The imitation of Dauid his godly and constant resolution in bearing all his trialls, troubles and afflictions being a king whose example of faith, patience, hope, obedience and deliueries, thankfulnesse and prayer, is left euen for princes, potentates, and all true Christians to imitate. Collected by way of meditations and prayers out of the 27. Psalme. By I.N.

MEDITATIONS and Prayers vpon the 27. PSALME .

VERSE 1. The Lord is my light and my saluation , whom shall I feare ? The Lord is the strength of my life , of whom shall I bee afraid ?

AS God hath giuen vs outward and corporall eyes to see and behold the workes of his hands here below , so hath he giuen vs inward and spirituall light to sée himselfe , and spiritually to behold the wonderfull things hee hath done for our soules saluation ; therefore when we looke vpon his creatures with our corporall eies , wee should lift vp the eyes of our mindes to behold him that hath made , framed , and preserued these visible things .

The Sunne is a visible creature , by whose beames our bodily eies are enlightned , for the eye it selfe giueth not , but receiueth the light which the Sunne giueth , for if of it selfe it gaue the light , wee should apprehend ●no darknesse at all ; but take away outward light , and the eye is darke : So the eye of the minde , the eye of the soule cannot of it selfe apprehend that spirituall light , which is Christ , that lighteth euery man that commeth into the world : And without him the minde is darke , and runneth and rusheth vpon diuers stumbling blocks of errors and dangers . But he that is guided by that light which was Dauids light , séeth and walketh the way of safety and saluation : in that light ( Christ ) is the well of life , he is the light in whom all the Elect sóe the true light and walke in it .

The ordinary meanes to apprehend Christ the light , is the word , which he taught and left vnto vs , yet not of it selfe that light , but onely sheweth it , for euery man that heareth the word , séeth not the light comprehended in the same ; but they onely whose inward eies the Lord openeth to behold Christ the light , and they walke in the light . Many saw Christ , but not as hee was the light and their saluation ; for they delighted in darknes more than light , working wickednesse euen against that light in whom , and by whom , and through whom , they onely that truly séeke that light haue assured saluation , neither is there safety or saluation in any other . Therefore doth David ioyne light and saluation together , because that without that light there is no saluation , for light goeth with or before saluation ; for without the light of knowledge there can bee no faith , and without faith no saluation . Dauid through faith was bold to affirme that the Lord was his light , and consequently his saluation , and hee that would defend him from all his enemies , and therefore resolueth not to feare what man could doe vnto him .

Our owne naturall light , the light of our eyes is an especiall blessing of God : yet for vnruiinesse it may bee compared to the tongue ; for as the tongue is an vnruly euill , in setting as it were the whole world on fire , so are the eyes extrauagant , and set the heart on fire ; and therefore saith Dauid , Turne away mine eies from regarding vanity : for he found by wofull experience , that the light of the eye doth administer vnto the minde diuers dangerous obiects , as to himselfe the nakednesse of Bershaba , with the sight of whom he was so enflamed with the fire of lust , which first entred by the eie , that he committed grieuous sinnes in the accomplishment thereof . Yet was Dauid himselfe reputed as it were the light of Israel , which hee assumed not vnto himselfe , but attributed the true light that he had vnto the light of lights ; saying , Surely thou art my light O Lord , and the Lord will lighten my darknesse : And againe , the Lord is my light and my saluation .

By his owne naturall light hee could not sée his owne error of adultery and marther , vntill hee was inwardly enlightned , then hee could confesse it : neither could he see and consider how the Lord had defended him , but by that dim light which gaue him courage & strength against the ●eare and the Lion , the ouercomming of whom gaue him assurance of the victory against Goliah : his experience of Gods fauour towards him grew daily more and more , encouraging others also to depend on the power , prouidence and loue of God by his example , saying , and assuring them that the Lord would be a sure refuge vnto them in their afflictions , for hee faileth none that faithfully séeke him ; and how can we séeke him but by Prayer ? I will call vpon the Lord , saith Dauid , who is worthy to be praised , so shall I bee safe from mine enemies : though they haue many meanes to hurt , yet God that is our light and our saluation , hath many more meanes to helpe and to defend vs : therefore saith Dauid , whom should I feare , the Lord is my rocke and my fortresse , and hee that deliuereth mee , my God and my strength , in him will I trust , my shield , the horne also of my saluation and my refuge , of whom shall I be afraid ? If I haue Iehouah on my side , what can man doe vnto me ? If he be my light , I shall liue in light and walke in light , for in him is no darknesse at all ; he offereth light by his liuely Word , and enlightneth our inward parts by the bright beames of his heauenly Spirit . Being then inwardly armed , howsoeuer outwardly endangered , wée néed not feare , but as Dauid did , let vs cast our burthen vpon the Lord and hee shall defend vs ; and let vs commend our care vnto him , for he careth for vs : of whom or of what then need we to bee afraid ?

Saluation commeth not of flesh nor by fleshly meanes , as the true light is not of the world nor of worldly men . Therefore séeke not thy light nor safety through the policy or strength of the flesh , neither dreame of saluation by worldly meanes , but breake through the walls of flesh , and mount vp in true contemplation of that sauing light that shineth from aboue ; from thence commeth the strength against which no carnall force shall preuaile : and beware of such as promise vnto themselues safety and saluation without this true light , as the wise by their policies , the rich by their wealth , the mighty by their much strength and multitudes , and as some by their owne workes : All which are broken réeds & vaine props , and weake meanes to saue the outward man , much lesse the inward soule . How then can they say , whom shall I feare ? of whom shall I bee afraid ? when indéed they cannot but bee afraid euen where no feare is .

Could Achitophels counsell , Nebuchadnezzars greatnesse , Pharaohs stoutnesse , Goliahs strength , Senacheribs mighty army , Hasaels swiftnesse , or the Pharisies workes saue them ? yet doth foolish flesh and bloud account this weake and feeble meanes their glory , their life , and their saluation : But as Achitophel , whose counsell was like the Oracle of God , did hang himselfe ; as Nebuchadnezzar in his greatest pompe became as a beast of the field ; as Pharaoh in his hot pursuit was drowned and his army ; as Senacherib was slaine by his owne sons ; as Goliah for all his great strength was slaine with a small stone ; as Hazael for all his Roe-like swiftnesse , was slaine in his running ; and as the Pharisies , for all their workes , were condemned by Christ the light : So neither the wisest of the world , the greatest and most glorious in the world , the strongest in strength , nor he that iustifieth himselfe most by his best workes , worke not onely no saluation vnto themselues as of themselues , but their owne destruction . But the Lord of Hosts is my light , my strength and my saluation , therefore will I not bée afraid .

Consider well the benefit of thy light in the Lord , embrace the Lord thy light and thy saluation , embrace him in his Word , for God is the Word , the Word that light , that light thy life and thy saluation .

Here then is the light that guideth the blinde , and happy is the soule that hath this glorious light , he needs not feare she secret practises of the wicked , which this light discouereth , nor the force of the mighty , which this strength withstandeth , for God is his saluation .

Feare not man then , who killeth but the body , feare not the fire that consumeth but the body , feare not the Sea that drowneth but the body , feare not sicknesse that toucheth but the body , feare not the sword that pierceth but the body ; feare nothing that can preuaile but against the body , for the Lord is thy light and thy saluation .

O feare this Lord and reuerence this light ; he séeth in darknesse , feare him that can kill both body and soule , and can cast both into vtter darknesse ; feare this great God , feare none but him that can saue and kill , that can cast downe and exalt , that can with his Word worke what he will , when he will , and as he will ; feare him in loue , and loue him in feare , call vpon him , despaire not in him , he is thy saluation .

Feare not the world nor worldly things , feare onely firme in the world , and flie from euill , which this true light hateth ; then feare not man , for if a thousand assaile thee , feare not , but pray and beléeue , and trust in the Lord thy saluation : he will open the eyes of thy faith and thou shalt sée with Elisha millions of meanes to defend thée ; if pouerty or want oppresse thée as it did sometimes Dauid , feare not , he will reléeue thée , for hée preserueth with little as with much , hée fed many thousands with little meanes , and when they were all well filled , there was taken vp in the remainder more then was before they had eaten . He increased the Oile and Meale of the poore Widow , that she fed her selfe and hers , and paid her debts with the remainder . Hee brought water out of the stones , and out of the dry Jaw-bone of an Asse . Hée fed his children with Bread from Heauen , and sent them Quailes in the hungry Wildernesse . He sent abundance of wheat extraordinarily vnto distressed Samaria This is he , euen that great God , that is the sustainer of my life , my light and my saluation : and not mine alone , but the God of all that faithfully séek him in their distresse .

Should I then feare , though I be enuironed with enemies ? though I were in distresse ? nay , should I feare though I were in penury and want ? though I were imprisoned for the constant profession of Christs truth ? did he not breake the fetters , and opened he not the very iron gates , and cast the watchmen in a slumber to fetch Peter out of prison ? did he not giue Ioseph and Paul fauour with their Jailors ? of whom or of what then may the faithfull bee afraid ? what crosses , what troubles , what afflictions , what threats of tyrants can make Gods children afraid ? though the seas rage and rose , though the world be in confused combustion , though the mountains cleaue in sunder , though the heauens melt , though he that made all consume all , I will not feare . The Lord high & mighty , he is the strength of my life ; nay , he is to mee life it selfe , who then or what can without him force my death ? If he take away this life , he hath prouided for me a better and permanent : whom or what shall I be afraid of then ? Shall I be afraid of Hell or Satan ? Hée my Lord in Christ , my light and my saluation , hath conquered both Satan and Hell , what néed I feare ?

A Prayer that God will be our light and our saluation in all our troubles and dangers .

O Lord , who art the light that neuer goeth out , whereby thou guidest and gouernest those that acknowledge their owne darknesse ; thou art the strength that neuer groweth weake , whereby thou sauest & defendest thine from the hands of all that hate them . Bee thou my light , O Lord , and lighten my darknesse , that I may walke in that light and neuer goe astray , for there is no agreement betweene error and thy truth ; giue mee therefore heauenly knowledge , and I shall not be ignorant of that which I ought to know ; and assist me with thy diuine grace , and I shall practise that which thou hast taught me to know : Be thou my strength , then whom need I to feare ? stand thou on my side , and then of whom should I be afraid ?

Stretch forth thy hand and hold me vp , thou hast a mighty arme , and strong is thy right hand : in thee therefore I trust , and will not feare what man can doe vnto me .

Be not farre from mee , O my God , for thou seest my troubles and knowest my dangers ; neglect me not , but hasten to helpe me , giue care vnto me and saue me , and let not mine enemies haue their desires against mee , nor triumph ouer me : though they be many , and in shew far too mighty for me , yet in comparison of thy strength they are weake and of no strength ; they trust in their Chariots , munition and multitudes ; but I trust in thee and in thy strength alone , only praying thee to blesse vnto me the ordinary and lawfull meanes which it shall please thee to raise vp in thy wisdome for my defence . Though I doe know and doe acknowledge , that as a horse of it selfe is a vaine helpe to deliuer his rider by his great strength or swiftnesse , so are all outward , visible and carnall meanes vnable to defend mee without thee ; and vnlesse thou blesse the vse of them , and dispose and manage them in thy wisdome for my defence , they are also vaine .

Therefore come I vnto thee my God , my strength , my light and my saluation , who hast promised , and art able to send euen from Heauen to saue me .

Thou canst command an host of Angels to campe about mee ; though enuironed with many and mighty aduersaries , yet hauing thee on my side , I know there shall be more with mee than with them ; while I am vnder thy protecting wings I am safe , I will not feare .

Giue thine Angels charge of me therefore , O Lord , to keepe & defend me : shew thy power in my weaknesse , and the weaknes of mine enemies by thy strength : then though an host pitch against me , my heart shall not bee afraid ; though war be raised against me , I will trust in thee , my Lord , my light , my strength , and my saluation .

VERSE 2. and 3. 2. When the wicked , euen mine enemies and my foes , came vpon mee to eat vp my flesh , they stumbled and fell . 3. If an host pitched against me , my heart should not be afraid ; though warre be raised against me , I will trust in thee .

IN all actions Experience is as the mother of knowledge , and knowledge the ground of Assurance , which made Dauid strong in his resolution to encounter Goliah , hauing formerly found that God assisted him in two seuerall dangers , the one in killing a Beare , the other in ouercomming a Lion ; two strong , fierce , and deuouring beasts , and that when he was but young and a Shepherd ; yet it seemeth he had learned to feare God and to trust in him , for that he acknowledged that he ouercame them , not by his owne proper power , but by the power of God , which two conquests wrought in him-assurance , that by the same aid hee should vanquish that monster of men Goliah : though his vgly presence and furniture of armes amazed the whole host of Israel , Dauid yet not daunted , hauing a strong faith in God , vndertooke the combat and preuailed , though that monster scorned him , and threatning that hee would giue his flesh to be deuoured of the Fowles of the aire , and wilde beasts of the field , which by the aid of him in whom Dauid trusted , came contrarily to passe , for Dauid tooke off his head and disarmed him , and left his carkasse to the Fowles of the aire , whereby he more and more increased in faith , strength and courage , and bold to assure himselfe , that as this monster stumbled and fell at his flying stone that would haue eaten vp his flesh ; so should all his wicked enemies and foes when they should come vpon him to eat vp his flesh , namely , to take away his life , they should euen so stumble and fall , as by experience he after found that God still defended him , so that to the praise of God hee sung , When the wicked , euen mine enemies and my foes , came vpon me to eat vp my flesh , they stumbled and fell .

When Saul a mighty King sought Dauids life to destroy it , first by his owne hand with a speare , purposing to haue nailed him to the wall suddenly ( which by Gods prouidence he auoided ) and after commanded Ionathan his sonne , and other his seruants to murther him : but God stirred vp the heart of Ionathan to affect Dauid so entirely , that he reuealed vnto him his fathers malicious intention against the life of Dauid , shewing thereby the wonderfull prouidence of God in preseruing his from most imminent dangers .

Dauid not yet secure , for feare fled from Saul , as not willing to tempt God by presuming vpon Gods deliuery , and not to vse lawfull meanes to prouide for himselfe ; hid himselfe in the Mountaines where Saul his enemy with a great power pursued him , suborning intelligencers to discouer Dauids abode wheresoeuer hee hid himselfe : where may be noted the heat of the malice of an enemy , and how ready some wicked wretches are to shew themselues officious to betray the innocent , to please a Tyrant .

But note further the prouidence of God , in finding secret & vnexpected meanes to preserue the innocent , for when Saul was in his most furious pursuit to kill Dauid , his abode being discouered , God found a meanes to put a Ring in Sauls nose ( in fauour of Dauid , and for his owne glory ) inforcing him to retire from further following that innocent man ; and to hasten th● rescue and reléefe of his owne Territories which the Philistines had euen then by Gods prouidence inuaded : and being sore beset with his enemies , he desperatly fell on his own sword and died . So it came to passe , that when the wicked , euen Dauids enemies and his foes , came vpon him to eat vp his flesh , namely to take away his lise , they stumbled and fell .

God was euer with Dauid ; for Dauid alwaies depended on God , which who so doth , shall neuer stumble nor fall . But euen his faith and integritie shall make his very enem●●s to feare him : As Saul feared Dauid , because God was with him , whose chiefe armour and weapons were his feare and trust , in the name and assistance of Iehouah , wherewith he fought diuers battels , and slew with great slaughter many Philistines his enemies ; not onely before , but after he was anointed King , none preuailed against him , but they that came vpon him stumbled and fell .

Séeing then that Faith , and the feare of God and praier be approued of force , so far to preuaile with God , as to obtaine his helpe and defence against wicked enemies & foes , that when they assaile vs , he causeth them to stumble and fall ; let vs imitate the faith , and fight with that assurance that Dauid did : for he is the same God still , of the same power , of the same prouidence and loue . And we are not without like enemies as Dauid in his time had , though without cause .

To relate all Dauids dangers , troubles , and deliueries , battels and victories , though profitable for our encouragement : yet might séeme tedious , not altogether impertinent , because by them is the loue , the power , and prouidence of God séene in defending and reléeuing the faithfull ; and his iust iudgements against wicked enemies of their stumbling and fals . Yet let his fa●th and constancy moue all faithfull men to imitate his vertues ; not in that he was a King , but in that hée was a godly King , of whom God giues testimonie , that hee was a man according to Gods owne heart ; not that he was so conformable by nature , but so framed by the grace and good will of God : For , by nature he was no better in Gods acceptation than Saul , who was also a King : But God so seasoned Dauids heart ( of his owne frée mercy ) that he obeyed and conformed his actions , according as God had wrought in his heart , and left Saul to the corruption of his owne heart : yet did not Dauid glory in any merit of his owne , but gaue the praise to God , saying , Blessed is he whom thou choosest and causest to come vnto thee . And againe , The wicked are strangers from the wombe , euen from the belly haue they erred : Yet Saul after he was anointed King by Samuel , was turned into another man , and was numbred among the Prophets ; but no otherwise than Iudas among the Apostles .

God is the God of all that faithfully and constantly fly vnto him for succour ; For , saluation belongeth vnto him alone ; not vnto the power of Kings , bée they neuer so strong in multitudes of armed men , with shipping , or whatsoeuer military and warlike furniture ; but where Gods continuall blessing doth accompany a few , they preuaile against many ; though sometimes God may suffer his owne dearest children to bée encountred and beaten by his owne and their enemies : Especially when they presume to stand too much vpon their owne strength , as vpon allies , friends , and multitudes : preuailing with these , God is not so glorified , as when he by few ouercommeth a multitude : As when Dauid by a few slew two and twentie thousand Aramites : And Ioshua fiue combined Kings , wherein yet he would not haue the whole victory to bée ascribed to Ioshuahs forces , but was himselfe the principall in the ouerthrow , not onely in aiding and directing Ioshuah , but in powring downe haile-stones from heauen vpon his enemies , wherby he slew more men than Ioshuahs Army did by the sword . And sometimes hée taketh to himselfe the whole praise of the victory ; as when Senacherib came against good Hezekiah , with a most inuincible supposed Army , vnder the conduct of Tartan Rabsaris , and Rabsakeh , railing vpon , and threatning Hezekiah , and blaspheming God , stiling himselfe the Great King of Ashur , whom he thought God himselfe was not able to withstand , flattering himselfe as proud Tyrants use to doe ( as wée haue seene ) that hée in despight of Hezekiahs God , would depriue him of his Kingdome ▪ pretending that he came in the name of the Lord ( as some of late haue done ) Are wee come ( saith he ) or doe wee this without the Lord ? Whereat Hezekiah , in déed , according to humane frailtie was afraid : But asking counsell of the Lord by faithfull praier ( the best refuge and defence in danger ) he became assured of Gods assistance and banisht feare . And that night , that God ( which that Tyrant blasphemed , as not of power to resist him ) sent his destroying Angell and slew Senacheribs army , one hundred foure ▪ score and fiue thousand men . We may not forget our like deliueries fresh in our memories , euen by the méere hand of God .

It is not superfluous to recount other famous Histories , recorded in the Booke of God , which for further confirmation of our Faith in God , in like danger are plentifull . Benadab , that mightie King of Aram , threatned Ahab King of Israel to depriue him , not onely of his Kingdome , but of all that hée had , of his Siluer and Gold , of his Women and faire children : She wing hereby the insolency , pride , and securitie of Tyrants , who by reason of their carnall strength , force and multitudes , will dispose of the lands , and share the possessions of them , whose Territories they thirst after , and that before their arriuall , as though the victory were theirs before the incounter . As we with our eares haue heard that our enemies haue boasted , through the false and forged benediction of him that is a deceiuer , and yet taketh the falsly conceiued authority from heauen . But our God laughed their pride , insolency , and security to scorne ; taking our cause into his owne hand , confounded their deuices , daunted their hearts , weakned their armes , abandoned their Nauies by his owne power ; euen as he gaue proud Benadab into Ahabs power , though a wicked King and an Idolater , therefore not for Ahabs sake , but for his owne Names seke , and his owne peoples safety . And to shew his Omnipotent power in defending his owne , and confounding his and their enemies . So that the truly faithful in God being threatned , beset and besieged by wicked multitudes , néed not to be afraid : for though war be raised against them ; that God that defended Dauid , Hezekias , and all that haue truly called vpon him in like danger , will as hée hath euer hitherunto , defend vs .

They that haue the God of Hosts on their side , néed not to feare though Kings combine , and people rage , as if they would eat vp their flesh . Onely let them liue godly , pray faithfully ; and vse ordinary meanes lawfully : then if an Host pitch against them , their hearts néed not be afraid though warre be raised against them , let them trust in him , and they shall sée the saluation of God .

They that fight against Gods people , fight euen against God himselfe : as Paul persecuting his children , persecuted Christ . If therefore a mighty Host inuade vs , we may boldly , though in seeming weaknesse , encounter them ; for there are more with the children of God , though not séene , than with the wicked . God neuer faileth nor forsaketh his , vnlesse they forsake him : he leaueth them not , vnlesse they leaue him .

Infinite are the examples hereof in holy Scriptures , which might be also produced , further to confirme our assurance : And were it néedfull , there might be inserted not a few examples of Gods like deliueries , recorded in our owne Chronicles , and in our own remembrances . But where Gods Spirit speaketh by the pens of Gods owne Secretaries , there néed no humane testimonies , but onely to shew that God is still the same . He is Alpha and Omega , the same , yesterday , to day , and for euer ; therefore may the man that is godly , assure himselfe with holy Dauid : If an Host of enemies pitch against him , his heart need not bee afraid , though war be raised against him he may trust in this ; That when the wicked , euen his enemies and his foes come vpon him to eat vp his flesh , they shall stumble and fall .

A Praier to God ; that he will defend vs from our Enemies .

O Holy and most mightie God of Hosts , who dwellest in the heauens , and yet art thou absolute also in the earth , gouerning ; guiding , directing , and protecting , those that feare thy name , so that they need not feare the power or malice of whatsoeuer aduersaries ; for saluation belongeth vnto thee alone , and thy blessing is euermore vpon them that faithfully depend vpon thee : Therefore ( Lord ) though we be weake in power , ignorant in carnall policies , destitute of humane aid , and beset with enemies , who raise deadly warre against vs , confirme our faith in thee , and we shall be strong ; yea , stronger than our enemies , and wiser than our most politicke and subtill aduersaries ; and shall be either able to withstand their violence , or escape their mischiefes : though we haue no other defence but thy prouidence , no other armour but thy loue ; no other weapons but true faith , and a holy feare of thy name ; yet in this defence will we trust , and in this saluation will we reioyce .

In this confidence , Lord , come we vnto thee , powring out our hearts before thee ; not because thou knowest them not , but because thou knowest them ; therefore come we vnto thee , that thou maist bee pleased to remoue our feare , and ease our griefe ; and to be strengthned and confirmed in a liuely , assurance of our safetie and saluation in thee , and of thy defence against these our enemies , for there is none besides thee that can deliuer vs .

Remember Lord thy goodnesse , which thou vouchsafedst to our faithfull fore-fathers of old , how thou deliueredst them from their enemies when they cried vnto thee . Heare vs we pray thee , O Lord , and helpe vs , for vaine is the helpe of man .

