Davids Blessed Man, Part 2

Davids Blessed Man · Part 2

p. 19The ſecōd generall part of the Pſalme.

NOw followeth the ſecond part of the Pſalme, in the laſt verſe, containing the confirmation of that doctrine; And that our Prophet doth by ſhewing the efficient cauſe both of the happineſſe of the one, and the miſery and wretchedneſſe of the other.

The firſt efficient cauſe of the happineſſe of the godly man is in theſe words: Becauſe the Lord knowes the way of the righteous: That is, he likes, loues, and approues of it, ſo as hee p. 20doth direct and bleſſe it: And therefore it ſhall proſper.

And the cauſe why the eſtate of the wicked is vnhappy, and their way ſhall periſh, is, becauſe the Lord doth not know their way: that is, hee taketh no delight in the way, or the life of a wicked man; hee loues it not ſo as hee ſhould direct and proſper it: And therefore it ſhall periſh.

And thus much for the meaning of the words: now let vsus come vntounto the Doctrines.

VERSE 1.

Bleſſed is the Man that hath not, &c.

BLeſſed is the man, or Oh the Bleſſedneſſe of that man, or as it is in the Originall; Oh the bleſſedneſſes of that man! They ſeeme to bee the words of a man, muſing and meditating with himſelfe, wherein mans bleſſedneſſe ſhould conſiſt. As if hee ſhold ſay: ſome pronounce him bleſſed that is in honour: ſome count p. 21them bleſſed, that hauehave aboundance of riches: ſome that liue in pleaſure: ſome place it in one thing, ſome in anothe. But, Oh the bleſſedneſſe of that man! that feares the Lord, that is truly religious, of the godly and righteous man.

Hence wee learne rhis Doctrine,Doctr. 1. The godly man alone is bleſſed. That of all men vnderunder Heauen, the godly man alone is bleſſed, and the vngodly and wicked man is curſed: The righteous man a happy man in the ſight of God, when the wicked is wretched and miſerable. This doctrine is very apparant in the word of GOD: It is the ſcope and drift of the whole Scriptures to proue this one point, That the godly man is bleſſed, and the wicked man is curſed.Pſal. 112.Ps 112 Bleſſed is the man that feareth the Lord and delighteth in his Commandement. Pſal. 119.1Ps 119:1Bleſſed be they that bee vpright in their way, and walke in the Law of the Lord. Pſalm. 32.Ps 32Bleſſed are they that keepe his teſtimonies, and ſeeke him with their whole heart. Againe,Pſalm. 37.Ps 37 Bleſſed is the man whoſe iniquity is forgiuen, and p. 22whoſe ſinne is couered. Bleſſed is hee to whom the Lord imputeth no ſinne, and in whoſe ſpirit there is no guile. Reade the ſeuen and thirty Pſalme which ſeemeth to bee penned, of purpoſe, to confirme the euerlaſting truth of this Doctrine, That the godly are bleſſed, and the wicked are curſed: and this bleſſedneſſe of theirs doth not reach onelyonly to this life, but alſo to the life to come, according to that of the Apoſtle; Godlines hath not onelyonly the promiſe of this life, but alſo the life to come. 1. Tim 4.81 Tim 4:8Yea, if wee obſerue the courſe which the Spirit of God taketh in the courſe of the whole Sciptures, it ſhall make this Doctrine ſo much the more apparant vntounto vsus; that is, That whereſoeuer there is a comfort laid downe in the Word, the ſame comfort is ſtill reſtrained to the godly. As that of the holy Apoſtle Saint Paul in the eight chapter and firſt verſe of his Epiſtle to the Romans; There is no condemnation: A maruellous comfort to heare, that wee are freed from that p. 23heauy and grieuous curſe which wee had incurred by reaſon of ſin: yet leſt the wicked ſhould preſume hereby, and take it vntounto themſelues, vntounto whom in no wiſe it doth belong: The Apoſtle reſtraineth the comfort in the ſame Verſe, to them that are in Chriſt Ieſus: and leſt men ſhould deceiue themſelues, to take this comfort to themſelues, vntounto whom it doth not belong, hee marketh them out, as it were, in their fore-heads, ſaying; They are ſuch as walke not after the fleſh; but after the Spirit. The like of Dauid, Lord who ſhall enter into thy holy Tabernacle? Pſalm. 15.Ps 15&c. Hee that hath cleane hands and pure heart, &c.

Beſides, none are bleſſed but ſuch as bee in the fauour of God, as the Prophet Dauid ſaith, In thy fauour is life, ſuch as bee reconciled to God in Ieſus Chriſt. As for ſuch as be out of his fauour, they be curſed and miſerable, bee they what they will bee: Now onelyonly the godly man that is humbled, that is ſanctified, that is p. 24borne anew, is hee alone that is in the fauour of God; therefore onelyonly the godly man is bleſſed.

Obiect.Wherein ſtands the bleſſedneſſe of Gods children, of a godly and a righteous man?

Anſw.I anſwere in this, that a godly man that is humbled for his ſins, is now reconciled to God, ſo as God the Father becomes his Father,Wherein the godly man is bleſt. adopts him to be his Childe, loues him, and delights in him as his Childe; Behold what louelove the Father hath giuen vsus, that wee ſhould bee called the Sonnes of God: 1And hereupon come the amiable and louelove-Titles that Chriſt giueth vntounto his Church;Cant. 5.2. Pſal. 105.12.13. Deut 7.6 Pſa. 91.1.2.3.Song 5:2Ps 105:12Ps 105:13Deut 7:6Ps 91:1Ps 91:2Ps 91:3 Open vntounto mee my Siſter, my LoueLove, my Doue, my vndefiled; Great are the affections of feruent louelove that parents beare towardes their Children, which none can expreſſe but they that feele; and yet all their louelove is nothing in compariſon of the louelove of God towardes his children; this the Prophet teacheth, Can a woman forget her childe, Eſa. 49.15Isa 49:15and not hauehave compaſſion on the Sonne of her p. 25wombe, yet will not I forget thee.

Another part of the happineſſe of a godly man doth conſiſt in this, that hee hath aſſurance of the pardon of his ſinnes, that they are all done away, and ſhall neuer be layd to his charge, but are waſhed away in the bloud of IESVS CHRIST, according to that of the Prophet Dauid, Pſal. 32.1. Actes 3.26Ps 32:1Acts 3:26Bleſſed is hee whoſe wickedneſſe is forgiuen.

Hee hath all his ſinnes originall and actuall,Rom 8.1. 1. Pet. 2.24 Rom. 4 5. 2. Cor. 19.Rom 8:11 Pet 2:24Rom 4:5 with the guilt and puniſhment belonging vntounto them, freely and fully forgiuen vntounto him: And all the righteouſneſſe of CHRIST freely and fully imputed vntounto him, and ſo GOD is reconciled vntounto him, and approueth him as righteous in his ſight: And thus the Apoſtle reaſoneth;Rom. 8.33.Rom 8:33 Heerein was that louelove of GOD made manifeſt amongſt vsus, becauſe GOD ſent his onelyonly begotten Son into the world, that wee might liue through him: Heerein is that louelove not that wee loued GOD, but that hee loued vsus and ſent his Sonne to p. 26be a reconciliation for our ſinnes.

3An other part of the happineſſe of a godly man doth conſiſt in this, that hee hath peace of Conſcience, whereas the wicked and vngodlie man hath a dead and ſleepie conſcience, or elſe an accuſing conſcience, There is no peace to the wicked ſaith my God:Eſay 57.Isa 57 But the godly man that is reconciled to God in Chriſt Ieſus, hath the free pardon of al his ſinnes, hee hath ſweete peace of conſcience,Rom. 4.17Rom 4:17 which doth not accuſe, but excuſe him to God, yea hee hath exceeding ioy in the HOLIE GHOST that hee knoweth his ſinnes are pardoned,Pax eſt hereditas Christianorum. Aug. Serm. de temp. according to that of the Apoſtle; The kingdome of God ſtandeth not in meate and drinke, but in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the HOLIE GHOST. And indeed whom ſhould hee feare,Perfecta & abſolata uiuſ que exuſatio teſtimonium conſcientiae ſuae. Bern. or whereof ſhould hee be afraide, God is become his Father, the Angels are become his attendants, they pitch their Tents round about them, and hauehave a charge of them, the Saints of Heauen p. 27and Earth are their fellow Brethren, the Creatures of Almightie God are their friends, yea their ſeruants to do them good al their daies.

The diuells, nor all the powers of darkeneſſe ſhall not hurt them:Pſal 37.25 Pſal. 34.7. Pſal. 91.11 Hoſea 2.18 Col. 2.15.Ps 37:25Ps 34:7Ps 91:11Hos 2:18Col 2:15 For Chriſt hath ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, and hath made a ſhew of them openly, and hath triumphed ouer them vponupon the Croſſe; yea, that which is more, the Lord Ieſus Chriſt (to whom all Iudgement is committed) is become their Lord and Sauiour: So that they ſhall neuer come into condemnation but ſhall paſſe from death vntounto life.Ioh. 5.24.John 5:24

Laſtly, the godly man is aſſured 4that the kingdome of Heauen, and eternall life belongs vntounto him; And that hee ſhall be partaker of Eternall glorie, life and ſaluation, and ſhall liue in the preſence of God the Father, the Sonne, and Holy Ghoſt for euermore;Non arrogantia eſt, ſed fides, &c. Aug. Serm. 8. and this aſſurance in the godlie, is no preſumption, but Faith, for eueryevery godly man hath in him the Spirit of Grace and Adoption; p. 28and he that hath the Spirit of Adoption, knowes that hee hath it, and is able, through the ſame Spirit, to ſay;Gala. 2.20 2. Cor. 13 5Gal 2:202 Cor 13:5 I liue, and Chriſt liueth in me: This was in Iob when he ſaid, I know that my Redeemer liueth, &c. This was in Saint Paul, Rom 8.Rom 8I am perſwaded that neyther heighth nor depth, &c. In theſe and the like Priuiledges ſtands the happie and bleſſed eſtate of Gods children.

Vſe 1 The vſe of this Doctrine is moſt excellent, for ſeeing the priuiledges of Gods ehildren are ſo great and ſo excellent, that therefore they muſt needes bee moſt happie and hleſſed: For howſoeuer the world accompt them miſerable, grinning at them with their teeth,1. Pet. 1.181 Pet 1:18 nodding at them with their heades, hiſsing at them with their tongues, and eueryevery way moſt contumeliouſly reproaching them with their wordes; yet wee ſee heere how deere and precious they are with God, and in the reputation of Ieſus Chriſt, who bought them at a price, and redeemed p. 29them euen with his owne bloud:1. Cor. 3.211 Cor 3:21 Beholde what louelove the Father hath giuen to vsus that wee ſhould be called the Sonnes of God: And for this cauſe the world knoweth you not, becauſe it knoweth not him. God is become their Father, the Sonne their Redeemer, and the Holy Ghoſt their Sanctifier, the Angells their attendants, the Scriptures their Euidences, and the Sacraments, Seales vntounto the ſame: This the Apoſtle teacheth whē he ſaith. All things are yours, and yee Chriſts, and Chriſt Gods, they are bleſſed then that are thus reconciled to God in Ieſus Chriſt: they are bleſſed that hauehave their ſinnes pardoned and not imputed vntounto them, they are bleſſed that inioy this ſweet peace of conſcience, and ioy in the Holie Ghoſt: they are bleſſed that hauehave attained to this aſſurance, that the kingdome of Heauen, eternall life and ſaluation ſhall be their reward: But the godly man is partaker of all theſe, what then ſhall hinder his happineſſe?

p. 30Three ſorts of men confuted.This ſerueth then to confute three ſorts of men: Firſt the Voluptuous man, who placeth his felicity and happineſſe in delights, pleaſures,1 Voluptuous. ſports, and paſtimes, hee loues and likes them aboue all other things, and moſt eagerly doth hunt after them:Luke 12.Luke 12 This appeared in that rich man in the Goſpell, who bad his ſoule eate, drink, and be merry, as if there were nothing elſe to be looked after, or as if mans chiefe felicity did conſiſt in theſe things.Rom 14 17 Eccles 2.Rom 14:17Eccl 2 And this was the caſe of Salomon in the dayes of his vanity, vntill he ſaw that all was but vain. Let vsus then be careful that we be not deceiued with theſe ſinfull pleaſures of this life, as to thinke therein wee are happy, but let vsus take heed vntounto this hooke of Sathan leaſt we bee taken within his ſnare. It is written, to the euerlaſting commendation of Moſes, that he refuſed to bee called the ſon of Pharaohs daughter,Heb. 11.24Heb 11:24 and choſe rather to ſuffer aduerſity with the people of God, then to enioy the p. 31pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon, eſteeming the rebuke of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt: for he had reſpect vntounto the recompence of reward.

