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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A16215) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 14543) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1339:08) Meditations upon the XLII. Psalme. By William Bloys esquire Bloys, William, 17th cent. [16], 354, [2] p. Printed by R. Y[oung] for George Lathum, at the Bishops head in Pauls Church yard, London : Anno 1632. The last leaf, probably blank, is lacking--Folger Shakespeare Library catalogue. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms XLII -- Commentaries -- Early works to 1800. eebo Meditations upon the XLII. Psalme. By William Bloys esquire. Bloys, William, 1632 372 51712 341 0 0 0 0 0 65.94 D The rate of 65.94 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2012-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2012-12 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2013-05 Sampled and proofread 2013-05 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

MEDITATIONS UPON THE XLII . PSALME . BY WILLIAM BLOYS Esquire .

snake wrapped around cross held by two hands

LONDON , Printed by R. Y. for George Lathum , at the Bishops head in Pauls Church yard . Anno 1632.

TO THE READER .

IT is the Apostles rule , 1. Pet. 3.15 . Be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man , that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you , with meeknesse and feare . The multitude of my thoughts thereof , have constrained me to give some publicke testimony , whereby to absolve my selfe from any sinister abuse of that retired privacy which I have hitherto injoyed . I chuse rather to have my life embrightened by use , than consumed by the rust of ease . There is no kind of life so meane and unworthy as that of the voluptuous man , who filleth himselfe with vaine delights , as with the wind , and hath no other pleasure than that which is common to the creatures , yea more proper to them than unto man ; not deserving to be called a life , for such as live in pleasure are dead while they live . Other professions , as they are commendable in themselves , so being rightly used , they may become helpfull unto us , in making our calling and election sure . There is a blessing bestowed upon the Peace-maker , which laboureth to destroy that bitter roote of dissention , and to establish goodwil among men : But let him consider how miserable an estate he is in , though hee hath beene an instrument of concord , and a meanes of charity , if hee wants this inward peace of a good conscience ; and the perfect assurance that God is reconciled unto him in Christ Iesus . The Ruler must remember how inexcusable he is , if he condemneth himselfe , in doing the same things wherein hee judgeth another : How can hee punish swearing and drunkennesse in other men , when himselfe doth deserve to be smitten five or six times , even till hee bee consumed , with the arrowes of Gods vengeance , because of his transgressions ? The Advocate that seekes for the temporall benefit of another man , with such vehemency , may be put in minde to sue for his owne spirituall good , with greater importunity : If hee bee so diligent to obtaine a corruptible reward , then hee ought to bee much more carefull to obtaine an incorruptible crowne , which is more precious than gold or silver ; being given unto us by Christ our Mediator , who pleadeth for us , and in whom wee also have boldnesse and accesse with confidence unto the throne of grace . The Soule-physitian must first heale himselfe , before he can cure the infirmities of other men : And his chiefe care and feare must bee , lest that by any meanes , having preached unto others , he himselfe should be a cast away : Thus should the soule bee lifted up in all our employments . But the common course of the world is to lanch forth into the deepe , not having Christ to bee their Pilot ; where they are exceedingly tossed by stormy winds , and mighty tempests , and in danger to fall into quick-sands , or at least to bee prevented by the winter of sicknesse and death , so that their voyage is with much hurt and dammage ; and sometime they make ship-wracke of faith and a good conscience . Onely the true beleever hath arrived at the faire havens of blessednesse and tranquility : Hee onely is rapt up to such an height , that hee is exempted from the harmfull violence of thunder and raine . His understanding is not over-clouded with darke ignorance : Hee is not carried about with every winde of inconstancy , But having found by comfortable experience , that it is good being upon this holy hill ; hee hath there pitched his tent , and fixed his habitation . From whence God suffereth him to looke downe , upon the Gomorrah of this rebellious people , this sinfull world : The cry of whose grievous sinnes , being very great , doth ascend up like a vapour , and will cause the Lord to showre downe his judgements .

The good man that depends upon God alone , Pro. 14.14 . and is satisfied from himselfe , having full contentment in the portion received , is to be esteemed of all men most happy . Were not the deceitfull heart like that bag with holes ( whereof the Prophet speaketh ) which can never be filled , Haggai 1.6 . this competent estate , for which Agur prayed , and for which we ought to give thankes , might bring abundant satisfaction , and cause us to seeke more devoutly for heavenly blessings . The chiefe contentment I have found in framing this small worke , may be expressed in the words of Iacob , though with plainer truth , The Lord thy God brought it to my hand : My speciall benefit which I intend , is to bind my selfe to a vigilant observation of those things , which I have thought meet and needfull to prescribe unto others : If hereby any glory doth redound unto God , I have obtained the prize for which I runne : As for any fame unto my selfe , I neither deserve nor expect it : And though it were never so well beautified by Art , and adorned with Rhetorick , I would shake it off as the dust , and tread it under foot , rather than be seduced with fond affectation of empty praise . I regard not mans day , nor will I hearken unto the voyce of man , when ( as I hope ) God himselfe hath called thereunto .

From my Study at Grundesburgh in Suffolke . WILLIAM BLOYS .
PSALME XLII .

AS the Hart panteth after the water-brooks , so panteth my soule after thee , O God .

2 My soule thirsteth for God , for the living God : When shall come and appeare before God ?

3 My teares have beene my meate , day and night , while they continually say unto me , Where is thy God ?

4 When I remember these things , I poure out my soule in me ; for I had gone with the multitude : I went with them to the house of God , with the voyce of joy and praise , with a multitude that kept holy-day .

5 Why art thou cast down , O my soule , and why art thou disquieted in me ? hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance .

6 O my God , my soule is cast downe within me ; therefore will I remember thee from the land of Iordane , and of the Hermonites from the hill Missar .

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noyse of thy water-spouts : all thy waves , and thy billowes are gone over me .

8 Yet the Lord will command his loving kindnesse in the day time : and in the night his song shall be with me , and my prayer unto the God of my life .

9 I will say unto God , My rocke , why hast thou forgotten me ? Why goe I mourning because of the oppression of the enemie ?

10 As with a sword in my bones , mine enemies reproach me , while they say daily unto me , Where is thy God ?

11 Why art thou cast downe , O my soule ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him , who is the health of my countenance , and my God .

MEDITATIONS VPON THE XLII . PSALM .

TO compare Scripture , with Scripture , it is neither safe nor convenient , all Scripture being given by inspiration of God . Betwixt the holy Scripture and the works of other men , there can bee no comparison : All other writings have either withered , and beene consumed by the worme of time , like those bookes that Salomon wrote of trees ; or have bin plucked up by the roots , through the malice of some tyrant ; Desunt nonnulla . or if still extant , many branches are falne off , diverse parts are wanting ; Desunt plu●ima . Or lastly , though entire and whole , yet are they ( as the Authors themselves ) subject to infirmity ; being like the tree of Knowledge of good and evill ; therein wee may know some good to be collected , and some evill of errour to be reformed , or ignorance to be pittied , or sin the worst of evils to be avoyded . Onely this booke ( which alone deserves that title ) though in part most ancient , doth still continue , & one word thereof shall not perish : being like that tree of Life , whereof if wee eate , we shall live for ever .

The booke of Psalms hath alwayes beene in great estimation ; being as a spirituall library of most kinds of doctrine fit for meditation ; a common treasury of all good learning ; a rich magazin furnished with spirituall armour to withstand any assault of our Adversary : The which was so frequently cited by Christ & his Disciples , who derive not fewer than threescore and foure testimonies from two and forty severall Psalmes . Herein wee may see an abridgement of the history of the Church , even from the Creation , untill those times ; and many prophecies of those things which should come to passe in succeeding ages . Here is the Law , and the judgements thereof , when hee relateth Gods dealing with the wicked , and the confusion of the ungodly : And here is the Gospel and the sweet comforts thereof , when he sheweth Gods mercy and love towards his children . So that it is most usefull , as for the Church in generall , which hath appointed a more frequent use of this than of any other portion of Scripture : So likewise for every one in particular , and that in every estate . Many of these Psalms doe resemble the life of a Christian ; for though in the former verses there is mention of sorrow and trouble , and manifold afflictions ; yet in the conclusion there is consolation , and thankesgiving . And the ayme and desire is so to doe the will of our heavenly Father upon earth , as it is done in heaven ; wherein wee may heare a voyce , like that of the Angels , saying ; Blessing and glory , and wisedome and thankesgiving , and honour and power and might , be unto our God for ever and ever . But when all is said that can bee , the heart of a good Christian will indite more than the pen of a ready Writer in the praise of these Psalmes ; who in his passage through the valley of this world doth make them a wel of comfort . Deformitas corporit turpitudine certabat in● e●● . Then may wee abhorre the censure of that evill Angel Politian ( whose heart was worse than appeared in his outward deformity ) foming out his owne shame by preferring Pindars Odes before Davids Psalms , Ferrea epithera P●ndari . drosse and iron before the purest gold .

The chiefe Author of these Psalms , was David the King ; for that is the title which is given to him alone among many Kings , Mat. 3. as being an example unto them all . Nor did those women intend him lesse honour in saying that he had slaine his tenne thousands ; 1. Sam. 18.7 . which is the just sum whereby the name of Emperour hath since beene deserved ; ●sal. 78 . 7● . Him God tooke from following the Ewes great with young , to feede Iacob his people , whom hee fed in the integrity of his heart , and brought them to greene pastures , plenty of outward blessings , and still waters , the pure worship of God and meanes of salvation ; And like a good sheapherd he was willing to lay downe his life for his people , when he speaketh , Let thine hand , 1. Chro. 21.17 O Lord God , be on me , but as for these sheepe , what have they done ? And yet this precious Diamond , though he were made the more eminent and illustrious by his predecessor Saul , who was as a foile unto him , yet was he not without his flaw and infirmity . You see him upon the roofe of his house , which prospect was another gallery for his sight to walke in , where he burned in lust after her that washed her selfe . But in his repentance hee bathed himselfe in his teares , Psal. 6.6 . wherewith he watered his couch . You see him numbring his people , making flesh his arme ; Psal. 40.12 . But after hee doth number his sinnes , and confesse his iniquities to bee more than the haires of his head : None ever fearched deeper in his foundation of sorrow , nor reared an higher building of comfort unto his own soule : So powerfull was his repentance , which maketh those things that were , as if they had never beene , that by Bathsheba her selfe , hee obtained that son which did succeed him in the Throne : So great was the love that hee received from his people , 2. Sam 21.17 . & 18.1 . & 19.41 . though unstable as water , that hee was esteemed as the light of Israel , worth many thousands of them ; And the men of Iuda and Israel strove who should have the great'st right in him . Such grace and favour did he find before the Lord , that he was esteemed a man after his own heart , most eminent for his zeale , most excellent for his praising of God . I can hardly desist from commendation of him , but I heare him speaking as the Angel to Iohn , Doe it not , for I am thy fellow-servant : So that I ascribe all glory to God , who gave such great gifts to the sons of men . His sepulchre continued after Christs time , Act. 2 . 2● . his fame and renowne shall endure unto the worlds end .

The occasion of this Psalme wee may safely beleeve to bee Absalom , who , like as Domitian sought to defraud his father the warlike Vespasian , Ce●ialis fidem tentavit , an sibi imperium traditurus foret , Tacit . of the governement , And his brother Titus the delicacie of mankind , that should succeed , So hee did endevour to obtaine the Kingdome from the valiant David his Father , and to prevent his brother Salomon the wisest of men : Using the worst meanes to fulfill his desire ; His pretence was , that there was none appointed to do justice ; A true complaint in him , that found so much mercie : And by his outward shew of humility & courtesie , like a serpent going upon the belly , he stole away the hearts of the people . O Viper , O generation of Vipers , thus to destroy the parent of your country ; whose greatest revenge for this your treacherie , would have been to have suffered you to accomplish your unlawfull desires ; Nil rex mai●s minari ma●è parentibus posset , quam ut abiret è regno . Senec. And ( as the ancient manner of Kings was , when their subjects provoked them by their evill carriage ) as the greatest punishment to have forsaken his dominion : Had their treason beene legitimated by the successe , what an happy alteration had they made ? There was none to be praised like Absalom for beauty , and Absalom to bee praised for nothing but his beauty As their first King was higher by the head than the people ; so the chiefe praise & height of this King had been his head ; the haire whereof , he was more fit to weigh , than to guide the ballance of justice . Such as was the case of David , 2 Sam. 16.11 . such is the case of every one of us : Hee complaines , My son , which came out of my bowels , seeketh my life : Mat. 15.19 . That which commeth out of us seeketh our life , and would defeate us of the kingdome we have , and of that we hope for . And as to Absalom there joyned Achitophel , whose counsell was as the Oracle of God ; so with our corruptions , there doth joyn , Satan , whose counsels for a long time were Oracles : Both of them cruell murtherers in their advice and suggestions . In these extremities David finds favour in the eyes of the Lord , and is compassionate towards his sonne ; Not like Manlius , Summum Iu● . who being over-just , caused his sonne to be executed for fighting against the enemy , Hictor deliga ad palum . Livi . lib. 8. though not without victory , yet without authority : Nor like that Senatour that gave command to have his sonne Fulvius put to death for joyning with a traytor : Quem retractum ex itinere parens necari iussit . Salust . Nor yet like Saul , who would have put Ionathan to death as being too good a sonne to live under so bad a father : But he shewing himselfe to be as naturally a father of pity , as of this unnaturall son , commanded the Captaines for his sake to deale gently with the young man . 2. Sam. 18.5 .

If wee take this Psalme to bee propheticall , it may bee referred unto the Iewes ; and that in a twofold estate : Either as they were captives at Babylon , where being reproched and oppressed by their enemies , they desire to bee restored to Ierusalem , that they may worship the Lord ; Or else being in a more cruell bondage while they serve the lusts of their owne hearts , Rom 11.10.25 . ( their darknesse and blindnesse being worse than that of Zedekiah ) it pleaseth the Lord , the fulnesse of the Gentiles being come in , to open their eyes , & mollifie their hearts , and to cause them to seeke and sue for the meanes of salvation . If thou art not satisfied in those former explications , but dost apprehend the aime and intention of the Psalme to be more generall , I will speake that to thy consolation which Nathan doth to the terrour of David , Thou art the man ; who being wearied with daily reproaches of the wicked , and heavy laden with the manifold afflictions of this life , dost desire to depart , and be with Christ , where is fulnesse of joy , and pleasures for evermore .

Here we see the carriage of the godly in time of trouble how far it doth differ from that of other men : The Lord doth not require that wee should be as the dead sea , Non est tranquillitas : Malacia est . Senec . never to be moved by any tempest , Apathia etiam ipsis Stoicis improbata . Gelli . But in all our distresses to be supported with inward comfort , expecting a joyfull deliverance ; as our Author doth in this place , in assurance that he shall yet praise the Lord his God . Whereas other men are ready to sinke and be swallowed up in any tryall . Plutarchus . Cicero , how did hee droup and wither in the time of his suffering , as if his soul● also had beene banished out of his body ; not being able to speake one word to perswade himselfe ? And Cato so often magnified by Seneca , ( whose works are fraught with the doctrine of desparation ) as if wisedome had dyed ( or rather had killed it selfe ) with him ; Iob 12.2 . with what poverty of spirit did he surrender himselfe ? Hirtius in bell . A●ex . Senec. epist. 13.24.70 . &c. & in lib. de Bon. vir . That his violent fury , and outrageous madnesse , how is it applauded as a worke of liberty and glory ? Diverso itinere malos à bonis loca taetra habere . Salust . And yet formerly upon another occasion , hee himselfe was able to speake that there was a place of horror reserved after death , for such as were evil : 〈◊〉 cum Deus istis te corporis custodiis liberaverit . &c. Macrob. And it was their owne opinion , that only they could passe into the place of blisse whom God did call thereunto . But the estate of Christians is otherwise , who are so farre from being overwhelmed by crosses and afflictions , that like trees , exercised by the stormy wind , they grow to bee better rooted and established in all graces , Psal. 92.12 . And doe flourish like the Palme-tree ; who not being surcharged with those burthens imposed upon them , Non deorsum palma cedit . &c. Gellius . at last obtaine a victorious triumph .

In our approach to the entrance of the Psalm , wherein David speakes to the Lord , wee may see the excellency and dignity of prayer , which is a soveraigne remedy for every trouble . So long as we seeke to hide and conceale our sorrow , wee carry a fire in our bosome which will burne us . The winde being pent and restrained within the bowels of the earth , what overthrowes and desolations are wrought thereby ? 1. Sam. 1.15 . But if with Hannah out of the abundance of our griefe we can powre out our soules before the Lord , spreading our misery and necessity before him , as Hezekiah did the letter of Senacherib , the Lord will fill us with comfort , and make a way for us to escape out of all our tryalls ; Si operam meduantis expectas , oportet ut vulnus detegas tuum . Boct. Then doe not thou keepe silence lest thy bones be consumed , but discover thy disease , that so thou maist bee healed .

VERSE I. As the Hart panteth after the water-brookes , so panteth my soule after thee O God .