Turne our feare into assurance of thy fauour and helpe ; our mourning into reioycing in thee . Loose our sorrowes , and gird vs againe with gladnesse : let not our sinnes hinder thy mercies , wherein wee pray thee to turne the counsell of our wicked aduersaries into foolishnesse , their strength into weaknesse , and their hope into despaire .

Thou art the Lord of hosts , high and mightie , louing vnto those that feare thee , helpfull vnto those that trust in thee , and a terrible God vnto them that despise thee or thine ; What Tyrant can stand before thee ? What King can encounter thee , or take thy children out of thy hands ? Pharaoh could not detaine Israell , when thou wouldest transplant them : Saul could not hurt Dauid , thou defending him . Senacherib could not haue his desire against Hez●kias , thou fighting for him ; our enemies could not hurt vs , thou curbing them . O shew thy selfe now as thou hast euer done , our defender .

With speed , O'Lord , reforme all our imperfections , couer the multitude of our grosse and fearefull sins , which call for enemies , and other punishments in thy iustice to be inflicted vpon vs : Turne thou vnto vs , and we shall returne vnto thee : Let our repentance appeare by the mortification of our sinfull desires : Humble vs , and we shall be humbled , then shalt thou in compassion pardon vs , and in thy fauour compasse vs about , as with ▪ a shield : Thou shalt bee our refuge in our greatest danger ; for there is no God besides thee , no help but of thee : Thou alone art able to command an Hoste of Angels from heauen , to attend and guard vs : Twentie thousand thousand Angels canst thou send from heauen to defend vs , thy selfe the chiefe Leader of that celestiall army : whereof one of them is sufficient to confound a million of thine and our wicked enemies when they assaile vs to cat vp our flesh ; thou in a moment canst make them to stumble and fall .

What then is man ? Or what is the force of Princes , when thou takest part against them in the behalfe of them whom thou wilt defend ? Therefore cast we our burden and care vpon thee , for thou hast promised to care for vs .

O send therefore from heauen and saue vs ; haue mercy vpon vs , O God , haue mercy vpon vs , for we trust in thee : And vnder the shadow of thy wings will wee shelter our selues , vntill our enemies bee either conuerted or confounded . Then shall we praise thy name , O Lord , for that thou hast not left vs as a prey vnto the will of our enemies : and though we walke in the midst of troubles , yet we know and are assured that thou wilt take a conuenient time to finish the worke of our absolute deliuery : For thy mercy , and thy truth , and thy power , endure from generation to generation . Preserue vs therefore , O God , from these cruell men , and the praise and glory shall bee thine , the comfort ours . And the example of thy so fatherly protecting vs , shall be a motiue to others in like danger to call vpon thee . So be it .

VERSE 4. One thing haue I desired of the Lord that I will require , euen that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of my life , to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to visit his temple .

GReat is the difference betwéene the worldling & the true Christian ; betwéene a carnall and a spirituall minded man : The one coueteth to dwell and to haue his continuall abode here below , the other soareth and aspireth vpward : the one resembleth the Swine , the other the Eagle : the one is neuer satisfied with earthly and carnall things , for hee hath as many desires as he hath senses , and euery pleasing thing that offereth it selfe to any of them he coueteth , for euery sense hath its particular delights : as many senses so many fantasies numberlesse , yet neither of them can be satisfied , for the heart of a carual man ingrosseth them all , and the more vanities it apprehendeth , the more desire increaseth ; for , the eye is neuer satisfied with seeing , nor the care with hearing pleasing things . But the spirituall minded desireth onely one thing , namely , to be assured of his saluation and the glory to come . And therefore holy Dauid desired ( as all true Christians ought ) this one thing , for this only one thing is necessary .

Bershaba the wife of Dauid , and mother of Salomon , desired but one thing of her sonne , and hee promised her faire , but performed it not according to her desire . But Dauid the father of Salomon , desired one thing which hée longed for , of a King greater than Salomon , and a matter of far greater moment than was Bershabaes , and his Petition was accepted : both their Petitions séemed to procéed of loue , but the difference of their issues was great ; the one procured hatred and death , the other a most blessed successe . Shée made her request to man , in whom to put confidence is vaine . He made his request to God , the holy one of Israel , in whom there is mercy and truth . To whom also Salomon made one especiall request , only for wisdome , and obtained it , and with it many earthly blessings which he asked not . So bountifull is God , as if wée aske that one thing necessary , namely the Kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof , he will also adde blessing vpon blessing , though we aske them not .

Dauids only Petition was , that he might dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of his life : A blessed ( yet a strange ) request of a King in the opinion of worldly men , who might thinke Dauid not to be so wise as some ambitious and carnall polititians are at this day , who had rather be in Kings Courts to take their pleasures , than to bee restrained in a Temple for a day . And Dauid being a King , might haue retired himselfe in his Palace , and haue taken what pleasure and delight hee would ; hauing a Kingdome to supply whatsoeuer might haue pleased any of his senses . But these delights hée found not answerable to his affection , which was seasoned from aboue , hauing tasted so swéetly of the loue of Iehouah , who of a Shepherd made him a King , and who had so often deliuered him from his enemies ; he had rather bée conuersant with him in his house one day , than a thousand in the Court of Saul , or in his owne Court among his Gallants . Nay , he would choose rather to be a doorekéeper in the house of God , than to command an earthly kingdome , and to be depriued of his heauenly exercises in the house of God .

It is a most glorious estate indéed to be a King , but farre more glorious to be a godly King . He is Gods Uice-gerent in that part of the earth wherein God in his prouidence hath set him ; yet must he looke to haue some discontents mixt with his greatnesse , and necessary too ; otherwise greatnesse might cause forgetfulnes , that he is a man , as former examples haue discouered . And therefore did God visit Dauid ( chosen after his own heart ) with many troubles , to the end he should not be vnmindfull what he was , & whence , and from what estate God had raised him to that place of eminence : and that hée should serue the Lord , and maintaine his lawes , and defend his people , cherishing the good , and chastising the euill . And therefore was Dauid to forward in calling his people to serue the Lord , and himselfe to be the leader of them to the Temple of God , to which he had so sincere a desire , that hée requested of the Lord that hee might dwell therein all the daies of his life , or at least haue frée liberty often to visit it , to the praise of God and exercise of prayer .

This desire is commonly the last and least in great men , for the most part though no doubt they desire ( as Balaam did ) to die ( when necessity requireth ) the death of the righteous , and greater glory would it be vnto them if they would practice ( while they haue time ) the life of the righteous as they seldome doe ; yet few or none , of whatsoeuer quality are so irreligious in shew , but they will looke into the house of God , peraduenture once , it may be twice in a Sabbath . And peraduenture thinke it long , as loth to spare their pleasures , delights or profits to liue a whole day in the Temple of God with fasting and prayer . Some would thinke it as hard a taske as the bondage of Aegypt , or the captiuity of Babylon . But blessed bée God , some there are that haue Dauids desire , though not to dwell really in the Temple , yet to bee comfortably conuersant among Gods people , in hearing God speake vnto them , and they to speake vnto God .

This is that that great men should principally desire for their example in well doing much moueth inferiours to imitation , for it is commonly obserued , that example doth draw more to good or euill , than documents or dehortations . The godly life of a great man is as a Towre séene a far , and many especially his followers will imitate his steps , at least in shew , and euen that shew of a godly life is a good motiue to others to liue godly indéed : and as a good life giues comfort & encouragement to others to be good , so the president of euill makes many euill . If greatnesse and goodnes goe together , it is the swéetest consort that a mortall man can make in this life , 〈◊〉 the contrary as harsh & hellish .

This holy desire of Dauid was not for a day , for hée speakes of the time past . I desired , which implies a continuall inward Petition ; and argues his constancy in desiring , though he were often in such straits and distresses as he could not visit the materiall temple as he desired ; yet , wheresoeuer he was driuen by the malice and rage of his enemies , he euen there found Bethel , the house of God ; in the Wildernesse of Ziph , in the holds of Engedy , in Maan and Gath , vncoth and solitary places : hee found the Lord his God euen in his holy Temple , for where God is present there is his Temple . In the Lions den Daniel found him ; in the Furnace the three children ; in the Dungeon Ieremy ; in the Prison Peter ; vnder the stones Stephen ; in Sodom Lot ; in the floud Noah : God is euery where , where hée is called vpon faithfully .

Euery faithfull childe of God is alwaies in Gods house , where Dauid desired so earnestly to dwell : yet though he found God euery where where he called vpon him , he had an earnest desire to bée conuersant , euen in that materiall temple where the children of God did assemble , to celebrate the praises of God , and to heare his Word : and though he were their King , thought it no disparagement , but the greatest part of his duty to accompany his subiects ( according to conueniencie ) in the holy exercises of Religion : whereof being preuented by meanes of his enemies , hée complaineth that hée was as a Pelican in the Wildernesse , and as an Owle in the Desert : And déemed the Sparrow more happy than he , because that silly Bird could at all times resort vnto that holy place to which he could not come .

Lord ( saith Dauid ) who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle ? and who shall rest in thy holy Mountaine ? that is , who shall worthily enter into thy holy Temple and behold thy beauty ? he answereth , Hee that worketh righteousnesse , &c. for God is holy and requireth holinesse of life , walking vprightly in a liuely faith . And therefore though it be the duty of all men to frequent the materiall Temple of God , to accompany the congregation in prayer , praising of God and hearing his Word : yet all come not with that holy desire that Dauid did , nor qualified as Dauid was : yet hée that is vnprepared to day may bée fit to morrow , for the Word of God is as a Net , and often times catcheth men ere they bee aware : therefore ought all men to desire as Dauid did , to visit Gods Temple , where this Net of the Word is spread ; for being once taken , hee will then with Dauid require that one thing : namely , to dwell in the house of the Lord all the daies of his life , and often to visit his Temple .

Dauid did not onely make a bare request vnto God , but did euen presse him , hée required him as if he had béen familiar with him , ( as the faithfull may vse a holy familiarity with God in their prayers ) praying God to afford him that blessing of blessings , as to admit him into his holy presence , wherein is the fulnesse of ioy , and at his right hand are pleasures for euermore ; not for a day a moneth or a yéere , as worldlings haue , and then perish , but begun here and shall neuer haue end .

To dwell in the house of Iehouah , is to dwell & abide in his fauour , to be partaker of his sanctifying grace , to haue the true knowledge of his diuine will , and to practice it by faith , obedience , zeale , prayer ; and to beare about vs the markes of the Lord Jesus , in patient vndergoing the burthen of the Crosse , and in continuall exercise of holinesse and righteousnesse : whosoeuer is in this case is safe in the holy Temple of God as in a safe Sanctuary , and is a true member of the mysticall body of our conquering Christ , the head of that Church which is the true Temple , neither made with hands , and which hands cannot pull downe : Out of which are barred all such as trust in lying miracles , and workes that cannot profit such as steale , commit idolatry , adultery ; such as sweare falsly , and such as fall downe and worship false gods , or the true God after a false and idolatrous manner .

Though these stand in the materiall Temple , or seclude themselues in Cloisters , in séeming deuotion to sequester themselues from the world to God , and yet commit many barbarous sinnes and grosse impieties , thinking themselues safe , and to be reconciled to God by a confessory penance , God will not onely not heare them but reiect them & their prayers , for they seeme religious and are not , obedient to God and are not , faithfull and are not : but are méere Hypocrites , who resorting to the Temple of God , commit rather sacrilege than offer sacrifice acceptable to God . These visit not the Temple , but rather defile if with their counterfeit holinesse , who would séeme in shew Saints , but in heart enemies to Christ and Christians ; yet cry they , the Church , the Church ; and yet farre from being members of it . So many séeming-good Christians cry out , Preach , Preach , and séeme neuer satisfied with Sermons ; this desire is good , if their hearts desire it to profit and practise the word : but if it be but to séeme religious , and inwardly retaine their corrupt desires , if they amend not their waies and their workes , séeme they neuer so holy they are but Hypocrites : for this is to bée in the Temple of God by his Word preached , to learne & to execute iudgement , not to oppresse the poore nor the stranger , the fatherlesse nor the Widow , not to deceiue nor to walke after other gods , after riches and pleasures . If this fruit of hearing appeare in them , they are no doubt of the family and house of God , and shall dwell in his Tabernacle and rest securely vpon his holy Mountaine , for they are of the generation of the iust : but there is a generation ( saith Salomon ) that are pure in their owne conceits , and yet are not washed from their filthinesse : they follow the deuices of their owne hearts , And assume vnto themselues a peculiar manner of seruing of God , not according to the sincere truth : but as God abhorreth all sacrifices of vncleane things : so doth hee all counterfeit showes of sincerity .

God admitteth not sinners ; namely , such as make no conscience of sinne , to come into his holy presence , much lesse to dwell in his holy Temple , though they may séeme to honour him with their lips : He detesteth their forged sacrifices , and their very praiers are abhominable , though they pertake of the holy Sacraments , and performe outwardly other diuine duties : Hee is not pleased with them , neither behold they the beauty of the Lord ; but his seuere and fierce countenance is bent against them .

But such as desire with the like affection as Dauid did , to behold the beautie of the Lord , and to visit his Temple , are such as the Lord enuiteth and willeth to come , and louingly embraceth them . They come not for a spirt and away , but desire to make their continuall abode , where they may still behold his beautie and his glory ; his louing kindnesse and mercies towards them , shewed in his word as in a glasse , which appeareth more swéet and amiable to the cies of their sanctified soules , than the most beautifull feature of Angels . This most heauenly beauty Dauid desired to sée , & saw it ; as Paul teacheth , saying ; That God commanded the light to shine out of darknesse , euen in our harts , that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God might shine in the face of Iesus Christ , whose glory we sée in the preaching of his word ; wherein he declareth the riches of his glory vpon the vessels of mercy , which he hath prepared vnto glory . This glory the more the spirituall man beholdeth , the more is he moued with desire to sée more and more , and can neuer be sufficiently filled with that heauenly Contemplation . Much were the Disciples moued at the sight of Christs transfigured glory ; in so much as they desired to haue enioyed the sight of it still , so glorious it was , that their minds were euen rauisht with the beauty thereof . So Dauid desired to dwell in the Temple of the Lord ; not for a day , but all the daies of his life , to behold the beauty , the goodnesse , and mercies of God , reuealed in his Word , and to exercise himselfe in prayer .

Where God is duly and truly called vpon by a holy Congregation , there appeareth the glory and beauty of Iehouah . There is the Arke of the Lord , the presence of the mighty God of Iacob : whose glory filleth the Temple , which the faithfull man séeth with a spirituall eye ; but the carnall man , though bodily present in the same Temple , apprehendeth it not . As when Paul was conuerted , he saw the glory of God shine vpon him ; but they that iournied with him , though néere him , saw nothing . So that God is onely séene of them , to whom hée pleaseth to reueale himselfe .

This beauty of the Lord shineth in the hearts of Gods elect children , by the reuelation of the holy Ghost , which none séeth but themselues . And they take such sweet delight in the beholding of the face of God in Christ , as they doe receiue in their soules the very Impression of the Image of the glory of the onely begotten Sonne of the Father , full of grace and truth : euen as Moses receiued thorow the splendor of the glory of God vpon Mount Sinai in his countenance , such an impression of that glory , that the children of Israel could not endure to behold with their eies the glory of his countenance .

What remaineth then , but that we neglect not the continuall visitation of the temple of God , to accompany the Congregation in the hearing of that heauenly Word , to pray vnto God for his blessings , and to giue him praise for his benefits . And the Lord open our spirituall eies , that we may euen here behold his beautie , and bee hereafter pertakers of his glory .

A Praier for spirituall knowledge , and increase of our holy desires to visit the Temple of God , to heare his Word , to pray vnto him , and to praise him .

O Gracious Lord God , most louing , who reiectest none that come vnto thee with a perfect heart ; and none can come vnto thee vnlesse thou call him , as well by thy inward Grace as by thy outward Word : Vouchsafe according to the riches of thy Grace to grant , that I may be strengthned by thy Spirit in the inner man , that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith , and that my whole spirit , soule and body , may bee kept blamelesse , to the comming of the Lord Iesus . For thou knowest , Lord , what I am by nature , a man vnworthy to enter vnder thy roofe , or to presse into the place where thine honour dwelleth .

For thou art a God that louest righteousnesse , and acceptest of such as are of cleane hearts , and whose conuersations are vpright before thee : but I am a sinner and corrupt , as all my fathers were ; Cleanse me therefore , O gracious Lord God , in the bloud of Iesus Christ , and make me fit to approach thine holy Temple , that I may see thy beautie , and behold thy glory . Open mine eares that I may heare ; prepare my heart that I may vnderstand what thou teachest in thy word : Enlighten mine inward eies , the eies of my soule , that I may see thee , and take comfort in thy presence . And open my lips , that I may speake vnto thee in faith , and answer mee againe in loue . Teach mee that celestiall language , that may moue thee to heare me .

For what booteth it me to come into thy house with deafe eares , not to heare thee ? without attention , to vnderstand thee ? mute , and not be able to speake vnto thee ?

Yet I know , good Father , that thou hearest them that cannot speake , and thou teachest them that vnderstand not ; and thou openest the eies of them that see not : such is thy loue towards vs , as thou acceptest euen of the language of heartie sighes , whither they be for sinne , or for want of spirituall graces : Thou knowest the inward desires of the heart , tending to good or euill .

I am sorry , good Father , that any corruption lurketh in my defiled heart , to keepe out that blessed guest thy Spirit . I cannot of my selfe abandon corruption : I cannot of my selfe so mortifie my sinne , but that the dregges therefore will still remaine . But cast me not out of thine holy Temple , because I am a sinner ; but rather , because I am a sinner , admit to visit thy Temple , to heare thy Word , that I may learne to liue more and more obediently vnto thee .

Make thou my heart cleane and I shall bee all cleane ; so shall I visit thine house to honour thee , and comfort my selfe by thy holy presence , and shall take spirituall pleasure in thy beautie , and be finally pertaker of thy glory .

Thou louest righteousnesse , O make me righteous : Thou hatest iniquity , abandon my sinnes : Knit my heart vnto thee , that I may both feare and loue thy name . Giue me a holy desire to seeke thee , and to serue thee , both in the materiall Temple with thy people , and in all places , at all times ; for thou art euery where to be found . And where thou art , there is thy house ; for thou dwellest not in Temples made with hands , but in the heauens , and in the hearts of them whom thou hast sanctified .

Turne thy face vnto me , O Lord , for thy face I seeke : Shew me thy beauty and glory of thy countenance , and change mee into thine owne Image by thy Spirit , and in the same Spirit admit me continually to visit thy holy Temple .

Make my heart stable and vnblameable before thee in holinesse , that I may serue thee with a sincere and pure heart , and conscience vndefiled : That I come not into thine house onely to seeme religious , but in true faith and due reuerence , and giue thou a blessing vnto my godly desires , Amen .

VERSE 5. In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his Pauilion shall he hide mee , and set me vpon a Rocke .

THe very name of Trouble is fearefull to a worldly man , for he loues pleasure & ease , and when trouble commeth , he is cast downe , and is ( as it were ) at deaths doore : but the true childe of God being fore-warned , that if he will liue godly , he must looke for and prepare himselfe to suffer trouble and affliction in this life : Trouble therefore doth little or nothing moue him when it commeth , because when he first entred into the schoole of christianity , he learned that the loue of God , & the loue of the world , could not stand together with his profession , and that there is a kinde of enmity betwéene the children of God and the loue of the world , or at least no agréement ; And that is the cause that the good are most afflicted , and the worldlings prosper most : The first are innocent , in whom there is neither gall nor bitternesse ; the other , as they are couetous , so are they commonly proud and enuious . The first is commonly iniured , and beares it with patience : the other triumphs ouer them that resist them not , but haue onely in all their troubles recourse vnto God , whose they are , being assured that he in the time of trouble will be their defence , and hide them in his Tabernacle , which was onely godly Dauids refuge , being often and many waies afflicted , as at large before appeareth .

God sendeth affliction vpon his owne dearest children , when oftentimes he letteth the wicked goe frée ; yet is not God vniust in this , nor partiall , in sparing the euill , and punishing the good . Hée hath his ends in both , according to his heauenly wisdome , who knoweth how to deale with both . And he that séemeth most to be spared , and thinkes himselfe in best case , is in greatest danger ; and he that séemeth in most danger , is néerest greatest happinesse : Howsoeuer indiscréet men measure their felicity by this worlds fulnesse , and fréedome from troubles ; and censure the dearest children of God to be surely out of his fauour , by reason of their manifold afflictions . And yet they sée that the simple nurse , though she loue her Infant neuer so dearely , she will weane it from the breast by some bitter thing , when she thinkes her milke not good for the childe ; And that a Father , if he loue his childe , will with the rod of correction restraine him from things dangerous . And thinke they , that our heauenly Father thinkes it not fit to weane his owne children from this hurtfull world , that they perish not with worldlings ? But when he striketh the wicked , it is in his anger , as the beginning of their perpetuall sorrowes , by whose seuere punishments here , his owne children may bee terrified from committing like sins , by example of their punishments .

Hee that will liue godly must suffer affliction ; yet not aboue their strength , for God putteth to his hand , to moderate and mitigate the weight of their burden . The troubles and afflictions of the faithfull séeme more intolerable to the beholders , then to themselues that seele them , and haue a liuely faith and constancy to beare them : Great and many are the troubles , euen of the righteous ; but God deliuereth them out of all . In the time of trouble he hides them in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his Pauilion shall he hide them , and set them vpon a Rocke . He hid Dauid from Saul , and Moses from Pharaohs murderers : his Tabernacle is alwaies open to entertaine them , that in their troubles fly for shelter to him : His fauour is the Rocke that cannot be mooued ; his prouidence , the mountaine of their rest and refuge .

Troubles are but for a moment , and then commeth comfort ; therefore doe the children of God with patience , great alacritie and ioy vndergoe them . But contrary , the comfort of the wicked is here short and momentany ; but the●r future miserie shall haue no end .

Séeing then that no man , especially such as are Gods dearest children , can liue here in this earthly Pilgrimage , but he must looke for and endure troubles : Who will not then prepare himselfe with constancy and patience to embrace them when they came ?

The holy Ghost by the pen of godly Dauid , hath assured the poore oppressed & afflicted children of God , neuer to be forgotten : Their hope shall not perish for euer , for God is not an idle obseruer , or a carelesse spectator of the afflictions and miseries ▪ of those that are his : Though he suffer them to be oppressed long ; as some with enemies , as Dauid ; some by losse of goods , as Iob ; some by imprisonment , as Ioseph ; some with sicknesse , as Hezekiah ; and withall to permit the wicked to mocke and deride them , for that they trusting in God , are suffered thus to be afflicted ; and notwithstanding their praiers not to be deliuered or reléeued , which is no small tentation . But these men looke into the outward prosperity of men , and commend them , entertaine them , embrace them ; as if all cause of loue were due to them that were loaden with lucre , As for the poore , they are despised , contemned , and had in continuall derision , of such onely indeed as are blinde , and sée not ; ignorant , and know not ; dull , and obserue not , That there is a God that careth for such as worldlings cast off : that hee embraceth his poore that the wealthy despise , and that he loueth them that the worldlings hate ; And that in the time of trouble hee hideth them in his Tabernacle , within the secret place of his Pauilion shall hee hide them : Nay , the very Angels of God ( whom man séeth not ) pitcheth round about them that feare him and call vpon him , and deliuereth them ; therefore though the godly be poore , the Lord thinketh on them .

