Twenty-Two Sermons on Psalm 119, Sermon 6
The ſixth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Pſalme.
VAV.
And let thy louing kindnes come vntounto me, O Lord: and thy ſaluation according to thy promiſſe.
So ſhall I make anſwere vntounto my blaſphemers: for my truſt is in thy word.
And take not the worde of thy truth vtterly out of my mouth: for I waite for thy iudgements.
So ſhall I alwaies keepe thy lawe: yea for euer and euer.
And I will walke at libertie: for I ſeeke thy commaundementes.
I will ſpeake of thy teſtimonies alſo euen before kinges: and will not be aſhamed.
And my delight ſhall be in thy commaundements: which I hauehave loued.
My handes alſo will I lift vp vntounto thy commaundements, which I hauehave loued: and my ſtudy ſhalbe in thy ſtatutes.
THE beginning of theſe eight verſes cōteine a requeſt which Dauid made vntounto God, that he felt the accōpliſhment and performance or the promiſes which god graūted vntounto him, and after which he hoped. As if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, O Lord, declare vntounto me, that the promiſſe which thou haſt made vntounto me to do me ſo much good, be not in vaine, but that thou wilt make me feele in deede, that thy word and promiſe is moſt certaine and true. Now, that he founded him ſelf vpō the promiſes of God, appeareth by his thus ſaying:
And let thy louing kindeneſſe come vntounto me, O Lord: and thy ſaluation, according to thy promiſe.
So ſhall I make anſwere vntounto my blaſphemers: for my truſt is in thy worde.
Wherein alſo we ſee that Satan craftely goeth aboute to ouerthrow his faith, as if God had made it nothing worth. So then, Firſt of all we are to note, that Dauid feeling him ſelfe preſſed downe, runneth vntounto the promiſes of God. And this is a poynt very profitable for vsus. For beholde how we muſt put the word of God in practiſe, when as we hauehave learned it, that when we come to the fight, and Satan aſſaileth vsus on eueryevery ſide, in ſuch ſort as that it might ſeeme that all the worlde had conſpyred againſt vsus, and that wee ſee nothing but deſtruction rounde about: Euen then, I ſay, muſt we run vntounto the promiſes which God hath made vsus, and make accounte of them, and ſo apply them to our own vſe, that then wee may feele the power and ſtrength of them. Nowe it ſhall be an eaſy matter for vsus, when as wee are at reſt and quiet, to receiue whatſoeuer God hath ſaide vntounto vsus. And why ſo? Becauſe our Faith all that while ſhall not be exerciſed and troubled, ſo that we ſhall neuer bee able to feele whether we hauehave beleeued in good earneſt, vntill ſuch time as we are tryed. Loe, Why I hauehave ſaid that this place is worthy the marking, that Dauid ſpeaketh not with out cauſe when he ſayth, So ſhall I make anſwere vntounto thoſe that go about to ſhāe me. For by theſe words he proteſteth, that the wicked contēned, deſpiſed & mocked him, as if he had bin a very foole, in truſting ſo much vntounto God, but yet for that, his faith was not ſhaken. And ſee how Satan aſſayleth vsus with temptations, when as the wicked and vngodly ſpeake reprochfull woordes of vsus: inſomuch as wee hauehave thought it to be woonderfull ſtraunge geere, becauſe that we hauing hearde the ſo honourable & excellent promiſes of God, thought our ſelues ſtraightwayes to bee rapte and caryed aboue the cloudes, and yet this ſame our perſuaſion proued nothing at all ſo, as it made a ſhewe to the outward apparance: Euen ſo likewiſe came it to paſſe in Dauid, as duplicate page duplicate page we may eſpecially ſee in the twentie and twoo Pſalme.
And our Sauiour Chriſt alſo, who is the very true patern and mirrour of all the Children of God hath ſuſtained & abiden ſuch combates. Very well (ſaid they vntounto him) hee truſteth in God, Let him nowe ſee whether God will heare him or not. Let vsus then note, that Dauid hath not deuiſed and made here any vaine ſpeculations, as an idle body might doe, which neuer had beene tempted nor diſtreſſed. But beeing ſo mocked by his enemyes, that his faith ſeemed to be ouerthrowne, and he him ſelfe in great hazarde vtterly to be deſtroyed, then came he for refuge to the promiſes of God, ſaying: My God, thou haſte giuen mee thy worde, which cannot fayle me: Loe wherein is all hope and truſt. Euen ſo alſo ought we to followe this doctrine, too wit, when the worlde on the oneſide ſhall deride and ſcorne vsus, becauſe we hauehave ouer lightly credited God, and that Satan ſhall trauel all he can too turne vsus cleane away from the certaintie which wee hauehave had: yet let vsus not ceaſe too ſay, O Lord, it is thou which haſt ſpoken, and in thee is all our hope and truſt.