THe Hart panteth after the water-brookes , Quibusdam anni temporibus incredibili ardore a quas expetit . Calvin . as being unable to endure heat , which to prevent it will wade into the depth : Aquas or● tenus subit . Iul. Scal. Or else there being deadly fude betweene the Hart and the Serpents , Plini . when shee hath devoured any of them shee desireth the waters to coole her ; Pierius . Festinat notos subito se ●ergere in amnes . Bargaeus . Aelian l. 13. cap. 35. Occuliturque undis praeter caput Bar. Cerva in palude delituit . Gell. Pluvio cum forte secundo , deflueret . Virgil. Novas vires colligit . Calv. Fragrantem & toto de corpore ponit odorem . Bargaeus . Or being flung by them shee hasteneth to the Rivers where shee obtaineth her medecine . Or Lastly , being chased by the Huntsmen , shee taketh soyle , using the water for a refuge , being very expert in swimming ; And that her thirst being abated , her strength may bee renewed ; And shee being cleansed by her washing may bee free from the sent , and so avoyd the danger . For these and the like causes doth the Hart desire the water : But our reason to pant after the Lord , the fountaine of life , is much greater ; which doth not only cleanse us from the outward leprosie of the body as Iordane did Naaman , healing all our diseases , but from the inward leprosie of the soule , purifying us from all our sinnes , and corruptions : Neither can wee pretend that this precious water is hidden and sealed up from us ; Veteres ad purification●m non quavis aqua contentos , sed vivam . &c. Tu●neb . For this Fountaine is open for Iudah and Ierusalem to wash in : And the water thereof is stirred not by one alone , but by many Angels ; And that not at certaine seasons onely , Iohn 5.4 . but as well out of season , as in season ; That so , not onely he that steppeth in first , but how many so ever shall step in , may be healed of whatsoever diseases they have : Wee are often called upon by the preaching of the Word , to wash and be cleane ; And the danger is great if wee neglect it ; Iohn 13. ● . For unlesse wee bee thus washed we have no part with Christ . Then let us cleanse not our feet and hands onely , ( as in ancient times they did daily being made uncleane by labour ; ) nor , as Peter addeth , our feet , Brachia & crura quotidie abluebant . Senec. our hands and head ; all which are ready instruments of unrighteousnesse , & therefore have great need to bee purged ; Isay 1.6.16 . But seeing from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foot there is no soundnesse in us , let us wash the whole man , and make us cleane ; not with the Pharisee the outside onely , but as Christ came by water and by bloud , so both the outward & inward part must bee made cleane . Nunquam difficilius obsequantes aegrotos habuêre olim medici , quam , &c. Causab●n . It was a great complaint of Physitians , that they never found their Patients more opposite and impatient , than when they did forbid them the use of baths , so great was the delight and contentment that they received therby though pernicious unto them : But here being a fountaine able to save us , & make us sound , if we will come unto it ; and yet how few there bee that will make use thereof . Are we not more strange and unwilling than ever that Leper was to obey the Prophet , that badde him wash seven times ? Like those which wallowed in the burning sand , N●●● non & tepi●●is con●ol●e 〈◊〉 corpus areui● Sammo●● . c. Ens● lat. 10. or walked naked in the sun to drye up the moysture of their bodies , we had rather bee scorched , and inflamed by the heare of our lusts , than thus to bee cleansed from all sinne and pollution . In the old Law a fountaine wherein there was plenty of water should continue clean though any uncleane thing did fall thereinto ; Levit. 1● 36. Surely this Fountaine doth not onely continue holy and pure , but will als● make our sinfull soules to b●● cleane , if they be washed therein . Then leade us O Lor● to this living fountaine , and wash us throughly from our iniquities , that wee may bee presented before thee without spot and blemish .

The resemblance which is here used is very fit , in regard of that warre and hatred betweene the Hart and the Serpent . Gen. 3. The first and greatest wound wee ever received , was by the Serpent , the poyson whereof doth still abide within us : Since which time there hath beene , and ever shall be enmity betweene us and the Serpent Satan himselfe , And the seed of the Serpent , both wicked men which are his spawne , and our sinnes and vices which come from him , and are as dangerous to the soule as the biting of Serpents was to the gainsaying Israelites , Numb. 21.6 . bringing men to that fire which never can be quenched : In this estate of our warfare , we are to pant after the Lord ; and if our heele bee bruised , as in the originall of the Gospel wee are forewarned to expect it : If that wicked one doth touch us , and wee bee hurt by the malice and subtilty of that old Serpent , we are to crie unto the Lord to deliver us from this body of death ; Rom. 7. and if wee overcome , we must give thankes unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord .

The reasons are divers , why David or any faithfull man may be compared unto the Hart : Gen. 1.30 . This creature doth continue in the use of that meate which was given unto it in the beginning , eating every greene herbe : And a Christian hath the same heavenly food and nourishment for his soule which Adam had in the estate of innocencie ; it is his meate to doe the will of his heavenly Father , and to contemplate his glorious workes . Metusone congrega● . Stat. Agmina cervi , Pulverulenta fuga glomerant . Virgil. The Harts keepe together in herds , not alone like beasts that devoure the prey , and are helpefull to one another in swimming : Maria tranant capi●a imponentes precedentium clunibu● . Plini . So there is a communion betweene those that are godly , who seeke not their owne good , but the good of others , bearing one anothers burthen ; and being spirituall , they restore such as are overtaken in any fault . The Hart hath alwayes beene the emblem of speed : So a Christian doth make haste unto the Lord , In volucri tonuis fictucia cursu Star . and desireth to runne the race , that hee may obtaine the price . The Hart , Cornibus armatur trepidandis ; quis tamen illum &c. Natal . Comes . though hee be armed , yet doth not use the same , either for to harme other creatures , or to defend himselfe : So a Christian , though he hath strength and power , yet he had rather suffer than offer an injury ; and being smitten , hee will not turne againe , unlesse it bee in obedience , as he is commanded , that by patient enduring , hee may heape coales upon his enemies head . Nunquid o●●s lupum perequitur ? The Hart is pursued and followed ; so a Christian is persecuted ; oppression is as the Genius of piety , which ever attends upon it . But our comfort is , wee know the world hated Christ before it hated us ; and he was tempted that hee might succour us in all our temptations , whereof this is none of the least . There is no beast that hath more enemies than the Hart ; Sic Cerva leonem . Ovid. & Star . Ceu tigride cerva H●rcana cum pressa tremit . Sil. Ital . Cerva cruentis circumventa lupis . Statius & Livi . l. 10. Omnium bestiarum inim●cis●imus homo Iul. Scal. in Arist. For beside the Serpents , the Lion , the Tigre , the Wolfe and Dogs , and the like seeke to destroy it , and a more cruell enemy than all these , Man : So a Christian hath many enemies that compasse him about , and rise up against him . And as the Hart is not killed like the sheepe that is led to the slaughter , but there is much sport and pleasure in the death thereof : So there is great delight and contentment to the wicked in the overthrow of those that are good . How did the heart of Herodias dance within her for joy , that Iohn was put to death ? with whose head they sported as with a Tennis-bal . How did the fire wherein the Martyrs were burned , warme the very hearts of their persecutors ? unto whom the light thereof seemed more glorious than the Sunne in the firmament . Confugi●nt ad homines . Plini . Cantu mulcatur animal stupidum . Iul. Scal. Aut p●niccae septum formidine pennae . Virgil. As the Hart seeketh reliefe from man when it is distressed , and is deluded by a pleasant sound , and readily driven into the nets and taken : so there is nothing more easie than to deceive a good man , who many times reposeth confidence in those that prove treacherous unto him , in charity believing all things , hoping all things , not having that worldly wisdome that others have . But as the best and surest refuge of the Hart , when his might is empaired , and hee beginneth to descend and bee spent , then to proffer and desire the river ; so it is thy wisedome in affliction early to seeke unto the Lord , who redeemeth thy life from destruction , Psal. 103.4.5 . and satisfieth thy mouth with good things , so that thy youth is renewed like the Eagles . In the time of our necessity there is no helpe for us , but onely in the name of the Lord . All other succour & reliefe will prove as weake and impotent as the broken reed of Egypt was to the Israelites , or the hornes of the Altar to Ioab , where wee may be taken and utterly destroyed . If we trust to riches , we provide for our selves , Luke 12.19 . as the rich man did , that bade his soule live at ease , because hee had plenteous increase of the fruits of the earth ; whereas the soule of man liveth not by bread , & therefore being famished , may that night bee taken from him . If we trust to wisdome and policy , when the houre of darknesse commeth , wee may with Ahitophel , set our house in order , but what mansion have wee provided , whereinto our soules may bee received ? In the time of our sicknesse if we seeke to the helpe of man alone , as Asa did , wee may well expect the same successe that he had . If we thinke our house to be our castle to defend us from storme and violence , know , Iob 1. that Iobs heire had as good an habitation . How soone may wee with Nebuchadnezzar be driven away & exposed to the dew of heaven ? Dan. 4.33 . Miserable comforters are they all ; for who is God , save the Lord ? Psal. 18 . 3● . but let my soule long after thee O God . Observe the benefit wee have by affliction , when the winter of persecution and trouble doth kindl● our affection , and stirre up in us a desire and appetite towards heavenly things . I● poverty was to bee liked because it shewed the fidelity & constancy of our friends , then may we esteeme this to be a great commodity , that wee have by our affliction , discovering not other mens , but which more neerely concernes us , our owne hearts . It makes us see our poore & weake estate , and to seeke for strength and a rich supply of heavenly graces . Our want doth cure our wantonnesse , and calleth us , who are troubled about many things , to seeke that one thing needfull which is yet wanting . Before wee were afflicted wee went astray like the Prodigall , and walked in our owne inventions ; But when wee come to suffer hardship , and are ready to dye for hunger , wee begin to thinke of returning to our Father . Et sua quemque advigilare sibi iussit fortuna premendo . Manil . Our calamities lying heavy upon us doe awaken us out of the sleepe of security , and are as beneficiall as the mighty tempest was unto Ionah , bringing us to true confession of our sins , to fervent prayer unto the Lord our God , who doth restore us unto the joy of his salvation . If our tryalls have this happy and comfortable effect , wee may safely conclude , It was good for us wee were afflicted , as David here , who being hunted as a Partridge in the mountain , is thereby excited with the more vehemency to seeke after the Lord .

To seeke after the Lord wee have great encouragement , who is a God nigh at hand , ready to heare and deliver us in the day of trouble , who is found of those that sought not after him , that asked not for him . Then doubtlesse will he in mercy reveale himself unto us if we cry unto him : And our extremity is Gods oportunity ; when all other helpe is vaine , then we see it to bee the Lords right hand that our soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler . Then we are bound for ever to be thankefull unto the Lord who saveth us out of all our troubles : Then we are taught to put our whole confidence in him , having tasted and seene how good the Lord is , in assurance that wee shall not want any good thing if wee seeke him . The ungodly are not so , but are like the chaffe which the winde driveth away , having no harbour of safety , being more destitute than any bruit beast ; The foxes have holes , the conyes have rockes , the Hart desires the river ; no creature but hath some place of shelter when it is distressed , whereby it is relieved : But these men though they have beene unjust with the Steward , Luke 16.4 . yet wanting his providence , have not any house whereinto they may be received ; living within the reach of Gods might , Eucherius ad Valerian . out of the protection of his love : Being outlawed from his favour and custody , they may feare with that fugitive , and vagabond Cain , Gen. 4. that every one that findeth them shall slay them . When the sound of Gods justice shall bee more terrible than the voyce of thunder , and their owne guilty conscience like lightening shall strike them with horrour and amazement , will they with that unworthy Emperour which hid himselfe under the bed , Ad maiora tonitrua & fulgura , sub lectum se condere solebat , Caligula . Sueton . seeke a covert to keepe them from the presence of the Almighty ? No , their nakednesse and shame will then appeare to God & themselves . Therefore acquaint thy selfe with the wayes of the Lord , seeke him while he may be found , let thy heart be fixed and prepared , Mat. 25.6 . that though at midnight there be a cry made , though thy danger and trouble bee both great and sodaine , thou maist with the wise virgins bee received into the favour & tuition of the most high .

Art thou oppressed and disquieted by an evill sonne , who in stead of fulfilling his name or thy hope in being the Fathers peace , proves contrary like Absalom the Fathers war , seeking to thrust thee forward unto thine end , Eucherius . and desires thy death though hee received his life from thee ? Quis non patrisuo supremum diem , ut ●nnocens sit , optat &c. Senec. Quid enim maius dare numina possunt . Iuven. Mat. 8.21 . who would willingly joyne with that disciple which in vaine asked leave to goe bury his Father , as if the greatest part of his duty consisted in his diligence about that last office ? Thereby thou art put in minde of thy former disobedience unto the Father of spirits . Surely this wounded David most when his sonne rebelled against him , the remembrance of his rebellion against the great King , with whom hee warred in the murther of Uriah . Also doth thy son greedily desire an earthly inheritance , and art thou carelesse and negligent in seeking for a crowne of life , whereof thou canst never bee deprived ? No , rather upon experience that all things are vexation of spirit , and those of thine owne house thy greatest enemies , be thou provoked with the more zeale and vehemency of affection to pant after the Lord . This observation I should willingly have passed , as Solon did to make a Law against parricides , hoping there were none such ; Mat. 10.21 . but that a wiser than Solon or Salomon himselfe , hath foretold that children shall rise against their parents .

Art thou persecuted by some cruell Nimrod , Lam 1.6 . & 4.18 & 3.52 . some mighty hunter , who chaseth thee sore , and hunteth thy steps , so that thou art become like an Hart without strength before the pursuer ? ( as the Prophet speaketh ) Then , as the Hart panteth after the river , so let thy soule pant after the Lord . The Israelites being distressed by Pharaoh , that followed them , cryed unto the Lord , and saw his salvation , the waters were a wall unto them on the right hand , and on the left , but covered their enemies , and like that river Kishon swept them all away : Iudg. 5.21 . When thou art in a great straite , call upon the Lord , who knoweth how to deliver those that are his ; and thou maist see thy desire upon thine enemies , even that which thou most desirest , their conversion . Being sore vexed by some bloudy minded man , Act. 9.1 . Iosh. 8. who doth breath out threatnings and slaughter , compare thine estate with that of Gods people pursued by the men of Ai , who being full of malice followed Israel , and perceived not that ambush which was laid against them , whereby their city was set on fire , and themselves overcome . Doth thine enemy seeke after thy life or thy good name ? Would he hurt thee with the sharpe sword of Esau , or the bitter words of Ishmael ? call upon God as Ioshuah did , who will give thee a glorious deliverance : In the meane while hee that hateth thee doth not discern how powerfull that enemy is which lyeth in waite against him , by whom his tongue is set on fire ( as Saint Iames speaketh ) in cursing , and his heart enraged by anger and envy , so that he is utterly confounded and overthrowne .

Such an enemy is not to be feared , whose ayme and power doth extend no further than to kill the body ; But there is another more dreadfull enemy that seeketh to destroy both body and soule in hell , against whom wee must implore the helpe of the Lord . He it is that goeth to & fro in the earth and walketh up and downe in it ; having the whole world for his forest , wherein hee hunteth after us : who is not satisfied with out bloud , which he hunteh after , being a murtherer from the beginning . And as hunters in ancient times were clad in white garments ; Antiqui Venatores albis vestibus inclut . Iul. Scal. so he can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light , 2. Cor. 11.14 . using any shape and disguise that he may deceive us ; dealing therein like this our Absalom , who tooke his brother Amnon in a snare that he had set for him , 2. Sam. 13.28 . and killed him . And now by chase and pursuite he hopeth to take David his father . So doth Satan set snares and ginnes that hee may bring us to destruction : And how many doth he take by presumption ? If by that meanes hee cannot prevaile , Ingentem clamore pr●n●s ad re●ta cervum . Virgil. 1. Pet. 5.8 . then as a roaring Lyon which seeketh whom hee may devoure , by terrour hee would invelope us in the pit of desperation : He himselfe being master of the game , with the helpe of his assassinates in that bloudy worke did assault our blessed Saviour , Psal 25. inscript●●● whom the Psalmist compareth to the Hart of the morning , who was rowzed early in the morning ( as hee was from his birth by Herod ) and chased all his life long : And at last , early in the morning , Luke 22.66 . Psal. 22.16 . Matutino tempore à rabiosis hominibus dilaniatus . Flamin . assoone as it was day , many dogs compassed him , and he was stricken and pierced & wounded for our transgressions ; being as the goate that was offered , Leuit 16.7 . that we might escape damnation . So that now though wee bee as an army of Harts , weake and timerous , yet having the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah to be the Captaine of our salvation , Revel. 5.5 . Heb 2.10 . from him we receive strength , courage and safety : For as the Hart royall escapeth being chased by some Prince , so our soule shall be defended when we are pursued by the Prince of this Iohn 12.31 . world , if wee pant after the Lord , and pray unto him to save us , Psal. 7.2 . lest hee teare our soules like a lyon while there is none to deliver . There is mention of one Sertorius the great Impostor amongst the Romanes , Ab ea , se quaenam aut agenda aut vitanda esset praedican . Val. Max. A. Gel. who kept a tame Hart , and used it as Mahomet did his Dove , to delude his souldiers , pretending that he was thereby admonished and directed what to doe : But surely it will bee our wisedome to bee led and guided by this Hart which panteth after the water-brookes , to pant after the Lord . And doubtlesse this is the most blessed use of the creatures , when in the sight or remembrance of them , our minds are elevated , and raised up to heavenly cogitations : And in so doing wee shall be followers of Christ , who upon all occasions , as of the water , the vine , the corne , and in all his Parables did instruct and edifie those that heard him . And thus may wee bee affected . Is there such delight and contentment to be received from the creature ? then what joy & happinesse from the Creator of all things ? Is there such pleasure in the cheerefull use of these things here below ? then how great are those pleasures at the right hand of God for evermore ? Doth the distressed Hart desire the river that shee may be relieved ? Then how blessed are they that have the God of Iacob for a refuge ? from whose love , Rom. 8. ●● . neither persecution , nor any other thing shall bee able to separate them . And seeing that enmity which is betweene us and the creatures , and betweene the creatures themselves , wee are put in minde of that great sinne of our first parents : Since which time they have cast off the yoke of subjection unto man , who had first cast off that easie yoke of obedience unto God . And in the pursuite of any of them , wee may well consider that wee our selves are pursued by the enemy of our soules , Sed maiori cum fastu : Vbi aspexit venientem ad retia cervum , Venator tacito ●audia corde premit . Bal. Cast●●o . who doth more desire to take us than wee to take the Hart in our toyles : And wee may at the same time both take and be taken , as many are , who turne their liberty into licentiousnesse . If after this manner our thoughts be lifted up in the time of refreshing , Meditabar aliquid , ut si manus vac●as plenas tamen ceras reportarem . Plini . Iun. Vt quamvis nihil ●●perim , non n●hil ●eferam . Idem . though wee get nothing wee may gaine something ; and both the outward & inward man may be renewed

