Sermons Upon Psalm 101, Sermon · Pages 1-50
THis is a Psalme of Dauid as it is intituled; but whether it were made by him, before he came to the kingdome, or after he was settled in it, it seemes not easie to determine, neither will I striue much about it. It conteineth a certaine vowe of his, by the which in most solemne manner he bindeth himself vntounto the Lord, and promiseth faithfully to doe his duetie, in ordering himself, his house, and the affaires of his state in all wisedome, and according to the perfect way of the worde.
1 I will sing. In this verse we hauehave his generall protestation, which in the verses following, is more particularly (as it were) by peecemeales vnfolded and laid open: by that which we doe here reade mercy, we are to vnderstand the care hee would hauehave, and the fauour that he wold beare to such as did well: and by iudgement, the course of equitie and iustice that he would take, in punishing and rooting out the wicked: according as these be the speciall endes of all gouernment, and principall things which eueryevery christian Magistrate ought to look vntounto. And so much dooth Dauid in this verse teach all those that bee in authoritie, and beare any office. First to comfort and cherish such as be good: Isa. 32.1, 2.euen as it is prophesied in Isai. of a good King raigning in iustice, and of princes ruling in iudgment, that they should be hiding places from the wind, a refuge for the tempest, as riuers of water in a drye place, and as the shadowe of a great rock in a weary land. Whereunto Saint Paul agreeth, saying: wilt thou …e without feare of the power, Rom. 13.3.doe well, so shalt thou hauehave praise of the same. And Saint Peter, where he saith, that gouernors be sent for the praise of them that doe well.1. Pet. 2.14
Secondly they be taught, to set themselues against such as bee euill, to discountenance, restraine, and correct them according as the Apostles hauehave added in the places alledged immediately before. As where the one sayth: Princes be to be feared for euill works: & if thou doe euill, feare, for hee beareth not the sword for naught, for he is the minister, Rō. 13.3, 4.of God, to take vengeance on him that doth euill. And the other: that gouernours be sent for the punishment of euill doers. For these purposes they bee the Lords Lieutenants vponupon the earth, 1. Pet. 2.14.to doe that which he would hauehave done. Therefore they be called his children, yea by his own name, (God,) that by liuing holily and vnblameably, by patronizing and defending the righteous, Psal. 82.6.& by punishing of euill doers, as most liuely Images they might represent him, & in some sort set before our eyes what a one he is, euē holy, a louer of those yt doe wel, & an enimy vntounto sinners. Great cause ther is, why gouernors shuld thus do For such as feare God, Mat. 10.16be here in the worlde as Lambs among wolues, according to the saying of Christ Iesus, in danger to be worried and spoyled by the wicked, that burne in malice against them, except they be bridled by the hand of the Magistrate: for, fearing nothing but punishment, if vponupon the remissnes of such as be in office, they may conceiue neuer so little hope to escape, they will not forbeare that which is most outragious, but desperatly aduēture vponupon any thing they like. How much more will they be bolde to doe this, when they shall see the gouernours, fauourers of those that be naught, & enemies of such as desire to please God? such gouernours as thus farr forget themselues, bee guiltie of a great sinne. They peruert the ordinance of God, & turne it a clean cōtrary way, in bending the edge of the sworde against those, towards whom they should turne the back, and the back to those toward whome they should turne the edge: Such hauehave a fearefull account to make to the iudge of all the world, euen as now already in a double respect, Pro. 17.15.they be abhominable to him, in iustifying the wicked, and condemning the innocent, as it is in the prouerbs. According also as Isayah crieth out: Woe vntounto them that call euill good, and good euill, Isaiah. 5.20.23.which iustifie the wicked for a rewarde, and take away the righteousnes of the righteous frō him. The people that hauehave any vnderstanding will curse such: howe much more execrable bee they, in the sight of the most wise and all-seeing God? Pro. 24.24.They therefore, whome it hath pleased God here vpō the earth to depute vnderunder him to beare any office, be it neuer so meane, must know by the example of this holy Prophet, that it is their duetie, to be places of refuge, bulwarks and defences, for such as be carefull to doe well: as on the other side, to bee so terrible to the wicked, that they may feare to see them; and to come into their presence.
Now we are to remember here, that Dauid vowing this which we hauehave heard, and the things that followe after in this Psalme, doth not this, trusting to his owne strength, as if of himself he had bin able to do thus, or as if by any grace from God, he looked to be made able in eueryevery thing to doe his duety perfectly. Dauid was more wise in vnderstanding than so: hee knewe that his sufficiencie was from God, and that it could not be, but he should be short in many things: he trusted vponupon the couenant of God, who promiseth to write his lawes in the hearts of his children, to giuegive them his holy spirite, and to pardon their iniquities, Ier. 31.33.34.as it is in Ieremie. Assuring himselfe then of helpe from God, in a measure acceptable to be enabled to doe his duetie, and being fully perswaded of pardon for the rest, he voweth as we see in this place: and after this maner also wee bee taught to vowe for our selues, namely that by the helpe and assistance of God, wee will bee carefull to our vttermost to doo our duetie. Psa. 119.106. Neh. 10.22 30.31. &c.VntoUnto this by a solemne oath Dauid bounde himselfe as hee witnesseth in an other place. So in the booke of Nehemiah it is sayde, that the chiefe of the people for their brethren came to the oath and to the curse, promising to walke in Gods lawe, to obserue and to doe all his commaundements, his iudgements, and his statutes. That they woulde not giuegive their daughters to the people of the lande, neither take daughters of theirs, for their sonnes: And that if the people of the lande brought ware on the sabaoth, or victuales to sell, they would not take it on them, Ios 24.15.on the sabaoth, &c. So also Iosua protested, that he and his house would serue the Lord. This may bee very profitable for men, and much help their infirmitie, to consider when they bee tempted to sinne, that by their promise and oath to GOD they be bound from it. Men otherwise eagre vponupon play, whereby their wealth and credit bee decayed, to the end they may the rather conquer themselues in that corruption, bee content by their solemne promise, vponupon something receiued from a friend, to bind themselues from playe: that when they bee intised by other ryotous persons, they may truely answere I may not doe this, I am bound from it, I hauehave passed my worde to my friend which I must not go from: So no doubt it may much helpe vsus, whē we feele our selues stirred vp to sinne, by satan, by the world, and our corruption, to thinke with our selues after this manner: nay this thing I may not doe, I hauehave giuen my promise to God to the contrary, I hauehave solemnly bound my selfe, not to consent or to doe any such thing. True it is, our baptisme is a very bond in this matter. For as the Iewes circumcision bound them to keepe the whole lawe of Moses: Gal. 5.3.so our baptisme, being the outward receiuing of vsus into the visible church and house of God, requireth of vsus when we come to discretiō, to apply our selues to al good works, and to forsake all manner of euill, as becommeth the children of such a father, and seruants to such a Lord. But it is good for vsus, to bee strengthened with a second obligation, that a two-folde cord may holde vsus the fasterr Therefore it shall be well, to doe that also which Dauid doth in this place, euen the second time, yea often times to promise vntounto the Lorde, that wee will bee carefull to serue him, and to walke in his wayes.
