Twenty-Two Sermons on Psalm 119, Sermon 15
The fifteenth Sermon vponupon the hundreth and nineteenth Pſalme.
SAMECH.
I hare vaine inuentions: but thy lawe do I louelove.
Thou art my refuge and my ſhield: and I truſt in thy worde.
Away from me yee wicked: for I wil keepe the cō maundementes of my God.
Stabliſh mee according too thy promiſe that I may liue: and let me not be diſappointed of my hope.
Hold thou me vp and I ſhall be ſaufe: yea and my delight ſhalbe continually in thy ſtatutes.
Thou haſt troden downe all them that depart from thy ſtatutes: for their deceipt is vayne:
Thou haſt taken away all the vngodly of the earth like droſſe: therefore I louelove thy teſtimonies.
My fleſh trembleth for feare of thee. and I am afraid of thy iudgementes.
WE hauehave ſo many lettes and ſtoppes both from aboue and heere beneath which drawe vsus on to doe wickedly, or at leaſt wiſe which cauſe vsus too ſlacke our ſeruing of GOD, that which ſoeuer of vsus that is minded to doe well, muſt remoue frō him al his wicked & euill affections, and all the temptations, which any waye may come againſt him. See then why Dauid in this place, meaning to proteſte that hee loued the lawe of God, ſayeth to the contrarie, that hee hated high enterpriſes, or rather wicked and crooked imaginations, euill conſiderations. For the worde which is here touched, ſignifieth a bough or braunch: and by a ſimilitude taketh it for the euill and wicked imaginations and deuiſes of men which, runne this and that way. Now we ſee what a bottomleſſe depth the ſpirite of man is, and how he wreatheth or windeth him ſelfe in his fantaſies. This ſelfe ſame word ſignifieth, the very height and toppe either of an hie hill, houſe, or any other hie thing. And therevpon alſo as by a ſimilitude, the imaginatiue cōceipts of men, whē as they entend to bring them ſelues into credit, and goe about to aduaunce them ſelues, euen as ambitiō ruleth our nature, vntill ſuch time as God hath tamed vsus by his holy ſpirite, and humbled and made vsus gentle and meek. And now that wee may hauehave the true and naturall meaning of this place, let vsus ſee in effect, that Dauid proteſting that he loued the law of God, ſaieth, that hee remoued quite from him whatſoeuer might withdrawe him from it. Nowe hee ſpeaketh not this here to the ende to bragge of him ſelfe: but rather that this example ſhoulde bee for our better inſtructiō. For the ſpirite of God hath ſpokē it by his mouth to the ende we might vnderſtand and knowe, which is the meane whereby we might be wholy giuen to the ſeruice of God, and to take holde of the lawe with ſuch an affection, as that our heartes might be as it were euen faſt tied thereto. For it is impoſsible, I ſay, that wee ſhould euer come or attaine vntounto it, vntill ſuch time as we hauehave cleane cut of the things which withdraw and turne vsus away both on the one ſide and the other: to wit, al our owne fantaſies and luſtes: we muſt thruſt out frō vsus all whatſoeuer, for the louelove which we ought to beare to the lawe of God :we muſt alſo forget all hawtines or pride, yea euen ſtudying howe too ſeparate our ſelues from thoſe which any waye might drawe vsus too euill: and not too communicate with the vngodly whiche are double hearted, full of hypocriſie, or elſe, ſuch as are but vaine glorious and of that pryde which euen moueth thē to lift thēſelues vp both againſt God and men: For their company will ſo corrupt vsus, as that being uuzzeled amongſt them, our heartes can neuer be ſo ordered and ruled in the louelove which wee ought to hauehave to the lawe of God. Now then let vsus kepe wel in mind this admonitiō, as a thing moſt profitable for vsus: to wit, as before I hauehave ſaid, that as we are enclined to committee a great number of offences and villanies, which will withdrawe vsus from the louelove that we ought to beare to the word of God, let vsus ſo much the mere flie from whatſoeuer draweth vsus away backward. Yea and let vsus vnderſtand, that looke howe many our imaginations and affections are, that they are euen ſo many cartropes to hale & pull vsus away from this louelove: or els, they are ſo many poyſons which Satan giueth vsus, to the ende we ſhould not once taſte of the word of God, neither to be ſo amiable and pleaſant vntounto vsus as it ought: but rather that we might be greeued & lothed therwith, & ſo to leaue it, as if it were a grieuous matter, & an occaſion of heuines. Since then it is ſo, let vsus be well aduiſed too purge our heartes of all earthly affections, if we will take in hād to louelove the word of God. And yet it is not enough that wee hauehave fought againſt our vngodly luſtes, and fleſhly fantaſies, but we muſt alſo as it were gather our wittes together: for hardly can we open our eies to looke about this waye and that waye, but that Satan will laye before vsus ſome euill and wicked ſtops and encountries. It is very true, that ſo long as we liue here in this worlde, wee can not but both ſee and heare a great many of things: but yet muſt wee bridle our ſenſes. And aboue all the reſt, we ought to fight againſt theſe ſtrange, & counterfait hypocriſies and affectiōs, wherein we are nuzzeled. We muſt euen hate deadly al this in our heart, to the ende wee bee not hindred from the louelove of the worde of God. And thus much for the firſt verſe. Now in the ſecond, Dauid ſheweth howe wee ſhould finde the woorde of God pleaſant and gratious, that we might louelove it, that is, when as we ſhall truſt to his worde. Thou art, ſayth he, my refuge and my ſhield: and I truſt in thy word.
