Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 119

Notes on the Book of Psalms · Psalm 119

p. 575The cxix. PSALM.

This Psalm by the Author of it (which some say, and by many circumstances probably was David, in his flight and exile) is divided into 22 parts, according to the number and order of letters in the Hebrew Alphabet, each part containing eight verses, and the first word of every verse in each part beginning with the same letter that is prefixet to the part it self, as it is in order and succession in the Hebrew A. B. C. which its conceived was done for help of memorie. The Psalm is without title, and for the matter of it, drives on no one particular subject, but partly by the Psalmists own example, and partly by rule is represented what is requisit to enter a man into, and carrie him through a holy life, specially in an afflicted state; p. 576which are promiscuously scattered throughout the Psalm, promises, precepts, documents, prayers being variously intermingled, and to be taken notice of accordingly by the Reader as they happen in his way, as also the Authors exalting Gods grace and decrying self in his own person, a president for all, and a confutation of all self-opinionists or justiciaries, whether Papists, Armenians, in judgement, or practise, m…n morally righteous, or carnally confident, Israelitish Christians which worship God, but not in the spirit, and rejoyce but not in Christ Iesus, having confidence in the flesh, contrarie to Paul Phil. 3.3. and David throughout this Psalm.

Aleph.Aleph. Is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, and is therefore here according to order prefixed to the first part of this Psalm, to signifie that it is so, and so do all the rest of the Letters in their ranck and order, as they are prefixed to each part, signifie alike numerarie orderly succession of the rest of the parts of this Psalm, for instance, The second letter Beth signifies that to be the second part, and the third letter the third part, and so of the rest.

11BLessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.1 ALl men would be blessed, but certainly happie, and onelyonly happie is, here, and shall be hereafter, that man, that seeks not after a sensual sinful felicitie as most do, but on the contrarie throughout the whole course and trade of his life, approves himself as one that walks towards heaven in heavens way, in conscience to God, avoiding the spots and stains of every sin in heart and life, that may render him unpleasing or unsightly with God, and strives to walk exactly in holy obedience to all his commandments to his well-pleasing,

22Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.2 Yea, they onelyonly do and shall partake of true happiness (peace of conscience and favour with God) which deviate not into by-wayes of their own fancying, but keep constant to an obediential walking with him, according to the rules he in his word hath prescribed p. 577and commanded, and that set so high a rate upon his grace and favour, as to over-value it to all other happiness, and therefore pray for it as their chiefest good, and strive to walk worthy of it in all well-pleasing, with sincere and entire obedience.

3 Nor dare they transgress or willingly contract the least guilt of any known sinne upon themselves,33They also do no iniquity: they walk in his wayes. out of a filiall fear of displeasing God, and forfeiting his favour, but carefully tread his paths, which onelyonly lead to life and true happiness, and bring with them sweet peace of conscience and seals of sincerity.

4 And if it be asked what is the cause of the blessed mans exact walking,44Th…u hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. and not taking the liberty that others do to sinne, it is because he prefers Gods will before his own, because the holy God strictly commandeth holiness, therefore is he strict in observance to do thereafter, to keep all, and break none of his commandments.

5 Lord,55O that my waye… were directed to keep thy statutes. let other men take other courses, my prayer is and ever shall be, that I may be so happy as to be enabled by thee to walk in well-pleasing to thee all my dayes, and in all my wayes, according to the rule of righteousness.

6 Others think shame of holiness,66Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments. but I count it my glory, yea, the more holiness the less shame, to come short of duty and sincerity is onelyonly shame-worthy; make me therefore in sincerity of heart, and integrity of life, to do thy whole will with my whole heart, and then (and never but then) am I as I would be, because then and onelyonly then I am as I ought to be, able to look God and man in the face, free from an evil conscience.

7 Truly,77I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements. Lord, if I know mine own heart, and I p. 578take it to be upright towards thee, there is nothing that thou canst give me or do for me, shall better please me, and more oblige me to praise and thank thee with an honest gratuitous heart and conversation, than thy teaching of me by thy word and spirit, to know and do thy commandments, the onelyonly righteous rule of faith and manners.

88I will keep thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.8 O Lord, my purpose of heart is to keep thy commandments, and to walk exactly, in faith, love, and obedience, as thou enjoynest, but alas, I know mine own imbecillity, and the necessity of thy continuall inablement hereunto by thy spirit and grace, which if withdrawn, I am at a loss, therefore, Lord, in pitie of my weakness, and in prosecution of the good work begun in me, that desire to fear thy name, leave me not to my self, nor lead me not into temptation, to buckle with it in mine own strength; let no sinne cause separation, though correction, but remember mercy, and renew in me a right spirit when I do go wrong, as who doth not.

Beth.Beth. The second letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the second part.

99Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word9 Young men are aptest to go astray, and therefore had need to be inquisitive and circumspect of themselves, and their wayes, how to avoid the pollutions of mind and manners, whereunto their age prompts them, with a more than ordinary aptitude, and doubtless, (I speak it knowingly) the onelyonly remedy for such distemperature, is, for them to be conversant in thy word, and thence to observe with a childlike disposition, what pleaseth and displeaseth thee, p. 579their heavenly father, and in conscience thereunto, carefully to regulate their inward and outward man accordingly, by believing and obeying.

10 O Lord,1010With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. thou knowest my heart to be perfect with thee, (for thou hast made it so) how that I have neither been partiall nor unsincere in mine obedience, but entirely endeavoured alwayes in all things to please thee, as desirous above all things of thy grace and favour, fearing to forfeit it, which, good Lord, grant I may never do by going astray from thy precepts, therefore I beseech thee watch over me, that no temptation mislead me on the right or left hand out of the way of thy commandments, in which I desire to walk from one end of my life to the other without deviating.

11 I have,1111Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sinne against thee. Lord, stored up thy word in mind and memory, especially such, and so much of it as I knew was of present and practicall concernment to me in my condition, with full purpose of heart to keep close thereunto, and not sinfully to suffer my self to be seduced there-from, what ever happened.

12 Thou,1212Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. Lord, art onelyonly blessed, in, and of thy self, from whom as from a fountain flowes forth all derived blessedness unto thy creature, which thou art wont to confer most upon them that please thee best, as a gracious remuneration of their love and service, Lord, therefore teach me to know, and enable me to do thy will revealed in thy word, that I may partake thy blessedness, be sharer in thy holiness and happiness, here and hereafter.

13 As I have found thy law usefull to me,1313With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth. by my knowledge of it, and framing my course of life according p. 580to it, so have I endeavoured to make it to be to others, and therefore have I according to my measure of light, and the duty of my place and office, taught it publickly and privately, not concealing any truth I knew might make for thy glory and their edifying: when I had oportunity of time and occasion.

1414I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.14 My delight and care (I bless thee for giving me such an heart) hath been more to hear, understand, and practise those things which in thy word are testified to be thy will, and more sweet peace and consolation have I had, when I have been so happy, as to attain the knowing and doing of them, than they that set their hearts to heap up riches, when they have their desire of opulency and affluence.

1515I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy wayes.15 Therefore, whereas worldlings cast in their minds, and occupy their thoughts how to enhance their earthly store, because their delight is there, my meditations shall be otherwayes imploied, my care and thoughts shall be how to know more and practise better thy will revealed, for therein is my delight, and thereto will I bend my mind, studying how best to please thee.

1616I will delight my self in thy statutes I will not forget thy word.16 To know and do what pleaseth thee, shall be a pleasure unto me, yea, nothing shall more delight me, and therefore am I fully purposed to make thy word the subject of my meditation day and night, and the rule of mine obedience in weal and wo.

Gimel.Gimel. The third letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the third part.

1717Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live and keep thy word.17 Lord, thy promises to thy people are comprehensive of all good things; as thou hast made them, so fulfill them; Let me thy servant reap the blessed p. 581fruits of thy grace and bounty according to them, touching life temporall and spirituall, grant me both, and what conduces unto both, as a faithfull creatour and gracious redeemer, that by grace I may live both the life of grace and nature.

18 Lord,1818Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law. thou knowest what great impediments there are that hinder our knowledge and acquaintance with thee, even in those things thou hast revealed, of which yet we are ignorant, and seeing, we see not, there being a two-fold vail that interposeth betwixt a right understanding and them, the one over our hearts, blindly mistaking the mind and meaning of the spirit, and stumbling at the stumbling stone the letter. The other over thy law and covenant it self, exprest in dark and typicall umbrages and dispensations, full of wonderous divine excellency in their signification and antitypicall meaning, but impossible to be understood, but by thy more than litterall revelation. Therefore dispense thy spirit, who onelyonly knows the mind of God, and can onelyonly make it known unto thy servant, draw aside thy curtaines of my blindness, and thy laws darkness, that in thy light I may see light, and be made able to behold the mysticall and spirituall tenderness of thy whole law and covenant, both in the morall & typicall dispensation of it, which unfolded to a spirituall eye, are admirable and ravishing, portraying as in a table the divine history and mistery of mans redemption and salvation, with all that heavenly wisdome, free-grace, and Almighty power that shines therein.

