Twenty-Two Sermons on Psalm 119, Sermon 7
The ſeuenth Sermon of the hundreth and nineteenth Pſalme.
ZAIN.
Remember the promiſe made vntounto thy ſeruaunt: wherein thou haſt cauſed me to put my truſt.
The ſame is my cōfort in my trouble: for thy worde hath quickened me.
The proud hauehave had me exceedingly in deriſion: yet hauehave I not declined from thy lawe.
I remember thine euerlaſting iudgements, O Lord, and receiued comfort.
I am horribly afraid for the vngodly which forſake thy lawe.
Thy ſtatutes hauehave beene my ſonges: in the houſe of my pylgrimage.
I hauehave thought vpō thy name, O Lord, in the night ſeaſon: and hauehave kept thy lawe.
This I had: bicauſe I kept thy commandements.
DAuid here, maketh a requeſt vntounto God, which wee are all wonted to make: but not with ſuch affection as hee deeth. For wee can not proteſt, after his example, that all our ioye, in the middeſt of our aduerſities, is in meditating and ſtudying of that which God hath ſhewed vntounto vsus by his woorde. And that it is ſo, we ſee that whenſoeuer any of vsus ſhall endure and abide any grief, whether runne wee then for refuge and ayde? Forſooth eueryevery of vsus faineth him ſelfe a comfort, as beſt pleaſeth him. For very fewe of vsus reſt vppon God and truſt in him, ne yet leane vponupon his promiſes: yea, we ſhall finde none almoſt which doth it. And ſee why wee can not craue of God, as Dauid doth, Which remembreth him of the promiſes, that he hath made vsus. And therefore it can not be that this was ſet downe in vaine. Let vsus therefore note, that God ſheweth vntounto vsus, from whence wee muſt receiue our comfort and conſolation in all our afflictions: to wit, bicauſe he hath bound him ſelfe vntounto vsus, and that hee hath witneſſed vntounto vsus, that he will hauehave pitie and compaſsion vponupon thoſe which will call vponupon him in their miſeries, and holding vsus to that, we ſhould be as it were quickened: that is to ſay, that although we were oppreſſed with afflictions euen to the vttermoſt, ſo that wee were as it were almoſt dead, that this onelyonly point might ſuffice vsus: certainely to knowe that God will not forſake vsus. And for doing hereof, we are to obſerue twoo pointes: The firſt is, that we reſt neither vponupon our ſelues ne yet vpō creatures, ſetting our hope too fondly here and there: but let vsus know, that our life and all our felicitie conſiſteth in God, and that there it is which we muſt ſeeke after. Loe then the ende, whereat we muſt beginne, if we will hauehave true comfort in our aduerſities. And contrariwyſe, we ſee how our mindes wander & go aſtraye, and that is, bicauſe eueryevery of vsus faineth vntounto him ſelfe fooliſh and vnprofitable confidences: for if we knew the thing that is in God, it ſhould make vsus neuer to turne away from him, we ſhould neuer more wander after creatures, for in them is nothing els but vanitie. And therefore we ought to hauehave the greater regarde vntounto this doctrine: to wit, that if we wil be deliuered from all euill, wee muſt ſtill looke vntounto God. The ſecond is, that we are to craue of God, that hee would hauehave pitie and compaſsion vponupon vsus, and deliuer vsus from all our afflictions:yea and that we may come vntounto him by reaſon of his promiſſe. For without God call vsus vntounto him, wee can not come vntounto him but vnaduiſedly. For it ſhould bee too too great preſumption for mortall men to take vppon them ſuch boldnes, as to come vntounto God, without he gaue them leaue, and exhorted them ſo to doe. Wee muſt then hauehave the word which God giueth vsus, by which he teſtifieth vntounto vsus, that he is ready to receiue vsus, and willeth vsus alſo to come vntounto him. Loe what this verſe emporteth, when Dauid ſayeth, that the comfort which hee receiued in all his aduerſities, was, that hee was quickened by the woorde of God. By this he ſheweth, that hee not onelyonly wayted vppon God, to be ſaued by him but that he had reſpect, namely to his promiſe: for without it (as I hauehave already ſaid) we can hauehave no acceſſe vntounto God.
In the meane time, wee are to note, that this woorde, to quicken, importeth a great matter: to wit, that the word of God ſhould hauehave this power & ſtrength, that if wee ſhould be as it were forlorne and deſperate, that it would comfort and reſtore vsus, and that wee ſhould receiue life through it. In very deede, this is a hard matter to put in practiſe: but we muſt not thinke that Dauid hath ſpokē any thing here, but euen as in deede it was. For in making of ſuch a proteſtation, his meaning is to inſtruct vsus after his example, what our duetie is. And that which is more, the holy Ghoſt meaneth here to ſhewe vsus, that the word of God hath not taken deepe roote in vsus, except it quicken vsus: to wit, that it plucketh vsus as it were out of the graue, when we are caſt downe and that wee can doe no more, giuing vsus freſhe force and ſtrength, to be as it were men brought backe out of hell, as if he tooke vsus by the hand lifting vsus vp into a luſty courage. And thus much for this verſe.