This is not added hereunto without iuſt cauſe. For if there be none other doctrine in the lawe but too ſay vntoo vsus, Loe this muſt you do, wee can neuer bee comforted. For we ſhal find nothing in it but condemnation. When as god ſheweth vntounto vsus what our duety is, we muſt needs be confounded, and knowe, that before him wee are condemned and accurſed, ſeeing that no man performeth that which hee ought. So then, the worde of God ſhoulde bee both bitter and grieuous vntounto vsus, if there were nothing elſe conteined in it but a rule too liue well: But when God is a teſtimonie and witnes vntoo vsus of his goodnes and mercy, and declareth vntoo vsus that from him wee muſt looke too receiue our chiefe felicitie, that hee is preſt and ready too helpe vsus, that the treaſures of his infinite goodneſſe are open vntounto vsus: when I ſaye, this ſhall be in vsus, then may wee ſauoure and taſte his woorde, and conceiue the louelove of it, when as we knowe that therein conſiſteth and lieth all our health and ioye. Nowe then, when as wee would profite in the worde of God, and exerciſe our ſelues in it, let vsus learne to receiue the promiſes therein contained. And let vsus not be like vntounto them, which thinke that God ſaieth nothing elſe vntounto in all the whole ſcripture, but doe this, or doe that: for then, this were a very thinne and feeble doctrine. For if God were there as a Philoſopher, to preache vntounto vsus of vertues, and to declare vntounto vsus, that we muſt be thus gouerned: we ſhoulde hauehave but a pitifull colde pull of it: and bicauſe we are altogether and wholy contrary to the rightuouſneſſe of God, it is impoſsible but that wee ſhould bee grieued and troubled with whatſoeuer ſhalbe ſaid vntounto vsus.
But I hauehave already ſhewed, that the principall matter which God declareth vntounto vsus in his worde, is this, that hee proteſteth howe well he loueth vsus in alluring vsus vntounto him ſelfe, to the ende we ſhould not doubt, but that he will bee our father in all and through all, and that wee ſhoulde bee bolde to come before him: that when there is any queſtion of our ſaluation, and of whatſoeuer els we hauehave neede off, we ſhould not doubt but that hee is ready to heare all our prayers, that his hande is alwayes liberally bent, to the end to giuegive vsus whatſoeuer we want. When we ſhall once knowe this to bee true, then, as I hauehave already ſaide, the worde of God ſhall bee pleaſaunt vntounto vsus. Loe nowe why Dauid by & by addeth, My truſt is in thy worde, O Lord. This is alſo, in ſumme, our faith, which bringeth vsus to the obediēce of God when I ſaye that it is faith which bringeth vsus into the obediēce of God. I meane, that after we hauehave vnderſtood of his good wil, that we are thē ſtirred vp to yelde our ſelues vntounto him. And vntill ſuch time as hee hath imprinted in our heartes the teſtimonie of his louelove, and the benefite which hee meaneth vntounto vsus, wee ſhall flye from him as much as may bee: and as often as this woorde of God ſhall ſounde in our eares, ſo often ſhall it grieue and torment vsus, as wee ſee howe the faithleſſe doe feare, when the worde of God is ſpoken vntounto them: it bringeth vntoo them nothing but terrour and feare, as if a theefe or murderer were brought before a iudge. But when as we hauehave faith to ſtay our ſelues vponupon the goodneſſe of God, too call vppon him as Dauid doth here, our ſuccoure, and ſhielde: we may call vponupon him with ſuch a confidence, as that hee will neuer bee deafe, too heare our prayers: when then wee are thus aſſured, wee are forthwith wonne to louelove him, then delight we to yelde our obedience vntounto his lawe. Nowe in following that which wee hauehave already declared, Dauid againe addeth,
Away from me yee wicked: for I will keepe the commaundementes of my God.