19 I am thine,1919I am a stranger in the earth, hide not thy commandments from me. and properly belong to another world, onelyonly here I must for a time lead a transient life, because it is thy will more than mine, who though p. 582I am in the world, yet not of the world, but in mind and heart estranged from it, therefore seeing it is thy pleasure that I must live mine appointed time to serve thee on earth, take it into consideration, what divine light and guidance is requisite so to do, and vouchsafe me it proportionably, least I wander out of thy way, the world and flesh with which I here converse being strangers, and estranged thereunto, and apt to mislead me, if thy word and spirit be not alwayes a light and guide unto me.

2020My soul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgement at all times.20 Lord, my soul is as the broken and chawned earth in time of drought, labouring alwayes in unsatiable desire after the soul-nourishing and refreshing knowledge of the divine excellencies, comprehended in thy righteous precepts and covenant-dispensations, as it doth incessantly after rain, that so I may alwayes live the life of faith, and fear, love, and obedience.

2121Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do erre from thy commandments.21 Thats my desire to understand the fear of the Lord, that I may walk humbly with my God, for the proud disobedient gain-sayers of his will, that have taken cursed and displeasing curses, the Lord hath sooner or later met with them, as they are hatefull to him, so he hath made it appear upon them by heavy judgements.

2222Remove from me reproach and contempt, …or I have kept thy testimonies.22 Which I am confident shall still be their portion, even the portion of my proud disdainfull enemies, who think scorn of me, and basely asperse me, because of my faith in, and obedience unto God, but, Lord, I hope that both I, and they are accepted at thine hands, and that thou takest notice of mine Ismaelitish persecution by mine arrogant foes, and wilt find a time to quit me of them, who thou knowest hath not been ashamed of thee, nor deserted either my faith or fear of thee, for fear of men.

p. 58323 I have been the by-word of high and low,2323Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. those that should have been by their places men of more integrity and good example, yet did not they stick to abuse their authority, and me, by casting scorn upon me in the audience of others, but I patiently bear it, and my thoughts the while were upon thy word and my duty, in such cases, that so I might approve my self to thee, not caring to be judged by mans day.

24 And though I had cause enough of sorrow and trouble,2424Thy …e…timonies also are my delight, and my counsellours. yet my comfort is they made me not break covenant, nor falsifie my faith, but still I kept a good conscience, and followed my rule, and had the comfort of it in mine own spirit, not consulting with flesh and bloud, what to do at such times when temptations were sore upon me, but with thy word, which I knew was the will and wisdom of God, the mighty Counsellour and Prince of Princes.

Daleth. Daleth.The fourth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the fourth part.

25 I am exceeding low brought by thine afflicting hand,2525My soul cleavet… unto the dust: quicken thou me, according to thy word. my discomfitures make my life a very death, oh, do thou raise me, restore comfort, and thereby life unto me, according as thou hast graciously promised.

26 For I have not hid mine offences,I have declared my wayes, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. but confessed and declared them to thee, as I have done every thing else in the whole course of my life. I have alwayes acquainted thee how it was with me, in my temptations and troubles, and I have ever found thee gracious, and so doubt not still to do; speak peace and holiness therefore now to my soul, that I may sinne no more, but learn to love and serve thee.

p. 5842727Make me to un…derstand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wonderous works.27 Lord, instruct me, and over-power my naturall pravity and corrupt disposition, to walk holily and steadily in the fear of thy name, and obedience of thy commandments, by thy renewing of my joyes, and strengthening of my graces, so shall I magnifie thy power in my weakness, and animate the faith of others.

2828My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.28 The sense of my sinne and thy displeasure for it, lies so heavy upon my spirit, that I sensibly decay and wast under it, speak reconciliation and absolution to me, that may revive and restore me, according to thy promise of grace and mercy to poor penitents and suppliants, such as I am.

2929Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.29 The sinne that hath brought me into this distemper is my want of faith to carry me through, and my making now and then in extremity of temptation lies my refuge, which repents me that ever I did so, the Lord forgive it, and remove that spirit of fear and diffidence that caused it, that I may no more tread in such by-paths; of thine own free goodness, grant me the mercy and grace promised in thy word, and exhibited in the typicall ordinances of thy law.

3030I have chosen the way of truth; thy judgem…nts have I laid before me.30 Lord, how ever I have slipt through frailty, yet thou knowest the bent and bias of my heart is to love truth and not falshood, it is the way I have chosen to walk in, and have used the means that might aw me to it, and direct me in it, by serious pondering thy righteous commandments, penally inhibiting such sinfull aversations, though, my grace being weak, my endeavours through temptation have sometimes been ineffectuall.

3131I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.31 I have not ordinarily, no nor willingly at any time given the reins to my corruption, though otherwhiles p. 585they have been too strong for me, but have carefully and conscionably in the main and course of my life, though troublous and temptatious, walked exactly, and kept me closely to thy will, testified in thy word, O Lord, therefore compassionate me in this my sinne, and trouble for it, and so order my wayes, that I sinne no more, to provoke thee against me, to the loss of thy favour, and the forfeiting my self to mine enemies.

32 I have been faithfull though with some failings,3232I will run the wayes of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart. which if thou wilt but please to pass by, and renew thy favour to me, and grace in me, whereby my heart may again be comforted, and consequently enlarged, and enabled, (for thy joy is my strength) then do I promise for my self, being confident in the power of thy grace, to yield universall and chearfull obedience to thy commandments, maugre impediments.

He. He.The fifth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the fifth part.

33 I know my whole life throughout is to be expended in thy service,3333Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. but how to persevere with unwearied and unvaried constancy I see not, but by thy speciall and spirituall guidance, who canst either order mine affaires to be free from temptation, or teach and enable me to wade through them, without warping from the rule and way of thy commandments: pitie therefore my weakness and humane frailty, and by thy spirit supply and prompt me continually, so shall I do what else I cannot, avoid sinne, and persevere in p. 586holiness all my life, in all the various alterations of it.

3434Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.34 How many are befooled with worldly wisdom and carnall reason, Lord, thou knowest, and truly so shall I amongst the rest, if thou beest not more mercifull unto me, to teach me better, yea, contrary to such things as those principles dictate; even the wholesome rudiments of thy law and covenant dispensation, which if thou wilt of thy good grace vouchsafe to do, I shall gladlier serve thee than sinne; yea, if thou wilt effectually lead me, I will gladly and cordially follow and obey thee in whatsoever thou commandest, for to will is present with me, but how else to perform I see not.

3535Make me to go in the path of thy commandments: for therein do I delight.35 Both the will and the deed is thine and of thee, now therefore as thou hast enabled me in the one, for through thy grace my heart is byassed to obedience, so that my desire is to it, and my delight is in it, so do thou no less graciously and powerfully enable me in the other, let me through thine assistance be as able as willing to do thy will, alwayes, in all things.

3636Encline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.36 I know, O Lord, naturally I have the same corrupt and inordinate affections in me as others have, as ready upon temptation to warp world-ward as another man, but I know thou hast my heart in thy hands, and though I cannot rule it, thou canst, so that I pray thee have an eye to it, and keep an hand over it, to dispose and bend it the way of thy will, and from the worlds allurements of pleasure or profit, let grace supersead me from corruption, specially of covetousness the root of all evil.

3737Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity: and quicken thou me in thy way.37 Let not my outward sences be caught, and sinfully p. 587transported with the baits of the flesh, or of the world, but give me a sanctified understanding to believe truly, and not seemingly of sublunary things, and to know them to be as in their own natures they are, vain and transitory, that can convey no permanent nor substantiall good or content to a man, but delude him with the shews thereof by a false medium, carnall concupiscence, and that serves to steal the heart from God, but, Lord, avert both eyes and heart from them, give me such active graces, and lively affections, that may have continuall influence into all the parts of body and soul, and so dispose them in love to thee, and desire of heavenly things, that as dead to the world, they may comparatively be indisposed to all things else.

38 Lord,3838Stablish thy word unto thy servant: who is devoted to thy fear. fulfill those promises of grace and goodness, wherein thou standest engaged unto thy servant. Thou that art Jehovah in thy Being, be so in thy word by giving it a being in all those gracious promises it comprehends and exhibits, and wherein thou hast caused me to trust, in confidence whereof I have wholly cast my self upon thy grace and providence, minding alwayes to serve thee, more than how to provide and shift for my self, as men of the world do.