Now here aboue, Dauid maketh his requeſt, That God would be mindefull of his word, which he had giuen him: wherein (ſaith he) thou haſt cauſed mee to put my truſt. Here Dauid ſheweth vsus, that when the faithfull doe glad and comfort them ſelues with the promiſes of God, and be as it were reſtored, it is not done to the ende that wee ſhoulde become cold and blockiſh: but that we ought rather to be ſtirred vp the more to pray vntounto God. Whenſoeuer then wee ſhalbe oppreſſed with any aduerſitie, loe what the remedie is that we muſt take: to looke vntounto the promiſes of God, and to thinke of that which hee hath teſtified vntounto vsus of his owne good will. Herevpon let vsus boldly confirme our ſelues, and returne as it were to life, if that we hauehave beene in death. But after that we hauehave made the promiſes of God ſo forcible, as to take courage, and to be fortified therein, wee muſt oftentimes fall to our prayers and offer them to God, beſeeching him to perfourme his woord. And ſince it is ſo, that he is faithfull, let vsus be ſure that we ſhall not go away empty, if we beleeue his word: but that he will performe whatſoeuer he hath promiſed. See then, that after we hauehave meditated of the promiſes of God, and truſted to him, let vsus make our prayers many times and runne vntounto his maieſtie for ayde, beſeeching him to accōpliſhe that, which through his infinite goodnes he hath ſhewed vntounto vsus, and neuer forſake vsus. but too declare the ſame too bee ſo in effect and deede. This is it that Dauid here meaneth by this ſentence. Be mindefull, O Lorde, of thy word and promiſe. Dauid ſpeaketh here according to the groſſenes and weakeneſſe of mans vnderſtanding. For it is moſt certaine, that God neuer forgetteth that which he hath ſaid, ſo that he needeth to be ſolicited, to be put in minde of it as mortall men are, which promiſe much at randon, and neuer remember it after. Now we muſt not imagine God to be ſuch one, but ſuffereth vsus to ſtammer after our owne faſhion, when he deferreth the accompliſhment of his promiſes, ſo that wee knowe not who is the cauſe of the let: God, I ſay, then ſuffereth vsus to ſpeake after our owne guiſe, and ſaye, be mindfull, O Lord, that is, we beſeech thee to ſhewe vntounto vsus by the effect, that thou haſt not forgottē the promiſes which thou haſt made to vsus Thou O Lord, art not like men, who after they hauehave determined vponupon any matter, neuer thinke after of that which they hauehave ſaid. Wherefore, O Lord, ſhew not thy ſelfe to be like mortall men▪ but when thou haſt ſpoken the worde, let it be done, and forthwith executed.
See then howe wee muſt proceede, that after we hauehave once knowne to ſtaye our ſelues vppon the promiſes of God, we muſt beſeeche him to ſhew vntounto vsus by proufe, that ſo many as put their truſt in him, ſhall not be deceiued. Nowe hee ſayeth, Thy worde towardes thy ſeruant. And this ſentence is worthy to be well wayed, bicauſe that there are very fewe, when any mention is made of the woorde of God, which vnderſtand and knowe that it is ſpoken to them, and without they knowe that, all is to no purpoſe. Wee may reade the Bible an hundreth times ouer, but wee ſhall neuer hauehave any taſte of the promiſes of God, or certainly if we learne any thing out of it, that ſhall no whit aſſure vsus, to conceiue a true certaintie of our ſaluation except we knowe that it is to vsus which God ſpeaketh, that it is wee euen wee, I ſaye, whome hee woulde make to feele his mercy and fatherly louelove. If we conceiue of the promiſes of God as hanging in the ayre▪ that God hath ſpoken, & we know not to whom, to what purpoſe ſhall this bee? What benefite ſhall wee reape by this? So then, let vsus throughly conſider of this doctrine▪ Be mindful, O Lord, of thy ſeruant according to thy word. Dauid applieth vntounto him ſelfe the promiſes which he had receiued, for he knew that they appertayned vntounto hym, bycauſe he doubted not that he was the childe of God: for hauing receiued them with ſuch a faith, hee ſayeth, O Lorde. Thou haſt not ſpoken to this body or to that body, as though I knewe not to whome▪ but I am out of all doubt, that thou meaneſt to call me vntounto thee▪ and haſt declared vntounto me that I ſhalbe partaker of all the benefites which thou haſt promiſed vntounto the faithfull. Loe then, after what maner we muſt do herein.