Here hee ſpeaketh of the temptations which come vntounto vsus by reaſon of the vngodly who allure vsus, as much as in them lieth too make vsus too contemne God, and worke ſo many offences as that they breake all good order, yea, euen to leaue the worlde naked and bare of all goodneſſe. For ſo much then as wee are too liue here amongſt contemptuous and outragious people, who hauehave neither fayth, truſt, nor truthe: and that theſe tēptations are very perilous vntounto vsus: as wee ſee what a great number of men are corrupt by them: Dauid ſaith, Awaye from me yee wicked, bicauſe I keepe the commaundements of my God. Here wee are to note, as before I hauehave touched, that hee ſpeaketh not this, too make recitall of his worthineſſe, or that hee alledgeth it for his power and ſtrength to wynne him reputation: but ſpeaking by the ſpirite of God, he admoniſheth vsus to liue holily: to wit, that if we will walke in the feare of God, and be vnderunder his yoke, wee muſt in the firſt place ſeparate out ſelues from the vngodly. Nowe this is an eaſie doctrine to be learned, but it is ſo ſlenderly practized of vsus, as that we had neede better to thinke of it, then heretofore wee hauehave done. If there were a great number of offences in Dauid his time, which were to turne the faithfull awaye from the feare of God, and too leade them to doe wickedly, in what caſe then ſtande we nowe? It is very true that we are come to the full meaſure of all iniquitie. For if wee doe beholde at this day the ſtates and conditions of all men, it wil ſeeme that it is impoſsible for the world to be worſe, that the deuill ſo poſſeſſeth both great and ſmall in townes & villages, as that it is a very hell and tormentory to ſee it. Euen ſo thē, howe is it poſsible that a faithfull man can perſeuer to liue in the feare of God and in ſuch ſoundneſſe as he hath commaunded, without hee ſtande very ſure vponupon his guarde? without he keepe a good watche? and chiefly except he ſeparate him ſelfe from ſo great a number of corruptions? For at this daye a man can come in no company, but that the talke ſhall tende to the diſhonouring of God, with all vngodlineſſe: or els the talke ſhall bee ſo vaine, as that it ſhall hauehave no good ſauoure, yea, and too make whatſoeuer good ſeede that is in any man, who is yet teacheable, to bee nothing worth. And yet many times this ſhall not bee the greateſt miſchiefe: but a man ſhall heare the moſt curſed blaſphemies that may be vometed out by theſe grenning helhoundes at this day, who are growne to the full meaſure of impudencie, like vntounto ſhameleſſe harlottes, diſcouering their vilanies not onelyonly againſt God and all true Chriſtianitie, but doe alſo euen like maſtife curres barke againſt al religion. This we ſee, let vsus then come to the greateſt number of thoſe which ſeeme to bee a little more tollerable, I beſeeche you what leſſon or fruite ſhall wee reape by them? We ſhall finde ſome of them to vſe aboundance of wicked traffique, craftes, deceiptes, or els outrages, violences, oppreſsions and cruelties againſt their neighbours. Another ſorte ſhalbe giuen to lech ery, and to ſuch beaſtlineſſe: another kinde ſhall bee gluttons and ſuch like brutiſh people of life and conuerſation? To be ſhort, turne which way ſoeuer we will, and wee ſhall finde nothing but corruption: ſo that if this doctrine hath beene any time neceſſarily to bee taught, it is at this moſt neceſſary and hie time, ſince wee are come euen to ſo full a meaſure & bottomleſſe depth of iniquitie, let vsus then be well aduiſed too departe from all thoſe that worke iniquitie, yea and let vsus chaſe them farre from vsus, if we will faithfully and truely ſerue God.
