Psal. 124. Verse 1. If the Lord himselfe had not beene on our side , &c.

The Argument of the Psalme . THis Psalme is a thanks-giuing to God for his great mercy in preseruing his people , placed as the Stories do shew in the midst of the Gentiles and heathen people , and as a flocke of sheep in a wilde forrest , or in respect of the multitude , as a Citie compared to a mightie kingdome , being compassed on euery side with the Kings of the Assyrians , The people of Israel , as a sheepe among many wolues . the Egyptians , the Ammonites , the Ishmalites , the Moabites : who Sathan had stirred vp with deadly hatred to vexe and persecute them , seeking by all meanes to roote out them from off the earth ; that thereby hee might vtterly deface and abolish the word and worship of the Lord . This danger Dauid saw , and thanked God which had preserued his people from the rage of many Lyons and Dragons : which notwithstanding , that they neuer ceased to seeke their destruction , yet all that they went about was in vaine . And what a miracle was this , that this people could so long continue , notwithstanding the malice and rage of so many deuils .

Dauid therefore in this Psalme , exhorteth his people to be thankfull to the Lord their God , for so mightily preseruing , defending , and deliuering them from the violence of so many Nations and Kingdomes , hating them , and persecuting them on euery side .

If the Lord himselfe had not beene on our side now , may Israel say . If the Lord himself had not been on our side when men rose vp against vs , &c. Here the Prophet Dauid exhorteth the people to consider how mercifully God had deliuered them from the hands of their enemies , and how miraculously he had preserued that kingdome , and also to praise God with him for the same : which words are not to be restrained to Dauids time onely , for the Heathen people had oftentimes before warred against them with such force and power as was like to the rage of most huge and terrible floods of water , whereof hee speaketh here , ready to ouerflow them : therefore seeing he mentioneth heere no one kind of deliuerance , it seemeth that he meaneth in these words of thanksgiuing to set forth whatsoeuer God had done for the succour and deliuerance of his people at any time before . Wherein he sheweth as it were in a glasse , the dangerous estate of the Church from the beginning , that the faithful may learn to know , that it hath not been preserued , by the strength and pollicy of man ; but by the miraculous power & hand of God : and therefore in their troubles and afflictions should alwaies fly to God for help and succour . Israel signifieth the people of God : let vs acknowledge them that there is no way for Gods people to escape the hands of their enemies , but by the help & power of God ; and that he will haue the praise and glory therof to be giuen to him alone . This praise can none giue vnto God , but the true Israel : hauing experience both of their owne weaknesse , the force and power of their enemies , the dangers past , and of the mercifull helpe and protection of the Lord .

Hence wee learne that it is our dutie to binde our selues by solemne couenant & promise to God ; Solemne vowes a christian dutie . that so he deliuer vs from misery , trouble , affliction , iudgments , punishments ; and from vnreasonable men : that then we will offer vnto him prayse and thankesgiuing , call vpon him , serue and worshippe him all our dayes . Gen. 28.2.21 . Iacob vowed that if the Lord would bee with him in his iourney to keepe him and defend him in it : hee would then build an house to God and worship him there . Iosias made a couenant vnto the Lord , and all the people with him , Psa. 1.16.14 31. to serue the Lord , who did deliuer him from the curse of the Law . Dauid did often vse this to binde himselfe by couenant to serue the Lord : hee payde his vowes hee made to God . So Iephtah vowes vnto the Lord that that hee would offer sacrifice vnto the Lord , who gaue him victorie . Iudg. 11 : 30. And though the matter of his vow was vnlawfull , yet his vow to honor God was the fruit of his faith . Well then , seeing it is not onely lawfull ( but our dueties euen ) to make solemne couenant vnto God , that if he shall be fauourable vnto Sion , and build vp the walls of Ierusalem : that if he shall deliuer vs from any misery , iudgment , or affliction whatsoeuer ; that then wee will bee carefull to honour God , and to bee thankfull to his Maiestie . Let vs then make this couenant with the Lord our God , let vs vow obedience and newnesse of life : and let vs say with Dauid , Psal 119.106 . I haue sworne and haue stedfastly purposed to keepe thy righteous iudgement . Let vs euen take a solemne vow of our owne soules , that by the grace of God wee will haue more care to prayse him , to honor him , to serue him , to call vpon him . And so accordingly let vs be mindfull to performe the same : for the Lord will require alll the vowes we make vnto him .