Moreouer, as wee are to call too minde the promiſes of God, when as wee are aſſayled by Satan and the vngodly: Let vsus alſo note (as hath beene heeretofore treated of) that this is it whereon we muſt builde al our requeſts: For if we will earneſtly pray vntounto God, and obtaine that which wee pray for, we muſt not pray in the ayre, & ſay, O Lord I pray vntounto thee for ſuch a thing, and I would it might ſo come to paſſe. For this were ouer raſh and too too great boldeneſſe to think to make God ſubiect to our willes, to briddle him as we liſt, and to deſire him to graunte vsus whatſoeuer ſhall pleaſe our appetites: but it is his worde that muſt leade vsus, and be our Creſſet: and we muſt referre our ſelues wholy to it, and altogither reſt thereon. Beholde, ſay I, after what ſort our prayers are allowed, to wit, whē as we pray not to God for that which ſeemeth beſt in our owne eyes, but when as we be fenced with that which he hath promiſed vsus.
And this is it, wherein we differ from the Painimes and Infidels. For wee ſee that the Turkes and Idolaters doe greatly pray vntounto God. But after what manner pray they? Forſooth euen at all aduenture: ſo that they knowe not what they doe. But contrariwiſe wee muſt pray vntounto him, with full aſſuraunce that he will heare vsus. But from whence ſhall this certaintie proceede, if wee hauehave not the trueth to goe before vsus, and ſay: beholde the Lorde, who calleth vsus vntounto him? And then when wee come vntounto him, this is no fooliſh preſumption: But we come in ſuch ſorte vntounto him, as he hath commaunded vsus.
Let vsus then ſee what wee hauehave yet to note in this place, when Dauid ſetteth downe heere the promiſes of God, by which he is bounde vntounto him: O Lorde, ſayth he, let it bee doone vntounto me according to thy worde. Nowe heere is a very profitable poynt to be conſidered off: to witte, after that we are once aſſured, that God hath promiſed too doe that for vsus which we ſhall aſke of him, we muſt no more doubt, that it ſhall be ſo: but that the thing is fully concluded vponupon, ſo that we are euer ſure and certaine thereof. For when God ſpeaketh vntounto vsus, we are very ſure, that he will not deceiue vsus: hee will not giuegive vsus faire woordes, and then deceiue vsus, as men many times doe, dealing very liberally with their tongues, but yet notwithſtanding very cloſe fiſted: But God dealeth not in ſuch ſorte. Let vsus then come before him without diſtruſt, HaueHave wee his woorde? Let vsus then holde the thing as already performed. And ſo when Dauid ſayth, according to thy word, hee ſignifieth vntounto vsus, that hee was not onelyonly aſſured, that God is faithfull and liberal, that he meaneth not to abuſe vsus when as wee truſte to him: but ſheweth vsus, that this certaintie which wee hauehave of the trueth of God, ſhould not make vsus weary, to ſay, that wee bee as it were euen ouerwhelmed. But wee muſt rather be carefull and diligent to pray vntounto him.
There are ſome men which will in deede ſay, that they beleeue the promiſes of GOD, but ſince, ſay they, hee knoweth what wee hauehave neede of, what neede wee to bee importune vppon him.
Nowe theſe men indeede, very well declare, that they neuer vnderſtood what faith and hope are. For if we receiued the promiſes of God without hypocriſie we ought to be thus earneſt and zealous, to pray, and hauehave recourſe vntounto him, ſaying, O Lorde God, when as thou haſt aſſured mee of thy bountie and merciemercy, it is to this end, that I ſhould call vponupon thee in my neede. And that I ſee the neceſſitie which vrgeth and preſſeth mee, I muſte needes come vntounto thee as thou haſte called mee by thy worde. Beholde then, that all the promiſes of God ſhould ſerue vsus in ſtede of ſo many ſpurres to prick vsus forwarde, in making our prayers vntounto him. Let vsus nowe come to the woords of Dauid.
Let thy louing mercyes, or thy graces, come vntounto me O Lord, and thy ſaluation.
After that he hath layde his foundation wherevpon too builde, he deſireth one ſelfe ſame thing in two words, which to the outwarde apparance are diuers and ſundry: to wit, the graces of God, and his ſaluation. And yet notwithſtanding Dauid meneth nothing elſe, but that god would ſhew him ſelfe to be his Sauiour. Neither is there any thing heere ſpoken ſuperfluouſly: For it is aſmuch as if he had ſayd, O my God, I beſech thee that according to thy promiſe, thou wilt make me feele thee to be my ſauiour and father. But yet in the meane while, he expreſſeth vntounto vsus whence this ſaluation which we muſt wayte for, and whiche God hath promiſed vsus cometh, and that is, of his meere good will. For men cannot otherwiſe chooſe: but that they wil euer wrongfully take vponupon them ſome thing or other, which appertaineth nothing vntounto them, and alwayes to be fooliſhly and arrogantly bounde vntounto them ſelues. Nowe Dauid, cleane contrary, ſheweth heere, that all the ſaluation which he hopeth after & deſireth, commeth from another ſpringheade, then from the vertue and dignitie of men: to wit, euen from the meere goodnes of God. So then wee ſee, that as before he hath ſpoken of the promiſe, euen ſo alſo hee heere addeth and expreſſeth the cauſe, which moued God to bind himſelf ſo vntounto vsus: to wit, his meere mercy.
