PSALME 91. VERSES , 1 , 2 , 3 , &c. Verse 1. Who , or He that dwelleth in the secret of , &c.

THis Psalme , most comfortable , and ( throughout ) most excellent , seemeth to haue binne made at what time the destroying Angell in the daies of King Dauid ( hauing slaine with the sword of Pestilence so many thousands in so short time , as threescore and ten-thousand in lesse then three daies ) did , at the Lords commandement , cease from proceeding to Ierusalem to destroy it , 2 Sam. 24.16 . for , it is very probable , that , at that time and vpon that occasion , holy Dauid indited this Psalme , as he did the 38. for a remembrance ; that so great saluation might not be forgotten , and that the experience thereof laid vp in the Church as in the Arke , for posterity , might be knowne and descend to the Ages to come . The Psalme it selfe containeth ( generally ) two things ; a proposition of Gods fauour in the 1 verse : and the confirmation thereof to the end of the Psalme : the confirmation is partly from the Prophets words to verse 14. partly from Gods owne words , in the verses which follow : the Proposition , in the first verse , consisteth of a duty , and benefit promised ; and hath this meaning : He that standeth by faith in the secret-place of the Lords gracious prouidence , hath a sure couer and house of rock to come vnto when the Lords storme falleth vpon the generation of the wicked . And as wearied Trauellers , much spent with the heate of the Sunne , repose themselues in the shadow : so they that repose vpon God in the sun-burnings of their weary life , shall lodge all night in the shadow and refreshing-place of the Almighty ; that is , shall haue the same Almighty God for their helper and deliuerer till that storme of difficulty be past . And so , by secret ( here ) is ment a place of refuge from the stormes of the world vnder the secret of his prouidence , who careth for all his children . Also , by the secret of the most High ; some Writers vnderstand the Castle of his mighty defence , to which his people runne , being pursued by enemies , as the wilde creature doth to his hole or den for succour , when the Hunter hath him in chase , and the doggs are neere . This ( then ) being the meaning of that which the Prophet calleth the secret place of the most High , and our dwelling in it , by confidence in Him ; we learne , in all troubles , to cleaue to God chiefly or only Doct. 1 for helpe , and to meanes , but as vnderlings to his prouidence . In such cases , God in the Old Testament , bids vs call vpon him , Psal. 50.15 . and Christ , in the New , doth call vs to him , Mat. 11.28 . therefore , in the day of affliction , we must haue our comfort from God , and our ease in Christ . Eliphaz telleth Iob , that if he will returne to the Almighty ; that is , cast himselfe wholy vpon him for his helpe in affliction , and make him his confidence by faith in his truth ; he shall be builded vp , to wit , in as good an estate as euer he had , Iob 22 , 23. as if he had said ; he that pulled thee downe in this abiect condition , will set thee vp againe ( as a glorious building ) in a more excellent plight , if thou resigne all , thy selfe , and ( all ) to him . Asa did so : for , he rested on God , being to fight against a million of men that came strong against him : the Text saith , that hee cried to the Lord his God , and went out in that name onely against that great multitude , 2 Chron. 14.11 . he was able to number in his own Army a great many thousands ; as of those , who , in the Army of Iudah , bare shields and speares , three hundred thousand ; and of those who in Beniamin , bare shields and drew bowes , two hundred and fourescore thousand , all valiant men , verse 8. and yet all these were nothing , or no power ( for he accounted them so , verse 11. ) in comparison of that power , and that arme to which he trusted , euen God his deliuerer . In this confidence , going forth against so huge an Army and great Hoast , he so preuailed ( the Lord looking on ) verse 13. that he carried away both the liues and spoile of all that multitude , verse 13 , 14.

So that woman of great faith , after shee had passed through the pikes to Christ , receiued both the commendation of her great faith , and health of her possessed daughter , Mat. 15.28 . Dauid in many Psalmes , professeth that hee sought the Lord , to wit , in trouble , and found him ; that is , found helpe in him , Psal. 34.4.17 . & Psal. 3.4 . & 6 8 , 9. it was familiar to him to say ; helpe Lord , for vaine is the helpe of Man , Psal. 60.11 , the Centurion came to Christ for his seruant , Mat. 8.5 , 6. and the Ruler besought Christ for his daughter , Luke 8.41 , 42. Thus it is plaine that the Lord is to be sought vnto in trouble , and he onely .