So likewiſe, when it is ſaid in the holy ſcripture,1. Tim. …. that this is a true and vndoubted ſaying that God hath ſent his only begotten ſonne▪ to ſaue all miſerable ſinners: wee muſt include it within this ſame ranke I ſaye, that eueryevery of vsus apply the ſame particularly to him ſelf: when as we heare this generall ſentēce, that God is merciful▪ HaueHave we heard this? Then may we boldly call vponupon him, and euen ſay, although I am a miſerable and forlorne creature, ſince it is ſaide that God is mercifull to thoſe which hauehave offended him: I will runne vntounto him and to his mercy, beſeeching him that hee will make me to feele it. And ſince it is ſaide. That God ſo loued the world; Iohn. 3.16. Rom. 8.32.that he ſpared not his onelyonly begotten ſonne: but deliuered him to death for vsus. It is meete I looke to that. For it is very needefull, that Ieſus Chriſt ſhould plucke mee out from that condemnation, wherein I am. Since it is ſo, that the louelove and goodneſſe of God is declared vntounto the worlde, in that that his ſonne Chriſte Ieſus hath ſuffered death, I muſt appropriate the ſame to my ſelfe, that I may knowe that it is to me, that God hath ſpokē, that he would I ſhould take the poſſeſsion of ſuch a grace, and therein to reioyce me.
We ſee now, how we muſt practiſe this ſentence, that we may ſay vntounto God, Thinke vponupon thy ſeruant, O Lorde, according to thy word. If any man wil reply, that it can not be ſaid, that God hath ſpoken to him, when as he ſpeaketh to al in generall: let vsus conſider, that God offereth his grace too men in common, to the ende that eueryevery man might afterward enter into him ſelfe, and not to doubt being a member of the church, but that hee hath a part and portion of that, which is common to all the faithfull. And where it is ſayd, Reioyce thou daughter of Syon, for behold thy king commeth towardes thee, Zach. 9.9.all the faithfull in generall ought to receiue this promiſe, & that al alſo, euē frō the greateſt to the leaſt, might knowe that God offereth him ſelfe vntounto them, and allureth them, to the ende that this promiſe might be performed and perfited vntounto them. And ſee why the ſacraments are not adminiſtred vntounto vsus in common: but to eueryevery one ſeuerally. We will neuer baptize the whole Churche with one baptiſme: but eueryevery one wilbe baptized in the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſte. And what other thing is meant by baptiſme, but a cōfirmatiō, of al the promiſes of God, which he hath giuen in common to the whole body of his churche. See then, howe the promiſes are ſpeciall in the vertue of baptiſme. And ſo is it in the Supper. For when we come to receiue the bread and wine in the Supper, our Lord Ieſus declareth vntounto vsus, that as hee once for all ſhed his moſt precious blood for our redemption, and ſaluation, that his body alſo is our meat and nurriture. Lo then, howe wee ought to be fully aſſured, that it is to vsus which God ſpeaketh, and that he alſo offereth his merciemercy to vsus in common. And ſee why Dauid alſo addeth, and ſayeth,
The ſame is my comfort in my trouble: for thy worde hath quickened me.
For this is the right and true vſe whereunto wee ought to applie the promiſes of God: to wit, that where it might ſeeme that wee were diſcomforted and caſt away, yet ſhould wee not but hauehave a firme courage, and an inuincible conſtancie For els we ſhould greatly diſhonour God, ſince he hath tolde vsus, that we ſhould not diſpaire, but that hee would be our ſauiour vntounto the ende. Whereupon we muſt conclude, that ſo often as wee conceiue any diſtruſt in our aduerſities, ſo often do we blaſpheme his maieſtie. For we can not do greater iniurie and deſpite vntounto God, then to accuſe him to be a lyer, & thinke him to be diſloyal or vnfaithfull. Now if we thinke God to bee true and faithfull, we muſt holde it for a full concluſion, that hee will neuer ſuffer vsus to be fruſtrate, ſo long as we put our truſt in him. Now by this meane we ſhall liue euen in death.
Let vsus therefore throughly conſider of this ſentence which Dauid hath here couched, that God hauing promiſed him to be his ſauiour, hath quickened him in this, yea in the middeſt of his afflictions, as if he had ſaide, O Lorde, ſince it is ſo, that I hauehave a teſtimonie of thy good will and louelove, I ought not to be diſcouraged, nor faint hearted, for whatſoeuer may come to paſſe. Now it followeth,
The wicked, or proud hauehave had me exceedingly in deriſion: yet hauehave I not declined from thy lawe.
Here Dauid ſheweth his conſtancie in reſiſting the temptations and combattes wherewith Satan aſſayled him. For beholde howe our faith ſhalbe rightly and duely approued: to wit, when as we ſbalbe aſſailed, and when as the deuill ſhall thinke that he hath gotten the better of vsus, yet muſt wee perſeuer and ſtill continue to truſt in God: lo, I ſay, a good proufe of our faith. And this is it that Dauid meaneth to ſignifie in this place: for it is an eaſie matter, when as we ſhall hauehave no temptations to trouble vsus, to take a taſt of the promiſes of GOD, and to hope that hee will doe that which he hath ſpoken. But when as we ſhalbe tormented with afflictions, then the deuill commeth and putteth vsus in minde of many irkſomeneſſes, and fantaſies, as if God were retired and gone farre from vsus, and that the wicked and vngodly make a mocke at our ſimplicitie: when I ſaye, that wee are ſo aſſayled: then muſt our faith ſhewe it ſelfe, whether it be true or not. And if then wee ſhall conſtantly perſeuer without beeing vanquiſhed and ouercome, O ſee nowe a ſure and certaine ſigne that wee hauehave beleeued in good earneſt and not hypocritically, that wee hauehave not taken his worde in vayne, but it hath beene liuely rooted in our ſoules. Let vsus then well note, that if wee will hauehave a true proufe of our faith, and learne too ſpeake in truth that we hauehave truſted in God, and his promiſes: it is meete that wee ſhould feele very boyſterous aſſaultes: and yet for all that, we hauehave not beene forſaken and left, vntill ſuch time as we withdrawe our ſelues from God.