First , this may stirre vs vp to consider what a solemne vow and promise wee haue made in Baptisme : ( that is ) to forsake the diuell and all his works , the vaine pompe and glory of the world , that wee will forsake sinne and Sathan , so as we will not bee led nor ruled by them , yea that wee will manfully fight vnder the banner of Christ Iesus , become his faithfull souldiers and seruants vnto our liues end .

Secondly sworne seruants . Not onely are we bought to bee Christs seruants , but also wee are sworne : for Baptisme as on the part of God , it is a seale of the couenant of grace , to confirme that promise of remission of sinnes , which God hath made to vs in the blood of Iesus Christ . So on our parts it is a solemn resignation of of our selues and our seruice to the Lord , wherin we giue vp our names to be enrowled among his Souldiers and seruants , swearing , binding and oblieging our selues to reounce the seruice of the diuell , the world and the flesh . And this oath of resignation we haue renued , so oft as wee haue communicated at his holy table : whereof it is euident that they who haue giuen their names to Christ , and yet liue licentiously walking after the flesh , are forsworne Apostates , guilty of perfidie , and of foule Apostasie and desertion from Iesus Christ .

And thirdly , Not onely are wee bought and sworne , but we haue receiued wages and payment in hand , Thirdly wee haue receiued wages before hand of seruices to be done . which should make vs ashamed ( if wee haue so much as common honesty ) to refuse seruice to the Lord , whose wages wee haue receiued already . It may be sayd to euery one of vs , as Malaciah in the name of the Lord spake to the Leuites of his time . Mala. 1.10 . Who among you shuts the dore of the Temple , or kindles a fire vpon my Alter in vaine . And who among vs can stand vp and say , that he hath done seruice to the Lord for nought . Consider it when you will , for euery peece of seruice ye haue done to the Lord , ye haue receiued wages more then ten times : who hath called aright on his name , and hath not beene heard ? who hath giuen thankes for benefits receiued , and hath not found Gods benefits doubled vpon him ? who hath giuen almes in the name of the Lord , and hath not found encrease ? I speake not of rewards which God hath promised : I speake of that onely which we haue receiued already , the least of all Gods mercies shewed vnto vs already , doth farre exceed all the seruice that wee poore wretches haue done vnto him : as therefore wee are content to receiue the Lords pay , so let vs neuer refuse to giue the seruice of our bodies and spirits vnto him .

This is the couenant which wee haue made euery one of vs in our Baptisme and entrance into the Church of God , before the presence of God and his Angels : before the congregation and Church of God : but ( alas ) we breake it dayly , and haue no care nor conscience to keepe it . Well let vs know this for a certaine , that the Lord will one day require our couenants & vowes made vnto him : for hee lookes wee should aswell keepe them as make them . Well then , wouldst thou bee loth to breake thy vow , couenant , or promise made to an honest man , especially it being in thine owne powre to keep it , and such a promise as the keeping whereof may procure thee much peace , liberty and happinesse : I know you would ; Oh then let vs bee as carefull to keepe promise with God , to renounce the world , the diuell , and our sinfull lusts : so shall wee bring much honour to Almightie God ; and eeuerlasting good vnto our owne soules .

If the Lord himselfe had not bene on our side when men rose vp against vs , &c.

We learne hence , Publicke thankesgiuing after deliuerance required . that it is the dutie of euery Christian man and woman to pray in publicke and priuate , for the safetie and good estate of the Church . So likewise , it is our dutie publikely to render thankes vnto God for deliuerance bestowed vpon the same . We must not be like the nine Leapers , who haue wide mouthes to beg , but no heart nor mouth to giue thankes for benefits receiued . It hath euer beene the care and religious custome of Gods Church and people , after great and notable deliuerances from apparant and common Iudgments , to render heartie and earnest thankes vnto God in solemne and publike manner . Gen. 8.20 . When Noah and his Sonnes and family were newly deliuered from perishing in the flood , he did the first thing builde an Altar , offer sacrifice , and call on the name of the Lord ; so Moses and the Children of Israel after their deliuerance out of Egypt , when they were safe , and their enemies drowned , doe deuoutly and publikely sing praise and thankes vnto the Lord. Iudg. 5.1.2.3 . Deborah and Barake doth the like . And the Iewes being deliuered from Hamans treason , Hcster 9.19 20. reioyce and keepe a solemne day to sing praise vnto the Lord .