39 Let not thy servant sinne against thee,3939Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgements are good. thereby to provoke thee against him to the loss of thy favour, the forfeiting of thy protection, and the exposing me to mine enemies scorn and insultation, which I exceedingly fear, as well for thy sake who art so deeply concerned in me, as for mine own. If at any time I do fall, Lord, let not that be my p. 588punishment, be thou and not they my Judge, for that thy judgements are like thy self, righteous and good, but theirs are like themselves, merciless and wicked.

4040Behold I have longed after thy precepts… quicken me in thy righteousness.40 Thou knowest my heart is perfect towards thee, take notice of it, O Lord, how my desires and affections are upright and sincere to the knowing and doing of thy will according to thy word, give me a spirit of power and enablement, as well as of will and desire, according to thy righteous, as well as gracious engagements, for thou art as just to fulfill promises, as to inflict punishments.

Vau.Vau. The sixth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the sixth part.

4141Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord: even thy salva…tion a…cording to thy word.41 And as I desire that thou wilt enable me with a spirit of holiness to walk uprightly in the way, so also that in mercy thou wilt remember me concerning the promised end, that it may effect that for me, even my preservation in, and my deliverance out of my sad condition and many dangers, as thou hast engaged thy self to do.

4242So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me; for I trust in thy word.42 By this means I that now onelyonly live by promises, unpossessed of the thing promised, and therefore cannot at present effectually convince men of carnall understandings and void of faith; shall then be able demonstratively to stop their mouthes, that now flout me for mine improbable hopes and forreign expectations, and because I bear my self upon thy word which they think will never be fulfilled, but I am otherwise perswaded; therefore, O Lord, let not my trust be deceived and they in their presumptuous impiety confirmed.

p. 58943 And let me never so sinne against thee,4343And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in thy judgements. as thereby to have mine own mouth stopped, and despoil my self of what thou hast promised me, whereof, in faith of thy truth and goodness, I have openly declared my confidence according to thy word, which, Lord, let me never have cause to retract, nor to speak less in praise of thy faithfulness, but more, by thy turning promises into performances, according to the hope I have had in thy just fullfilling what thou hast promised me, and threatened mine enemies.

44 So shalt thou oblige me,4444So shall I keep thy law continually: for ever and ever. when I am delivered out of these heavy pressures which lie upon me, as so many clogs and hinderances, (which I shall never forget) without making bawks in mine obedience, (which through temptation I have been forced to do, and fear I shall still do without thy powerfull prevention) in love and thankfulness to serve and please thee, the utmost hour of my life, if set at liberty.

45 Yea,And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. when thou hast enfranchized me out of these incumbrances of fear and care, and made me a man of liberty and authority in Israel, I will as thy free-man and servant carry and demean my self, in all manner well-pleasing, walking in the way of thy service, and keeping all thy commandments, which never shall be a burden or bondage to me, for to be at liberty, and to have ability, and opportunity to learn and do thy will according to thy word, is that I beg above any thing, and which I should esteem as my greatest felicity.

46 When thou hast advanced me,4646I will speak of thy testimonies also before Kings: and will not be ashamed. I also will advance thee, and execute the office of a Prophet, as well as of a King, and think it no shame to do so, p. 590by declaring to others as occasion is offered, what thy will and word is, even to Kings and mighty men of the earth, with whom I shall then be of equall levell, and so have opportunity in that condition to converse more with them, than now I have, and I promise to improve it when I have it.

4747And I will delight my self in thy commandments, which I have loved.47 And then will I as a man set at liberty from restraint, run the wayes of thy commandments, by dayly and frequent doing them, my delight shall be to be conversant in thine ordinances, which I have longed for, and heartily loved, and desired to be an actour in, but hitherto have been an exile from them, which hath set a vehement edge upon mine appetite, which then I will satiate.

4848My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in thy statutes.48 For then both heart and hand shall act for thee, my whole man, with my whole might, shall be set on work to know and do thy whole will in thy law revealed, which I have dearly loved and longed to do, and will perform them in spirit as well as in letter, for when my mind is free from these distractions, it shall move in a higher sphear, and be active in and about the Gospel-sence of thy laws and ordinances.

Zain.Zain. The seventh letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the seventh part.

4949Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.49 Be mindfull of thy word of promise, and voluntary ingagements made to me thy chosen, though unworthy servant, touching grace, preservation, and deliverance, upon which as thou hast commanded me, so also hast thou effectually over-powered, & enabled me by thy spirit, to rest in assured hope of thy faithfulness, and my happiness thereby.

p. 59150 Throughout all my long and tedious triall where with thou afflictedst me,5050This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. I have nothing to bear up upon but this, and I bless thee for it, this serves the turn to do it, thy promise through faith doth comfort and cordialize my heart, and hath done many a time, when to sence and reason I have been a dead man.

51 My faith,5151The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. and I for my faiths sake, have been exceedingly slighted and scorned by mine enemies, men of proud and carnall minds, yet have I neither been afraid nor ashamed of my cause or confidence, but hauehave stuck to thy promises in faith and obedience, waiting the fulfilling of them.

52 I was ever confident that as mine enemies had their time,5252I remembred thy judgements of old, O Lord, and have comforted my self. so thou wouldest have thine, and that I should see thee as just in reward and punishment as heretofore, when by miracle thou savedst thy people, and destroyedst thine and their adversaries, the consideration hereof, knowing thee to be the same unchangeable God in omnipotency and faithfulness, hath alwayes born up my heart comfortably in hope of no worse success.

53 And were it not for thy word of promise,5353Horrour hath taken hold upon me: because of the wicked that forsake thy law. and works of power and providence, that the faith of these are a stay to me, I were of all men most miserable, for the horrid insolencies, & unjust violences of my wicked and graceless enemies, that have no fear of God before their eyes, but reject both thee and thy precepts, it makes me tremble to think of it, and the heavy judgements that will befall them for it, so, at present I feel the evil effects thereof, being driven to extream straits and perplexities both of body and mind, by these impious lawless wretches.

p. 5925454Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrim age.54 For my life is no better to me by their persecution and prosecution of me from place to place, than a perpetuall pilgrimage, so that my dwelling is no dwelling, for I am in a continuall peregrination, restlesly changing my station, sometimes in caves, sometimes in desarts, and sometimes in exile and banishment, yet every where and at all times the memory and meditation of thine engagements and promises concerning me, which bind thee by grace, as laws do us by duty, and are thy statutes, as well as are thy commandments, have cheared up my heart, and were, as my songs, and instruments of musick heretofore were wont to be unto me, at leasurable times in mine own house.

5555I have remembred thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.55 I have made it my imployment, and set my seriousest thoughts on work upon the minding and meditating thy faithfulness, power, and justice, when others have been refreshing their bodies with rest in the night season, then have I been refreshing my weary and carefull mind, with pondering thee in thine excellencies, O Lord: and have been so setled in mind thereby, as I have taken up a resolution by carnall and sinfull shifts, never to prevaricate what ever come of me, but to persist in faith and holiness to the end.

5656This I had: because I kept thy precepts.56 These soul supportations, renewed graces, and heart comfortings, the Lord vouchsafed me in the meditations of him, his promises, and properties, because I was conscionable and carefull to walk alwayes in all things to his well-pleasing, therefore did he reward and sustain me with these divine cordialls, and comforts, in the time of my comfortless peregrination.

p. 593Cheth. Cheth.The eighth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the eighth part.

57 The comforts and confidences of worldly men,5757Thou art my portion, O Lord, I have said, that I would keep thy words. are in worldly things, there portion is here below in things (I bless my God) too low for me, who have no happiness, contentment, or confidence short of God, who is all in all to me, and as, Lord, thou art mine, so I have fully purposed to be thine, and to yield thee faithful and fruitful obedience in dependencie on thy promises, and conformitie to thy precepts.

58 Lord,5858I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. thou knowest what value I have alwayes set on thy favour, how above all blessings I have lain at thee for that, as more to me than all besides, so that before and above all, have I preferred and sought it as my choicest and chiefest happiness, and therefore beg of thee that I may ever be blessed with thy grace, merciemercy, and truth, vouchsafed and fulfilled according to promise.

59 Fearful was I to offend,5959I thought on my wayes, and turned my feet into thy testimonies. and forfeit that thy favour I set so much by, and therefore was alwayes solicitous and thought-ful of the steps I took, whether they tended to thy pleasing or displeasing, and if at any time by temptation or frailty I began to be misbiassed, or that actually I deviated before I was awar, I quickly (through thy grace) recollected my self, and faced about.

60 When I found mine errour I soon quit it,6060I made hast, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. no reasonings of flesh and bloud prevailed to make me persist, but by the power of thy grace, I broke through all impediments to serve and please thee.

61 Wicked men by wicked wayes have prospered and thriven,6161The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgot thy Law. and by combination have turned me out p. 594of all, and enriched themselves with my spoils, but for all that I have stuck to my tackling, held close to faith and a good conscience in believing, and doing as I was appointed, and left their punishment and my vindication unto thee.