Moreouer Dauid ſpeaking here of the wicked, calleth them the proud: neither doth hee ſo intitle them without cauſe: for it is the propertie of all thoſe which truſt not in God For it can not be choſen, but that a man which putteth not his truſt in God, muſt needes growe proude, and ſwell therewith like a toade. And why ſo? For when men do know them ſelues to bee ſuch as in deede they are, they muſt needes be caſt downe and humbled. And this cōmon prouer be which reigneth euen amongs the faithleſſe, ſaith, he that knoweth him ſelfe, maketh very litle of his painted ſheath. Now we will ſpeake this with the mouth but yet it is to our condemnation. Neuertheleſſe, it is God his will that all men ſhould know this, bicauſe there ſhould be no excuſe. In ſumme this is very true, that if men knewe them ſelues, thy ſhould be hūbled, and vtterly diſcomfited. Herevpon they would come to ſeeke God, and hide themſelues vnderunder the ſhadowe of his wings, they would hauehave recourſe to him, to be aided in all their neceſsities. Contrariwiſe (as I hauehave already touched) it muſt needes be that all the faithles be ful of arrogancie and preſumption, to lift themſelues vp againſt God, to promiſe wōders as of themſelues, where in very deede they hauehave nothing▪ neither yet are any thing.
See now wherefore Dauid in this place ſpeaking of the faithleſſe and enemies of God, calleth them proude▪ And it is not onelyonly here, but the holy ſcripture vſeth this ſpeache throughout. And herevpon alſo it is that the Prophet Abacuc ſaieth, That a man ſhall liue by his faith. Abac. 2.4.And hee ſetteth downe to the contrary, that they which lift vp them ſelues, and in ſuch ſort ſome out their pride, ſhall neuer take hold: they may well make a faire ſhew, but it can not be but that they muſt needes fall downe hedlong. Wee ſee then, that the Prophet comparing the faithfull with the faithleſſe, giueth this title and qualitie to all thoſe which put not their truſt in God. That they are puffed vp, and preſume without meaſure. Euen ſo then, let vsus note, that if wee will render a true teſtimonie of our faith, we muſt needes be caſt downe in our ſelues, & be truely humbled. And contrariwiſe, if we feele, that pryde puffeth vsus vp, let vsus conclude, that we hauehave as yet profited very ſlenderly in the ſchoole of God, & that if faith reigned in our ſoules, that this pride ſhould there be corrected. See then, howe wee ought to put this leſſon in practiſe.
Moreouer, let vsus alſo note, that they which ſo lifte them ſelues vp againſt God, contemne and deſpiſe their neighbours, that all they which preſume vponupon their own power and ſtrength, knowing not, that their whole bleſſedneſſe lyeth in the mere grace of God, theſe men I ſaye, can not be but cruell: and will be fierſe and malicious againſt their neighbours. And therfore, after that wee ſhall hauehave learned to humble our ſelues before God, let vsus vſe ſuch curteſie and gentleneſſe vntounto men, as that we practiſe that which Saint Paul ſpeaketh of:Phil. 2.3. to wit, That eueryevery man eſteeme of his brother better than of him ſelfe. Let vsus not ſtudy to go about to aduaunce and eſteeme of our ſelues, in reiecting and naught ſetting by of others, but let vsus acknowledge the benefites which God hath beſtowed vppon eueryevery one of vsus, and confeſſe the infirmities & vices which be in our ſelues: to the ende we might be humbled, and rather commende and prayſe others▪ Let vsus nowe come to this complaint, and proteſtation which Dauid maketh:
The proud hauehave had mee exceedingly in deriſion: yet hauehave I not ſhrinked from thy lawe.
When he ſaieth, that the proude hauehave had him exceedingly in deriſion, there is no doubt, but that hee meaneth that they derided him for his ſimplicitie, bicauſe hee put his truſt in God. Very well ſay they, he thinketh that God ſhould dandle him in his lappe, but we no we ſee what is become of him.