Well then , let vs apply this vnto our selues ; we are by Gods blessing the true Church and people of God ; professing the Gospell of Iesus Christ , truly , hating all superstition and Idolatry , and for this cause cannot want many enemies ; the Papists the most subtill , cruell , and malicious enemies of Gods Church , haue often set vpon vs , assaulted vs , sought to haue inuaded our King and Countrey , as in eightie eight by sundry treasons to kill our late Queene of famous and blessed memorie . And to destroy our gracious King , Queene , and all his posteritie : But amongst the rest , and aboue all the rest , none comparable to that last treason , which was most close and cunningly wrought a long time , in contriuing most bloudie and deuilish , most barbarous and sauage , threatning and seeking to destroy and roote out , our King , Councell , Spirituall and Temporall Magistrates , ayming at the vtter subuersion of our English Nation : both Church and Common-wealth . And surely if we consider well of it , I doe not see in all the Bible the like deliuerance so wonderfull and admirable .

First , being so long a time in hatching and contriuing with such secresie and concealement .

Secondly , being vnder the ground in hell as it were , in a place vnder the earth , desiring darkenes more then light , because the deede was euill .

Thirdly , being brought so neare the execution of it , and neuer knowne nor suspected before .

Fourthly , being disclosed so strangely , euen by one of the traytors themselues , one of the chiefe Actors in the tragedie . Being so generall , so fearefull , and so monstrous , that it should not haue bin onely to the destruction of one or two , but of the chiefe of the whole land , King , Queene , Prince , Iudges Bishops , in a word , the flowre of the whole kingdome : the want of any one whereof were a blemish to a State , and would bring a ruine to a kingdome . Now doe as Ahashuerosh did , Hest. 6.1.2 . cause the records to be read , and chronicles to be searched , ancient and moderne , diuine or prophane , amongst the Turkes or Painims ; yea if hell keepe any records search there , and see if yee can patterne this conspiracy , or match this danger .

But there is no councell against the Lord , mans wisedome is foolishnesse vnto him , his greatest strength but weakenesse , his life but a breath , and his honour but a blast .

So then we see we haue as great cause to render thankes vnto the Lord as any people or nation vnder heauen ; that fifth day of Nouember is a day to be remembred , and neuer to bee forgotten , a glad and ioyfull day , and we ought euery one in publicke and priuate to stirre vp our hearts in thankesgiuing vnto the Lord , For it was the Lords doing , and it is maruelous in our eyes : It is the day which the Lord hath made for the glory of his Name , let vs reioyce and be glad in it .

Now it is not enough to keepe that day as an idle holy day , to rest from labor and work , to ring Bels , and make Bonfiers , to giue our selues to eating , drinking , and swilling , to sports and pastimes , for this is no honour to God .

But first our thankefulnesse must appeare in a most reuerent and thankefull commemoration , and Remembrance of this so great and wonderfull a deliuerance , wee must call it to mind , thinke of the greatnesse of it , wee must speake of it to our Children and Posterity , and call vpon them to bee thankfull , for the Child that is yet vnborne is bound to blesse God for it . Exodus 12.6 .

Secondly , we must sing Psalmes of praise and thanksegiuing vnto God , in token of thankfulnesse and that publikely in the Church and Congregation of Gods people .

Thirdly we must come together into Gods house to heare his word and call vpon his name , and that is a speciall part of our vnfained thankfulnesse .