He is our Father . Now , naturall children do not prouide for Reason . 1 themselues , but trust to their fathers : so , if we be right children , we will do as much , and , disclaiming our own weak aides , rest on his prouidence , who is our heauenly Father ; and ( no way ) on our selues , who , without Him , can doe nothing , Iohn 15.5 .

Secondly , we cleaue to those in our needes , whom we know to Reason . 2 be both able and willing to help vs : but this power is weakly in Man , and absolutely ( or rather onely ) in God : and therefore , where wee should not depend on Man for a little , we should rest on God for much , and all .

Thirdly , to vse any meanes of helpe , and not in a subordination Reason . 3 to Gods worke and blessing , is to make our selues Idolaters , and them Gods , 2 Chron. 16.12 . Iob 36.13 .

A reproofe of those who in their affliction , and when God hath Vse . 1 them vnder hand , rather cleaue to meanes by some worldly reach , then to God by repentance : for example ; in the time of the Pestilence , some put all their confidence in the change of the place , thinking it safer to forsake their houses , then to flie from their sinnes . Indeed , sanctified meanes of preseruation and escape with fauour , in such cases , are not vnlawfull ; but , hauing not first turned to him that hath smitten vs ; Amos 4.12 . our running is from God , not from destruction that followeth vs . In daies of scarcitie , we discredit Gods prouision , and shift for our selues : then stolen waters are sweete , and the bread of secrecie is pleasant to vs , Prou. 9.17 . then , we bowe downe for a morsell of bread , 1 Sam. 2.36 . not to God by prayer , but to Sathan by euill meanes . If God visit vs with some sharp sicknesse , we presently send to the Diuell , in some Witch , to helpe vs , 2 King . 1.2 . So when a land is threatned by enemies ; if men and weapons can doe any thing , God is little regarded : and we march forward in our sinnes , as if we purposed rather to fight rebelliously with God , then christianly , in God , with those that come against vs .

Vse 2 An admonition to labour vnto the meanes , in the right knowledge of Gods Word and prouidence , of getting this assurance in God aboue all things . The meanes are to meditate daily ; that is , much in the Word ; laying vp knowledge in our hearts , the knowledge of the truth and of God , that we may be instructed in his promises , and perswaded of his power , Psal. 1.1 , 2. for , this knowledge , well digested , will stay vs in the wauerings of many ; when by the light of it , we shall see him that is inuisible , and his power that is Almighty : able to helpe vs when wee haue the whole world and all the elements against vs , and without whose helpe , all helps in the world can doe nothing for vs . Another meane is , well to obserue his prouidence to which all second causes doe seruice ; and the experience of Gods children who , putting trust in God , were euer deliuered in due time . Another is , to affect God aboue all things : for , then we will trust him before all men , it being certaine , that what we most affect , wee most leane vnto ; as if it be profit , we depend vpon it ; and if pleasure , we referre all to it . And another is , to consider that it casteth an imputation vpon God to call him Father , and not to beleeue that hee will doe a fathers part in prouiding for vs : for , can naturall children depend ( altogether ) vpon their fathers care for their wealth and finding ; and shall Gods children distrust a more able and mercifull father that hath vndertaken to keepe them , and promised , when father and mother shall forsake them , to take them vp ? God hauing ( then ) promised to be our God ; will wee bee Gods to our selues , liue at our owne finding , and giue the Lord little or no credit for his care of looking to vs ? and what doe we better or other , when by making shift for our selues beyond and against the rules of his word & prouidence , we take the care of vs wholly from him , and put it in our own hands & keeping ? Therefore to get confidence in God , the way is so to vse the means and helps of our present life , that we forget not , that they are giuen to vs by God , and become good for vs by his blessing : for , ( then ) wee will not trust in them , but put trust in him that gaue them ; when we haue them we will not depend vpon them , and when we want them , we will beleeue without them . These are the means , and this is the way to make God our secret place ; but who vseth these meanes , and obserueth this way of comming to him ? who careth to know by the word , either his promise , or truth to his children , to make him faithfull ? Surely , if we regarded this duty , and the benefit it bringeth , where it is rightly done ; in a time of scarcitie , wee would not be so distrustfull , nor feare so immoderately when any Pestilence commeth : In our necessitie wee would not deale vniustly nor steale ; nor when sicknesse takes vs , fare as if death were presented to vs . When we loose a commoditie , we would not loose God ( as many do ) for the hauing of it againe from the diuell in a Coniurer : nor , if a tooth ake , go from God to a charmer for the ease of it , in some hellish mysterie : nor if a crosse come , iuggle it away with mirth ; and so turne out God , when wee should turne to God : but with Iob ; if God should kill vs , we would trust in him , and reproue our waies in his sight . Iob. 13.15 .