The ſecond ſort of men heere reproued, are the ambitious,2 Ambitious that makes honor & preferment his God, as if mans chiefe felicity did conſiſt in that: this is their care and ſtudy, how to climb vp to preferment, like Abſolom that ſought to ſteale the hearts of his fathers ſubiects. And Achitophel, that was ſo proud that he could not indure a man in fauour but himſelfe, and therefore when he ſaw Huſhaies counſell receiued and his reiected, went and hanged himſelfe.Heſt. 2.3. So proud Haman was ſo vexed with Mordecay, that hee could not bee quiet till hee had wrought his owne diſtruction, and the reaſon of all is this, proſperity puffeth vp and ſtealeth away the heart of man,1 Tim. 6 9.1 Tim 6:9 making a man both to forget God and himſelfe, and therefore proſperitie is a very dangerous & ſlippery eſtate, p. 32and howſoeuer it bee much deſired and admired, yet it is full of dangers, and hedged in with many perils, and howſoeuer many are drawne away from God through perſecution and affliction, yet proſperity is more dangerous, for by it many more are drowned in ſenſualitie, and euen lulled aſleepe in carnall ſecurity.

3 Couetous.The third ſort of men here reproued, are the couetous Cormorants of the world, ſuch as make gold their God, louelove it, and delight in it more then God, as if their chiefeſt happineſſe did conſiſt in the multitude of their riches,Coloſſ. 3.Col 3 whereas indeed godlineſſe alone hath the promiſe of this life and that which is to come. And of all other ſinnes our Sauiour giues this caueat againſt this ſinne,Luk. 12.15Luke 12:15 ſaying; Take heede and beware of couetouſneſſe, and this is that which the Prophet Dauid doth pray againſt when hee ſaith;Pſ. 119.36.Ps 119:36 Incline my heart vntounto thy teſtimonies, and not vntounto couetouſneſſe. 1. Ioh. 2.151 John 2:15Hereunto agreeth that p. 33exhortation of the Apoſtle,Mat. 6.24.Matt 6:24 If anie man louelove this world, the louelove of my Father is not in him. So then, whether wee conſider that couetouſneſſe is the roote of all euill, or that there is a flat oppoſition betweene God and the world, wee muſt hold this as an euident truth, that there is no bleſſedneſſe to be found in them.

This may ſeeme to reprooue that Vſe 2 curſed, yet common opinion of the world; namely, that of all men the godly man is moſt miſerable. We ſee heere, that the LORD himſelfe doth proclaime from Heauen, that hee accompteth the godlie man a bleſſed and happy man; but yet the world, that is, wicked men in the world, iudge and deeme the godlie man, wretched and miſerable; ſuch a man as truely feareth God, hates all iniquitie, diſliketh lewd companie, makes conſcience of good dueties, as to pray in his Familie, to inſtruct his ſeruants, and children, is diligent and carefull to frequent Sermons; this p. 34man is as an Owle amongſt Birds, whooted at, and poynted at, men reproach him, and of all men hee is moſt contemned: But as Paul ſaith, thus it muſt bee, wee are brought vponupon the ſtage, we are made a gazing-ſtock to wicked men, and accounted as dung for Chriſtes ſake.

Vſe 3 This may ſerue to ſtoppe their mouthes that ſay and thinke it is in vain to ſerue the Lord, that it is loſt labour to be religious, that there is no good got by hearing of Sermons and leading of a godly life: It is, and euer hath beene the curſed thought of mans heart to thinke ſo, as in the time of the Prophet Malachie, It is loſt labour to ſerue the Lord, Mal. 3.14.Mal 3:14and what good comes there by ſeruing of GOD? So in theſe dayes it is cleare, men thinke it is in vaine to be religious, to liue godly, and in all things to labour to keepe faith and a good conſcience before God and men, But it is manifeſt heere that it is not in vaine to ſerue GOD:Note. nay it is p. 35that alone that brings a man to happineſſe and true comfort here, and an eternall meaſure of glory in the world to come: and withall this may ſerue to comfort eueryevery poore childe of God againſt al the diſcomforts & diſcouragements of the world by ſatan & his curſed inſtruments: namely, that whatſoeuer thy eſtate be, neuer ſo poore in this world, and ſubiect to neuer ſo many afflictions, yet if thou be a godly man, certainely then thou art Bleſſed: Heb. 11.24 12.23.Heb 11:24Thou that art in Gods fauour, thou that art reconciled to God in Ieſus Chriſt, and haſt thy ſinnes pardoned, eternall life belongs vntounto thee, and therfore feare not, bee not any whit diſcouraged, hold out vntounto the end, certaine it is thou art a Bleſſed Man, and in ſo doing thou ſhalt hauehave a crown of life.

Hence wee learne, that as many Vſe 4 as deſire to bee truely happy and bleſſed, may heere behold the way to bee happy and bleſſed. Wouldſt thou bee truely happy and bleſſed p. 36heere in this life, and heereafter in the life to come, wouldeſt be aſſured that thou art the childe of God, in his fauour, reconciled vntounto him in Ieſus Chriſt, wouldeſt thou bee aſſured of the ſaluation of thy ſoule? Oh labour then to become a godlie and a religious man, repent of thy ſinnes paſt, amend thy life, walke before God in new obedience, labour to keepe faith and a good conſcience, hate eueryevery euill way, cleaue vntounto the Lord, delight in his word, let it be the ioy of thine heart, then certainely thou ſhalt bee Bleſſed and happpy for euermore.

Vſe 5 To conclude, if the godly man be bleſſed, then the wicked man muſt of neceſsity be curſed: if the eſtate of the righteous and religious man be ſo comfortable and bleſſed, then the eſtate of the wicked and vngodly muſt needes be miſerable and curſed, according to that of Moſes vntounto the Iſraelites,Deu. 28.15Deut 28:15 If thou wilt not obey the voyce of the Lord thy God, as indeede Obedience is farre from a wicked p. 37man, howſoeuer he may come with Saules painted Sacrifice,Pſ. 119.21Ps 119:21 what followes: Thou ſhalt bee curſed in bodie, and curſed in ſoule, &c. Againe, Thou haſt deſtroyed the proud, and curſed are they that erre from thy Commaundements. And this miſerie of a wicked man doth conſiſt in theſe things eſpecially.

Firſt,Wherein the wicked are curſed. that hee can hauehave no aſſurance that hee is the childe of God, that he is reconciled to God in Ieſus Chriſt, or in his fauour; nay he may aſſure himſelfe, that hee is out of his fauour, and that God hates him as his enemy, and that he will manifeſt his wrath and diſpleaſure vponupon him, by plaguing him here in this life, and by damning him for euer in the life to come.

Yea the Lord beginnes that condemnatory ſentence in the heart of 1a wicked man in this life. For euerie ſinne which a wicked man doth commit, there ariſeth many times within their Conſciences, accuſing thoughts: and there is alſo a Sentence p. 38within him giuen out againſt him preſently after he hath committed ſinne, there is a ſentence within him gone out againſt him, by themſelues iudgement is gone out againſt themſelues; which ſentence albeit the wicked man doe not marke, yet the voyce of his owne diſordered affections crying out ſo loud, that hee cannot heare ths voyce of his owne conſcience accuſing and condemning him: (yet many times in this life affection is ſilent, as to Balthazar and Iudas, Dan. 5. Mat. 27.Dan 5Matt 27& then conſcience doth pronounce ſentence againſt him with a ſhrill voyce.1. Ioh. 3.201 John 3:20 Now if a mans conſcience doe condemne him, God is greater then his conſcience, and will much more condemne him.) But aſſuredly in the day of iudgement it will crye aloud in the eares of the Lord, againſt the ſinner for iudgement and vengeance. And this is not the leaſt miſery vnderunder which the wicked man remaines being out of Chriſt.

p. 39Secondly, hee can hauehave no aſſurance that his ſinnes bee pardoned, 2but rather may be aſſured that his ſinnes ſtand vp in account againſt him,Reu. 20 13Rev 20:13 and that hee ſhall bee condemned for them. For it is that prerogatiue which belongs onelyonly to the godly man to hauehave his ſinnes couered. Euen the Bleſſed Man: Pſ. 32.1.2.Ps 32:1Ps 32:2but as for the wicked and vngodly, the Lord is farre from iuſtifying them, but their ſinnes remaine yet in Gods booke of account, and ſhall aſſuredly one day bee layd to their charge, when the booke ſhall be opened, and their horrible ſinnes made manifeſt to the whole world, euen to Men and Angels, euen theſe their moſt ſecret ſinnes, which now they hauehave committed neuer ſo cloſely in the darke, ſhall then come to light, and they ſhall not hauehave ſo much as one figge-leafe to couer their nakedneſſe, or one friend to ſpeake ſo much as one word to the LORD Chiefe Iuſtice of Heauen and Earth, but their own p. 40conſciences beeing as a thouſand witneſſes againſt them, they ſhall then bee held euen ſpeechleſſe: and the Lord will manifeſt vponupon them the fierceneſſe of his wrath in that day.

3Thirdly, hee can hauehave no peace of conſcience.Eſay 57.Isa 57 For there is no peace to the wicked, but alwayes carries about him an euill conſcience, that will neuer giuegive him reſt, but is as the flaſhings of hell-fire vntounto him; or elſe hee hath in him a dead and ſleepy conſcience, ſcared, as it were, with an hot Iron, that hee feeles not the weight and burthen of his ſins; Which iudgement is no way inferiour to the former.Mal. 3.5. Ioh. 5.45. Ioſu. 24.27 Iam. 5.3.Mal 3:5John 5:45Josh 24:27Jas 5:3 Oh miſerable then is the ſtate and condition of the wicked, that hauehave no true peace in life nor death, nor after death: for the LORD himſelfe at the laſt ſhall bee a iudge and a witneſſe againſt them. Moſes & the righteous ſeruants of God ſhall be a witnes againſt them, yea the duſt of their feet that brought the glad tidings of p. 41peace ſhall witneſſe againſt them, the ſtones of the field, the poſts of their houſes, their mote-eaten garment, all ſhall come in againſt them to hinder their peace with God: and their owne conſciences, will they, nill they, ſhall cry aloud, and ſay, Righteous art thou oh Lord, and true are thy iudgements.

Fourthly, hee can hauehave no hope nor any aſſurance that he ſhall bee ſaued, but is either carried away with a carnall perſwaſion or preſumption, (which will deceiue him in the end) their conſciences being ſeared: or elſe moſt iuſtly feare that they ſhall bee damned, their conſciences being awake. Now then if this bee the fearefull, and moſt woefull eſtate of all wicked men that liue in ſinne without repentance, Who then would liue in ſuch an eſtate of life to gaine a Kingdome, in ſo great danger of eternall death and damnation eueryevery day they ariſe? why doe not ſuch repent and turne vntounto GOD that ſo they may be ſaued?

p. 42Fifthly, and laſtly, if a man bee out of Chriſt vnregenerate, let him abound neuer ſo much in wealth, liue in honour, bath himſelfe in pleaſures, yet remaining ſtill in his ſinnes he can take no ſound comfort in any of theſe:Tit. 1.13.Titus 1:13 For to them that are defiled and vnbeleeuing is nothing pure, but euen their mindes and conſciences are defiled: Their ſweete ſauours and pleaſant ſmels are ſtinch, their meats and drinkes are gall and wormewood, their delicate fare is poyſon, their coſtly apparell as menſtruous cloth, and their life a death, and they ſhall one day anſwere for eueryevery bit of bread they hauehave eaten, as theeues and vſurpers of thoſe things that are none of theirs, for of proper right they belong vntounto the godly man: & thus hauehave we briefly ſeene wherein the wicked man is curſed and miſerable.

p. 43That doth not walke in the counſell of the, &c.