Many a meane contenmed childe of God , ( hauing little m●anes ) by the blessing of God , doe eat with more contented , and more salutary saturity , than many times doe the most wealthy of the abundance of all their table dainties : A little that the righteous hath , is better than the abundance of the vngodly rich . Let no man therefore faint nor feare , when trouble , affliction , or persecution commeth ; but rather reioyce , knowing that tribulation bring●th forth patience ; and patience , experience ; and experience , Hope ; and Hope maketh not ashamed ; but assureth the faithfull of the goodnesse and loue of God , which is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost : so that howsoeuer we be scorned , we néed not blush at our troubles and afflictions , but at our sinnes that procure them : yet are they vnto the children of God but wholesome medicines to cure them , and to preuent them : onely vnsauory to the carnall minde , which also doe accustome to patience , which by experience cherisheth and confirmeth our hope , which through faith is an assured testimony vnto our conscience , that we are beloued of God , so much the more , by how much he kéepeth vs vnder , and in obedience through afflictions . For , if he leaueth vs vnto our owne corrupt conuersations without correction , so much the stronger grow we in sinne : therefore necessary it is , that we should often féele his correcting rod , lest at the last he should confound vs with his deuouring sword ; for if we should bée without trouble , which is our correction , whereof all Gods children are partakers , we could not but account our selues bastards , and no sonnes : And if his corrections kéepe vs in obedience , then wée may assure our selues , he will hide vs in his Tabernacle , that no power or policy of the wicked shall finde vs out to hurt vs .

As men are in number many , and their affections diuers , & none liueth without some trouble or affliction , not all in one measure or in like degrée : so is euery man comforted or cast down according to the measure of his faintnesse or faith , for many men may bée equall partakers of one and the same trouble , yet not of equall resolution to beare it .

Some men haue great afflictions , and beare them with great patience ; some small , and yet cry out vnder the burthen of them ; some men haue many troubles and yet account them few ; some few , and yet account them many ; some haue fearefull afflictions , yet they repute them fauourable ; some very fauourable crosses , yet esteeme them very fierce and cruell ; some haue long and tedious afflictions , yet supposed short ; some very short , yet conceiued long and cumbersome .

This ariseth onely of the difference of mens faith and frailty . The first is bold and strong , able to beare and vndergoe whatsoeuer it pleaseth God to lay vpon them ; saying with faithfull Dauid , God is my hope and strength and my portion . The second is weake and sinketh vnder the burthen of most easie trialls , because they cannot say in their hearts as Dauid did , the Lord is my rocke and my saluation , nor assure themselues that God will hide them in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his pauilion .

And what is this hiding of his Saints , but his continuall watchfulnesse ouer them , and his prouidence in keeping and defending them ? hee sets them vpon a rocke , namely , hée taketh them into his owne protection , and none is able to take them out of his hands ; therefore are they constant in all their troubles , let them lose their children : let them be robbed of their goods , afflicted in their bodies , vpbraided of their enemies , condemned for Hypocrites , persecuted as Heretikes , or brought to extreme pouerty ; let them endure all these and more troubles with holy Iob , yet will they retaine their constancy & confidence in God , still knowing that hée in whom they trust is faithfull in his promises ; and his power is absolute , and that in the time of their trouble hee will hide them in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his pauilion , hee will hide them and set them vpon a rocke .

There is no trouble , triall or affliction of what kinde soeuer , but the dearest and most beloued of God haue béene partakers of them . Abel was murdered by Cain his wicked brother for his sincere worship of God . Faithfull Abraham was not free from troubles , from doubting and feare ; he was commanded to offer his dearest sonne Isaak in sacrifice , in whose séede the generall blessing was promised : being afraid of his life , for his wiues sake , was twice driuen to faine vntruths , both to Pharaoh in Aegypt , and Abimelech King of Gerar : Hée had trouble by Lot his brother , he had griefe for the destruction of Sodome , besides many other troubles . Isaak likewise for feare of his life for Rebeccah his wife , by his vntruth exposed her chastity to the will of a heathen King : he was afflicted by the Philistines , he was crossed in his desire of preferring Esau before Iaakoh in the blessing . Iaakob was forced to flie out of his owne Country , and from his friends , and to be a seruant in a strange land , for feare of his brother Esau , that threatned to kill him : being enuied by Labans his Uncles sonnes , he fled with his wiues and children , he was pursued by Laban : hée was encountred by an Angel that wrestled with him all the night , shooke him fearefully and lamed him : he marched in great feare and perplexity with his wiues children and droues , towards his offended brother Esau , who came against him with foure hundred men : he was miserably tormented for the supposed death of his dearest sonne Ioseph , and much perplexed for his sonnes murthering his neighbour Seehemites . Ioseph was guiltlesly accused and wrongfully imprisoned . Moses was like to haue béene slaine by the Angell in the Inne , for not circumcising his sonne , preuented by Zipporah his wife , who after circumcised him , and cast the fore skinne of her sonne at Moses féet , saying , Thou art indeed a bloudy husband vnto me : many other troubles he had for the disobedience of the people of Israel . Not one of Gods children haue béene frée from troubles , therefore let none refuse to take vp the Crosse of Christ , who in his owne person suffered many reproaches , ignominies , and at last the death of the crosse for vs : None of his Apostles escaped most cruell torments , some were stoned to death , some slaine with the sword , euery of them had their troubles and torments , and all the Fathers of the Primitiue Church had their seuerall miserable ends for Christ , and yet tenderly be loued of God . Shall wée then that haue the like and the same benefit by the death of Christ , be ashamed of his Crosse ? Shall we thinke to enioy his glory , and shall we suffer none of his disgrace ? We are his members , and he is our head , and shall our head suffer and wée liue at ease ?

Satan is malicious , hée can endure none that liueth vprightly , but hée will vse his instruments to molest them ; if hée cannot induce them to sinne against God with a high hand , hée will procure them troubles , and such as wherewith if it were possible , he would so weaken their faith in God , that they should vse any vngodly meanes to frée themselues ; and will perswade them that God punisheth none but such as he hath no loue vnto : but the truly faithfull know that he is a lier from the beginning , and therefore will not giue eare vnto his false suggestions ; and therefore when any afflictions doe befall them , they will take them as indéed they are , Gods louing corrections and wholsome preseruatiues , to kéepe them from all things that may offend God , and will in their troubles séeke no other refuge , but ( as the little Chiekens flye to the wings of the Hen ) so they runne and hide-themselues in Gods protecting Tabernacle , who is ready to receiue them into his sauing pauilion , and to set them vpon the rocke of his saluation .

Experience hath found it a dangerous thing to liue in carnall security and without trouble ; as long as Dauid was pursued by his enemies , as long as he was visited with troubles , he could séeke the Lord , he was exercised in continuall prayer , and finding God ready to helpe him , he could say , I will goe forward in the strength of the Lord , then he could declare that God was his defence , and that he should neuer bée confounded : But when he had no enemies , and all his troubles were remoued , he forgat that euer hée was in danger , hée liued at ease , tooke his pleasure and delights , walking without feare on the top of his house securely , delighting himselfe in his pleasant prospects , and behold a woman bathing her selfe ; then his heart which was before set vpon God , was set on fire of lust , & committed grieuous sins without remorse , vntill God sent Nathan to put him in minde of that which hee had forgotten a whole yeere together , then was he stricken with another kinde of feare , not of humane enemies , but of Gods iustice , and where before hee continually besought God to hide him from his enemies , now he cryeth , Haue mercy vpon me ▪ O God , according to thy louing kindnesse , according to the multitude of thy mercies , put away mine iniquities . I know my iniquities , and my sin is euer before me . Sinne we see is the fruit of security , and by that godly mans example , it appeareth that some troubles are better than a quiet and secure estate , as appeareth also by Hezekiah , who being magnified in the sight of all Nations , and was free from feare of trouble , he became proud , his heart was lifted vp ; but when God had sent him an enemy Senacherib , to rouse him by threats , & sicknes to afflict him , then he became humble , then he fel to his prayers to God , and God then did hide him in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his pauilion did he hide him , & in his sicknes set him again vpon the rocke of health .

Gods owne children are knowne by his fatherly correcting them : and they that come into no troubles in this life , liue they neuer so carnally contented , may suspect themselues , and may be suspected to be none of his : and therefore faith Eliphaz to Iob , Blessed is the man whom God correcteth and afflicteth here . If then affliction and troubles be the way to become blessed , or at least an argument of Gods fauour ; with what patience should we endure them ; nay , with what ioy should we embrace them ? Saint Paul accounted the afflictions of this present life , not to be worthy of the glory which we shall enioy hereafter .

Why therefore should we feare or repine against trouble , séeing it is so necessary for vs ? It is not yet meant , neither is it required of vs voluntarily to runne into , or to séeke troubles , as some Vo●aries do wilful pouerty & other néedlesse crosses , which is not onely not required of them of God , but offensiue vnto him , being méere idlenesse , one of the sinnes of Sodome . It is required of vs , onely when troubles of what kinde soeuer befall vs , to vndergoe them with patience , faith and constancy ; and then shall God hide vs in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his Pauilion shall hee hide vs and set vs vpon a Rocke . To him let vs commit our soules in well doing as vnto our faithfull Creator , knowing that we are not afflicted by chance , but by the will of God our most louing Father in Jesus Christ , the Rocke of our saluation ; him let vs séeke in trouble , and to him let vs pray .

A Prayer in whatsoeuer trouble .

O Lord my God in Iesus Christ , who art onely wise in disposing all things for all men , and to whose will all creatures in Heauen , Earth and Sea are subiect ; and none , be he neuer so mighty , can withstand what thou wilt haue done : Open thine eyes and behold me , open thine eares and heare mee , open thine hands and releeue mee . I am in trouble , not by chance , but of thine owne wil ; not in thine anger to destroy me , but in thy loue to reforme me ; my sinnes I doe confesse haue offended thee , and yet are they strong in mee , it is a deadly disease which none can cure ▪ but thou through the bloud of thy sonne ; O wash me throughly from mine iniquity , & cleanse me from my sinnes , vse not thy seuerity against me , O Lord , for I were neuer able to abide it : but as thou hast begunne gently to correct me , so proceed not as a iust Iudge , but as a louing Father ; so shall not I wax worse and worse , but shall grow from vertue to vertue , from faith to repentance , and consequently to newnesse of life by thy spirit .

Make therefore thy corrections light vnto me by thy supporting hand , that though they be many , they exceed not my power to beare them , for I am of my selfe weake , but assisted by thy spirit , I shall become strong ; and though I be ignorant how to ease mee of this burthen , he shall teach mee that repentance , that through faith in thy Sonne , shal procure the mitigation of mine afflictions : though they be many and of diuers kinds , they are all knowne of thee , and all necessary for mee , because thou hast sent them , and that not in vaine , for all worke and worke together for my good through thy blessing .

I am cast downe , I am brought low , I am scorned , because of my basenesse and troubles , but I beare it , and keepe silence when I heare the vpbraidings and contempt of my late familiars , who abandon my ancient-society , because they wax aloft and I become low : this yet comes not to passe without thee , thy hand is in euery action for the good of thine : if enemies assaile me , thou biddest them ; if pouerty and want oppresse me , thou sendest it ; if sicknesse afflict me , thou doest it ; and therefore good : and none of these shall exceed my strength , through thy strength . As for mine enemies thou canst bridle them , for pouerty and want thou canst supply them , for sicknesse and carnall infirmities thou canst cure them : all these haue their turnes to visit me , onely to turne mee to thee .

Lord I come vnto thee , reiect me not , I pray vnto thee , deny me not ; but as thou hast eares to heare ; and eyes to see , euen from Heauen , heare my prayers and behold mine afflictions ; they are great , yet they shew the greatnesse of thy loue , that wouldst not that I perish , therefore imbrace I thy corrections as a gentle yoke , not heauy but only to my carnall part , to which euery crosse seemeth a curse , and euery medicine seemeth mortall .

Beare with my weaknesse Lord , and lay not much trouble vpon mee , but according to the measure of mine affliction , let the measure of my patience be , and the measure of thy mercies aboue measure .

And as thou obseruest my sinnes , so consider what correction is fit for my reformation ; I know thou art iust , but most sweetly tempered with mercy , yet no equality betweene thy mercy and thy iustice , for all thy waies are mercy and truth , and there is no iniustice in thy feuerity , for thou shewest mercy to whom thou wile shew mercy , and executest iustice iustly .

Who then can complaine in whatsoeuer sharpe affliction ? when all mens sinnes are the cords that draw them vpon them , and no man deserueth thy mercy to bee freed from them , therefore disclaime I any merit of mine , Lord , to bee released , and craue onely mercy , for thou in thy mercy wilt blesse the righteous , and with fauour wilt compasse him about as with a shield , so that no affliction , crosse or trouble shall be too heauy for him .

Thou Lord hast promised to be a refuge for the poore , yea a refuge in due time , euen in greatest afflictions . O hide me therefore in thy Tabernacle , in the secret place of thy pauilion hide me , and set me vpon a sure rocke .

VERSE 6. That he will now lift vp my head aboue mine enemies round about me : therefore will I offer in his Tabernacle sacrifices of ioy , I will sing and praise the Lord .

DAuid hauing bin long beset with enemies ( after he was constituted & also anointed King by Samuel ) by the malice of Saul , who sought his death , and continued many yéeres in continual troubles , wherin being exercised , he betooke himselfe to prayer to God , liuing in hope that the time would come wherein hee should be fréed from Sauls tyranny , and as hée was anointed , so should he bée at length eustalled King , hauing in many yéeres little or no breathing time , or freedome from afflictions , yet was his faith strong , and his confidence in God firme , as appeareth by the first , second and third verses of this 27. Psalme , wherein hée declareth the fauour of God towards him , that he was his light and his saluation , and his strength , so that he feared not Saul , nor whatsoeuer wicked enemies , being assured that if they came vpon him to take away his life , God would make them to stumble and fall , as by his owne hands and Gods prouidence Goliah fell , and after Saul his enemy by his owne sword : so that in the first Uerse hée tooke courage through faith in God , and sang , In the time of trouble God shall hide me in his Tabernacle , in the secret place of his Pauilion shall he hide me and set me vpon a Rocke . And in this verse , Now shall hee lift vp mine head aboue mine enemies round about me .

When Saul was dead his mighty enemy , he tooke the Gouernment of his Kingdome , but was not yet frée from enemies ; whereby wée may see , that the death of one enemy is the life of another ; and to teach vs not to be secure at any time , but when one danger is past , to looke for another : yet not without Hope , though cast downe , in the end to be lifted vp and raised againe . For as the Moone wareth full , and decreaseth and the Sea ebbeth and floweth , and as the sky cleareth and cloudeth ; so doe the estates of men , high and low , rise and fall , and fall and rise . What a fall had Ioseph , being the darling of his Father , to be sold as a slaue , to be falsely accused , and to be strictly imprisoned , and yet in the end to bée so highly aduanced ?

Now , saith Dauid , shall he lift vp my head : as if hée could limit God the time to raise him . No doubt , it was not his meaning to tie God to a certaine time : but when Saul his Predecessor was dead , & the Crowne open sor him , he might well say ▪ Now , that is , now hath God appointed the time to bring that to passe , which long before he had promised .

Indéed when he was made King , he might well say , that God had lifted vp his head aboue his enemies round about him ; for he had many , as before is shewed , and net a few , euen of Sauls followers after ; who when they saw Dauid exalted , might enuy his aduancement , being lifted vp so farre aboue them , and had then power to recompence their wickednesse against him . But he had no reuengefull spirit ; if he had had , hée would haue reuenged himselfe vpon Shemey , that railed on him , and cursed him ; and vpon Doeg , that discouered his abode to Saul : Neither of these did he touch , but as touching Shemey , though he swore vnto him that hée would not slay him ; yet hée commanded Salomon , that he should cause his hoare head to goe to the graue with bloud : which it séemeth hée spake by the spirit of prophesie , fore-séeing that he should die by the sword .

Thus Dauid deliuered from his enemies , and lifted vp aboue them , sheweth the wonderfull power of God in preseruing him , and his prouidence and loue in aduancing him , yet continued hée not long without his troubles , and enemies to exercise him , though he were now established in his Kingdome : for he hauing peace & security a while , we find into what sinnes he fell , though he were aduanced aboue his corporall enemies , his spirituall foes grew stronger than he ; therefore it is good that the children of God , though neuer so great in the world , haue afflictions and troubles , lest they forget God , as this godly King for a time did , yet vpon repentance God raised him againe : Which example of sinning we must auoid , and imitate his repentance .

By his assured confidence in God he still withstood , and preuailed against all that rose vp against him : none could make him afraid , but rested still assured that God would now , namely whensoeuer he was beset with danger , lift vp his head aboue all his enemies round about him : His enemies in their policies , became fooles ; in their strength , weake ; and all their deuices brought to nought . So that Dauid might well sing this ioyfull Song , The Lord hath lifted vp my head aboue all mine enemies round about me .

Nothing preuaileth without or against God : None can be lifted vp to sit safely without God : therefore the man that is wise being aduanced , will-imitate Dauid in faith , and a holy resolution : then shall he mount that rocke that shall neuer bee moued , God shall maintaine his lot , so that troubles shall not dismay him , enemies shall not hurt him , neither shall any thing make him afraid .

None must yet stand in conceit , that Dauids infirmities and falls should bée a priuilege for them to commit sinne ; but rather let his fall be a-motiue to them , to bée watchfull ouer their waies , for the preuenting of like danger , and to beware of security : For easie it is for a man to fall of himselfe , as Dauid did , but without God not to rise againe , and repent as Dauid did . Though he fell and was lifted vp , Saul fell and neuer rose ; Peter fell and rose againe ; but Iudas fell , and that finally .

Dauid had an eie vnto his waies , and respect vnto his walkings , to preuent a second fall , so as his enemies could not preuaile : yet hée confessed , that it was the Lord that supported him , and made him to abide in safety . It was not his owne power , or wit , or policy , but the mercy of God that preserued him , and that lifted vp his head aboue his enemies . He was constant , and waited the Lords leisure ▪ he made not haste as hée might haue done , hauing Saul twice within his power : though he were anointed King , yet would he lay no violent hands vpon him that was pre-anointed and inuested , but waited his time , as Ioseph did , whose head was lifted vp aboue his enuious brethrer . Mordochay , and the Jewes likewise with patience waited the time , and were lifted vp aboue H●man , but otherwise , higher by the gallowes than they .

Many are lifted vp aboue their enemies in conceit , and yet themselues lifted vp as enemies against themselues : for the more man insulteth in pride ouer other men , the more the mighty triumph ouer the weake , the rich ouer the poore , the glorious ouer the base : and the more that they in authority abuse and tyrannize ouer them they gouerne , so much the further off are they from the true lifting vp , how high soeuer they cary their heads : and so much the more enemies they are vnto themselues .

There is no true lifting vp without loue , for God is loue , he lifteth vp the heart and soule through faith aboue the outward man , euen to haue their conuersation in heauen . This is the true and swéetest aduancement , this is the glorious lifting vp of the head : And thus was Dauid also lifted vp spiritually , together with his outward lifting vp , aboue his corporall enemies .

Many good men are aduanced to honor and office ; To what end ? Not onely not to gaine earthly glory thereby , or to enrich themselues by sinister meanes thereby , and to abuse their places , and wrong their lifter and lifting vp : but as Dauid being lifted vp , did acknowledge it to be the Lords doing : and as he was aduanced by him , so did he séeke by all meanes to aduance his glory ; and though he were lifted vp aboue his enemies , he insulted not ouer them , but gaue God the praise , that his enemies triumphed not ouer him .

Praise and thanksgiuing are due vnto God , for euery benefit and blessing hée bestoweth vpon vs ; and hée requireth it , especially of them whom he lifteth vp aboue their enemies : and that they be lowly in their owne eies , and louing to all , euen to their enemies . And to learne also of Paul , in a low estate to be patient , and being lifted vp to be thankfull , neither to be grieued at the one , nor to glory too much in the other : In the one , pray to be constant ; in the other , giue glory to God .

Dauid , when he knew by his anointing , that he should be King after Sauls death , continued yet humble , and was yet contented to kéepe his fathers shéepe ( a meane office , for a man anointed to be a King ) and thought it no disparagement . And when he was indéed exalted , hée set not out his glory by outward vanities : neither was hée guarded with swaggering , swearing Drunkards , and with vile and vitious persons , though with sufficient noble attendants ( his Worthies ) abandoning his house of the knowne wicked , and retained such into his seruice as he found to feare God . And in stead of worldly vain-glory , he went into the Temple of God , and there offered the sacrifices of prayer and praise : and not himselfe alone , but called the people together , and with them went , not once , but many times into the house of the Lord : He was not ashamed , being a King , to be the formost in the seruice of God . And let vs praise God for his like mercy vouchsafed vnto vs , and let vs imitate godly examples .

Here is a liuely patterne of a thankfull heart to God for his aduancement , contrary to the course of many , who being lifted vp , not aboue their enemies , but aboue their equals ; of whom many giue rather thankes to their owne wit and policy , and to inferior meanes , friends , or money . But such their aduancement is but as the building of Babel , & though their language be not confounded ( but many times changed ) their manners often altered : They rise without God , and oftentimes we sée them fall of themselues . If therefore thou be exalted , remember Dauid , by whom , and by what meanes he was lifted vp . He praied , and the Lord heard him , and he gaue the whole glory to God .

Whatsoeuer thou art , bée thou neuer so eminent , think not praier and praising God to be base exercises , or things indifferent . They are the works of Gods Saints , and therein they exercise themselues day and night . But woe to them , that onely make their praiers and suits vnto men , forgetting God , and that being lifted vp , offer the sacrifice of praise vnto men to their own deuices , to their Siluer and Gold , &c. Forget not God ▪ that can winke at ambitious mens lifting vp , and laugh at their fals .

But when God affordeth lawfull means to lift vp any , he giueth them assurance of his approbation , and if they pray for good successe , they shall prosper and profit the place they execute , and the place shall iustifie their integritie : for , as without him , nothing can come to good effect ; So , to whatsoeuer action he setteth his helping hand , it cannot but prosper : And he that is by him lifted vp , let him not forget to pray and to praise God , lest he hurle him downe againe , and his latter end proue worse than the beginning .

A Praier with thanksgiuing to God , for defence from enemies , in that they haue not preuailed against vs .

O Eternall , most wise , most louing , and most powerfull Lord God , who guidest , gouernest , and disposest all things for all men , according to thine owne will , and knowest what is meet , necessarie , and expedient for all those that are thine ; Grant that whatsoeuer befalleth me here in this mortall life , be it pouertie or riches , prosperitie or aduersitie , trouble or peace , yea , if enemies rise vp against me , all may be for my good , for as much as nothing commeth to passe but by thy prouidence in loue .