By this we are admoniſhed, that when we are to call vponupon God, we ſhould alwayes hauehave regarde vntounto theſe twoo things: to wit, the grace of God and his free merciemercy, and after that his promiſe. God is good and liberall, and ſee why it is, that he with pitie looketh vppon vsus: and beholding vsus with his eyes of cōpaſſion, vouchſafeth to receiue vsus, yea and calleth and allureth vsus vntounto him, and alſo imboldeneth vsus to craue of him, to the end he would help and ſuccour vsus in all our needes and neceſſities. Now this goodneſſe ſhould lye hidden in God, were it not that hee made vsus to feele it by his promiſe: For God ſheweth himſelfe vntounto vsus, to be ſuch a one as in deede he is, he layeth his heart wide open, when he rendreth vsus a teſtimonie of the louelove hee beareth vsus.
Loe heere why I hauehave ſaid, that in all our prayers wee ought to hauehave theſe two conſiderations: The one is, that God is ſo good and louing, that although wee bee poore and miſerable creatures, and nothing elſe but doung and ſtench, yet for all that hee ceaſeth not too louelove vsus, and to hauehave greate care of our ſaluation. And ſince wee are come too the promiſe, which is a ſure teſtimonie that God is ſuch one we ſhould no more doubt what affection he beareth vsus, whether he be our friend or enemie, ſeeing it is ſo that he is very well willing to bee bounde vntounto vsus, in declaring vntounto vsus that he is our father, and taketh vsus to bee his Children.
Nowe Dauid maketh ſuch a requeſt as we hauehave already touched, to the end he might anſwere thoſe which wrought him ſhame. Although he ſayth word for word, To the ende I may anſweare theſe which woorke me ſhame. Heere Dauid declareth, that when God ſhall hauehave ayded him, that then he ſhall be able to withſtand all his enemyes, put by all the iniuries & ſcornes of the vnbelieuers and faythleſſe which they did lay before him, to the end too ſhake and cruſh the faythful and to deſtroy them, yea and vtterly to make their fayth nothing woorth, if it were posſible for them to do it. By this we are let to vnderſtande, that if we make our prayers to God, whenſoeuer it ſhal happen al the world too aſſaile vsus, and that it might ſeeme wee ſhoulde be plunged in hel an hundred thouſand tymes, yet wee might ſtande ſure againſt al our enemies: yea verely, for God wil neuer fayle vsus, whenſoeuer we ſhall deſire & pray him to performe his promiſes vntounto vsus, and make vsus feele his goodneſſe for our ſaluation. Moreouer if we hauehave wherewithal too reſiſte the wicked and vngodly which come vppon vsus too daunt and quaile our fayth, we ſhall hauehave alſo wherwith to withſtande Satan. For whē men ſhal perſecute vsus, or deride the promiſes of God, and labour al they may to turne vsus away from them, it commeth not of themſelues, but it is the Deuill which puſheth them foreward. Euen ſo then, wee may fight and winne the victorie againſt al the combats of Satā, if we wil pray vntounto God, after the example of Dauid.
This is alſo to be conſidered and noted which heere hee addeth, when he ſayeth, My delight is in thy woorde. Hee declareth what ſignes and tokens he deſired of God here before, that he would doo vntounto him as he had promiſed. For I hauehave delight therein, ſaith hee, would wee then hauehave God his promiſes to take place in vsus, to open the gate that wee might come vntoo him, that they might bee as keyes too giuegive vsus in entree, too the ende our requeſtes and petitions might bee receiued? wee muſt then ioyne hope therewith. And loe what is the cauſe why wee feele not the power of the promiſes of God as wee ought: the reaſon is, for that we hauehave no hope nor truſt in them. It is moſt true, that god for his parte is alwaies true of his woord: and although we are miſerable faythleſſe people, yet wil hee neuer falſify his fayth which he hath giuen to vsus. But what? Surely wee are vnwoorthy ones too feele ſuch a pleaſure. In very deed, god hath promiſed to powre his grace vponupon vsus, as alſo hee offereth it vntoo vsus: But yet are wee vtterly vnworthy thereof, without we belieue his promiſes, would we that god ſhold do vntounto vsus according to his word? we muſt then receiue his word, and imbrace it by fayth:Heb. 4.2.as alſo the Apoſtle treateth thereof. And thus much as touching theſe two firſt verſes.
