſh miſtris, Gen. 39. 19. 20.for not conſenting to her vnchaſt requeſt: but God not onelyonly deliuered him, Gen. 41. 14.but brought him out with great honour.
Eſther prayed againſt the ſpitefull attempt of Haman, and that ſhe and her people, which were alſo Gods people, might be preſerued from the deadly Eſther. 7. 10.ſnare, which he had laid for their liues. But what did the Lord? He not onelyonly ſaued them, but vtterly deſtroyed, and cut cleane off, in a moſt ſhamefull and reprochfull manner, both Haman and all his ſeede. So, the woman of Eſther. 9.. 10.Canaan asked of Chriſt helpe for her daughter poſſeſſed with a diuell: but Mat. 15. 22.he granted vntounto her, beſide that ſhe asked, euen what ſhe would. And wee Luk. 15. 22.know, that when the prodigall ſonne, in his penurie and miſerie, being glad to refreſh himſelfe, and fill his bellie with ſwines food, deſired that he might be receuied, but as a ſeruant into his fathers houſe: and he was entertained, and taken in as a ſonne, and nothing of the coſtlieſt apparell, and daintieſt food was thought too good for him.
And whereto tend all theſe examples, but to incourage vsus, to acquaint our ſelues with God, by ſeeking to know his will, and by oft and earneſt repairing to him: aſſuring our ſelues, that wee ſhall not onelyonly obtaine of him that which we come for in our prayers; but oft times much more, according to that in the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes: He that commeth to God, let him know Heb. 11. 6.that he is a plentiful rewarder of them that ſeeke him. And he hath no experience of Gods louing kindneſſe, who knoweth not, neither hath found this himſelfe: for doe we aske all particular benefits eueryevery day, which we inioy? no, nor one of many. But we ſhould leade a poore life, maimed, as a body wanting fingers, eyes, tongue, &c. if wee receiued not more oft times then we aske. But to omit other things too long to ſtand vponupon, who hath not had proofe of this, (a matter of greater waight) that whereas ſometime, in the anguiſh and heauineſſe of his ſoule for feare of the wrath of God, iuſtly prouoked by his ſinnes againſt him, hee would hauehave thought it happineſſe not to hauehave bin at all, but eſpecially in liuing heere, to hauehave bin freed from feare of condemnation: who (I ſay) hath not proofe of this in himſelfe, that hee hath yet liued to ſee by good and infallible euidence, beſide that which hee deſired) himſelfe to be made aſſured of eternall glory? ſo true it is that God giueth his, more then they could aske or thinke: becauſe they aske in the name and mediation of the ſonne, whoſe merit and interceſſion is infinite.
So likewiſe we hauehave oft times bin in the depth of other calamities: and ſeeking to God for helpe therein, we hauehave not onelyonly found deliuerance, but therewith bleſſings vnlooked for, to our great admiration and comfort. And if God hath not giuen vsus our deſire that way, yet, leaſt he ſhould ſeeme any way to come ſhort of his promiſe, he hath ſuffered the croſſe to remaine, till he hath made vsus ſee, and therefore to ſay, that it hath turned to a farre greater benefit to vsus, then if he had preſently deliuered vsus out of it, or (which is more) then if he had neuer laid it vponupon vsus at all: ſo true it is that God giueth his more then they could looke for in asking, or thinke to receiue. This ſhould vphold vsus againſt grudging, when at other times wee thinke God deales too ſparingly, and ſhortens vsus of our deſires. But wee are blinde in Reuel. 3. 18.obſeruing theſe things, becauſe we want the eye ſalue of faith, which onelyonly can make vsus ſee it to be thus.
But, before I leaue this verſe, another thing heere is worthy to be marked, that he doth not onelyonly incourage vsus to ſeeke to him earneſtly, by the Hebr. 2. 6.like large offer which he made here to this people: but here withall, he giueth vsus ſufficient incouragement to the worke, that he ſetteth vsus about. As Pſal. 1. 3.he doth here to the tribe of Iudah: Thou (ſaith he) ſhalt fight my battels againſt mine enemies, and thou among others ſhalt goe about this worke: and though this were enough to harten thee to it, in that I command thee; yet know this for thy better incouragement, that I will be with thee, aſsiſting and bleſsing thee, yea and I will alſo giuegive thee the victory, by deliuering them into thy hands. And for better certainty to them, he telleth them, that he hath done it already, when yet it was to do. To teach vsus, that if God ſpeake the word, it ſhould be counted all one of vsus, as if he had done the deed. Much like to this is that in Hebrwes 6. Where Hebr. 6. 10.God is denied to do as ill maſters doe, that is, to take no knowledge of their ſeruants worke: no, he is not forgetfull of his ſeruants labours, nor vniuſt to leaue them vnrewarded, but telleth them before; that he will deale liberally with them.Hebt. 2. 6.
Men promiſe much and performe little: yea many are ſo vniuſt, that they ſet other about their worke, but they are neuer willing to pay them their hire, and to come to a reckoning, becauſe they are well content to defraud them of their due, and to take their labour, in a manner for nothing. But God is a liberall pay-maſter, he promiſeth afore hand more then we can looke for: euen to make vsus able and fit for the worke, that ſo it may not bee toileſome nor tedious vntounto vsus: beſide the reward that he giueth afterwards: euen as he did to Ioſuah before, when he ſhould leade the people at the firſt into the land of Canaan: hee not onelyonly promiſed him the Ioſ. 1. 5.whole land, but added therewith, I will be with thee, I will not leaue nor forſake thee.