6262At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee: because of thy righteous judgements.62 And it no whit repents me, but exceedingly rejoyceth me of that thy gracious supportation of my faith, yea, such peace of conscience it brings with it, and such a seal of special favour it is unto me, according to thy righteous ingagements to be thus inabled to walk holily, as that the thoughts thereof are more sweet and refreshing to my mind, than sleep to my nature, and make me suspend the one, even in the season thereof, to feed upon the other, and make thankful repayment of my debts and endearments contracted thereby.

6363I am a companion of all them that fear thee: and of them that keep thy precepts.63 Thy wayes, and they that walk in them, are my delight, I fear thee my self, so I love all those that do so, I have no pleasure, as not in wickedness, so nor in wicked men, but the out-casts of the world, such as I my self am, that fear to offend thee, and desire to please and serve thee, these have my heart, and with such will I stand and fall, live and die.

6464The earth, O Lord; is full of thy merciemercy: teach me thy statutes.64 As a faithful Creator thou hast plentifully provided for man and beast, nature is well stored with varieties of created conveniencies for all kinds of Beings upon earth, which also are mercifully continued, though long since forfeited by the fall. But, O Lord, there is one thing necessarie, and a merciemercy more worth than all these, and that is to be able to see and seek a happiness that is above nature, and that grows in no earthly soil, to have a frameable and teachable heart, Lord, grant me that, write thy Law in it, and let both p. 595thy precepts and promises be believed, and obeyed by me, That is my desire.

Teth. Teth.The ninth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the ninth part.

65 I have not found thy grace or truth to fail me,6565Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. but as I have endeavoured to approve my self a good servant, so, O Lord, have I found thee a good master, true of thy promise, and as good as thy word.

66 Lord,6666Teach me good judgement, and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. give me a right understanding of things that differ, let me not mistake falshood for truth, nor evil for good, but teach me to know the thing that good is, and dispose mine heart and affections practically thereunto, for so far as I have been taught by thy spirit, I have gladly imbraced and conscionably obeyed, and not refused either belief or subjection to any thy commandments.

67 My very afflictions through thy grace and faithfulness,6767Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. are become wholsom physick and good documents to me, for I was apt to wander out of thy way, until I smarted for my folly, but now I have learned another lesson, and have ever since run another course, kept close to thy will revealed in thy word without hearkening to the dictates of corrupt reason, tending to self-pleasing or self-saving, which before were too prevailing.

68 Goodness of all kinds,6868Thou art good, and doest good, teach me thy statutes. O Lord, is natural to thee, so it is not to us in any kind, for there is none good but God, and flows plentifully from thee, as all creatures but man especially can witness, of whose bountie they have their beings, and those beings their subsistencies all the world over, but Lord it is thy saving goodness that I pray to partake of, my soul is more to me than my bodie, p. 596and grace than nature, therefore do I beg special and supernatural grace and wisdom to know and do thy will, which I prefer before common and natural benefits, the pleasing of thee before either profit or pleasure to my self, of thy goodness grant me this, which is part of the divine nature, and onelyonly makes man like to God in being and doing good, which I would both be and do.

6969The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.69 My proud disdainful enemies that fear not God, nor care not what wickedness they commit in word or deed to discredit me, have falsly aspersed me for a traiterous conspiratour, and that it is my ambition, not thy determination that puts me upon expectancie of the Kingdom, but I am resolved, this slaunder shall not stagger me, but in confidence of thy truth and mine own integritie, I will persist to serve thee in sinceritie of heart, who I know wilt vindicate mine innocencie, and make appear their forgerie.

7070Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in thy Law.70 Their worldly pomp and plentie hath made their hearts so gross and carnal, as that their consciences are benummed and sensless, and their minds puft up with pride and arrogance, they sin without restraint, and scoffe at pietie as pusillanimitie, but thy Law is my delight, though not theirs, I am troubled when I break it, and glad at heart when I do and can keep it through thy gracious enablement.

7171It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statutes.71 Yea, such is my love to holiness, that I never think it a dear purchase whatsoever it cost me, and therefore value mine afflictions, which in merciemercy thou sentest to beget in me a teachable and tractable heart to thy commandments, above their prosperitie that hardeneth their hearts in ignorance and carnallitie.

7272The Law of thy mouth is better unto me, than thousands of gold and silver.72 Thy word and Law written in my heart, effectually p. 597taught and wrought there by thy spirit, however it is counter to my corruptions, yet because as it is thine, (so pliable hast thou made my will to thy will) even therefore do I praise it, and apprehend my self more enriched with my knowledge of it and love to it, than if I had the wealth the world so dotes on in never so great abundance.

Iod. Iod.The tenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the tenth part.

73 Thou,7373Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. Lord, that madest me was pleased to difference me from other creatures, by endowing me with natural capacities above them, so that though I have lost my created perfections of righteousness and holiness, yet not my created and passive capacities of thy renewing them again in me, my soul hath the same faculties, and my bodie the same parts and Organs thou gavest me at the first, in, and upon which thou art able to re-imprint thine image; vouchsafe me I pray thee thy renewing grace more and more, powerfully enlighten my dark understanding, encline my whole man, O Lord, to the loving and obeying of thy whole will, I am still thy creature, renew thy likeness.

74 If Lord thou wilt strengthen thy graces in me,7474They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have hoped in thy word. and enable me to hold out stedfast in faith and holy obedience to the end, and then reward thine own graces in me with a happie issue and close of things, how will it rejoyce the hearts of thy servants that fear thee, and hope in thee? when they shall see me have overcome all my miseries, and be possessed of my hopes and thy promises, because of thy gracious enabling me to hold out in affiance of thy word, it will affect them greatly.

p. 59875 I know,7575I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right: and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. O Lord, that thou art righteous in what thou sayest, and doest, thy word and thy works are consentaneous, thy faithfulness is fulfilled in my very afflictions though seemingly otherwayes thy judgements and mercies, and shall conduce to bring about thy promises made to me.

7676Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort; according to thy word unto thy servant.76 Let, I pray thee thy merciemercy of favour and grace long since promised me, be in the faith of it a continual comfort to me, yea, Lord, comfort me thy servant chosen and called, with the accomplishment of it, according to thy word.

7777Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy Law is my delight.77 Make me inwardly sensible of those tender affections which thou bearest me, that they may help to revive me in this comfortless condition whilest it lasts, and express them also in outward manifestations, let me see thy pitie and compassion in a comfortable deliverance and conclusion, that I may live free from these troubles which makes my life a very death, for how ever by frailtie I have and cannot but offend thee, yet thou knowest thou hast mine heart and good will in all things to serve and obey thee, that is my desire, and in that I delight.

7878Let the proud be ashamed, for they dealt perversly with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.78 Let not me therefore miscarrie by the hands of proud men and evil doers, that are lawless and scorn subjection, Lord, let them miscarrie in their designs and evil purposes, for thou knowest how contrarie to their consciences they have persecuted me as nocent, when as they know me to be an innocent person, but their dealing shall not make me forget my dutie, I will keep mine eye still fixed upon that, and walk stedfastly in the way of thy precepts, in confidence of my reward and their punishment.

p. 59979 Give me such remarkable deliverance and so change the scene, 7979Let those that fear thee, turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.that those of thy people that truly fear thee, and have been savingly enlightened by thee, whom my afflictions have staggered, or that have been misled by delusions and false reports, may see convincing signs of thy special favour to me, and purposes concerning me, and thereby be encouraged and invited in the faith of thy promises, and my innocent cause to take part and joyn with me, against mine enemies.

80 Let me be enabled by thy gracious assistance to keep faith and a good conscience stedfast to the end,8080Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. that I lose not the prize by falling short of the goal, fainting either in faith or dutie, and so render my self and cause a laughing-stock to mine enemies, which is it they would have.

Caph. Caph.The eleventh letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the eleventh part.

81 Lord,8181My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. I have waded through many and grievous troubles, and with much long-suffering have a long time eagerly longed and looked for thy promised deliverance, almost to the exhausting of my soul and spirit in sighs and groans after it, but yet it comes not, nevertheless I am still sustained in faith, and am resolved to live and die in expectation of thy promise, no length of time, nor trouble, shall null my hopes, nor, I am confident the thing I hope for.

82 I have waited long & dreely looked for the accomplishment of thy promise,8282Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, when wilt thou comfort me? even to the weakening of my p. 600sight & impairing my senses, every foot thinking within my self, as my mind gave me and occasion was offered, that sure this is the time, and that the opportunitie, that I shall be delivered, but still I am prolonged and put off, sighing out my hopes, with, If not now Lord, when then will the time be, and what the means that must fulfil thy word, and my desire?