Pouerty thou suppliest with plentie , if thou seest it good for me : troubles thou canst remoue , if expedient , & canst send me quietnesse and comfort ; enemies thou canst restraine , and howsoeuer they seeme to insult ouer me , thou canst lift vp my head aboue them : And though I bee brought low , and for a time endure disgrace , ignominy & shame , euen among my familiars ; yet as long as it pleaseth thee to accept and retaine me in thy fauour , I shall not be discouraged , being assured that thou canst and wilt in thy good time shew thy selfe the God of my saluation : thou wilt giue mee fauour againe , euen of those that now scoffe and deride mee for my miseries , they shall againe receiue mee in loue , seeing thy fatherly respect vnto me : For I know , that I seeking helpe and comfort of thee , shall againe reioyce and be glad in thee : for though I be poore and needy , though troubles abou●d and enemies rage against me , thou thinkest on me , and according to thy promise wilt neuer leaue me nor forsake me : therefore if all the world disdaine me , be thou fauourable vnto me . O helpe me and deliuer me from them that afflict me , and saue me , for I trust in thee ; and none that trusteth in thee shall bee cast downe for euer . I powre out my whole desire before thee , my sorrowes and my sighes are not hid from thee ; and though I seeme to faint , and my heart to faile me , because my louers and my friends leaue me , by reason of my miseries , yet I wait on thee , for comming , I know thy helpe will come : for thou art an vpright Iudge , though thou haue brought me low , I know thou canst and wilt lift me vp againe ; and they that thinke thou hast vtterly forsaken me , shall see that there is a God that hath a care of his deiected people ; though they say now , Where is thy God in whom thou seemest so much to trust ? Doth he helpe thee or releeue thee ? thou callest vpon him , but he heareth thee not ; thou seemest to seeke him , but findest no helpe at his hands . O grieuous tentation to a weake-minde : but it daunteth me not , I am confident in thy mercies ; I faint not at these reproaches , for they vpbraid not me , but thee , saying as it were in their hearts , it is bootlesse for the distressed to trust in thee .

O consider this , my God , and permit mee not ( though sore oppressed ) to giue ouer calling continually and faithfully vpon thee , for with thee there is mercy , and with thee is timely redemption : though thou seeme to tarry long and to giue no eare vnto my prayers ( which maketh those that are ignorant of thy waies to thinke thou hast vtterly forsaken me ) yet I know and am assured that thou forgettest me not ; neither dost thou so leaue mee but that thou wilt returne vnto me again , and in the multitude of thy mercies lift me vp againe : and then shall they that thus haue censured me , finde and confesse , that indeed I haue not trusted in thee in vaine , and that thou art a God indeed , powerfull , able and louing , willing and ready to helpe thine in the time of most need : I am thine , O Lord , for in all my troubles I haue hitherunto found thee my God , my helper , and my refuge , though there be that haue said there is no helpe for me in thee , I haue found them lyers , for thou hast neuer failed me nor forsaken mee hitherunto , neither wilt thou faile me or forsake me for euer .

Thou hast euer beene my rocke and fortresse , and hast euer deliuered mee , therefore art thou worthy to be praised , yea I will praise thee , for I was left vnto thee as soone as I was borne , and thou hast euer beene a louing father vnto me : though as a father thou hast gently corrected me , yet thy louing kindnes thou hast neuer withholden from me ; but when in my greatest troubles and afflictions I haue beene like to perish , thou hast not left mee to the will of mine enemies ; and when they they thought to reioyce most at my miseries , thou hast lifted vp my head aboue mine aduersaries : in thee therefore will I trust , and not be afraid what man can doe vnto me . Haste thee to help me , O God of my saluation , and praised bee thy holy name for euer , Amen .

VERSE 7. Hearken vnto my voice , O Lord , when I cry , haue mercy also vpon me and heare me .

THese words of Dauid import a most earnest praier vnto God , though séeming short , yet containeth matter of good consideration euen of vs , that in all our necessities we should cry vnto God , & teacheth vs that when we are in distresse wée may not lie still & thinke that God will helpe vs , if we call not vpon him ; and againe we may call and cry and not bée heard . As Dauids enemies when they were deseruedly ouercome , cryed for helpe at God , but he neglected them and reiected them , because they cried being a wicked people in their distresse for helpe at Gods hands whom they before despised . But contrarily , the children of Israel , the people of God cried vnto him in their distresse , and the Lord heard them and deliuered them , 1. Sam. 12. 10 , 11. There are vocall cries , and there are cries that none heare but God , as the guiltlesse bloud of Abel yet cryeth vnto God for vengeance . Likewise the sinnes of Sodome and Gomorrah , cryed vnto God for iudgement , as sin and murther daily doe : these are wofull cries , silent , and yet God heareth them in displeasure ; whereby wée may learne , that sinne , and chiefely the murther of Innocents , be it neuer so secret , doe cry and shall be reuealed , and though neuer so séeming to be grounded vpon pretended deuotion & zeale , it crieth to God for vengeance .

Dauids cry was of another kinde ; for where the former cries were the cries of the sinnes of the wicked against their wils , for reuenge against their owne impieties ; Dauids tended to the glory of God and his owne succour and safetie : and therefore said he , Hearken vnto my voice , O Lord , when I cry ; Which teacheth vs not to bée mute , when any occasion of feare or affliction may moue vs to séeke the helpe of God : We must cry vnto God , not vnto dumb stocks and stones , nor to any dead creature or Angell , whom they are fondly framed to represent , but vnto the liuing God ; he onely can heare , be our praiers neuer so secret and silent . He heard Moses and Anna , onely mouing their lips without sound . So that it is not the loudnesse of the voice , but the affection of the heart that maketh the cry , where unto God giues eare : many no doubt can and doe cry Lord , Lord , and that loud enough , and yet they are not heard because they cry not in faith . And therefore Dauid did not onely say , Lord hearken vnto my cry , but withall craued that God would haue mercy vpon him , for men may cry long enough and loud enough , and not be heard vnlesse GOD shew mercy . Therefore saith Dauid , Hearken vnto my voice when I cry , haue mercy also vpon me & heare me ; for God heareth no mans prayer but in his mercy , and therfore is mercy in the first place so be sought , but by faith , for he that trusteth in the Lord , mercy shall compasse him about ; though we be in neuer so great misery or danger , if wee cry faithfully vnto God , he will heare vs , and in his mercy helpe vs : As Dauid complained vnto God , saying , I am in a wonderfull strait , let vs now fall into the hands of the Lord , ( for his mercies are great ) and let vs not fall into the hands of men . God sheweth mercy vnto thousands that loue him and kéepe his Commandements , and heareth them : but the wicked and such as contemne his Word he will not heare , for they cry not in saith , they cry onely for their owne necessities , not referring the end of their desires to Gods glory ; they cry of themselues with the lips only , they come in their owne names , and respect onely themselues and their owne outward wants , and féele not nor acknowledge their inward defects ; they are sinners and repent them not , they aske therefore and receiue not ; They cry vnto mee , saith God , but I will not heare them , because they pray without faith and repentance . Therefore when affliction & anguish shall fall vpon them , they shall call vpon me , but I will not answer ; they shall seeke me , but shall not finde me . But the faithfull afflicted he heareth , and such as depart from their sinnes and walke righteously before him he considereth : as Dauid himselfe confesseth , I cried vnto the Lord , saith he , and hee heard mee , and deliuered mee out of all my feare and trouble . They that feare the Lord néed feare no trouble , for mercy compasseth them about , on euery side Gods prouidence attendeth them , & they no sooner cal vpon God but hée heareth , nay before they cry he is ready to helpe them ; for his eie is euer vpon them , euen at an instant to preuent whatsoeuer danger ; therefore may the faithfull goe comfortably forward in the strength of the Lord trusting in him , and they shall neuer be ashamed : he is our strength and saluation and our defence : let vs powre out ●ur hearts before him and say , Hearken vnto my voice , O Lord , when I cry haue mercy also vpon me and heare me . Then will he assuredly heare vs and helpe vs : he will delay no further time than may be for our good , hee may séeme vnto vs long in comming , but he will come in a time conuenient , and his delaies worke onely patience and hope in vs , which if these graces haue their perfect working in vs , we shall finde that he will neuer faile vs nor forsake vs , howsoeuer such as are ignorant of Gods power and prouidence may thinke , that vnlesse God come at our first call he will not come at all , which is an argument they beléeue not Gods promises , for if they did they would make no such haste , but wait the Lords leisure ; not that he is so busted as he cannot intend either to heare vs or helpe vs , for his eare is alwaies open to heare , and his hand alwaies able to helpe euery man as well as one , and that at an instant ; but we may not limit the holy one of Israel , for hee knowes the times and seasons fit for euery of his intentions ; shall wee thinke that Dauid in his extremest dangers did not pray for deliuery , yet though his saith were great , he was not presently set frée , though he cried out , How long Lord , how long , wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer ? Ioseph likewise in his captiuity and imprisonment , shall wee thinke that hée cried not vnto the Lord for deliuery , and that instantly ? and yet he suffered him to endure the very iron setters and stocks vntill Gods appointed time came , and then when the counsell of the Lord had sufficiently tried them , then he deliuered them , and shewed the abundance of his mercies towards them in aduancing them both : we may not therefore murmure or repine at Gods corrections , though they continue in our opinions long ; it is not onely that it is vnsauory to our carnall mindes but for want of faith , for where faith is strong it produceth hope , and in hope we wait with patience ; and we finde by experience that hope and patience shall not be in vaine . Then whosoeuer is afflicted , let them cry vnto God to haue mercy vpon them , and that in a liuely faith , and he will at least case them , if hée doe not altogether deliuer them : hee will kéepe his owne vnder his owne hand , and not suffer them to haue the fréedome of the raines at their owne pleasure , knowing the vnrulinesse of our owne na●ure , which if he curbe it not , will runne into euery sinne , and make no conscience of any impiety : as we may sée by holy Dauid himselfe , when God permitted him but to haue a little liberty , a small breathing time from his troubles ; into what sinnes did he runne , yet a man chosen of God ; if he so farre forgat himselfe , how shall we that haue not his spirituall gifts refraine our selues from offending God more grosely in our security ?

Troubles and afflictions fall not vpon vs without Gods prouidence , though Satan worketh what he can to trouble vs , as appeareth in his trying of Iob , to draw vs from God , but howsoeruer he aimeth to make vs distrust God by his tentations and afflicting vs , the more doe the children of God cleane vnto God for succour , and cry vnto him for mercy : and that which Satan intendeth to be for our hurt , God worketh it for our good , for all things worke together for the good of them that loue God , and are called of his purpose , namely , his owne elect , who as they are truly Gods owne , so they depend vpon him alone , and know that what crosse or affliction soeuer befall them , it comes from none but from their owne louing father , for their especial good to preuent greater danger , as the holy Apostle Paul himself confesseth , that lest he should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of reuelations , there was giuen vnto him a pricke in the flesh , the messenger of Satan to buffet him , because he should not be exalted out of measure . God seeing our corrupt nature , alwaies apt to be puffed vp with a kinde of pride and security , when wee féele the abundance of Gods graces and fauours towards vs , in his wisdome and mercy taketh downe our ouer good conceits of our selues by corrections : as Dauid before he was afflicted went awry ; Manasses a great Idolater , by troubles was reclaimed , and then he praied vnto God and humbled himselfe ; wée may sée it also in the prodigall sonne , who as long as hée had money to bestow vpon his vanities and lusts , he liued a rebellious life against his father ; but when he was afflicted by penury and want , he returned home to his father , repenting and crying vnto him in effect as here Dauid doth ; O father hearken vnto my voice , I cry vnto thee for pardon , haue mercy also vpon me and heare me , as much as if hée had said , Father forgiue mée .

Gods corrections , though grieuous and vnsauory for a time , yet good and profitable for vs , we are thereby the more drawne from the delighting in sinne , and made more obedient vnto the will of God , especially if they bée seasoned with reuerence to God that sends them with faith , repentance , and feruent praier : then shall wée finde that they will bring vs ( being exercised with them ) the quiet fruit of righteousnesse : Wherefore let vs not onely not be discouraged at the chastisements of God , for they are in loue ; but rather make vse of them for our humiliation , and vnfained reformation . Adding daily and continuall praiers vnto God , who smiteth vs ; neither to kill vs orto maime vs , but onely to kéepe vs in awe , hauing a speciall eye vnto his hand : for , when we intend or are committing of any sinne against God let vs do as schollers do , who when they are in their vnhappinesse , haue one eie ( as it were ) to sée whether the master obserueth them or no , and should giue them a clap before they were aware : We are to be as wary of the hand of God , and as the maiden of the hand of her mistrisse ; so shall God hearken vnto our voice when we cry , hée will haue mercy also vpon vs , and heare vs .

A Praier , that God will haue mercy vpon vs and heare vs .

HAue mercy vpon me , O God , haue mercy vpon me , for my soule trusteth in thee , and in the shadow of thy wings will I trust , vntill mine afflictions come to an end . I will call vpon thee , O hearken vnto my voice when I cry vnto thee , haue mercy also vpon me , and heare me ; But how canst thou heare , vnlesse I speake ? Yes , Lord , I know that thou hearest the very silent sighes and groanes of the faithfull heart . As for my vocall voice , it is but the voice of a sinfull man , but an outward voice that soundeth but in the aire , it only entreth into the eares of man and beasts , passing thorow the throat , and soundeth by the lips , a voice of no force , to pierce the skies , to sound through the clouds , to mount the heauens ; it is a low voice , a weake voice ; it ascendeth not where thou , my louing God sittest , in the heauen of heauens : and therefore how can it procure thine attention any thing at all ? Why then should I say vnto thee , hearken ? Why did Dauid say vnto thee , hearken ? He was assured to bee heard : Therefore I pray thee hearken , O my God , Hearken vnto the voice of my cry , haue mercy also vpon me and heare me . Heare the voice of my renewed heart , the voice of my soule that figheth for my sinnes : haue mercy therefore vpon me , O Lord , and pardon me , that I may so cry , and it may please thee so to heare as I may heare thine answer within , as I cry within . Lord , let thy holy Spirit both speake to thee , and answer me : for I cannot preuailingly cry vnto thee , vnlesse thou cry in me by thine owne Spirit , sanctifying my spirit , and answering my spirit again by thy spirit . Hearken , euen vnto thy selfe , speaking in me ; and let my spirit heare thy spirit , speaking to me , and in mee . So shall my soule sound forth a glorious voice , a sharpe and piercing voice , a voice whose sound shall ascend aboue the clouds , where I haue a most louing and preuailing Mediator with thee , euen Iesus Christ the righteous : in whose name , and for whose sake , thou wilt deny nothing vnto those that come and cry faithfully vnto thee . Then I , euen I , shall heare a most sweet and comfortable Eccho of Grace resound in the eares of my soule , that shall assure me of answer of euery my petitions .

When I cry , Lord forgiue me my sinnes , I shall heare , Thy sinnes , O man , are forgiuen thee : when I shall say , Open thou my lips , I shall heare , Open thy mouth , and I will fill it : When I shall say , Lord I beleeue , I shall heare , Thou beleeuedst , therefore shalt thou be saued : When I call for strength in my tentations , I shall heare , My grace is sufficient for thee : When I shall call vnto thee in my necessities for helpe , I shall heare , I will neuer faile thee , nor forsake thee . This is thy goodnesse , O Lord , and thy mercy , therefore will I euermore pray vnto thee : O hearken vnto my voice , when I cry vnto thee , haue mercy also vpon me , and heare me .

The ground of all my comforts in all my troubles to bee eased , is thy mercy ; yea , thy mercy onely . In mee there is nothing worthy to bee regarded of thee , it is thy mercy only that maketh me to dwell in safetie : And had it not beene of thy free mercy , I had bin confounded long agone ; therefore in thy mercy heare me when I call vpon thee , and in thy mercy releeue mee , in thy mercy helpe mee . Then shall neither enemies preuaile against me , pouertie and want shald not ouer-much oppresse me , sicknesse shall not dismay me , nor any outward or inward trouble , sinne nor Satan preuaile against me : For thou , O God , art the God of my saluation , my glory , the God of my strength , in thee will I euer trust . So be it .

VERSE 8. When thou saidst , seeke yee my face , mine heart answered vnto thee , O Lord , I will seeke thy face .

IN this verse , there is ( as it were ) a familiar conference betwéene the Lord and Dauid : God saies vnto Dauid , and in the plurall number , to all that are his , Seeke yee my face ; And Dauid againe in the name of the faithfull replies , Thy face , O Lord , will I seeke . It séemeth to be a strange command , that we weake Creatures that cannot looke with stedfast eies vpon the Sun , that is but one of his inferior Creatures , but shall be striken blinde with the radiant beames thereof , should séeke and behold his face , which none could euer sée and liue . And it séemeth likewise to be as strange a promise in Dauid , to say that hée would séeke the face of God . To séeke the Lord , is in many places of Scripture enioyned vs : but to séeke and to sée his face , is not so frequently commanded . But these phrases of spéech differ not , for both signifie the séeking of his helpe , and are not literally to be vnderstood , as if God had a visible face to be séene ; or that he had a corporall being to be felt . God is a spirit , and spiritually to be sought , and spiritually to be discerned , and is not otherwise to be séene , but in the face of Iesus Christ , who is also now glorified in the heauens , not visibly to bee apprehended by vs , vntill his second comming .

What is then meant by the séeking of the face of God ? onely his fauour and his protection in the time of our danger : And to séeke God , is to implore his power , prouidence , and helpe in our afflictions : As Ieremiah comforting the captiue Israelites in Babylon : You shall goe and pray vnto me , ( saith God ) and I will heare you , and if you seeke me , yee shall finde me , if you seeke me with all your hearts . And againe , Azariah , said to Asa , Iuda and Beniamin , The Lord is with you while yee be with him : And if yee seeke him , he will be found of you ; but if yee forsake him , hee will forsake you . God is present with the faithfull by his continuall helping power , as long as they hold him fast by their praiers , and wrastle with him with their faithfull petitions , as Iacob did with the Angell , and cry vnto him till he answer , and neuer leaue seeking of him , till hee finde him . If we séeke him in the Word , wée shall finde him there , as the spirit hath described him , both a mercifull God , and a consuming fire . The faithfull finde him mercifull , euen in this life : the wicked shall finde him a seuere Judge hereafter . The first shall sée his face , and reioyce : the second shall sée his face , and tremble . The first shall sée , and behold the beauty of his countenance with great gladnesse for euer : the second shall sée his face for a moment in his last sentence , and that with horror .

God saies vnto all , Seeke yee my face , but few with their hearts doe séeke him : And that is the reason that many call vpon him and are not heard ; they séeme to séeke him , and finde him not : but vnto the truly faithfull , hée offereth himselfe as he did to Moses ; My presence shall goe with thee , and I will giue thee rest . This is the true beholding of the face of God , to enioy his presence ; namely , when he is ready in his power and prouidence to helpe vs in our afflictions , and to deliuer vs in our dangers ; any other presence of his in this life we néede not séeke , his glory is aboue the Heauens : What is man then that he should séeke to sée his all-glorious face here in earth , which Moses saw but in a bush obscurely , in respect of his full and compleat glory ; and yet with that sight his face did shine so , as the people could not abide the glory of his face ? How much lesse , the glory of the most vnspeakable beauty of the face of the most high ? whose dwelling is in the heauens , and whose power is ouer all his works in heauen and earth ? And therefore saith Dauid ; O Lord our God , how excellent is thy name in all the world , which hast set thy glory aboue the heauens , where he sitteth and séeth the troubles and afflictions of his , and is néere them when they call vpon him , he turneth his face and louing countenance towards them , to cheare them and comfort them ; as for the wicked , he beholdeth them a farre off . I haue set the Lord ( saith Dauid ) alwaies before me , for he is at my right hand , therefore I shall not slide : As if he had said , I sée the face of God continually : and hée it is that preserueth me from danger ; so that mine heart is glad , and my tongue reioyceth , my flesh also doth rest in hope . The tongue of men or Angels cannot sufficiently expresse what God is : onely the heauens doe shew vnto vs his glory , the Sunne , the Moone , and Starres fixed in the Firmament , the Earth , the Sea , and all that are therein , all being the works of his hands . This God did Dauid séeke , to this God did Dauid pray , and hée turned his face vnto him , and deliuered him out of all his feare : To him I will pray .

A Praier that God will neuer hide his face from vs .

THY fauour , O Lord , which thou shewest vnto vs , weake and vnworthy creatures , is as an vnfathomable Sea of loue , who becommest ( as it were ) a suter vnto vs to come to seeke and to see thy face : Thou the most beloued seemest to make loue vnto vs : Thou the most mighty creator callest vs vnto thee thy weake creatures ; And shall we , hatefull , deformed , and vile wretches , stand therefore in conceit , that wee are louely and beautifull , because thou , great Iehouah , absolute in all perfection , doest thus intreat vs ? Thou saiest , Seeke my face ; And what is it , but as if thou saidst , Come and see me , come and receiue me , come and dwell with me . It seemeth to be rather the voice of a familiar friend , than of the Creator of heauen and earth .

But when I consider thy greatnesse , thy Maiesty , and glory , thy power and omnipotency , I cannot but feare , considering what I am , and rather desire to hide me from thee as Adam did , than to intrude my selfe into thy presence in my deformities , and to couer my nakednesse of all goodnesse , with the fig leaues of shamefull absence , than to come into thy presence , being naked of all spirituall vertues .

Should I come into thy presence , O most powerfull and holy Lord God , in the bespotted garments of mine owne corruptions ? Then maist thou well stand with the burning sword of thy fury , to keepe me from the sweet Paradice of thy louing and amiable presence : amiable in deed to them whom thou makest worthy , but most fearefull vnto such as haue not on the wedding garment of the righteousnesse of IESVS CHRIST . If thou obserue the selfe-deseruings of the best men , and deale with them accordingly , who can see thy face and liue ? Who dare to seeke thy face as of himselfe worthy ?

But sith it pleaseth thee to call me , though vnworthy , and to accept me as worthy ; how can I but giue all diligence to attend thy call ? Should I stand consulting with flesh and bloud , whether I should seeke thy face and liue ; or remaine out of thy fauour , and perish eternally ?

Thou saist , Seeke my face : O that my heart could truly answer and faithfully performe the seeking of thy face ; for I cannot say , of my owne power , I will seeke thy face : Though my spirituall part bee willing , my carnall part is weake . I desire yet to seeke and to finde thee ; for with thee is the well of life : Thine eies are vpon them that feare thee , and thine eares open vnto their cry . Shew me therefore the light of thy countenance , and turne thy face towards me that I may see it , in thy fauour and louing kindnesse .

Thy face is no way so liuely to be seene , as in the Image of thy Sonne , who although he were here in the earth in the forme of a seruant , he had the inuisible forme of thine owne Essence ; and is now ascended and glorified in the heauens , endowed with that absolute glory which hee had from the beginning with thee , whose visible forme cannot bee seene with mortall eyes , whose face yet shineth more gloriously than it did vpon the holy Mount , which Peter , Iames and Iohn , to their vnspeakable comfort , beheld with their eies , that visible glory of his cannot bee here seene , it is hid from vs vntill the time ; but he vouchsafeth vnto vs his Word , wherein we see him through faith .

