Teach vs , O Lord , to number , &c. ] This text may wel be tearmed the Prophet Dauid his Arithmetike , a better Arithmetike than our schoole humanitians , and professours of Arithmetike in Vniuersities are wont to teach .

This crosseth and vtterly confuteth the course of the vain men of this world : for they giue themselues to calculate other matters .

The Marchant numbreth his debts , the Vsurer his money , the Lawyer his clyents , the Husbandman his goods and cattells , the Captaine his souldiers : but Dauid a man after Gods owne heart , knew well the vanity of the one , and the necessity of this other ; and better Arithmetike .

He desireth God to teach him to number , not his wealth , nor his riches , nor his possessions , nor his tresures , nor his pleasures , but his daies . Teach me , saith he , to number my daies . We reade of Nabucad-nezzar a King , so he was like Dauid : but he had not learned to number his daies , so he was vnlike Dauid . This prowd king walking and strowting in Dan. 4. 27. his royal ●allace at Babel , was numbering the towres thereof , and was numbering his wealth , and his magnificence , and power . Is not this great Babel , is not this my kingdom . & c ? This Arithmetike made Nabucad-nezzar prowd , and made him forget God that gaue him that power , and that honour , and that monarchie .

But this Arithmetik of Dauids taught him humilitie , and meeknesse , and keepeth him so far from forgetfulnesse of God , that he rather forgets himselfe , and his kingly titles , and honour ; for in this psalme , but especially in this verse he disclaimes , as it were , from al his regal authoritie , power , and state , and exhibites himselfe a perfect paterne of humilitie .

Though he were Gods anointed , and inuested with great maiestie , and honor , yet he forgat not his pedigree , but hath registred the same to all posterities , in that he saith : thou tookest Dauid when he followed the Ewes great with yong , and annointedst him to be Psa. 78. 70. Prince ouer thy people , of a sheepheard crowning him a King .

And though he were a King of the earth , yet hee knew hee was but a King of earth , a man of the same mowld that others are of , and subiect to the same corruption : nay him Psal. 22. 6 selfe in another place , calles hims●lfe , a worm and no man .

And as he could teach himselfe a lesson of mortalitie , so could he teach it others also : speaking to magistrates , he saith thus ; I haue said , ye are Gods , but ye shal al die like men : and that Princes should not scape vncontrolled , Psalme 82 he a Prince telleth Princes , that they should also die like others .

And therefore since Princes , and magistrates , and people , and all must die , he prayeth God for himself and others : saying . Teach vs ; O Lord , to number our daies . ] Wee finde 1. Chro. 21 this prophet numbering , but not his daies , as in this place , but there he numbered his subiects , he would needs know his strength , and power , and the number of his people ; but himself & all Israel smarted for that folly : and himselfe being brought to the knowledge of his sin , confessed he had done very foolishly . And therefore now hee workes more wisely , he prayeth God to teach him to number his daies : here he takes in hand another kinde of numeration .

The prophet sheweth , that except the Lord Psa. 127 buyld the house , they that buyld it , labor but in vaine : and except the Lord keepe the citie the keeper waketh but in vaine .

There hee prooueth that in buylding it is God alone who is the * Architectus , both to lay the foundation , and the roofe too .

In keeping of the cittie hee is the onely watchman of Israel , that neuer slumbereth .

And here he proueth another propertie to be in God , which is , that he in teaching , is the only schoolemaster , or doctour , verifying that in the 15. of Iohn his Gospel , without me ye can do nothing : he is al in al , a schoolemaster of all , both learned , and vnlearned , euen to teach princes knowledge , and the Senators wisedome .

This lesson must needes be well learned , that proceeds from such a teacher : in the 86 and 119. Psalmes he prayeth the Lorde to teach him the way of his statutes : and here he prayeth God to teach him another thing : to to number his daies .