THe godly mans vertues bee heere firſt ſet downe by a Negatiue conteſtation in theſe words, Hee walketh not in the counſell of the wicked: Out of which wee may obſerue that there is a counſell of the wicked: And this is either priuate amongſt themſelues, or elſe publike with others.

The counſell of the wicked which is priuate in themſelues is a rumination,Doctr. There is a counſel of the wicked as of the godly. or ſome other preparation in eueryevery wilfull and intended ſinne: And hence it is that the Schoole-men affirme that conſilium, actus, exitus, muſt concurre in eueryevery wilfull intended ſinne: And this is very apparant by the example of Ieſabel, 1. Reg. 21.8.1 Kgs 21:8that when ſhe perceiued the King to bee ſo heauy for that he could not get the vineyard of righteous Naboth, ſhee counſelled with her ſelfe what ſhe might doe to the p. 44end ſhe might obtaine it, and at laſt determined to write to the Gouernours of the Citie in Ahabs name, to proclame a faſt,2. Sam. 12.2 Sam 12 and to cauſe Naboth to bee brought forth before the Aſſembly, and ſtoned to death. This is cleere againe by the example of Dauid, when hee walking vponupon the roofe of his Palace had caſt his eyes vponupon the beauty of Bathſheba, hee did firſt take this counſell within himſelf concerning an enquiry what ſhe was; ſecondly ſent meſſengers vntounto her to moue her to lie with him; and laſtly committed the act it ſelfe. This might bee further cleared by the example of Cain, Iudas; and all to confirme the truth of this point vntounto vsus.

Beſides this priuate there is a councell of the wicked publique with other,Mich. 6.16.Mic 6:16 as in the daies of Omri, when cruell and wicked Statutes were made againſt the Lord and his people.1 Reg. 12.28.1 Kgs 12:28 So in the daies of Ieroboam how did he take counſell, and at laſt concluded to make two Calues p. 45for Diuine worſhip, the one wherof he ſet at Bethel, the other at Dan? And in the daies of Nabuchadnezar what a Decree was gone forth by the King, the Lords and Nobles,Dan. 3.1.Dan 3:1 touching the worſhip of the golden image that was ſet vp in the plaine of Dura, in the Prouince of Babylon? So in the time of our Sauiour CHRIST,Iohn 9.22.John 9:22 vnderunder the new Teſtament, the Iewes had agreed together, that all that confeſſe CHRIST ſhould bee excommunicate;Acts 4.18.Acts 4:18 and forbad the Diſciples from Preaching any more in his Name. And alſo in their Councell was our Sauiour CHRIST condemned to death.Mat. 26.66Matt 26:66

And the reaſon is cleere for the further manifeſtation of the truth of this point:Reaſon. for as no man doth gather Grapes of Thornes, or Figs of Thiſtles; ſo what other fruite can bee expected from ſuch an vnſauory roote, whoſe very Mindes and conſciences are defiled, Tit. 1.13.Titus 1:13but that all their whole conſultations and p. 46actions ſhould be impure vnholy and vncleane.

Vſe Hence then we may obſerue that the doctrine of the Church of Rome, touching this point is moſt falſe; That Generall Counſells can not erre. But wee hauehave cleared this before, that they may erre and doe erre: for what ſhould I ſpeake of the ſecond Nicene Councell, which ſet vp Idolatry, and gaue bodies to Angells, and the ſoules of men: Councells therefore hauehave beene miſ-led, and may erre.

Now the Prophet proceedes further to ſhew who is a godlie man, and what be his properties, and teacheth vsus in theſe words, that the firſt ſtep and entrance to the leading of a godly life is to renounce the counſel and company of lewd, wicked, and vngodly men: whence wee obſerue this doctrine.

Doctr. 2. The occaſions ef ſin are to bee auoyded.That hee that would preſerue himſelfe from ſinne, muſt carefully auoide all the occaſions thereof: The Wiſe-man teacheth this Doctrihe, p. 47That he that walketh with the wiſe, ſhall be wiſer, But a companion of fooles, ſhall be worſer. This doth appeare by the example of Ionathan, who by the friendſhip and familiarity which he had with Dauid, changed his life to better:Pro. 1.13.Prov 1:13 whereas Salomon by ſocietie and coniunction with the idolatrous wiues fell into idolatry:1. Reg. 11.1 Kgs 11 and Rehoboam by walking with his yong Councellours, and following their aduice, became worſe and worſe: If then we would auoyde euill, we muſt beware of all occaſions, and no occaſion more daungerous then euill company, eueryevery man therefore muſt take heede to himſelfe, and beware how hee ioyneth himſelfe with acquaintance with al men indifferently, leſt by their meanes hee bee corrupted. For eueryevery man by nature is like dry wood, which is apt to kindle ſo ſoone as fire is put to it: ſo, giuegive a man the leaſt occaſion, and preſently hee yeeldeth to ſinne:Mecum eſt quicquid mihi nocere poteſt. Bernar. med. 11 There needes not indeede anie Diuell to tempt vsus, but let the leaſt occaſion that is bee p. 48offered vntounto vsus, and ſtraitway man becommeth a tempter vntounto himſelfe: And this is that which the Apoſtle ſaith,Iam. 1.14.Jas 1:14 Euerie man is tempted when hee is drawne away and enticed by his owne concupiſcence. The enemy by which wee are ouercome, is in our owne boſome, that is, mans naturall corruption,Geneſ. 36.Gen 36 which is fewell for the kindling of the fire of Sathans temptations: This appeares in Euah the Mother of vsus all, in the firſt tranſgreſsion: firſt, ſhee ſawe the fruit; ſecondly, ſhee conceiued a liking of it; thirdly, ſhee deſired it; fourthly, ſhee eate of it: Dinah the daughter of Iacob wandring abroad, laid her ſelfe open vntounto ſinne, and ſo fell, which might hauehave been preuented, had ſhe auoyded the occaſions thereof.

And Dauid, a man after Gods own heart, hauing ſet open the caſements of his ſoule, his eyes, (by the which the Diuell did eaſily winde himſelfe into his heart) and beheld Bathſheba waſhing her ſelfe,2. Sam. 11.2 Sam 11 but by p. 49& by he luſted after her, ſent for her and lay with her: So violent is mans corrupt nature in apprehending eueryevery occaſion that may draw him to ſinne. It is therefore a point of great wiſedome to diſcerne betweene the deceipt of ſinne, and the fruite of ſinne before it bee committed. O flattering enemy! In the action of committing it is as ſweete as poyſon, after it is committed a biting ſerpent: It comes to a man with a ſmiling countenance, as Ioab to Amaſa, Art thou in health my friend, but with all it ſtrikes to the heart, and woundes vntounto death.

This doctrine ſerueth for the reproofe Vſe 1 of thoſe who are ſo farre from the auoiding of the occaſions of ſinne, as that they do freely and of their owne accord ſeeke and follow after them, they will not tarry with Ioſeph till they bee tempted by others, but they ſeeke all occaſions and watch all opportunities to tempt others: Neuer rauenous p. 50beaſt did more eagerly purſue the prey, then ſome doe hunt after the occaſions of ſinne: which is madneſſe with a witneſſe, as if the fleſh were not proue enough of it ſelfe vntounto that which is euill, but that paines muſt bee taken to helpe it forward to ſinne. Oh then, how carefull ought wee to bee to watch ouer our waies, and to auoide all the occaſions of ſinne! Countergard thy heart (ſaith Salomon) and keepe it with watch and ward;Prou. 4.23.Prov 4:23 looke vntounto the caſements of thy ſoule, thy eyes and thy eares:Pſ. 119.37. Eccl. 9.4.5.Ps 119:37Eccl 9:4Eccl 9:5 Pray with Dauid, Lord turne away my eyes from beholding vanity, make a couenant with them with Iob. Iob 31.Job 31What folly, nay what madneſſe is it then in them that dare come into any company, that dare looke and pry into the beauty of a woman, as though they were ſo ſtrong that they were out of all danger to ſin? But art thou more holy or ſtrong then Dauid, Peter, &c. if not, thou maiſt fall?

Vſe 2 Let all godly men and women p. 51take heed, let them feare themſelues and doubt the worſt, Bleſſed is the man that feareth alwaies but hee that hardeneth his heart ſhall not proſper: Wee muſt at all times hauehave eſpeciall regard to the heart or elſe wee cannot ſtand; Such and ſo many are the aſſaults that ſathan doth lay againſt our ſoules, this is that wholeſome counſell that the Apoſtle Peter doth lay downe vntounto vsus, who was both acquainted with the frailty of mans nature, and the malice of ſathan, when hee ſaith,1. Pet. 5.8.1 Pet 5:8 Bee ſober and watch, for your aduerſary the deuill, &c. Where hee ioyneth vntounto Sobriety, Watchfulneſſe, for though a man be neuer ſo ſober, yet if hee do not watch withall, and that againſt the occaſions of ſin, hee is eaſily made a prey to Sathan; And for want of this care and watchfulneſſe, many of Gods children hauehave beene ouertaken, and hauehave fell into many horrible and grieuous ſinnes, which they could not ſo eaſily hauehave done, had they beene watchfull p. 52ouer their owne affections. And thus much for the firſt Doctrine in the deſcription of a godly man, hee muſt carefully auoide all occaſions of ſinne.

That doth not walke in the Counſell of the wicked, &c.

HEre the Prophet Dauid ſhewes who is a godly man, and what be his properties. Firſt (as we hauehave heard) hee auoides all occaſions of ſinne: ſo now in the ſecond place, the counſell and company of lewd, wicked, and vngodly men: A godly man, and ſuch a one as ſhall bee truely happy and bleſſed indeed, doth diſtaſte and diſlike, yea vtterly renounce and abhorre their ſocietie and company, their counſels and conſultations, ſo as hee doth ſhunne and auoid them as dangerous and infectious; from whence wee gather a ſecond point of Doctrine.