Yea wee may not onelyonly thus vowe for our selues, but also after this sorte it is lawful for vsus to vow for others: namely to doe what in vsus lieth, that they may feare the Lord, beleeue his trueth, and walke in his commandements. We may assure our selues by that which is in this psalme, Ios 24.15. Neh. 10.29that Dauid did this for his housholde & kingdome. So did Iosua for his familie, and the chief of the people for the rest, as we heard before.
At the coronation of Ioas, there passed a couenant betweene the Lorde, 2. Kin. 11.17.the King & the people. Thus should eueryevery Prince promise for all the people of his kingdome, & eueryevery housholder forthose that bee of his familie. Yea indeede a childe, which not knowing the right hand from the left, Ionoh. 4.11.can make no promise himselfe, yet ought not by baptisme to bee receiued into the church, except there bee some to promise to do their indeuour, that it may be well trained vp, and continued in the fayth whereinto it was baptized. The Father or some other for him, ought to do this, wherein there would bee good choyce made. For, such as for their ignoraunce and corruption of life, be vnworthy to be reckoned of the church, bee much more vnworthy to be admitted to promise for the bringing vp of any, and continuance of them in that faith and holines, which becommeth the children of God the Father, and of the Church the mother. Such as be put in trust, to take bandes with sureties for men, are not so vnwise, carelesse and vnfaithfull, to take a childe for a suretie or one that knows not what he is bound too, or vnlikely for any respect to keepe couenant. The ministers of God be put in trust by him, as it were to take securitie on his behalfe, that such children as be inroled into his house, and reckoned among his, may afterward carrie themselues dutifully. Childrē therfore without knowledge and conscience, Papists and other heretykes none of our communion, and other notorious ignorant and euill liuers, ought not to bee admitted in such a case. And therefore those ministers be much to bee blamed which without difference receiue eueryevery one. We are also to remember here, as Dauid promiseth these things, so hee was carefull to performe them indeede. And so it is saide of him: 2. Sā. 1.15.Thus Dauid raigned ouer all Israel, and executed iustice and iudgement to all his people. We learne therefore of him not onelyonly to vow vntounto God, but also to keepe our vowes, that is to doe such holy and lawful things as we hauehave promised. Euen as in the 50. Psal. Psa. 50.14. Eccle. 4.34.we are called vponupon to pay our vowes: And in the booke of the Preacher: defer not to pay thy vow, adding that it is better not to vow, thā to vow & not keep it: The word of a Christiā euen vntounto mā, ought much to be respected, whether it bee passed for himselfe or for another. Promise ought to bee kept in lawfull things though to our owne hinderance, Pro. 6 1, 2, 3, 3, 4.when we are become suerty for our brother, Salomon tels vsus, that wee are snared with our owne wordes, and that it is our duety to humble our selues to him to whom we are so bound, and to see that discharged, for the which we gaue our promise: How much more ought wee to doe thus, when wee hauehave vowed vntounto God that which is agreeable to his will, what conscience ought there to bee in vsus to keepe our worde to him that is so great, and so farre aboue all men, whether we hauehave promised any thing for our selues or for others? And yet this is a common thing, wherin men presume and take too much liberty. For notwithstanding they hauehave some regard of their promise to men, specially if they be of great place, yet be they ouer bold with the Lord; scarse once in their life, they think vponupon the couenaunt passed between his Maiestie and them in their baptisme, wherein the very receiuing of the Sacrament bounde them to forsake the deuill, the world, and the flesh, and to keepe his commandements: And although peraduenture since they came to vnderstanding, vppon some speciall lessings receiued, or daungers escaped, …ey hauehave promised to become better, to …e these or these good deedes, to re…urme their houses, and to forsake all …ill waies, so binding themselues (as it …ere) by a second band: yet is there not …e among a thousand, but he dallieth …ith the Lord, so as his word to him is no therwise thā wind, the benefit attained …r the trouble being passed ouer, they …e the same they were before, notwith…anding their vowe. And as for them …at at baptisme take vponupon them to pro…ise for Children, though it bee before …e face of God and of his congregatiō: …et where almost is there any one, that …er after thinks vponupon it? when do they …ew any care to hauehave these children be…ome Gods children, by watching ouer …em, counselling them, reproouing thē, …alling vponupon them, and seeing them to …e taught all such things as a Christian …ught to know and beleeue, to his soules …ealth? We ought therefore the rather … remember that which we hauehave heard …oncerning Dauid, and not onelyonly vowe vntounto God good and holie dueties, but also carefully to looke to the performan… of them, vnles we wilbe accounted promise breakers, & be subiect to the cur… due vntounto such.