It is moſt ſure that we muſt needes be conuerſaunt with the vngodly, or els departe out of this worlde at once: but yet we muſt not keepe them companie ſo familiarly, as too drawe with them the ſame yoke. Let vsus take heede that wee in no wayes wynde our ſelues in with them: but that our life and conuerſation bee ſo ſimple and playne, as that they be neuer able to bring vsus in, and to bee infected with their vices. For we heare what the holy ſcripture ſaieth, that we had no neede of any thing to corrupt good manners. For as a little leauen ſowreth the whole lumpe of dough, euen ſo when the deuill can thruſt in amongſt vsus the leaſt drop of corruption, loe all ſhall be peruerted and come to naught. We ſee not at the firſt ſight howe the deuill goeth about to beguile vsus, and therefore we ought to be ſo much the more watchfull. Let the vngodly complaine as much as they will, as wee ſee at this daye the murmurers and grudgers doe, that they thinke them ſelues to bee ill dealt withall, when as we will not be partakers of their filthines. Nowe wee knowe right well that they ſeeke none other thing but too make wicked, whatſoeuer is well ruled and ordered, too ouerthrowe whatſoeuer hath beene builded vp in GOD, and too bring ſoules too deſtruction. All this wee knowe. Nowe if any man keepe him ſelfe from this, here at they are all grieued.
Howe ſo? They ſay our company is eſchewed. Yea, but giuegive you the occaſion that you may be followed, ſeeke the right meane to giuegive your ſelues to God, and follow you the right way of ſaluation, and the better ſorte will not abſent them ſelues farre from you, but will rather ioyne with you. If they ſhall ſee you ready to march forward, they will ſay, Let vsus goe togither: If they ſhall ſee you goe before, they will come after: if they ſhall ſee you tarry behinde, ſo that you be entred into the right way, they will ſtirre you vp too followe them. But when as we ſee ſuch kinde of people to goe cleane backwarde from all goodneſſe, and deſire nothing elſe but to leade vsus too wickedneſſe, yea too caſt vsus downe hedlong with them into hell mouth, wherein to they runne like mad men, what ſhould we doe but ſeparate our ſelues from amongſt them, and retire vsus from thence, as Dauid ſheweth vsus. And namely he ſayth, For I wil keepe the commaundements of my God. As if he ſhould hauehave ſayd, Theſe curſed men doe right well ſhewe that they hauehave no feeling nor knowledge of euerlaſting life, but that they liue here like to brute beaſtes: Neuertheles for my parte I will not goe one foote forwarde with them, but will goe towards my God. And out of this ſaying we are to gather a good inſtruction, to wit that when we ſee rounde aboute vsus all people giuen ouer to wickednes, that it ſeemeth the worlde hath conſpired to make the maieſtie of God nothing worth, that wee declare by our lines and conuerſation, that wee hauehave no knowledge of euerlaſting life: when as then wee ſhall ſee ſuch impieties, it is euen to this end and purpoſe too withdrawe vsus quite and cleane from our God. It is very true, that theſe are very daungerous offences and temptations. But let vsus alwayes be ſure to abide firme, and ſtedfaſt, let vsus continue conſtant in this trueth which once we hauehave receiued. See then what Dauid meaneth to expreſſe in this ſaying, My God. It is true that the faithfull will often ſay thus. But when there is any queſtion to make theſe compariſons with contrary thinges, the ſcripture vſeth not this ſaying, My God, ſo that it is to declare vntounto vsus, that nothing ought to make vsus wauer: when we ſee the thinges confuſed in the worlde, when we ſhall ſee all whatſoeuer to be there peruerted and ouerthrowne, that there is neither any more lawe nor order, that it ſeemeth vntounto vsus as it were an Hell, let vsus not for all that bee ſhaken:Abac. 1.12. Let vsus ſtande ſtill vppon our guarde, as the Prophet Abacuc thereof ſpeaketh, our faith muſt ſerue vsus in ſteade of a Tower, wherein we keepe good watch, and yet too ſay notwithſtanding, no, no, God will tarry with me, and then I neede not to care for the whole worlde. See then that no temptations ought to quaile vsus: being euen in cloſed amidſt the impieties and abhominaons of the faithleſſe, ſeeing we cannot otherwiſe choſe but to bee conuerſaunt amongeſt them. It followeth nexte after,
Eſtabliſt me, or ſtay me, in thy worde that I may liue: and let me not be diſapoynted of mine hope.