Wee deny not this exercise of hunting to bee very commendable , Romanis solemne viris , opus ut●●etan ae , vitaeque & membris . Horat. venat●o Suevorum vtres alit . Cae●ar . the which was much used by many nations in ancient times , who beside that helpe of sustenance , found many other benefits thereby ; Their health was preserved , their bodies were strengthened , Hoc se labore durant ado●escentes Gorm●●● . Idem . and themselves by the hardship endured , the better fitted & enabled for more serious employment ; especially , for military discipline , Venatu extendere vitam abnuit . Silvis . Non me ulla vetabunt f●●gora . Virgil. Manet sub Iove frigido Venator Horat. Iugurtha in Salust . Olim certabant cum ●●gacibus feris , cursu , cum a●dacibus r●bore , cum cailidis ast● . Pli. ●● . in Panegyr . P●al. 32.9 . Illa i●sa 〈◊〉 delectant , n●cesse est , ●v●cent ab intentione operis dest●nati . Quinti●an . lib. ●o cap. 1. Maleficium ●o●●us quam artific . um . Io. Sarisb . when by those beasts which they hunted , they may learne from such as were swift-footed speed and agility ; from such as were daring , valour and courage ; from such as were crafty , stratagems and policy : Moreover the minde being surcharged may thereby find some release , BUT , in the use of them wee must not bee as the horse which hath no understanding : Our affections must be restrained , that our delight therein bee not either inordinate or immoderate : God created us for his owne service , we must not bee so re-created by our sports , as if we had beene framed for nothing else : Heb 11.25 . In so doing wee make them pleasures of sinne for a season , and that very short ; and it is folly in any man to place his chiefe contentment in that which he cannot constantly enjoy : Also it doth discover the unsufficiency of these sports to satisfie the heart of man , when wee shall see many being satiated with their former delights , to be ever desirous of new ; esteeming that to be tedious and irkesome which before seemed most pleasant . Great forrests and wide desarts for beasts of chase have proceeded from undigested riches and boundlesse luxury : Barbarae opulentiae , haud ulla sunt maiora indicia quam magnis nemo●bus ●altibusque n●b●lium ferarum gr●ges cla●si Quin. Curt. Camden in Oxon. And it is a strong presumption of the vaine and riotous prodigality of this Kingdom , The having more Parkes than all Christendome beside . That prophecy of the Apostle may strike terrour and examination into every one of us ; where he saith , That in the last dayes perillous times shall come , 2. Tim. 3. ● . when men shall be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God . Such as are too violent therein doe renounce that which is of more consequence , and ought chiefly to bee sought after : And those that are ravished with the pleasures of this pilgrimage , Qui best●arum cubili●●ndagat potiora deserit . Segec . Heb. 11.14.16 . Cui peregrinatio du●●●non amat ●atriam . Gen 25. ●7 . declare plainly , they doe not desire a better Countrey , that is an heavenly . Profane Esau is described to bee a cunning hunter , and was thereby occasioned to sell his birth-right ; And afterward while hee was hunting he lost the blessing also , finding no place of repentance though hee sought it carefully with teares . Quam nunc ●nc●gnita vellent lustra sibi ; nu●losque datos venatibus annos . Val. Flac. O pereant sylvae deficiantque canes . Tibul. Take heed lest while thou art wholly devoted to thy delights , our heavenly Father doth confer his blessings upon those his children which formerly sought unto him : and so thy vanities end in vexation of spirit . Then let your moderation herein bee knowne unto all men ; Phil. 4.5 . Veloces iaculo cervos , cursuquae satigat . Acer an hela●ti similis Virgil. Spend not your whole strength and best endeavours so wastfully , so unfruitfully ; Let not thy soule pant after the Hart , but as the Hart panteth after the water-brookes , so let thy soule pant after the Lord .

There are two naturall causes of panting : Wearinesse through overmuch labour ; Defatigatio ex laboris nimietate : vel propter pulmonis parvitatem . Causabon . and so we being wearied with the restlesse troubles of this life , should thereby bee excited to pant after the Lord . The other cause of panting , is when the lungs are strait and small , and not able to receive much breath : which is differing from this ; for we pant after the Lord , not when we are straitned in our owne bowels , like the Corinthians , 2. Cor. 6 12. but when our mouthes are open to cry unto him , and our hearts are enlarged to seeke after him : Then be you also enlarged , and imitate this holy man David , whom you may heare speaking of himselfe , Psal. 63.8 . & 84.2 . My soule followeth hard after thee , My soule longeth , yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord , Psal. 119.20 . My soule breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times . Thus should wee from the beginning of our lives unto the end thereof pant after the Lord , who is Alpha and Omega , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life . Gen 2.7 . That wise man among the Heathen , Dici suspirium potest . Hoc est , ani●am agere . Medici hanc med●tationem mortis vocant , facit a●quando spiritus ille q●●d saepe conatus est . Senec. ep●st . ●5 . being tormented with the disease of short breathing ( which he thought to be most painfull ) doth call it the Meditation of death , wherein the breath doth often attempt to doe that which one day must bee done . Then well may wee so often as we draw our breath bee put in mind of our latter end , when the spirit doth returne to God that gave it : And yet the greatest part of men are never sufficiently instructed to pant after the Lord , untill extreme sickenesse and the pangs of death doe teach them : whereas , it the former part of our life had beene spent in numbring our dayes , and remembring our Creator , with what assurance and comfort might wee expect our dissolution ? Worthy Calvin , D●sp●ae● . Assidu è e●p●●●o , dum me a●heli●us d●●ic●at . who laboured of this bodily disease , looked daily when his panting should have an end ; and would often say , Quousque Dominem . How long O Lord ? And some space before his death ( which was just in the same moment when the sunne did set ) his prayers were nothing else , but an expression of his souls panting after the Lord . The death of Coma was thought to be very rare , Intra pect●s inc●usa a● mafi●●m s● repe●● &c. Val. Ma● lib 9. cap. 13. who dyed by his violent retaining & holding in of his breath : But now there is nothing more frequent than this kinde of death , though not of the body yet of the soule , in those men which doe never pant after the Lord . Wee thinke it bee the signe of a dying man when his breath growes cold ; And our coldnesse in seeking after the Lord , doth discover that the soule doth languish , and is voyd of the life of grace : For if our soules were inflamed with zeale , the Kingdome of heaven should suffer violence , Mat. 11.12 . and bee taken by force .

VERSE II. My soule thirsteth for God , for the living God : When shall I come and appeare before God ?

IN that expression which David used of panting after the Lord , wee may well observe , that it was not a weake and faint desire ; but most strong and forcible . Now that wee not thinke it to bee too violent to endure , and to passe away as a sodain flame in his outward speech , rather than to burn constantly in the holy disposition of his heart , it pleaseth God to perfect his owne good work , and to give him this heavenly thirst : And nothing is more frequent than for these two , Aeris alternos angustat pulmo meatus , Resc●soque nocent suspiria dura palato . L●●an . Oraque retro sorbet anhela sitis . Statius . Panting and Thirst , to accompany each other . If we take them as perturbations of the body , that may be said of them , which is spoken of worldly sorrow , that they drye the bones and cause death : But , as in this place , being rich endowments of the soule , they bring life , and peace , and joy : By those the outward man doth perish , by these the inward man is renewed daily .

There is a thirst which beginneth when we hang upon our Mothers breasts , and continues in the strength and vigour of our lives , and doth not leave us in the time of old age , but even to the very end we hold a just proportion with this last age of the dying world , Nec sitis est extincta prius quam vita bibendo . Ovid . in desiring wine and strong drinke , that thereby our vitall heat and radicall moisture may be preserved . So that , through abuse this vice of intemperate drinking seemeth to have a speciall right in these dayes wherein wee live . The uncleane drunkard thinketh there is no other thirst but onely that with which hee is possessed ; nor any better meanes whereby to obtaine health unto himselfe , or to confer it upon others , than by profound drinking ; whereunto he addresseth himselfe as if hee were to encounter with his greatest enemy ; Persae , potum tanquam adversarium aggred●entes . Aelian . and doth more than fill himselfe with strong drinke , inflaming wines , and hot waters ; and , though improperly drinking more than these , only to kindle a desire of drinking more . Vt Anglorum corpora , in Barbarorum naturam degenerasse videntur . Camden in Elizab. I affect antiquity herein , and will not name that which I finde was never anciently named : Hereby doth hee deprive himselfe of his reasonable soule , and becomes voyd of sense , and worse than the bruite beasts , having no life left , but onely that of the plants , not being able to move and helpe himselfe : And , which I cannot mention without horrour , how many are pierced with the dart of death , as with the javelin of Phinehas in the act of wickednesse ? Iudg. 4.21 . whose end is like unto that of Sisera , after he had drunke , at the same time to bee smitten in the head and deprived of life . And whereas the death of a good man is called a sleepe , the death of the drunkard is contrary , whose senses being bound in the time of his life , that hee could not use them , by death hee is awakened ; Then doth hee see his estate to be miserable by the paines of losse and sense : where againe hee thirsteth and cannot obtaine one drop of water to coole his tongue . But why doe I speake to him who is not capable to heare ; whose case is most fearfull ? For , whereas other sinners may bee convinced by reason , he by the wilfull losse of understanding hath made himselfe a foole , and is in danger of hell fire . The contentious man thirsteth after the waters of Meribah ; and the cruell man ( for they must bee joyned ) thirsteth after bloud , M. Anten . vino gravis sitiebat tamen sanguinem . Senec. Cyri caput in Val. Max. wherein is the life : Nothing can satisfie him but the fall of his enemy . But the bloudy minded man shall not live out halfe his dayes : for though the divine vengeance should not overtake him , as for the most part it doth , with rancor and malice hee consumes himselfe and drinkes his owne bloud : whose estate is worse than a Serpents , for hee beareth about him such a poyson as doth destroy his owne life . The covetous man is thirsty as the horse-leach , Pro. 30 15. crying , Give , Give . The adulterer refusing to drinke waters out of his owne cisterne desireth to drink stolne waters , & 9.17 . which hee thinketh to bee sweet . And the adulteresse thirsteth for that bitter water which causeth the thigh to rot ( a common judgement of these times . Num 12.18.21 . ) The swearer is so thirsty , that he cannot speake without an oath in his mouth ; whose cursing shall come like water into his bowels , Psal. 109.18 . and like oyle into his bones . In a word , every sinner thirsteth for the water of Marah , which will be as gall in the belly , and bitternesse in the later end . Of all which I may speake as Samuel of the sons of Iesse , The Lord hath not chosen these to obtaine a crowne of life . But this holy thirst of the soule for God , for the living God : And whom should the soule thirst after , but God alone ? For with thee is the Fountaine of life ; Psal. 36.8.9 . thou dost make me drinke of the river of thy pleasures : & 23.5 . My cup runneth over , & 63.5 . My soule shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse : & 65.9 . Our gracious God doth visit the earth , & 104.11 . and watereth the ridges thereof abundantly , and giveth drinke to every beast of the field . Doth God take care for oxen ? 1. Cor. 9 9. then much more for man , 1. Tim. 5.23 . to whom hee giveth liberty to use a little wine , which makes glad the heart ; But most of all for the soule of man , and therefore he calleth , Ho , Isai. 55.1 . every one that thirsteth come yee to the waters ; and , Iohn 4.14 . whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him ( that is , & 6.35 . hee that beleeveth ) shall never thirst , but out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters . & 7. 38. & 4.14 . The water that I shall give him , shall bee as a Well of water springing up unto life everlasting . Then spring up O well , sing yee unto it ; Num. 21.17 . and let thy soule thirst after him , Iohn 19.28 . who in his passion said , I thirst ; who thirsted after us & our salvation ; who drank off the dregs of the cup of his Fathers wrath , that we might drinke the cup of blessing . By the cluster of grapes that the spyes brought they might judge of the fruitfulnesse of the land : And by the first fruits that the Lord giveth us in this life , wee may in part discerne what the whole vintage will be hereafter . Even by tasting wee see how good the Lord is ; Psal. 34.8 . who doth sustaine us in this our pilgrimage , & 107.5 . when we are hungry and thirsty , and our soule faint within us , if wee cry unto him hee will relieve us . And as the Lacedaemonians doe never satisfie their children with food , Ita liberos alunt , ut nunquam satientur . Heraclides . that thereby they may learne to endure hardship : So those blessings which God giveth , if rightly used , doe make us the more to thirst after him . And to speake as the Church doth , stay me with flagons : Cant. 2.5 . knowing that the best wine is reserved untill afterward , Iohn 2.10 . and the greatest comforts untill that better life .

For this kingdome wherein wee live , wee may speake as the Lord doth of Canaan , Deut. 11.10 . that it is not like the land of Egypt , which thou wateredst with thy foot , as a garden of herbs : But a good land , a land of brookes of water , of fountaines and depths , that spring out of valleyes and hils : wee have enjoyed the waters of life and the plenteous means of salvation . True it is , there was a time , when the three yeares of Elijah his drought were doubled upon us ; and therein the burning heate of persecution : But as Isaac repaired those wells of Gen. 26.18 . water that had been stopped by the Philistims , which Abraham his father had formerly digged ; so our Deborah ( of ever-blessed memory ) hath opened those fountaines which her father had digged : Isai. 12.3 . since which time with joy may wee draw water out of the wells of salvation . Then let us take of the water of life freely : Revel. 22.17 . Milites religione pluviâ magis usi : ●am rati sese d●ts immortalib curae esse . Salust . And as that army which would not drinke , but only of the raine , comming as they thought from the divine providence to relieve them : So let our soules be enlarged in seeking of spiritual blessings ; & thirst after the Lord , ●sal. 143.6 . as a thirsty land which opens it selfe to receive the hevenly showers . Eucherius . We may reade how thankful great Kings have beene unto those that in their thirst did refresh them , Caesar . in Senec . de ben . Xerxes in AElian . Artaxerxes in cod . and give them water : Then how should we praise the Lord for giving us his Sonne Christ Iesus , the fountaine of all grace and comfort , who came downe like raine upon the mowne grasse . Psal. 7● . 6 . And though it be the commendation of David ( that mercifull King ) that he would not drinke the bloud of those three mighty men that went in jeopardy of their lives , 2. Sam. 23.16 . and brought water unto him , when hee longed for it ; yet will it be our condemnation , if wee doe not drinke the bloud of our Saviour , which not by the hazzard , but by the losse of his life hee hath given unto us : And surely wee have great encouragement to thirst after the Lord ; For it is a blessed thing to thirst after righteousnesse ; Mat. 5.6 . and we have a promise that wee shall bee filled . And as by outward thirst some are recovered from diseases of the body , Miraberis quosdam fame ac siti curari . Senec. so by this heavenly thirst wee are cured of all maladies and troubles , both of soule and body . Wherefore , as new-borne babes let us desire the sincere milke of the word , that wee may grow thereby . It will bee as strong drinke unto us when wee are ready to perish ; Prov. 31.6 . and as wine when our hearts are heavy . But most of us are so farre from this happy thirst , that we are ready rather with those stifnecked Israelites to murmur against the Lord : Our stomacks are so full , that wee loath the honey comb , the word of life ; which should be sweeter unto us than the honey and the honey comb . Like those that have the jaundies , Mel omnibus dulce , ●etericis tamen , &c Alex. Aphrodys . that which is most pleasant seemeth bitter and offensive unto us : And as the sheepe , O●e aper●o , vento , rec●p●entes f●●m suam se 〈◊〉 . Val. M●● whose thirst is quenched by the winde , we are better satisfied with vanities , and more contented with our inventions , than with the water of life . How justly , in regard of our contempt , may the Lord remove those blessings from us , & turn our water-springs into dry ground , Psal. 107 . ●4 and this fruitfull land into barrennesse for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein . ●ai . 65.13 . When his servants shall drinke , but ye shall bee thirsty ; and as the old Historian speakes of a people that perished for want of water ; Psylli interciderunt : Auster eis omnia receptacula aquarum arfecerat . Herodot . so this nation may bee consumed for want of this living water which now wee so lightly esteeme ; at which time , Nocturnum ●●c●pere ro●em coge●tutur . Caesar . bel . Civil . like those that have beene constrained to receive the dew of the night , we may earnestly desire the least drop of heavenly comfort and not obtaine it . Pandunt orasiti , nocturnum que a●●a captant . Lucan .