When hee saith that he would sing o… these, his meaning is, that when he we… to recreate and refresh his spirits with… song, it should containe matter of instruction to admonish him of his duety▪ And so wee may see, that the rest of hi… psalmes serue to the like end. We learn… of Dauid here: first that it is our dueti… to sing, for howsoeuer the Iewes ha… some musicall ceremonies, whereunt… wee are not tied, Mat. 26.30. Act. 16.25. Iam. 5.13. Eph. 5.19. Col. 3.16.yet is singing an exe… cise still continued vntounto vsus: Christ an… his Disciples sung a Psalme after th… supper, Paul and Sylas sung in prison Saint Iames exhorteth to sing, so doot… Saint Paul to the Ephesians and Colo… sians. Eph. 1.19. Col 3.16.Dauid saieth that hee will sing t… God, and Paul speaketh of singing t… the Lord, teaching vsus that this is an exe… cise of the religion of GOD; where i… wee must bee carefull to serue him▪ … as it ought to be done of vsus with great …uerence as that which is done vntounto …od, as well as praier, preaching, or hea…ng of his word: wee must not then in …ur singing, so much respect the deligh…ng of our selues or others, with the …eete tunablenes of the voyce, as to do …orship vntounto GOD by it, and to edifie …ur consciences: Co. 3.16.whereupon also Saint …aul saith, Sing in your hearts as well as …ith your mouthes, & that too with a grace …instructing and teaching your selues. We …ust therefore applie our selues to sing, …d to sing as vntounto God. It is a duetie …ioyned vntounto vsus: they bee therefore …rofane persons, which scorne at such …sing Psalmes, as if it were a note of …e too too holie as they think, to bee …us religiouslie occupied. And seeing …auid being a King, disdained not thus … doo, why shoulde any whatsoeuer …ee ashamed or thinke scorne, to honor …od with lifting vp their voyce, by sin…ng to his praises in their owne hou…s, or with the rest of the faithfull … the great congregation? Which we are the rather to beare away, because many that in other places and in ba… matters, be bold inough, and very lowd… in their cursed speaches; when they should serue God with their tongue, to sing to his praise in the church or in other company, they be mute and dumbe as if this exercise were a thing too bas… and vncomely for them. We do furthe… learne here, Col. 3.16.what song to sing, euen suc… as bee spirituall according to the speec… of the Apostle: that is to say such as sauour of the spirit of God, and tend to e… dification, by the which we may be stired vp to prayse God for his benefites, & the great workes which hee hath done as also put in minde of our owne dutie… Such was the song of Moses and Miri… am, Exo. 15.1, 2, 3 Ila. 5.1.2.of Isaiah and Salomon, and such b… all the Psalmes of Dauid. This al… ought to be remembred of vsus: for it i… not sufficient for vsus to sing, except ou… songs be such as wee hauehave heard; an… therfore as they are to be reproued tha… for too much bashfulnes or scornfulne… abstaine altogether from singing, so i… their fault very haynous and intollera…le, that defile their owne mouthes, cor…upt others, and be offensiue to chaste …nd Christian eares, by singing idle, vn…rofitable, drunken, filthy and vncleane …ongs, whereof there is often and lamen…able vse among the wicked vponupon their …le-bench, & in other places, where bet…er orders ought to be. And thus much …oncerning the first verse, and the pro…hets generall protestation in the same. … 2 I will doe wisely. Dauid commeth …ow more particularly to promise his …uty in the seuerall parts of it. And first …n my iudgemēt, in this 2.3. and 4. verses what he would be in respect of his owne …ife and conuersation, and in the reste …ollowing how he would carry himselfe …oward others of his house and king…ome. Now it is not to be omitted, that …efore he come to deale more specially …bout his publique charge, he first pro…iseth thus earnestly for the good di…ection of his owne person. He knew it …ery well that it was the duty of such as …aue the guidance of others, to guide themselues aright, if they meant by their counsell and authoritie, to keepe them in good order. And indeede this is a certaine truth, men desire to find occasions whereupon to refuse and withstand the meanes that should bring them vntounto goodnes: if they can espie any faultes in such as teach or gouerne them, they strayght waies imagine that they should neither reproue nor punish them. And to say the trueth, with what authoritie or maiesty can we finde fault with anie, for that which wee our selues committ and make no conscience of? Mat. 7.5, 4, 5Bee wee not worthily subiect to the reproofe of Iesus Christ? Hypocrite, why seest thou a mote in thy brothers eye, and seest not the beame that is in thine own? So then whereas counsell, reproofe, and correction bee the sanctified ordinances of the Lord, to bring men into order and to keepe them within good bounds, and such as bee in place to administer any of these, be worthy of all reuerence; we may see that the things themselues bee made vnprofitable as water powred out, and the parties (to the dishonour of God himselfe) had in reproach, when …here is not a care in them to abstaine from that which they would hauehave others …o leaue, and to doe such good things as …hey would hauehave others to doe. When …here is this regarde in such as be aboue others, then assuredly their authoritye, …ounsell, instructions, admonitions, and …hastisements, shall the rather bee entertained to the reformation of many, …nd their persons had in the reuerence, which becommeth their place. 