But that which is ( heere ) translated [ dwelleth ] is as much in weight , as sitteth , or is setled ; and so , our dwelling in Gods secret , is as much as our sitting downe in it : the meaning is , wee must make it our rest , as if we should say ; Here will we dwell .

From whence we learne , that Gods children should not come Doct. 2 to Gods Secret-place , ( as Guests ) to an Inne , but ( as Inhabitants ) to their owne dwellings ; that is , they should continue to trust in God , as well in want as in fulnes ; and as much when they wither in their root , as when they flourish in it . So did Iob , who blessed the name of God , not only when hee gaue him riches , but then also when he gaue him pouertie , Iob. 1.21 . Pro. 30.8 . When he made him rich , he feared God ; when he took away all , he charged not God , Iob. 1.22 . The Prophet Dauid set the Lord alwaies before him , Psal. 16.8 . that is , before him in prosperitie , and not behind him in trouble : and Psal. 121.1 , 2. His eyes were not in the meanes , but lift vp to the mountaines from whence came his helpe : He that glorieth in the Lord , must glorie in him poore or rich , in strength or weaknesse : Iere. 9.23 . And where some trust in Chariots , and some in horses , Psal. 20.7 . Gods some ( which are not many ) must remember the name of the Lord , though they neither haue Chariots to mount them , nor horses to saue them :

The reasons : The Text here sayth , He is Almighty , and our Creed calls him , the Father Almightie , that is , the al-sufficient God that can as soone make rich , as suddenly poore ; and can as easily make something out of nothing , as he can presently bring much or all , to nothing : for , as one sayth , Eius est nihilum , cuius est totum . Nothing is matter for his power , as much and as well as all are , that haue being . We see this in the sudden change of things : and ( first ) of Estates . For , rich Iob , how quickly , and in how few dayes , nay houres , was he made poore Iob ; after God had blown vpon his estate with his wind of taking all away ? Iob. 1.1 , 2 , 21 , 22. And as this is true in the change of estates , so it is in all other changes by Pestilence , by sicknesse , and other roddes of God , where all meanes worke by his power , and doe his will that moueth in them . For , for the fearefull pestilence , and burning coales therof sent from between his feet : Whose command is ouer it , when it rageth in one Countrie , and is not heard to crie in another ? nay , who ruleth it , and moueth in it , when , being in the same towne or citie , it is in one streete , and in one house , and not in another ? Being in the same house , how commeth it to passe , that it fastneth vpon three , or two or one , and not vpon all , seeing all eate and drinke together , liue in the same common aire , and lodge in the same chamber , sometimes in the same bed ? Is not this ( also ) the worke of God ?

And doth not God ( sometimes ) in the cure of a disease ( which hath no great hardnesse ) so distemper and confound the wisest Physitions iudgement that he shall not be able rightly to discerne the nature and proper causes of it ? when hee hath found them ; may he not faile in ministring or prescribing to them ? or , if he do this well ; may not the remedie come too late , and when the Patient is past helpe ? if helpe come in time ; may not the queazie Patient dislike it , and his stomack rise against it ? if he be able to take it ; must not God giue power to make him able to hold it ? if God giue this power ; may not the force of it bee gon , or the composing of it bee naught ? if both bee good ; yet who must make them good to him ? must not the Almighty , in whose secret he must not be a Soiourner , but Inhabitant , nor repose for a night , but dwell continually , if hee looke that the meanes shall doe him good , which can doe nothing but by his word and blessing that worketh in them ? Secondly , if his blessing beare the whole sway ( as it doth ) both in want and fulnesse ; if that make rich both in pouertie and abundance , and that onely , as it onely doth ; and if that be giuen to those that rest on Gods prouision in their low ebbe , and denied to those that depend vpon themselues in a fuller tide of things : how can but it be necessary to all that detrue riches and a blessed increase , to waite vpon Gods hand with a continuall eye , without distrust of his prouidence , who onely is able to blesse with meanes , and hath power to blesse without them ? But it is certaine ; that neither the hauing of wealth , nor the commodiousnesse of trades haue or can haue any power , but his blessing that maketh rich , Prou. 10.22 . 1 Chron. 29.12 . Deut. 8.18 . And therefore , whether we be full or empty , we must seeke our store , and the blessing of it , at God , depending on him , as on the Father of gifts , both in a meane and wealthie life .