Nowe it followeth: Take not the woorde of thy trueth vtterly out of my mouth: for I waite for thy iudgementes.
When Dauid ſayth, O take not the woord of thy trueth out of my mouth: He meaneth not, that it ſufficeth too magnifie God with his toung: and to make many goodly proteſtations before the worlde: but he preſuppoſeth, that when he hath witneſſed of the trueth of God with his mouth, that it muſt alſo be graffed within his hearte. And in deede, Dauid ſpeaketh not heere like an hypocrite, as they do which would ſeeme to make a goodly ſhew before him: and think them ſelues wel inough and in good caſe, when as they are openly ſuppoſed too bee very faithful, well thought off, and taken to be very honeſt men, this think they is all that is to be required. But Dauid hath not proceeded after this manner: For when he ſayth, Take not the word of thy trueth out of my month, O Lord: It is aſmuch as if hee had fayde, O Lorde, doe me not onelyonly this grace, that I truſt ſecretly in thee, that I ſtay me vponupon thy promiſes, that I ſtand ſure againſt all the aſſaultes of mine enemyes, but namely and chiefely euen before the face of men: that my faith might declare it ſelfe, that by this meane I might guide and inſtruct all thoſe which would come unto thee: & contrarywiſe that I might withſtand all thoſe which ſhall goe about to ouerthrowe this ſpirituall hope of mine, which I have in thee and in thy trueth. And when thou O Lorde ſhalte hauehave deepely rooted thy worde in mine hearte, let it alſo bee often times in my mouthe, that I may magnifie thy name before men.
Wee hauehave to learne out of this place, that in the firſt place we muſt be aſſured of the trueth of God, yea although that men perceiue it not vsus: And againe although eueryevery man would keepe it ſo ſecrete too him ſelfe, as that no man in all the worlde knewe thereof, yet GOD and his Angels doe knowe, how true and certaine we eſteeme it to be, and alſo how we yeelde therto, the honor which vntounto it appertaineth, and to be ſuch in deede as deſerueth to bee holden for true and faithful. And thus much for the firſt poynt. Now for the ſeconde, Let vsus aduiſedly conſider to edifie our neighbours, that they might be confirmed by our example, and all with one accorde to truſt in God, that the wicked and vngodly might bee aſhamed that we might vexe them, that we hauehave wherin to glory, notwithſtanding all their windelaſſes, priuy deuiſes, and whatſoeuer miſchiefe elſe they are any way able to imagine againſt vsus, and thinking to make vsus as prophane as themſelues, yet that we may be able to caſt them of, after the example of Dauid, Lo then, the worde which he deſireth to hauehave alwayes in his mouth, too confirme all thoſe which would truſt in God, and to confound all them which deride and ſcorne his worde and trueth. But what meaneth he by this ſaying, For euer? That is, that he beeing as it were forſaken of God in all his afflictions, was as one that were dumbe and coulde not ſpeake, as he complayneth in another place. And in deede, ſo long as God ſheweth vntounto vsus no token of his grace, although our enemyes deride vsus with open mouth, yet we are not at that libertie to confute them and ſtop their mouthes. Dauid then beeing thus tempted a long time, deſireth that the confeſſion wherewith hee might be able to magnifie God, might not to be taken frō him for euer. Wherein we are to obſerue, that if God ſometimes leaueth vsus confounded after the maner of the world, in ſteade of beeing diſmayed, wee ought too beſeech him that hee woulde not ſuffer our mouthes too be ſtopped for euer.
Nowe he repeateth it ouer againe: For my hope is in thy iudgementes. It is not without cauſe that Dauid ſtil maketh this proteſtation: For as I hauehave already ſaide, behold what power and efficacy the woorde of God cauſeth vsus to feele (according to that place which I hauehave alledged out of the Epiſtle too the Hebrues) when wee hauehave therewith hope alſo, which hangeth vponupon faith. It is true that God ſtretched out his hand vntounto his people, when he brought them out of the land of Aegypt, to the ende hee woulde bringe them into the promiſed land. But what? the people ſtayed not them ſelues vponupon God, and therefore it was meete that that promiſe ſhould be voyde, yea and that iuſtly vntounto ſuch a faythleſſe people. God had no long time to finde out ſuch a woonderfull & meruaylous ſtraunge meane as that man could not poſſibly cōceiue, how that might be brought to paſſe which hee had ſpoken. But this auayled them nothing which were faithleſſe: For loe they beeing excluded from ſuch a benefite: are depriued of that promiſed inheritaunce. Let vsus then learne, that when wee woulde hauehave God to open his hand vntounto vsus and deale liberally with vsus, to hauehave vsus to feele his mightie power, and that wee might perceiue the fruite and benefite of his promiſes. It is meete that we plant them deepely in our heartes: that wee may ſay after the example of Dauid, My hope O Lorde is in thy iudgementes. For this woorde Integritie or iudgement, wee hauehave heere before already declared, ſignifieth nothing elſe but the doctrine conteined in the law of God, yea although he heere vſeth diuerſe and ſundry woordes, yet doe they tende alwayes to one and the ſelfe ſame ende. Loe then whether we muſt refer the iudgements of God: to wit, that that which we reade in the word of God and that which is preached vntounto vsus out of the ſame, we muſt vnderſtand and knowe to bee ſure and certaine Statutes and ordinaunces, and ſo well ordered as that they cannot bee bettered, and therfore to hauehave all our hope and truſt in them. Now he goeth on and ſayth,
So ſhall I alway keepe thy lawe: yea for euer and euer.