1 Tim. 4.12 Tit. 2.7Wher…pō it is that S Paul writing to Timo…hy & Titus, ministers & teachers of the Church, chargeth them with this as an especiall thing, to be examples to their …locks; and the selfe same thing dooth …aynt Peter require of the elders in …is first Epistle: 1 Pet. 5.3.for howsoeuer the Ministers preach well, and execute the Church censures in the best order, yet …hall they (as we vse to speake,) destroy …y theyr ill life, that which by their good preaching they woulde seeme desirous to builde vp. No maruaile therefore though the Apostles do so earnestly warne them of that poynt, and that Dauid (desirous to doe good in his house & common wealth gouernment) vow to be thus watchfull ouer his owne life, that the wicked (with whom he was to deale) might hauehave no exception at all against him, and the order hee meant to take for their reformation. Let this point then be well marked, as that which is of great importance: And if we bee in any place ouer others in the commonwealth, in the church, or in the house, so as wee minde to helpe them to doe well, by our authoritie, calling, or place; let vsus first looke to our owne stepps that they bee straight, vpright, and such as they shuld be: whatsoeuer wee call others from, le… vsus leaue our selues, and that which wee call them vntounto, let vsus first put ou… owne shoulders to the same; not being like the wretched Pharisies, who layde heauy burthens vponupon others, themselues not touching the same with thei… owne fingers. Mat. 23.4.Nor like those of whom the Apostle speaketh: Rom. 2.21.22.Thou that teachest other men, teachest thou not thy selfe? thou that preachest a man shoulde not steale, doest thou steale? &c. And yet is this also a course in respect wherof many bee very faulty: some in the ministery speak against this or that vice, which it is knowen that themselues doe tumble and wallow in. So are wee to say of many that beare offices, by the which they might punish and restrain euill doers, but themselues doe euill, and so offer their place vntounto contempt. The like complaint might iustly bee taken vp against many housekeepers, which crye out of disorders in their children and seruants, and yet marre all themselues by their owne sinfull example, being guilty of horrible pride, couetousnes, scraping and raking by extreame meanes, slaundering and lying, fretting and chafing, mispending the sabaoths, and such other disorders, let vsus therefore looke to this, and procure reuerence to our place, and authoritie to the meanes wee vse for the reformation of any, by the holie and vnblameable carriage of our selues, that wee may the rather doo good to such as by our calling wee be bound to doe good vntounto. Who will not easilie be perswaded, that wee thinke the things whereof wee giuegive them warning, to be so euill as we account them, when they see vsus doe the same or the like: nor the things to be so good, wherto we exhort them; when they shall perceiue in our selues no conscience at all to doe them.
I will doe wisely in the perfect way: The latter of these expoundeth the former, they seeme to be both one. To doe wisely is to walk in the perfect way, and to walk in the perfect way is to do wisely. Now by the perfect way is meant nothing else, but the wayes of Gods law & word, Psa. 19. 2. Tim 3.15which conteineth true wisdome giueth wisedome to the simple, and is able to make a man wise to saluation, and what would we hauehave more? worthily therfore it deserueth the name of perfection, being absolute in it selfe, hauing nothing superfluous, nor any thing wating, whereunto no man must adde in pain of the curse, and from the which no man must take, in paine of the same. Apo 22.18.19. Psa. 19.7.So it is said in the Psalme: The lawe of the Lord is perfect: and Saint Iames calleth it the perfect lawe of libettie, Iam. 1.25.containing in it whatsoeuer is necessary for vsus to knowe vntounto saluotion, either for religion, or for ordering of our life among men And therefore the Papists be here iustly reproued, which at their pleasures adde to the worde of God, and take from it, as if it were an vnperfect thing, and needed supply or amendment from them: shall not therfore the curses written in that booke, fall vppon them? But to let them goe, wee bee taught here, what is true wisedome, and how onelyonly we may become wise, euen by giuing ouer our selues to walke in the perfect wayes of GODS worde, there onelyonly wisedome is to bee found, & not in the brain of men nor in the writings of the most wise mē of the world, who not being guided by this rule doe then shewe extreamest folly, when they thinke to shew the very depth of their wisdome; as it is saide of such in the first to the Romanes, Rom. 1.22.without the light and direction of this worde, men be but fooles whatsoeuer they be thoght of in the world; though for the things of this present life, they hauehave neuer so many deepe fetches, reaches, and forecasts; 2. Sā. 16.23though their counsell among men bee as was Achitophels, euen taken for an oracle of God, yet is there not in them, so much as one crum of sound and substanciall wisedome. According as in the fourth and fifth of Ieremie, Ier. 4.22. & 5.4.the people are charged to be foolish because they knew not God: And in the eight Chapt. it is said; that there could not bee any wisedome in them, because they had cast off the lawe of God, Ior. 8.9.where onelyonly true wisedome was to be founde. Let vsus marke this well: wee doo all desire to be accounted wise, wee abhorre the name of a foole, wee woulde thinke great wronge offered vntounto vsus, if any shoulde tearme vsus so: and yet it is sure we are no better, except we vnderstand the perfect way of God, and apply our selues to walke according to his word. So farre are we wise as wee knowe that, and so far wee bee ignorant and foolish, as we be ignorant of that: the most part be of another iudgement, they thinke them vnwise, yea verie idiots, that bee carefull to liue after Gods commandements, in the deniall of themselues, in mortification, sanctification, and crucifying of the world: to beare wrongs and iniuries, to bee readie to forgiue, to louelove their enemies, to indure