A reproofe of those who , in Vse 1 a welthy estate will beleeue in God , & when they haue , in their keeping , some pawn of his goodnesse : But in a poore life , prouide for themselues by shifts , and stealing : before the Plague comes , they are confident : but when it is sent , they take part with euill meanes against it : remoouing their seats , but keeping their sinnes ; and so runne to other towers , then to the Lords secret , from it . In some cases I confesse it to be lawfull , sometimes to chang the aire , and for some : but it must be by those that haue no calling of publique charge in the place ; and by those , who , being rich , leaue some portion behinde them to the poore that remaine ; els , they flie from a Lion and a Beare meetes them : or leane to a wall , and a Serpent bites them , Amos 5.19 . further ; seeing the messenger of iustice , in euery publique calamitie , bringeth the Letters of God to one as well as to another : how can they secure themselues , who flie , not from sinne , but in great sinne , from the same offended God , who ( himselfe in Person ) followeth the suit against them ? What Sanctuarie will they take ? and what house of defence against the Iudge of all worlds ? Whither will they go from his spirit ? and whither will they flie from his presence ? Psal. 139.7 . Is there any place in heauen or hell , where his writts runne not ? or goeth not his commandement ouer the large earth , and wide sea ? Some will abide in Gods house of defence , so long as they may be quiet , and vnthreatned in it : but if there be any danger toward them for a good cause , they are readie , by a traiterous feare , to forsake it for carnall refuges : and some , if there bee any faire weather in the Gospell and the Bridegroome bee with it ; will come to the Marriage-feast : but if the faire weather in it bee turned into stormes for the Gospell , and the Bridegroome be taken from it , as in a day of tentation : then , they goe away , Luke 8.11 . or goe backe , Iohn 6.66 . with reuolters and murmurers , and say , with the Messenger of the King of Israel , behold , this euill commeth of the Lord , should I attend on the Lord any longer ? 2 Kings 6.33 .

Vse 2 A comfort to the godly who suffer want in Christ , and troubles for Christ : for , they are taught by the most High , that will not faile them , nor forsake them , to dwell in his prouidence ; I say to dwell , not to soiourne in it , howsoeuer things goe . They that truly serue God , and trust him with their estate , by resting on him , haue his word in pawn , that they shall be prouided for , not onely when they are in possession by the meanes , but when they are out of possession , and meanes are against them , Iohn 6.5 , 6 , 7 , &c. Dan. 3. and 6. Chapters . Abraham , for our example , had experience of Gods truth this way : so had Isaac his Sonne : for , how were both of them enriched among strangers , and in a strange land ? and yet what likelihood of such a matter , if we consider the effects with the meanes ; those infidels being aliens from their Religion , and vowed enemies to their Nation ? This is written for our learning and comfort : to teach vs to trust God with all , and to giue the key of vs into his hands , who can make few things to yeeld much , and small things to be of great force , Psal. 37.16 . Nay , who can turne stones into bread ; Mat. 4.3 . that is , enemies into friends , and make ( euen ) those that hate vs , to enrich vs . If God send any trouble , his children shall ( either ) bee deliuered from it , or preserued in it : if hee send an arrow , and that of the Pestilence , he will send his shield before it : if he make sicke , hee is not to bee distrusted , neither any other to bee sought vnto : for hee that maketh sick , can make whole , Deut. 32.39 . Whatsoeuer the disease be , and howsoeuer it workes , that is not to be respected so much as his power that can turne vp our couch in any sicknesse . Yea , in a time of common visitation , though the feete of them , that buried others of the Plague , were at the doore to carrie vs out , Act. 5.9 . yet he that stayed one , going to his graue , Luke 7.14 , 15. and raised another , being in his graue , Iohn 11.43 , 44. is able with like power in our sickest extremities and vnlikliest recouery , to command the shadow ( not of the ᵇ Sunne , 2. King . 20.10 . but of life ) to goe backe till health come . Meane while ; if wee would bee owners of these comfortable promises : wee must neither in a poore estate practise for riches , without him that maketh rich ; nor in a sickly life , play the theeues for our health , not seeking to him that maketh whole . And , when the destroier is broken into a towne , and the Plague is come vpon it to destruction : wee must more seeke to cast out the infection of sinne that lieth ouer the face of that towne so infected , then to haue the infection it selfe remooued ; seeing that the roote must bee killed before the fruit will die : so much for the duty , the benefit promised followeth .

Shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almightie .

IN this Sentence two things may be obserued : the blessing it selfe , the shadow of the Almightie ; and the continuance thereof , in the word , abide . The shadow of the Almighty , is that thick , couert of God , wherein all ( that put confidence in him ) shall be shadowed from the Sunne of affliction that must needs burne vp those , who haue no defence from the heate thereof : and this promised for no short time , but time of long continuance : for , it is said , that they who take God for their shadow , shall abide , or ( as some reade ) lodge all night in him in great security from the feares of life , which as the feares of the night cast shadowes of trouble and of cumbersome darknesse vpon mortall creatures : the meaning is , that the godly after those many crimes of their feeble and weake life , shall , in the Almighties defence , finde a most comfortable shadow and refreshing-place from all tyrannie and violence of Men : and not sometimes so , but euer so .

Doct. 1 From whence we ( first ) learne ; that no affliction shall bee able to preuaile against those who make the Almighty their hiding place , or deliuerer . God is a deliuerer in great troubles ; that is , in troubles of sharpest edge , and longest continuance . Hee that deliuereth our soules from hell , can deliuer our bodies from the brands of hell ; and , for the corrections of the righteous , they are but the chastisements of a Father and visitation of children whom he receiueth , Heb. 12.6 . The Prophet Dauid tells vs , that though their troubles were great , as if they would quell them ; or many , so as none could count them ; yet he will deliuer them from great or many troubles , that deliuereth His from great and small , and all their troubles , Psal. 34.19 . And this made him to set the Lord alwaies in his eye , who was at the right hand of his slidings : and so , that is , so assistant and strong with him , that he could not bee mooued , that is , perish , or fall for euer , Psal. 16.8 . In the 125 Psalme , the three first verses , it is shewed in what assurance the faithfull are that put trust in the Lord for their safetie , when the greatest storme of troubles is vp : for , there it is said , that such shall stand as Mount Sion , that is , fast and vnmoueable in all changes , verse 1. hauing the Hoast of God about them , as the Hills about Ierusalem , verse 2. by his Angels on their right hand , and by his creatures on their left . And , though his rod bee vpon them by Tyrants , whom he will burne quickly with the fire of his wrath : yet it is so but for a short time , and with some little smart , for their eternall curing , verse 3. So God , speaking by Esay to Israel , his seruant , and to the seede of Abraham his friend ; bidds them , and the faithfull in them , not to feare , viz. in affliction , either his deliuerance , or their perishment : for , hee will vse his right hand against their enemies , and hold their right hand , that they fall not : the right hand of his iustice shall sustaine his children , and beate downe his childrens enemies , the winde carrying them away , and the whirlewinde scattering them , Esay 41.10.13.16 . Thus will the Lord be a hiding place to the people whom hee hath chosen , to saue them in all their troubles , if they set him for their refuge , Psal. 91.9 .

The reasons . Hee hath promised safety to such , Psal. 50.15 . Reason . 1 and what hee promiseth to doe , is done , or , as good as done : for his fidelity remaineth for euer , Psal. 146.6 . therefore , as of him commeth our saluation , so they that trust in him cannot bee confounded , Psal. 22.4 , 5.