8383For I am become like a bottle in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes.83 The scorching sun of adversitie hath allmost quite exhausted my radical moisture, my spirits which should animate my members, and extrinsical parts are spent with continual grief by reason of afflictions, and disappointments of my longing expectations, which lingringly consume and wast me into leanness and deformitie, like a bladder or a skin-bottel hung up in a chimney, that in tract of time will parch and crack and shrink up into wrinckles not like it self, and so am I become, yet though nature thus decayes, grace does not, by thy goodness to me I am, for all that, upheld in care and conscience to do thy will, and believe thy word.

8484How many are the dayes of thy servant; when wilt thou execute judgement on them that persecute me?84 Lord, how long too, is the end of my miseries? consider how much of my life is allready spent and wasted in them, even of mine, who am appointed and designed by thee for great and special services in thy Church, therefore consider me who would fain be imployed, to shorten these dayes; when shall they that unjustly would cut me off, be themselves justly so served? and I set free to serve thee.

8585The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy Law.85 Mine enemies that scorn thy commands, and me thy servant, have not onelyonly persecuted me with open violence, but with cunning craft and dissimulation sought my life, for their will is their Law, and not thy word, to which they yield no manner of obedience, p. 601nor bear no regard, but practice what them list though never so wicked and unjust, so it serves their turns.

86 But,8686All thy commandments are faithful, they persecute me wrongfully, help thou me. Lord, I have another estimate of thy commandments, I set not so light by them, for I am sure they come from a faithful God, who may suffer the wicked for a time to sin against them, but the punishment due to those that break them, shall befal them, and so shall the reward promised to them that keep them; in the faith whereof I do and will innocently persevere, and pray thee to make it good, in my help and deliverance from, and upon, these treacherous and unjust persecutours.

87 Mine enemies,8787They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not thy precepts. men of the world, that take all wayes and advantages upon earth against me, had what one way and other by their continual vexations and my griefs allmost brought me down to the grave, and got the better of me, hadst not thou been above them, and heaven more my friend than earth, where I had no help, but when I was at lowest, hopeless and helpless, as to outward appearance, I still kept faith and a good conscience, hoping in thee.

88 Lord,8888Quicken me after thy loving kindness, so shall I keep the testimonie of thy mouth. give me to enjoy that happie condition which of thy free grace and loving beneficence thou hast promised me, which will be as a resurrection to life from death, after so many sorrows as I have undergone, so shalt thou both ingage and enable me, when I am set free from these hinderances to do thy whole will and walk in thy Law, which bears the stamp of Divine and royal authoritie upon it, and therefore is worthy of reverend and solemn observance and obedience, which then I will be sure to pay to it, but now I cannot.

p. 602Lamed.Lamed. The twelfth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the twelfth part.

8989For ever, O Lord, thy word is setled in heaven.89 Thy word and decree, O Lord, is as firm as thy self, no chances nor changes here below can make void what thou above hast determined shall be, nor can time it self wear out, what thou that art eternal before all time hast appointed.

9090Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.90 Our faith may bear it self boldly upon thy faithfulness, which according to thy word of truth and promise is allwayes the same, how ever matters frame or seem to be out of frame, therefore it is that the world is not long since dissolved, because thou hast decreed and promised the continuance of it, therefore, and for no natural cause doth the earth thus long subsist in nature and order.

9191They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.91 All created Beings according to their several natures, stations, and operations, are as at the beginning, thou in wisdom determinedst them, which else of themselves would run into confusion and destruction, what Laws thou gavest them they keep, and thereby are themselves kept and preserved, for all the elements and elemental creatures as they are made by thee, so they are made for thee, to be at thy ordering and dispose, and so they are, and not at their own, and it is well for us and them, they are so.

9292Unless thy Law had been my delights: I should then have perished in mine affliction.92 And surely, Lord, I hold by the self-same tenure the creation does, as it had been long since dissolved and annihilated, but for the Law of orderly existence thou laidst upon it, whereby ever since it retains a beautiful being, notwithstanding the contradictions that are in those primarie principles the elements, p. 603as also the strange concussions and alterations that time and sin hath brought forth; So unless I also had thy righteous word to stay my heart upon, and to chear up my soul with, which I knew would not fail me in those various providences and strange agitations which I have undergone, I could never have lasted thus long, but had long ere this been in my grave, by the outward pressures and inward griefs I underwent.

93 I have cause all the dayes of my life thankfully to remember and bear in mind,9393I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. and I hope I shall, thy faithfulness, according to what thou hast ordeined in thy word for me to trust in, and yield obedience to, many a time in mine extremitie when my spirit was readie to sink and die within me, thou hast therewith comfortably revived and cheered me, and set me upon my feet.

94 Let me to the end have experience of thee to be the self-same God in truth and goodness,9494I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. preserve me in, and deliver me out of this my sad condition, let nothing fail me that thou hast spoken, who am related in a nearer proprietie to thee than that of creation, I am thy son and servant, not passively but actively, by a gratuitous intrinsical principle, as thou hast chosen me, so I have chosen thee for my Lord and Master, and thy Laws for the rule of my faith and manners, and allwayes consult them to that purpose.

95 I have been in a many a sore temptation and imminent peril of my life by sinister plots and practises of my ungodly adversaries,9595The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. and still am, yet will I not deviate by sinful shifts, but studie to keep faith and a good conscience, for so art thou ingaged to my securitie by thy word the testimonie of thy truth.

p. 6049696I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.96 There is but a finite and transitorie good in the very best things that are, their natures are too narrow to give either full content to a mans mind, or stay to a mans heart, being subject to alter or end, as I have found by experience, and know by reason, but thy word is all-sufficient, nothing pertaining to holiness or happiness, stay or contentment, is wanting in thy Law or Divine dispensation, nor shall be to him that believes and obeyes it, for the dimensions of it are as large as thy self, in truth and goodness infinite, and permanent, superabundantly soul-satisfying.

Mem.Mem. The thirteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the thirteenth part.

9797O how love I thy Law? it is my meditation all the day.97 I for my part see so much goodness, and find so much settlement in and by thy word, that the love of it far transcends the love of all things else, I cannot express the affections I bear it, they are so ardent towards it that they set my mind on work continually upon it, my thoughts and meditations are day and night taken up with the consideration and application of the blessed soul-affecting Divine truths and benefits, contained and exhibited in that Law and word of thine.

9898Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.98 By thine instructing and enabling me to walk according to the rule of faith and righteousness commanded in thy word, thou hast thereby prospered me above mine enemies, and made this mine holy simplicitie to be too hard for their subtilitie and craft, which hath never yet taken effect against me, but come to naught and ever will, whilest by thy grace I abandon the wisdom of the flesh, and walk in the p. 605wisdom of thy spirit and word, which I am careful to do allwayes in all things, and prosper by it.

99 I have had the benefit of education,9999I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my mediation. and humane helps, as to the affairs and literature of the world, and conversed with men of understanding, and seen the wayes that they have gone in the managing of their transactions, and when I sum up all the wisdom that ever I have learned and known, I both count it and find it to be but foolishness compared, with the studie and practise of those holy and righteous rudiments thy word dictates, wherein I bless thee, I have through thy grace, being taught of God, out-stript all humane teaching and teachers, by delightning to know, and do thy will revealed for my direction and supportation.

100 Yea,100100I understand more [than the ancients: because I keep thy testimonies. I find by experience though young, that godliness is greater wisdom and better succeeds a mans affairs, by the blessing of God according to his promises thereupon, than the advice and counsel of the grave senatours and sages of the world, who pretend and justly to great wisdom by advantage of years and experience, yet with reverence to those hoary heads, I like my wisdom which is thine, better than theirs, and find sinceritie the best policie, and that the best wisdom is to do thy will, which accordingly I endeavour.

101 I have I bless thee,101101I have refrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy word. ever since thou taughtest it me been of that mind, and my practise hath been answerable, for my care was still at no rate to sin, but in every thing to tread the steps thy word hath chalk'd me out, and leave the rest to thee.

102 I have not suffered my self to be misled,102102I have not departed from thy judgements: for thou hast taught me. and seduced by mine own or other mens counsels from p. 606keeping thy commandments, which I am sure must judge me and all men else, for I bless thee thou hast taught me better by thy word, and over-powered me by thy spirit to yield to those thy teachings, which therefore have been to strong for my temptations, which else had been too strong for me.

103103How sweet are thy words unto my tast! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.103 I cannot express for any to understand, but my self that feel it, what pleasure and contentment thy covenant of grace and adoption with its concomitant promises, and precepts of holiness and happiness believed and applied, brings to my soul and conscience, beyond all earthly comparisons, hony to my pallate is not comparable.

104104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.104 I make thy precepts my studie and meditation, whereby I get, by thine assisting grace, good understanding and enablement to avoid by-wayes of sin and errou…, tending to thy displeasing, whereunto I am tempted, but make constant resistance, and from my heart detest deviation, as knowing holiness onelyonly leads to happiness, and hath the promises both of this life, and of that to come.