p. 53That men muſt carefully ſhunneDoctr. 2. Wee muſt ſhunne the company of wicked men. and auoid the company of the wicked, it is very apparant; Num. 31.16 2. Sā. 10.3. Mat. 16.22 Acts 13.8. Pſalme 15 Tit. 2.12 2. Cor. 6.14Num 31:16Matt 16:22Acts 13:8Ps 15Titus 2:122 Cor 6:14if they themſelues will not be defiled with their abhomination: for that rule of Salomon will ſtand, Hee that toucheth pitch ſhall bee defiled: Bad company is exceeding pernicious and hurtfull, either to diſſwade from that which is truely good, or to perſwade to that which is naught and wicked. Dauid maketh it a marke of a true member of the Church, That in his eyes a vile perſon is contemned. And the Apoſtle willeth all Chriſtians, who looke for glory through Chriſt; that they would hauehave nothing to do with the vnfruitfull workes of darkneſſe. And againe, This indeed is pure Religion and vndefiled, to keepe our ſelues vnſpotted of the world. This the Apoſtle S. Paul vrgeth, Be not vnequally yoaked with infidels, for what fellowſhip hath righteouſneſſe with vnrighteouſneſſe? It is the exhortation of Salomon: Forſake the wicked and yee ſhall liue. Ioſeph liuing in the Court of Pharaoh, had p. 54quickly learned to ſweare by the life of Pharaoh: and we know that it was in the common Hall, amongſt the ſeruants of the high Prieſts, that Peter had learned to curſe and to ſweare. It were no leſſe then treaſon in a ſubiect to liue in friendſhip with one that is a profeſſed enemie to the King; much more is it treaſon in the ſubiects of the King of heauen to hauehave ſociety with the wicked: and this is obſerued to bee the fault of Iehoſaphat, That hee would helpe the wicked, and louelove them that hate the Lord. Such are euen odious vntounto God,Pſalm. 5.5.Ps 5:5 as Dauid ſaith, Thou hateſt all them that worke iniquitie. Beſides, their company is exceeding dangerous, for the wrath of God hangeth ouer the head of the vngodly. This we may ſee in Lot, who for the fruitfulneſſe of the place was drawne to liue in Sodome where the men were wicked:Gen. 19.Gen 19 So when they were taken priſoners, Lot was taken priſoner with them; And, had not thē Lord beene exceeding mercifull vntounto him, p. 55hee had periſhed with them in the generall ouerthrow of that Citie. And this was the voyce of God from heauen concerning Babylon,Reu. 18.4Rev 18:4 Goe out of her my people, that yee bee not partakers of her ſins, and that yee receiue not of her plagues. And this was the cauſe why the Lord gaue ſo ſtreight a charge to the people of Iſrael, that they ſhould hauehave no dealing at all with the Inhabitants of the land of Caanan; Thou ſhalt make no couenant with them, nor with their gods: Ex. 23.32.Exod 23:32Neither ſhall they dwell in thy land, leſt they make thee ſinne againſt me. Deut. 7.2.Deut 7:2Neither ſhalt thou make any marriages with them, neither giuegive thy daughter to his ſonne, nor take his ſonne to thy daughter, for they will cauſe thy ſonne to fall away from me, and to ſerue other gods. And how true this threatning from the Lord was, the euent maketh it manifeſt; for they neglecting this Commandement from God, Wee are mingled amongſt the heathen, and learned their workes, Pſ. 106.35.Ps 106:35as Dauid ſaith; and wofull experience doth proue this to be true of many p. 56who hauehave ſometime beene indifferently conformable to good duties, afterwards falling into wicked and lewd company hauehave beene corrupted and growne diſſolute: Oh what ſtumbling blockes are ſuch vntounto a man from the performance of any good duety. This did Dauid know full well when hee ſaid, Away from mee yee wicked, Pſ. 119.115.Ps 119:115I will keepe the Commandements of my God: Inſinuating therby, as it may eaſily be gathered, that he could not ſet himſelfe to the performance of any holy duty, as hee ought, ſo long as ſuch wicked company were about him. Yea it hath been a griefe vntounto the godly to hauehave beene in the company of vngodly perſons. As Lot liuing in Sodome where hee ſaw their filthy abhominations,2. Pet. 2.7.2 Pet 2:7 It vexed his righteous ſoule: And this was it that made Dauid bemone his eſtate in the time of his baniſhment, when he was conſtrained to abide amongſt the vncircumciſed people, Woe is me that I remaine in Meſech: and to dwell in the tents of p. 57Kedar, My ſoule hath long dwelt among thoſe that bee enemies vntounto peace. By all this that hath beene ſpoken, it doth appeare, That the godly man who ſhall bee happy and bleſſed indeed doth carefully ſhunne and auoid the lewd company of the wicked.

This Doctrine, in the firſt place, doth ſerue to reproue all ſuch as Vſe 1 are careleſſe of their company, that can vſe as much familiaritie, and ſhew as good a countenance to the worſt, and make them as welcome as the beſt, be they what they will be, Papiſts or Atheiſts; yea let them bee as prophane as Eſau, hee is notwithſtanding for their company, but by this meanes they do little thinke, that they do hazard both faith and a good conſcience, and cauſe the godly themſelues to ſuſpect them, that they are but prophane. And indeed it cannot otherwiſe bee, but if they themſelues did make any conſcience of ſinne, they would likewiſe make conſcience of the occaſions of ſinne, p. 58whereof what can bee worſe then lewd company who are ready to make a mocke at eueryevery good dutie, and whoſe nature is to hauehave other men to runne into the ſame exceſſe of ryot with themſelues?1 Pet. 4 4.1 Pet 4:4 yea when a man or a woman hath ſome good things in them, as to louelove the word of God, to like of Gods faithfull Miniſters, to delight in prayer, &c. In comes a wicked man and breathes out his poiſon, ſeeking by bad counſell, and lewd perſwaſions, to diſſwade them and draw them backe, Oh you louelove the Miniſter too much, he wil make you preciſe, you need not to take ſuch paines, but take your libertie! what need you bee afraid of them? Oh when ſuch wretches ſtep in, and thus poure out their lewd counſels and perſwaſions, what doe they elſe but draw men to perdition, eſpecially when they do deale with ſuch as be young Chriſtians, but comming on in the wayes of godlineſſe. And when they ſpeake that to great Perſonages, who by nature are moſt inclined p. 59to libertie, O what lets are theſe to a young Chriſtian in the wayes of godlineſſe!

And when the Lord leaues a man or a woman to liſten to ſuch curſed counſell,Note. it is a great ſigne that the Lord loues them not. So it is ſaid, that the Lord left Abſolom, that hee ſhould not receiue the good counſel of Achitophel, becauſe the Lord would deſtroy Abſolom. So it is ſaid of Rehoboam, that he liſtned onelyonly to the counſell of his young men, becauſe the Lord would bring his iudgements vponupon the houſe of Salomon.

This ſhould admoniſh all men to take heed of ſuch kind of men, as the Vſe 2 very limbs of the diuel, and the meſſengers of Sathan, who ſeek to draw men from God & from Ieſus Chriſt, and from a godly life, to ſtoppe our eares at their lewd and damnable counſels, not to heare them, nor to liſten to them: yea if it lie in our power to remoue them, and to baniſh them our preſence as the greateſt enemies p. 60of our Soules, and the meſſengers of the Diuel, ſeeking to peruert and poiſon our poore ſoules, to put our mouthes out of taſte, and to make vsus diſlike thoſe that are ſent of God, who ought to bee moſt deare vntounto vsus.Obiect. It will bee here obiected, whether it be not lawful vponupon ſome occaſion, to be in their company, or to hauehave dealing with wicked men? Reſponſ. Anſw.In ſome caſe it is lawfull, as thus: Firſt, that it bee onelyonly for neceſſitie: as that we cannot auoyd it in ordinary matters of this life, vnleſſe we ſhould go out of the world: ſecondly, that we hauehave a due calling thereunto: thirdly, that we be not ſilent at the committing of ſin, but that euer we ſhew our diſlike of their vaine courſes; and laſtly, that we labour with out ſelues to bee grieued at their ſinnes, as Lot was at the Sodomites.

p. 61In the counſell of the wicked, &c.

THe original word ſignifies ſuch wicked men as are neuer quiet in their mindes, but euermore muſing and deuiſing ſome miſchiefe: which they may vtter and practiſe as occaſion ſerues.

And in this note the very propertieDoctr. 3. Wicked men are euer deuiſing of miſchiefe. of a wicked and graceleſſe man: He is neuer at reſt, but ſtill plotting and deuiſing ſome miſchiefe againſt God or good men: This we may ſee by diuers examples.2. Sam. 16.2 Sam 16 Achitophels coū ſell was eſteemed like as one had aſked counſell at the Oracle of God: The like we may ſee in Herod when hee heard of the birth of Chriſt,Math. 2.7.Matt 2:7 as of a new-borne King, what policy did hee vſe to deſtroy the Sauiour of the world? The Scribes and Phariſees,Math. 26.Matt 26 how carefully did they conſult and take counſell together againſt Chriſt, to put him to death; yea they brake their ſleepe about it.Ier. 18.18.Jer 18:18 When the Iewes could not endure Ieremie p. 62to preach plaine, and to tell them of their ſinnes, they therfore by and by ſay thus, Come let vsus deuiſe and imagine ſome miſchiefe againſt the Prophet of the Lord, Let vsus ſmite him with the tongue, Let vsus take no heede, nor giuegive any eare to his preaching. Heſt. 3.So Haman deuiſeth how to put Mordecai and the Iewes out of fauour, by deuiſing a moſt vile accuſation. So Deog, that blacke mouthed Dog,1. Sam. 22.9. Dan. 3.1 Sam 22:9Dan 3 deuiſeth how to accuſe Dauid to Saul. So thoſe wicked Rulers did deuiſe to inuent ſome miſchiefe againſt Daniel. And the Prophet Michai ſheweth, that it is an old practiſe of wicked men, to deuiſe wicked things. In the Primitiue Church the enemies of Gods children, that perſecuted the Chriſtians, deuiſed this ſhamefull ſlaunder, That they worſhipped an Aſſes head, &c. So in theſe dayes it is manifeſt, that the Diuell ſtirres vp wicked men to accuſe Gods children, to deuiſe ſlaunders, and falſe accuſations againſt them: The Diuell hath one Doeg or other to accuſe Dauid p. 63to Saul, to thruſt him out of fauour, and to bring him into diſgrace: And when as they can ſay nothing iuſtly againſt them, then they beginne to deuiſe how they may raiſe vp ſome falſe report or other, to ſmite them with the tongue.

And the reaſon of this is, becauſe they are fooliſh and ignorant: For they not knowing the Lord, nor vnderſtanding his waies aright, but being in this reſpect worſer then the Oxe that knoweth his owner, And the Aſſe that knoweth his maiſters Cribbe (as the Lord doth complaine of them) they cannot but doe as S. Paul did in the time of his ignorāce,Eſay 1.3.Isa 1:3 euen oppoſe themſelues againſt God and his children. And for this cauſe the Lord doth make his mone for the fooliſhneſſe and ignorance of his people, as of the wel-ſpring of all their rebellions againſt him, in theſe words; For my people are fooliſh, they hauehave not knowne mee, they are fooliſh children, and hauehave none vnderſtanding: They are wiſe to doe euill, p. 64but to doe well they hauehave no knowledge.

Vſe 1 Seeing wee are taught here, what is the nature of wicked men; namely, that they hauehave in them a reſtleſſe deſire to peruert the wayes of the godly, and to doe ſome miſchiefe; This muſt teach vsus firſt of all to deale wiſely and warily with them, leaſt wee bee corrupted by them. Wee are here ſet as vponupon a hill or a ſtage, and profeſſing Ieſus Chriſt, a ſmall ſpot will bee ſeene in our garment. It behooueth vsus therefore to be as wiſe as Serpents,Mat. 10.16Matt 10:16 and as innocent as Doues, to the end wee may ſtoppe the mouthes of gaine-ſayers, and cut off occaſions from them that ſeeke occaſions. And to this end wee muſt euermore bee mindfull in our prayers, to pray vntounto God to be deliuered from them: for vnleſſe we be armed from aboue, we ſhall eaſily be ouertaken by their aſſaults, and through the corruptions of our owne hearts, which are prone vntounto all ſinne, they deale warily and circumſpectly, they worke p. 65by all meanes to peruert our waies, and to make vsus two-fold worſe then themſelues the child of Satan. How much more carefull ought we to bee to preuent them? which we ſhall do the better by ſhunning the occaſions of ſinne.