Secondly , this may be prooued by a comparison from the lesse Reason . 2 to the greater , thus : if , among Men , a friend will not reiect his friend that trusteth him ; neither any naturall father cast of that childe that in his sicknesse , shall come vnto him : will God doe lesse then a friend , and not so much as a father ?

Obiect . But you will say , Obiect . that ( euen ) Gods best children are ( many times ) put from the shadow , and burnt with the Sunne in common miseries , that indifferently fall vpon good and bad .

Answ. To which I answer , that true it is , Answ. that Gods best and dearest ones , Dauid , Hezekiah , Iosiah , Iob , and others haue had their parts with the worlds children in many grieuous sorrowes ; partly to teach them , and vs in them , that Gods best people haue fallen into foule sinnes ; and partly to testifie that by no outward thing it can bee knowne whom God loueth to saluation , or hateth to death in this mixt state of things : Eccles. 9.2 . yet to the righteous there is a promise made , that if such stormes fall , they shall from them passe to a perpetuall calme ; where the wicked shall go from those stormes to stormie fire and tempest and from Plagues temporall to paine endlesse , from first death to second death . Againe , the sorrowes of the godly are for their purgation ; the troubles of the wicked for their torment onely , being gates to those torments , out of which they shall neuer come , when God shall send them out from his presence . Gods Plagues of Famine , Pestilence , and other miseries are his draw nets to gather out of the world by death , both the iust ones and those that doe iniquitie : yet the good are taken out of the net of these common euills for the Lords owne seruice , the other , to be cast away , Mat. 13.48 . Therefore , when God sends Sicknesse , Pestilence , Famine , vpon a Land , Citie , or House ; the net is cast ouer thee , either as a sanctified thing to be put in his vessels , or excommunicate thing to be put out of his kingdome .

Vse 1 An instruction to Gods children , not to feare distrustfully in any euills that God shall send : for , he that sendeth the sword , sendeth the buckler also : he that made the Sunne , made the shadow : and he that maketh dead , maketh aliue . If Pestilence bee sent among vs ; let vs take away our drosse by repentance ; and the hottest fire of it can doe vs no harme , that burneth but the drosse of sin ; or burneth onely where the brimstone of some sinne , vnrepented of doth giue it matter of kindling . In the Fornace it selfe if wee serue God as those three seruants of God in Daniel , did ; there is such a countenance of grace with vs , and one so mighty to deliuer vs , that wee cannot miscarie , though it were heated seuen times , Dan. 3.25.27 . If God breake the staffe of our bread with vnseasonable yeeres and weather , we must not giue way to our feare against his prouidence , who hath said ( and wee may beleeue it ; ) that he will not faile vs , neither forsake vs , Heb. 13.5 . whatsoeuer our troubles are , and though large afflictions deuoure vs , as the Whale did Ionah ; yet God will bring vs to shore : yea , he that spake to the fish to cast vp Ionah , Ionah 2 10. will speake to all our afflictions , euen the greatest Whale of them all that they hurt vs not . If we crie out of the deepe to him , he will heare vs , and deliuer vs from many waters , Psal. 130.1 , 2. In our long iourney of afflictions , we cannot but be sometimes discomforted with the length of the way , and slipperinesse of our waies : yet let vs send to God in our miseries , and he will send to vs by his comforts ; and when we goe mourning and troubled all the day long , walke before him , and hee will walke with vs according to his promise , and deliuer vs from all our feare .

Vse 2 A reproofe of those who sinke in shallow troubles , hiding their hearts in the meanes that are sent , and not making him their secret , or hiding place , that sent them . If God doe but a little crosse them : they crosse their armes , and wring their hands , as men , not somewhat troubled , but quite vndone : or they are caried , as with the maine saile into doubtfull seas ; and runne from the Creator to creatures , fixing all their senses vpon them , and confidence in them , for ease and remedie in such cases ; forgetting that great God , who sheweth himselfe strong with all those , whose hearts are found to him , 2 Chron. 16.9 . Psal. 7.10 . By this we learne what to iudge of wretched worldlings , whose harts are earthly , and affections on earthly things : for where the faithfull come to God , by faith , in their afflictions , and make his bosome their place of refuge from them : such make not God their strength in aduersitie ; but trust in Man , or in the arme of Man for helpe , when any thing grieues them ; and rather complaine of God , then to God in the day of euill .