If wee duely consider , wee will approve the wisedome of David , in this choise which hee made , to thirst after the living God : Whose mercyes never faile , but they are renewed every day : with whom is no variablenesse nor shadow of change : whereas all things else are subject to alteration . There is no life in them unlesse it proceed from the Lord : If wee repose confidence in any worldly benefit , wee may as soone be destitute as Hagar was , Gen. 21.15 . when her bottle was empty ; there had beene a worse casting out than the former , unlesse the Lord had opened her eyes to see the wall of water . Doe wee receive sustentation and comfort by any outward gift ? As the brooke Cherith dryed up , 1. King . 17.7 . because there had bin no raine in the land , so wee shall presently be at our wits end , if the Lord withdraw his mercies from us : Yea thoug● wee have abundance of these things here below , though our well bee deepe like Iacobs , & our river doth overflow the bankes like Iordane ; how soone can the Lord stay the course thereof ? Psal. 74 15. Hee dryeth up mighty rivers . So that in our greatest necessity wee may bee to seeke ; when our goods , which we thought to be our chiefest good , shall deale by us as those brookes did by the troups of Tema , Iob. 6.17 . what time they waxe warme , they vanish , when it is hot , they are consumed out of their place : But let us grant their request , which is the desire of the most , & the most they do desire , that they may possesse great plenty of all things during their life : yet even therein do they deceive their owne soules . Their greedy desires being more boundlesse than the sea , which hath it's limits , how farre it shall passe : whereas they are never satisfied untill death robs them of all . And that which is added unto them , Cum plen● aquâ sint sitiunt semper . Alex. Aphrod . is but as so much drink ●o him that hath the dropsie , to increase his thirst . The more wood is heaped on , the fire is the greater ; and their covetous appetite increaseth with their meanes : Also , though for the present their thirst doth seeme to be allayed , yet will it be like the use of snow-water , coole and pleasing at the instant , Tabemque & morbos , sensim v●●cenbus ●●semina●● A. Cell . but ingendring manifold diseases . Their wealth which seemed most delightfull , will prove a cause of sorrow and anguish unto them : When they are in perplexity their estate may be like his , Pomp●ius cum tot ●●umina possideret mendicavit stillicidia . Sence . who had the royalty of many rivers , and yet was driven to beg a few drops of water : So they notwithstanding all their treasures will bee compelled to sue for inward consolation , and yet finde the doore shut against them . Offer unto that man which is thirsty , the best provision of meate , and hee will reject it as unprofitable unto him : onely give him drinke , and his spirit will come againe as Sampsons did , Iudg. 15.19 . and he shall be revived . And therefore well might Saul have a cruse of water together with the speare at 1. Sam. 26.21 . his bolster , shewing that the one was as needfull to sustaine life as the other to defend it . In the greatest exigent , when our strength is dryed up like a pot-sheard , Psal. 22.15 . & 32.4 . and our moisture is turned into the drought of summer , who can relieve us but God alone ? what can refresh us but onely this water of life ? Then let my tongue cleave to the roofe of my mouth rather than I should thirst after any thing , but the God of my salvation .

How intolerable a torment thirst is , there is none but have had sufficient experience : Our Saviour chose to expresse the paines of hell by the torture which the tongue hath in extremity of a burning ague . And here the sick man commeth to be cured , Flagrat incensum siti cor . Senec. in Thyest . whose disease is like a fire in his bones , whose bowels are burnt like an hearth , whose heart is melted like waxe : Then doth he implore the helpe of man ; Vbi definit medicus incipit theologus . Psal. 146.3 . Quae sitaeque nocent ar●es cessêre magistri . Virgil. Cadunt medentes morbus auxilium trabit . Senec. for to proceed otherwise is a methode unknowne to the world , and thought to be ominous . But there is no helpe in the sonne of man ; his breath goeth forth , and he returneth to his earth . Unto whom it may in vaine be said , Physitian heale thy selfe : As not being able to obtaine deliverance from that anguish which himselfe endureth . At last some better helpe is required , at which time , that saying of the Apostle is true , If in this life onely I have hope , I am of all men most miserable . Unlesse thy soule can finde ease by thirsting for God , thy fever is come to torment thee before the time . There 's no other remedy but only the sure mercies of David , even in death it selfe to thirst for the living God ; who giveth unto all men the life wee now have , who giveth unto King David , and to us as Kings , 1. King . 1.31 . that life which is for ever .

In this my proceeding , I finde the poore man desiring drinke to quench his thirst , I cannot passe by one in so great misery , but with the good Samaritan I must make provision for him . Luk. 10.34 . Dost thou live in penury and sorrow ? Know that Christ himselfe did drinke of the brooke in the way ; Psal. 110.7 . that is , suffered manifold afflictions in this life . Art thou denyed reliefe for thy body ? There is no new thing happened unto thee : Did not a woman refuse to give water unto Christ , Iohn . 4. being wearied with his journey ? And before that Nabal rejected David ; Shall I take my water and give unto men whom I know not whence they be ? 1. Sam. 25.11 . And therefore well might Dives ( that Nabal in the Gospel ) be denied a drop of water , seeing hee denyed to succour those in want . But though the hearts of men be hardened , 2. Sam. 24.14 . Isai. 41.17 . & 55.1 . the mercyes of the Lord are great ; who calleth him to the waters that hath no money ; who giveth liberally , Iam. 1 5. and upbraideth not ( as man often doth : ) who calleth not many mighty & noble , but hee sendeth the springs into the vallies , Psal. 104.10 hee causeth the precious dew of heavenly comforts to rest upon those that are lowest and meanest in this world . And if the deniall of ordinary water hath beene esteemed so great an indignity , Virgil. petiit a Nolanis aquam ; nomen urbis ex carmine suo derasit . A Gell. then how should we esteeme of Gods bounty towards us , Ic circo nimirum hoc dicta es nomine Nola ; Nolu●ris magnis quod placuisse viris . Sanuazar . in giving the waters of life without money , and without price ? O that we were as sensible of the drought of the soule as we are of the body ; then should our soules thirst for God , for the living God , who hath promised not to forsake the poore & needy : When they seeke water , and there is none , & their tongue faile for thirst , Isai. 41.17 . I the Lord will heare them .

And if it be so great a benefit to shew the fountaine unto those that bee thirsty , Benefic●●m ●st , arentibus si● , son●em ●sten le●e . Senec. Then returne , returne , why will yee dye O yee house of Israel ? All those that have forsaken God and his true Church , wherein is the fountaine of living waters , and have hewed out cisternes , Ier. 2.13 . broken cisterns that can hold no water ; Come againe , and yee shall be satisfied with the breasts of consolation : 1. Sam 30.11.12 . and as that Egyptian by eating of bread and drinking of water found his spirit to come againe to him ; so you by the use of the Word and Sacraments , shall finde the holy Spirit to come into you . Come now and let us reason together : Shall the soule of holy David thirst for the living God ? and shall thy soule thirst for many gods ? for dead gods ? for idols that are no Gods , but the works of mens hands ? Shall he thirst for God , who doth satisfie us with all good things ? and wilt thou desire that thirst whereby thou canst never be satisfied ? Abstemious men , without question ! For when God hath commanded to keepe a feast , they will keepe a fast : When God hath given unto all the cup of blessing , yet they will refuse it ( as counting themselves unworthy of so great salvation . ) What can they merit by this their abstinence ? even to drink of that cup in the hand of the Lord , Psal. 75.8 . which he powreth out for them . If they shall plead that the use of the cup is freely given to some of them ; yet then there must bee a miracle in the change ( which among the Heathens themselves was thought to bee prodigious : Insusum paterae Xerxis vinum , in sanguinem conversum est . Val. Max. ) But were not that woman drunken with bloud , Revel. 17 6. shee could not think that to be bloud which shee drinks . 2. King 3. ●3 . But now both shee and her followers by thinking that to bee bloud which is not , as the Moabites did , they run upon their own destruction .

Now if any shall object , that David might well thirst after God who had dealt so bountifully with him : who looked upon his poore estate and exalted him when hee was of low degree , unto the highest dignity : who gave him victory over all his enemies , and made a way for him to escape out of the greatest dangers : So that it had beene unthankefulnesse in him to have done otherwise . As for themselves , they desire first to compose their outward affairs , & settle their estates , that they may not appeare to be worse than Infidels : and then afterward to devote the remainder of their lives to the service of God . Whereunto let mee answer : That thy petition is the same with Balaams , Let me dye the death of the righteous . Thou art therefore unexcusable O man , who in thy Testament dost in the first place commit thy soule to God , and then dispose of thy estate : But in the former part of thy life , by a confusion without any good order , thy chiefe care hath beene about thy worldly possessions ; and now in thine end , it is not the love of God , but the love of thy selfe that constraineth thee to take care of thy soule . Whereas , such as have alwayes used a cloke of covetousnesse ( a garment well knowne to Iudas , but never worne by S. Paul ) how can they ever expect to put on the Lord Iesus , 1. Thes. 2.5 . or to be clad with the rich robes of his righteousnesse ? No , that thine unsatiable greedinesse will in the end bee as deadly & uncomfortable unto thee , as the Babylonish garment was unto Achan . Iosh 7 11. And such as addict themselves to voluptuousnesse , rejoycing in their youth , Eccles. 11 9. walking in the wayes of their owne heart , and in the sight of their eies ; but intending to rejoyce in the Lord , & that their soules shall thirst for the living God , in the time of age and trouble , when they can find no rellish in vaine delights : At last when God doth bring them to judgement , can they expect to heare that comfortable saying , Well done thou good and faithfull servant , enter into thy Masters joy ? No , Luke 16.25 . they may feare to bee told , that in their life time they received their good things , but now there remaines no comfort for them . Also such as are ambitious to make themselves a name , laying a sure ground-worke , as they thinke , of honours and titles here upon earth ; intending with those foolish builders , which had begun that they could not finish , that the top of their tower should reach up to heaven , hoping at last to obtaine a crowne of glory : But that their Babel will prove their confusion ; Gen. 11. for they invert the order of Christ , who hath commanded us in the first place to seeke the Kingdome of heaven : And as in the creation , Gen. 1.1 . heaven is named before earth , so our best endeavours should be to obtaine that estate of happines , not casting our anchor of hope upon earth , Heb. 6.19 . but into heaven ; as David here did , whose soule thirsted for the living God ; who did not then begin to serve God , when he had received many outward blessings from him . Such an objection came from Satan , Iob 1. Doth Iob feare God for nought ? For , who ever feared God for nought ? wee being lesse than the least of all his mercies : De antiqu●s illustrissimus quisque pastor erat . Varr● But in his first estate , in that most ancient kinde of life , made famous by so many worthyes , as Abel , Iacob , Moses , and the like ; hee put his whole confidence in the Lord who delivered him out of the paw of the Lion , 1 Sam. 17.37 . and out of the the paw of the Beare , which he remembred with thankesgiving . & 16.16 . And having that leasure which shepheards have , Pastor otios●s . Otium voluptatis , ac lasciviae pater In Scal. he did not abuse it to wantonnesse and folly , as they were wont for the most part to doe , but being a cunning player on the Harp , and a divine Poet , Videtur autem modulat●o in pastro●●b . inventa pr●mum . Id. ( that art of poetry having its beginning from shepheards , as the song of Moses doth testifie ) who formerly had led the flocke of Iethro , Exod. 3.1 . who at that time led the people like a flocke ; Hee composed most heavenly and melodious pastorals in praise of his Creator . After that being lifted up by the right of the Almighty ( who loveth a cheerefull giver ) and not by his owne pride , whereof hee was unjustly taxed by Eliab ; who foresaw that the elder must serve the younger , he kept in tune still , and did more excell the best of his nobles in gratitude and zeale than in regall dignity : And here in his distresse ( a time of sufficient triall ) you see with what patience hee endured the cursing of Shimei , and what confidence hee placed in God . Hee doth not aske the life of his enemies , you know the charge hee gave to the contrary , and how hee was blamed for too much love of them . 2. Sam. 1● . 6 . Hee doth not aske long life , that hee might bee restored unto his Kingdome , and many yeares added unto his reigne ; But having a wise and understanding heart , hee seeketh for God himselfe , his soule thirsted for the living God ; hee knew if his prayer were acceptable , God would give him more than hee asked , as hee did afterward to Salomon : 1. King . 3. ●3 . And if God gave himself , he would give all things also . Wherefore let us bee followers of him , as hee was of God : Phillip. 3.8 . And with S. Paul , suffer the losse of all , that wee may winne Christ . It will be our best advantage and greatest gaine , by any outward losse , or imminent danger to be excited to seeke for heavenly blessings and spirituall graces .

VERSE II. When shall I come and appeare before God ?

IT was Davids resolution , One thing have I desired of the Lord , that will I seeke after , Psal. 27.4 . that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life . Here you see the performance thereof : He doth not grieve for the losse of any outward benefit , nor so much as mention his former estate ; but onely desireth to appeare before God , whereby he hoped to obtaine that for which his soule thirsted . It is true , that God seeth us in all places ; Whither can I goe from thy face O Lord , or whither can I flee from thy presence ? But his favour and loving countenance is chiefly revealed in the assembly of the Saints . Cant. 6.2 . My beloved is gone downe into his garden , to the beds of spices : God is present in the congregation , where the prayers & praises of his children are offered up as sweet odours before him . In it selfe the presence of God may seeme a cause of horrour and feare to us sinners , who are as stubble be . him a consuming fire . Wee know that the Israelites were afraid to come nigh Moses , Exod. 34.30 . unto whom the Lord had appeared . Naturally we are ready to hide our selves from the presence of the Lord God : ●en. 3.8 . But in Christ we have confidence and free accesse ; and having found him a loving Father , we for ever pray Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us : Psal. 4 : which wee desire above any good , above all the good in the world . The father in the parable said , Luk. 15.31 . Sonne thou art ever with mee , and all that I have is thine : So we by presenting our selves before the Lord , come to be made partakers of all his blessings : Thereby wee are gathered under his wings of providence and mercy : Mat. 13.48 . Thereby wee are within the compasse of the net ; and shall be taken with the good : Thereby wee have communion with God , and his Angels , and one with another . Then let us come and appeare before God . The children of this world are wise in their generation : If they have hope of benefite , or advancement from any superior , how diligent will they be in their attendance ? O●arem ut o●●endas me 〈◊〉 esse homin●● non ing●atum . Po●●● an . N●● indignus , qu●m tu al●q●●ndo respic●● . How desirous to bee ever in view ? How politicke in that which they give , chusing some Present of use and remembrance ? Happy were we , if wee were thus provident for our soules : Then would we set our selves before the Sunne of Righteousnesse , the light whereof would be sweet and pleasant unto our eyes . Our darke understandings should be illuminated , and we made glorious within : But if wee neglect such precious means of salvation , our danger is greater than that of Queene Esther ; Esther . 4. shee feared to perish by a temporall death because shee went unto the King , not being called . We may feare to perish both body & soule , unlesse wee doe come unto the great King , who hath so often called us , who hath held out the golden scepter of his word unto us . Absalom having lived two yeares in Ierusalem , and not seene the King , shewed the dutifull affection of a good sonne in this particular , 2. Sam. 14.32 . that hee had rather bee put to death ( if there were any iniquity in him ) than to bee any longer deprived of the sight of his father : By which example wee may learne to value this royall priviledge that wee have in appearing before God , And to count it more deare unto us than life it selfe : And yet most men do not value this singular prerogative that God hath given them ; even the whole world abideth in this sinne . There was a day , Iob. 1. when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord ; but the sonnes of men care not for the seaventh day , nor any other day wherein to present themselves before him : Some there are that be worse than the three guests invited to the marriage : Luk 14.18 . for they pretended that they could not come ; these absolutely deny , and say , they will not come : and before that they will come they will pay the earnest peny here , and reserve the greatest payment untill the last . For , with what comfort can they expect to appeare before God in that great day ; who never cared to appear before him in their life ? yea , rather than they would then appeare they wil call to the hils to cover them . There be others , that are so encumbred with the affaires of this life , that they little thinke of appearing before God ; untill that hee doth punish them for that neglect . As the Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ by instruction ; Gal. 3.24 . so the judgements due by the Law for our sinnes , have beene as our Schoolemaster to bring us unto Christ by correction . When wee have beene as wanton children addicted unto play , and omitting that which wee ought most seriously to intend , the Lord hath dealt with us as hee did by Lot and his wife ( being mercifull unto them ; Gen. 19.16 . ) while they lingred , and were backward in departing from Sodom , God sent his Angels which layd hold on them and brought them forth : While wee have beene unwilling to forsake our sinnes , and ascend up into the holy mountaine , God hath sent his Angels with their swords drawne ; some great plague which hath cut off many thousands in the way , that could not then come and appeare before God ; and hath scourged others into the Temple which before were carelesse in that duty ; & though formerly wee would not say with Samuel , Speake Lord for thy servant heareth ; then wee have beene enforced to say , Heare Lord for thy servant speaketh ; Being poore wee have spoken supplications , wee have humbled our soules in fasting and mourning , and the Lord in wrath hath remembred his wonted mercies .