reproaches, stripes, imprisonment, losse of liuing & of life for their conscience; they thinke there is no follie greater. On the other side, they esteeme them wise, that will put vp no wrong, will soone reuenge themselues, with all extremity will pursue their owne matters, bee cunning to gaine in the world, can serue for al times, especially, if they can giuegive wretched counsell, to serue the turne with to effect horrible things, though it bee to lie with the fathers wife, 2. Sam. 16.21.as did Achitophel to Absolom. But these sinfull men controle the wisdome of GOD, throwing downe & abasing that which he sets vp, and aduansing that which is abhominable in his eyes. Let vsus knowe there is no wisdom but to know God aright, and to reforme our selues after his will: this is to bee wise vntounto saluation, euen wise indeede; for what wisdome is it, if possiblie wee could with our skill get all the world into our hands, & order all things eueryevery where, according to our own pleasure, Matth. 19.26.if our soule bee lost and perish in the end. But inough of this; if wee consider it well, wee shall see the vowe of Dauid in this, worthie of our speciall obseruation; for it is no common thing, to see the great personages of the world such as he was, to submit themselues to the gouernement of the word: it is a hard thing for a rich man to bee saued, Christ saith; Matth. 19.23, 24.It is easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle. Riches and pleasures choake the good seede of the word in the most of them, Matth. 13.22.as it is saide in the parable. In the Apostles time, God had not called manie such as Saint Paul witnesseth: trueth it is, Matth. 13.22. 1. Cor. 1.26the fault is not in their birth, high places, riches, and aboundance, which all in themselues be the good blessings of GOD; as they were vntounto Noah, Abraham, Isaach, Iakob, Iob, Dauid, Iehosophat, Ezechia, Iosia and many others. The onelyonly fault is in the corruption of men, who doo abuse the fauours of God, to contrary endes: the better borne, the richer, the higher in place, (for the most part,) the more proud against GOD and men, the more wanton, lose and profane, disdaining all good instruction, and taking libertie vntounto eueryevery euill, as if no man might controle them: whereas in deed the more of these mercies they hauehave receiued from the Lorde, the more obedient and dutifull they ought to bee aboue the porer sort: for to whom men commit much, Luk. 12.48.of them they require more: euen as themselues doo looke for more painefull and trustie seruice at the hands of such their seruants, as they hauehave done most for; so it becommeth them to knowe, that the Lord hauing done more for them, looketh that they should bee more seruiceable to his maiesty, & wholie suffer themselues to bee guided by him, which if they doo not, their account shall one day bee verie heauie: for such by the iustice of GOD must suffer great wrath in the end. They therefore whome GOD hath any way aduanced aboue their brethren, giuing them many priueledges and prerogatiues in the world, knowing how hard a thing it is to bee good stewards of so much, must be so far off from imagining that in respect of their greatnes, they may doo what they list, that so much the rather, they ought with Dauid to vow to be verie watchfull ouer themselues, least the deceitfulnes of honor, riches, and pleasure withdraw their hearts, and so to their owne destruction they shake off the Lords yoake.
Till thou commest to mee: Some holding that this Psalme was made by Dauid, after he was setled in his kingdome, think that hee promiseth here to continew dooing well to the end of his life, so as walking alwaies in the perfect way, hee would euer bee expecting and waiting, when the Lord would by death take him out of this world; which they vnderstand by comming vntounto him. If wee take it thus, it offereth a very profitable instruction, which is, that continuallie wee giuegive our selues to well dooing, that the Lorde when hee calleth vsus hence to giuegive accounts of our seuerall stewardships may finde vsus well occupied, for blessed shall such seruants be. Luk. 12.43.There is great cause why men should be carefull of this, seeing that death it selfe, and the last iudgement (both which shall certainely be) be so vncertaine in respect of their special and particular times: wherevpon it is, that in the Gospell wee be so often willed to watch, to bee alwaies readie to meete the bridegrome with the wise virgins, Matth. 25.1, 2, 3. &c.hauing our lampes burning and store of oyle in them, and with the good seruants, Luk. 12.35.36.hauing their loynes girt, and their lightes burning, to waite for the comming of our Lord. For his comming shall be at midnight, Matth. 25.6vponupon the sodaine, like the paines of a woman in trauell, 1. Thes. 53 Matth. 24.43. 1. Thes. 5.2.or as the comming of a thiefe, when men shall thinke all safe and crie peace peace. Now how fearefull a thing will it bee then, to bee taken vnprouided, Matth. 25.3.8.as were the foolish Virgins, and with the bad seruant, which imagining that his Master will not come yet, Luk. 12.45, 46.giueth himselfe to drinke with the dronken, and to beate his fellowe seruants. Matth. 24.51.Surelie such a one shall bee sawne a sunder, and hauehave his portion with hypocrites. It is then a most fearefull estate to liue so, as thou fearest to die, and to come before the Lorde to giuegive vp thy reckning; it is therefore a profitable meditation and a necessarie indeuour for vsus, alwaies to remember that wee must die, and bee iudged; and because wee knowe not when the time hereof will bee, therefore to giuegive our selues no rest, till our consciences and conuersations bee brought vntounto such an order, that resting vppon the merciemercy of our God, wee may cheare…llie with Saint Paul desire and wish …r our dissolution.Phil. 1.23.