Secondly, wee are taught heere, Vſe 2 (that if we labour to bee the Diſciples of Chriſt, and to bee bleſſed) what entertainement we ſhall finde in the world; namely, to hauehave wicked and vngodly men to ſtand in our way, and hinder vsus, as they did ſtand in Zacheus way when hee went forth to ſee Chriſt.Luk. 19.3.Luke 19:3 If thou bee once in Gods preſence, and doſt beginne to call vponupon him for mercy,Luk. 18.39Luke 18:39 they will rebuke thee as they did the poore blind man in the Goſpel. If thou bee ſicke, yea dead in treſpaſſes and ſinnes, and Chriſt doth beginne to come home to the houſe of thy Soule to heale thee, and to raiſe thee vp from the death of thy ſinnes, they will ſtoppe his paſſage and entrance in, if poſſibly they p. 66can: As they did when Chriſt came to the Rulers Daughter that was dead.Matt. 9.23.Matt 9:23 But as Chriſt turned them out of doores, ſaying, Get yee hence: So muſt thou ſhake them off, and not communicate with fleſh and bloud, in matters that concerne eternal life, and the ſaluation of thy ſoule; For if thou doe, thou canſt neuer be ſaued: Neyther muſt we look after the louelove and liking of the world, nor hang vponupon men for their applauſe and fauour; for where there is not the feare of God, ſurely ſuch men are moſt vnconſtant in their wayes, turning vponupon eueryevery ſmall occaſion, yea and the louelove and fauor of ſuch men muſt needes be bent towards the worſt, ſeeing themſelues are bad, and ſet themſelues in no good way: Remember what Chriſt ſaid vntounto his Diſciples:Ioh. 15.19.John 15:19 If yee were of the world, the world would louelove his owne: But becauſe yee are not of the world: But I hauehave choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Wherefore, as they that run at tilt, looke not to the vulgar p. 67people what they ſay, but to the Iudges; ſo care not thou for the world. But looke euer what the Iudge of heauen and earth doth allow and approue of.

That hath not walked in the counſell of the wicked. By Counſell hee heere meaneth the ſubtilties and crafts of the wicked, by which they puſh themſelues forward, and labour to draw others to be like vntounto themſelues, according to that of Salomon, My ſonne, if ſinners intice thee, Prouer. 11Prov 11conſent not vntounto them. From whence wee gather a fourth poynt of Doctrine.

Namely, that it is a moſt horribleDoctr. 4. To giuegive euill counſell, is an horrible ſinne. and grieuous ſin to giuegive euill counſell. To commit ſinne, is that which highly offends the Maieſtie of God, and draweth downe vponupon vsus all puniſhments both temporall and eternall; but to counſell others to commit ſinne, is the very height of ſin.

This is noted in the Scripture to be the ſinne of Iezabell, who was a furtherer of Ahabs winkedneſſe,1. Reg. 21.71 Kgs 21:7 for p. 68when hee could not by any lawfull meanes attaine the Vine-yard of Naboth, ſhee ſaid vntounto him, Doſt thou ſway the Scepter, rule the Kingdome, and manage the State? Ariſe and eate bread, I will giuegive thee the vineyard: This was the counſell of Achitophel vntounto Abſolom, 2. Sam. 16.21.2 Sam 16:21fearing his reconciliation to his father Dauid, and therein his owne iuſt confuſion, hee giues ſuch counſell whereby hee might take away all hope of agreement: Go into thy fathers Concubines, which hee hath left to keepe the houſe, and when all Iſrael ſhall heare thou art abhorred of thy father, the hands of all that are with thee ſhall bee ſtrong. This is likewiſe ſet downe by Salomon in the Prouerbes, where he expreſſeth the ſin of ſeducers;Prou. 1.11.Prov 1:11 ſaying, Come with vsus, let vsus lie in waite for the bloud of the innocents, wee will ſwallow them vp aliue, like a graue, euen whole, as thoſe that go downe into the pit: Caſt in thy Lot amongſt vsus, we will all hauehave one purſe, their feet runne to euill, and they make haſt to ſhed bloud. And p. 69this doth appeare in the brethren of Ioſeph, when they purpoſed the ouerthrow of their brother:Gen. 37.10Gen 37:10 Come (ſay they) let vsus ſlay him and caſt him into ſome pit, and we will ſay a wicked beaſt hath deuoured him. And this appeared to bee the malice of the High Prieſts and Elders of the people, who moued the people to deſire that Barrabas might bee deliuered rather then CHRIST,Mar. 15.11Mark 15:11 and perſwaded Iudas, for a ſumme of mony, to betray him:Mat. 28.12Matt 28:12 Inticed the Souldiers with a great ſumme of money to noiſe it abroad that his Diſciples came by night and ſtole him away while they ſlept. All theſe teſtimonies, and many more, may ſerue for the confirmation of this doctrine, that it is a moſt horrible and grieuous ſinne to giuegive euill counſell.

Seeing that it is a moſt great and Vſe 1 grieuous ſinne to giuegive euill counſell, this teacheth vsus our duety: that whenſoeuer they ſhall ſet vponupon vsus to draw vsus away from GOD, that wee bee carefull that wee conſent not p. 70vntounto them: It is not enough for a man to ſay, Alas, I deuiſed it not, neither am I the firſt that hauehave committed the like; for this ſhall excuſe no man, that hee was not the author of an euill: For ſurely, if it bee ſo great a ſinne to ſeduce, it is no leſſe ſinne to bee ſeduced, and GOD will one day finde them no leſſe guilty, but ſhall partake with them of the ſame puniſhment: if a man ſhould hauehave about him a great ſumme of money, or other treaſure, and ſhould willingly, and wittingly, put himſelfe into the companie of thieues, and will be drawne by them out of the way, were this man to be pittied, if hee ſhould looſe all that he had? Euen ſo is it with a Chriſtian, that doth carry daily about with him a rich Treaſure, his Soule and conſcience, which hee muſt keepe vnſpotted of the world: If he liſten to the charmes of the wicked, and will be drawne out of the way of Gods commaundements, to commit ſinne, and ſo make ſhipwracke of p. 71faith, and a good conſcience: is it not iuſt with God, that this man ſhould periſh for the ſame? So then wee ſee it ſtandeth vsus in hand to beware of conſenting to ſinne, and counſelling others to commit ſinne: For if wee giuegive our conſent vntounto them, we are partakers with them in their wickedneſſe, and ſhall be ſure one day to hauehave ſhare with them in their puniſhments.

Secondly, ſeeing the giuing of euill Vſe 2 counſell is ſo euill a ſinne, both in him that doth counſell another, as alſo in him that conſenteth vntounto it, both which we muſt carefully ſhun and auoyde: yet this is not all, but wee muſt alſo ſeeke for the ſocietie of the godlie, that all our delight may bee in them, wee muſt by all meanes ioyne our ſelues in friendſhip with them, and make much of their aſſemblies;Pro. 13.20Prov 13:20 for with the vpright thou ſhalt learne to be vpright: This Salomon teacheth vsus, Hee that walketh with the wiſe, ſhall be wiſer: It is indeede a rare thing to finde a man p. 72that will counſell others to follow godlineſſe, and therefore ſuch as doe are much to be reſpected: louelove him as the deareſt friend that will direct thee in the wayes of ſaluation, and bee a guide vntounto thee in the path that ſhall leade vntounto life. Let it bee farre from thee to be aſhamed to follow the counſell of ſuch as are diſcreete and godly; it is not materiall who they be, whether our ſuperiours or equalls, or our inferiours, for the Counſellour is not ſo much to be regarded as the Counſell. If it be holie, iuſt, and good, receiue it as from God, who thus ſpeaketh vntounto thee by his ſeruant; If it be euill, reiect it, as comming from the Diuell, who ſpeaketh by his inſtruments.

That hath not walked, &c.

THe laſt thing that we hauehave now to conſider out of the firſt part of the deſcription of a godly man is p. 73this, Hee hath not walked, &c. By walking, the Prophet Dauid heere meaneth (according to an vſuall metaphore in Scripture) a common vſuall courſe of a mans behauiour, or their ordinary trade of life. And the word which is heere vſed is rendred in a Tenſe or Time, which in the owne tongue noteth a continuance of walking euen all the dayes of their life: for otherwiſe who can ſay his heart is free, but that at ſome time or other the Counſell, or bad example of the wicked hath preuailed with him: but that is not meant heere in this place; when a man hath with-drawne himſelfe from their lewd conuerſations, and betaken himſelfe to the wayes of Gods Commaundements. From whence wee gather a two-fold Doctrine: Firſt, that the falls, ſlipps, and infirmities of Gods children are many & great, which many times they fall into, and yet cannot properly be ſaid to walke in them, becauſe they riſe daily out of the ſame: And ſecondly, p. 74That to walke, it is ſaid of the godly, in reſpect of Gods Commandements, becauſe as it is in the ſecond Verſe, Therein is their delight.

Doctr. 5. The fals of the godly, many.It is moſt true, that there are the ſeedes of all ſinne whatſoeuer, naturally rooted and in-bred with vsus, which if they be not preuented, are ready to breake out vponupon any occaſion that ſhall be offered: and howſoeuer the godlie do deſire to pleaſe God, and indeuour to ſerue God in truth and ſincerity of heart, yet do they often ſtumble in their race, through the burthen that preſſeth downe, and the ſinne that hangeth on ſo faſt. This trueth is confeſſed by Salomon in his worthie Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple: If any man ſinne againſt thee (for there is none that ſinneth not) if he turne againe with all his heart, 1. Reg. 8.461 Kgs 8:46Iob 15.14.Job 15:14&c. Againe, what is man that hee ſhould be cleane: and hee that is borne of a woman that hee ſhould be iuſt? Pſalme 14Ps 14Againe, All are gone out of the way, they are all corrupt, there p. 75is none that doth good, no not one. Pſal. 14. Moſt wofull and fearefull was the fall of Dauid, as the Scripture hath recorded it. It may ſeeme very ſtrange that a man as Dauid was,2. Sam. 11.2 Sam 11 euen after Gods owne heart, could poſsibly fall ſo farre as hee did: For if wee conſider the circumſtances and degrees of his ſinne, it will appeare, that (finall impenitencie excepted) a Reprobate could ſcarce commit a greater: For firſt be committed adulterie with Vriah his wife, when this was done, hee glauereth and flattereth with the VVomans husband, and bade him goe home to refreſh himſelfe with his wife, thinking thereby to father the Baſtard on him: when this ſucceeded not, he went further, and vntounto his adultery hee added murder, that hee might beare, as the griefe of it in his heart, ſo the ſhame of it in his fore-head; And in this hee wrought worſe then Iezabell, for hee makes Vriah the meſſenger, to carry the letters for his owne execution. What ſhall I ſay of p. 76Noah, of Lot, of Peter, &c. I neede not to ſtand on this doctrine, ſeeing wofull experience in all the godlie doth proue it too true.

Vſe 1 It may teach vsus, that wee be not too raſh in iudging and condemning our brethren: Wee ſee by this that hath beene deliuered, that the deere childe of God may fall moſt grieuouſly and fowly, and yet be reſtored agayne to the fauour of God, becauſe hee doth not walke on in ſinne, as the wicked doe. But whenſoeuer through the temptations of Sathan, or the frailetie of his owne fleſh, hee falles into ſinne, forthwith with Peter hee goes out of that ſinne, and weepes bitterly for the ſame. And therefore as Saint Iames ſaith, chap. 4. verſe 12. who art thou that iudgeſt an other man? Wee may not ſet bounds and limits to Gods mercy, to ſay that any ſhall finally be damned. Howſoeuer a man may bee in the ſtate of damnation for a time, this were to ſit in Gods Chaire: Let vsus all acknowledge our ſelues p. 77to be but men, and let none vſurpe the authority of Gods iudgement, Let vsus therefore conſider what wee our ſelues are, before wee caſt our eyes vponupon other men, for they are the moſt ſharpe and ſeuere Iudges of their brethren, that forget their owne infirmities: and I doubt not but all the Children of GOD do know by experience in themſelues, how hardly ſinne is ſubdued and maiſtered in them; How many ſighes and groanes it requireth, how many prayers and teares it doeth coſt them? What a ſtriuing and ſtruggling they hauehave within themſelues to keepe it vnderunder, and yet for all this it is verie hardly ſubdued: So that the knowledge of our owne weakeneſſe, and vnworthineſſe, muſt arme vsus with meekneſſe towards our brethren.