Although Dauid proteſteth heere aboue, that he truſted in God, and that this hope proceeded vntounto him from his worde: yet prayeth hee his maieſtie notwithſtanding too eſtabliſh him. Wherin he ſheweth vsus, that we ſhal neuer hauehave ſo well profited neither in faith, nor yet in hope, but that there ſhalbe alwayes ſome want, and remnaunt of incredulitie and weakeneſſe in vsus, ſo that whenſoeuer there ſhall be any queſtion of comming to God, yet ſhall wee goe as it were halting vntounto him. Now if Dauid hath made ſuch a requeſt, I beſeech you, hauehave not wee a greate deale more neede to doe it aſwell as hee? It is moſte ſure, that he neuer ſpake it hypocritically. When he ſaith, Vpholde me, or eſtabliſh me in thy word: this is not too make a ſhewe that his fayth was imperfect, and that hee needed not be ſtrengthened: no, not ſo, but he knewe well inough his owne infirmitie. If he then who was as it were an Angell of God, had need to profite in fayth, and in hope, and that hee had beene moulten, and beene quite conſumed had not God throughly confirmed and eſtabliſhed him: I pray you what ſhall we doe?
So then, when as God ſhall hauehave already ſhewed vsus this fauour too bee ſurely grounded in his woord, ſo that wee are able to ſay that we truſt in it, let vsus not ceaſe notwithſtanding to continue this requeſt and ſay, O Lorde, eſtabliſh and confirme mee. For when wee ſhall well conſider our weakeneſſe, wee ſhall finde that a very ſmall thinge will quayle vsus, if God holdeth vsus not vp with his hand and power. And afterwarde let vsus conſider howe boyſterous the aſſaultes of Satan are, what violence he bringeth againſt vsus: and are we euer able too withſtand them, if that wee bee not dayly ſtrengthened? They then which ſhall hauehave conceiued a true hope in the woord of God, let them knowe that they are yet but in the midde way, and that they muſt alwayes march furtherforward, vntill ſuch time as they are come to the ende thereof. Which thing ſhall neuer be, vntill they are vncaſed of this fleſhe, and are departed out of this preſent life.
Seeing then wee cannot goe forwarde as of our ſelues, nor yet be ſtrengthened, without God aſſiſt vsus: Let vsus beſeech him after the example of Dauid, that hee will confirme vsus in his woorde. And afterwarde hee addeth and ſayth,
That then he ſhall liue: and diſappoint me not, ſaith he, of my hope.
When he ſayeth that he ſhall liue, It is to ſhewe vsus, that all our felicities lyeth in this, that wee are thoughly confirmed and fully ſetled in the word of God: When this ſhalbe ſo, let vsus then feare no more. It is very true, that we ſhal neuer be but ſubiect to a greate many of myſeryes and afflictions for it cannot be otherwiſe but that this life muſte be full of afflictions, and many griefes and vexations. Wee are then to fight whiles we liue in this worlde. And ſo wee ſhall finde a great number of miſeryes, and yet we ſhall not chooſe but to liue ſtill, when we ſhall bee throughly founded vppon the woorde of God? that is to ſay, our ſaluation ſhall be ſure and certaine euen amidſt all the afflictions which may come vntounto vsus. And ſo ſhall wee hauehave wherewith to be contented.
For vnderunder this woorde. to liue, Dauid comprehendeth all whatſoeuer concerneth the welfare and felicitie of men. He ſayth then, Although O Lorde, I ſhalbe taken as a miſerable creature, and that in deede I ſhall abide many troubles which ſhall be greeuous vntounto me: yet ſhall I hauehave true life and ſaluation, ſo I be thus eſtabliſhed in thy word. Now he addeth a little more, Let me not be diſapoynted of mine hope: wherein his meaning is to ſignifie, that God neuer ſuffereth his Children to be diſapoynted, when as they put their truſt in him; But yet the caſe ſo ſtandeth, as that wee muſt ſo beſeech him by reaſon of our weakeneſſe. For although we truſt in God, yet for all that we goe coldely vntounto him, and wee ſhall finde our faith to be alwayes too too weake and feeble.