But for my part, I will rather in…line to such as thinke this Psalme …o bee made before Dauid came to …he Kingdome, and that in these …ordes: Till thou come to mee, hee …eaneth the accomplishment of that which was promised him concerning …is establishment in the throne: for … is the Lord saide to come vntounto vsus, …hen hee bestoweth any speciall be…efit, as in Genesis it is saide: Gen. 18.10.I will …ertainelie come againe vntounto thee, accor…ing to the time of life, and Sarah thy …ife shall hauehave a sonne: and then this … bee the meaning of the Prophet. … Lorde I will tarrie thy leasure, and …eepe my selfe within the boundes …f my duetie, till thou hast accompli…hed that which thou hast promised …nto me, though thou delay the matter, …nd put mee off, I will bee content to walke in the perfect way, and not once presume to goe a side out of it, to compas that which thou hast saide that thou wilt giuegive me. And according vntounto this promise of Dauids, wee may see how he carried himselfe: for although there were a great space, 1. Sam. 16.13. & 1. Sam 31.betwixt his annoynting, whereby hee was by Gods owne mouth proclaimed heir apparant to the crowne, after the death of Saul: notwithstanding hee had the hearts of the subiects: 1. Sam. 18.7 1. Sam. 18.1insomuch, as the women in their songs extolled him aboue the King; though the soule of Ionathan the kings sonne were lincked fast to him, and so he might hauehave conceiued hope to hauehave made a great part against Saul, which continuallie prouoked him, by his most cruell, outragious and vniust persecutions: yet Dauid kept himselfe in his vprightnes, hee hasted not by any indirect attempt (as did his owne sonne Absolom afterward against himselfe) to seeke his owne reuenge, 2. Sam. 15. &c.nor to displace the king & his seed, which he knew in time were to be remoued; but patientlie waited vponupon God, dooing his wil. Yea when God two seueral times, 2. Sam. 24.6 2. Sam. 26.12.had put him into his hands, once in the caue where Da…id and his men were hidden, another time in Saules owne tent, whether with such courage hee had aduentured: hee was so farre off, from taking awaie his …ife, which easilie hee might hauehave done, …hat it grieued his conscience so much, …s to hauehave cut off the lap of the Kings …arment at the one time, 2. Sam. 24.6.& he sharplie …eproued Abner for guarding the Kings …erson so weakelie and careleslie at the …ther. 2. Sam. 26.14, 15, 16.Thus did the holie man car…e himselfe in the perfect waie of pa…ience, and loyaltie to his cruell prince, …nd persecuting father in lawe, till GOD himselfe by the waie that hee …ppoynted, had set him in the Kinges …ate. And so wee bee taught here …oncerning such things, as in time be …kelie to become ours, either in re…pect of the generall promise of GOD …ade to vsus, or else of the ordinarie …aie, whereby hee conueigheth such …ings to his Children, to attend vp…n him patientlie, till it please his Maiestie to giuegive them vntounto vsus. He knoweth the most fit season to doo euerie thing in, when it shall most aduanc… his name, and yeeld vsus especiall comfor… we may not therefore prescribe him, t… appoint when wee will hauehave any thing neither must we, if hee tarrie long ente… into any euill course, for the attaining o… that which hee hath passed vntounto… by his worde alreadie, but still pe… seuer to walke in his waies, till he… bring euerie thing to passe, beeing a… sured, that for as much as hee is holie and true: Apoc. 3.7.therefore hee will neue… fayle vsus in the ende. This wee ough… to remember; for euen they whic… bee well disposed, doo often offen… herein: Gen. 15.5. Ge. 16.1.2.Abraham and Sarah had God promise to hauehave seede, but becau… it came not so soone as they desire… they forget themselues shamefullie… Sarah becommeth no better than… baude, in putting her maide into he… Husbands bosom, and the olde ma… is too easilie intised to defile his bodi… with horrible adulterie, and that wit… an Aegiptian stranger. Gen. 25 23. and Gen. 27.6, 7. &c.So also Rebec…ha beeing assured by the Oracle of GOD, that Iaakob should hauehave the birth-right, and superioritie ouer E…au, taketh an indirect and sinfull course, in teaching her sonne to dissemble and lie; and so by wicked meanes …o attaine that, which GOD had before assuredlie promised. If such rare godlie personages as these, were thus soone drawne aside in this case, what …ause hauehave we to feare and stand in awe? Therefore wee must alwaies remember; that as GOD promiseth good thinges to vsus, for our Soules and Bodies: so must wee not bee our owne …aruers of them, but onelie content …ur selues to come by them by such waies as GOD alloweth and hath made lawfull vntounto vsus, beeing well bleased to bee without them so long …s hee seeth good, assuring our selues, that in their due time wee shall attaine them. And so much dooth Dauid teach …s. Howsoeuer therefore the Lorde hath promised to such as feare him, health, Children, and other outward necessarie and conuenient things, ye… if wee be without these, or any of them, wee must bee content, and tarie his leasure, in any case not presuming to vse anie euill waie forbidden by him to attaine and compas them. It followeth.