O seeke his face euermore my soule , seeke his Word , beleeue his promises , obserue his Will. Grant Lord that I may flie sinne and embrace righteousnesse ; that I may pray continually , loue all men , beare with the weake , bee patient in troubles , and thankfull vnto thee for all thy mercies , and grant Lord that I may seeke thee while it is to day , let mee omit no time in seeking thy face : thou saist , Seeke my face ; let me cast off all impediments and clogs of worldly occasions , and cast my care vpon thee , for thou hast promised to care for mee : what thou hast said is true , what thou hast promised is Yea and Amen ; as sure as if I were possessed of what I aske .

I am in danger , I will seeke thy face as Dauid did , who found it in the Wildernesse pursued by Saul . I haue enemies , I will seeke thy face as Eliah did , being threatned by Iezabel . If I bee in prison , I will seeke thy face as Ioseph did , who was deliuered and aduanced : what misery or danger , trouble or affliction soeuer it shall please thee to inflict vpon mee , I will seeke thy face , so shall I not bee confounded in the perilous time ; and in whatsoeuer calamity I am , be thou neere vnto me and saue me .

VERSE 9. Hide not thy face from mee , nor cast thy seruant away in displeasure ; thou hast beene my succour , leaue me not , neither forsake me O God of my saluation .

BY this prayer of Dauid it may appeare that God sometimes hideth his face from his dearest children , and séemeth as if hée had cast them away in his anger , which yet though it be fearefull , it is not small , for he continueth not long in his displeasure ; though the weaknesse of men ( bée they neuer so sanctified ) will many times shew it selfe , and produce such corrupt fruits as may incense God to displeasure , and inforce him to absent himselfe from them for a time , in so much as he may seeme to haue left them quite to their owne corrupt wills , as it séemeth holy Dauid felt some alteration as it were of Gods dealing towards him , that he cried out , hide ▪ not thy face from me , wherby it séemeth Dauid had not that comfort of Gods presence as in times past he had , especially when hée was afraid that God had cast him away in displeasure . It may be the weaknesse of Dauids faith , ( which is not at all times alike strong ) could not so well apprehend Gods mercies as before , or that he felt his owne infirmities to grow stronger , and his spirituall powers weaker , so that in the combat betwéene the flesh and spirit , he found his inward part the weaker , and so suspecting as it were the loue and presence of God to aid the one and to suppresse the other , hee thought God had left him .

But it séemeth his outward enemies did more preuaile against him than before , and being so oppressed by them or afraid of them , he turned himselfe vnto God , but he séemed to hide his face from him , and therefore praied so instantly that God would not cast him away being his seruant , in displeasure : yet Dauid had the true feare of God in his heart , although hée were a little shaken with doubting for the absence of Gods presence ; and necessary it is , that wee should sometimes feele the want of Gods presence with vs , that wee should not too much presume vpon our owne worthinesse , power and strength , to stand firme without him , for if he leaue vs , be it neuer so little , such is our frailty , that we begin to faint , and our spirituall strength saileth vs , which if we can apprehend , it is an argument that we are not altogether destitute of the grace of God , for if we be so carried away with our owne corruptions as we neuer féele our owne wants of spirituall graces , we haue no grace at all . The wicked and such as sinne without touch of conscience , they neuer féele the want of that they neuer had , the spirit of God , & therefore run on stil in their impieties , following euery kinde of carnall desires with greedinesse .

It is not so with them that God hath chosen and enlightened , for they finde in themselues the least of Gods absence if but for a moment , for they are seldome idle in one kinde of holy duty or another ; they either meditate on the word and works of God , they pray or offer the sacrifice of thankes to God , and when they finde in them selues a dulnesse to pray , or ignorance how to pray , they presently suspect that they haue deserued by some meanes that God hath left them to themselues , who of their owne power without the helpe of the Spirit of God cannot thinke a good thought , much lesse faithfully and seruently pray vnto him , and then féeling the griefe of their hearts that they cannot be comforted by the exercise of these holy duties , finde the fault to bee in themselues , and that God for some sinne committed , or some good dutie omitted , is angrie with them . And therefore , as Dauid doth here , they crie out vnto God , O hide not thy face from me , nor cast thy seruant away in displeasure . So fearefull are the children of God , to lose the benefit of his presence , as they thinke nothing so irksome vnto them as his absence ; and therefore haue alwaies a kinde of holy iealousie , that the least sinne they doe commit , wil cause the Lord ▪ to hide himselfe from them . Therefore when Dauid considered his infirmities , hée could confesse and say , Wicked deeds haue preuailed against me , but thou wilt bee mercifull vnto my sinne . God is mercifull to them that are sorry for their sinnes , which sorrow and repentance is the gift of God , and the children of God instantly and often call to God for it , as a meane whereby they may redéeme his loue and obtaine his presence , and the beauty of his face againe . And therefore saith Dauid , being as it were forsaken , and had lost his chiefe comfort , the louing countenan●● of the Lord. Turne vs againe , O Lord God of hosts ( saith he ) cause thy face to shine , and we shall be safe : Returne wee beseech thee , O God of hosts , looke downe from Heauen and visit vs againe with the brightnesse of thy louing countenance , and hide not thy face from vs , nor cast vs away in displeasure . There is nothing more causeth the Spirit of God to leaue vs than our sinnes , and neglect of the true seruice of God , and nothing retaineth him more than the continuall meditation of heauenly things , seruent prayer with a godly life ; he that thus exerciseth himselfe , hath God alwaies with him , he hideth not his face from such ; but in what misery , trouble , feare or affliction they are , they are sure either to receiue outward deliuerance or inward comfort , and to say with Dauid , yet my soule keepeth silence vnto God , of him commeth my saluation ; yet he is my strength & my defence , therefore shall I not much be moued ; not much , we may haue some doubtings in our heauy afflictions , and cry out with Dauid , O God why hast thou forsaken me ; and though we be moued , we shall neuer be remoued from the louing fauour of God ; we shall neuer fall finally into his displeasure , though for a time he séeme to hide his face from vs , which he neuer doth vntill we couet to hide our sins from him , and to doe the things which we thinke hée séeth not ; we may not thinke that God hideth his all-séeing cies from our transgressions , though he turne not his face towards vs to flatter vs ( as it were ) in our sinnes , for he loueth righteousnesse and hateth iniquity ; righteousnesse and equity are the establishment of his throne , therefore dealeth he iustly when he hideth his face from them that deale vniustly , from them that obey him not , from them that neglect to call vpon him in ●aith , and omit those holy duties which he requireth . How can hee looke vpon them in loue that leaue him ? How can he but hide his face , and as it were , cast them away in his displeasure that neuer séeke him or serue him ? Nay , that séeke him not with a pure heart , and that continually ? for it is not enough to sinne and serue him by turnes , as if he allowed vs a time for our selues to take our carnall pleasures & delights in , and a time againe for him , to haue our times wherein wée cannot sinne , either being glutted with sinne , or vnable to sinne . How can hee but hide his face from such ? How can it be , but he must cast away such in his displeasure ? Dauid that thus crieth out , that God had hid his face from him , neuer tooke such prophane liberty , and yet through his humane frailty , fell , and that grieuously : but he lay not in it as the reprobate doe ; he examined his heart , and found it corrupt , and falted it with the teares of repentance : Thou hast fed mee with the bread of teares ( saith he ) and giuen mee teares to drinke . This is the true medicine to cure the soule that hath sinned , Faith and Repentance . And who so applieth it truly to himselfe , as Dauid did , shall finde ease ; and although God séeme sometimes to hide his face , it is but to cause vs the more to séeke it , and though he séeme to cast vs off in displeasure , it is but as a louing father that dissembleth extreme anger to his childe that hath offended him , and maketh a shew as if he will vtterly cast him off , determining yet nothing lesse . So though God the most louing father to his children séeme often angry with vs , as he séemed to bee with Dauid , it was more in shew than in déed ( which we may not slightly regard , for so we may indéed turne his fatherly displeasure into iust reuenge ) let vs obserue in wisdome the Lords waies , how indéed he neuer winketh long at our least sinne , for many little sinnes make a great cry , and when God heareth their clamour hée turneth away his face as a thing loathsome vnto him , as he did from Dauid for a time , who féeling it , ranne crying againe vnto God : O hide not thy face from me , O Lord nor cast thy seruant away in displeasure .

Thou hast beene my succour ( saith Dauid ) leaue mee not , neither forsake mee O God of my saluation : though Dauid found that God had hid his face from him , and séemed displeased with him , yet he tooke a godly courage through saith , to put God in minde of his former fauours towards him , saying , Thou hast beene my succour , and thou changest not , thou art still the same , and whom thou hast once chosen , thou neuer forsakest . He may be angry with his dearest children for a time , but he endureth not long in his displeasure : but when he with rebukes doth chastise a man for his sinne , his beauty consumeth , and all carnall delights are as it were irkesome vnto him in respect of the losse of Gods fauour .

Though Dauid séemed much to bee troubled that God did hide his face from him , and to withhold his helping hand against his enemies , yet he had hope to redéeme his fauour againe , because he was before his succour , which no doubt hee in his heart acknowledged , not to procéed of his owne deseruing , but of the meere and frée mercy of God . And therfore as hee first fréely chose him without his desert , he would not cast him off in regard of his humane frailties , incident to all men , euen to the best men ; but would rather renew , maintaine and confirme those diuine graces which it had pleased God before to plant in him , and so would returne againe vnto him in loue , and turne his face towards him againe , and not vtterly to leaue him nor forsake him ; and why ? because he was assured , that as God had promised to be , so he was , and would be , the God of his saluation for euer : for he neuer faileth the performance of his promises to a thousand generations . And his gifts and callings are without repentance . Therefore if we be chosen of God , we cleaue vnto God ; if we cleaue vnto God , God is faithfull to succour vs , & will neuer leaue vs nor forsake vs .

Though he seeme to hide his face from vs a little , as he did from Dauid , and to be displeased with vs as he seemed to be with him ; we may with like boldnesse build our assurance of his future helpe , as Dauid did , by his former succouring of vs : And as Dauid held it as an argument of Gods neuer failing help , in that hee was ence his succour ; how much more may such as haue often found him their defence and succour assure themselues , that though he hide his face for a while , he will neuer faile them nor forsake them ? But that he will establish his according to his promise , that they may yet liue , & not be disappointed of his louing fauour again : howsoeuer they seeme to be forsaken , Hee that trusteth in the Lord , mercy shall compasse him about on euery side .

A Prayer that God will be alwaies neere vnto vs in our afflictions , and not to hide his face and fauour from vs .

O Lord , hide not thy face from me , and cast mee not away in thy displeasure . Thou diddest not in the beginning choose mee for my worthinesse , O cast me not off for my weaknesse ; thou knewest before whereof I was made , and that in me neither was nor is any goodnesse at all : and therefore if thou shouldest hide thy face from me , I could not iustly accuse thee of leuity or lightnesse , soone to loue , and as soone to reiect ; but condemne my selfe , in that I haue cast away thy feare , and haue forgotten and neglected thy due praises for thy former succour and goodnesse towards me .

I haue runne too farre in the way of sinne and vanity , by a lewd law that is in my members , rebelling against the law of thy Spirit , incensing thee to displeasure against mee , wherein thou seemest to hide thy face from me , as if thou hadst neuer knowne me to be one of thine ; yet Lord I know thee , and doe acknowledge that thou hast beene my succour , thou hast beene a gracious God vnto mee ; when I haue called vpon thee , thou hast heard mee ; when I haue sought thee , thou hast turned thy louing countenance towards me , thou hast not left me nor forsaken me , therefore Lord forsake me not for euer , giue mee not ouer , leaue mee not vnto my selfe , but keepe mee vnder the shadow of thine owne wings , shew me the light of thy countenance againe : and as thou hast beene formerly my succour , leaue me not now , nor forsake me , O God of my saluation .

If thou turn from me altogether , I shall altogether perish . Remember that I am thine , and the worke of thine owne hands , destroy me not therefore ô my God , that which thy selfe hast made , for there is none that can plead or maintaine my cause against thee ; but as sinne hath cast mee downe , thy grace can raise mee vp : I haue falne through frailty , I may rise againe by faith in thee : I haue lost the view of thine amiable countenance , by turning my face vnto vanity , I may finde it againe if it please thee to turne me to thee , and thy face to me .

I haue beene too negligent , when thou saidst , Seeke my face , I gaue not such eare vnto thy words , nor such eye vnto the beauty of thy face as I ought . But be thou pleased , now to be found when I seek thee ; I pray thee heare mee , now I intreat thee : And cast mee not away in displeasure , though I haue displeased thee . As long as I see thy face I am safe ; but as soone as thou turnest thy face from me , I am troubled .

When thou leauest me , I am left without spirituall hope or helpe , and busie my selfe in things that profit not : And therefore I cannot but confesse indeed , that thou maiest turne away thy face from me a sinner , but remember then I became a sinner , when thou didst hide thy face from mee : Yet haue not I forsaken thee , O God , neither can I goe from thee wheresoeuer I should couet to hide my selfe . No , I will not onely not couer to hide my selfe , but I come euen as Dauid to Saul , to discouer my selfe vnto thee . Alas , to discouer my selfe , when I cannot hide my selfe from thee ? Though thou mayst hide thy face from me , I cannot hide my waies from thee . No , Lord , I seeke thee , let mee finde thee : Leaue me not , nor forsake mee , O God of my saluation , nor cast me thy poorest and meanest seruant away in thy displeasure : But as thou hast euer beene my succour , sustaining me , releeuing me , defending me , and comforting me ; So gracious Lord God , in Iesus Christ , continue my louing and helping father still . And then , whatsoeuer , or whosoeuer shall rise vp against me , I will neither faint nor feare : for thou wilt be my succour , thou wilt neither faile me nor forsake me , O God of my saluation , Amen .

VERSE 10. Though my Father and my Mother forsake me , thou Lord wilt take me vp .

IT is impossible for man to comprehend the depth of Gods vnsearchable wisdome , prouidence , and loue towards his children : his wisdome in disposing , his prouidence in finding out , and his loue in bestowing things , both spirituall and corporall vpon his children necessary . In so much , as wée may admire with Saint Paul , and say ; O the déepnesse of the vnsearchable riches , of the wisdome , prouidence , and loue of God towards vs , who when father , mother , friends , and meanes faile vs , hée taketh charge of vs ; we are all cast vpon his prouidence and care , euen as well before , as when we are borne . And if then father and mother faile vs , or forsake vs , he will take vs to himselfe , as he tooke vp Moses out of the riuer , being cast into it in a basket of réeds in a most desperate danger to be vtterly cast away . Did father or mother preserue him ? Was it not the prouidence of God that saued him ? Was not Ioseph cast into a pit by his Brethren , intending hée should haue there perished ? Was hee not after sould to Merchants , and then as a slaue , depriued of the aid or comfort of father , mother , or friends , falsly accused , vniustly imprisoned ? Who tooke him into protection ? Who tooke care of him ? was not God alone he that preserued him ?

The prouidence of God ouer-ruleth all things that fall out in the world , for hée causeth them all to worke for the best , not onely for them that are of age to loue him , and to pray vnto him , as Dauid did , but euen vnto Infants ; as vnto Moses when he was a childe , preseruing him beyond the expectation of his owne Parents . It worketh also all troubles , crosses , and afflictions , to the good of his . There is none so young , nor any so old , but God disposeth of them ; yea , when they haue neither father nor mother , or friend to helpe them , hée then comes and takes them into his own guard and kéeping , bée they neuer so base and vile in mans corrupt indgement ; he can make them honorable , be they neuer so abiect and despised , either for birth , or poore estate , he is all one to all : he respecteth no degrée . Though he dwell in the heauens , farre aboue our apprehension , yet he beholdeth all his creatures , and knoweth them ; he can sée through the Clouds , and behold all the things on earth : He is good to all , and his mercies are ouer all his workes : He vpholdeth all that fall , and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall .

When a man loseth father and mother , being left naked and destitute of helpe , is it not a great tentation ? When he knowes not which way , or to whom to turne for reléefe ; What a comfort is it then , which the holy spirit hath here recorded of the prouidence and loue of God , who hath promised , that when we are depriued of all earthly meanes , he will be a father and mother vnto vs ?

Children commonly in their young yeeres , care for no prouision , for food or maintenance , but relie onely vpon their parents : So the Children of God , howsoeuer old they are , yet vnable of themselues to prouide things necessary without their heauenly fathers helpe : And therefore as the young birds ●ang at the bill of the old for food ; so doe Gods children depend vpon God for all that they néed , and he doth nourish them . He is in stead of their naturall father and mother ; nay , fathers and mothers may haue a good desire to prouide for their children , but want the meanes ; but our heauenly father wanteth none . To come to preferment ( nay to bee supplied with things necessary ) is neither from the East nor from the West ( saith Dauid ) nor from the South : But God is the Iudge , he maketh low , and he maketh high .

What a strange kinde of care then is it in many Parents , that setting God ( as it were ) aside , his prouidence and care ; and onely study how they may aduance their children to greatnesse after their deaths ? As , if when they can sée them richly prouided for , it is sufficient ; riches , lands , and reuenues , are in stead of father and mother , and of Gods prouidence also : And yet if these men were not wilfully blinde , or rather besotted ( whether more with the fond loue of their children , or foolish desire of vaine-glory , I cannot tell ) they might obserue more ( poore ) cast , and depending vpon the prouidence of God , by religious endeuors to liue more contentedly with their little , than many left rich with their plentie : and more from meane beginnings to rise to greatnesse , than in hereditary greatnesse , to gaine glory and continuance .

Let them then that are in a meane estate , wanting father and mother , which imply all worldly meanes , take comfort and courage in this ; That God to the faithfull is in stead of al helps ; and if our naturall fathers that begat vs , our naturall mothers that bare vs , our friends that professed friendship to vs , and the meanes that wée had to sustaine vs , faile all ; let vs not feare , for the Lord of heauen and earth , and the owner and disposer of all things within the same , hath giuen vs a promise to be a father vnto vs ; if a father , he will loue vs ; if he loue vs , he will not see vs want any thing that is fit and necessary for vs .

Though then our eies faile vs , our féet falter vnder vs , our hands be helplesse to vs , though our limbs become weake ; though we hane neither Gold , nor Siluer , nor food , nor raiment , nor friend , nor helper , but our ancient friends and companions to deride vs for our basenesse , enemies to rage and raile against vs for our poorenesse : let vs not dismay nor fall from our faith and assurance in God ; he is our father , let vs returne vnto him though as Prodigalls , he will entertaine vs into his house , not as seruants but as sonnes . Hée will regard vs as his sonnes , prouide for vs as his sonnes , and defend vs as his sonnes ; and in stead of our naturall father he will be our heauenly father , hee will bring vs vp , and wée shall want nothing that is good , though hee séeme here to expose vs to be as Apprentises for a time in the world , to learne to beare the Crosse of Christ ; it is but seuen yéeres , be it seuenty , hee in the end will make vs frée men of the City , new Ierusalem , where we shall worke no more in our former trade of life , but in stead of all the miseries and troubles wée here endure , wee shall haue peace , and rest , and glory for euermore .

Therefore in the meane time , while we shall liue as the worlds slaues here , let vs vndergoe it with patience , it is but a little while : If we want any thing for soule or body , hee willeth vs to tell him and hee will supply it ; If any wrong vs or abuse vs , to complaine to him and he will redresse it . If we bée sicke , he knoweth our diseases ; he is our Physician , and knoweth whether life or death be fittest for vs . If we die , he will restore vs to life eternall , therefore may wée fréely cast our care vpon him , for hee careth for vs .

Fathers ( saith Salomon ) are the glory of their children . How much more shall the God of all glory , our heauenly Father , be a glory to vs his children ? who hath prouided for vs an inheritance , which no man can depriue vs of , yea a Kingdome whose glory shall haue no end . The remembrance of our futur● enioying it , is as a most deepe Sea of comfort in this inferiour Kingdome of crosses . It cannot bee fadomed with the line of mans capacity ; what hee hath promised hee will performe for his children , therefore may we stand assured and boldly affirme , that though the fathers and mothers of the faithfull doe forsake them , that God will take charge of them .

A Prayer that God will shew himselfe our father in all our troubles and afflictions when all other helpe faileth .

O Gracious Lord God , most mercifull and louing Father , from whom proceedeth euery good and perfect gift , and who of thine owne will hast begotten vs with the Word of truth ; shew thy selfe a father vnto mee who am depriued of father and mother , from all helpe and comfort in this life , beset on all sides with troubles , dangers and many afflictions , relying only vpon thy prouidence ; shew thy selfe vnto me a father , a powerfull and protecting father , as thou diddest vnto Ioseph , who being depriued of father and mother , hated of his brethren , sold as a slaue , falsly accused , sharply imprisoned , hauing none to helpe him or to comfort him , forsaken of all his friends ; yet when all helpe failed , thou tookest him into thy protection , and directedst him in thy waies , he became louing vnto thee as a sonne , obedient vnto thee as a seruant , he waited on thee as vpon a most faithfull father , hee called vpon thee and thou heardest him , and gauest him the honour of a sonne , euen in this life holinesse and honour ; testifying vnto him that thou his father hadst a respect vnto his faith , constancy and wrongs , neuer leauing him nor forsaking him ; to teach vs , O Lord , faithfully to depend vpon thy mercy , power and prouidence , in whatsoeuer danger .

I was left vnto thee as soone as I was borne , and thou like a most louing father tookest me vp & hast hitherunto kept me : O forsake mee not , for if thou my father leaue me and forsake mee , who will or can take charge of me ? I am many waies afflicted and full of sorrow , not so much for my troubles as for that I haue sinned and offended thee so louing a God as thou Hast beene vnto me euer vnto this day : but now louing Father , I seeme destitute of thy fauour , of thy releeuing hand , I am he ●ily oppressed , and what I endure is not hid from thee , and thou onely knowest how to releeue me ; my father , my mother , and all my friends haue forsaken me . Dauid being thus destitute , he resorted vnto thee , confessing that when his father and his mother forsooke him , thou tookest him vp ; and is thyr fatherly affection dead and discontinued in Dauid ? No , no , louing art thou still , powerfull art thou still , and helpfull art thou still , for thy faithfulnesse , and thy truth , and thy power , and thy prouidence are for euer : and happy , yea most happy is he that hath thee his releeuing and helping father ; for nothing is wanting to him that is thus cast vpon thee : He hath not only the promise but the assurance of thy presence and loue both in this life and the life to come .

Yet gracious Father , among all men it goeth hardest with thine owne children , often troubled , much abused , deeply distressed , falsly accused , scoffingly derided , and many crosses , cruell calamities , and great afflictions follow them ; & I am enforced to vndergoe the burthen of infinite trialls , as if thou hadst not onely not taken mee vp , but vtterly cast mee off : And were it not that I truly know thee to bee my father , in that thou so fatherly , yet sharply correctest me , I could not but faint : but thy grace sustaineth mee , and doth inwardly comfort mee , else should I vtterly despaire .