Loe the combattes wherewith Satan daily aſſaileth vsus. When as the vngodly do ſee the childrē of God in any miſerie and calamitie, they ruſhe euen vponupon them at the firſt daſhe and ſay, ha, ha, this man thinketh that God ought to watche ouer him, and that no ſorowe nor grief ſhoulde come vponupon him, and nowe we ſee what is become of him. And bicauſe hee hath heard him ſpeake, hee thinketh that God ſhould neuer forſake him. But we ſee now what commeth of it. It is very true, that the vngodly of their owne motion and inclination, will ſoone vomit out ſuch blaſphemies: but ſurely this commeth a great deale farther of, for it is Satan that putteth it into their mindes & puſſheth them on thereto, to the ende to ſhake their faith, and vtterly to ouerthrowe it.
Nowe this is not the firſt time alone that Dauid hath beene thus aſſailed: for this was an ordinarie thing with him: as wee ſee throughout the whole two and twentieth Pſalme, and ſince he hath put his truſt in God, ſay they, let him now ſaue him: and let vsus ſee whether God will helpe him or not. And as Dauid was grieued with theſe torments there is no doubt but that Ieſus Chriſte hath abidden the like conflictes.
And ſince that this appertained to the ſonne of God, we hauehave to note, that it can not bee choſen but that it muſt ſpread it ſelfe throughout his members, & that eueryevery faithfull man muſt bee exerciſed with ſuch temptations. And therefore, if we ſee the wicked, and the enemies of God ieſt and ſcoffe at vsus when as we are in affliction, taking occaſion thereby to lift vp their hornes, and to deride vsus, let vsus not yelde for all that: but let vsus remaine firme and conſtant, ſince that Dauid hath ſhewed vsus the way: and not onelyonly he, but alſo our Lord Ieſus, vntounto whome we muſt be like: and therefore we muſt be of a luſty courage to follow him. And thus much for the firſt point. For the ſecond, let vsus note that we hauehave not warre with men, when as the vngodly do ſo riſe againſt vsus, and vomitte out ſuch mockeries: the ſame ſay I, commeth not from them: but it is Satan that caſteth his dartes at vsus, and meaneth mortally to wounde vsus. And to put by theſe blowes, wee had neede to bee armed with the woorde of God, which is our ſword, with the buckler of faith, and the Helmet of hope: euen as Saint Paul exhorteth vsus to doe. Marke well this point: we muſt not bee too too tyed vntounto men, when as they ſhall thus grieue and vexe vsus: but wee muſt looke a great way farther: to witte, vntounto Satan, who by ſuch aſſaultes & cōbattes goeth about al hee can too ouerthrowe our ſayth,Ephe. 6.16.17 if it were poſsible for him to doo. Now the proteſtation which he maketh, is well woorthy the noting: for after hee had complayned of theſe rebukes and mockeries of the vngodly, hee addeth, yet hauehave I not ſhrinked from thy way, O Lorde. Let vsus then conclude, that ſince wee hauehave the word of God, that if al the world, ſhoulde conſpire againſt vsus too turne vsus from it, we ought too abyde ſtedfaſtly in it, and too bee faſt tyed thereto, and too cleaue ſo harde vntoo it, as that wee might neuer bee pulled away from the ſame. To this ende ought this proteſtation to ſerue vsus: to witte to ſtrengthen vsus in conſtancie, that wee might knowe, that if Dauid was ſo ſtedfaſtly ſetled in the hope which he had: that the truthe of God is not at this day diminiſhed or decreaſed.
It behoueth vsus then to make the promiſes of God forcible, and to be ſo ſure and certaine, as that wee be not ſhaken, nor moued, for all the ſcornes and mockes which the wicked can make at vsus. Let vsus alſo marke, that Dauid ſpeaketh not here of one combat, or of a woorde caſt out at randon, as ſometimes it may eſcape from the mouth of a Scoffer or Ieſter among the wicked. But it muſt needes bee that the holy Prophet was throughly ſooked in them: as hee him ſelfe declareth, that they derided and ſcoffed at him, and that exceedingly. Let vsus applie this too our ſelues, that we quaile not, nor faynt for one conflict, wherwith Satan ſhall aſſayle vsus by his ſubſtitutes: but that wee perſeuere in all conflictes, that when we ſhall hauehave made an ende with the firſt, to bee ready and preſt to enter into an other, neuer altering or chaunging, our determination nor will, come there whatſoeuer ſhall come: that the ſcoffes & ſcornes of the wicked, yea and whatſoeuer Satan ſhall craftily inuent againſt vsus, hinder vsus not from ſtedfaſtly abiding and continuing in faith, without turning or writhing vsus awaye from the lawe of God, after the example of Dauid, as here wee hauehave heard him make thereof proteſtation.
And if there were ſuch conſtancie in Dauid, hauing the lawe onelyonly, wee that hauehave the doctrine, which is giuen by him, and by the Prophetes after him, by our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, and his Apoſtles: wee then which hauehave a great many moe conuenient helpes, then Dauid had, ſhould wee be ſhaken and cruſſhed, when as the deuill, the wicked, and all the girnardes and firebrandes of hell, ſhall aſſayle our faith? There remaineth nowe no excuſe for vsus, ſeeing hee hath done thus. Let vsus then learne too helpe our ſelues with the meanes which God hath giuen vsus, and putteth in to our hande, ſo that his woorde bee not vayne and vnprofitable vntounto vsus, but that it ſerue vsus in deede as it ought. Nowe hee addeth,
For I remembred thine euerlaſting iudgement O Lorde: and hauehave receiued comfort.