Some there bee that come abruptly without due preparation , as if they were brought thither unawares , by some grea● & strong wind ; 1. King . 19 ● but the Lord was not in that winde : They looke for the same immediate and miraculous assistance of Gods spirit which the Apostles had , who tooke no thought what to speake , Mat. 10.19 . for it was given them in the same houre . So they take no thought what they heare , nor how they heare , thinking it shall bee given them in the same houre . Their customary performance in the first entrance I cannot relate without indignation : how rude and insufficient it is , doth appeare unto all men . Will God regard that prayer , which thou thy selfe dost so little regard ? Whereas thy Soliloquie then , though performed with the best reverence , should be but as the Amen to thy private devotions that went before : judge in your selves , is it comely so to doe ? Holy David , who so earnestly desired to appeare before God , when hee had that liberty granted unto him , did hee rashly and unadvisedly thrust himselfe into Gods presence ? Hee whose musicke was so coelestiall , did he not first bring his instruments into tune , and then praise the Lord upon them ? Psal. 26 6. Hee first washed his hands in innocency , & then did compasse thine Altar O Lord .

There bee many that doe lend their bodily presence , but doe not give their soules unto God : Some that have not entred into Iobs covenant with their eies , and they gaze after vanity : others that minde earthly things , and they rob God of his honour , making the house of prayer a denne of theeves : Mat. 21.13 . And ●hough Christ when he came as Man , did correct those money-changers with the rods of men , onely making a scourge of small coards to drive them out of the Temple ; Iohn 2.15 . yet at his second comming hee will whip them with scorpions , even with that wo●me of conscience which never dyeth : How shall any sinner presume to appeare before the Lord , before whom all things are naked and manifest , unlesse he resolve to abandon all wickednesse ? Hee seeth thee , as if thou wert then acting thine hainous sinnes : And if the Lord did threaten to punish a secret sin before all Israel & before the sun , 2. Sam. 12.12 . then how terrible wil he be in taking vengeance upon those daring presumptuous sinners , who make that most holy place a stage of wickednes , & a cage of all uncleannes ? Therefore let us renounce all sinne , and with Cornelius present our selves before God , to heare all things commanded of God : Let me not seeme uncharitable , I would be sorry to offend the least of those little ones ; There bee some that desire frequently to come and appeare before God , which is a good gift , and commeth downe from the Father of lights : But then you must take heed lest that tares grow up in lieu of the good seed : If any shall think the worke done , that is , being present in the Congregation to be a worke meritorious , it proceeds from that old leaven of popery , and must bee purged out . So often as God suffereth thee to appeare , hee giveth another talent , which being well used will further thine accompt , but otherwise increaseth thy condemnation : Thinke that which thou hearest to bee of the nature of a prophecy , which is never fulfilled but by thy practice . Be not like he blinded horse that goeth ●lwayes in the same compasse . 2. Tim. 3 7. It is good to bee ever learning , but it is most dangerous to bee never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ; and if not to the knowledge , then much lesse to the practice of it : Though custome in sinning takes away the sense of sinne , yet let not our ill doing of good have the same bad effect : Cursed will hee be that doth the worke of the Lord negligently ; and a surfet by the abuse of Gods blessings must needs bee mortall . The continuall sound of the Word hath beene like the Catadupes of Nilus , to make us deafe , And the frequent us● of it hath rebated the edge of our affection ; so that wee doe not hearken unto the Lord , though the Lord hath beene pleased to hearken unto us : As yet the Lord hath been slow to anger , and plenteous in mercy , Mal. 3.16 . not rewarding us according to our iniquities ; Psal. 103. For a long time we have enjoyed this freedome to come and appeare before God : The Word hath continued as long as man liveth ; the years of the Gospel have beene threescore yeares and tenne , and if those yeares be made up fourescore , wee must wonder at the Lords mercy . Now is the acceptable time and the day of salvation : So long as wee have this blessing to approach into his presence , there is hope of pardon and reconciliation ; Esther 7 8. & 6.13 . but if once our faces bee covered ( as Hamans was ) that we may not appeare before the King of Kings , wee may feare that prediction of Zeresh will be fulfilled in us , Ne amplius faciem regis videret : ut sicbat apud Persas ris qui à gratiâ regis exciderant . Iun. Wee shall not prevaile , but shall surely fall into woe and misery . It is true that God sometimes denieth this liberty unto his beloved children ( as here unto David ) that they cannot joyne with the assembly ; but then they are uncessant in their prayers to be restored and enlarged , and their hearts are the more inflamed with the love of God , and they learne more highly to prize those blessings which before were offered unto them ; As the Church refused to open unto Christ when hee knocked , Cant 5.6 . but after he had withdrawne himselfe shee sought him with all diligence . And thus God prepares a table for us in the wildernes , and relieves us in our greatest necessity : Wee may see what assurance David had in saying , When shall I come ? hee doth not say , I shall never come , but beleeveth there will bee a time of comfort , Psal. 27.4 . when hee shall inquire in the Temple . Nor is it without cause that hee so much desireth to appeare before God , having ever found his eare open unto his prayer : As for Saul , the Lord was angry with him , and would not answer him , neither by dreames , 1. Sam. 28.5 . & 23 , 2 , 4 , 11 , 12 , & 30.8 . nor by Urim , nor by Prophets ; but when soever David inquired of the Lord , he received a gracious answer ; which made him say , How amiable are thy tabernacles ? Blessed are they that dwell in thy house , Psal. 84. for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand ; and hee was glad when they said unto him , & 122.1 . Let us goe into the house of the Lord : yea in his greatest agony after hee had laine all night upon the earth , and his head both was and seemed to be as a fountaine of teares , even then , in the beginning of comfort he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped before hee would eate any bread : 2. Sam. 12.20 . And now when he fled from his sonne , he thought it the best testimony of Gods love that he might come and appeare before him ; 2. Sam. 15.25 . If I finde favour in the eyes of the Lord , hee will bring me againe , and shew mee both the Arke and his habitation . And although he were prohibited from building of the materiall Temple , yet had hee dedicated his body , being the Temple of the holy Spirit , 1. Cor. 6.19 . unto the service of God : And hee erected a Church in his house , wherein all the vessels were holy , Rom. 16.5 . for none that wrought deceit might dwell therein ; Psal. 101.7 . and there also God was honoured . And lastly hee set up a Basilica ( a building well beseeming such a King ) when hee , and all the house of Israel did bring the Arke into Zion , which was an assurance of Gods presence among the people : Wherefore let the same minde bee in you Philip. 2.5 . which was in David and in Christ himselfe , Psal. 16.8 . who foresaw the Lord alwaies before his face . Act. 2.25 . Let thy closet bee as an Oratory , and therein doe thou appeare before thy Father , who seeth in secret , and will reward thee openly . Mat. 6.6 . Let thine house bee like a Church , wherein thou and thine daily and duely in the day may serve the Lord ; and not like those Chappels in great buildings which are roomes of greatest necessity , but of least use .

VERSE III. My teares have beene my meat day and night , while they continually say unto mee , Where is thy God ?

BEfore he thirsted for the living God ; and now he saith , That his teares were his meat : So that untill such time as his soule shall bee filled with heavenly comfort , he doth continue mourning . My teares have beene my meate : Whereby wee may understand the greatnesse of his sorrow , which held him from taking his bodily sustenance : My heart is smitten , so that I forget to eate my bread . Psal 102.4 . And wee know that in the time of griefe , the Elders of his house could not perswade him to eate meate with them ; 2. Sam. 12.17 . Haec itaque sibi recordata est , Postquam satigata ●uerat lacrymaudo . Sc. Niobe . Homer : Il. 24. whereas the chiefe mourner in outward sorrow desired meate : Or else , his teares were his meat , that is , hee received the same strength and comfort by his teares , that others did by eating . He was fed with the bread of teares , Psal. 80.5 . & had teares given him to drinke in great measure : And he had teares for his meate , they were his whole repast , so that no part of his food was wanting in them ; and that not onely in the day , when others use to eate , Psal. 102.9 . and when hee himselfe did mingle his drinke with weeping , but his teares were his meat both day and night . As Christ said to his Disciples , I have meate to eate that yee know not of ; Iohn 4.32 so may every good Christian say , I have meate to eate that the world know not of : He findeth great comfort by the teares hee sheds , which are the best evidence of Gods favour and love unto him . For as it appeared that Elijah his sacrifice was accepted by the fire that fell , 1. King . 18.38 . so it is evident that our sacrifice is accepted by this water that falleth downe .

Man is borne unto trouble , as the sparks fly upward : The crying of the child after birth , is but the beginning of sorrowes : Naturally wee are inclined to remorse in our selves , Mollissima corda , humano generi . &c. Iuvenal . and compassion towards others . And there bee many that have not power to retaine their teares ; Excidunt etiam retinentibus lacrymae . Senec. Act. 22.28 . but as the chiefe Captaine said , that hee was not free borne , but with a great summe hee obtained his freedome : So wee by our birth , are not able to shed such teares as David did , but with many prayers wee obtaine this freedome , that wee can mourne before the Lord . It is a signe of life in the childe if it cryes ; and it is a blessed testimony , that wee are borne againe , and have the life of grace in us , when we cry unto the Lord , and doe humble our selves in weeping and lamentation . Teares doe accompany any vehement commotion , Lacrymae omnis fere gravioris commotionis com tes Causab●● . and perturbation of minde : True it is , that any vaine and unworthy occasion doth produce teares sooner than godly sorrow , which alone deserves them : If wee knew rightly how to bestow them , Nulli parcendum est rei magis quam huic cuius tam frequens usus est . Sen. wee would not lavish them so fondly as wee doe . In our selves wee are as withered branches , having no sap nor moisture , but from the root Christ Iesus : The manifold troubles and miseries of this life doe make us to be obdurate ; Quantum est Helena quod lacrymat malum . Sen. in Tro. and our hearts thereby come to bee harder than stones , which give against the weather . As Moses did smite the rocke twice , Num. 20.11 . Lam. 2.18 . Terque quaterque manu p●ctus percussit honestum . V●rgil . and the water came out abundantly ; so wee must often strike our hearts , that teares may runne downe like a river day and night : And wee must pray unto God , who turneth the flint into a fountaine of waters , Psal. 114.8 . to take out our hearts of stone , and to give us hearts of flesh . He it is that raiseth the springs from the depth of the earth , Psal. 104.10 . and causeth them to run among the hils ; that worketh in us a broken heart , and maketh the eye to runne downe with rivers of water : Lam. 3.48 . Wherefore as Achsah having received a South-land of Caleb her father , Iosh. 15.19 . did sue unto him to give her also springs of water , and hee gave her the upper springs , and the neather springs ; so wee should pray unto our father , to give us the upper , and the neather springs ; even an heart bleeding for our sins , Lam. 3.49 . and an eye trickling downe with teares of repentance : yea wee should resolve not to give rest unto our eies , nor slumber unto our eye-lids , untill that we have mourned for our transgressions : And although those Iewes were accursed of God and themselves , being bound neither to eate nor drinke till they had killed Paul ; Act. 23. v. 12. yet we shall bee blessed , yea thrice blessed shall wee bee , if wee bind our selves neither to eate nor drinke , untill wee have fervently sued for this meate , which was Davids diet , most comfortable to the soule : And as Adam in the sweat of his face was to eate his bread , so wee by our importunate and effectuall prayer , should seeke for this food of our soules , which may bee compared unto Manna , that came downe from heaven , Exod. 16.14 . and it is God that giveth this unto us ; that came with the dew of the night , and this we receive with those teares which wee shed ; that ceased when they came to Canaan , Iosh. 5.12 . and this shall cease when we come to the heavenly Canaan , Revel. 21.4 . for then shall all teares bee wiped from our eyes . Lastly , as there was a golden pot of Manna kept in remembrance thereof ; so there is a bottle of our teares , Psal. 56.8 . which God keepeth in remembrance thereof : And that of it selfe may be the most powerfull argument to make us distill some teares , because they are not as water spilt on the ground which cannot be gathered up againe , but God hath provided a flagon to put them in . Also wee may consider the necessity of them , Nec non etiam precor lympham . Quoniam sine aqua omnis arida ac misera agricultura . Varro . that as the labour of the husbandman is vaine and fruitlesse , without a plentifull raine to water the ridges thereof abundantly ; so other actions will be of small purport , without these heavenly showers to refresh us when wee are weary : Gen. 43.30 . Wherefore , as Ioseph sought where to weepe , and he entred into his Chamber and wept there ; so let us seeke some retired place , Ier. 13.17 . Nemo sibi tristis est . Sen. that our soules may weepe in secret , as Ieremiah did : Worldly sorrow desireth to be manifest , and appeare unto men ; but this godly sorrow is hidden from the eyes of men ; Siquis adest iussae prosi●unt lacrymae Martial . none but our heavenly father seeth it . And these our teares must not bee like the morning cloud , or the early dew ; Hos. 13.3 . but as the former and the latter raine : they must begin in our first conversion , and they must continue so long as wee continue , ever running down plenteously like Aarons oyntment , Psal 133. which went down from his head to the skirts of his garments ; so wee should wish our head to bee a fountaine of teares , Ier. 9.1 . Cur non ocul●s plures ●●bis na●●● 〈◊〉 . Sen. in T●●b . Cum●us fier . didedert●n ●●um du●taxat diem . Senec. and that wee had many eies , that we might sufficiently bewaile our iniquities : And that not onely for a day ( which was the time set apart for sorrow ) but untill our eyes doe faile with teares , weeping untill wee have no more power to weepe . Lam. 2.11 . 1. Sam. 30.4 . It is said of David , that hee lift up his voyce and wept : So wee , when wee weepe must lift up our voice and our hearts also , unto the Lord in prayer ; that so the teares which wee powre out , may be as a drink-offering , acceptable before him . And though by reason of our teares wee bee not able to speake unto the Lord , yet as Perseus wrought compassion in the people by his teares which stopped the passage of his speech ; Sed aliquo●ies dic●re incipientem cum lacrvmae praepea●●●ent . Liv● . so will the Lord have pitty upon us , when through the greatnesse of our sorrow wee are not able to speake unto him : Vocisque repens singulens apertum inercepit iter . ● at . yea , then wee cry unto him with best successe , when wee seeme to bee over-whelmed with our sighs and teares , that we cannot distinctly utter our complaints before him : Then also the spirit helpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what wee should pray for , Rom 8.26 . as wee ought , but the spirit it selfe maketh intercession for us , with groanings which cannot be expressed . Omnia Iugentium officia solerter finxit , sed lacrvmae procedere nolucrunt Apul. Lacryma● non sponte cadentes eff●dit , gem●tasque expressque pecto●e laeto . Lucan . Other gestures of sorrow may bee acted , but teares are not so easily forced ; and though they sometime bee drawne out to make some appearance of outward griefe , yet in godly sorrow , wee know , they bee alwayes sincere and just ; wherein they doe as much excell the other , as orien pearle doe common glasse : But let us thinke them to bee serious & without guile ; yet how superfluous are they for the most part , as one spake of a sorry Comaedian , Rhodophili comaedia , adeo infulsa est , ut misericordiam potius quam risum excitet . I●l . Scal. Quanto risu pro●equenda sunt quae nobis lacrimas educunt . Sen. Quae causa ind●gna serenos faedavit vul●●s . Virgil. that hee did stirre up compassion rather than mirth : So we may affirme the contrary , That the teares of many deserve thus to bee reproved rather than to be pittied : And unto others that are more passionate and dolorous , yet not squaring their sorrow according to the rule of the Word , wee may speake as Paul did , What meane you to weepe and to breake mine heart ? Acts 22.13 . as having a fellow-feeling of their weaknesse , who for want of comfort and courage , are weighed downe under the burthen of any calamity . Wee should not bee ignorant of the devices of that wicked one , who seeketh to deale by us , as Cyrus did by those whom he besieged ; Herodot . li. 1. hee divided the great river into diverse currents , by the which hee passed over and subdued Babylon : So our Enemy hopeth for victory by turning that streame of our teares , which ought to bee for our sinnes , into new passages . If wee have any losse , wee lament with unfained teares : In the death of children wee refuse to bee comforted because they are not : In the departure of our friends , wee mourne as those that have no hope : yea though wee part but for a time wee strive who should exceed in weeping : whereas it would be our wisedome to keepe this river of teares within the proper bounds , that it may not exceed the limits ( as Iordan doth in time of harvest ) and thereby hinder us from reaping our b●st benefit . Canst thou mourne at some dolefull story ? yea it may be at some slanderous and malicious fiction , Invida cur in me stimulasti musa Maronem ? Auson . Q●od commentus est in odium Cartha ganiensium . Fo● . Scal. as that of Dido killing her selfe ? And canst thou not mourne for thy sinnes both desperate and presumptuous , whereby thou hast laboured to destroy thine owne soule ? Quod puduislet ipsum histrionis incommodis & affection bu●●isericordem videri , &c. AE ●an . As that cruell King arose , and went from a Tragoedy confounded with shame and sorrow , that hee should seeme to be touched with remorse at the false semblance of an Actor , and yet be without any commiseration towards his owne subjects : So wee may abhorre our selves that wee can dissolve into teares upon some frivolous occasion , and yet bee without any contrition when it is most needfull . Christ saith , Mat 20.15 . Is thine eye evill because I am good ? What eye so evill and so full of malice , as that which is an enemy to the soule ? Wilt not thou mourn because God is gracious in giving his blessings ? in forgiving thy sinnes ? Rather let the bounty and long sufferance of God lead thee to repentance . Strangulat inclusus d● lor atque ●or , aestuat●ntus Ovid . Doe wee finde such inlargement and quiet by those common teares wee let fall , when we are surcharged and ready to breake for want of vent ? Fletus aerumnas levat , Sen. then how great consolation may wee find by our godly sorrow , when wee are as good grapes troden in the wine-presse , and doe yeeld that precious liquor whereby the heart is cheered ? Est quaedam delendi volup●●s prae ertimsi in amici sinu defleas . Plin. Iun. Magis exurunt quos secretae lacerant curae . Sen in Agam. Doe we receive solace and release in the sympathy of a friend , unto whom wee powre out our complaint , who pittieth us , & mingleth his teares with ours ? then how shall wee value these which wee shed in the presence of the Almighty , Psal. 39.12 . who is not silent at our teares but speakes comfortably unto our soules ? Who is not like our friend that bids us bee warmed and filled , not being able to give us those things we want ; But he doth warme our hearts with his blessings , and fill our soules with comfort ; He hath delivered my soule from death , Psal. 116.8 . & 30.5 . mine eyes from teares , and my feete from falling . Weeping may endure for a night , Vt levis quaedam & moderata hum●ctatio terrae affundatur . Kecker . and bee like unto the dew , whereby a gentle moisture is spread upon the earth , but joy commeth in the morning : In the beginning of that great day , when the Sun of righteousnesse doth arise , Mala. 4. Isai. 25.8 . he will wipe away teares from off all faces . In the meane while during this disconsolate estate , wee receive light and comfort by that day-starre arising in our hearts , 2. Pet. 1.19 . the glad tidings of the Gospel : So that as sorrowfull wee alwayes rejoyce . 2. Cor. 6.10 . It is most just that teares should bee our meate , when as the eyes did at first offend in desiring to eate the forbidden fruite , Gen. 3.6 . which seemed pleasant unto them , and to be desired for food : where we must observe the Lords gracious dealing with us , who hath taken out the sting out of our sorrow , & turned that into a blessing , which might justly have bin a curse and a punishment : For as meate came out of the eater , so we receive comfort by our sorrow , which might have beene as a lyon to devoure us ; And as Paul provided for the excommunicate person , 2. Cor. 2.7 . that hee should not be swallowed up with overmuch heavinesse ; So the Lord in mercy receiveth us that deserve to be cast out of his presence , and giveth us this savoury meate , better than all the delicious fare in the world ; for the which our soules doe blesse him both in life and death : As it was a testimony of Iosephs love unto Benjamin , Gen. 43.34 . that his meale was five times as much as any of his brethren ; so it is a most sure pledge of God his love when hee giveth us a large portion of this heavenly meate . It was a great honour unto Mephibosheth to eate continually at King Davids table , 2. Sam. 9.13 . but it is much more honourable unto us , to eate the same spirituall meat , and to drinke the same spirituall drink which David did . Then let us covet this heavenly gift ; and as the Disciples said , Lord evermore give us this bread ; so let us say , Iohn . 6. Lord evermore give us this meate , that wee may live for ever . Non in sacris tantum , sed etiam in penore tangendo observavêre veteres . Turneb . Mar. 7.3 , 4. It was the tradition of the Elders to wash diligently before they did eate , And Christ blamed the Pharisees for their superstition therein , who made cleane the outside , but within were full of wickednesse . But this meat doth cleanse that which is within , and the outside is cleane also . Hereby we our selves are cleansed , and all things are cleane unto us : We have right unto the creatures to sustaine our bodies ; and this meate is a preparative unto that spirituall meat : By the teares which we shed in our examination , wee become in some measure worthy receivers of that food of our soules .