I will walke in the vprightnes of my heart, in the middest of my house. He voweth here that hee would not onelie studie to carrie himselfe well before me… and in companie, but also secretlie in hi… owne house, within his owne walles where hee had no witnesses to see o… heare him, euen there to keepe a watch ouer his heart, that it might bee singl… and vpright, and his conuersation such as it ought. Which thing proueth tha… hee did vnfeignedlie feare God, dooing good things and abstaining from euill, euen for conscience sake, because GOD had commanded the one, and forbidde… the other without seeking the praise, o… fearing the displeasure of men: and indeede this minde ought to bee in eueri… of vsus, when wee bee alone by our selue… to doo our duetie, as well as if all men beheld, and to bee as carefull then not to sinne, as if all the worlde looked vponupon vsus: for hee that is holier and mightier than they all, euen GOD himselfe seeth vsus euerie where: his eyes beholde all things, they are naked vntounto him, Pro. 15.3. Heb. 4.13.wee cannot any where hide our selues, neither vppon the Sea, nor vppon the land, neither in the day, nor in the night, hee seeth alike in both, darkenes and light bee all one to him, as Dauid saith…n another place. Psal. 139.12 Ier. 17.10.Yea he searcheth the hearts, and is priuie to the secret conceites and purposes thereof; how much lesse can any word or action of ours, (though spoken or done neuer so closelie) be hidden from him? Wee may well thinke that Dauid meditated thus with himselfe, and therefore the rather promised to be as watchfull in his house and priuie chamber, as hee was in the sight of all the worlde. And surelie it will not a little helpe vsus, to this Christian and conscionable dealing, if wee often thinke with our selues vponupon Gods continuall presence, if wee say wheresoeuer wee bee: God is in this place, hee will heare and see, whatsoeuer I doo imagine, speake, or doo. Doo we not perceiue, that the presence of a mortall man or woman, dooth manie times bridle vsus from that which wee would doo, if wee were alone? Is there any almost so shameles, to steale, commit fornication, lie, deceiue, slander or curse, when other bee present to beare witnes of their naughtines? And should wee not much more master our selues from euill, if wee alwaies remembred, that GOD which will one day iudge vsus, is with vsus euerie where? How would a thiefe feare to steale before him, that he knew should after bee his iudge? And how should wee tremble to doo euill in the presence of him that shall iudge the world? Gen. 18.25.This ought to be thought vponupon by vsus, for there is much hipocrisie, there bee many dissemblers; which whatsoeuer they doo wel, it is onlie because they would be seene of men as Christ saieth, Matth 6.2.5.when they be in companie they vse good speaches, and sometime will doo good …eedes; but alone, or in their houses with such as they dare trust, they boldlie ad…enture vponupon euerie abomination, there …s scarce any thing so horrible, but they giuegive themselues vntounto it. One to profane …he sabaoth, to adulterie and fornication: another to dronkennes, another to slandering of the quicke and dead, to speake euill of those whome they praise to their face, to passe al bounds in chafing and fretting, Amos. 8.4.6to oppresse the poore and needie, to take all aduantages of them, Isa. 3.16.and to grinde their faces as the Scripture speaketh. And yet when they bee in companie, especiallie of such whome they cannot but reuerence for their callings and graces, and of whome they desire to bee well thought and reported, they pretend great holines, as if they had as much desire as coulde bee in any, to doo well themselues, and to hauehave their houses brought into good order. Doo not these plainelie witnes themselues to bee guiltie of horrible Idolatry, in that they more feare man, Isa. 2.22. Heb. 12.9.whose breath is in his nostrells, than they doo God himselfe the father of spirits, in that they dare presume boldlie to doo and speake that before him, which they would be ashamed shuld come to the knowledge of any, neuer so meane, much more of a Magistrate, a preacher, or some such other. The Lorde meeteth with such as these often in this world, beside the iudgement at the last day, that shall bee pronounced vponupon their hidden things; Eccl. 12.14.for as euen now hee is priuie to their most secret priuities: so sometimes hee causeth such things to their great reproach to be commonlie knowne abroad, which they most carefullie and cunninglie (as they thought) deuised in their closets; and howsoeuer in respect of their great callings, they bee now and then spared, while they be here aliue, because there be few that dare tel such the truth: yet at their death often the sting of conscience inforceth thē to lay opē their abominations in the bitternes of their soules, & being once dead there is no further sparing of thē. The scrol and register of their iniquities is layd open before the worlde, so as their name was not so honourable & precious in their life, by the faire shew of painted holines they made, as it becomes shamefull and dishonourable after their death, when the chanell is raked, and the truth of their secret wickednesses is brought to light. Dauid himselfe wee may think conceiued, that it should neuer hauehave been reuealed, concerning the defiling of Vriahs wife and the slaughter of her husband his faithful subiect: for assuredly hee dealt warilie; hee had men for the purpose, some to keepe his counsell that brought her to him. Either he wrote himself, 2. Sam. 11.or els had some other trustie secretary to write to Ioab. But beholde howe the iust God suffereth not that worthy man to beare away this scotfree. It was not long after brought to light, & now all the Church in the worlde ringeth of this adultery and murther committed by Dauid. Let vsus therefore bee wise and keepe a watch ouer our selues, to doe, speak and thinke alwaies that which is righteous and good, not only when we be seene & heard of men, but also, when God onelyonly that shall iudge, is present as he is eueryevery where, according to that which Dauid voweth here.
3 J will set. As he had before promised to doe well, so here he protesteth to keepe himselfe from euill, according to the duty which he ought vntounto the Lord. For so indeede the case standeth, betwixt his maiestie and vsus, we are bound to him in two bands, the one to doe whatsoeuer he commaundeth, the other to leaue vndone whatsoeuer hee forbiddeth, so as we bee alike guilty before him, if wee doe the latter, as if we leaue vndone the former. A poynt to be marked of vsus: But the speech of the prophet is to bee considered; for hee saith not, I will keepe my selfe from this or that wickednes, and from some things that bee euill, but from all manner of euill whatsoeuer, so as hee woulde not in any thing presume to do that which God had forbidden.