Here Dauid declareth that hee is confirmed (ouer and beſide the worde) in all the iudgementes of God, which is the thing that we muſt alſo do, after that we hauehave meditated vppon the promiſes of GOD, by which hee teſtifieth that hee is nere vntounto all thoſe which call vppon him, after that wee hauehave knowne that which hee declareth and pronounceth, to humble and ouerthrowe the wicked, in ſhewing them to be their iudge: that ouer and beſides this, we would acknowledge as at all times we hauehave neede, how he hath holpen and ſuſtained his, howe hee hath deliuered them out of all the miſeries they were in: and beſides, how he hath ſtretched foorth his arme againſt the wicked, and contempners of his iuſtice. See, I ſay, howe wee muſt linke together the woorkes of God with his word, for the more notable confirmation of our faith.
And this is it which Dauid meaneth in this place: for he ſpeaketh not here of the iudgementes of God as hee hath done before, and as he will hereafter: to witte, for his ſtatutes, and commaundementes: but hee meaneth the actes and deedes which GOD in all ages hath done, to ſhewe him ſelfe to be iudge ouer all men. It is very true, that ſuch judgements as God hath put in execution, are conteined in the Scripture. But by this which is here ſpoken of them, we are warned how we ought to reade ſuch hiſtories: that is, that God neuer forſaketh his faithfull: and although for a while he ſlacketh, yet will he not leaue the wicked vnpuniſhed in the ende. Dauid then meditated on theſe iudgements: and exerciſed him ſelfe in them. And ſo we are to remember, that when we hauehave made the word of God forcible, to reſiſt Satan, and al the aſſaultes wherewith he ſhal aſſaile vsus, we muſt alſo know, that God hath not only ſpokē, but hath likewyſe ſhewed by experience, that his worde is no vayne thing, but that the execution thereof is at hand.
And therefore, when as wee ſhall ſee that God ſhall put to his helping hande before our eyes, and ſhall giuegive vsus ſo many teſtimonies of his iudgementes, it is no reaſon that wee ſhould ouerſlippe it: but ſhould hauehave our eyes open, and acknowledge theſe thinges as they are declared vntounto vsus: when as alſo wee ſhall feele any of GOD his grace towardes vsus, that wee ought to imprint the ſame ſurely in our myndes. Loe howe wee muſt followe Dauid, in that which hee ſayeth, O Lord, I hauehave remembred thy iudgements.
Moreouer, when it is ſaid, that hee hath called to mynde the iudgementes of GOD from the beginning of the worlde, I praye you, what excuſe ſhall wee bee able too make, if wee ouerſlippe that, which hee ſetteth before our eyes? For when as at this daye GOD ſhoulde holde him ſelfe as if hee laye hidden, that wee ſhould hauehave no token nor proufe, that hee ſhoulde bee the iudge of the wicked and vngodly for to confounde them, and the Sauiour of thoſe which truſt in him, and call vppon him, yet that which is conteined in the holy Scripture, and that which we reade too bee done before wee were borne, the ſame, I ſaye, might ſuffice. But nowe ſince God declareth him ſelfe vntounto vsus, and ſheweth vntounto vsus his preſence, and all this to bee caſt vnderunder foote through our vnthankefulneſſe, muſt not wee needes be more then culpable or blameworthy? In ſumme, let vsus marke, that here the holy Ghoſt accuſeth vsus of negligence: for if wee were ſuch as in deede wee ſhould be, wee ſhould applye our ſtudie to reade the holy Scriptures, where God ſheweth vsus his iudgementes as it were in beautifull glaſſes, and all for our inſtruction and profit. See then, how we ought to linke together that which is written, with that which we daily ſee before our eyes, and to be confirmed throughout all the hiſtories, in ſuch ſorte as that they might ſerue as it were to ſeale vp the woorde of GOD, that it might bee of a great deale more ſtrength and force, and too magnifie the ſame when neede ſhalbe.
Nowe hauehave we ſo remembred the iudgements of God, and are wee ſo exerciſed in them, yea euen in thoſe, I ſay, which were made before we were borne into this worlde? Whatſoeuer then that we ſhall now perceiue and marke, & whatſoeuer alſo ſhalbe declared vntounto vsus ſo long as we liue, we ought by a more forcible reaſon, ſo much the narrowlier to conſider, & to bee a great deale the more confirmed in them, and not to be like vntounto brute beaſtes, when as god ſtretcheth foorth his hand, & giueth vsus ſome teſtimonyes, that it is he alone which ſo helpeth vsus: when as I ſay, God ſheweth vsus this, wee muſt thinke on them in good earneſt, and ſo ſtay our ſelues in them: to wit, that we make not account of them as vaine ſpeculations: but too apply all the Iudgementes of God to our vſe, ſince it is to this ende and purpoſe, that he ſheweth vsus them. For when wee ſhall reade that God reuealed himſelfe to Abraham, and that hee did helpe him in ſuch a neceſſitie: Let this bee our concluſion, Very wel, that which God did vntounto his ſeruaunt Abraham, is to aſſure vsus, that he will doe the like for vsus, and therefore we muſt euen now runne vntounto God for refuge and ſuccor. See howe all the teſtimonyes which God hath lefte vntounto vsus in the holy Scripture of all his woonderfull works, ought to ſerue eueryevery of vsus for aydes and helpes. Nowe Dauid ſetteth downe ſoone after.