I may produce some examples of those that have mourned , that we being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses , may likewise breake into a shower of teares . And first , behold how our blessed Saviour loved Lazarus , Iohn 11.35 . weeping for him being dead : And hast thou no love to thine own soule ? Canst thou not weepe for thy selfe , being dead in sin ? Did hee weepe , Luk. 19 41. foreseeing the destruction of Ierusalem ? And canst not thou mourne to foresee , yea to behold before thine eyes , the miserable estate of Gods people ? Doth not the bloud of the Saints , and servants of God that is shed move thee to shed some teares ? Shall Mary Magdalen weepe enough to make a bath for Christs feet ? And wilt not thou weepe that thine owne soule may bee washed and cleansed ? Did Peter weepe bitterly ? And dost thou delude thy selfe as Agag did , 1. Sam 15.32 . thinking the bitternesse of death to bee past without the bitternesse of sorrow ? And what shall I more say ? For the time would faile me to tell of Iob , Iob 16.20 . Act. 20.19 . 2. Cor. 2.4 . whose eye powred forth teares unto God ; of Paul , who wept with many teares ; of Ieremiah his Lamentation , and of the rest of the Prophets : Onely looke upon David , who , were it not for the disparagement , Sic parvis , &c. may be compared to Heraclitus , Et ipse inter deplorandos erat Senec. ever weeping : But the one was to be pittied for weakenesse , the other to bee imitated for holinesse . His eyes were consumed because of griefe ; Psal. 6.7 . & 32.10 . His life was spent with griefe ; Hee mourned because of the oppression of the enemy , & 43.2 . & 88 ● . & 55 ● . and by reason of his affliction ; & 119.136 . & 38 6. & 6.6 . Hee mourned in his complaint , and rivers of waters ranne down his eyes because they kept not thy Law ; Hee went mourning all the day long , and all the night hee made his bed to swimme ; His teares were his meate both day and night : Let this move us to weepe with him that wept so much ; Rom. 12.15 . knowing , Psal. 6.8 . that God heareth the voice of our weeping . Thereby we cast aside every weight both of sinne and sorrow ; And our eies being throughly washed by the teares of repentance , wee come to see those things which the eare hath not heard , nor is the tongue able to utter : Psal. 126.5 . And at last after this wet seed time , we reape in joy . Now let us behold the doubtfull estate of those whose hearts are hard as the Adamant , being yet in the bond of iniquity ; who thinke that this expression of sorrow doth arise out of an effeminate tendernesse . But wee may say of laughter , it is mad ; Eccles. 2.2 . The mirth and jollity of the wicked , being like the laughter of a mad man , for the which all his friends doe grieve . Such being in subjection to the Prince of the ayre , Neque solum linguam nutusque servitu●e constringeret , sed etiam oculis à naturâ tributam libertatem eriperet . Aelian . hee dealeth with them , as that tyrant did , who having interdicted private conference , and discontented gestures , and hearing of some that wept & mourned , he sought to forbid that also , lest thereby some conspiracy might begin against him . So Satan fearing lest that by the teares of contrition they should cast off his heavy yoke , and not suffer sinne to reigne in their mortall bodies , his chiefe practice is to keepe them from godly sorrow : And therefore hee dealeth with them as the Fox doth by the Goose , which he taketh by the necke and so hindreth from crying out ; Hee stoppeth our complaint , and prevents our crying unto the Lord ; Like a thiefe he climbeth up and entreth in at the windowes of this our earthly house , and robbeth us of all grace and comfort . Hee keepeth the eies for his owne passage , making them instruments of wickednesse , and brethren in cruelty : Whereas if they were like the poole of Heshbon , full of this holy water , hee should not be admitted thereby . Heb. 12.17 . If Esau found no place of repentance though hee sought it carefully with teares , what can wee thinke of those that come short of him , who ( as wee may feare ) came short of heaven ? Where it is said , that in place of torment , Mat. 8.12 . Sum Nilus , sumque Aetna simul . Sanaz . There shall be weeping ; the punishment is most just for them that never mourned in the time of their life . The light of the body is the eye ; Luke 1● . 34 . The light of the soule are the teares in the eye : And as One , Gallum Terrinium , captum repentè oc●●is & ob ad media mori destinantem . Sueton. who had lost the sight of his eyes did resolve to famish his body ; so they that want these teares doe seeke to overthrow the good estate of their soules , not having this heavenly nourishment which David had , Whose teares were his meat day and night .

VERSE III. While they continually say unto mee , Where is thy God ?

AS the friends of Iob , that came to mourne with him , did sit downe by him , and none spake a word , for they saw that his griefe was very great ; Iob 2.13 . So likewise if we that passe by the way will enter into the house of mourning , and consider and behold the greatnesse of Davids sorrow , wee shall bee dumbe with silence , and our sorrow also will bee stirred : And yet these his enemies having no regard doe persecute him whom the Lord had smitten ; as if the corection of the Almighty were too mercifull , they are inraged with bitter malice against him . It was not one , or some few , but many of them that spake thus unto him : Nor did the storme sodainly blow over , but they persevered in this their fury ; And having singled him out , they give him no time to recover strength , but make him to be the only mark at whom they shoote their arrowes , Psal. 64.3 . even bitter words . And this they did not in the time of prosperity , but in his greatest necessity , & 71.11 . when ( as they thought ) God had forsaken him , and there was none to deliver him ; 2. Sam. 16 9. then these dead dogs cursed the King : They doe not upbraid him with any outward losse , for they knew how lightly hee esteemed all earthly things ; but having travailed with iniquity , Psal. 7 . 1● and conceived mischiefe , they bring forth falshood , and say , Where is thy God ? As all the city cryed out , when the Arke of God was taken , And the wife of Phinehas about the time of her death named the child Ichabod , ● . S●m. 4. verse 1● . 2● . that is , Where is the glory ? which was then departed from Israel : So these his enemies , thinking to make his sorrow to be deadly and desperate , doe say unto him , Where is thy God ? in whom thou hast heretofore gloried , as if thou hadst some peculiar right and interest in him : Numb. 16.3 . whereas all the congregation are holy , every one of them ; and the Lord is among them : He hath bin and ever will bee a God of mercy unto us ; And because the cry of that innocent bloud , which thou hast shed , is come up before him , Hee will arise and shew himselfe a God of vengeance in punishing thy sinnes : So that thou art taken to thy mischiefe , thou bloudy man , and thou man of Belial ; Iob. 4.8 . & 8 . 2● . Having plowed iniquity , and sowne wickednesse , thou must reape the same ; for God will not helpe the evill doers : Yea rather than thy sinnes shall goe unpunished , thine owne sonne shall lift up himselfe against thee . Thus did hee beare in his bosome the reproach of all the mighty people : Before this , Psal. 89.50 . he was checked for the pride and naughtinesse of his heart , and that by a brother , which should rather have beene a comfort unto him : Hee was scornefully used , and counted as a servant that had broke away from his Master , where he formerly deserved kindnesse . Hee was cursed with a grievous curse by Shimei , who threw stones at him that in disgrace was called The Stone , as if all his credit came by hitting Goliah ; and cast dust at him , thereby telling him , that God had raised him out of the dust , but now hee had provoked the Lord . Hee whose tongue was his glory , who made so many divine hymnes in praise of God , yet was hee a proverb to the wicked , and the song of the drunkards . Psal. 69.11 , 12. And what could bee more grievous unto him , than to bee reproached for that faith and confidence which hee reposed in the Almighty ? as if his former profession were nothing but hypocrisie : Also the measure of his griefe was the fuller , because hee saw that this their calumny , and words of hatred , did reflect upon God himselfe , as if hee should forsake those that put their trust in him : And therefore hee mourned because they violently ranne upon their owne destruction , Psal. 1●9 . 13● in sinning against the lawes of God . And such is our condition , that when God hath gathered us under his wings , whosoever doth seek to hurt us , they strike at God himselfe ; and in our persecution hee also is persecuted . Neither did they wound him with their tongues onely , which they thought to bee their owne , Psal. 140.3 . having adders poyson under their lips , whereby being stung , he lifted up his eies unto the Lord ; But also by their disdainfull carriage they vexed his righteous soule from day to day ; Psal. 109.26 . Isai. 59 9. A tergo qu●m nulla ciconia ●●●it . Persius . Vel co● mo●● vel digiti in ●●a●iorie . C●●●bon . It being usuall to shake the head and to put forth the finger in disgrace . Looke how it was in the dayes of David , so it is now , and so it will be unto the comming of the Son of man : If a good man bee in affliction and sicknesse ( God chastising every sonne whom hee receiveth ) some there bee that will say , Psal. 3.2 . There is no helpe for him in God ; thinking that bodily diseases are alwayes a signe of Gods wrath : If hee fall into any offence , through infirmity , ( for who is hee that sinneth not ? ) they , 1. Cor. 13. being uncharitable , will rejoyce in his iniquity . As when David wept and made sack-cloth his garment , it was to his reproach ; Psal. ●9 . 10 . so the least spot upon the garment of those that mourn before the Lord , shall bee made to appeare for their disgrace : Yea , though they walke wisely and circumspectly , yet there bee some that perversly will make that which is straight , to be crooked . When David , in an holy zeale and heavenly joy , did dance before the Lord , yet even for that , Michal , the wife in his bosome did despise him in heart . Many that bee now in the same bosome of the Church , and hope hereafter to bee in the same bosome of Abraham , will speake contemptuously of those that desire to have a good conscience in all things , Heb. 12. ●8 . and are willing to live honestly . With the tongue blesse wee God , even the Father , Iam. 3.9 . and therewith curse we men , which are made after the similitude of God : So those men will speake to the praise of God , that they may bee reputed the children of the most High ; and yet will vilifie such as they in scorne , and the Scripture in honour call Brethren , who labour to repaire that image which was defaced by the fall of Adam , and doe give unto the Lord that which is the Lords : But envy hath ever beene like unto fire , which ascendeth unto that which is highest . David , Invidiam tanquam ignem summa pet●re Livi. whom God exalted to bee head of the people , had many enemies ; And the men of this world , doe hate those whom God hath chosen out of the world ; unto whom hee will give a crowne of life : Yet their owne consciences doe tell them , that they are more righteous than themselves . Wherefore those servants that shall thus smite their fellow-servants ( for many Mat. 24.49 . stripes are more tolerable than evill words ) their Lord shall come in a day when they looke not for him , Q●i mortem ac ver●era tole●●biliora c●● a● quam 〈◊〉 ●●●●osa verba . Sence , and appoint them their portion with the hypocrites . As for our selves , 〈◊〉 2.20 . if we suffer for doing well , and take it patiently , it is acceptable with God : And hereunto were wee called , because Christ also suffered for us ; who when hee was reviled , reviled not againe : Let us consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners , Heb. 12 3. lest wee be wearied , and faint in our minds . Yee know how the whole band of Souldiers mocked him , saying , Haile King of the Iewes ; And they that passed by reviled him , saying , If thou be the Sonne of God , come downe from the crosse : Yea the chiefe Priests like whited walls , contrary to the law , spake evill of the Ruler of the people , of the Lords Christ , of that high Priest that offered up himselfe for us : Hee trusted in the Lord , let him deliver him if hee will have him : And the theeves themselves , to make the cause of their suffering to bee more just , thought they could not spend their last breath better than by casting the same in his teeth . All which reproaches were but as so many variations of that which was here spoken to David , Where is thy God ? True it is , that our blessed Saviour did seeme to bee forsaken of God for a time , that wee might for ever enjoy the presence of the Almighty . If we love him , both He , and the Father will come unto us , Mat. 28 20. Iohn 14. and make their abode with us , even the Spirit of truth , whom the world cannot receive , because it seeth him not , neither knoweth him : But yee know him , for hee dwelleth with you and shall bee in you . How then can wicked men object , Where is thy God ? seeing he is graciously present with us at all times , and neerest unto us in any trouble ; as hee hath promised to bee with us in fire and water , In gravescente rerum adversarum mole●ta frangitur piorum animus , ut etiam ipsi dicant sibi , &c. Flami● . and the greatest danger : Yet we our selves in the time of affliction , through weakenesse & want of faith , may thinke that wee are cast out of his sight , not clearely discerning his love towards us : But as Iacob , when he awaked out of his sleepe , said , Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not ; Gen. 28.16 . so when the Lord doth raise us from our deadnesse and heavinesse of spirit , we then find that hee was present with us in our disconsolate estate , disposing all things for our future good : And therefore wee may answer them as David doth , Psal. 115.3.4 . Our God is in the heavens , he hath done whatsoever hee pleased ; Their idols are silver and gold , the worke of mens hands . Such are the idols of all those that serve Mammon , who keepe their gold and silver safe , as being their onely gods that must defend them : Gen. 31.34 . But as Laban sought for his gods and could not finde them , so they may hope for comfort , and not finde it : And then we may say unto them , Where are thy gods ? Wee know that no man can see God and live ; The people said unto Moses , Exod. 23.20 . & 20.19 . Let not God speake with us lest wee dye : Gideon and Manoah feared death , having seene an Angell : And the souldiers themselves , Mat. 28. became as dead men when the Angel of the Lord descended . And yet such is the perverse corruption of mans nature , that they neglect the worship of God the Creator of all things , and doe bow downe to such Gods as they see with their eyes : The Israelites having formerly seene the Egyptians worship Apis ( which is the same with Osyris ) in the likenesse of an oxe , Sandys . they forgat God their Saviour , and began with a calfe , saying , These bee thy gods , Num. 32.4 . O Israel ; which in a short time would have multiplied into many gods . The love and reverence which little children beare to their babies , are evident seeds of Idolatry : Moulin . in buckler . Imagines & statuae deorum n●hil aliud sunt quam grandes pup●e . and the Images of the gods are nothing else , but babies come to the full growth : Such as have blotted out that second commandement may justly feare that God will take away their part out of the book of life .