Dauid shewes he was no truaunt in the schoole of Christ , but hauing learned one lesson , he couets to learne another , and still calles vpon God , like a good scholler vpon his master , O teach me thy testimonies : teach Psal. 119. 33. me thy statutes , teach me thy waies , teach me to number my daies .

All that will be schollers in the schoole of Christ imitate Dauid : couet to learne more & Iohn . 15. more , that you may bring forth much fruite .

If you haue alreadie learned your rudiments , your Alphabet of religion , labour yet further , to come to the depth of diuinitie , like the Prophet Ezech: who when hee had waded in the waters about the sanctuarie , he waded deeper and deeper , first to the ankles , Ezech. 47. then to the knees , then to the loynes , till hee could passe no further .

We are first children , and then we suck the 1. Pet. 2. 2. milke of the woord : afterwards we become men , and then wee must disgest stronger meate .

We must be so wel schooled , that we may be able to answere euery man , that shall aske vs a reason of the hope that is in vs .

So well schooled , that we may be able to teach others , as Peter being strengthned did Luk. 22. 32. strengthen the brethren , and as Priscilla , who thogh she were a woman , was notwithstanding able to instruct Apollos an eloquent man , and mightie in the Scriptures .

This short lesson of Dauid ministreth this instruction to vs , it teacheth vs , whom we shuld pray vnto , whom we should intreate for a supplie in our wants , he teacheth vs to flie vnto God onely , for in him dwelleth all fulnesse . This he taught vs once before in the 64. Psalme , where disclayming from all other Psal. 64. gods , or Angells , or Saints , he saith , whom haue I in heauen but thee ? Dauid did know there were many holy men in heauen , Abraham , Noah , Moses , all the Patriarches , and Prophets , Martyrs , and Confessors before him , yet he had learned to inuocate none , to pray to none but God only : there he taught , and here againe he teacheth , that God alone must be sought vnto , none but he implored . None can teach vs but God , & therefore we must submit our selues to be taught onely by him .

Teach vs , O Lord , to number &c. ] Eue our progenetrix had learned one lesson from God , at the deliuering of the commaundement , Gene. 2. 16 wherein it was charged , that they shoulde not eate of the forbidden tree . But shee was not contented with one , but would faine haue choice of teachers , like a truanting scholler that still changeth his master : Genes. 3. 4. and therfore she learned a second lesson from the diuel . He taught hir , that they shuld not die , but should liue like Gods , knowing good and euil : but Eue found him a lying teacher , for they became diuells , and death was sentenced against them and their posteritie , because they forsooke their first teacher .

Many now a daies , specially the conceated wise , wil not offer themselues , to be taught of God , but they will teach themselues , and learne of themselues , they will flie to their owne wisdome , and their own strength , and their own policie , and their own knowledge but their owne strength becommeth weakenesse , like the strength of Sampson , when hee Iudg. 16 gaue it to an harlot : & their pollicie becomes Ester 7 simplicitie , like the pollicie of Haman , when he thought to slay al the Iewes : and their wisdome foolishnes , like the wisedome of Achitophel , 2. Sam. 17 which turned to follie , because he had not learned it from God . That which they most glorie in , soonest deceiues them , like Absolomes haire , that seeming to be his bodies 2. Sam. 18. best ornament , became an halter : as hee would haue betrayed his father , so his owne haire became his own traitour , and discouered him to the enemie , like Ziba , that betrayed 2. Sam. 16. Mephibosheth .

All such that refuse to draw their knowledge from the fountain , they are reproued in that general checke ; this people take counsel of their stock , and their staffe teacheth them .

Saul was neuer forsaken so long as hee counsailed with God , but when hee chose a 1. Sam. 28. witch for his schoolemistris , God reiected him ; and he became his own executioner , he that shuld haue slain his aduersaries , slew him selfe , and ministreth greater cause of triumph to his ennimies . Teach me , &c. ] Dauid comming to be taught , first acknowledgeth his ignorance , & therfore praieth god the author of all knowlege , to giue him knowlege .