I am horribly afrayd for the vngodly which forſake thy lawe.
Heere Dauid proteſteth that hee hath reſiſted another temptation ouer and beſides that which wee hauehave already ſeene. This is already a very ſore and harde combate too abyde, when as the wicked mock and ſcorne vsus, as if God had deceiued vsus, as if we had bin too too ſimple & fooliſh to put our truſt in him. Loe heere a great trouble for miſerable and wretched weakelings, yea and that ſuch as it cannot be choſen, but that they muſt (at the leaſte) be mooued and aſtonyed. But this temptation which heere followeth is none of the leaſt to ouercome: as when wee ſee all the whole world addicted and giuen to wickedneſſe, that what ſoeuer we doe, is as it were to conſpire & to lay a platforme to prouoke God his wrath, to diſtruſt him, to reiect all his graces, and to treade them cleane vnderunder foote. When then wee ſhall ſee men ſo eſtraunge them ſelues from God, euen to make open warre againſt him, it goeth very hardly, if we be not as it were vtterly ouercome. And yet neuertheleſſe it is, as Dauid heere proteſteth: that it is ſo farre of that he gaue him ſelfe wickedly, ſeeing the corruptions to bee ſuch as they were all ouer, as that hee was horribly affrayde for the vngodly which ſo forſooke the law of God. Wherefore, let vsus learne to be thus horribly affrayde, ſo often as we ſee men exceede in wickedneſſe: Let vsus learne, I ſay, too hauehave recourſe vntounto God, and as it were in gathering our wittes vntounto vsus, that we might conceiue an horrour & feare, when as we ſee ſuch monſters, and ſuch things ſo committed againſt nature. If this hath beene alwayes a neceſſary doctrine, it is at this day moſte neceſſary: for let vsus a little beholde what a generall confuſion there is, when as we ſhal ſee the order and doings of the Papiſtes, wee ſhall finde it to be a moſt helliſh outrage. And emongeſt vsus alas, where the woorde of God ſhould be of greater power and force, yet wee ſee howe the more parte will not onelyonly alter and chaunge the lawe of God, but deſire nothing more then euen vtterly to aboliſhe it. What is to be doone then? It is not inough that we followe not the wicked and vngodly in their impietie, and not to linke in with thē as their companions, but wee muſt bee horribly afrayde, becauſe wee know that they muſt periſh as miſerable & wretched creatures: & therfore we ſhould be greeued and vexed: but yet a great deale the rather, when as they ſee them make open war againſt the maieſtie of God. For theſe are matters too to monſtrous, to ſee mortal men lift them ſelues vp againſt their creator, and in very good earneſt to fight againſt him. Lo then, what is heere ſhewed vntounto vsus by the ſpirite of God vnderunder the example of Dauid. And in this let vsus ſee, whether we ought to couer our ſelues: with ſuch horrible, yea and moſt deteſtable filthynes & vncleannes, when as any talke ſhall ariſe of the contēning of the maieſtie of God, & of the diſcrediting of his law or worde, whether we ought I ſay, to make countenaunce as if ſuch talke were nothing, whether we ought to ſupport & maintaine the ſame: and to paſſe it lightly ouer, as though we cared nothing at al for it, or that it no whit appertained vntounto vsus. Nowe if in this behalfe we ſhal doe ſo, it is a ſigne and token that there is neither zeale nor affection in vsus. And heerin we ſhew our ſelues not worthy that God ſhould take vsus for his childrē: For we muſt remember that which is written, The zeale of thy houſe hath euen conſumed me, and the rebukes and ſlaunders which hauehave bin laide vponupon thee O Lorde, are come vponupon me. Whē then we ſhall ſee the name of God to be contemned & made no account off and ſhall ſee the wicked to caſte him cleane without the doores, in ſuch ſort as that they wil make no more reckoning of the law of God, without all queſtion wee muſt not diſſemble and holde our peace, & make account as though it were nothing: but if we be the ſeruaunts of God, it ſhall behoue vsus not onelyonly to be touched, but alſo to be horribly afrayd, & to be as it were forlorne men when as we ſee ſuch abhomination, that it ſhould in ſuch ſort fall out, as to hauehave the name of God to be ſo contēned by his creatures. Now for a concluſion Dauid ſaith, Thy ſtatutes hauehave beene my ſongues in the houſe of my Pilgrimage.