If in the time of affliction , when God punisheth us for our offences , it be a great addition to our misery , the harsh censures and malignant speeches of wicked men ; Then it is our best wisedome so to walke with God , that hee may be unto us a sunne , and a shield , bringing all good , and defending from all evill ; And as Enoch pleasing God , Heb. 11.5 . was translated that hee should not see death ; which is the wages of sinne ; So if wee bee in all things obedient unto Gods Word , hee will take us into his favour , and wee shall bee delivered from unreasonable men , Rom. 3.13 . whose throate is an open sepulchre : Wherefore as the lamp went not out , in the Temple , before the Lord called Samuel ; 1. Sam. 3.3 . so the light both of good workes and also of joy , should ever ascend , untill God call us unto himselfe : That others beholding the same may bee ashamed that they have falsly accused our good conversation ; and may be stirred up to glorifie God . 1. Pet. 3.13 . For who is he that will harme you , if yee bee followers of that which is good ? Also our owne guilt doth set an edge upon the reproaches of wicked men , and make them to bee like a sword in our bones ; Whereas if wee were innocent , wee should like the daughter of Eli , neither answer , nor yet regard what is spoken unto us : Bitter invectives being contemned doe vanish away , but by anger wee confesse them to be true : S●reta exoleseunt ; si irascar agnita vid●ntu● . Tacit. Wherefore that wee may bee compassed about with that brazen wall of a good conscience , and secured from the censures of uncharitable men ; as Mithridate is made of the viper , so let us make that to bee our Antidote , which is here spoken by those that had sharpened their tongue like a serpent ; Psal. 140 3 judging our selves , that wee may not be condemned by them . In the time of prosperity let this bee ever sounding in thine eares , Where is thy God ? And thou shalt bee kept from wrath and misery , when they do wound thine heart , while they continually say unto thee , Where is thy God ? Had Eve thought upon these words , they would have bin an ornament of grace unto her head , and chaines about her necke : Shee would not have beleeved the father of lyes before the God of truth ; but for want thereof shee miscarri●d , by eating that forbidden fruite , for which her soule longed . Had David thought upon these words , being on the roofe of his house , hee would have said , as hee did at another time , The heavens declare the glory of God , and the firmament sheweth his handy-worke : Then would he not have defiled himselfe with her that was purified from her uncleannesse ; Neither should these his enemies have said unto him , Where is thy God ? And although this affliction be grievous for the present , yet wee receive many benefits thereby ; which may bee sufficient to deterre an evill speaker from that outrage . Thereby wee are put in minde to examine our selves , and to humble our soules for our former sinnes . We know they could not speak thus without Gods permission ; Wee hope that the Lord will requite good for their cursing ; We mourn before him , wee duely consider his dealing with us , and fervently pray to be set at liberty : as David when they spake thus unto him , he had teares for his meate , hee remembred these things and hee powred out his soule in him .

VERSE IIII. When I remember these things , I powre out my soule in me .

FOrmerly hee powred out his teares , and now hee powreth out his soule : For as the body without the spirit is dead ; so our teares without the soule are dead also . Wee know that young Ptolomy being in Cesars custody he wept before him ; Regius animus disciplinis failacis●imi● cruditus . Hirt. But when hee was dismissed hee warred against him : So there be too many , that while they be under the rod of correction doe lament greatly , feeling present anguish , and fearing future torment : But being set at liberty , they return to their pollutions : which sheweth plainly , that though they shed many teares , they did not with holy David powre out their soules : Hee remembred the reproach of the wicked ; for how could hee forget that which was so often objected against him ? and this made his soule melt for heavinesse , Psal. 119.28 . Iob 30.16 . and be powred out upon him ( as Iob speaketh : ) Hee remembred his happy estate , which compared with the misery now suffered , did augment his sorrow , Lam. 2.19 . and made him powre out his heart like water before the face of the Lord ( as Ieremiah doth counsell : ) And hee hoped to bee restored unto his former joy , and to finde comfort by prayer ; and therefore hee powred out his soule before the Lord ( as Hannah practised . 1. Sam. 1.15 . ) And hee was inlarged by trusting in Gods mercies : Hee received a twofold benefit by considering the dayes of old , the yeares of ancient times : The one was to sustaine him in his trouble , Psal. 77.5.10 . by remembring the yeares of the right hand of the most High , who had dealt bountifully with him : Heb. 11.21 : And as Iacob worshipped leaning upon the top of his staffe ; So he in this weak estate did repose himselfe upon the grace and favour of the Almighty . The other was to mak●●●●e sinnes to be as detestable unto him as they were abominable before God , by calling to minde how gracious the Lord had beene towards him , how unworthily hee had requited the Lords goodnesse , and how great blessings hee had lost by the sinnes hee committed : For I had gone with the multitude , even with all the house of Israel , being of one heart , and of one minde : But now I am constrained to flee with my houshold , with strangers and exiles : I went with them to the house of God ; But now I goe from the house of God : Nor dare I suffer Zadok , who should be a Seer , to carry the Arke , which ought to abide in the city , with mee in this my private condition , lest that anger of the Lord which smote Uzzah , bee kindled against mee also : I went with the voice of joy and praise , playing upon all maner of instruments , with shouting , and with the sound of the trumpet ; blessing the people in the name of the Lord : But now we weepe and have our heads covered : I went with a multitude that kept holy-day : unto whom I gave bread , flesh and wine ; Yea I danced before the Lord , and offered burnt offerings & peace offerings : But now I may feare that I am appointed as a sheepe for the slaughter , and that the Lord will have no delight in me . In this disconsolate estate hee flyes unto God by prayer : And as he powred out his complaint before the Lord when hee was pursued by Saul , Psal. 142.2 . and was delivered ; so now hee powred out his soule , and thereby became more im●r●g●●ble , than hee should ●ave beene by abiding in the strong hold of Zion . Having found such safety therein , he commends the use thereof unto others : Trust in him at all times yee people ; P●●l . ●1 . 8 . Powre out your heart before him ; God is a refuge for us . In the time of trouble wee must renounce all strength and worthinesse of our owne , and then God will have mercy upon us : Wee must empty our selves , that so wee may be filled with heavenly comfort . How glorious things are spoken of Prayer in the holy Scripture ? Moses would not let God alone untill hee had quenched that wrath which waxed hot against the Israelites : Exod. 3● . 10 . Iacob would not ●et Him goe , Gen 32 28. untill hee had obtained a blessing , and was ●●●refore called Isra●l . It is ●●ported of Archimedes , ●hat hee vainely presumed by ●is art , hee could move the whole earth if he might have beene lifted up from it : But wee know assuredly , that righteous Elijah being cast downe upon the earth , 1. King . 18 . 4● did move the heavens themselves : Iam. 5 7. hee prayed earnestly that it might not raine : Hee prayed againe , and the heaven gave raine . So that prayer may bee compared to the ladder which Iacob saw in his dreame ; Gen. 28.12 . It was set upon the earth , and the top of it reached to heaven ; and behold the Angels ascending and descending on it . By prayer , men ( made a little lower than the Angels ) doe ascend , and the Angels doe descend for our protection , to pitch their tents about us : As Ionathan climbed up the sharpe rocke and subdued his enemies ; 1. Sam. 14.13 . So by prayer wee overcome principalities , and powers , and spirituall wickednesse in high places . But then wee must take heed to observe the manner here prescribed , which is , to powre out the soule , to confesse all our sinnes , to purge out the old leaven : Wee cannot thinke to possesse our vessels in holinesse , 1. Thes. 4.4 . if wee suffer any dregs of uncleannesse to remaine in them . And as the sent & tast of the first liquor will continue a long time in a vessell after it be emptied ; Quo semel est imbuta ●●cens servab ●odorem Testa diu . So though wee have sincerely repented of all our sinnes , yet that originall corruption remaining will make us cry unto the Lord to deliver us from this body of death : But such as are indulgent to themselves may feare that their presumptuous sinnes will get the victory over them : Wherefore as it is more commodious in the first making and digging of a garden , to have it once well weeded ( when the bad roots may bee taken out ) than many times afterward ; So if thou wouldest bee like that paradise wherein God walked , like that garden into which Christ delighted to come , Cant. 5.1 . & 6.2 . then search every corner of thine heart , in the time of humiliation , that there may not be any roote bringing forth gall and wormewood : Deut. 29.18 . Wee know that the least childe remaining in the house , doth hinder in giving state ; And how can God take possession of thy body to be his Temple , when there is any sinne reigning therein ? If wee sinne we have an Advocate with the Father : And as that client is like to speed ill in the triall , who giveth advantage to his adversary , in concealing the worst of his case from the Councell ; So hee shall bee confounded in the day of judgement , that hath sought to hide his sinne . For Satan , thine accuser , will discover that which thou didst hope should have beene for ever buried : Then learne of Him that thus humbled himselfe , to acknowledge all thy transgressions . Hee is a foole in worldly affaires , that powreth out all at once : But it is heavenly wisedome , in confession of sinne , Pro. 29.11 . to powre out all at once , and not to keepe it in untill afterward : David saith , I powre out my soule in mee . His prayer was sincere before God , and it was inward and hidden from the world : There was a time when hee cryed unto the Lord , Psal , 22.1.2 . Why art thou so farre from the words of my roaring ? But now the greatnesse of his sorrow for his grievous sinnes , and the calamities waiting upon them , made him stand amazed , as not being able to speak . And doubtlesse there is great benefit in the use both of secret and open prayer : As Paul became all things to all men that hee might winne some ; so wee may use every kinde that wee may receive a gracious answer : Sometime to cry aloud , lifting up both heart and voyce , to shew our fervency and importunity ; and it shall bee opened unto us that knocke . Sometime to shew our reverence by a still voyce , that God may therein reveale himselfe unto us . Sometime praying with the spirit and with understanding , speaking in the heart onely , not daring to use our tongues to call upon his name , seeing wee have dishonoured him thereby : H●miles preces in excelsa por●●gite . Boet. And those our humble prayers will ascend into heaven . Though wee shut both the doore of our closet , and the doore of our lips , when wee pray , being wholly spirituall therein ; our Father seeth in secret , and is well pleased with such a sacrifice . If wee desire to make our tongue to be our glory therein ; yet the sound of our words may bee submissive , and rather a gentle noyse than a voyce : They that doe thus , they speake softly , Qui Deum precantes susurrant , tacitè loquuntur , atque intus clamant . but inwardly they cry aloud : Hannah when shee prayed did move her lips , but her voyce was not heard ; yet shee found such comfort that her countenance was no more sad .

VERSE IIII. For I had gone with the multitude .

HIs present misery is increased by comparing the same with his former comfortable estate , wherein hee served the Lord : And the sorrow for the losse of his perfect freedome doth exceed the griefe of worldly men in their crosses , as much as the gladnesse in his heart Psal. 4. had formerly beene more than the joy which they received by the increase of corne and wine . Outward benefits are deceitfull and vaine : Riches , and the like , may betake themselves to their wings , and fly away : But heavenly blessings are unchangeable , did not wee by our disobedience stop the course of Gods mercies , and cause his judgements and curses to fall upon us . Wherefore , when our destruction doth come from our selves , when by our rebellion wee shall pull downe Gods anger ; Infelicissimum genus est infortunii fuisse felicem . Boet. Then the remembrance of our former happinesse is the greatest aggravation of our present wretchednesse and woe .

Also we may observe , that hee was not satisfied with that good which he had formerly done , neither did hee rest contented therein . But his chiefe desire was ever to continue in those holy exercises . From whence wee receive this instruction , that wee ought to forget those things which are behind , Phil. 3.13 . and reach forth unto those things which are before , pressing toward the marke : having set our hand to the plough , not to looke backe , nor to spare and favour our selves , during the time of our pilgrimage . Such as desire to worship the Lord unto the end of their lives , and are constant unto death , they shall receive a crowne of life , and an everlasting inheritance : But ungodly men that forsake their first love , like those foolish Galatians , bewitched by that evill spirit , and with Demas doe embrace this present world , 2. Tim. 4.10 : they shall undergoe the fierce anger of the Almighty : And as Iordan divided the tribes of Reuben and Gad from the rest of Israel , who , Num. 32. allured with the fertility of the countrey , did set themselves downe , and take up their habitation before they came to the land of promise ; So there shall be a great gulfe to separate the wicked ( who like sluggards fold their armes together , as if they had wrought sufficiently ) from those that abide in the place of blessednesse .

Whereas hee speaketh of himselfe , that hee had gone with the multitude , it will not bee impertinent to consider his twofold regiment , Over the Priests , 1. Cron. 15. verse 17. Rex Anius , ●ex idem hom●num P●aeb que sacerdos . Vittis , &c. Virg. and the people ; For at this time when hee blessed the people , hee had put on a linnen Ephod over his kingly robe ; Also his sonne Salomon succeeded him therein , who was called the Preacher . This was observed by many nations that their Kings were Priests : Gen. 14.18 . So Melchizedek was King of Salem , and Priest of the most high God . So was Numa the second King of the Romanes , Livi. lib. 1. and Augustus the second Emperor , who after the death of Lentulus , did take unto himselfe that dignity of being chiefe Pontifex , Pontificatum max●mum mortuo demum Lentulo suscepit . Suet that thereby his authority might bee made complete . Gratianus p●●mus Imperatorum Christianorum , dese●vit ab hoc m●●oru● in s●●t●●o , Causabon . Which order continued untill that Gratian did neglect that rite and custome observed by all those Christian Emperors before him : This hath beene the use in this Land , since that intolerable yoke of servile subjection unto Rome hath bin cast off , that our annointed Soveraigne should bee the chiefe head of the Church , and in all causes Ecclesiasticall supreme governor . Now where much hath beene given , there much will bee required : Therefore that should be imprinted in their hearts , which was written upon Aarons crowne of fine gold , Exod. 19.30 . Holinesse to the Lord ; And as the head doth guide and conduct the body , so ought they that are most eminent to leade and direct such as are under them : that they may walke in this way which bringeth to life and salvation . We use to say , that the meanest officer would be knowne in his place , being unwilling to bee abridged of the extent of his power : Then how should they that are raised to highest honour exercise their authority to reduce men to the service of God , as thinking to be their most royall prerogative so to doe ? Blessed are the people that bee in such a case , yea blessed be the people whose God is the Lord : And great is the comfort that would be found by the serious performance hereof ; when the chiefe ruler like a good shepheard , Iohn 10 4. doth goe before his sheepe , and they doe follow him ; then may he have this good testimony in the latter end , & 17.4 , 12. That in some measure hee hath finished the worke which was given him to do ; and hath not willingly lost any of those that were given unto him : At which time he may pray as Nehemiah did , Nehem. 13.14 . Remember mee O my God concerning this , and wipe not out my good deedes that I have done for the house of my God : Surely there is a fulnesse of joy , in the fulnesse of the assembly ; when the voyce of the congregation praising the Lord , like that noyse of Charets which the Syrians heard , 2. King . 7.6 . shall bee able to put that enemy to flight which doth continually besiege us . Also therein is a most blessed resemblance betweene the Church militant and triumphant ; for as God commeth with tenne thousands of Saints , Deut. 33.2 . and hath tenne thousand times tenne thousand Angels to stand before him ; Dan. 7.10 . So likewise many and great multitudes of his servants here upon earth doe desire to appeare in his presence : Luke 15.10 . And as the Angels rejoyce over one sinner that repenteth , so the Saints doe rejoyce in this powerfull meanes , whereby many sinners are converted .

Also it will not bee impertinent to consider how David was willing to joine with the meanest of his subjects in the service of God ; And would bee base in his owne sight , though in so doing hee seemed vile unto others . Thus in the Kingdome of grace , Isai. 40.4 . every valley shall bee exalted , and every mountain and hill shall bee made low . Where truth and sincerity are , there is also a ready disposition to receive benefit by those of least accompt , yea and to doe good unto them without respect of persons : Paul that was indued with such excellent gifts , yet as hee desired to bee brought on his way towards Iudea by 2. Cor. 1.16 . the Corinthians ; so in like manner hee desired to bee conducted towards that heavenly countrey ( whereof Iudea was but a figure ) by the Romanes ; where hee writeth , Rom. 1.12 . For I long to see you , that I may bee comforted together with you , by the mutuall faith both of you and me .

Whereas David makes mention of that singular consolation , which hee found in this communion with the people , they that are most mighty and noble may from hence learne how to esteeme of their poore brethren , for whom Christ died . Amongst barbarous nations there is most tyrannicall usurpation of power ; who thinke the vulgar unworthy to inhabite the same walls , Quod spiratis , quod vocem mittitis , quod formam hominum habetis indignantur . T. Livi . lib. 4. to enjoy the same light , to breathe , to speake , to have the shapes of men : But as the brethren of Dives , and all others who seeme to be gods upon earth , shall dye like men ; So they which now seeme to bee as wormes and no men , after death shall become glorious .