O my father , take mee into thy protection , leaue me not , forsake mee not , for I am brought very low , and there is none that careth for mee , there is none willing to adde any comfort but sorrow vnto my soule ; there is neither father nor mother , neither friend nor helper to commiserate mine estate , but thou whom I only trust , for thy promises tend to mine encouragement , to cast my care vpon thee , who hast willed all that are oppressed to come to thee and be eased : But Lord what booteth it mee to seeke thee when I cannot finde thee ? to pray vnto thee when thou seemest to refuse to heare me ? Haue I so deepely offended thee , that neither my repentance can pacifie thee ? the mediation of thy Sonne reconcile thee ? nor my faithfull prayers preuaile with thee ? Is thy mercy come to an end ? Hast thou no more blessings for thy children ?

O wretch that I am , Why doe I thus reason with thee ? am I able to ouer-rule thee with my words ? Shall I teach thee what thou shouldest doe ? No Lord , I only bewray mine ignorance by my words ; which can no further preuaile with thee , than thou in thy wisdome and mercy thinkest fit for mee . Therefore will I close my lips , I will keepe silence , and wait both thy pleasure and leisure , for thou hast a time to be angry , and a time to hee pacified . I will rest with patience , and commit my selfe vnto thee in obedience , and if thou lay a greater burthen vpon mee then yet I beare , if thou suffer mee to sinke and to bee cleane ouerwhelmed with more bitter waters than yet I feele , I will yet trust in thee though my body perish , and all outward helpe faile mee , preserue my soule O Lord , for thou art the father of it , and respectest it farre aboue my carnall par●● ; yet both make but one body , yet may the one prosper when the other may perish . But I know that such is thy care of both , that rather than thou wilt permit me vtterly to bee confounded , thou wilt euen send from Heauen and saue me . Be it vnto me euen as thou wilt , O God , my strength and my saluation .

VERSE 11. Teach mee thy way , O Lord , and lead me in a right path , because of mine enemies .

IT is the property of an enemy to bée alwaies prying into the life of him hee hates , and to obserue whatsoeuer faults hée doth commit ( though he himselfe bée quilty of more ) and to publish and proclaime them to the world to his vttermost disgrace . And therefore it behooueth all men , especially a man that hath enemies ( as Dauid had ) to looke vnto his waies , lest by the errors of his life they take aduantage , and so make his cause ( otherwise good ) séeme the worst , though his errors no way concerne the matter in controuersie betwéene them , but méerely his frailty ; falling as a naturall man , whereof Dauid being afraid , he prayeth vnto God that he would teach him his way which is vncorrupt , and to leade him in an vpright path ; not onely in his ordinary calling , but in the sincerity of his religion and profession , lest his enemies that are alwaies watchfull should haue cause to accuse him of some grosse sinne , and so draw him into the censure and condemnation of the world .

Dauid was a man chosen of God , but by nature apt and inclined to sinne like other men , who all haue their peculiar faults : No man liueth so sincerely , but if his life in all points , at all times , be narrowly obserued and examined by his owne conscience , he may be taxed or tax himselfe , either for committing things which God hath forbidden , or omitting things which God hath commanded : And therefore as Dauid here prayeth God to teach him his way , and to lead him in a right path , and as Moses before him prayed vnto God saying , If I haue found fauour in thy sight , shew me now thy way , that I may know thee , and that I may finde grace in thy sight ; So ought euery Christian to pray that God would not onely teach him but lead him also , not onely because of his enemies whose slanders hée feareth ( which yet is necessary ) but because God should not be dishonoured by his corrupt conuersation and sinne .

There is no man , especially Gods children , but haue enemies , not onely corporall but spirituall , among whom the subtillest and strongest is Satan , who looketh not so much into what a man doth , as into the inclination of his heart by the things hee doth : for by his workes he findeth what is in man ( for thoughts are hid ) and by his outward actions he can collect whereunto hée is inclined : and vpon that he workes and laies his plots accordingly , and most commonly he obserueth in euery man some sinne that raigneth and ruleth aboue all other sinnes , which he hugs ( as it were ) in his bosome : there doth Satan apply his greatest battery , knowing that if he vanquish him in it , and sée him to continue in it , it is as much as if he had inticed him to a thousand sins , and therefore hee laieth baits ( according to a cunning Fowler or Fisherman , that hath one especiall bait for each kinde of Fowle or Fish ) according to the desire of that peculiar sin wherein a man most delighteth , entertaining euery occasion or fit opportunity to féed his desire , which Satan finding , vseth his instruments to féed him with varieties .

Euery raigning or rather raging sinne in man , may be compared to the disease in mans body called the Wolfe , which if it be not continually fed with some kinde of satisfactory matter , will soone deuoure the very flesh of that part of the body wherupon it hath seized ; so that sinne that a man holdeth so deare ( to which hee cannot but yeeld vpon euery opportunity afforded ) must be fed with the satisfying of those corrupt desires which best agree with the nature of that woluish disease , otherwise it will euen eat vp their senses , and they will become as mad men when they are restrained from what that sinne desireth : As for example , take game from the couetous man hee will become euen cut of his wits ; barre the drunkard of his liquor , and he will rage like a shéebeare robbed of her whelps ; preuent the lasciuious man of his Harlots , he will swagger , sweare , and aduenture his life to haue them : and so of the rest .

If therefore a man fall into any of these dominant sinnes , and liue in it , what an aduantage is it vnto his enemies ? It is a double aduantage ; first , it makes him scandalous in the world , whose good opinion with the vertuous and religious hée loseth ; It offends GOD , whose hand is alwaies ouer the righteous to defend them , & against the wicked to confound them .

How sottish then are these men that will giue entertainment at the first to such seruants , as at last shall become their masters ? Sinne in the beginning is weake , and with ease may be subdued , but when it hath beene cherished and nursed vp awhile in our brests , as beloued , and fed , as it will require , it beconuneth predominant , facing as it were a man , and as if it should say , I haue thus long ouerruled thée , I will yet make thée my slaue . O fearefull estate , yet not a few liue in this miserable seruility ; and doth not that enemy Satan triumph to obserue his vassals thus subiected ? and doth he not stirre vp enemies to vpbraid them ? some to mocke and scorne them ? some to reproach and reuile them ? and finally , doth hee not laugh at their destruction ?

Had not holy Dauid them good cause to be afraid to be thus carried away with the violence of his owne corrupt nature , which no doubt hée felt something inclinable rather to goe astray , than to goe on the way the Lord taught him ? & had he not good cause ( as eueryman hath ) instantly to pray vnto God , Teach me thy way O Lord , and leade me in thy right path , because of mine enemies ? Where it appeareth that it is not enough to know the way of God vnlesse wee walke in it , and what power haue we of our selues to walke aright vnlesse the spirit of God leade vs ? we may thinke wee are right when wee are cleane out of the way , as many deceiued silly soules doe ▪ that thinke themselues right , and others out of the way , when indéed they walke in darknesse and haue no light at all .

Enemies are alwaies enuious against the prosperity & good that the godly receiue , and reioyce when any disgrace , misery , or misfortune befalls them : When my foot slipt ( saith Dauid ) mine enemies reioyced . So doth Satan and his instruments , who neuer rest day nor night , seeking to draw ( if it were possible ) Gods owne children into the waies of the wicked , and then againe to moue and instigate the wicked to reproach vs for our sinnes , so that wée must not looke to liue here securely , euen in our séeming most quiet estate ; for when wée thinke of none , and deserue least disgrace , Satan will raise vp one railing and reuiling Shemei , some one traiterous Iudas , or one trecherous Achithophel or another to trouble vs . And if wee haue committed any knowne sin , be it neuer so small , whether in our place , conuersation or profession , wee shall be sure to heare it . Let vs liue neuer so warily , neuer so ciuily , neuer so sincerely , we haue enemies enow to espy out our secretest actions , to heare our most priuate speech : for in the most godly little sinnes seeme great , and are soone discouered ; and great sinnes in the wicked séeme no sinnes , therefore haue the wicked few enemies whom they feare to sée their waies , but the godly many . It is no disgrace to a wicked man to bée wicked , it is his profession : as it is no blemish to the beauty of an Aethiopian to be blacke , it is his naturall colour ; and therefore as long as none but wicked men scandalize vs and condemne vs , we néed not be ashamed ; no , though they raile , reuile and curse vs , wee néed not feare it , for in stead of their curses God will blesse vs : yet let vs pray , Teach me , O Lord , thy way , and leade me in thy path aright because of mine enemies .

None but enuious and wicked men are malicous enemies vnto such as feare God , and they indéed cannot sléepe vntill they haue contriued some mischiefe against the innocent whom they would disgrace , taking all occasions and aduantages to worke them any violence ; though they be already afflicted , they will afflict them more ; if they bee already fallen , they will euen tread vpon them to kéepe them downe that they may not rise . It is their glory if they can adde more sorrow to the sorrowfull , and more griefe to the grieued ; they are continually trauelling with wickednes , conceiuing mischiefe , but they commonly bring forth a lie ; for the mischiefe that they intend to others fals in the end vpon their owne heads , and their cruelty vpon their owne pates : they are snared euen with the works of their owne hands , for God hath euer , he doth , and euer will preserue his owne from these wicked men ; though he suffer them somtimes bodily to perish vnder their tyranny , it is but to aggrauate the sins of their persecutors , and the sooner to bring his vnto their finall glory . Therefore behoueth the most godly to bée wary of their waies ; for how much the more godly , religious and zealous they are in walking with God , so much the more malicious is Satan to raise vp troubles , slanders and reproaches against them , by such as he can stir vp against vs ; who howsoeuer inwardly enuious they are , yet haue they learned of their master to speake plausibly , though deceitfully , flattering with their lips , hauing a venomous heart within , whereby they oftentimes allure the innocent without suspicion to bewray vnto them their secret thoughts and intentions : and in simplicity ( by their inchanted subtilties ) discouer that which these wicked serpentine wretches worke vpon , and wrest to bring , not only their names , reputation and credit , but their estates and liues in question . By their wicked counsell they compasse our steps , they set their enuious eyes vpon our waies : If they finde wée walke vnblameable , they wil plot to haue some blockes to be laid in our waies , that if it be possible we might stumble , though they could not make vs fall altogether : If we erre ( on the other side ) neuer so little , they will insult ouer vs , they will blow the trumpet of our defamation and cry , There , there , so would we haut it . But these deuices of theirs God séeth , and what they practise against such as feare him : therfore let vs only say , Teach vs , O Lord , thy way , and leade vs in the right path because of our enemies .

As long as wee walke in the way of God truly , and be lead that path that is right , let vs not feare . Heare what Dauid said vnto Salomon his sonne , whom he exhorted to walke in the waies of the Lord , to keepe his Statutes and his Commandementes , his Iudgements and his Testimonies . We must endeuour to haue Gods lawes euer before our eies , and neuer depart from his precepts : This is the way , walke in it . Though it bee a strict way and vnpleasant to a carnall minde ; it is a most swéet and comfortable way , a way that leadeth here to happinesse , and after to Heauen .

There is another way , a common high way , much beaten by diuers passengers , all carnall men traffike this way , a very pleasant way , wherein yet many haue walked for a time , but they haue found that as a man that eateth too much hony , may surfet through the swéetnesse of it , so they were euen glutted with the vanities that are strewed in the way . It is a way full of carnall content indeed , but it is but short ; men are at their waies end many times when they think themselues not halfe way there , and are grieued their iourney is so soone done . But when they come to the end of the race , they suddenly finde a most fearefull gulph which they cannot auoid ; turne backe againe they cannot as ordinary trauellers often doe when they haue mistaken their way and take another ; but they that walke this high and pleasant way must bée enforced to stay , and to take vp their hideous Inne , not for a night as waifaring men doe , but remaine there for euer with the Deuill and his Angels .

A Prayer that God will be pleased to direct vs in his waies , and leade vs vprightly because of our enemies .

O Gracious Lord God , most mercifull and louing father in Iesus Christ , vouchsafe to looke in mercy vpon me , teach mee thy way O Lord , and lead me in a right path because of mine enemies . Giue mee grace that I may walke aright , and pray aright , and beleeue aright , and in all mine actions be guided by thee aright . Reframe me from the way of the wicked , and guide me in the paths of righteousnesse , make thy way plaine before my face : for of my selfe I am blinde , I cannot see the right way , direct and guide me that I stumble not , to cause mine enemies to laugh and reioyce at my fall . Send out thy light and thy truth , let them leade me and bring mee to thine holy mountaine , where I shall be safe from mine enemies ; order and direct my goings , O Lord , aright according to thy word ; reclaime me from euery euill way , and direct my feet in the way of truth , in that way that leadeth to life ; preuent mee of that forbidden way which is pleasant yet perillous ; seeming plaine and delectable , but the end thereof is death : Lord let my walkings bee vpright because of mine enemies , who watch euen the course of my life , they pry into all mine actions , they obserue my conuersation , and if they see mee but slide or slip neuer so little awry , they sound the trumpets of my disgrace : If they see mee to fall into any sinne through my frailty , they cry out and say , That there is no feare of thee before mine eies .

O my God , consider this , and in mercy remember I am but dust , by nature subiect to great infirmities , which I doe acknowledge , O Lord ; reclaime mee from my euill inclination by thy grace , set me in the way of truth and obedience , and leade me therein for euer , and learne mee to liue after thy Commandements , and yeeld mee thy feare and thy direction that I may walk in them , for mine owne waies are ( as my will is ) by nature euill euermore : but thy waies are mercy and truth , and such as truly feare thy name thou teachest the waies of perfect obedience , and reducest euen sinners to walke aright , reclaiming them by thy grace from their euill waies .

Guide me that I may know thee and thy waies , and leade me aright in them : let me neuer goe astray from them , lest mine enemies take occasion by my transgressions , to say that I haue no feare of thee before mine eies : deliuer me out of their hands O Lord , out of the hands of euill and cruell men , and from their slanderous and false tongues that are set on fire against the innocent . They hate them that offend them not , they persecute them that resist them not ; let them haue no iust cause to condemne my waies .

Thou hast set before vs a blessing and a curse ; a blessing for them that walke vprightly in thy waies ; and a curse to them that wilfully fotsake the way which thou hast appointed thy children to walke in . O shew mee the good and right way , and euermore leade me therein : Giue me grace to take heed of that way which seemeth right , the end whereof is death : Draw me , O Lord , out of this way , and leade me by thy right hand , so shall I abandon this way , full of carnall pleasures and sinfull delights : Teach me thy waies , the waies of obedience and repentance , the waies of righteousnesse and peace , which tend to eternall life . It is not in my power or wisdome to finde out , or walke in this way : It is hid from humane vnderstanding ; and therefore euen Moses , though otherwise of deepe knowledge , being by nature ignorant of this way , sought to be and was instructed by thee therein . How much more , good Father , need I to intreat thee to learne me this way ; for I haue beene long lead awry be mine owne corrupt affections , not knowing the way of truth and righteousnesse : wherein I beseech thee to guide and leade mee now at the last and for euer , because of mine enemies , O Lord , my God , my guide , and my Redeemer , Amen .

VERSE 12. Giue me not ouer to the lust of mine enemies , for there are false witnesses risen vp against mee , and such as speake cruelly .

WHat man is he that liueth , & is frée from enemies ? Of what estate , condition , or quality soeuer ? If he be good , the wicked will hate him , the world will disfauour him , and the Deuill will maligne him . If he be euill , the vertuous will dislike him , the godly cannot affect him , God cannot blesse him : yet ought euery man to endeuour to be godly , howsoeuer Satan will doe what he can to raise enemies against him , as he did against godly Dauid , and against all the holy men of God from the beginning ; as first against Abel , against Iob , and aboue all , against Christ himselfe ; whose enemies séemed to haue their full lust fulfilled against him , neuer leauing him vntill they had crucified him : And yet then were they néerest to their owne confusion when they had their wils of him .

Dauid in this Psalme séemeth to haue béene much troubled with enemies , and yet sheweth in the second verse of the same , that when his enemies and his foes came vpon him to eat vp his flesh , they stumbled and fell . In the third verse , hee sheweth such faith and confidence in God , that though an Host pitched against him , his heart should not be afraid : Yet in this twelfth verse , he séemeth to feare againe , lest his enemies might yet preuaile against him ; and therefore praieth , that God would not giue him ouer to the lust of his enemies ; which may teach ▪ vs , that when we thinke our selues most frée from , and ( as it were ) out of the reach of all enemies , not to be secure : for a reconciled enemy may harbour secret mischiefe , which although hée will not for his counterfeit promise sake , execute by his owne publike violence ; yet he may suborne such secretly , as may renew either the open quarrell againe , or falsly accuse the innocent party . And this as it séemeth did Dauid finde : for when hée thought all his enemies were at peace with him , he obserued some secret practises against him , By false witnesses which were risen against him , who accused him afresh , and procured him new , or moued his old Aduersaries against him , which séemeth to afright him more , than before an Host of enemies could doe . For now hée praieth , that God would not giue him ouer to the lust of them that before he feared not ; which sheweth , that a second danger is more fearefull than a former : And which also sheweth our too much securitie , after our deliuery from a danger , as though we néed no more to feare another to follow : But if we obserue well the course of the waies of wicked men , we shal see , that they seldome giue ouer to prosecute them they once desired to persecute . And God hath likewise such an eie vnto his owne children , that he will not haue them idle ; hee will exercise them as long as they liue heere ; they must bee partakers of his crosses ; they must haue enemies as hee had , they must suffer pouertie , ignominy and disgrace in the world as hee did : Though he being Lord of all , and could command all ; hée was poore , yet all the world , and the things in the world were his ; when he was hungry , he could haue plentifully supplied his hunger ; being disgraced by the reproba●e Jewes , he could haue done as Peter did with Annanias and Saphira , haue spoken but the word , and his enemies should haue fallen dead at his foot . But he patiently suffered all , to teach vs that are but seruants , to imitate him that is our master and Lord . If they called him . Belsabub , and he suffered them , why should we take scorne to bée despised , reproached , and ill intreated , and our enemies to insult ouer vs , and to haue their lust fulfilled against vs , euen to take away our liues ? We are but seruants , hée was our Lord , yet he endured ; and shall we thinke our selues better , or deserue to be more frée than he , that was guiltie of no offence against them that thus abused him ? We being culpable of a thousand sinnes against him , and yet hath fréed vs from the guilt and punishment of all ? Yet it behooueth vs to pray as Dauid did : Giue mee not ouer vnto the lust of mine Aduersaries ; For as there were against Christ , so there are false Witnesses risen vp against vs , and such also as speake cruelly : Cruell and wicked men haue commonly attending them , such as will speake and practise what they will haue them for gaine : if they will haue them to accuse any man falsly , they can coine matter ; This man said , If they did destroy the Temple of Ierusalem which was made with hands , he would build it in three daies without hands . Whereas indéed hée said , that if they did destroy the Temple of his body , hee would raise it againe in three daies , as he did . But by this may be obserued the cunning and subtilty of the Deuill , that can and doth prompt his wicked Instruments , how they may peruert the words and actions of the innocent , to a sense cleane contrary to their meaning , and make so false a Glosse vpon it , as if it were truth it selfe ; and will set such an audacious face vpon it , as ( if God deale not with the falsly accused , as hée did for the defence of innocent Susanna ) they will haue their lust of them . Such a false witnesse was perfidious Ziba against Mephibosheth , the sonne of Ionathan , Sauls sonne , who accused him most falsly to Dauid , perswading him that Mephibosheth went about to take from Dauid the kingdome , onely to get Mephibosheths patrimony : as it is commonly the end of all the testimonies false witnesses giue , to gaine outward reward thereby . As the Iewes hired and suborned false witnesses against that most sanctified man Stephen , to put him to death . The like against innocent Naboth by wicked Iezabel , who was likewise stoned , to fulfill the lust of enemies .

It is a dangerous thing , for the most innocent man in the world , to fall vnder the testimony of false witnesses . The accused seldome escapes , vnlesse there be a Daniel to examine circumstances to finde out the truth . A false witnesse is one of the six things that God himselfe abhorreth : for of all men he is the most dangerous ; and therefore no maruell , that Dauid hauing such enemies as made no conscience of whatsoeuer deuillish inuention to betray him , and to haue their lust of him , did pray , Giue me not ouer to the lust of mine enemies ; for there are false witnesses risen vp against mee , and such as speake cruelly .

Dauid feared more false witnesses than the open force of his enemies ; who when they came vpon him they stumbled and fell ; and therefore was not dismaied if an Host pitched against him . Secret false combinations of enemies accompanied with false witnesses , who can withstand , or auoid ?

The tongue which God made in the beginning good , and to be a faithfull witnesse of the heart , the Deuill hath made the instrument of falshood and lies : For now in many , the heart & the tongue are so estranged , as the one vttereth what the other thinks not , & the other thinks what the other vtters not . The tongue becomes an instrument to deceiue , which was made to explaine the true meaning of the heart : But where the tongue speakes falsly , the heart cannot be right ; and where the heart is corrupt , the tongue cannot be sound .

There was once a confusion of tongues ; not of that part which moueth to frame the voice , for the tongue it selfe remained as before it was ; but inforced to alter the language : but now there séemeth to be a confusion betwéene the tongue and the heart , which should be as one : Both which being so farre disioyned in consent now , as it séemeth to be another confusion of our language . One knew not what another said , when that one language became so changed ; and who vnderstands now what another speakes , when he speakes what he meanes not ? How then can hee bee truly vnderstood what hée speakes ? Men indéed are become ( as it were ) false witnesses against themselues , when the tongue beares witnesse against the heart , and the heart against the tongue . If then we become so confounded in our language , when we call for one thing , we bee offered another ; all good men had néed to craue a diuine Interpreter , who knoweth the heart ; for by the tongue we cannot truly vnderstand what some men meane . And that is the reason so many are at this day deceiued , and vniustly many times condemned ; and therefore not vnfit for euery man , though he obserue to haue no professed enemy , as Dauid seemed to haue , to pray , as Dauid did vnto God , the searcher and disposer of all hearts , and she restrainer of all false tongues , O giue me not ouer to the lust of mine enemies , for there are false witnesses risen vp against mee , and such as speake cruelly .

A Prayer , that God will preserue vs from our enemies , that they preuaile not against vs , and to preuent vs of false witnesses .

O Most mighty God , Defender of the faithfull , the Protector of them that betake themselues vnder thy protecting hand ; the mightiest among men cannot hurt the least whom thou protectest ; the subtillest cannot circumuent them , whom thou guidest in thine owne waies . Saul could not hurt Dauid , though he pursued him with deadly hatred , pursuing him to take away his life : Thou neuer leftest him to the lust of his enemies : Thou art powerfull , and in respect of thee , my most powerfull and politickest Aduersaries are weake and foolish . O let them not haue their wished desires against me ; though they suborne false witnesses against me , let their false tongues falter in their mouthes : Let their lying lips be shut vp with shame ; and let all those that take malicious counsell against me , and combine together to hurt or to destroy me , be turned enemies one to the other , and let them doe each to other as they intend to doe vnto me . Let their tongues wherewith they thinke to speake falsly against me , cleaue to the roofes of their mouthes .