And I will walke at libertie: for I ſeeke thy commandements.
Dauid heere maketh proteſtation not onelyonly of his good affection & integritie, but alſo ſheweth the fruite and benefite that might come vntounto him, when as God ſhall have ſo holpen him and that he ſhall hauehave put in proofe the fruit of his faith. Loe then how this place muſt be expounded: O Lord, when I ſhall once hauehave knowen thee to be my ſauiour and felt by proofe thy merciemercy: then will I keepe thy lawe a greate deale better: As if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, I ſhall be continually confirmed in thy obedience: and that ſhall greatly helpe me, to make alwayes forward. And to ſay the trueth, all the graces which we receiue from God, ſhould conduct and leade vsus a great deale further, that if wee hauehave already beene in a good way and forwardneſſe, it is to this end that wee ſhoulde continue in it, and goe on more and more, vntill ſuch time as we come to the end.
It is very true that God in conducting vsus, looketh not for any recompence. For he will lightly paſſe it ouer: but this is ſpoken for our vſe and inſtruction. And when we pray vntounto God, we ought to ſeeke after all the thinges that can be which might confirme vsus, that we ſhould not doubt but that God would heare our requeſts, and that we ſhould alſo vnderſtand and knowe to what ende wee ought to referre thoſe benefites which he beſtoweth vponupon vsus, and that we receiue at his hands. Now then, when Dauid ſaith, I ſhall alwayes keepe thy lawe: yea for euer and euer. By this wee hauehave to note, that accordingly as God liberally beſtoweth his benefits vponupon vsus, that our faith ſhould be ſo much the more ſtrengthened in him, that we ought the rather too be inflamed with a true deſire & zeale, to yeelde our ſelues fully and wholly too him, to cleaue to his righteouſneſſe, and to keepe his lawe and woorde. And I woulde it pleaſed God that this might bee deepely imprinted in our minde. But what? we ſee the vnthankfulneſſe, which is as it were in vsus all. For God neuer ceaſeth to doe vsus good, and will dayly giuegive vsus newe matter to truſt in him, to louelove and ſerue him. But whatſoeuer he doth for vsus, it auaileth vsus nothing, for we are alwayes colde as yſe: there is no zeale in vsus, no not ſo much as any motion, ſo that it ſeemeth wee are altogither ſenſeleſſe. And the rather ought we to meditate vponupon this Doctrine: For it is the right remedy to amend our ſo great litherneſſe and coldeneſſe.
Let vsus then learne, that when Dauid ſayth, I ſhall keepe thy Law, O Lorde, that by this he meaneth, that accordingly as God putteth vntounto vsus his helping hande, and that wee hauehave had proofe of his graces, that we receiue the fruite & commoditie thereof, which we hauehave hoped for in his promiſes: that it ought to ſerue vsus for a more ample and large confirmation, and that we ought a greate deale rather too be ſtirred vp to louelove God, and to ſerue him, and too yeelde vsus vntounto his worde, in ſumme as heere it is ſaide, too keepe his lawe. But yet there is a great deale more to be conſidered. For Dauid ſpeaketh not heere of a blaſt of winde, as ſome ſhall be very forwarde for a little time: But hee ſayeth, I will alwayes keepe thy lawe: yea, for euer and euer. Wherein he ſheweth, that we ought to hauehave ſuch a remembraunce of the benefites of God, that it neuer ſlip from vsus. For as I hauehave heereof already ſpoken, wee ſhall ſee ſome in this behalfe, which ſhall be moued for a little while, when as God ſhall hauehave deliuered them from any daunger, and hath beſtowed vppon them ſome fauour and grace: they ſhall hauehave a very good taſte and feeling, and ſay, Alas, howe greately am I bounden and beholden to my God? Loe a man woulde thinke that theſe men were well affected. But in the turning of a hand, no doubte it is ſoone forgotten: or at the leaſt if they remember it a little while, they waxe colde againe and thinke no more of it. Since then it is ſo, let vsus mark, according to that which is ſpoken in this place, that it is not meete that the remembrance of God his benefites ſhould at any time be wiped out of our heartes: but let vsus beſeech him to make vsus to keepe his lawe for euer and euer: and in ſuch ſort to inſtruct vsus, as that wee deſire none other thing of him, but to ſtick vntounto his maieſtie, and to his righteouſneſſe. It followeth:
That hee will walke at libertie: becauſe hee ſeeketh his Commaundementes.