Nun.Nun. The fourteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the fourteen part.

105105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.105 Lord, throughout this untrodden path of mine where there are so many ways to miscarrie, & the right way so hard to hit, the world and Satan without, flesh and corruption within, counselling this & that to make me stumble and fall: my manner is to silence them all, & consult thy word the Divine light whereof of guids me out of, and dispels those mists and fogs that carnal reason, taking advantage of my present temptation, casts before mine eyes, and sets me into and leads me on in the path of thy well-pleasing, which I choose to walk.

p. 607106 As Lord thou hast been pleased to enter covenant with me,106106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. of pardon, acceptance, and grace, so also have I stipulated with thy Majesty, and bound my self by solemn vow for ever to be thine obedient and faithful servant and subject, and by thy gracious assistance I am accordingly purposed to walk in conformitie to thy Law, the righteous rule of thee my righteous Judge.

107 My affliction and grief is very great,107107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. remember Lord it is for thy sake, and by thy providence befallen me, therefore grant me what thou hast promised me, comfort in, and deliverance out of my calamities.

108 Thou knowest,108108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgements. O Lord, I am debarred from sacrificing to thee, as else I would, but that which is the substance of those ceremonies, the free-will-offerings of praise and thanks-giving, those I can and do offer, which I pray thee accept, and shall give me cause so to do by teaching me to know, and do thy righteous precepts in all my difficult cases, and great temptations.

109 I am in perpetual peril of my life,109109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy Law. imminent danger and destruction is ever at hand, yet through faith in thee they do not distract or afright me from my dutie to thee, and thy commandments, but I call them to counsel, and have them in mind at every turn.

110 I have been attempted upon and my life laid for by wicked dissemblers that rather than their lives would have had mine,110110The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I erred not from thy precepts. and cared not how nor which way, yet I have not revenged my self, nor taken indirect wayes against them, as they do against me, but have committed my cause to thee and kept thy commandments.

p. 608111111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever; for they are the rejoycing of my heart.111 I have abandoned all confidence and contentment in every thing, saving thy precious promises, and covenant-ingagements, the testimonies of thy love, wherewith alone I am sufficiently enriched, and as well by voluntarie election, as outward necessitie have chosen thy free grace testified in thy word, as my chief and onelyonly portion to be happie by for ever; for my heart can take felitie in nothing else, comparatively to them, they rejoyce me above my sorrows.

112112I have enclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.112 And as I have chosen thy free grace for ever to be happie by, so in like sort have I given my self a free-will-offering unto thee again, for ever to be thine, in love, and thankful obedience to thy commandments.

Samech.Samech. The fifteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the fifteenth part.

113113I hate vain thoughts: but thy Law do I love.113 Temptations have wrought upon my corruptions and suggested this thing and that to me, tending to misbelieving and misdoing, but though I could not hinder my mind from entertaining the thoughts of them, yet I allwayes set my will on work to dismiss and oppose them, they had no room in my heart, though they intruded into my head, for there thy Law kept them out, which hath anticipated mine affections, and sequestred them to it self from all Heterodox suggestions to the contrarie.

114114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.114 I abhor all sinful shifts and carnal securities, thou onelyonly art my securitie and defence what ever my danger be. Thy word of truth and goodness do I flie to, and confide in, and in no earthly refuge whatsoever.

115115Depart from my ye evil duers; for I will keep the commandments of my God.115 This is the full and final purpose of mine heart, p. 609therefore all that are not thus minded, I renounce them as no friends nor counsellours of mine, they that do evil and would have me do so, avant, for I am resolved what ever others think, say, or do, to stick to my principles and to my God, to be saved in the way of faith and Godliness, or to perish.

116 This is my purpose,116116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. but, Lord, the power of performance is from thee, and truly therefore do I purpose it, because thou hast promised it, thou hast said I shall, and therefore is it that I say I will, fail me not then I beseech thee neither of grace nor protection, but grant me both, that neither by my sin, nor thy desertion I perish, but may live holily and hopefully to thy glorie and my comfort, and never have cause by my miscarriage either in sin or success, to be ashamed of my confidence, or frustrated of my expectation.

117 Do thou,117117Hold thou me up and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Lord, support and preserve me, and then I am sure not to fall (as on the other hand if thou do not uphold me, I am sure not to stand,) whereby I shall be confirmed in well-doing, for thy grace can onelyonly establish me, and thy gracious performances will strengthen and ingage me more and more in faith and obedience to the end.

118 Thou hast made examples good store in several ages of the world of thy dislike of wicked workers,118118Thou hast troden down all them that erre from thy statutes: for their deceit is falshood. worldly wise, and carnal confident men, by executing vengeance, and bringing fierce destruction upon them, and made it appear plain enough, how vain and deceiveable such wayes and confidences are, which thy word doth not warrant, and that truth and safety are onelyonly there to be had.

119 I well know of what value and esteem wicked men,119119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. how ever the world thinks of them, are of with p. 610thee, and what ends they make compared to the godly, they are to thee as refuse dross to refined silver, and so shall be differenced and distinguished by thee, in thy wrath they shall be consumed with all their earthly confidences, and go out like a snuff, whilest those that serve thee, and were as dross in the worlds eye, are notwithstanding highly esteemed of thee, and safely preserved by thee, both living and dead they are precious to thee, therefore do I stick to what thy word warrants and testifies to be thy will, that I obey, love, and delight in, spite of the wicked of the world, their hatred and contempt of me and it.

120120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgements.120 I see such effects of sin and so well know the doom of sinners, that I fear more to offend thee and incurre thy displeasure, than any evil that can else befal me, from which I chiefly pray to be delivered.

Ain.Ain. The sixteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the sixteenth part.

121121I have done judgement and justice: leave me not to mine oppressours.121 Thou, Lord, knowest mine innocencie and the uprightness of mine heart and conversation to my very enemies in this very cause, wherein I am so wrongfully and injuriously prosecuted and persecuted, neither thinking nor doing them evil, no not evil for evil, therefore in thy righteousness take part with the righteous, and leave me not to the merciemercy, or rather expose me not to the crueltie of mine oppressours that seek my life.

122122Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.122 Do thou in grace and faithfulness own thy servant and his innocent cause for thine, to protect him and it, from the violence of his clamorous bloud-thirsty p. 611adversaries, let them not by their potencie, which makes them proud, wrongfully ruin me as they desire to do.

I have waited long and dreely looked even to the weakning of my sight,123123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. and impairing of my senses, for thee to deliver me, and fulfil the word of grace, thy promise of salvation, which thou the righteous God hast made unto me, and will undoubtedly fulfil in righteousness.

124 Lord,124124Deal with thy servant according unto thy merciemercy, & teach me thy statutes. thou knowest the hardship I undergo, the temptations wherewith my faith and holiness is assaulted and endangered. Good Lord, have compassion upon me, that am and desire to be thy faithful and obedient servant, and in tender merciemercy deal gently with me, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil, I know my frailty, therefore in self-diffidence I pray thee, at every turn stand by me to instruct and inable me what to do, that I erre not.

125 Thou hast honoured me to be thy servant both by effectual calling,125125I am thy servant, give me understanding: that I may know thy testimonies. and special designment to extraordinarie imployment in thy Church, therefore furnish me with such a measure of illumination and sanctification, that I may walk worthy my high calling, and evermore to the end approve my self that which I am by a proportionable measure of grace, enabling and assisting me to know, and do thy will constantly.

126 It is high time,126126It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy Law. O Lord, for thee to shew thy self in some remarkeable manner against my proud enemies, and to execute judgement upon them, nor so much for my sake as thine own, for such is their presumption that they care as little for thee as me, slighting thy Law and scorning obedience to it, as if it were a thing of nought, to no purpose and of no authority.

p. 612127127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.127 And surely, Lord, so ill do I like their manners, that I love thy commandments the better for it, because they are so contrarie to them, the less they set by them, and the more they value the wealth of the world, the more I value them, and the less I set by it, for swine know not the worth of pearls, no treasure under heaven is so precious and profitable in mine eye, nor indeed in it self, or to the possessour, as thy Law and Commandments are to the sincere professour and practiser of them, the holy dictates of a holy God making both holy and happie them that know and do them which I desire, and good, Lord, grant me to do, above all things, as alone sufficient, to make me both rich and happie to my hearts content.

128128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right: and I hate every false way.128 As black sets forth white, and a crooked line a streight one, so doth mine enemies wayes thy commandments in their puritie and rectitude, their deformed and crooked courses of impietie and iniquitie makes the line of thy precepts much more streight and right in mine eyes, yea, those that carnal sence and corrupt reason can worst approve of, to me through thy grace they are most precious and desireable, as tending to nearest perfection and likeness with thy self, and on the contrarie, as I love thy Law which they hate and make void, so do I hate what they love, sinful deviations and prevarications.