By the rule of this Doctrine wee Vſe 2 are admoniſhed to bee verie warie and circumſpect ouer our ſelues. Did Dauid fall, did Lot, Noah, p. 78Peter, &c. fall? Oh! whither ſhall wee fall if God doe but a little leaue vsus to our ſelues? who dare preſume of his owne ſtrength and worthineſſe, when ſuch woorthie Pillars as theſe hauehave beene ſhaken? yea the lamentable ſhippewracke of ſuch men as theſe, may make vsus to feare a tempeſt before it doe come. It is the Diuells craftie counſell, and ſubtile pollicie, to make vsus ouer-weene our ſelues, and to make vsus boaſt and preſume of our ſelues, For the Diuell doth know full well, that this lifting of a man vp, is the very next way to tumble and throw him downe, as Salomon ſaith, Pride goeth before deſtruction, and an high minde before the fall: Prouerbs 16. ver. 18. And therefore acknowledging our owne want of ſtrength, and our owne inability to ſtand without the aſsiſtance of Gods Spirit, Let vsus not be high minded, but feare: Roman. 11.20. And thus we hauehave ſeene that the falls and ſlips of Gods children are many and great, which notwithſtanding p. 79cannot hinder their happineſſe, becauſe they walke not in them, that is; they make it not their continuall practiſe, ro liue and delight in ſinne.

Now wee are to come to the ſecond,Doctr. 6. A godly man doth euer walke with God. which doth note vntounto vsus that the godly man, who ſhall bee truely happy and bleſſed indeed, is ſo farre from making his life a life of ſinne, as that hee doth rather in the whole courſe of the ſame, walke with GOD in obedience.

For therefore indeed is our courſe of new life compared to a way, to ſhew that the godly muſt alwaies bee walking in it, from the beginning of their courſe vntounto the end of the ſame. It was the commendations of Enoch and Noah, Gen. 5.22.6.9.Gen 5:22Gen 5:6Gen 5:9that notwithſtanding the daies and times wherein they liued were dangerous: Yet They walked with God: That is, they conſidered more the Commandements of GOD, what he had appointed then what was practiſed; p. 80and deſired rather to bee approued of GOD through their obedience, then through their diſobedience to purchaſe the fauour of men:Gen. 17.1.Gen 17:1 It was the charge giuen by GOD to Abraham, Walke before mee: That is, let it euer bee thy care, that ſeeing I am preſent eueryevery where and priuy to all thy courſes, that thou walke as in my ſight, And this was the beſt teſtimony that Salomon could giuegive of his father Dauid, 1. King. 3.61 Kgs 3:6That hee walked before GOD in truth, and in righteouſneſſe. Yea, this did miniſter comfort to godly Ezechias, Eſay 38.3.Isa 38:3when he thought he ſhould die: Remember, O Lord, that I hauehave walked before thee in truth: And to this agreeth that of the Apoſtle Paul, Who forgat that which was behind, Phil. 3.13.Phil 3:13and endeuoured himſelfe to that which was before, and followed hard towards the marke, to the prize of the high calling of GOD in IESVS CHRIST. Hee was not like vntounto a vaine and fooliſh man, who running in a race, will bee euer and p. 81anon looking backe to ſee how much ground hee hath ridde; but his eye was alwayes vponupon the marke or goale, to conſider how much hee had to runne,Math. 24.Matt 24 how farre off hee was from perfection, and what hee had more to doe in his Chriſtian courſe, that hee might finiſh the ſame with ioy. It is the end that makes all; Hee that ſhall endure to the end ſhall bee ſaued. 1 Cor. 9 24 Reu. 2.7. Rom. 13.11 1. Pet. 1.9.1 Cor 9:24Rev 2:7Rom 13:111 Pet 1:9Our Sauiour ſaith not there, that hee that endureth for a ſeaſon, but hee that continueth to the end; not eueryevery one that fighteth, but hee that ouercommeth, ſhall receiue a Crowne of life: Theſe examples doe ſhew vsus how the godly hauehave walked. And theſe and the like precepts teach vsus we ſhould walke ſo as in the end wee may bee bleſſed.

Hence we are taught this leſſon, Vſe 1 that wee muſt neuer bee weary of wel-doing, ſeeing that perſeuerance onelyonly hath the promiſe of reward, wee muſt not depart out of the Egypt p. 82of ſinne, and then with the Iſraelites,2. Theſ. 3.13. Pſ. 92.13.2 Thess 3:13Ps 92:13 and with Lots wife, looke backe to the Sodome of their ſinnes, but remember that thou oweſt vntounto GOD all thy dayes: The Trees planted in the Lords houſe, Mat. 3.10.Matt 3:10bring forth fruit in their age, And they which doe not ſo, ſhall bee hewen downe and caſt into the fire. It was the commendation of the Church of Thiatira, That her workes were more at laſt then at firſt. Reu. 2.19.Rev 2:19A reproofe of their folly, who hauing kept the path of righteouſneſſe for a time, doe after walke in no good way, but thinke with one iumpe to leape into heauen with a Lord hauehave mercy on me at the laſt: But know, O thou vaine man, that thou muſt walk in the way; that is, thou muſt vſe all good meanes for the attaining of life and ſaluation, thou muſt heare the word diligently and carefully, pray, read, &c.

I doubt not but the ſerious thinking vponupon this, that God challengeth eueryevery day at our hands, yea all p. 83the daies of our life to bee ſpent in his ſeruice, will reforme many corruptions in vsus: For alas! the care of the moſt is, how they may keep credit with men, though they purchaſe Gods diſpleaſure, which will then ſtand ſuch in little ſtead, when all things ſhall come to receiue their due triall: Euen eueryevery worke done in the body, whether it bee good or euill: 2. Cor. 5.10.2 Cor 5:10And thus much for the firſt part of the deſcription of a godly man Negatiuely: Hee doth not walke in the counſell of the wicked.

Nor ſtand in the way of ſinners.

THat is,The ſecōd part of the deſcription of a godly man negatiuly. a godly man doth not ſettle himſelfe to liue as wicked men do, nor frames his life after their lewd example: where we are to obſerue two poynts: Firſt, that there is a way of ſinners, in which the vngodly ſtand. Secondly, that the godly ſtand not in it.

Firſt then, that there is a way of ſinners, in the which they ſtand and p. 84liue, it is very apparant, called in the Scriptures by diuers names; as by the name of the way of the vngodly, The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked ſhall periſh.

Doctr. 1. Wicked men deſcribed.It is tearmed an euill way. The way of lying, A wicked way, &c. And by theſe wayes wee are ſtill to vnderſtand the courſe of life and conuerſation of the wicked; wherein wee are taught this Doctrine, that notwithſtanding all the meanes that God and Man doth vſe to the contrary, the wicked man will ſtill perſiſt and goe on in ſinne, which is heere vnderſtood out of the word Stand. This appeareth in the example of Cain, Gen. 4.6.Gen 4:6albeit hee were admoniſhed and reproued of God for his wrath and malice conceiued againſt his brother, yet for all that Caine will pleaſe himſelfe in his owne way, and neuer reſt till hee hauehave ſhedde the innocent bloud of his owne brother. This is ſeene likewiſe in the example of the old World, p. 85when the Lord ſaw that the wickedneſſe of man was great, and all the imaginations of the thoughts of his heart were onelyonly euill continually, and how they pleaſed themſelues in this way, the Lord ſtirred vp Noah, Gen. 6.5.Gen 6:5the preacher of righteouſneſſe, who warned them from God; yet they would continue ſtill in their owne waies, giuing themſelues to nothing but eating and drinking, and all exceſſe, till the floud came and ſwept them clean away. This is cleare likewiſe by the example of Pharaoh, Exod. 9.10Exod 9:10vpō whom all means were aſſaied for his conuerſion: for what could the Lord do vntounto him that he did not? He ſent Moſes and Aaron vntounto him, warning him from God to let the people of Iſrael go, and to that end ſent iudgement vponupon iudgement, one vponupon the necke of another, euen ten in number, yet for all this, Pharaoh choſe rather to continue ſtill in his owne way, and would none of the Lords. So true is that ſaying of Salomon: Bray a foole in a mortar, Pro. 27.22Prov 27:22yet will p. 86not his fooliſhneſſe depart from him. And no maruell, for the ſpirit of ſlumber hath ſo couered their eyes, that they cannot ſee; and their hearts are ſo poſſeſt with ſpirituall fornication, which makes them thus to goe a whooring from God, euen haled with the fury of their owne affections, ſnared of the Diuell, and taken of him at his will:Acts 7.51. Eſay 63. Eze. 13.3.Acts 7:51Isa 63Ezek 13:3 Oh miſerable and vnhappy condition! Fearefull is the woe that lies vponupon all thoſe that thus walk in their owne waies. For moſt certaine it is, that they that are Chriſts, hauehave crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts, ſo far, as that they hauehave made choice of the Lords way, howſoeuer many times they may ſtumble, & fall, in walking therein. But of the wicked it may truly be ſayd of them, the way of peace hauehave they not knowne.

Vſe 2 We heard before, that wee ought not to proceed ſo farre with any, as to iudge of their finall eſtate and condition; for that were to ſit in Gods Chaire, and to take his office p. 87vponupon him. Yet to ſay of ſome, that they are in the ſtate of damnation, and (vnleſſe they repent) ſhall periſh for euer, doubtleſſe this is not vnlawfull: for as louelove bids mee not to determine too ſoone, ſo not to be abuſed too late. God bids me looke vponupon the tree, and iudge of the fruit, I may ſay thou art in the ſtate of damnation, for I ſee thy heart through thy hand: But whether thou ſhalt finally be damned, there I leaue thee: for God may hauehave mercy vponupon thee vponupon thy laſt repentance. I may come to a tree, and ſay, Here is little fruit: or, Here is no fruit: or, Here is bad fruit; but I cannot ſay, Neuer fruit grow on it more. But alas, alas! this is not all, this is not al that wicked men are thus diſcouered to men, but that the Lord wil find them out, & giuegive them their portion in the lake of fire. And indeed this is that that ought to bee a terror to all the wicked and vngodly to conſider, that as their hearts are hardened, and their conſciences p. 88ſeared, ſo the plagues and puniſhments of God attend vponupon them. If thou walke ſtubbornly againſt mee, Leuit 26.Lev 26and wilt not obey mee, I will bring ſeuen times more plagues vponupon thee, according to thy ſinnes. Let vsus all then, as wee tender the ſaluation of our owne ſoules, take heed vntounto our paths, that wee ſtand not in the way of ſinners, that wee ſinne not with delight and deliberation, it is the very brand of a reprobate, and ſuch a one as God hath forſaken. Take heede therefore that there bee not in any of you an euill heart to depart from the liuing God. And thus much for the firſt poynt of Doctrine, that there is a way of ſinners, in which the wicked walke which leadeth vntounto death.