Fourthly , wee must testifie our thankfulnes in most hearty & dutiful obedience , which is the greatest and the best sacrifice . 1. Sam. 15.22 And if this be wanting , all that wee do is nothing worth . Esay . 29.13 . so that for our generall deliuerance there should be a generall thanksegiuing in a generall reformation of Church and Commonwealth , of our hearts and sinfull liues : otherwise wee are indeed vnthankefull if still we liue in sin & rebellion . Then notwithstanding our keeping a day , ringing of Bels , sport and play , if their follow no reformation of our liues , wee may iustly feare a more dreadfull iudgement : if not vtter ruine and destruction to follow . Now ( alas ) where is this vse of Gods mercy and our deliuerance , where doth the people reforme their liues , reforme their wayes , grow more religious , conscionable , and carefull to heare , reade , pray in their families : it is but a wonder of nine dayes , men make little or no vse of it , but to talke of it and speake of it .

And lastly , our thankefulnesse should beget in vs an earnest hatred of Popery and superstition so vilde , faulse , mischieuous , bloody , and cursed religion : to abhorre it , to haue nothing to do with it , but to abandon it : which that all estates and degrees of men may do , the Lord grant for his mercy sake . Amen .

Verse 1. They had swallowed vs vp quicke when they were so wrathfully displeased at vs .

THis repitition is not in vaine for whiles we are in danger our feare is without measure , but when it is once past , wee imagine it to haue beene lesse then it was indeed and this is the delusion of Sathan to diminish and obscure the grace of God . Dauid therefore with this repetition stirreth vp the people to a more thankefulnesse vnto God for his gracious deliuerance , and implyteth the dangers which they had passed . Whereby we are taught how to thinke of our troubles and afflictions past , least the sence and feeling of Gods graces vanish out of our Minds . And heere note how God dealeth with his people in their distresse , who suffereth their enemies so farre to preuaile ouer them , and deferreth his helpe so long till it seeme vnpossible for them to escape : so that they are compelled to confesse and acknowledge that they must needes haue perished , if the mighty hand of God had not deliuered them : These two things , then wee see the Israelites here to acknowlegde first that the Lord was on their side ; that is , succoured and deliuered them , then also that it had not beene possible but they must vtterly haue perished if God had not preserued and defended them .

Dauid saith , Psalm . 129 1.2.3 that albeit he was persecuted and sore oppressed for his profession , yet no troubles could make him swerue from the Testimonies of God ; Trouble is the best tryall of true Religion : It is no great thing to cleaue vnto the Testimonies of God , when none pursues them for it ; when authority allowes it ; when honour and prosperity followes it : It is no great praise then to professe it . When the Lord gloried of his Seruant Iob , That he was an vpright man , fearing God : yet Sathan replyed ; Iob. 1. And what maruell doth Iob worship God for nothing : he knew there were many hirelings , & temporizers in the world that worshipped not God sincerely and therefore would not continue it , hee thought Iob to bee one of these : lay now thine hand vpon all that he hath , and hee shall blaspheme thee to thy face . But he was deceiued for the more he was crossed , the neerer did he cleaue vnto the Lord . Let vs remember as Saint Paul hath warned vs , wee haue not yet resisted vnto blood , neither that which S. Peter cals the fierie triall haue we endured , and yet what a shame is it to see how many are become coulder in Religion : an euident argument that they were neuer truly religious : for if they cannot stand against offences , how should they stand against oppressions and persecutions .

They haue swallowed vs vp quick , in these words he expresseth , not onely the strength and rage , and cruelty of the enemies , but also how weake and vnable the Isralites were to withstand them : and here he vseth a similitude taken of fierce and outragious beasts , whose property is , when they haue taken their prey , to swallow them aliue . Likewise when wee would expresse the cruelty or malice of any towards vs , we are wont to say , he hateth mee so deadly , that hee could finde in his heart to eate mee , or swallow mee vp quicke : the Prophet meaneth then that their enemies were so many and so mighty , that they needed no armour or weapons to destroy them , but were able like fierce and cruell beasts , to swallow them vp aliue , being so weake and so little a flocke ; let vs learne then to sing with Dauid ; If the Lord had not bin on our side , whose mighty hand hath deliuered vs , whose power alone hath preserued vs : and although the world rage against vs : though Sathan vexe vs neuer so sore , they cannot hurt vs . Be of good comfort saith Christ our Sauiour : For I haue ouercome the world Againe , I giue vnto them euerlasting life , and none shall take them out of my hands .