Pe.Pe. The seventeenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the seventeenth part.

129129Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore doth my soul keep them.129 Mans reason and understanding is both contrarie to, and infinitly short of comprehending the holy and high mysteries of salvation and Godliness revealed in thy word, which nature could never have known nor taught us, had they not been supernaturally p. 613revealed, being the hidden uncreated wisdom of God, taught and wrought in the souls of thy servants by extraordinarie illumination, and of special grace and favour, therefore for their Divine nature and worths sake, which in merciemercy thou hast opened mine eyes to see, though others do not, do I love and delight in them, meditate and obey them, even lay out my whole strength upon them.

130 In whomsoever,130130The enterance of thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple. and at what time soever, thy word by the efficatious working of thy spirit first takes saving and sanctifying impression, there, and then, and never till then, the sun of righteousness rises with light and healing, to the expulsion and dispersion of that deadly darkness that naturally benighteth every soul; man though otherwise never so worldly wise, is but a very fool, vain, and ignorant both of truth and goodness, till thou write thy Law in his heart, that and onelyonly that is true wisdom, and they and onelyonly they have true understanding though otherwise never so foolish.

131 I for my part never longed more after meat and drink in my greatest extremitie of hunger and thirst,131131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. nor any creature living, than I did for the incomming of thy word with power into my soul, when it was under the guilt and dominion of sin, O the sighs and groans that I incessantly breathed forth, after my transforming, and thine inabling grace to believe and obey.

132 Thou,132132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Lord, knowest how I longed and still do to serve thee out of a sincere and hearty love to thee; Let therefore thine eye of grace and compassion be upon me, mercifully to keep me from falling into sin, or by sin into thy displeasure, as thou hast promised, and in thy goodness art accustomed to do to such as p. 614thou knowest I am a lover of, and hoper in thy grace, truth, and merciemercy.

133133Order my steps in thy word, and let not any iniquitie have dominion over me.133 Let my whole conversation & course of life by thy spirit, according to thy word, the rule of holiness and righteousness, be powerfully over-ruled & ordered in all things, and let not my innate pravity by force or subtility of temptation in no case overmaster thy grace, and make me sin against thee, whom I desire to serve.

134134Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.134 My greatest temptation and fear is the unjust violence and cruel persecution of mine enemies, thou that art the Almighty and gracious Lord God, set me free and deliver me from the injuries of proud malicious minded men, so shall I be ingaged and inabled when set at liberty, thankfully and chearfully to serve and please thee.

135135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy statutes.135 Bring me out of this comfortless darksom condition threatening thy displeasure, whereby I have nothing but troubles without, and sorrows within, let me by deliverance see the skie clear up upon me, let thy favourable aspect break forth from under this cloud, and Lord, it is as well the light of grace as comfort, of sanctification as deliverance, that I beg of thee, the one without the other will but little profit nor please me.

136136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes: because they keep not thy Law.136 So deeply am I affected with the opprobries and contempt that thou undergoest by the wicked of the world, specially mine enemies who turn grace into wantonness, and make thy impunity their immunity to sin, that it is a greater trouble and grief of heart to me than any I undergo in mine own behalf, and costs me as many sighs and tears the injuring of thee in thine honour, as my self in my peace and innocencie, which I should be as glad were vindicated, and they punished as I delivered.

p. 615Tsaddi. Tsaddi.The eighteenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the eighteenth part.

137 Let other men that love to live in sin think as contemptuously as they will of thee and thy Laws,137137Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgements. yet art thou, and they righteous, and so they shall find when according to those Laws thou passest a just and righteous sentence upon them for their wicked disobedience.

138 What thou hast testified to be thy will in thy word,138138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded, are righteous, and very faithful. by commanding it to be done, is just and righteous in it self, and tends to make men so if rightly performed, yea, happie also, thy commands having their rewards, which to the faithful shall be faithfully performed.

139 I sustain no small grief by my persecutours in mine own person,139139My zeal hath consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. but if I know mine own heart, it is far short of what I undergo for thy sake, the contemptuous neglect and slight esteem, which my proud enemies have of thy commandments, making a trade of sinning, hath so affected me, to see thee thus dishonoured, and thy Law unregarded, that mine ardent apprehension of it, in fervour and affection to thee, and holy impatience against them, hath meagred and impaired me much.

140 That for which others dislike and refuse thy word is,140140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. because it is in its own nature pure, and tends to the refining their natures and corrupt manners, which wicked worldlings cannot abide. And for this very reason sake do I love it, and delight in it, because it is such, and hath that gracious operation with it, for that I am thy servant and do long more and more to be so in all p. 616manner of holiness and righteousness, whereof it is the perfect rule and pattern.

141141I am small and despised; yet do I not forget thy precepts.141 I have temptations of poverty, persecution, scorn, and what not, that put me to it, yet I swerve not, nor cast not off thy yoak, though in the condition I am in, I draw hardly in it through very rough and un-even wayes; I am not mercenary, earthly felicitie is not it that moves me to, nor shall infelicitie remove me from my dutie, and allegiance to thy precepts.

142142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy Law is the truth.142 No Lord, it is the perfection of thy righteous will in thy word that draws me to it, so that nothing can seperate me from it, because it is, ever was, and shall be, the onelyonly unchangeable certain standard for holiness and happiness, life and salvation, and of that absolute truth and infallibility is thy Law and the rudiments thereof, that all else are living destructive vanities, that differ from it, and conform not to it.

143143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; yet thy commandments are my delights.143 I am under arrest, never at libertie, but a perpetual prisoner to outward trouble, and inward grief, and yet faith and a good conscience comfort me, for I am sure if I be faithful to thee in obedience, thou wilt be so to me in gracious recompence, thy word is my warrant

144144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.144 The righteousness which thou prescribest in thy Law to be observed and obeyed, is the onelyonly absolutely unchangeable infallible rule to be holy and happie by, teach me and guide me in the knowledge and practise of it, and I doubt not the consequence, because of thy faithfulness, preservation temporal and salvation eternal, how deadly and desperate soever my condition seem, will certainly be the issue.

p. 617Koph. Koph.The ninetenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the nineteenth part.

145 Thou,145145I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes. Lord, knowest the faithful and affectionate addresses I have made to thee in this my distress, not as men naturally do by instinct of fear and grief, but of faith and hope, Lord, therefore hear me praying in spirit, and grant my groans, and what thou hast or shalt command me I will gratuitously observe, and by thy grace make good my word.

146 It was thou alone that I put my confidence and hope in,146146I cried unto thee, save me: and I shall keep thy testimonies. in this my need, do not therefore deceive thy servant, nor frustrate my expectations, but according to thy promise and my dependance, preserve, and deliver me into a free and comfortable condition, wherein I may be able as well as willing to do those things which are held forth in thy word to be thy will and pleasure.

147 Night nor day have I ceased to solicit thee,147147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. my first thoughts are upon thee, I no sooner wake but my heart fals to work, and before I can see I am bespeaking thee in prayer, for delay does not abate but sharpen the edge of my hope in thy promise and faithfulness.

148 Yea,148148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. early and late do I give my self to meditation and faithful consideration of thy word, for to strengthen and direct me, consulting it at all times about all things to be ruled by it.

149 Let me prevail,149149Hear my voyce according unto thy loving kindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgement. not, Lord, for my merits, but for thy grace sake, which I have ever in mine eye, both as thy word specifies it, and thy works have allwayes manifested it to the faithful. Let my soul be evermore upheld in lively hope and expectation, by the faith p. 618of thy respective righteousness of justice and merciemercy to me and mine enemies, and let me effectually be delivered by it.

150150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy Law.150 I am sharply assaulted and sorely pursued by mischievous minded men, void of all conscience, to mine exceeding great hazard, such as greedily covet to do evil, but are far from the thoughts or care of well-doing, diametrically opposite in their wayes to thy word, have no fear of God before their eyes.

151151Thou art near O Lord: and all thy commandments are truth.151 Blessed be thy name, though they persecute me, and seemingly indanger me, yet art thou as near to help, as they to hurt, and thou wouldest not have commanded me & thy faithful people so often in thy word to believe in thee, wait for thee, and not to turn aside from thee to false refuges, and unjustifiable courses, but that in faithfulness thou wilt protect and preserve them that do so, & not let them be disappointed by so doing.

152152Concerning thy testimonies I have known of old, that thou hast founded them for ever.152 For thine injunctions of that nature, they are as true and stable, & many as firmly be believed in, as thou thy self, & have been in all ages experimentally approved so to thy Church, & are so to be to thy people for ever; grace & salvation shall allwayes be their portion.

Resh.Resh. The 20 letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the 20 part.