He knew well that the Lord requiring perfect obedience, had not restrained him in some sinnes, and giuen him a dispensation in others; whereupon he voweth thus solemnly, that hee would set no wicked thing before his eyes. Teaching vsus by his example, how carefull we ought to be to purge our selues from whatsoeuer is offensiue to the maiesty of God, though it sauour neuer so much of profite and pleasure vntounto vsus. And thus be we taught in other places of the scriptures, 2. Cor. 7.1.as where the Apostle sayth: 1. Pet. 2.1.Let vsus clense our selues from all filthines of the flesh and of the spirite. And againe: Laying aside all maliciousues, and all guile, and dissimulation and enuie, and all euill speaking, as new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word. S. Iames also exhorteth after the same maner saying: Iam. 1.2…Lay aparte all filthines and superfluitie of maliciousnes. The sord (all) is to be noted; for it warneth vsus of the selfe same thing, wee heard before, namely that there must not bee fostered in vsus any maner of corruption either inwardly or outwardly, because the Lord whose we bee, for as much as hee hath bought vsus with a price, will bee glorified of vsus in bodie and in spirite, 2 Cor. 6.20as it is saide: wee must remember, that as one disease in the bodie, if it be not looked vntounto, will bring on many other diseases and death itself in the end: So if we entertaine any one sinne, and submit our selues vntounto it, it wil not only bring in other sinnes, but also condemnation it selfe at the last: euen as we be taught by Saint Paul, saying: 1. Cor. 6.9.10Be not deceiued, neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor adulterers, nor wantons, nor buggerers, nor theeues, nor couetous, nor drunkards, nor raylers, nor extortioners shall inherite the kingdome of God. And in another place it is written: Apoc. 22.15without shall bee dogges and inchanters, and whore mungers, and murtherers, and Idolaters, and whosoeuer loueth or maketh lies. From which places wee are to learne, that the holy ghost saith not, hee that is all these, or doth all these shall be condemned, but hee that without repentance is any of these, or giueth himselfe ouer to any of these. We desire that our seruants should be obedient to vsus in all things, & so it is their duety in the Lord: ought we not much more to subiect our selues as dutifull seruants to God our maister in heauen. Col. 3.22.We greatly disalow it, if a seruant in some poynts seruing vsus very wisely, carefully, and faithfully, should in other thinges presume to walke in a course contrary to our plaine commaundement to vex vsus. And shall we thinke, that the Lorde hath not iust cause to burne in wrath against vsus, if wilfully we shall go against his expresse and knowen will, howsoeuer in other things, we pretend some care to doe our duetie? let vsus therefore looke well vntounto it. Wee see here what puritie of bodie and minde we should striue vntounto by the example of Dauid. True it is, wee can neuer attaine this while we be here, to be altogether without fault, but this is the thing which wee must ayme at and pray for. And therefore they be wretched men which vse to reproch such as hauehave this care as if they were too precise. They be far inough from thinking thēselues pure without sin, which they know and professe they cannot be here; although, on the other side, they both know and professe to all the world, that (to their vtmost) they ought to endeuo… and labour for this perfection. And so brethren let each of vsus doe: we hauehave this care of our bodies, that there is not any infirmitie, be it neuer so little, which we seeke not to cure: the least spot in our faces we cause to be wiped away, and the least weede in our gardens to be pulled vp: ought we not much more to be careful to rid our soules of eueryevery corruption, especially the danger being so great, as we hauehave heard before. This poynt is the rather to be vrged, because many, which in their bodies, houses, and gardens be too too curious, to hauehave all things, neat, fine, handsome, and trim, are content that their soule, be laden with corruptiō, full of stinch, sores, & botches, ouergrowen with the briers & thornes of sinne, to hauehave no sound or smooth place in it; and especially if they make shewe of care in some things, they streyt imagine that in other things God will bee content and beare with them, notwithstanding they take liberty. So shall you see that some, which would seeme to make conscience of theft, whoring, drunkennes, and open blasphemy, wil yet profane the saboth by iournies, markets, accoūts casting, sending seruants here and there; they be cruel & oppresse, they be proud, they make no scruple at all to spend that riotously, & in vaine vnnecessary pomp, which ought to be laid out to maintaine Gods seruice. But let vsus beware of such things: Sathā careth not how he hauehave vsus, so hee may hauehave vsus at all, whether by whordome, pride, oppression, or by any other sin. The reward of eueryevery sin being death without true repentance and the mercy of God, we must take heede of eueryevery one, bee it neuer so smal in our eies. We must hate euen the garmēt spotted with the flesh, Iude 23.yea abstain from eueryevery shew of euil. 1. The. 5.22And euil must not be measured as it seemeth to vsus, but as it is in ye sentence & iudgemēt of the Lord ye lawgiuer & iudge. We ought to be so far off, from fostering our selues in any one sin, that cleane contrarywise, we should cōsider what the sinne is whereunto wee be most giuen, and into the which wee fall most often and easily, and from the which wee bee hardlyest reclaymed, against that wee should strengthen our selues with spiritual armour. As in towns of warre that be besiedged, the fortification is most, where the wall is weakest, & it would be coūted madnes to rampier vponupon the south side wher no assault is, & to leaue the north side naked and open wher the battery is hot, & the aduersary ready to enter: so ought it to bee in our spirituall warfare. Thou cryest out vponupon adultery, whoredome, drunkennes, and blasphemy: against these thou art armed on eueryevery side, Sathan assaulteth thee not there, he knoweth it were but vaine and lost labour; for the shame of the worlde, weaknes of bodie, or feare of punishment by the magistrate doth bridle thee. He that knewe Eue to bee the weaker of the two and therfore also laid battery at the saluation of mankinde in her rather than in Adam, knoweth also where thou art weakest, and where he is most likely to preuaile, and there giueth thee the battaile, peraduenture thou louest the world ouer much, thou couetest …iches or honour: looke to thy selfe, whē the question is about such things: when occasion offereth it selfe into thy hands to attaine these by euill and vnlawfull, wicked and sinfull meanes, Sathan will not faile to make thee offer of all the world, if thou wilt robbe God of his due and fall down to worship and obay him, as he did to Iesus Christ. When there is an offer made thee to come by any of these, with the breach of Gods commādement, with his dishonour, and the dishonor of thy profession; beware least then Sathan not onelyonly assault thee, but also ouercome thee. It may be that thou art giuen to impatience, to be soone stirred, easily prouoked, and then to forget thy selfe, to passe all good bounds, take heede when thy patience is tried, whē thou art ill dealt with & abused, by thy husband, wife, children, friends, enemies, or such from whome thou lookedst for all good, duetiful and comfortable vsage, least then Sathan draw the… to that which is altogether vnseemely & vncomely for thee. It were too long to recken eueryevery particular. Sathan knoweth the time when, the place where, and the occasion wherupon he is likest to surprise vsus: we ought therfore (knowing his slights) to be armed from top to to… with the whole armour of God, that w… be at no time, nor in any part of vsus vnarmed, and so put our selues in danger to be vtterly spoyled. And this in my iudgment is not the least poynt of wisdome in a christian, if wee know what the sin… be, with the which we are most easily ouertaken, against them to strengthen ou… selues: as on the other side it is extreame folly, for vsus to bee in detestation of some corruptions, whereinto for some outward respects, wee bee not like… to fall, and in the meane time, to ly… open to the assaults of the deuill in other iniquities, which with lesse danger of credit, and feare of men we may doe. Let vsus goe on to the rest.