First , this teacheth vs to remember and meditate of all such gracicious deliuerances , which he shewed vnto vs either in general or particular ; from treasons , trecheries , conspiracies , & the like : in regard wherof we had long since bin consumed had not God taken our parts against those that rose vp against vs , whose purpose was to haue deuoured vs : in regard of which treason we may truly say as Dauid : & now may England say , If the Lord had not been on our side , if the Lord himselfe had not bin on our side , when men rose vp against vs , viz. the Papists , they had then swallowed vs vp quick , when their wrath was kindled against vs , &c. Let vs againe remember how nere their purpose hath bin broght to passe , ready euen to take effect , as we haue spoken in the 1. verse , & yet their net is broken , and wee are deliuered . This will make vs to hate and abandon all sinne , which are the cause for the most part of al his punishments , Lam. 3.39 . this will make vs afraid to displease God by any one sin , fearing lest he should iustly giue vs ouer vnto the wil of our aduersaries : this will make vs to fly to him for help & succor , to depend vpon him , to seek by all meanes to come into his loue and fauour , Least his wrath be kindled , and so wee perish from the right way : in a word this will be a speciall meanes to quicken vs to the performance of all dutifull obedience vnto our good God , who hath been so gracious and mercifull to vs , thus to deliuer vs .

Secondly , we must call to minde often our perils by land , by water , by fire , at home and abroade ; our danger in sickenesse and diseases : & how many wayes God could plague vs : with strange and grieuous visitations , as the stone and chollicke , the frencie , madnesse and manifold destructions : from all which the Lord hath graciously preserued vs . We must remember Gods mercy in preseruing of vs in our conception , in our birth , in our infancy , youth , middle age , old age , and how he hath continually prouided for vs all things necessary , whereas hee might iustly for our sinnes haue sufferd vs to starue and and famish for want of foode : infinite are Gods works in preseruing of vs , which neuer ought to slip out of our mindes , but to be treasured vp in faithfull memories , acknowledging that God and none but he doth all things for vs : and who therefore would abuse this bounty and goodnesse of God , and not rather as the Apostle Paul sayth , Be moued by these to forsake our sinnes , and turne to God by true repentance : Rom. 2.4.5 . being led , as it were , by these to returne the more speedily vnto God .

Here first wee are to consider how great things God hath done for our soules , how he hath kept vs from the spirituall famine , in giuing vs his word , to bee so plainely and plentifully taught : how hee hath kept vs from the powre and snare of the diuell : how hee hath pulled vs out of the dungeon of hell : and hath deliuered vs from Sinne , Death Hel , and Condemnation , how he hath made vs to know his Wil , to vnderstand his Word , how he hath inlightned our vnderstandings : informed our Iudgements in Truth , Psal. 24.2 . sanctifying our affections , renewing our wils ; rectified our reasons , pacified our troubled consciences , asswaged the maledy of our minds : how hee hath kept vs from the power and dominion of sinne : of children of wrath , he hath made vs heires of heauen , he hath not onely giuen vs his Sonne , to be our Sauiour , but his spirit to assure vs , and his Sacraments to seale the assurance of our saluation , in our hearts : he hath elected , called , iustified and sanctified vs : and many gracious promises hath hee made , from which he will neuer go back ; that vndoubtedly he will glorifie vs ; he gaue vs power ouer sin and Sathan in our conuersion : he hath giuen vs strength from time to time to withstand the temptations of the world , the flesh , and the diuell , so that wee may truely say , What could the Lord haue done more for his Vineyard ? the Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation , neither had the Heathen such knowledge of his Lawes . O that men would wisely consider these things , it would make them leaue sinning , & moue them to exercise themselues , meditating day and night to liue so , and to please God . O my people ( saith God ) What wrong haue I done vnto thee ? or wherein haue I wearied thee , Micah . 6.4 , 5 , 6 testifie against mee ? I haue deliuered thee , redeemed thee , and sent before thee Moses , Aaron , and Meriam i. Minister and Magistrate , O my people , remember now , &c. and this with Dauid , this will make vs cry out and say , Come , and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soule .