To be ſhort, our hearte ſhalbe ſo ſhutte vp, as that the graces of God, as touching our ſelues, ſhall hardly water it by dropmeale. It is very true that God for his parte poureth vppon vsus his graces abundauntly: but we therein are nothing capable for the receiuing of them. Wherefore, wee are not worthy to taſt and feele his ayde in our neede, What ſhould this then be, if he ſurmounted not our hope, to help that which therein is wanting? And beſides we knowe that the Deuill would ſoone ouerthrow al our hope, were it not that it is very well kepte by an heauenly power, as alſo S. Peter maketh thereof mention.1. Pet. 1. For when he ſpeaketh of faith, he ſayth not that men are the Gardians or keepers of it. For if that were ſo, it ſhould oftentimes bee violently taken from them. But that is a treaſure which God keepeth in his own hands, and that by his owne inuincible power and ſtrength. See alſo why our Lorde and Sauiour Chriſt in the 10. of Iohn, for our comforte ſaith,Ioh. 10, 24. That the father who hath vsus in his hand, and through whome wee are committed vntounto him to be kept, is mightier and greater then they all. Accordingly then as wee knowe, the power of God to be infinite, ſo muſt we alſo aſſure our ſelues of our ſaluation. And therefore it is, that wee are to require of God as Dauid hath done, that we be not diſapointed of our hope. Nowe in ſumme when we make ſuch requeſts, it is too the end that the promiſes of God ſhould be ſo much the more certaine and better ratified vntounto vsus. See then what God ſayth vntounto vsus. Feare you not when as you ſhall put your truſt in me, for I will nether deceiue, nor abuſe you, ne yet ſhall you be deſtitue of mine ayde: but be you aſſured that my hande ſhall alwayes be ſtreatched out too ſuccour you. We hauehave this promiſe made vntounto vsus which can neuer faile vsus. Mow it behoueth that it be ratified and ſealed in out heartes. And how is that? That in our prayers and ſupplications, we beſeech God to accompliſh and performe that which he hath promiſed, which ſhall be in ſteade of a ſeale ſealed within, to the ende we might hauehave ſuch a certaintie as is requiſite: and anon after God ſheweth in effecte, that he ſpeaketh not in vaine vntounto vsus. Loe, ſay I, what wee ought to note of the accorde that is betwixt the promiſes of God & the prayers which we make vntounto him in deſiring to make vsus feele by experience, that he is faith full in what ſoeuer he ſpeaketh. Nowe Dauid by and by addeth,
Holde thou me vp and I ſhall be ſafe: yea and my delight ſhall be continually in thy ſtatutes.
Nowe the word which he vſeth, ſignifieth ſomtimes to meditate, ſometimes to ſpeake: & therfore it may bee ſaid I wil recite ouer thy Statutes. But the moſt proper ſenſe & meaning is, I will meditate or ſtudy in thy Statutes, and therein take delight. In ſteade that before he hath ſayd, Eſtabliſh me O Lord, or ſtay me in thy worde: Heere hee ſayth, Holde mee vp. Nowe this is no ſimple and plaine prayer which heere he maketh, but hauing ſpoken of the woorde of God, he ſpeaketh of the power which hee ſheweth towards his faithfull? It is very true, that when wee thinke that wee hauehave not one foote of grounde too ſtand vppon, that there is nothing but the ſea vnderunder vsus, and darkeneſſe ouer vsus, that we ſhould be as it were in a bottomleſſe pitte, and ouerwhelmed: yet we ought to ſtay & ſettle our ſelues on the worde of God. But when as our hope ſhall be thus cxerciſed, and that we hauehave doone God this honor, to hold him for faythful, although we do not perceiue any ſuccour to come from him: hee will adde a ſecond grace, to wit, he will giuegive vsus his hand, to be releeued by his powre, and to be vpholden by him. and wil preſerue vsus all the dayes of our life. Loe heere thē the meaning of Dauid, whē he deſired God to ſtay him in his woord, he ſayth, Holde me vp, yea by thy hand and power. So then, let vsus learne to to flye vntounto God, when as we would be in any good ſafetie. For with out it, as I hauehave already ſayde, wee may very wel for a while aſſure our ſelues: and thinke no euill can come vntounto vsus: But when as we ſhall be thus fooliſhly perſuaded, too ſay peace and aſſuraunce, deſtruction muſt needes ſuddainly come vponupon vsus,1. Theſſ. 5.3. and we to be vtterly confounded. But after we hauehave wayted and ſeene God too hauehave appeared in very deed, let vsus learne to ſeeke all our aſſuraunce in his woord, to walke in his cōmandements, to take our whole delight in them, and in them to beſtowe all our ſtudy. In ſumme, Dauid in this place declareth, That when as God ſhall hauehave beſtowed any benefites vponupon vsus, that wee hauehave prooued his merciemercy, and fatherly affection: It is to cōfirme vsus more and more in his word, to tye all our ſenſes therto: to learne to forſake all vanities, which hinder and occupy our ſpirits in theſe wilde affections wherewith wee are carryed hither and thither. That we then beeing retired from them, might be inflamed with ſuch a zeale as Dauid was to meditate in the commaundements of God, and in them too take our whole delight. Nowe it followeth,
Thou haſte troden downe all them that departe from thy ſtatutes: for their deceiteis vaine.