For thou hearest how proudly , hatefully , and disdainfully they speake against me falsly , as if I were their enemy : But thou art a righteous Iudge , and markest theirs and my waies , their thoughts , and their practises and policies , and my simplicitie : None of their inward inuentions , none of their wicked proiects , policies , and secret practises are hid from thee ; and therefore ( Lord ) leaue me not vnto their lust . Confirme my faith in thee ; powre thy grace and holy spirit into the inward parts of my soule , that I sincerely seruing thee , may either win their vnfained friendship , or that thou wilt preuent their malicious deuices against me , and that I may possesse mine owne in peace . Although they now stand vpon the open stage of the world , and sound out the Trumpets of their enuious and slanderous tongues of reproach against me ; And although they suborne false witnesses against me ; let my vprightnesse approue them lyers : Let my course of life so contrary to their false reports , try and approue proue them false witnesses risen vp against me . Though I cannot but confesse against my selfe , not onely vnto thee in secret , but vnto them openly , that I come short of some duties that I ought to performe , yet consider my willing minde to performe them without reproofe .

Lord , I am weake in strength , I am not wise enough to deale with the Politicians of this world , I cannot withstand nor finde out the practises that mine enemies contriue against mee , who haue a strong desire to haue their wills & to execute their lust , especially false witnesses being suborned against mee : but giue me not ouer to the lust of mine aduersaries that speake so cruelly against me , falsifying the cause of their hatred as if I had done them iniury , extenuating their owne malice and mischiefe , as if their wicked deuices were lawfull and grounded vpon Iustice , and their violence rather charitable than malicious : what they haue done , and what they intend thou knowest , and how vniustly they afflict me thou seest , who art a God that iudgest right .

Rise vp therefore , O Lord , and take my cause into thine owne hand , make their wicked counsells as Achithophels ; for haue they not said in their hearts , Come let vs cut them off from being a people , and let their name bee no more had in remembrance ? In so much as many of them say , There is no helpe for me in thee : Yet Lord I dismay not , for thou art my defence , and in thine appointed time wilt lift vp my head againe ; for saluation belongeth vnto thee , O God , and thou wilt destroy the bloudy and deceitful men . But blessed and preserued shall they bee that truly feare and trust in thee , thy power is seene in weaknesse , and thy helpe in affliction : therefore O Lord , let not mine enemies haue their lust of me .

I know thou wilt performe thy promise of my defence in thy good time , therefore will I rest in hope , I will patiently wait for yet a little while , and these wicked men shall not appeare . In the meane time I will commit my cause vnto thee my Lord , my God , my strength and my Redeemer .

VERSE 13. I should haue fainted except I had beleeued to see the goodnesse of thee in the land of the liuing .

ENemies troubles and afflictions are heauy to bee borne of such as are weake in faith , and haue not perfect patience to beare them , as may appeare by godly Dauid himselfe ; who acknowledgeth that himselfe , though he were a man chosen after Gods owne heart , should haue fainted vnder the malice and fury of his enemies and other afflictions , but that he beléeued to sée the goodnes of God , namely his timely deliuery in the land of the liuing , euen here before the sonnes of men , where if hée had not found the goodnesse of God towards him , all men would haue thought as his enemies did , that God had vtterly forsaken him for euer : and therfore prayed God in a liuely faith that his defence might here appeare before he were taken hence , no more to be séene , although he knew that after this life hée should bee in a farre more happy and blessed estate than his enemies , but that hee might finde Gods fauour here , to the end that other godly afflicted men , séeing the mercies of God towards him in deliuering him out of his troubles , might by his faith and patience take like godly resolution to depend vpon the power and prouidence of God for their like deliuery .

Why art thou cast downe O my soule ( saith Dauid in his troubles ) and so vnquiet within mee ? which argueth , that troubles and afflictions euen to a faithfull man doe at the first much disquiet his heart , like as they that first are committed to prison , they are much disquieted , their hearts faint and are much cast downe , vntill they haue béene for a time enured to their restraint , and then come by little and little to themselues againe ; so doe they that vpon a sudden fall into any affliction as Dauid did , but hauing a little considered that it is the Lords doing , hee could then say vnto his sad soule , Wait on God , for I will yet giue him thanks for the helpe of his presence . This sheweth the strong faith and confidence of Dauid , who although his troubles were so many and heauy , euen at the present , that he was ready to faint vnder them , yet hee waited with a firme assurance , that the time would come wherein hee should reioyce againe and praise God againe for his helpe and certaine deliuery which hee knew was not farre off .

This teacheth euery faithfull man in his afflictions and troubles to repaire vnto God in prayer , not to bée daunted or dismaid , nor to disquiet himselfe , but in patience to possesse his soule , waiting the time wherein God hath appointed to deliuer him , for it is a vaine thing and vnprofitable for a man in affliction to goe before the Lords prouidence ; strugling and striuing by sinister and vncommanded meanes to frée himselfe : he doth by that meanes the more intangle himselfe as the Bird in the Net : warranted meanes hee may vse , and those with faithfull prayer vnto GOD to blesse the meanes , for lawfull meanes profit not , vnlesse they be also lawfully done , and that is when and where God is made , not onely a party , but the principall in the meanes . It was a very weake weapon that Dauid vsed against Goliah , who was compleatly armed from the foot to the head , there was but one small part of his whole body vnarmed , and that was the fore part of his head , but God so directed the stone that came out of his sling , that it found that open way to cast that monster of men to the earth . If God had not added strength to Dauids armes , and by his prouidence carried the stone aright , Dauids aime might haue failed the marke ; so whatsoeuer means we vse , either in preuenting or easing our selues in any kinde of affliction , if our hearts be not seasoned with faith in God , ioined with praier , we may misse of our hope , and so faint in the expectation of our deliuery ; and therefore saith Dauid , I should haue fainted except I had beleeued to see the goodnesse of the Lord . Except I had depended on his prouidence for my deliuery from mine enemies , and had taken hold and beene assured of the true performance of his promises to ease me of mine afflictions , I should haue sunke vnder the burthen of my troubles . God who is our Father is goodnesse it selfe , of whom and from whom wee obtaine all things through faith in his Sonne : by him we liue , moue and haue our being ; and therefore there is none , in whom or by whom wée should séeke helpe in troubles , but in God alone . He is our hope and strength , and helpe in troubles ready to bee found : Therefore ( saith Dauid ) I will neither faint nor feare : and againe , my defence is in God , who preserueth the vpright in heart . He is God , and none besides ; he is mighty , and none else ; Why then should we faint in any troubles ? Why should wee bee daunted , though enemies rise vp against vs ? Séeing this God is our God , whose goodnesse , helpe and deliuery ( if we beléeue ) we shall sée , and our very enemies shall sée it euen here , here in this vale of misery amongst the sons of men , he shall be our guide and defence vnto death .

Unbeléefe is a most dangerous disease in the heart of man , nothing succeedeth comfortably vnto them that beléeue not in God : good things vnto vnbeléeuers turne to euill . As vnto a raw , crude , & a stomack ouercome with superfluous humors , the best meat turnes to increase their disease ; so to an vnfaithfull man all things worke together to the increase of Gods iudgements against him . As to the sonnes in law of Lot in Sodome , who would not beléeue the Word of God declared by Lot , for the confusion of the City perished . So the children of Israel , to whom God had promised to giue the Land of Canaan , in their iourney towards it , did not onely not beléeue the Lord , but murmured against him saying , Who shall giue vs flesh to eat ? would God we had died in the land of Aegyt , or in this Wildernesse : would God wee were dead , were it not better for vs to turne into Aegypt ? With many such reproachful , murmurous & faithlesse obiurgations , as well against God himselfe as against Moses and Aaron : but for their infidelity , faintings & murmurings , God answered their impious desires to die , he destroyed them in the Wildernes in his heauy displeasure .

The frailty of a faithlesse man is great , he can beare no troubles , hee can endure no afflictions with any kinde of patience , because hée hath no true and sound vnderstanding of God and his prouidence . He thinkes if he prosper , and by his naturall policy and meanes , can preuent dangers and troubles , or hauing them can vse sinister meanes to ease them , hée ascribes it to his owne carnall wisdome ; but when that preuaileth not , but that hée is pinched and déeply plunged in distresses and miseries which he cannot ease ; then hee begins to faint and to murmur and cry , Who shall giue mee flesh to eat ? How shall I get mony to supply my wants ? Would God I had died when I was young ; would God I were dead , and the like .

The troubles and afflictions of the wicked and the godly differ not in the outward shew : the wicked may bee poore , so may the most godly : they may haue like outward crosses and afflictions , but their bearing of them is vnequall ; the wicked , as before is said , faint and fume , and murmur , and grudge at euery small crosse or affliction : and although they heare the promises of God , who is ready to helpe , yet they beléeue them not . They can bee assured of nothing that hangs vpon Gods promises : they would think , and speake , and obiect against God , as that Prince in Samaria did , when Elisha foretold from the mouth of God plenty to that distressed and besieged City : Though the Lord ( said hee ) would make windowes in the Heauen , could this come to passe ? So incredulous are men without sound faith , that once downe , they thinke they shall neuer rise ; once in trouble , they shall neuer haue ease : and this is the cause that men séeming faithfull , faint vnder their crosses , and despaire in their afflictions : but it is otherwise with the truly faithfull indéed , who know by the foretelling of the Spirit of God in his Word , that troubles attend the godly as the shadow the body ; and therefore prepare themselues before hand for them , and reioyce in them , in as much as they are partakers here of Christs sufferings : So they are likewise assured , that when his glory shall appeare , they also shall appeare with him in glory ; yet the most faithfull may haue a kinde of fearefulnesse and fainting for a time , but not such as shall preuaile , but they will soone ouercome all such faithlesse qualmes by a liuely apprehension of Gods ready helpe through faith ; and then they may indéed say as Dauid did , I should haue fainted except I had beleeued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing . There is none of himselfe so strong , but when troubles and afflictions come will faint if faith in God faile them .

A Prayer that God will not forsake vs in our troubles , and that our faith faile not .

HAd I not taken hold ( O God ) of thy louing promises , and beleeued thy Word , I should haue fainted , and yet should faint vnder my troubles , if I did not beleeue that thou , O Lord , knowest my troubles , and that mine afflictions are not hid from thee ; thou hast promised to be a refuge for the poore , a refuge in due time euen in affliction : keepe me , O Lord , as the apple of thine eye according to thy promise , hide me vnder the shadow of thy wings from the wicked that oppresse me .

I haue called vpon thee in my troubles , O Lord , and cried vnto thee , my God , and thou hast heard me and holpen mee , yea when I haue beene ready vtterly to haue fainted , I haue cried vnto thee and thou hast redeemed mee and deliuered me . Those mercies of thine , O Lord , remember still , renue them euermore towards mee , for I stand in continuall need of thy continuall presence .

Thy goodnesse is great , O Lord , which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee , and done to them that trust in thee , euen before the sonnes of men . I haue felt thy fauour , and formerly tasted of thy loue . How could I but haue fainted , but that I still beleeued to bee partaker of thy goodnesse and mercy in my troubles ? Thou , O Lord , art my secret place , thou preseruest me in trouble , and compassest me about with ioyfull deliuerance , therefore will I not faint , knowing that thine eies are vpon mee , and thine eare open vnto my prayers . I trust in thee , I will not bee afraid what man can doe vnto me .

Thou Lord hast said concerning the faithfull ; hee shall call vpon mee and I will heare him , so that both my prayers and thy hearing are both thine owne gifts . Nay , thou addest further , Lord , I will bee with him in trouble , I will deliuer him and glorifie him . O why should I feare then or faint , seeing thou art pleased to be with me in my troubles , as to take part as it were with me of mine afflictions : wonderfull and vnspeakable , O Lord , is the extent of thy power , and wonderfull the limits of thy loue ; impossible it is to finde out the depth of thy compassions towards thy children ; thou hearest vs before we call , thou giuest before wee aske , thou helpest vs before wee cry , thou giuest vs power to call , thou teachest vs what to aske , and thou euen meetest vs when we are but euen comming vnto thee .

Thus gracious hast thou euer beene , O Lord , thus gracious thou art , and thus gracious wi lt thou shew thy selfe vnto them that beleeue to see and taste of thy goodnesse , euen vnto the end of the world ; and as thou art gracious , so art thou absolute in wisdome ; thou knowest how to releeue the distressed , and how to comfort the afflicted , yea when they are ready to faint , and to giue ouer any more to call for helpe , being as it were hoarse with crying as Dauid was , thou giuest them of thy water of life , and it reuiueth the fainting soules , and strengthneth the weake spirits that g●oane vnder the burthen of any calamity or trouble .

Strengthen mee therefore with thy grace , O Lord , I shall not then faint nor feare , for my sure defence is in thee , who wilt in time bring the malice of mine enemies to an end ; and as I beleeue , so shall I see thy goodnesse in the land of the liuing : for thou that hast promised it art iust of thy promises , and powerfull to performe what thou hast said . Therefore euen here I doe meerely beleeue to receiue at thy hands free release and pardon of all that hath beene the ground of my troubles and cause of my miseries . Grant mee Lord freedome from mine enemies , and restitution of what I haue beene depriued of by any of them : then shall they finde that I haue not onely not fainted , but beleeued to see and haue seene thy goodnesse , O Lord , euen here in the Land of the liuing , where euen mine enemies and my foes shall witnesse that I haue not beleeued in thee my God in vaine .

VERSE 14. Hope in the Lord , be strong , and he shall comfort thine heart , and trust in the Lord .

THis verse is a fit and comfortable conclusion of this Psalme ; shewing herein that Dauid in all his troubles depended onely on God ; and by his owne experience encourageth himselfe and all other men in all kindes of troubles and afflictions to doe the like ; and then , as he found they shall finde , that God will neuer faile nor forsake them that truly trust in him . Though Dauid say héere , Hope in the Lord ; he speaks not to the encouragement of other men , excluding himselfe : but rather stirreth 〈◊〉 his owne soule , his faith and affections ; as if hee should haue said , O my soule , hope in the Lord : Thou hast proued the goodnesse of the Lord sufficiently in all thy troubles : Thine enemies haue not preuailed against thée : Thy foes haue not had their lust of thee ; therefore as thou hast heretofore hoped ; so still hope in the Lord , faint not , but be strong ; be not afraid whatsoeuer befalleth thée , or whosoeuer assaileth thée , be not dismaied ; for he that hath hitherunto béene thy helper and refuge , will neuer leaue thée nor forsake thée , if thou hope in him and be strong in ●●ith . And though thou be in danger , in trouble , and in whatsoeuer affliction , and séest no deliuery present ; trust in the Lord , and hée will deliuer thée and comfort thine heart : For if in trouble and danger there were instant deliuery , there were no place for Hope ; for Hope is of things not séene , not of things presently enioyed . Wherefore Dauid exhorts himselfe ( as it were ) and others to wait on God for their deliuery out of their miseries & troubles , through faith . Hope in the Lord , wait on God with faithfull patience : Grudge not though troubles arise , though crosses come , and afflictions befall thée ; be strong , be constant , take courage , murmur not , fret not , disquiet not thy selfe , but be strong , and trust in the Lord .

There are some , no doubt , that can beare troubles , nay fortures , with a séeming inuincible patience in an ill cause ; carying themselues with such a valorous force of spirit , as if they had the very Quintessence of faith , and an vndaunted hope ; as wée may reade of Reualiack , Balthasar , and other murtherers of Kings . It is but a patience without true patience ; for without obedience to Gods precepts , there is no true religion ; without true religion , there can bee no true faith ; without true faith , no true patience ; and therefore that patience that is shewed in such , and like capitall murtherers , howsoeuer constantly they may séeme to endure their torments , it is but the delusion Satan , that while they are yet breathing , doth stand to animate them to that séeming patience , and resolution outward , which ( the parties being dead ) their consciences shall neuer approue , but their last gaspe shall carrie that horror with it , that if it might after outwardly appeare , would manifestly testifie , that as the cause for which they suffered , was in it selfe wicked , their punishments legally and iustly deserued and inflicted ; their patience would shew it selfe a kinde of desperate running head-long into their owne perdition : Leauing then these men to their owne Diabolicall strength , let vs hope in the Lord , let vs pray to become strong in him , faithfull in him , and truly patient in him in all our sufferings , for there is no commendable suffering for euill doing ; and therefore saith S. Paul , speaking to the faithfull : Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a theefe , &c. But if any man suffer as a Christian , namely for Christs Gospels sake , and for well doing , let him not be ashamed , but let him glorifie God in this behalfe , namely , that he is accounted worthy to suffer for the truth of Christ .

Hope in the Lord ; Here is our confidence : Bee strong ; here is our constancy : And he shall comfort thine heart ; Here is the end of Hope and strength , comfort of the heart . Whosoeuer then hopeth of helpe from any inferior creature , nay , from an Angell in heauen , and excludes God ; or standeth vpon his owne strength , wealth , wisdome , friends , or worldly policy , and thinketh by these , or any of these to be freed from danger , eased in troubles , or reléeued in want , exempting God ; nay , if hée take not the counsell of God , by the direction of his word and prayer ; his hope will proue but a shadow , and his strength as the strength of a Bull-rush .

Dauid bendeth his eies from all these , to the loue , power , and prouidence of God , in whom and whose aid he onely taketh for his strength : assuring himselfe , that he will not onely send him outward reléefe according to his hope ; but with inward ioy and consolation comfort his heart : Therefore doth he encourage himselfe and others , to hope in the Lord , and not in carnall meanes : To bee strong in faith in God , not in the strength of humane aid . God must be totally our hope & strength , or else he will be no part : for a hope that is partly in God , and partly in other meanes , is not the hope that tieth the promise of the true comfort , but that hope that is confirmed and made strong by faith . To this hope is a promise annexed , that when dangers , enemies and troubles , beset a man round about , though he want things necessary , though sicknesse afflict him , though crosses without and griefes within doe oppresse him , though friends saile him , and euery thing séeme to goe against him , and he be depriued of all visible meanes to escape ; there remaineth yet hope in the Lord to be patient , and not to faint .

This hope is the gift of God : But there is a hope that is common to carnall men . They hope vpon some probabilities séene , or conceiued : As the hope of a son for the inheritance of a father or a friend , for something vpon death to be giuen them , and the like . This is not that hope that Dauid meanes , when he saies hope ; but a certaine kinde of vncertaine expectation of things desired . But Dauids hope is a sauing hope , necessarily ioyned with saith and a patient waiting : For that which we stedfastly beléeue shall come to passe ; and in nothing is the force of faith and hope more séene or felt , than in affliction and trials : For these bring forth patience , and patience experience , and experience hope ; which maketh the godly to reioyce in tribulation , wherein is glory and no shame : whereas in carnall hope there is often shame and seldome glory .

Saint Paul was so farre from being ashamed of his afflictions , as he gloried in them , for the hopes sake that is set before vs all , of a most excellent issue , and end of our hope ; and as through the holy Ghost , the God of hope plentifully filled Paul with ioy and strength , euen in his afflictions , and with peace in beleeuing the promises , whereby he abounded in hope , that all his troubles , trialls , and afflictions should end with comfort ; So let vs pray vnto the same God of hope to be filled with like hope , that our afflictions may likewise end in comfort ; which though we presently possesse not , yet let vs with that blessed Apostle , with patience wait for it .

But Pauls hope and patience aimed to heauenly , not to earthly accomplishments ; not looking for the euent of his hope in this life : How then may his hope of heauenly glory , and Dauids hope to be defended and reléeued here in the land of the liuing concurre ? They may well stand together : Euen as Christ by healing of corporall diseases , made men heauenly minded , and cleane by forgiuing their sinnes ; so Dauid praied not so simply for corporall deliuerie , but he praied also for the light of the truth , that he might dwell in the Temple of God , for mercy , and the like . And although Paul séemed by his words to hope onely for heauenly glory , necessaries for this life were necessarily included . He that duly and truly praies for heauenly , cannot be frustrate of earthly : and he that praies faithfully for earthly , cannot but therewith ioyne heauenly blessings ; for true and sincere hope includes both . He therefore that through faith in Christ doth hope in the Lord , and becommeth strong in him : Hee will comfort his heart with the supply both of heauenly and earthly blessings . As it is lawfull for vs to pray vnto God for corporall necessaries ; so are wée bound to hope and wait for them . Without hope of victory Dauid would neuer haue entred the combat with Goliah .

Wée must therefore hope in the Lord and bee strong , trusting in God , and our hearts shall bee comforted . We may not looke backe or about vs for helpe , our helpe commeth from heauen ; therefore must we not hope , and hope a hope partly from aboue , and partly from beneath ; but our hope must bée in God alone : yet not to contemne or despise the inferior meanes that God vseth here below , as his Instruments for our good ; in whom wée may haue a kinde of hope , as Dauid had in Ionathan , that he would deale faithfully with him in the matter of Saul his father : so may wée hope in man : but our confidence must be in God alone .

What God hath promised in his Word , he will assuredly performe to them that truly beléeue . And that did Dauid finde , euen when the Crowne was like to bée taken from his head : Hee fainted not , but held fast by the accustomed loue and help of God , and became strong in faith , euen when his enemies were in their fiercest fury against him . He waited still , vsing little or no other resistance against his enemies , than feruent praier to God , and his counsell : and his expectation in patience was not in vaine ; for the Lord subdued his enemies without the great force of Dauid ; and thereupon he tooke courage , he hoped in the Lord , he was strong in faith , and the Lord did comfort his heart .

He sought not as the wicked doe , sinister and forbidden meanes to be deliuered : For when Saul his mortall enemy pursued him with deadly malice to take away his life ; yet when Saul fell into his hands , and had him twice in his power , and might haue ended the quarrell , and fréed himselfe of danger , he would not doe it , no , though he might haue made present way for himselfe to the kingdome , whose it was after Saul : yet neither his owne perill wherein hée daily stood , through the malice and fury of Saul , nor his owne future right to the Crowne could moue him to touch the Lords anointed ; contrary to the minds of many ambitious men , both of former and latter ages , who are loth to let slip any opportunitie offered , be it neuer so vniust , to aduance their greatnesse . But Dauid staid himselfe vpon hope , that God who had so often deliuered him , would still doe it without any vnlawfull meanes of his owne , and in his time appointed would aduance him as he had promised , and therefore waited the time with patience , comforting his heart in the middest of his dangers . And long it was not before he came lawfully to that which before he might and would not , because hée hoped in God whom he knew he should haue offended , if he had taken the counsel of some that aduised him .

There is no hope to that hope whereunto Dauid encourageth himselfe & others , no strength to that strength : and no mans heart can bée truly comforted , but by the comfort wherewith he affirmeth his heart was comforted : therefore chéereth he vp his owne soule with this holy resolution , to hope in the Lord , with this heauenly strength , to be strong in the Lord , and with that comfort wherewith he was comforted of the Lord . There is a hope that is vaine , a strength that is weake , and a comfort that is but counterfeit . Let vs then take hold of that hope , & that strength , and that comfort that is of God , and trust in him : So shall we not néed to be afraid of enemies , to faint in afflictions , but shall be sure to finde comfort in all our troubles .