The ſecond point of doctrine that Doctr. 2. Godly man ſins not with deliberation.doth now offer it ſelfe to our conſideration, is this, That a godly man doth not ſettle himſelf to liue as the wicked doe, nor frames his life after his lewd example, which is heere meant, when the Prophet ſaith: Hee doth not ſtand in the way of ſinners. Yea p. 89it is, altogether impoſſible for a godly man, and one that is truly regenerate, to hauehave in him a full purpoſe to ſin, and to liue in ſin with deliberation, and to delight in the ſame. For a purpoſe to liue in any knowne ſin, is a ſigne of a wicked man, and a graceleſſe heart, as when a man is tolde of his ſin, of his ignorance and careleſneſſe in Gods ſeruice, praying, hearing, &c. yet ſtill he wil be careleſſe and negligent in the ſame. So when a man is reproued for his ſwearing, yet ſtill will ſweare, when a man is reproued for prophaning the Sabaoth, yet will prophane it: when a man is reproued for his vncleanneſſe, drunkennes, malice, &c. and yet for all that will continue in thoſe ſins. Surely this purpoſe to ſtand in the way of ſinners, is a fearefull ſigne of a wicked man, and is farre from a godly man, and one that is truly ſanctified, which ſhall be bleſſed for euermore. It was a curſed ſpeech of a curſed wretch,Exod. 5.12Exod 5:12 I know not the Lord, neyther will I let the children of Iſrael goe. This was the caſe of p. 90thoſe rebellious Iewes ſpoken of by Ieremy: Ier. 44.16.Jer 44:16we will not heare, nor do, but as we luſt, and as we hauehave done. And this was that that made the caſe of Herod ſo fearefull,Mar. 6.20.Mark 6:20 that notwitſtanding hee heard Iohn Baptiſt willingly, and did many things at his requeſt, all which were good things in him, yet for all that hee would not leaue his adultery, but continue in it; which purpoſe to ſinne, of all things is farre from a godly man,1. Ioh. 3.91 John 3:9 as Saint Iohn ſaith; Hee that is borne of God ſinneth not: that is, with whole conſent, but in part, and man being partly fleſh, and partly ſpirit, as he is regenerate, ſinne proceedes not from him, but as he is fleſh. As for the wicked, it is not ſo with them: for it is meate and drinke to a wicked man to doe the workes of the Diuell. It is worth euen our beſt conſideration what is ſayd of the Apoſtle Paul, that hee once Breathed out threatnings and ſlaughter againſt the Diſciples of the Lord. Acts 9.1.Acts 9:1But when was this? Euen in the time of his ignorance: p. 91but afterwards hee preached the ſame Goſpell which before hee perſecuted, and laboured euer after all the dayes of his life, to build vp the Church of God which before hee laboured to pull downe. And this appeares in Dauid, in Peter, Luke 7.Luke 7in Mary Magdalen, &c. who after they had once eſcaped the ſnares of the Diuel, dedicated euer after their whole life to the ſeruice of GOD. This exhortation doth the Apoſtle giuegive to the Epheſians: Col. 3 7. Epheſ. 5.8Col 3:7Eph 5:8Yee were once darkneſſe, but now are light in the Lord; walke as children of the light. By theſe and the like examples it doth appeare, that the godly ſtand not in the way of ſinners; that is, take no liberty to themſelues to liue in the cuſtome and practiſe of any knowne ſin.

This may ſerue in the firſt place, Vſe 1 to reproue ſuch kinde of ſinners, as are ſo farre from leauing their ſinnes, and walking with God in obedience of life, that they are not aſhamed to defend their ſinnes. Tell the ſwearer of his ſwearing and p. 92blaſpheming of the name of God, hee will anſwere, that hee hopeth he may ſweare ſo long as he ſweares nothing but the truth; tell the couetous man of his couetouſneſſe, hee will anſwere for it hee muſt make the beſt of his owne, and hee muſt be a good husband; ſo tell the drunkard of his drunkeneſſe and fearefulll abuſing of the good creatures of God; his anſwere is, It is in kindneſſe and good-fellowſhip: tell the prowde man of his pride, and ſtrange attires: his anſwer is, It is the faſhion, and hee doth but as others doe. Is not this, To ſtand in the way of ſinners? Is not this to commit ſinne with delight, and to ſay as Pharaoh, Exod 9. Marke 6. Ierem. 44.Exod 9Mark 6Jer 44Herod, and the Iewes, wee will not repent, wee will not leaue our ſinnes? but continue in them, let God and man ſay what they will: yea, this is but to pay one debt by another, and as the Apoſtle ſaith, Heape vp wrath againſt the day of wrath, Rom. 4.

Vſe 2 Wee are all heere admoniſhed, as p. 93wee louelove our owne ſoules, to take heede of this, that wee neuer ſinne with an high hand againſt God, wittingly and willingly: But if wee heare ſinne reproued, let vsus leaue it, bee it neuer ſo pleaſant or profitable, let vsus bee like that good King Ioſias, 2. Kings 22. who hearing the Booke of the Law read vntounto him, his heart melted within him, and hee wept for his ſinnes, for ſo long as we hauehave in vsus a purpoſe to liue in ſinne, it is impoſſible that wee ſhould euer feare God, or truely repent, let vsus pray with Dauid, Lord, Pſal. 19.12.13. Prou. 8.9.Ps 19:12Ps 19:13Prov 8:9keepe thy ſeruant from preſumptuous ſinnes! And let vsus know, that if wee regard, that is to ſay, louelove wicked men in our hearts, and hauehave a purpoſe to liue in ſinne, God will not regarde our prayers: nay, all wee doe is abhomination to the Lord. Say now therefore vntounto Laughter, Thou art mad: Pronounce the wayes of the wicked to be but vaine, ſay vntounto thy owne Soule, I will hauehave nothing to doe with the wayes of iniquitie: And this will p. 94giuegive thee courage when thou ſhalt come to looke CHRIST IESVS in the face, when thou canſt ſay with the Apoſtles, Lord I hauehave forſaken all to follow thee: Mat. 19.27 Mat. 24.46Matt 19:27Matt 24:46Oh bleſſed is the ſeruant whom his Maiſter when hee commeth ſhall finde ſo doing.

Vſe 5 Laſt of all wee learne heere a notable difference betweene the child of GOD regenerate, and a wicked man: Hee that is borne of GOD and truely regenerate, hee doth not commit ſinne with full purpoſe and conſent of will, but againſt his will; ſo as hee can truely ſay with Paul, Rom. 7.15.Rom 7:15the euill that I would not do, that do I: That is, I am drawne, through the corruption of Nature, and the temptations of Sathan, to doe that euill which I hate and condemne. But the wicked man ſinnes with full conſent and purpoſe. I ſinne and would not ſinne, ſaith the godly man: I ſinne and will ſinne, ſaith the wicked man. Yea, what ſeruice ſoeuer the regenerate p. 95man doth giuegive vntounto ſinne, it is like that ſeruice which Iſrael gaue to Pharaoh in Egypt, compelled and wrung out from them by oppreſſion, which made them ſigh and cry vntounto GOD to bee eaſed of the ſame. But the ſeruice which hee doth giuegive vntounto the Lord is voluntary and chearefull. Well, to end this point, this is the ſumme: know this whoſoeuer thou art, that if thou Stand in the way of ſinners: that is, takeſt liberty to thy ſelfe to liue in any knowne ſinne, thou canſt hauehave no aſſurance that thou art yet within the couenant of Grace, Bleſſedneſſe is no part of thy portion: Hee muſt become a New Creature that ſhall enter into New Ieruſalem. And thus much for the ſecond part of the deſcription of a godly man, Negatiuely; Hee doth not ſtand in the way of ſinners.

p. 96Nor ſit in the ſeate of the ſcornfull.

The third part of the deſcription of a godly man negatiuely.BY Seate of the ſcornefull: he meaneth heere, the fellowſhip and ſociety of the vngodly: So that the meaning of the Prophet Dauid heere in this place is, that the godly man, who ſhall be this Bleſſed Man heere ſpoken of, will not conuerſe with thoſe men, nor bee familiar with thoſe that make a mocke of all Religion, and openly profeſſe all impietie: and the word ſitting, doth impart ſuch an habite and cuſtome in euill, that a man meaneth not to change his minde: In which words, as in the former wee are to conſider theſe two poynts: Firſt, that there is a ſeate of the ſcornefull, in the which the wicked ſit: and ſecondly, that the godly doe not ſit in it.

A three-fold ſeate.For the firſt, the Scriptures diſcouer vntounto vsus a three-folde Chaire, or 1Seate, firſt of Iuſtice, and ſuch a one may that Throne ſeeme to be which Salomon erected.1 Reg. 10.18.1 Kgs 10:18

p. 97The ſecond is of Doctrine, as our 2Sauiour CHRIST ſaith of the Scribes and Phariſes, They ſit in Moſes Chaire, Matth. 23.2.

Thirdly, wee reade of a Seate, or 3Chaire, of the ſcornefull, ſpoken of in this Pſalme.

This ſinne of Scorning hath it firſt being from the roote of Pride, which is the roote from whence this ſinne of ſcorning doth ſpring: and indeed it is the fruit of Pride, and it is the nature of men who are tainted with this ſinne of pride, to ſuppoſe that they are better then others, and therefore in regarde of themſelues they doe contemne and deſpiſe an other. If they hauehave wealth, they deſpiſe an other that is poorer then themſelues. Honour makes them ſwell in diſdaine of their poore brethren, their wiſedome, learning, ſtrength, beauty, friends, eloquence, all theſe lift men vp with pride, and makes them to ſcorne thoſe that are vnderunder them: and this comes to paſſe, not in reſpect of riches themſelues, or p. 98honour, or beauty, or the like, but in reſpect of our corrupr nature, which is ſo ready to abuſe them to our owne condemnation. But (O man) why art thou thus puffed vp with pride? thou waſt but earth, thou art but fleſh, thou ſhalt be but Wormes meate: what cauſe hath earth, or fleſh, or wormes meate to be prowd? Wee were all borne in ſinne, we liue in miſery, and we ſhall die in corruption. What cauſe hath ſinne, or miſery, or corruption to bee prowd, but to bee humble? Beſides the manifold infirmities that wee are ſubiect vntounto heere, and the innumerable diſeaſes that are ready to happen vntounto vsus: All teaching vsus this leſſon, To bee humble and lowly of minde.

And in this feare, the wicked and vngodly, doe eaſe themſelues and take their delight, as ſometimes Babylon did, who vaunted ſo much that ſhee did ſit as Queene, and ſhould ſee no mourning: as it were in ſcorne of all that God could do vntounto her.

p. 99And this was the caſe of curſed Pharaoh, who ſeemed to mocke God to his face, when he ſaid, I know not the Lord, neyther will I let the children of Iſraell goe, Exodus chap. 9. So then the doctrine that wee gather hence from the Text, is this: That euill menDoctr. 1. Wicked men proceed by degrees to be exceeding ſinful doe not vſually make a ſtay in ſinne, when at firſt they hauehave committed it, but they proceede by degrees to bee worſe and worſe, Falling from one miſchiefe to another. Firſt, the Diuell will ſuggeſt euill thoughts into a man, his euill thoughts doe tole on conſent, conſent breedeth action, action bringeth cuſtome, and cuſtome begetteth a neceſſity in ſinning, which is the fore-runner of death; This appeareth in Caine, in Pharaoh, and in Iudas, who by ſteps, and degrees in ſinning, came at the laſt to bee hardened in ſinne.Mat. 26.8. Iohn 12.5. Mat. 27.5.Matt 26:8John 12:5Matt 27:5 As in Iudas, who was at the firſt a cunning Diſſembler; ſecondly, a ſecret Thiefe; thirdly, a bold Lyer; fourthly, a Traytour; and laſtly, a Reprobate: And thus a wicked man, as it p. 100is in the Pſalme, They fall from one wickedneſſe to another; And as wee ſee it cleere heere in the wordes of this Text, from walking, to ſtanding, and from ſtanding ſtocke ſtill in ſinne, at length, through cuſtome, come to lie downe and wallow in ſinne. Oh happie then is that man that ſinneth leaſt! next, hee that returneth vntounto God ſooneſt: but moſt wofull is the eſtate of him that goeth on in ſinne, that with Ahab, Hath ſolde himſelfe to worke wickedneſſe in the ſight of the Lord: Pſal. 69.17 Iere. 13.23 Heb. 10.26 Heb. 12.17 Roman. 2.Ps 69:17Jer 13:23Heb 10:26Heb 12:17For marke what followeth: Can the Blacke-Moore change his skinne, or the Leopard his ſpottes? Then may they doe good who hauehave accuſtomed themſelues to doe euill. Where the Prophet ſheweth, That cuſtome in ſinning is almoſt an incurable diſeaſe. This is a lamentable eſtate, and this is a fearfull iudgement of God, for a man thus to be left ouer to himſelfe, to fall thus from one euill to an other, and to heape together a great meaſure againſt the day of wrath: Pſalme p. 101eighty one, verſe eleauen: And the cauſe of all this in a man, is his diſobedience towards his God: For this doth the Prophet make cleare when he ſaith, My people would not heare my voyce, and Iſraell would hauehave none of mee: So I gaue them vp vntounto hardneſſe of heart, and they hauehave walked in their owne counſells: Where the Prophet Dauid ſheweth, That ſeeing they would not be reclaymed and reformed, as in merciemercy towardes them the Lord vouchſafed them the means of reformation, his word, therefore the LORD gaue them ouer to the hardneſſe of their owne hearts, that ſo they might fill vp the Meaſure of their iniquities, 1. Theſſalon. 2.16. and that the iuſt wrath and vengeance of the Lord might then fall vponupon them.