This was yet another great temptation to Dauid aſwel as the other, that it ſo fel out as that he was once driuen out of the countrie of Iudea & was far from the temple of God, & dwelt among the Pagans and Infidels. Nowe he ſayth, that notwithſtanding al this, that hee was not eſtraunged from God, nor yet from the knowledge of ſaluation: but contrariwiſe, that he was the rather ſtirred vp to ſing prayſes vntounto God, and thoſe Pſalmes which God did put in his mouth, yea euen ſuch as were taken out of the law. For we hauehave to note, that Dauid made not the Pſalmes, as a newe doctrine ne yet as a doctrine ſeparate from the doctrine of the lawe: but drew them from it as out of a Fountaine.
So then it is not without cauſe that he proteſteth heere that the Statutes of God ſerued him for Pſalmes and for ſonges, yea in ſteade of his Pilgrimages, that is to ſay, in a ſtrange Countrie in the middeſt of Infidels, when he was as it were baniſhed from the Church, that he could not bee in the Temple to make confeſſion of his faith, yet was he not for all this wickedly addicted. Nowe heere, they which are trauellers, are admoniſhed of their duetie. For albeit they ſee a greate many of enormities committed in the worlde, neuertheleſſe they are ſtedfaſtly purpoſed to holde themſelues in the feare of God, and to walke in a pure and ſoūd conſcience, albeit they are mingled emongſt the infidels. As behold euen the very Chriſtians which are in the Papacy, although they are there priſoners, hauing no doctrine preached vntounto thē, without libertie to ſerue God publikely, and to make confeſſion of their faith as they would: yet doe they not exceed and outrage with the reſt in theſe villanyes which reigne amongeſt them: but confirme themſelues the beſt they can to the worde of God, take all their delight and pleaſure therein, and make the lawe of God their ſong, which maketh them to withdrawe themſelues from all the vanities and corruptions which they commit, ſo that they keepe them ſelues within this compaſſe.
Moreouer, if they which are in a place where the worde of life is not taught, and doe ſo, yea euen greate ſtore of offences wherewith they may take occaſion too be drawne to wickedneſſe, and to be corrupt with the reſt: theſe, I ſay, be inexcuſable, but are commaunded to take their delighte and pleaſure in God, and in his lawe, and too incourage themſelues, taking the holy ſongs to exhorte them to well doing, what ſhall become of vsus, when as wee are in a place where the Bell ringeth too call vsus that we might bee admoniſhed by the woorde of God, to be inſtructed too call vponupon his name, and to make confeſſion of our fayth? When GOD then calleth vsus vntounto his Schoole, and openeth his mouth to inſtruct vsus, I pray you, are not we worthy of moſt horrible condemnation, when as wee ſhall doe altogither prepoſterouſly in that, whereof Dauid heere maketh proteſtation. As we ſhall ſee very many, which can neuer bee mery, but when as they ſhall deafely hearken vntounto God: & if they come to a Sermon, it is onelyonly to heare their condemnation. For whatſoeuer is ſayd vntounto them, and layde before thē to bring them into the right way, they ſoone forget what hath beene ſaide. Muſt not theſe mindes then be violently carried with a merueylous fury? Yes, without all doubte. And therefore let vsus keepe in minde the concluſion which Dauid heere maketh: That hee remembred the lawe of God vntounto the ende. As if he had ſayd, Beholde what is the cauſe that I beeing a miſerable vacabond, caſt out of the Temple, and driuen out of my countrie, did yet neuer but ſtay vponupon thee. And after that, beeing aſſayled by the Infidels, hauehave perſeuered in the conſideration of thy lawe, and delighted my ſelfe therein. Euen ſo alſo muſt wee doe, For if we ſee many offences and many things which might withdrawe vsus from the lawe of God, let vsus ouercome all that in the vertue and power of the promiſes which God hath made vsus, that by them we might be confirmed in his louelove and bountie, to the ende we fall not into ſuch a confuſion, as wee ſee the wicked and vngodly fall, and dayly caſte themſelues.
And according too this doctrine, let vsus proſtrate our ſelues before the Maieſtie of our good God in acknowledging of our offences: Beſeeching him that it would pleaſe him to make vsus better too feele, what taſte wee ought too take in his holy promiſes, and to be exerciſed in them, that we might valiantly fighte againſt thoſe vices which might hinder vsus, to ſtay vponupon his protection, and that by the power of his holy ſpirit we might ouercome all offences and griefes, to the ende that beeing fortifyed by his grace, wee might not hauehave any acceſſe to Satan, whereby hee might winne and get of vsus: but that we conſtantly perſeuering in the holy vocation of this good God, might followe our courſe vntill ſuch time as he ſhall take vsus out of this worlde, to bring vsus vntounto that heritage, which hee hath prepared for vsus before the beginning of the worlde, and alſo which Ieſus Chriſte hath purchaſed for vsus with his moſte pretious bloode.
And that hee will not onelyonly graunt vntounto vsus this grace, but alſo to all people and nations of the earth, &c.