In the first Chapter of the second booke of Chronicles we find Salomon the son asking of God wisedome : and here we find Dauid the father asking of God wisedome also .

A good father chawlkes the waie first , and as gracious a sonne that well might seeme to descend from so good a father , followes the same path after , both walking towards God , a father to them both , both of one affection do aske one & the same thing , viz. wisedom , but respecting a diuers end ; the one , to th end he might the better gouerne his people ; the other , to be able thereby to number his days .

And this much shal briefly suffice for the cleering of the first note , which teacheth you if you will learne of Dauid , to pray vnto God for knowledge ; desire him to direct you , and teach you ; as to teach you al things , so principally this : pray him to learne you to number your daies .

This lesson wel learned wil bring you to the knowledge of all your other duties . It followeth .

Dan. 5. To number . ] It is ascribed vnto God by Daniel , that God alone numbreth , weigheth , and diuideth , he measureth times & seasons , daies , & yeares , and he that is the numberer , will teach vs to number , if we wil offer our selues to be taught by him .

No lesson is more necessary for these times considering how sinne hath spread it selfe , like a leprozie ouer all flesh : and iniquitie hath gotten the vpperhand . And more then this , the vialls of Gods wrath are powred our alreadie vpon vs , to consume vs , as we are all eie-witnesses this day . Al had bin preuented , if we had bin carefull , to get vnto our selues this one comfortatiue , more worth than all the balme in Gilead , to haue knowledge to number our daies .

From the first words of this psalme to this present text , now handled , the prophet recapitulateth , and recounteth the shortnes , and miserie of this life , and in the tenth verse , he makes vp a calender as it were of mans age , in that he saith the life of man is threescore Psal. 90. yeares and ten , and though men be so strong that they come to fourescore yeares , yet is their time then but labor and sorrow , so soon passeth it away , and we are gone .

The note raised hence must be this , the shortnes of time ought to make vs more circumspect : and certainly if men did in a careful conscience surueigh the short scantling of our yeares , and crosses incident to the same , they would not run so wilfully to the vomit of sinne as they do , and so seale vp their own condemnation .

The want of this consideration blindfolds the sinful soules of men , and casteth them headlong into a thousand inconueniences .

Gen. 19. If Lot had numbred his owne daies , as he liued to see the Sodomites days both numbred and determined , when fire from heauen consumed them , he had not proceeded to commit incest so soon after with his own daughters . Gen. 9. Righteous Noah forgat his righteousnesse , and being drunke , lay vncouered in his tent , his owne sonnes being ashamed , that their owne father had cast off shame .

He could preach to the olde world , that their daies should be an hundred and twenty yeares , and then should the floud come , but he forgat to number his own dayes : and therfore a seconde inundation preuailed against him , he became ouerflowed with wine , as the old world with water .

Dan. 4. If N●bucadnezzar had numbred his time , when hee numbred his towers , and riches , and honor , he had not so soon lost his honor , nor haue bin sent out to dwel with beasts in the field , where he was compelled to eate grasse like an oxe , because he liued like an asse , til his haires were growne like Egles fethers , and his nailes like birds clawes .

Belshazzar carowsing wine among his Dan. 5. nobles , thought of nothing lesse , than the numbring of his daies , although euen then the moment of time was come , when he should resigne vp , bo●h life and kingdome .

Not to stand vpon particulars : if the great rich man in the Gospel had bin as careful to Lu. 12. 19. 20. number his daies , as he was cumbered with deuising how to take downe hi●●lde barnes , and to build vp new , thinking to store vp for many yeares , that voice of terror had not sounded from the Numberer of times , Thou foole , this night wil they take the soule from thee : he dreamed of many yeares behind , but because he reckoned without his host , ( for he neuer schooled himself where Dauid learned his Arithmetike , ) therefore he deceiued himselfe , and that daie proued to be the last of his life .

Such is , and hath euer bin the course of carnal men , that do fixe their eies vpon the present time only , and do think that the same shall neuer be altered .