And this being duly conſidered and belieued, were the ſtrongeſt motiue to ſet vsus forward cheerefully, not onelyonly in thoſe duties and workes of out callings, which doe cauſe ſome delight, and are ioyned with ſome profit: but alſo in other, which require much toile and hauehave nothing to incourage vsus, but this, that God commands vsus, and would hauehave vsus goe to worke otherwiſe, and namely, both the Magiſtrate and Miniſter to do thoſe great works required of them, with that cheerfulnes and readines, that I hauehave mentioned: yea the husbandman and the artificer, after the ſame manner to ſet vponupon Iohn 4. 34.their workes inioyned them, and ſo likewiſe euen ſeruants, doore keepers, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water, which are the baſeſt ſeruices, and meaneſt of other callings, as alſo the keepers of ſheepe and ſwine, Pſal. 84. 12.to be ſo occupied in their callings, that as long as they know they are in the condition in which they ſhould liue and ſerue God, and that he will bee with them and bleſſe them therein, they may abide in the ſame with comfort, reſting vponupon his prouidence, and truſting in his promiſe, that they ſhall reape the fruit of it aſſuredly.
And the ſame I would ſay of women, in their places and condition, and the worke that they are occupied about, in bruing, baking, ſowing, ſpinning, and ſuch like huſwifery but that I ſhould ſtay to long. The which behauiour Deutr. 12. 7.ſo heauenly in their earthly buſineſſe, would better become them, (a man would thinke) and ſhould be deſired and ſought for of them, if they were wiſe: that ſo they might liue cheerefully and peaceably: it would better become them (I ſay) then the life which now they leade, which for the moſt part, is led diſtruſtfully, vnquietly, in fretting, raging, and earthly mindednes, &c. And all becauſe they truſt not in God for ſucceſſe, neither belieue that he will be with them to direct and helpe them, as alſo to giuegive a good end to their labours, though they do not alwayes attaine the outward profit which they ſeeke: God prouiding better for them, euen in that hardnes, (as they count it) that their contentation and patience, ſhall be a greater bleſſing to them, then if they had inioyed all the commodity that might hauehave bin looked for of them.
Oh wofull people, who like not their labours and worke, which God allotteth and appointeth to them: but take in hand what they thinke good, and therein promiſe to themſelues, as the worldly men did who are mentioned in Saint Iames, namely, what gaine they ſhall hauehave without the promiſe Iam. 4. 13.of God: and therefore, if they be diſappointed, they could finde in their hearts to contend with God, for not yeelding their hope and deſire vntounto them, for though they will not bee directed by him, what and how they ſhould do: yet they will quarrell and diſpute with him, if they faile of that they looke for: for what elſe are their ſecret murmurings and frettings; but againſt him in their diſappointments? Thus we ſee how ill they prouide for themſelues, who take not the worke they goe about from God, that ſo they might alſo proſper therein: but they are wiſe, and ſhall not repent it, who, as Iudah heere did, deſire God to teach them what his good pleaſure is, to hauehave them to do: for therein they are ſure that it ſhall goe well with them, whatſoeuer they take in hand. In which reſpect Dauid wiſhed the Pſal. 84. 12.meaneſt place in Gods houſe, that is to ſay, where he ruleth: rather then the greateſt and higheſt elſewhere. Wel ſhewing by his example, that the poore who in their ſimplicitie can make the like choice, may liue farre more ſweetly Note.and peaceably, then the mightieſt which refuſe to learne ſo to do: and that Salomon ment, when he ſaid: A diſh of greene hearbs with peace, is better then a ſtaled oxe with ſtrife.
But from this and ſuch like places it is obiected, that God dealt farre better Obiection.with that people, then he doth in theſe daies with vsus. For they in a particular doubt or trouble might goe and aske counſell of God, and he gaue them an anſwere againe thereto: which if he did grant to vsus in like manner; then (they ſay) we had good cauſe in deede why we ſhould ſerue God, as readily and ioyfully, as they did: but we hauehave no ſuch libertie to aske in that manner: nor the like prerogatiue in his anſwering vsus againe. To the Anſwere.which I ſay, that this liberty was granted them in one reſpect, (which diminiſheth nothing of Gods fauour to vsus) and this it is: That people of Iſrael had a promiſe of God, that their common wealth ſhould in ſome ſort abide vntounto Chriſts comming. For the which cauſe, when they were in great ieopardy to be rooted out by enemies, God gaue them leaue thus to aske of him what they ſhould do, and he reſolued and ſatisfied them according to the promiſe which he had made them, to wit, that they ſhould not be driuen out of the land: whereby they knew, that thoſe troubles ſhould not be (as they feared) their vtter ouerthrow. And as for their captiuity afterwards, it was but for a ſeaſon, and they were at the appointed time, reſtored againe, Pſal. 126. 1.and returned into their owne land. Now what great prerogatiue had they by ſuch anſweres from God about that particular, more then an earthly benefit? They had this temporary bleſſing which they needed: we as we hauehave it not, ſo we ſtand in no need of it. But we hauehave farre greater then they had, as the meanes of our ſaluation farre more cleerely brought to light, and this is the greateſt of all benefits. And ſeeing wee hauehave many bookes of holy Scripture which they had not, eſpecially when theſe things were done, which now are ſpoken of: as the Prophets and the new Teſtament, wee may well allow them ſomewhat, which we want. And for praying to God, either about and for things heauenly or earthly, we hauehave farre more eaſie acceſſe to God, then they had, this one thing excepted, that they had this one liberty granted them, (as I hauehave ſaid.) And it would aſwell appeare by the fruit of our prayers, if we were zealous, and oft, and conſtant therein with vprightnes of heart in the vſe of that liberty of praying, as God hath allowed Rom. 1212. compared with Iam. 5. 16.and taught vsus to doe. But it followeth in the third verſe.