Hence wee are taught, how dangerous Vſe 1 a thing it is, to giuegive any entertainement vntounto ſinne at the firſt, it will bring a man to the height of ſinne in the end, euen openly to profeſſe it, and to practiſe it with delight p. 102and greedineſſe: cuſtome in ſinne taketh away all ſence of ſinne, ſo as by cuſtome men come to iudge of ſinne to be no ſinne, yea it makes it very naturall to a man, ſo as ſuch men who at firſt would hauehave beene aſhamed to hauehave beene ſeene amongeſt lewd company, yet by cuſtome hauehave gotten ſuch an habite of ſinne, that they hauehave growne to bee verie impudent and ſhameleſſe, like Thamar, who at the firſt did play the whoore with a vaile, as being aſhamed to bee ſeene, but afterwards grew more impudent:Iere. 6.15.Jer 6:15 ſo many a man would hauehave bluſhed to hauehave beene heard ſweare, to bee ſeene drunke, to bee found in vnchaſte companie, but through cuſtome, hauehave growne ſo impudent, that afterwards would bluſh at nothing. And when a man takes the chaire of ſinne, and ſits downe in it, and hath got a cuſtome, and taken delight in ſinne, how hard a thing is it for a man to leaue that ſinne?Iere. 13.25Jer 13:25 Hee that hath got an habite and cuſtome of p. 103ſwearing, as hee growes ſhameleſſe in it, ſo how hardly doth he leaue it? euen ſo of drunkenneſſe &c. A nayle knockt into a poſt with many blows is hardly pulled out, and ſinne often committed, and growne familiar with a man, through cuſtome, is hardly left: Cuſtome is like a ſtrong ſtreame, it carrieth a man into all ſinne with violence: And as a man by continuall labour ſo hardeneth his hand that it becommeth ſenceleſſe: ſo cuſtome in ſinne ſo hardneth the heart, that a mans conſcience becommeth ſenceleſſe. This muſt teach vsus to repent betimes, not to ſuffer ſinne to come to ſuch an head, that it is more likely to maſter a man then a man it: For if thou dooſt not repent this day, thou wilt finde it harder to repent to morrow, thy ſelfe groweſt weaker,Note. thy ſinne ſtronger: and Cuſtome is a tyrant which will hardly be reſiſted: therefore it ſhall be thy wiſedome to repent with ſpeed, to delay no longer, but while it is called, to day, to breake p. 104off thy ſinnes, and to turne to God for mercy.

Vſe 2 Wee are taught hence, that ſeeing wicked men grow worſe, and worſe, adding ſinne vntounto ſinne, and committing all iniquitie euen with greedineſſe, ſo their damnation doth not ſleepe,1. Pet. 2.3.1 Pet 2:3 but they draw nearer and nearer their deſtruction: yea, the iudgements of almightie GOD follow them at the heeles, and in the end will ouertake them. Thus it was with the old world. What an heap of ſinnes had they gathered together, adding ſinne vntounto ſinne, as drunkenneſſe vntounto thirſt?Geneſ. 6.Gen 6 But when the meaſure of their iniquity was full, the Lord God was at hand with his iudgements, and they could not eſcape. This was the caſe of the ſinfull Sodomites,Geneſ. 18.Gen 18 whoſe ſins cryed vp to Heauen for vengeance, howſoeuer they might glut themſelues with ſinne, and drinke downe iniquitie like water: it was but for a ſeaſon, the Lord would bee no longer prouoked by their wicked and ſinnefull p. 105liues, but ſent downe fire and brimſtone from Heauen vponupon them; euerie ſinne doth helpe ſomewhat to increaſe the weight, and to fill vp the meaſure of a wicked mans iniquitie:Mat. 12.36Matt 12:36 And that God which keepeth a Regiſter of the workes of all men,Reu 20.12Rev 20:12 will one day giuegive vntounto euerie man according vntounto his workes: And when they ſhall goe the way of all fleſh, they ſhall then ſay, what hath pride profited vsus, and what hath the pompe of riches brought vsus to? 2 Cor. 5.102 Cor 5:10When they ſhall ſee, that all the dayes of their life, they hauehave vvearyed themſelues in vaine, and then ſhall be plunged into irreuokable and intollerable torments.

This may ſerue to reprooue ſuch, Vſe 3 as relying vponupon their owne wittes, knowledge, ſtrength, and goodnes, dare conuerſe, and keepe companie with notorious Atheiſtes, Papiſts, Mocke-Gods, Swearers, Swaggerers, Drunkards, and ſo forth. By which means it is iuſt with God, they not ſhunning the occaſions of ſinne p. 106are peruerted by them to their owne deſtruction. And no leſſe worthy of reproofe are thoſe kinde of men or women, that lincke themſelues or their children, in marriage with ſuch as be vile, wicked, prophane, and irreligious: Alas! what agreement is there betweene CHRIST and Belial, God and the Diuell, Light and darkeneſſe,1. Cor. 6.1 Cor 6 a Beleeuer and an infidell, to hauehave ſuch neare coniunction and fellowſhip with them? How can ſuch eſcape and not be polluted with their ſinne? And becauſe men and women in this match make no better choice, but marry for louelove of money, beauty, or the like, rather then for Religion, Vertue, or the Feare of God, it commeth to paſſe, that they liue together moſt vncomfortably, and in great diſcontentment.

Nor ſit in the ſeate of Scorners.

BY Scorners, in this place, are meant ſuch wicked men as are p. 107both hardened in ſinne, and liue a wicked life; ſuch as are become ſtubborne and rebellious ſinners, profeſſing all impietie, contemning God and man, ſuch as being confirmed with the long practiſe of ſinne, and a bad life, hauehave got a habite of ſinne, and can doe nothing elſe but ſinne, and deſpiſe all good duties, and make a ſcoffe at all Religion.

Hence wee learne this doctrine,Doctr. 2. The mark of a lewd and wicked man. that this is the propertie of a notorious lewd and wicked man, to make a mocke of all pietie and godlineſſe, to make a mocke of all Religion, and eueryevery Chriſtian dutie: And ſuch a man is come to a wonderfull height of ſinne, and is notoriouſly wicked and vngodly; So it is ſayd that curſed Cham mocked his father Noah, Gen. 9.22.Gen 9:22and Iſmael mocked godly Iſaac; becauſe, as it is like, Iſmael ſeeing godly Iſaac performing ſome duty of Religion, Prayer, Thankeſ-giuing, or the like, hee laughed him to ſcorne: The Athenians p. 108mocked Paul, Acts 17.Acts 17what will this Babler ſay? So the Scribes and Phariſees mocked our Sauiour CHRIST, ſaying;Mat. 26.68Matt 26:68 Haile King of the Iewes: The Iewes mocked Saint Peters Sermon, ſaying;Act. 2.12.Acts 2:12 Theſe men are full of new wine: The children of Bethel mocked Elizeus the Prophet, ſaying; Go vp thou Bald-head: 2. Kin. 2.222 Kgs 2:22This was the complaint of godly Ieremie, O Lord I am in deriſion daily, Ier. 20.7.Jer 20:7eueryevery one mocketh mee. And as it was, ſo is it ſtill, and will bee; the world is full of ſuch lewd and wicked men, ſuch Mock-gods that mocke and mow at all good duties ſcoffing and ſcorning all Religion, flouting and miſ-vſing Gods faithfull Miniſters, raile vponupon them, and reuile them: yea if any man feare God, make conſcience of good duties, to heare the word of God diligently and carefully, to reade, pray in family, &c. And will not ſweare with the ſwearer, drinke with the drunkard, and run with wicked men into all exceſſe of ryot: this man ſhall bee mocked p. 109and poynted at, and called by the name of Puritan, and preciſian, and I know not what, and can very hardly endure their company. Now theſe kinde of men, theſe ſcoffing Iſmaels, and curſed Chams, though they ſeeme to be neuer ſo honeſt & ciuell, yet the word of God paints them out in their colours, as the moſt vile and wicked men that liue in the world, becauſe they contemne and deſpiſe, they mocke and ſcorne Gods word, and thoſe that be moſt deere vntounto God.

Let all ſuch ſcorners, and ſcoffing Vſe 1 mates take heede: for as they bee moſt abhominable in the ſight of God,Pro. 3.32Prov 3:32 ſo they ſeldome or neuer eſcape vnpuniſhed. Looke on that curſed Cham, ſcoffing Iſmael, behold Gods vengeance vponupon thoſe two and forry yonkers that mocked the Prophet Elizeus: What became of them that mocked and miſ-vſed the Prophets of the Lord? What became of thoſe that mocked and miſ-vſed our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt?

p. 110And let men but obſerue it, and marke it well,Eſay 37Isa 37 and they ſhall cleerely ſee ſome token or other of Gods vengeance vponupon the heades of ſuch ſcoffing wretches: yea, let all ſuch wicked men know that they be too much their owne foes, in that they hate the godly, mocke Gods Miniſters, raile vponupon his ſeruants, they fare the better for them eueryevery day they riſe, whatſoeuer wicked and vngodly men hauehave and enioy, it is for the godlies ſakes; for if it were not for them, and their ſakes, the Sunne would ſcarce ſhine vponupon them, the heauens would fall vponupon them, the earth would open her mouth and ſwallow them, the fire would burne them, the water would drowne them, and all the creatures of God would arme themſelues againſt them: And therefore the children of God (as one ſaith) are like a peece of Corke caſt into the Sea full of Nayles, the Corke beares them vp, which otherwiſe would ſinke of themſelues one p. 111by one. Now then what a folly and madneſſe is this to hate them, to mocke them, and to miſ-vſe them by whom they fare the better eueryevery day they riſe?

Seeing wicked men are ſo ill affected Vſe 2 to God and his children, becauſe they louelove the diuell, and bee his vaſſailes, and theſe belong to God: Let vsus herein be like to God our Father, and moſt vnlike wicked men, let vsus louelove Gods children, and make much of thoſe that feare the Lord, and let vsus delight in their company; for as the former is a ſigne of a notorious wicked man, ſo this is a ſigne of a godly man: He deſpiſeth a vile perſon, Pſal. 15.4.Ps 15:4and maketh much of thoſe that feare the Lord. Againe,1 Iohn 3.1 John 3 Hereby we know that wee louelove God, if wee louelove the brethren. Againe, All my delight is in the Saints, and ſuch as excell in vertue. Such as be religious, feare God, and liue a godly life: Theſe be to be beloued, be they neuer ſo poore. It is lamentable to ſee the courſe of the world, let a lewd man come into p. 112company, that is notorious wicked, an Atheiſt, a blaſphemous wretch, one that laughes at God, and all goodneſſe, a drunkard, or the like: this man ſhall be too too welcome, and we will eate and drinke, and bee mery with him. But let a godly man, a Prophet of the Lord, a faithful and zealous Miniſter come into our company, we are weary of him, wee cannot endure his companie, hee marres all our mirth, wee cannot be merry for him. Thus men ſay. Oh Hel-hounds, and wicked wretches! thou maiſt as well ſay thou canſt not be merry when God is preſent: Hee that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth mee. Theſe men onelyonly delight in the Diuell, and his curſed inſtruments.

And thus much for the firſt part of the deſcription of a godly man, negatiuely deſcribed: Hee doth not walk in the counſell of the wicked, Hee doth not ſtand in the way of ſinners, nor hee doth not ſit in the ſeate of the ſcorners.