To walke at liberty, ſignifieth to go at a mans owne wil & pleaſure: For like as when we are in a narrowe & ſtraight rowme, we know not which way to turne vsus, but think our ſelues cleane pend vp: Euen ſo alſo are wee ouer narrowly held in, or elſe ſurely we look about vsus to ſee if we can finde which way to get out, and ſo doe remaine in perplexitie or doubte. And is this the aſſuraunce and ioy that wee muſt hauehave in the lawe of God. What? is this it? Dauid contrariwiſe ſayth, That he will walke at libertie: to wit, that hee will boldely walke the brode beaten way, as we ſay, after he hath ſought the Commaundementes of God. This is alſo a thing which we ought wel to obſerue and keepe. For the holy Ghoſt by the mouth of Dauid meaneth rightly to ſhewe vsus, that when we are deſirous to hauehave our life ruled by the commaundementes of God, to ſuffer him too bee our leader and guide, and giuegive vntounto him the conducte of all our affayres and buſineſſes, that hee will ſo frame himſelfe vntounto vsus, ſo farre foorth as hee ſhall knowe to bee good and expedient for our ſaluation.
And this benefite which wee receiue by the knowledge heereof is ineſtimable: to wit, that we may walke at liberty, That is to ſay, that wee are deliuered from many doubtes and griefes: that we cannot bee vtterly ouerthrowne and caſte downe, although we happen to be preſſed with ſome griefes: becauſe we alwayes conclude thus, that wee cannot bee ouercome, ſeeing God holdeth vsus with a mightie and ſtronge hande. And in very deede what is the cauſe, I pray you, that men are ſo oftentimes tormented, but only that they ſubmit not them ſelues vntounto God? It is very true, that there are very fewe which knowe this, but this is the very cauſe: For when as wee ſhall hauehave looked ſomewhat neerer the matter, wee ſhall find that nothing ſo much hath hindred vsus, as our owne vnthankfulneſſ: But becauſe we wil be ouerwiſe, in not yeelding vntounto God the honor to gouerne vsus, & wholy to rule our life, ne yet become his ſubiects, it is meet we ſhould receiue the hier due for the ſame. For men whē any thing is in queſtion that they hauehave to do, wil ſtraight wayes enter into their owne ſpeculations, they neuer make queſtion to hauehave recourſe vntounto God, nor to cal vponupon him, but eueryevery man wil doe what ſemeth beſt to himſelf. And therfore it is meete that God pay vsus in ſuch mony as we deſerued, that he put vsus, I ſay, in ſuch doubt as that wee ſhall neuer be able to knowe what ſhall become of vsus, ſo that the anguiſhes ſhall force vsus too ſay, What ſhall become of this matters? Which way ſhall I beginne? And what ſhall bee the ende and iſſue heereof?
Beholde howe wee ſee the miſerable and wretched worlde, dayly ſo faſt ſhutte vp in ſtreights, as that it ſeemeeth that wee are more then caſt away. And what is the cauſe heereof? Euen the men which hauehave built vntounto them ſelues ſuch Mazes. For it is euen they them ſelues that are the cauſe of their ſo greate tormentes. For Dauid hath heere declared vntounto vsus, that as many as ſeeke the Commaundementes of God, doe walke at libertie. It is very true, that the faithfull although they indeuour themſelues all they can, to obey God, and ſuffer him to gouerne them, yet for all that they are not voyde of merueylous griefes & vexations that they are many tymes at their wittes end and knowe not what to doe, but yet they come vntounto God, and lay all their care vponupon him, as it is written in the thirtie and ſeuenth Pſalme. And there they finde them ſelues diſcharged and vnburdened. And ſo goe they dayly on: for they are aſſured that God can neuer fayle them. Beholde then, howe we may bee very well tempted with many ſorrowes and griefes, neither can wee be exempt from a great number of diſquietneſſes: but yet God will alwayes vnburden vsus of them, as it is ſayd in an other place of the Pſalme, that when we hauehave beene for a while faſt ſhut vpp, yet God will ſet vsus at libertie: as alſo Saint Paul ſayth in the ſecond to the Corinthes: It is very true, ſayth hee, that wee are oppreſſed with many tormentes and griefes, but yet we continue not in ſorrowe and payne: For God will alwayes deliuer vsus, and will giuegive vsus a good and ioyfull iſſue, ſo that in the ende, wee ſhall bee able to ouercome them.