But Gods defence is not onely our refuge in trouble , but our continuall and permanent refuge : and they that giue themselues to him to be kept , are preserued by him ; not for some short time , but for euer . He is a shadow , and continuall shadow : other shadowes faile , like the gourd ouer Ionah's head , Ionah 4.6.8 . but this abideth constant and sure , or vnmoueable , as God himselfe .

From whence learne , Doct. that Gods defence neuer faileth his children : for , it is no slitting tent but standing castle to them . This is shewed in the Psalme , which is called Moses Psalme : for , there the Lord is said to haue beene the habitation , or standing house of his people for euer : euen from generation to generation , that is , from the beginning of the world to that day . And Dauid saith , that this is the blessing of the righteous ; the Lord will compasse him , or goe round about him with his fauour ; and bee his shield before and behind against all assailants , and at all times : for else ; how should they , that trust in him , reioyce for euer , if they should not be protected alwaies by him , for whose continuall saluation they continually are glad ? Psal. 5.11 . for this cause , the spirit is said by Christ , to abide in the faithfull , as in his standing house ; not where he Inneth , but where he dwelleth , Ioh. 14.16 . To hypocrites he comes and goes : to true beleeuers he comes and taries ; not for some short time , but for euer : for , he dwelleth with them , and is euer in them , verse 17.

The reasons of the doctrine : the workes and calling of God are Reason 1 without repentance . Rom. 11.29 . and whom hee once loueth , vnto the end he loueth them , Iohn 13.1 .

Secondly , He whose name is I am , Exod. 3.14 . and nature , Reason 2 I change not , Mal 3.6 . doth his things by counsell , and all things in good order : and therefore whom He deliuereth , He deliuereth without repentance , or change . Thirdly ; if earthly fathers will neuer Reason 3 forsake their childrens defence , shall we thinke our heauenly Father will ? Or , if a kinde Host will protect those that come vnder his roofe Genes. 19.18 . Iudg. 19.23 . will God leaue those to spoile , who come to his house , and take Sanctuarie in the castle of his helpe ?

Vse 1 A reproofe of those , who hauing the meanes of peace and health , are confident ; but would be at their wits end if warre should be proclaimed , or fearefull sicknesses should come . For , what is this , but to call into question and doubt , Gods immutable counsell concerning the protection of his children whom hee neuer forsaketh ? In all rumours of Pestilence and warre , men are distracted , as if God had no prouidence , and feare shadowes because they make not God their shadow , who hath promised to be their abiding place , and , who ( if they would trust him with their liues ) should see his saluation . But because , with Ionah , they set more by the gourd of some present ( though fading ) shadow , Iona. 4.10 . then by the sauing shadow of the Almighty ; therefore doth the Sunne smite them , and they wish rather to dye then to liue , Iona. 4.8 . being forsaken of all but of grieuous and despairfull sorrowes that will neuer leaue them .

Vse . 2 A comfort to Gods seruants in all alterations ; for , in a time of scarcity , and when God taketh away their sustinance , so that men cannot helpe them with the barne or with the wine-presse , 2. Kin. 6.27 . The Lord himselfe will be their all-sufficient feeder , and from the store-house of his prouidence will send vnto them , Psal. 37.19 , Exod. 33.19 . If he be with them , his prouision goeth with them ; and ( though they lacke bread ) hauing him in place , who giueth the vertue of nourishment to all their bread , Deut. 8.3 . how can they but be fed ? So , in a time of Pestilence ; though we haue no place of refuge , nor shadow abroad in the Countrie , such as the richer sort haue against that burning Sun of the plague that destroieth at noone day : we need not to be troubled , hauing in the Almighties protection , a better shadow then those Ionahs haue of their gourd . For , then the Sunne shall not smite vs by day , nor the Moone by night , Psal. 121.6 . In times of perill , whithersoeuer wee goe , ( not going from God ) Gods shadow goeth with vs ; in prison to be our libertie , in banishment our Countrie , in warre our shield , in necessitie our abundance , in despaire our hope , in death our life ; and that a long life , for euer and euer . So much for the proposition of the Psalme , the confirmation of it followeth .