Heere in this place Dauid conſidereth of the iudgementes of God, which hee executeth vponupon the wicked: howbeit we are not alwayes able to perceiue them. For we ſhall oftentimes ſee (as it were againſt all Gods forbod, as wee ſay) the wicked to beare aucthoritie, and in ſuch ſorte to triumph, as that they think it cannot be poſſibly amended, and ſuppoſe them ſelues to be the moſt bleſſed people in the worlde. And then for the while we ſhall ſee all things goe cleane againſt the haire. But after that the Lorde God ſhall long time paciently hauehave abidden all theſe abuſers of his mercifull louing kindeneſſe: it cannot bee choſen but that at the laſt hee muſt vtterly deſtroy them. And ſo let vsus conſider not too be ſo blockiſh as too forget the iudgements of God: but let them rather inſtructe vsus after the example of Dauid, to walke in his feare and to louelove his Commaundementes.
Now he ſay thin the firſt place: Thou haſte troden the vngodly vnderunder foote, and all them that departe from thy ſtatutes, for they imagine but deceite, ſayth hee. He addeth one reaſon, which we ought throughly too weigh: For what is the cauſe that the vngodly hearkē not vntounto God, & ſo outrage againſt him beyond all meaſure: For if at any time GOD mooueth them too repentaunce, through the admonitions of his woorde, they doe nothing elſe but ſcoffe and laugh at him: yea they are ſo ſhameleſſe, as it is pitifull too ſee? What is the cauſe of this? It is becauſe the wicked hauehave their heartes faſte ſhutte vpp in their backe warehouſes, thinking thereby to beguile GOD, too eſcape his hand through their ſtarting holes, and ſubtile deuiſes, and they ſeeing them ſelues too be braſen faced, to couer their villanyes before men, thinke that they ſhall eaſily inough put of the plagues and puniſhmentes of God.
See howe the wicked doe increaſe in their willes, that they are euen come too this poynte that they feare nothing at all of what ſoeuer they ought too bee affrayde. And this is it why the Prophet Iſaiah alſo ſayth,Iſaiah. That they digge Caues in the earth for their defence, thinking that when their eyes are ſhutte vppe, that their ſinnes ſhall be no more ſeene, and that God ſhall not bee able too finde them. Accurſed bee you (ſayth hee,) which thus digge deepe pittes.
Now Dauid ſayth in this place, that all the ſubtiltie of the vngodly is nothing elſe but vanitie. It ſhall bee forſooth to great purpoſe for them, when (as they thinke) they ſhall through their hypocriſies ſhroude them ſelues and couer their wiles and ſubtilties: yet ſhall their deuiſes bee but vanitie: for they ſhalbe taken in the tripp, as it is ſayde in the other place, yea and in the ende ſhall be faſt ſhutte vp in all their deceits and inuentions. Heerevpon he ſayeth,
Thou haſt taken away all the vngodly of the earth like droſſe: therefore I louelove thy teſtimontes.
Heere Dauid declareth vntounto vsus in breefe by his example, That when God puniſheth the Godleſſe, he layeth his hand vponupon them, in ſuch ſort as that we may perceiue that he ſheweth him ſelfe to be their Iudge, to the ende that wee thereby ſhould be the rather ſtirred vp too louelove his Commaundemens, and to be ruled by them in beſtowing al our deſire and affection vponupon them. See then howe the iudgements and corrections which God layeth vponupon the vngodly ought to profite vsus. And this is it why Saint Paule in exhorting the faythfull to walke holyly, and to abſtaine from all pollution ſayths,Ephe. 5.6. Take heede that you be not beguiled through vaine woords: For, for ſuch thinges the wrath of God commeth vponupon the children of diſobedience.