See then what is declared vntounto vsus in this place, where it is ſayde, I will walke at libertie, O Lorde, becauſe I ſeeke thy Commaundementes. Euen ſo let vsus knowe, that when our life is miſerable and wretched, and that we muſt needes liue in payne, torment, and ſorrowe: that all commeth by reaſon of our ſinne, becauſe wee preſent not our ſelues before GOD, ſuffer vsus not to be conducted by him, put not our liues into his handes, neither doo wee come willingly too ſeeke for remedie, after wee hauehave once knowen out griefe: that is too ſay, too deſire God that it woulde pleaſe him to take vsus into his cuſtodye, without hoping or wayting for any other thing, but for that which he telleth vsus out of his woorde. For when wee ſhall ſo doo, there is no doubte, but that he will make vsus too walke at libertie. Nowe it followeth:
I will ſpeak of thy Teſtimonyes alſo euen before Kinges: and will not be aſhamed.
Beholde a declaration of the matter which wee hauehave already touched heere before: For Dauid making this requeſt, not to hauehave the woorde of trueth to bee taken out of his mouth for euer, had regarde to twoo thinges: that is to ſay, beeing able too ſpeake, after that GOD in beſtowing his grace vponupon him, had opened his mouth, had confirmed the Children of GOD by his example, and brought them vntounto him in ſhewing them the way, and in the meane whyle had foyled the wicked and deſpiſers of God and of the Lawe, the ſcorners of his hope, and the blaſphemers of God: yet was hee able, I ſay, too beate them backe, and make his parte good againſte them all. And this matter hee manifeſtly declareth, whereas hee ſayeth, I will ſpeake of thy Teſtimonyes, becauſe GOD ſhoulde no more take the woorde of trueth out of his mouth.
Nowe beſides this, that God giueth vntoo vsus matter whereof to ſpeake freely, yet muſt that come from him, as we heare, that our Lord Ieſus Chriſte hath ſpoken off: that it is the holy Ghoſte which guideth our tongues, that it cōmeth not of ourſelues, to be able to anſwere our enemies that there neded but a ſmall gale of wind to ouerthrow vsus. So then, it is meete that God ſhoulde vſe his power that we might be confirmed by him: For when as he ſhal put his woorde in our mouth, we may ſpeake before Kinges and Princes, and neuer be aſhamed. As if he ſhould hauehave ſayde, O Lorde, thy woorde ought to be of ſuch power vntounto vsus, as that wee may foyle our enenemyes, yea howe greate and mightie ſoeuer they bee: albeit they ſhould bee ſuche as were able to aſtoniſh and feare all the whole world, yet let our Fayth be ouerthrowne, through their mightineſſe, and pompe: knowing that when as they ſhall thinke too ſwallowe all vp, yet that we be left ſtil alwayes as Conquerors, yea euen becauſe we hauehave regarde to it.
Nowe heere wee are too note, that when God maketh his trueth forcible in vsus, it ſhall bee ſufficient too holde vsus vpp, yea, notwithſtanding all the Combates that the Deuill ſhall ſtirre vpp agaynſt vsus, and that the whole world oppoſed it ſelfe too the contrary. And it is not without cauſe that this is ſpoken, for whereon is our fayth ſetled? Euen vppon the trueth of God. Let vsus nowe compare God with men, and with all their woorkes and vertues. Let vsus take Emperours and Kinges: and let all their glorie and pompe bee ſet foorth too the ſhewe, and let God be ſet right ouer agaynſt them: too witte, whether men with all their mightineſſe and great boaſting, are able too ſurmounte God, too reuerſe his will, or too make voyde his power and vertue? Oh, it is very ſure they can neuer be able to doe it.
So then, let vsus conſider with whome wee hauehave too deale, and remember this ſaying of Saincte Paule, Thou knoweſt (ſayeth hee) to what ende thy beliefe ſerueth. When then wee ſhall hauehave our eyes ſo fixed vppon GOD, who hath armed vsus with his infallible trueth, wee may bee able too withſtande and fall out with all whatſoeuer that lifteth it ſelfe vpp too the contrary: Wee ſhall hauehave no occaſion too feare the worlde, for GOD is ſufficiently able too ouercome all the ſcruples and griefes which the Deuill ſhall rayſe vppe agaynſte vsus. And thus muche as concerning this poynte.