This securitie was far from Iob , when he Iob. 14. 14. saith , al the time of my pilgrimage wil I wait , til my changing come : as if he made it his occupation euery daie ; from time to time , he waited for his changing . Iob hath lefte few his like behind him , few such Numberers of time recorded . Iob and Dauid both do teach vs to number our daies , as they did their daies .

Satan casteth so many golden baites in our Coruinus . waye , that we cleane forget our time , as Coruinus forgate his name .

We are so busied like Naball about white 1. Sam. 25. 10. earth , and red earth , in raping and scraping transitorie trash , and so deuoted to fleshly pleasures , and deceitfull vanities of this life , that we haue no leisure at al to think on death and so we chop into the earth afore we be aware , like a man walking vpon a greene field couered with snow , and not seeing the waie , runneth on , and sodainely falles into a pit .

Herodotus writeth of Sesostris a King of the Aegyptians , that he was caried in a chariot drawne with foure Kings , whom he before had conquered , one of the foure casting his eies behinde him , looked often vpon the wheeles of the chariot , and was at length demanded by Sesostris what he meant to looke backe , so often : saith he , I see that 〈…〉 which were highest in the wheel , 〈…〉 sently lowest , & the lowest eftsoo 〈…〉 highest , cogito de mutatione fortu● 〈…〉 vpon the inconstancie of thi 〈…〉 hereupon aduising himselfe 〈…〉 milde , and deliuered the sai 〈…〉 As it did Pirrus . history noteth mans mortalit 〈…〉 Teach vs to number our d● 〈…〉 speakes not of yeares , or monet 〈…〉 but of daies , noting the shortnesse 〈…〉 in the word Daies .

And the same phrase is vsed of all the 〈…〉 men , vpon the like occasion : Iacob told Phar●oh that few and euill were the daies of his pilgrimage ; speaking of the time : to note the shortnesse of life , he names not yeares , but daies , and speaking of the toyles and troubles of life , he calles it a pilgrimage .

Iob in like manner in numbring his daies , my daies , saith he , are more swift than a post : Iob. 9. 25. and in the 26. verse they are swifter than shippes .

Our Sauiour in teaching vs to pray , bids vs pray thus : giue vs this day our daily bread . Mat. 6. 11.

As if we should reckon the continuance of our life no longer than a daie . And againe , God calling vpon sinners , sayth , To day if you 〈…〉 his voice : a day consisteth but o● 〈…〉 an euening , and a noone : som● 〈…〉 way in the morning of their life 〈…〉 ●ot the heate of the day , and h● 〈…〉 ●t the line of his life vntil th● 〈…〉 but al the day .

〈…〉 ●es the life of man , to th● 〈…〉 ●asse , whose glory enduret● 〈…〉 ●t is greene in the morning , an● 〈…〉 night .

〈…〉 ●t is within and without vs , are s● 〈…〉 remembrances of death : all things cry 〈…〉 to vs , that we must hence , as Christ cried , 〈…〉 ●am not of this world .

The Sunne rising in the East , and falling in the west , and al in one day , shewes our rising , and falling , our comming in , and going forth of this world .

The apparell wearing vpon our backes , the meate disgested and egested , and returning to putrefaction , the graues shrowding so many corpses vnder our feete : to be short , Time the mother of al things , and the changeable state of times , euen winter and summer , colde , and heate , seede time , and haruest , all doe crie vnto vs , that we shall weare and di● , and corrupt , as they who were liuing are now dead , and lie in the dust .

He went out , &c. ] As Isaac went out into Ge. 24. 63. the fields to pray , so Peter went out to meditate and consider what he had done . The faithful soule , when it is desirous to enter into any holy consulation , or conference , couets to be alone , like Christ in the desart , sequestred Mat. 4. from the societie of men . Iacob being alone wrastled with the Angell , and preuailed for Gen. 22. 24 a blessing . Ionah went out of the citie Niniuie to mourne . Ionah . 4. 5.