Secondly , we must remember the manner how God hath thus preserued vs both in body and soule : and that hath beene extraordinarily for the most part , on Gods part , and vndeseruedly alwayes on our part , extraordinary on Gods part , as in those manifold treasons and treacheries , beyond all expectation : when there haue beene no way as we might thinke for vs to escape , when they haue beene ready to put in execution their wicked deuises ; then hath God awaked , as one out of sleepe , to rescue and deliuer vs , and that miraculously discouering their hidden treacheries , as wee haue shewed before : which the world knew not of . Psal. 107. O that men would therfore remember to praise the Lord for his goodnesse , and declare his wondrous workes to the Children of men . Againe , all this is vndeserued on our parts , for we haue deserued iustly to bee cast off from God : for wee diserue nothing but damnation , and when we haue done all wee can doe , yet still wee are vnprofitable seruants , Luke 17. and therefore , with Dauid wee may iustly say , not vnto vs Lord , not vnto vs , Psal. 115.1 . Rom. 5. but to thy name giue the praise , for thy mercy and truths sake .

Yea , when wee were enemies to GOD , yet did he looke vpon vs : all which as it aggrauateth our misery , and Gods mercy , so it should aggrauate our hatred to all sin , and loue to God and goodnesse .

Thirdly , wee must remember the end of our preseruation , & that is to leaue vs so much the more without excuse , at the latter day , if we remember not these things to make aright vse of them .

Secondly , to make our punishment , so much the greater , hauing abused Gods mercy .

Thirdly , that we may be moued by the sight and consideration of Gods great mercy , to yeeld him all possible thanks and praise , expressing the same , by all dutifull obedience to his commandements .

Fourthly , that wee may hereby see our owne inabilitie , weakenesse and insufficiencie , how soone wee might perish , were not God our good God , to helpe vs and do for vs .

Fifthly , to make vs depend vpon his fatherly prouidence , in the vse of all meanes : Lam. 3.38 . for out of the mouth of the most high , proceedeth both euill and good . That is , both prosperitie and aduersitie .

Sixthly , to make vs humble suters to Almighty God , for euery good we stand in need of , If the Lord himselfe had not beene on our side , they had then swallowed vs vp quick , for it is only Hee , who preserues vs , and euery good and perfect gift comes from aboue . Iam. 1.17 .

Seuenthly , to attribute nothing to chance and fortune , but all to Gods mercy in Christ Iesus .

Lastly , to deny our selues , with all that wee haue , acknowledging that not for any merit in vs , but only because God had a fauour vnto vs , he hath shewed such wonderfull deliuerance vnto vs both in soule and body : for had it not beene Gods endlesse mercy , wee had long since beene swept away , as the Prophet Esaiah hath it : Esay . 19 : Except the Lord of of Hosts had left vs a small remnant , we had long since beene like Sodome and like Gomorrah , for the Lord our God hath not set his loue vpon vs , for any thing in vs , but because hee loued vs , Deut. 7.7 , 8 hath hee deliuered , preserued , and redeemed vs , and done all good vnto vs .

Heere wee are briefely to consider of these things . First how graciously God bestoweth his blessings and benefits dayly vpon vs : especially how he continueth the gracious liberty of the Gospell amongst vs , encreasing dayly the number of faithfull Preachers : Who breake vnto vs the bread of life : this is a blessing of blessings , without which the soule may the sooner starue ; yet indeed of the wicked of the world no more esteemed of , then their old shooes , and therefore they seldom heare it , lightly regard it , but neuer practise it : this is that pearle to attaine which wee ought to sell all that wee haue , rather then to want it : if this meditation of the price of this word , were truely in our hearts , it would not bee that so many could suffer their people to starue for want of it .