Moreouer we ſee that when there is any queſtion to make confeſſion of our faith, it cannot be that men ſhalbe able to abaſh and feare vsus with al their power and might: As at this day we ſee, when as they woulde gladly make vsus too tremble. What I beſeech you Sir? (wil they ſay) you are but euen a handfull of people. Doe you thinke your ſelues wiſer then all the Kings and Princes of the world? You ſee that all the world, are againſt this doctrine which you holde & profeſſe: and what doe you thinke to doe? True in deede, that at the firſte ſight, this were euen inough too ſhake vsus, yea were it not that we knewe, and were very certaine: but when we looke vntounto God, then all this geere vaniſheth intoo ſmoke: theſe are but Bladders pufte full of winde: and the leaſte pinnes poynte, will emptie them. In very deede theſe will bee greate fraybugges, but yet it will all prooue nothing. Beholde theſe Frogges, beholde theſe Piſmeres, yea, beholde theſe Flyes and Gnattes, for they are all no better then very vermine and wormes, when as they ſhall lifte them ſelues vp thus againſt God.
So then let vsus learne, yea let vsus learne to ſtay our ſelues ſo vponupon God, as that when we ſhall be called too make confeſſion of our faith, ſince it is ſo that it is GOD whiche hath ſpoken, let all the creatures in the worlde be nothing to vsus warde: let vsus not bee aſhamed, and let nothing hinder and ſtoppe vsus, from mainteining of his woorde. In the ende Dauid concludeth and ſayth,
My handes alſo will I lifte vpp vntounto thy Commaundementes, which I hauehave loued: and my ſtudy ſhallbee in thy ſtatutes.
Theſe twoo verſes heere neede no long declaration, for wee hauehave already had the ſame ſentences: and yet notwithſtandinge Dauid ſheweth vsus, that it is not inough to thinke of this Doctrine for a time: but wee muſte all the courſe of our life profite our ſelues therein more and more. Loe here the principall point which we hauehave to note, that we muſt take pleaſure in the commaundementes of God which we hauehave loued: to wit, that wee ought to learne to conceiue ſuch an affection and deſire to followe the worde of God, and to ſticke thereto, as that we ſhould be fully reſolued to ſay, In very deede, this is the moſt ſweete and amiable thing that poſsibly can be, to ſubiect our ſelues vnderunder the yoke of our God and to beare it and therefore wee muſt drawe in it, and obey him. HaueHave we done this? Wee muſt then in ſteade of a number of fooliſh vanities wherevnto we are enclined, yea, and in place of the wicked affections▪ and allurementes of Satan, learne to take pleaſure in the worde of God, ſo that we may proteſt in trueth (after the example of Dauid) that they are the commandements of God which we hauehave loued. Moreouer let vsus marke well this ſentence, when he ſaith, My handes alſo wil I lift vp vntounto thy commaundementes. For this is as much as if he had ſaid, O Lord, I will not onelyonly proteſt with my mouth that I louelove thy word, but I will alſo lift vp my hands: yea, as wee commonly ſay, I will lift vp my handes to the caky God. By this he letteth vsus to vnderſtande, that if we would ſerue God as becommeth vsus, that it is not enough for vsus to witneſſe the truthe of God with our mouth, but we muſt alſo ſhewe by our good and godly life, that which wee proteſt with our mouth, and that there be an accorde and ſweete harmonie betweene the one and the other. True it is, wee ſhall finde ſome doubtes when as there ſhalbe any queſtion of following God: but this ſentence is to bee noted, when hee ſayeth, I will lift vp my hands. And to know that when God ſhall ſee, that it ſhall ſurpaſſe our force and ſtrength, let vsus pray vntounto him to graunt vsus that grace, that we may lift vp our handes vntounto his commaundementes, to witte, ſo high as we can poſsibly, to the ende wee may take holde of his grace and vertue, better then heretofore we hauehave done. Lo in what maner we ought to doe in this caſe, that not preſuming of our owne power and ſtrength, we might praye notwithſtanding this good God, to make his grace ſo forcible in vsus, as that it may ſettle and reigne there, and to hauehave vsus know that it is not in vaine that hee calleth vsus vntounto him & giueth vsus his truthe. Which thing no doubt he will doe ſo that wee reiect not his grace, which hee ſo freely offereth vntounto vsus. And according to this holy doctrine let vsus proſtrate our ſelues before the maieſtie of our good God, in acknowledging our faultes, beſeeching him that it would pleaſe him to open our eyes, to the ende wee may know our wretchednes, & the miſerable conditiō wherein we ſtande, that wee might returne to him: yea, and that with a certaine confidence, that hee will perfourme that which he hath promiſed vsus: that we be not fruſtrate of our hope, when as it ſhall ſtay vponupon him, and in his truthe, but that hee will more and more ſtrengthen vsus therein, vntill ſuch time as we come to the perfect knowledge of thinges, which we yet knowe not but in parte. That not only he will grant vsus this grace, but alſo vntounto all people and nations of the world, &c.