Salomon saith , that hope that is deferred , is the fainting of the heart ; but that is but to the faint-hearted : For if we wait not , it is no hope ; but if we abide with patience Gods appointed time , we shall enioy what we hope for : And when the desire commeth it is a tree of life . And Dauid hauing often gathered the fruit of this trée , and fed thereon when he fainted , he giues here of the same fruit to others ; Hope ( saith he ) in the Lord , bee strong , be not faint-hearted , though hope be deferred : for comming the thing we hope for will tarry no longer than a conuenient time , and then it will comfort the heart . Hope groweth strong , by the effects of Gods goodnesse formerly hoped for , and had : which Saint Paul affirmeth , encouraging the Corinthians as Dauid did himselfe and others , To hope , to be strong , to trust in the Lord , and to lay hold vpon the hope that is set before vs , which hope we haue as an anker of the soule , sure and stedfast . And this is the comfort of the heart that Dauid meaneth , euen our faith in God , whereby wée take hold of the assured performance of his promises , not onely of temporall and corporall , but of spirituall and celestiall blessings : And the patient waiting for them is our Hope .

How then can it bee , that God who hath promised vnto the faithfull the life to come , that with patience in hope wait for it vnder the crosse , should not consider & regard their dangers , troubles , afflictions , euen in this life ? For if he haue giuen his Sonne to die for our sinnes , how should he not with him giue vs all things to enioy ? Though wée must wait his time ▪ he is not slacke as some men count slacknesse , but is alwaies ready and at hand ; he that hath promised , hee is faithfull and true . Though the vnfaithfull will not take his word , not his hand , not his oath ; the faithfull know and are assured , that he will neuer faile them , nor forsake them ; Therefore hope in the Lord , be strong , and he will comfort thine heart : And trust in the Lord .

A Prayer for strength , patience , and hope in troubles .

O Father , possessor of Heauen and Earth , and the disposer and preseruer of them and of all things within the same , the fountaine of all perfect hope , the giuer of patience , and maintainer of our strength ; thou knowest my troubles , and beholdest mine afflictions , and what and how many they are , and how burthensome vnto mee thy weake creature : in stead therefore of my weake ability , giue mee thy preuailing strength , giue me hope in thee , let mee be strong in thee , let my comfort be of thee , and let me truly trust in thee , then shall I with patience beare these and whatsoeuer troubles it shall please thee to lay vpon me .

Arme mee with faith , O Lord , that I trusting in thy defence may not sinke vnder the weight of my troubles importable to flesh and bloud ; thou hast promised to bee the God of my saluation , so shall nothing hurt mee ; my glory , so nothing shall disgrace me ; my rocke and my strength , so nothing shall moue mee nor remoue mee from my trust in thee .

I am thine , saue mee , keepe me as the apple of thine eye , hide me vnder the shadow of thy protecting wings , then shall no enemy annoy mee , no trouble dismay mee , nor affliction or feare shall cast mee downe : by thee I shall withstand or escape the fury , force , & fraud of all my foes ; by thee I shall bee timely releeued in all my necessities , and in thee shall I bee comforted in all mine afflictions : I will not feare , thou art my God ; I will not faint , thou art the comfort of my heart : Let mee still taste of thy goodnesse , and behold thy saluation ; in hope let mee hold fast by thee , in faith let me be strong in thee , with comfort let mee reioyce and be glad in thee .

Continue thy mercies towards mee , O Lord , for my soule trusteth in thee , knowing and confessing that I haue no other Comforter but thee , no Defender but thee , nor any Helper but thee : Forsake me not therefore , O my God , in my greatest need ; send from Heauen and saue me , for all power belongeth vnto thee , therefore doth my soule cleaue vnto thee , it longeth and thirsteth for thy saluation .

O let mee plentifully taste how sweet thy goodnesse is ; thy goodnesse appeared in my creation , more in my redemption , but most in mine election ; thou formedst me in the wombe , thou broughtest me thence , giuing me hope euen from my Mothers brest , and I was euen then cast vpon thy prouidence , therefore leaue me not nor be farre from mee now trouble is befalne mee ; but as thou hast taken charge of me from the beginning , so continue still to defend me , for I haue none besides thee to helpe me , therefore cast I my burthen vpon thee , for thou hast taken vpon thee to nourish me . In thee , O Lord , I trust , let mee neuer be ashamed nor confounded , deliuer me according to thy promise , for thou art my hope , O Lord , in thee haue I trusted from my youth .

Let my prayers , O Lord , enter into thy presence , heare me and helpe me , let nothing hinder the worke of thy mercies towards me ▪ not mine vnworthinesse , O Lord , but accept me worthy in thy most worthy ; then shall not the weaknesse of my faith diminish my hope , nor extenuate my strength , nor depriue me of my comfort in thee ; but my faith , hope , strength and comfort shall increase more and more , and patience shal● haue it perfect working in me , to wait vntill thine appointed time come for my deliuery out of some of my troubles , for I endure many , O Lord , and the least of them of weight more than sufficient to presse mee downe vnlesse thou support mee , yet I acknowledge them easie in comparison of my euill deseruings .

O pardon mine offences , cleanse me of my sinnes , and make mee vpright in thy waies ; then shall I with perfect patience beare my troubles and rest in hope vntill it shall please thee to ease me of my troubles , or to bring them to an end , which grant gracious Lord God in Iesus Christ , to whom with thee and the holy Ghost , be honour , power ▪ and praise for euermore . Amen .

A Prayer for forgiuenesse of sinnes , reformation of life , and comfort in affliction .

O My God my God , hide not thy face from mee , stop not thine eares at my prayers , and refuse not to heare the words of my complaint ; though I cannot but confesse , O Lord , against my selfe , that by reason of my sins I haue deserued thy displeasure , and that in so high a measure , as if thou shouldest vtterly confound me , yet were there no iniustice in thee , for the euills that I haue committed , and the good duties I haue omitted , in thy seuere iustice deserue the same ; but Lord looke not so narrowly into my waies as to obserue and register against me euery sinne committed and euery duty omitted by me , knowing that I am by nature corrupt and sinfull , as all my fathers were .

Lord , what were Abraham , Izaak , Iaacob , Iob , Noah , Lot , Moses , Eliah , or Dauid , though a man chosen after thine owne heart ? Paul that elect vessell , but men by nature carnall , and euen sold vnder sinne , vntill thou of thine owne free mercy vouchsafedst to infuse heauenly wisdome into their hearts , and diuine graces into their soules ? vntill thou diddest fully season them aboue others by thy holy Spirit , yet Lord thou knowest , that euen these select vessels of thine were not without their owne naturall infirmities . They stood not vprightly by their owne strength , but by thee ; if they had had will and power of and in themselues to worke righteousnes , they might haue had whereof to boast , but not with thee ; but being only supported by thee , they gaue the sole glory to thee .

Seeing then , gracious Father , that all our most godly fore-fathers had their defects by nature , and their perfection through thy grace ; I being corrupt , as they were by nature borne corrupt , and brought forth the fruits of corruption vntill thou begattest them anew by thy Spirit , what differ I from them by nature ? And therefore , Lord , as they became holy , not of themselues but by thee ; so canst thou make me holy , as they were holy , by the same grace .

There is none , O Lord , that by his owne wisdome is capable of that wisdome whereby to know thee aright , how much lesse able by his owne power to performe that obedience which may make him accepted of thee ?

If then it be , as indeed it is , of thine owne free mercy and grace , that any man becomes wise in thee and righteous before thee , who hath cause to boast of his owne merit ? Or who needs despaire of his owne vnworthinesse , seeing thou art equally mercifull to all whom thou hast called and accepted into the number of them that shall be saued ?

O send downe , send downe from Heauen , that thy sanctifying Spirit into my heart , that that liuely faith whereby our most godly fore-fathers were accepted of thee , may be more and more inkindled , and breake forth into a holy flame of godlinesse and zeale , and my whole man be changed into the same image of sanctity , which appeared in them in whom thou most delightest ; then thou my God , now deseruedly offended with me for my sinnes past , shalt bee so fully reconciled vnto me againe , though not by my best renued workes , which are and will be for euer here imperfect ; but through the merits and mediation of thine owne and onely Sonne , whose death is my life , and thy mercies in him my saluation .

This is my hope , O Lord , though I bee yet in the estate of corruption , and enforced to vndergoe infinite infirmities of body and minde by nature . Thou who art the God of Abraham , and of all our godly fore-fathers dead to the world , art no lesse the same God vnto those that are thine yet liuing in the world . And as they already dissolued , are now in glory with thee in the Heauens , so confirme my faith in thee and order my waies , that I being likewise dissolued through Christ my Redeemer , may be also glorified with them , and with them giue glory to thee .

Make me therefore , gracious Father , to abound here , as they here abounded in all spirituall graces and heauenly vertues , that I may finde thee a like louing father vnto me , as thou wert a father vnto Abraham , and a helping God , as thou wert vnto Iaacob , and then shall I offer , euen here , the sacrifice of vnfained praise vnto thy name , and make mine humble prayers vnto thee , in his name whose death and mediation thou acceptest aboue all other whatsoeuer sacrifices .

O accept that his sacrifice , made once for all , for all beleeuers ; it is sufficient , Lord , to purge me from all my sins that formerly haue offended thee , and to keepe mee from future wilfully displeasing thee .

My sinnes , O Lord , I doe confesse haue worthily moued thee to correct me : I feele thy rod , but the rod of a louing father , not to confound me , but to confirme me , not to destroy me , but to saue me .

O let me not faint vnder thy correcting hand , which thou hast promised shall be no more heauily laid vpon mee than I shall be able to beare .

Let not therefore , Lord , my faith faile me , but let perfect patience haue it effectuall working in me ; then whatsoeuer it shall please thee to appoint mee to beare , I shall beare it , for my heart through thy grace is prepared to obey thee .

Thou hast beene euer my helper since I was borne , thou hast vpholden me , sustained and relieued mee , O forsake me not now when all carnall helpe faileth me .

There is no certaine hope in the helpe of man ; though he promise , he may be vnable or vnwilling to performe ; if he yeeld me helpe it is of thee , and among thy promised meanes of helpe ; and nothing hindreth the performance of thy promise of helping mee , but the weaknesse of my faith in not stedfastly beleeuing , mine impatience in not willingly bearing , and my want of liuely hope in not contentedly waiting thine owne good time in effecting what thou hast promised .

Yet I haue hope , louing Father , that comming , thy helpe will come , and that in a time most conuenient in thine owne wisdome , although through mine infirmity I thinke it long , but when it commeth , it shall be as a Well , not only of releeuing but of liuing water , springing vp not onely to my corporall comfort , but to my spirituall & eternall glory .

In the meane time , O Lord , let mee euermore taste of thy goodnesse , that I faint not vnder the burthen of my troubles , but as thou hast worthily corrected me , so vouchsafe mercifully to relieue me .

In hope and assurance of this thy mercy , O Lord , I commend and commit my selfe , my soule and body , vnto thy fatherly disposing , for thou hast promised to take care of me , therefore cast I my care vpon thee , not as carelesse of mine owne duty , but in a liuely faith going forward , waiting thy leisure and thy good pleasure , when thou wilt come and how thou wilt deliuer me , O Lord , make no long tarrying , Amen .

An effectuall Prayer for forgiuenesse of sinnes .

O Lord , when I doe consider the account that I am to make for the time which I haue so sinfully spent in this life , and how I haue walked here as in a Wildernesse of all impieties : I feele my conscience burthened with so heauy a weight of feare and trembling , that I am cast downe as into a gulph of ineuitable danger , and know not which way to turne mee with any hope of comfort : if I turne me to the consideration of my best workes , I finde them rather to aggrauate than to extenuate my feare : if I appeale vnto thee as thou art a seuere Iudge , I shall be condemned in thy iust iudgement ; I therfore as the prodigall son , doe vpon the knees of mine vnfained heart fall downe before thee , imploring mercy though I deserue it not ; but Lord , I know that in thy seuerest iustice thou art accustomed to remember mercy , and in thy hottest displeasure thou shewest compassion euen to greatest sinners , euen vpon their vnfained desire to repent : how much more vpon their actuall and sincere repentance , especially of such as through a liuely faith take hold of Christ , who hath taken vpon him to stand betweene thy iustice and a sinner . O accept his death and merits for the forgiuenesse of my sinnes , who by reason of them am become deepely indangered and indebted vnto thee . And if thou shouldest exact the vttermost farthing at my hands , I were neuer able to make the least satisfaction ; and the more hardly can I answer the committing of so many sinnes , and the omitting of so many good duties , by how much I haue receiued a great measure , yea many talents of grace , and a great portion of heauenly knowledge at thy hands , which I should haue vsed , not onely to the good of mine owne soule , and comfort of mine owne conscience , but to the increase of spirituall knowledge in others , whom I should haue endeuoured to haue drawne to the obedience of thy will by the example of mine obedience .

Alas , good Father , such hath beene the neglect of my duty in this behalfe , that I haue not onely laid these heauenly treasures vnder the earthly corruption of mine owne heart , but haue laid out the wicked dregs of originall sin , and haue therewith gained vnto my selfe infinite iniquities and innumerable actuall sinnes , in so much as iniustice thou maist condemne me as a most vnprofitable disposer of thy manifold graces : and the more , good Father , by how much I haue not onely sinned my selfe , and that oftentimes , as it were , with a high hand , but in alluring and stirring vp others to sinne by mine example ; nay Lord , many times by mine owne instigation , and thereby the more dangerously drawne downe thy displeasure vpon my selfe , and them that haue sinned by the example of my sinne .

Lord , what shall I say to excuse me ? What shall I bring vnto thee to appease thee ? If I say the corruption of mine owne nature prouoked mee , and I did sinne ; thou hast commanded mee to mortifie the deeds of my corrupt flesh by thy Spirit . If I pleade that the world allured mee and I did sinne , thou hast forbidden mee to loue the world or the things in the world : if I say Satan inticed me , and I did sinne , thou hast commanded me to resist Satan and his tentations , so that though I plead with Adam , that my Heuah , my carnall part that thou gauest me , did moue me and I did sinne , it will be no excuse for mee ; if I say the world allured , or Satan tempted me , it booteth me not : and therefore , Father , I cannot but freely confesse against my selfe , that I , euen I haue sinned , and done all these euills against thee , against thee , O Lord , I haue sinned , & against my selfe , and haue deseruedly stirred vp thy displeasure against me , and in thy displeasure is death .

This , this , O Lord , is the gaine that my sinnes haue gotten , not onely a dissolution of the soule and body due to all flesh : but the death of body and soule due onely to impenitent sinners , among whom I , euen I , acknowledge my selfe worthy to bee numbred without thy mercy . For who hath power , Lord , by his owne corrupt nature to repent ? By nature , Lord , I sinne : How can I by the same sinfull part , repent of that wherein nature it selfe delighteth ? A fountaine bringeth not forth bitter water and sweet : How then Lord can I bring forth true repentance out of a corrupt heart , as it is corrupt ? Yet Lord , though my heart bee corrupt by nature , being made in part sincere and holy by thy grace , it shall so farre forth worke repentance , as is thy grace powerfull and effectuall in me . So that though sinne by nature dwell in me , by thy grace may sanctity also ; as Esau and Iaakob in Rebeccahs wombe , striuing for superiority .

Therefore , good Father , as Esau the elder , gaue place and became seruant to Iaakob : So let sinne , which is in me the first borne , giue place in mee vnto sanctity : And let sanctity haue the sole dominion in my heart , then shall my heart bring forth the good fruits of a godly life : though while I liue here , the weeds of corruption will also grow ; but Lord , let them not ouergrow the good seed of thy spirit : but let them wither and die before they grow vp to beare any fruit vnto death . But feed me now at the last with the most wholesome fruits of thy spirit , and giue me grace to expresse my sorrow for my sins that I haue done with an inward relenting heart , grieued that euer I contriued sin in my inward thoughts , that euer I acted it , or consented vnto it .

Lord see and behold my sorrow for my sins , if it bring not forth sincere repentance , water it so with thy mollifying spirit , that it may worke in mee that which may testifie that I repent indeed : so that sinne may become loathsome vnto me , and sanctitie sweet . And although while I carrie about me this vnholy lump of earth , my best exercises cannot but sauour of the fountaine from whence they flow ; if of corruption , corruptly ; if of thy spirit , heauenly .

O season therefore my heart , O Lord , my soule and whole man with thy spirit , that whatsoeuer I thinke , speake , or doe , may sauour from aboue , that I may feele in my heart and soule a true and liuely detestation of whatsoeuer sauoureth of the loue of this world ; as the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eies , and the pride of life .

Giue me strength to performe all perfect obedience in all righteousnesse , euen to the forgetting of sinne . And yet to remember my sinnes past , and to repent them , that thou my louing Father , before whose presence I presently stand , maiest bee pleased to turne thy louing and fatherly countenance in mercy towards me , in the merits and mediation of Christ my Reedeemer .

Let these mine humble petitions , O Lord , ascend vp vnto thee ; and let the infallible tokens of thy mercies appeare towards mee : that my heart now cast downe for feare of thy iudgements , may bee againe lifted vp , feeling the inward testimonies of thy mercies in Christ . To whom with thee and the holy Ghost , be all honour , praise , and glory .

A Praier for the morning , with thankes for rest and safetie .

O Father , mercifull and euermore louing in Iesus Christ , who this night past hast beene a powerfull and prouident Watch-man ouer me , euen when by the deadnesse of sleepe I was depriued , euen of sense , care or feare of any danger , which yet without thy preseruation and prouidence , might suddenly haue seized vpon me , and that by infinite meanes : For , Lord , thou knowest what a malicious and watchfull Aduersary we haue , who is attended on by a troupe of infernall Ministers that hourely seeke by some meanes to surprize vs : Besides the corruption of our owne nature , that is alwaies working in vs sinfull thoughts , vncleane desires , and most vngodly affections : mouing vs in our night-wakings ( in stead of holy meditation and godly praier ) to purpose the committing of infinite sorts of sinnes , when we enter into the day , hauing no meanes to preuent the execution of most sinfull actions , but by thine owne most gracious working holy feare and godly obedience in our hearts : Wherefore , louing Father , I come this morning into thy holy presence , from which I cannot hide mee , and vpon the knees of my heart I vnfainedly intreat thee , that as it hath pleased thee this night to preserue me , and giuing me comfortable rest and sleepe in safetie ; so thou wilt be pleased to watch ouer mee this day that no danger befall me , either in body , soule , or any thing belonging vnto me ; But that I may be so led vnder the pauilion of thy protection , guided by thy spirit , that neither in thought , word or deed I may offend thee ; endeuouring to performe all holy and heauenly duties vnto thee my God , who for all thy mercies requirest onely pure and sincere obedience , which is also thy gift : for none by his owne power can thinke a good thought , much lesse Lord , worke any thing pleasing vnto thee , but the contrary : therefore disclaime I all mine owne merit , and cleaue onely vnto thy mercy in Iesus Christ ; Humbly beseeching thee for his sake to take charge of me this day : preuent the malicious intentions of Satan and his ministers : mortifie mine owne sinfull affections , and infuse into my heart all diuine graces , that my waies this day may nothing sauour of sinne , but of sanctitie . And as I haue by thee safely passed this night ; so I may begin , continue and end this day , and all the daies of my life , in thy faith , feare , and obedience . And that in all mine actions whereunto I am bound by my place and calling , I may so walke and so performe them , as that thy blessing● may accompany whatsoeuer I endeuour . Giue me Lord an vpright heart , asking ; and let me euer receiue counsell from thee , to be guided in whatsoeuer I purpose : that so prospering , the glory may bee thine , to whom all power , wisdome , strength , and glory belongeth , Amen .

A Praier to be vsed before a man goes to his rest .

LOrd , as it hath now pleased thee to bring mee in safetie to the end of this day , and hast therein by many blessings testified thy fatherly care ouer me : so let my heart within me through faith , and faithfull obedience , testifie mine vnfained thankfulnesse to thee . The light of this day hath afforded vnto mee that benefit which the darknesse of the night could not , though to thee the day and night are of equall light ; for with thee is no darknesse at all . But to me , as I am blinde by nature , the day and night are of like darknesse and obscuritie : though the light of the day discouer visible creatures , yet as long as the darkenesse of the ignorance of heauenly things possesseth my inward parts , I see not at all as I ought to see : the light of the day doth administer vnto my corporall eies many outward obiects , which often causeth me inwardly to erre , and outwardly to goe astray , as the sinnes which I haue this day committed , by the miscarriage of mine eye may witnesse against me . Forgiue it Lord vnto me , and grant that the light which thou hast created good , turne not through my corruption to thy dishonour and my shame , but as the light of the day is a most especiall blessing to the good , to doe good offices in this life ; so let me vse it to the doing of the works of diuine light , not of darknesse . Let it hence-forth serue vnto mee as a Motiue to the Contemplation of that celestiall-light , that is neuer ouershadowed with darknesse ; and to the obseruation of thine immensurable greatnesse and power in creating and preseruing of thy Creatures , ( visible ) numberlesse . Giue me grace , that I beholding the infinite works of thy hands , may with diuine modesty consider thy wisdome in framing and disposing them ; thy deepe and vnfathomable prouidence , in oftentimes turning those things to the comfort of those that are thine , which their enemies suppose and hope will tend to their confusion . This also is thy doing , maruellous in the eies of such as either know thee not , or that thinke all things to come to passe without thy direction and limitation .

Lord I haue this day found , that thy wisdome hath directed me , thy power hath preserued mee , and thy prouidence guided me . And in thy great mercy I haue finished this day in safetie , and receiued many blessings at thy hands ; acknowledging yet my selfe vnworthy of the least of them , by reason that I haue many waies offended thee . Though I haue not noted in my thoughts all my sinnes , yet thou knowest them : And if the righteous man fall seuen times a day , how often haue I that am all corrupt , sinned this day ? None is so iust as sinneth not , but he is blessed to whom thou ( O Lord ) imputest it not .

Sinners couet secrecy , they hate to be seene , but loue the sinne : darknesse is their desire , and the night is as a Closet to hide them in conceit , when thou , O God , seest their actions in the darke as at noone day . O preserue mee in thy light , Lord , and grant I neuer couet to doe that in secret , whereof I should be ashamed to commit it openly : and euen this night now come vpon mee , vouchsafe Lord to ouerspread the bright beames of thine all shining light ouer me that sinne enter not into my heart in the darknesse of the same . And let me make my night wakings as interims gained for Meditation and Praier ; And that I may spend the intermissions of my sleepe in preparing my selfe to my finall rest : That through thy power and prouidence , I may rest safely this night , free from all danger of soule and body : And that rising againe in the morning , I may not bee forgetfull to giue thee the glory . And as the night succeedeth the day , and the day the night ; so let my faithfull praiers succeed holy Meditation , and a holy endeuour to worke righteousnesse , succeed my faithfull petitions .

Let thine eares be open vnto my praiers : Let thine eies ( by way of blessing ) be vpon all mine actions : Let thy prouidence preuent whatsoeuer mischiefe , Satan , or any mine enemies his complices shall plot , practise , or endeuour to execute against me : In hope whereof , I doe commit and commend my selfe , my soule and body , and whatsoeuer concerneth me , into thy most powerfull protection this night , in the name of Christ , thine alone beloued . To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be ascribed , as most due , all honour , praise and glory for euer , Amen .

Lord euermore increase my faith .