Secondly , let vs remember our health , wealth , peace and liberty , & our dayly protecting vnder so gracious a gouernment , which wee enioy by God : It is in , Acte 17.28 Verse 25. and through him , that we liue , wee moue and haue our being , hee giueth vs life and breath , and all things , wee cannot liue one minute of an howre , without Gods prouidence : hee dayly prouideth for vs foode and rayment : and no good thing doth he withhold from vs : he defendeth vs day and night from all dangers : he maketh men to be of one minde : and liue together in vnity : he blesseth our corne , our cattell , and all our substance : he prospereth all our handy worke , our meate might be our bane , did not God continually blesse it vnto vs : wee might haue our Throats cut in our beds , were nothe watchful ouer vs , by his fatherly prouidence : he sendeth raine to moysten the earth : Hee giueth grasse for the Cattell , Deut 11. and Hearbs for the vse of man ; he causeth the Corne and oyle to come to perfection , that man may eate , and haue all manner of fruit in aboundance , he neuer forsaketh his inheritance , he blesseth our going out , and comming in , On foote on horseback , in company , and out of company , in publike and secret , at home and abroad , sleeping and waking , hee is all in all vnto vs . This meditation will make vs to receiue nothing without thankesgiuing , to liue circumspectly , to looke to our wayes , and to study to please God , to giue our hearts vnto him , and to make him our treasure .

First , this serues to put vs in mind of all those gracious promises that God hath made vnto vs , either of temporall blessing ; or spirituall grace , which we are to beleeue , that in Gods due time they shal be performed , and so we shal not lose our reward . The not beleeuing of this truth , is one maine cause of sinne , and the continuance of it : and no one thing doth make the wicked so desperate in euill courses , as this , to thinke it is altogether in vaine to liue a godly life . We must therefore remember and beleeue that God is a plentifull rewarder of all those that seeke him , Heb. 11.6 . Ioh. 16.23 . Mat. 1.28 . that whatsoeuer we aske in Christ his name , shall bee giuen vs . That whosoeuer commeth to Christ , Ezec. 18.31 laden with the burden of his sinnes , shall haue refreshing and finde rest to his soule : That whosoeuer doth repent him of his sinnes from the bottome of his heart shall bee forgiuen ; Ios. 1.5 that hee will neuer faile nor forsake his , and infinite such which God hath made to all his children . Heb. 13 ▪ 5

But especially wee ought to Meditate , and often call to mind That maine promise of life eternall , Mar. 26.16 which God hath promised to all beleeuers , and most surely will performe it : whosoeuer beleeueth shall be saued . So God loued the world that hee gaue his only begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting life . Ioh. 3.16

And herewithall to ioyne the meditation of the certainty of the future resurrection after death , and the full fruition of euerlasting glory described at large : 1. Cor. 15. and if any thing in the world will moue vs to forsake our sinnes , and returne to God : this will .

The want of this is the cause of all manner of sinne in the wicked , they say and beleeue , that it is in vaine to serue God , Mal. 3.14 . and what profit it is that wee haue kept GODS Ordinances , and walked so mournefully before the Lord &c. It profiteth a man nothing to delight himselfe in God : Iob. 34.9 . They say , vnto God depart from vs , and what can the Almighty doe for vs ? they take the Timbrell and Harpe , and reioyce at the sound of the Organ : Iob. 22.17 . They spend their dayes in wealth and mirth , and in a moment goe downe to the Graue , therefore they say vnto God , Iob 21.12 , 13 , 14 , 15 Depart from vs , for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes : What is the Almighty that wee should serue him ? thus as the godly are stirred vp by Gods gracious promises to serue him the better , so the wicked by not being perswaded of the truth of his promises for time to come , abuse Gods goodnesse , and spend their dayes in all manner of sinne , to their owne destruction .

Lastly , in a word , our remembrance of Gods fauour toward vs must bee constant , without wearines , and certaine , without change : as Dauid saith , Psal. 119.93 I will neuer forget Gods Word : It must bee thankefull for all Gods mercies , spirituall and temporall . Psal. 63.5.6 . My mouth ( saith Dauid ) shall praise thee with ioyfull lips , when I remember thee . It must be fruitful , prouoking vs to al good workes , & quickning vs to euery good duty : I wil meditate in thy precepts , Psal: 119-1 ▪ 5 and haue respect to thy wayes . It must bee chearefull in affliction , and victorious in time of trouble , that we may say as Dauid , Vnlesse thy law had beene my delight , Psal. 119.9 ▪ 2 I had perished in my affliction . And thus much of the remembrance of Gods workes of mercy , in preseruing of vs , both for time past , present , and to come .