153153Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy Law.153 Lord, consider mine affliction according to the nature and pressure of it, which thou knowest is grievous, and let it move thee in compassion and merciemercy to deliver me out of it, as thou hast promised: For, for all my distemperature I carefully and conscionably bear in mind both for my supportation and direction, what thy word the rule of my life and foundation of my faith exhibites, to walk thereafter, not fearing God the less for fear of men.

p. 619154 Thou knowest the goodness of my cause,154154Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. mine innocencie, and the solitarie helplesness of my condition, how all is against me, and none for me, doing me all manner of wrong in word and deed, so that I have none to flie but thee, and accordingly do I make mine humble address to thy justice and merciemercy, to undertake and ingage for me against mine enemies, maintain, defend, and deliver me, and it from my wrong doers, chear up my heart in thy promises concerning it, and set me free from this impendent death and destruction, as thou hast promised.

155 I know thee too righteous to patronize mine enemies,155155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. and their cause against me or mine; thou wilt not let me perish and them prosper, but contrarily I know and am confident such wicked wretches are so far from being saved and preserved by thee as that they shall be destroyed, for they are under no promise, judgement belongs to them who neither care to know nor do what thou hast commanded.

156 Though mine afflictions be great and sorrows manifold,156156Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgements. yet thy mercies are so too, wherewith thou tenderly compassionates thy people under wrongful sufferance, O Lord, therefore chear up my heart in the hopeful expectation of thy righteous power and goodness, and faithfully fulfil it in my actual deliverance.

157 I have had asmuch provocation to sin,157157Many are my persecutors, & mine enemies: yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. and temptation to diffidence, as can well be imagined, considering my manifold dangers by open and secret enemies, and my wrongful injurious usages by word and deed of my many slanderous bloudy-minded persecutours; Yet do I keep faith p. 620and a good conscience, obey thy word, and will for all that.

158158I beheld the transgressours, and was gr…eved: because they kept not thy word.158 Mine enemies and wrong-doers did not onelyonly trouble me, as to my self, but it sadded me exceedingly for thee, to see thee so contemned, and thy word which should be a Law to them, so despised by them, walking quite contrarie.

159159Consider how I love thy precepts; quicken me, O Lord, according to thy loving kindness.159 Hereby thou mayest perceive the dear affection I bear to thy word and will revealed in it, I beseech thee take notice of it in way of gracious remuneration, and Lord, encourage me to hope, and do thou fulfill all that in thy loving kindness and grace, thou hast promised to those that do so.

160160Thy word is true from the beginning, and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.160 Thy promises have lost nothing of their virtue and vigour by their long standing, but are, as thou thy self art in goodness and faithfulness to thy people, the same that ever they were, and so shall all thy righteous ingagements be to the end, no one word shall fall to the ground that thou hast spoken in way of promise to be believed in, or of reward to be hoped for, but shall certainly be fulfilled to thy people and Church in one age as well as another, hereafter as heretofore, and now as well as either.

Schin.Schin. The 21 letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the 21 part.

161161Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but mine heart standeth in aw of thy word.161 Mine enemies, as they have not been few, so nor mean, for the chief have been chiefly against me, men of might and greatness that should yield protection and right to the innocent and oppressed, contrarily they have turned their power upon me to oppress & wrong me, to whom I never gave cause of offence, but I am, I bles thee for it, not so transported with the fear of man, p. 621as to forget God, thy word, the dutie and reverence I ow to it, hath taken such rooting in my heart, that no earthly powers can extirpate it.

162 Whensoever I have been hard beset by temptation,162162I rejoyce at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. and thy word through grace hath seasonably minded me of my faith and dutie, it hath joyed mine heart beyond expression, no victor hath joyed more in the unexpected spoils of a conquered enemy.

163 All false wayes and refuges are an abomination to me,163163I hate and abhor lying: but thy Law do I love. my mind and affections can entertain no treatie nor agreement with them, they are utterly against the hair with me, but thy Law is as consentaneous and connatural, as they are contrarie and heterogenial, I love it at my heart.

164 Continually does my heart ejaculate thy praises,164164Seven times a day do I praise thee: because of thy righteous judgements. every foot am I lifting up my soul in way of thankful acknowledgement of thy grace vouchsafed me, in seasonable and effectual revealing thy righteous truths unto me, for my support and guidance, dayly as I have need, which draws forth praises proportionably.

165 What outward troubles soever happen unto thy people,165165Great peace have they which love thy Law: and nothing shall offend them. yet in the sincere filial affection they bear to thy word and will, to live up and walk according to it, herein do they enjoy transcendent peace and happiness surmounting all miserie, for so they know they please thee, and are accepted of thee, and having God and a good conscience on their side, what can trouble them?

And for my part what thy Law requires,166166Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. that have I constantly and diligently endeavoured to perform, both by firm believing and exact walking. Thou Lord, knowest my hope of salvation has been in thee p. 622and thee onelyonly in all my troubles; and my wayes and works have been ordered by thy precepts, not by mine own corrupt suggestions.

167167My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and I love them exceedingly.167 Nor have I served thee either formally or hypocritically, with outward shews, or for base ends in the wayes and works of obedience, but with an honest sincere heart have I done thy commandments in love to thy righteous will testified in thy word, which hath my heart above all things.

168168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my wayes are before thee.168 Thy whole covenant and dispensation of thy will as well in one thing as another, have I in faith and obedience carefully observed, without willfull swerving. Thou knowest what I say to be true, who from heaven hast beheld me every step I have gone in this my troublesome pilgrimage of persecution, and as thine eye hath been upon me, so hath mine eye been upon thee all the while, as upon an all-seeing righteous judge and gracious rewarder, to aw and incourage me.

Tau.Tau. The 22 letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, signifying the 22 part.

169169Let my cry come near before thee: O Lord, give me understanding according to thy word.169 Lord, let me find favour in thine eyes, and my earnest prayer have audience at thy throne of grace, in a thing so reasonable and consonant to thy mind, as is this my request, to wit, that thou wouldest give me a good and perfect understanding of thy will effectually to be taught me by thy spirit at all times, and in all things as occasion requires and thy word dictates, and which is no more than thy word promises.

170170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.170 And as I pray to be heard concerning a good understanding to guid me in the way, so also that I p. 623may have a gracious audience, and comfortable answer concerning the end and determination of these my troubles, Lord, deliver me from them, as well as order me in them, for so also is thy promise.

171 If thou wilt be the guid of my life,171171My lips shall utter praise; when thou hast taught me thy statutes. and powerfully instruct me how to walk well-pleasingly all along this hour of temptation, and time of trial in the end thereof, when thou shalt have done so, I will pour forth praise to thee in solemn wise at thy sanctuarie.

172 Then will I magnifie the faithfulness and righteousness of thy word,172172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. and teach others to trust in it and walk by it, for that they shall be sure to find in the end, as I have done, that all it sayes is yea, and Amen, certain and infallible, materially righteous it is in it self, and effectually so to all that keep and observe it.

173 Lord,173173Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts. take my part who have taken thine, strengthen me against and deliver me from mine enemies, and out of this my perillous state, fight for me, for I fight for thee against the world and the flesh, and have chosen to imbrace thy precepts before their allurements, and preferred thy will in all things before their suggestions to the contrarie.

174 I have not sinfully shifted as I have been tempted to do,174174I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord: and thy Law is my delight. but have persevered in a faithful expectation and hopeful longing still for thy promised salvation and deliverance, for, O Lord, thou knowest mine heart is fixed upon nothing with contentment and confidence, but thy covenant-dispensation for my wellfare and happiness.

175 Do thou therefore tender me accordingly,175175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: & let thy judgements help me. let it not be in the power of mine enemies to deprive p. 624me of my soul, by taking away my life, but preserve it, (as thou hast redeemed it) from destruction, that I may live by thy merciemercy and not perish by their cruelty that seek my death, so shall I lay out and spend the life thou givest me, in faithful affectionate praises of thee all my dayes. Lord, let thy righteousness be imployed for me in my defence and preservation against mine enemies, their cruelty and oppression, according as thy word holds forth for me to trust in and rely on.

176176I have gone astray like a lost sheep, seek thy servant: for I do not forget thy commandments.176 In this wilderness of troubles that I am in, driven up and down from thy presence and people like a sheep wandred from the flock, and out of the Shepheards ken, I have, I humbly confess lost my way, and stept aside out of the direct and streight path I should have trod, by infirmitie and frailtie. O thou that art my Lord, and God, the shepheard of my soul, whose I am, and whom I desire to serve, bring me back again into the un-erring path of thy precepts, and enjoyment of sweet communion with thee & thy people, by freedom from these my troubles and temptations, for I have not cast off thy Law, though through strength of temptation I have warped, but recollect my self and remember thy commandments, approving and justifying, as holy and desireable, to conform thereunto.