Now it is true, that before God hath executed his iudgementes we ought already to be inſtructed too walke in his feare. But when God ſheweth vsus openly howe he putteth to his helping hand, it is good reaſon that wee ſhould be ſo much the more attentiue to his Iudgements.Eſa. 59.17.18 And loe why the Prophet Iſaiah ſayth, That when God executeth his Iudgementes, that the inhabitantes of the earth might learne, that he dooth it righteouſly. Moreouer, let vsus conſider how ſlack we are to come vntounto God, that hee is faine to drawe vsus perforce vntounto him. Ought not we euen to run vntounto him, ſo often as he lifteth vp his finger vntounto vsus? So often as he ſhall open his holy mouth to inſtruct, and ſhew vsus the way of ſaluation, ſhould we ſlacke and deferre it from day to day? But what? Marke the peruerſneſſe, and that not only of the moſt wicked, but euen of the holyeſt and perfecteſt which are infected with this vice. See what Dauid ſayth, that he had neede to be pricked forward like an Affe: yea euen Dauid himſelfe, who was the moſt forwarde of all other according to the graces which he had receiued. If it hath ſo fallen out with him, by reaſon of the reſte of the imperfection which he had, that hee was ſpurred, and his fleſhe pricked like an Aſſe: what ſhall become of vsus which hauehave ſcarcely receiued one drop of the ſpirit of God, in reſpect and compariſon of this holy mane?And ſo …et vsus conſider to be the more watchfull ouer our ſelues ſo often as God ſheweth vsus any token that hee is Iudge, and calleth the vngodly to an accounte: that at the leaſte we be ſtirred vp to run vntounto him for refuge, and to louelove his word. Nowe in the meane time, to conclude Dauid addeth,
My fleſh trembleth for feare of thee: and I am afraide becauſe of thy iudgementes.
Heere Dauid ſetteth downe two things which ſeeme at the firſt ſight not to agree togither: For it may bee ſayde, that this feare whereof he ſpeaketh can no way agree with the feare of the commaundements of God: but yet there is a ſweete hermony betweene the one and the other. And why ſo? For as the faithles in fearing God wax deſperate, & are ſo thrown down, that they can neuer hauehave that boldnes to come neere vntounto him: Euen ſo on the cōtrary ſide, there is a frank & free feare in thoſe which are gouerned by the ſpirit of God, which beareth a reuerence vntounto his woorde, to make them tremble before it. For by the iudgementes which Dauid heere ſpeaketh of, he meaneth not the puniſhments onelyonly which God executeth, but nowe hee treateth as he doth throughout the whole Pſalme, either of Statuts or elſe of ordinaunces? which are to direct our life: as alſo the Prophet Iſaiah ſaieth, that the faithfull tremble at the voice of God: that they conceiue his incomprehenſible maieſtie in his word, and thervpon are humbled: But yet they ceaſe not for all that, too come boldely vntounto GOD, knowing that he wil be their mercifull father and deſireth nothing elſe but to receiue them. This humble feare then, may well be conioyned with the louelove of God, agree with faith, and with a taſte which we might take in the worde of God, in giuing our ſelues wholy thereto. But the feare, which ſerueth to none other ende but to aſtoniſh the wicked, which onelyonly feele an hell in their conſciences, and yet hauehave no taſte of the grace of God: this feare I ſay ſerueth to none other purpoſe, but to ſhut vpp the gate againſt theſe miſerable accurſed people, without all hope of ſaluation. Now Dauid ſpeaking of the feare of the word of God, leadeth vsus to a deeper and a more weightie conſideration. For his meaning is to ſhewe vntounto vsus, how that God is our father and Sauiour, and that he freely draweth vsus vntounto himſelfe, as already he hath declared.
According to this holy doctrin, let vsus proſtate ourſelues before the maieſtie of our good God, in acknowledging our offences, beſeeching him that it would pleaſe him too make vsus to feele the ſweeteneſſe of his worde, as his ſeruant Dauid hath beene thereon throughly ſetled: too the ende we might hauehave ſuch a feruent affection to it, as that it might cauſe vsus to forget all the deſires of this worlde, wherein wee are too too much plagued: and that wee might cut of all the ſuperfluties of our fleſh: to the ende we might be dedicated in all holineſſe vntounto our God, and to be confirmed more & more in his ſeruice. And that being once brought by him into the way of ſaluation, although we muſt walke in this world, becauſe we are compaſſed about with ſo many daungers: yet that he will alwayes ſtretch forth his hand vntounto vsus, to keepe and hold vsus in his protection vntounto the end. That hee will not onelyonly graunt vsus this grace, but alſo vntounto all people and nations of the worlde, &c.