Likewise we may take notice how worthy of blame they are , who doe oppose themselves against the godly example of David , thwarting and contradicting his heavenly carriage by their unadvised practice of the contrary . Here hee speaketh , that hee went with the multitude , and they peremptorily affirme that they will not go because of the multitude . Hee who was a true Israelite , Iohn 1.45 . in whom was no guile , knew right well , that they were not all Israel which were of Israell : Rom. 9.6 . But yet the duty it selfe being holy , and ordained as the royall meanes to make chose which were the seed of Abraham to become children ; he was ready to joyne with them therein . Who have more need of the Physitian than the sicke ? and to be called to repentance than sinners ? Wherefore they offend that forbeare assembling themselves together : And they also may justly be reproved , who thinke if they should goe with the multitude , their name would lye hid in obscurity , and therefore out of vainglorious singularity , Ambitio magnis addita est virtutibus . Et eminendi fervor , & vinci dolens Cupido famae . Dom. Baudius . Act. 5.36 . they seeke out many inventions , with Theudas boasting themselves to bee some body . Thus doe hereticks and sectaries by jarring , warre against the peaceable estate of the Church : But there was a curse pronounced against him that should attempt the building of Iericho , Iosh. 6.26 . which was overthrowne by Ioshuah ; And there is no blessing due unto them , that againe doe lay the foundation of these confused Babels , which have beene razed and laid levell by the Churches champions . That may bee said of our times , which was once spoken of the Israelites , The wood devoured more people than the sword . 2. Sam. 18.8 . We may praise God that wee are delivered from the sword of persecution and of our enemies : But in the meane while , how many doe lose themselves by intricate by-paths , thinking there bee more wayes than one to walke in ; and thereby fall headlong into dangerous errors ? It sheweth the desolation of a countrey , when the Kings way shall be forsaken , Isai. 33.8 . Iudg. 5.6 . so that none doe travaile therein ; And we may feare that it doth not prognosticate any happinesse unto our Land , when this way of King David shall lye waste : For now men will goe by themselves , but hee went with the multitude .

VERSE IIII. I went with them to the house of God .

BEcause the greatest number doe goe in the broad way that leadeth to destruction , Mat. 7.13 . and wee are forbidden to follow a multitude to doe evill ; Exod. 23.2 . therefore upon the first mention he presently addeth the place whither hee went with them , which was , to the house of God . Hee was not occasioned thus to doe in imitation of others which did the like ; though it were to bee wished that wee had attained thus farre , that wee would be followers together of him , Psal. 3.17 . and marke those which walke after this ensample : But as it is more blessed to give than to receive , Act. 20 35. so it is a greater happinesse to give this good example unto others , than to take it from them . Thus David shined as a Light in the world , Phil. 2.15 . that the people being illuminated by this pillar of fire , might come to the estate of blessednesse . And thus wee , Vt sidera contrarium mundo iter intendunt ; ita sapiens Senec. Et qui exemplo aliis esse debetis , aliorum exemplo peccetis potius quam alii vestro recte sacitis . Livi. lib. 3. if wee desire to shine as the stars ( whose motion is contrary to the world ) wee should labour to rectifie others , rather than to bee depraved with their vices : Though wee faile of this holy ambition , or want meanes and ability to bee as Leaders in this noble army , yet wee may bee drawne by the example of the multitude ( which for the most part use to bee very powerfull ) to joyne with the assembly in all heavenly duties : And not to do like unto those which stand convicted , because they will not goe with the flocke to heare the voyce of the shepheard : Nor yet like those which discover their backwardnesse , by comming after the multitude to the house of God ; Whereas it were more commendable to goe with them , or before them . Such may feare to receive a curse in the end for their negligent sloth , Occupet extremum scabies . Horat. rather than the blessing in the conclusion . In Carvans , which goe unto the Temple at Ierusalem , Sandys . the hindermost are exposed unto the greatest danger of the free-booters : And in this passage to the house of God , they that are last may soone bee surprised by the enemy , and hindered in their dull proceeding : Whereas if wee were indued with the Spirit ( like those Worthies which brake through the hoste of the Philistims , 2. Sam. 23. to draw water ) wee would overcome all impediments , that wee may obtaine the water of life : And as the chaines did fall from the hands of Peter , so we should cast off all incumbrances wherewith our feete are bound , that wee may runne the wayes of thy commandements : Yea then wee would thinke Gods house to be like Goshen , inlightened by his gracious countenance ; And to be debarred from it , more grievous than all the plagues and judgements of Egypt . There the frogges came into the house and chamber of Pharaoh ; Exod. 8.3 . And thou hast noysome lusts and uncleane thoughts in thine heart , which should bee the throne of the great King . They had thick darkenes which might bee felt , & 1● . 2● . so that no man rose from his place : But thy grosse darkenesse which hath overspread the whole man , is the more fearefull , because thou hast no feeling thereof ; whereby thou dost continue in the estate of wrath as at the first . There was the death of the first-borne ( in whom p●rents seem to live even when they are dead : & ●2 29. ) And thou destroyest thine owne soule , which in the beginning did give life to thy body ; and by which the righteous shall live for ever in blisse & happinesse . And yet though Gods judgements be so great and terrible upon those that want or neglect this meanes of perfect freedome , and the mercy and deliverance so rich and plenteous , that is offered thereby , how foolish and carelesse are most men , in their contemptuons vilifiing , and disdainfull reiecting of this blessed liberty ? Mention is made of one that was slaine by the people which trode upon him in the gate , 2 King ● . ver. 17. when with greedy violence they strove for their bodily sustenance : but there is no such violence offered in seeking for that heavenly food ; and yet we live not by bread , but by the Word , which is exhibited unto us in the house of God : And in the time of famine , of warre , 1. King . 8. ver. 37 , 38. of pestilence , and any other calamity , wee finde release by the prayers and supplications which are offered up unto the Lord . Come then , and let us goe up to the mountaine of the Lord , to the house of the God of Iacob : He will teach us of his waies , Isai. 2.3 . and wee shall walke in his paths . One day in his courts is better than a thousand . How glad was David when they said unto him , Psal. 84.10 & 122 . 1● Let us goe into the house of the Lord ? As here he testifieth , that when hee went into the house of God , it was

VERSE IIII. With the voyce of joy and praise .

AND now wee would thinke that the whole world should follow him ; Omnes cendunt ad gaudium . Senec. for what man is there that doth not labour for ioy ? But as some have put out the element of fire , affirming that there is no other but this grosse terrestriall fire which wee use : So most men thinke there is no other ioy but this which they find in their sensuall delights . True it is , that there may bee a confused sound of ioy in earthly pleasures ; but the voyce of ioy is onely in heavenly things : And as that excellent musick of the voyce is to bee preferred before the harmony of instruments without life , whether pipe or harpe , though they give a distinction in their sounds : So this ioy doth farre transcend all those vaine and empty delights which wee finde here upon earth . It is reported of some that they have beene able to containe their greatest ioy within themselves , Metellus summum gaudium intrase cont insit . Val. Max. that none could take notice thereof ; Nec sunt grata tibi gaudia siqua atent . Martial . but Davids ioy was so great , that out of the abundance of his heart hee could not forbeare to speake with his mouth : And ever since in our best mirth and reioycing , wee seeke to imitate the voyce of David in singing of Psalmes : Iam. 5.13 . whereby wee endeavour to bee composed and prepared for that life , when wee shall alwayes bee lauding the name of the Lord : Psal. 108.1 , 2● And as David saith , I my selfe will awake early , I will sing and give praise even with my glory . Soe we that are dead in Christ , shall then rise first out of those beds where wee have slept and rested , that wee may for ever sing praises unto the Lord . These two , Ioy and Praise , are so ioyned togeth●r of God , that no man can put them asunder : Where God hath filled the heart with ioy it will breake forth in praise and thankesgiving ; And to offer the sacrifice of praise without reioycing were to offer a dead sacrifice without any life : By both these wee are supported when wee walke in the wayes of salvation : If David found such comfort in the passage , then how was hee transported with ioy when hee came into Gods house ? If wee find such consolation in our pilgrimage , then how great blessings are prepared for us in our long home ? If the first-fruits bee so precious , how plentifull is the harvest ? When our lives are ended , then begins our perfect ioy : when our soules and bodies are againe united , then there is fulnesse of ioy ; yea then both Ioy and Praise shall bee ioyned for evermore .

VERSE IIII. With a multitude that kept holy-day .

BEcause we should not be perplexed with the difficulty of these words , in regard that our celebration of those dayes which wee call holy , doth so far differ from that which is here intended ; I thinke it most needfull to represent the manner how this day was solemnized : In which , the desire of David and the people was like that of the Angel & the multitude of the heavenly hoste praising God , Luke 2.13 , 14. and saying ; Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good will towards men : So this blessed company did first seeke the glory of God , in sacrificing , oxen and fatlings , in offering burnt-offerings and peace-offerings , in the sound of musicke , lifting up the voyce with ioy , And that there might bee peace upon earth when Gods Arke should bee placed in the midst of the tabernacle , and his worship duely observed . Lastly , good will towards men , when the King blessed the people in the name of the Lord , and did distribute bread , and flesh , and wine ; Tanquam necessarium labo●ibus interponentes temperamentum . Sen. So that hee did not exclude the outward refreshing of the body , after the serious and devout performance of all heavenly duties . The makers of lawes in ancient time did institute festivall dayes , that the people might not bee overcharged with too much labour ; Quia aliquando nihil cum populo agi utile futurum erat . T. Livi. Luce sacrâ requiescat humus , requiescut arator . Tibul. but re-gaining strength and vigour by the cessation , might proceed in their worke with alacrity and diligence . The best use and benefit that wee can make of any holy-day is to take off the minde from worldly cares , wherewith we are naturally surcharged ; and to addict our selves to divine meditations and religious exercises : Even among the Heathen , Et adhuc Mincia proles Vrget opus spernitque Deum festumque profanat . Ovid. those Sisters mentioned in the Poet were thought to bee iustly punished , for being too intent to their domesticke labour , which made them omit the publike rites . 2. King . 7.9 . Wee doe not well ; this is a day of good tidings , and wee hold our peace : Wee may feare lest the leprosie of those foure men should cleave unto us , if wee neglect to praise and glorifie God for his manifold blessings . Livius Drusus dixit , uni sibi nec puero quidem unquam ferias cont gi●●e . Senec. Wee cannot complaine as Drusus did , that from his child-hood hee never had a good day : For though we should endeavour to keepe every day in the yeare holy , yet we could not correspond in thankfulnesse , with the riches of his bounteous love , and plenteous mercy : yea wee may rightly acknowledge that every day in our life hath beene an holy-day : For as it was the custome of most nations not to punish malefactours upon dayes of festivity and reioycing , 2. Sam. 19.22 . Mar. 14. ● . so the Lord hath beene gracious in pardoning our offences , Observatum ne quoties introiret urbem Oct. Aug. supplicium de quoquam sumeretur . Suet. not dealing with us after our sinnes , nor rewarding us according to our iniquities . And therefore wee must blesse his holy name , who hath not only delivered us from evill , but also hath bestowed so many blessings upon us ; who redeemeth thy life from destruction , who crowneth thee with loving kindnesse & tender mercies ; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things : Hilaritatis instrumen● a d●mestic●s prae bebat . Causabon . And as the master of the family upon such dayes did bring out unto his children and servants , all things which might bee a meanes of delight and recreation ; so God , like a good housholder , hath accomodated us his servants , with all things usefull and convenient for our cheerefull service of him , that wee might make a ioyfull noyse unto the God of Iacob . Psal. 81.1 . Omnia iam fes●a fervet domus utraque pompâ . Stat. Tibia pro li. tuis , &c. Claud. Iste dies semper dapibus celebretur opimis . Idem . Pro 9.2 . Upon those dayes they had instruments of musicke ; and what a sweet harmony is there , when the will and the affections , and every power and faculty of the soule doth consent in praising the name of the Lord ? They had plenty of provision and abundance of wine ; And hath not Wisedome killed her beasts , and mingled her wine , and furnished her table ? Doth not God give unto us that heavenly Manna , the bread of life , satisfying our soules as with marrow , and making our cup to runne over ? They did then put on their costliest garments : Quaeque semei toto vestis n●ni sumitur anno . Ovid. Psal. 45 13. & 32.1 . Revel. 7 9. Aperta multa recta collucent face . Senec. in Thyest . And wee have a wedding garment at this feast , which is as a clothing of wrought gold ; and as a white robe whereby our nakednesse is covered : They did set up many lights ; And wee have many golden candlesticks , and shining lights ; yea the word is a light unto our feete . Therefore let us keepe the feast in sincerity and truth : Let it be our chiefe aime and endeavour , that the inward man , as well as the outward , may thereby bee renewed . Pas & iura sinunt — Insidias avibus moliri . Virgil. Among the Heathen , it was thought to bee lawfull upon the best dayes to spread nets to take birds : Sure I am , that Satan who is a cunning fowler , upon these dayes is most industrious in setting of snares . In festis diabolus occupatissimus . How circumspect ought wee to bee in avoyding this danger , mounting up with the Eagle , Iob 39.27 . which makes her nest on high ; raising our soules by the wings of fervent prayer and heavenly contemplation ? Sine causâ educebat ; praecipuè pluviis & festis diebus Suet. Sic Epaminondas . And as Cesar did leade out his souldiers upon festivall dayes , and have them in a readinesse , lest that the enemy should get an advantage against him ; So ought we to exercise our selves , and to stir up those gifts that are in us , that our adversary may not bring us to destruction . How happy is that man , which doth thus reclaime himselfe , and laboureth to bee righteous as Lot was , Nisi forte his maximè d●ebus animo imperandum est : ut tunc voluptatibus solus abstincat , cum in illas omnis turba procubuit . Senec. 1. Chro. 15.13 in a sinfull generation ; When the whole Herd of the vulgar people doe runne violently into the greatest dangers . David and the multitude did begin to keepe this holy-day when Uzzah was smitten ; at which time the Lord made a breach upon them , for that they sought him not after the due order . Most men doe not seek after the Lord upon such dayes ; or if they doe , it is rather with confusion than good order ; and therefore may feare a curse for doing this worke so negligently . The Lord may now speake , as hee did by the Prophet ; Isai. 1.14 . Your appointed feasts my soule hateth ; for you chuse your owne wayes , and delight in your abominations . It was the policy of the Benjamites to catch the daughters of Shiloh , Iudg. 21.22 . when they came out to daunce in their daunces at the feast of the Lord : Iuventus Romana ad rapiendas virgines discurrit . Livi. The like policy was used by Romulus upon the same occasion . And thus very many both men and women are captivated and brought into bondage , at that time when we celebrate our greatest deliverance : who being carnally minded doe loosen the reines , Nam remittere animum est amittere . A. Gell. and walke after their owne lusts , sinning , that grace may abound , and using their liberty for an occasion to the flesh . The carriage of most men in our chiefe holy-daies , may be compared to that of the Romanes in their Saturnalia : But wherein they testifie their joy and thankesgiving for the nativity of Christ , I am not able to discerne ; when as the pipe , and harpe , and wine are in their feasts : But they regard not the worke of the Lord , Isai. 5.12 . neither consider the operation of his hands . If musicke bee so needfull at such a time , then that people may bee commended which did chant to the sound of the Viole , Amos 6. ● . and invented to themselves instruments of musicke like David ; But they profanely depraved his holy example : for hee used them as helps to devotion , not as provocations to luxury and wantonnesse . We know that the minstrels were put forth before the dead was raised ; Mat. 9.23 . And wee may bee assured , that by them wee receive no furtherance towards our new life of grace . If dauncing be so pertinent at this time , Mat. 6.22 . the daughter of Herodias may seeme to bee well nurtured ; but you remember what an evill effect was produced thereby : If costly garments and outward ornaments bee the best expression of our joy ; then let us joyne her that tyred her head , 1. King . 9.30 . Luke 16 . 1● . unto him that was clothed in purple and fine linnen , as a fit couple for such an occasion : If variety of meate can suffice to cheare the soule , then that wicked nation might have beene spared which offended in fulnesse of bread : Ezech. 16.49 . If gaming and pastimes must necessarily be annexed hereunto , then let us view that people which sate downe to eate and drinke , Exod. 32.6 . and rose up to play : But wee have not thus learned Christ , 1. Thes. 4.6 . being taught not to goe beyond , and defraud our brother ; Nor to suffer filthinesse , foolish talking or jesting , Ephes. 5.4 . nor drunkennesse and revellings , which are works of the flesh . Let no man mistake mee , as if in any of these above-named particulars ( which may bee used without mixture of evill ) I would derogate from the freedome and bounty of that man , Psal. 112.5 . who doth guide his affaires with discretion : But if wee ought to bring againe our brothers oxe , Deut. 22.1 . when it goes astray ; then much more our brother himselfe : and to shew him a more excellent way ; that so hee may not bee lord of mis-rule , by letting him that is unjust to bee unjust still , Rev. 22.11 . and him that is filthy to bee filthy still : When his house which at all times , and especially at this time , ought to bee a Church , shall rather be like unto Golgotha , a place of rottennesse , where Christ shall bee crucified afresh , by all manner of loosenesse , and profanation . Wee are exhorted to hospitality , because thereby some have entertained Angels : Heb. 13.2 . But in receiving such a dissolute company , there is little hope of harbouring either Angel , or Saint . Most that come are not worthy ; and others would bee compelled to come in , who in a modest sobriety doe forbeare that bold intrusion : Wherefore when thy fountaines bee dispersed abroad , Pro. 5.16 . and thou dost draw out thy soule to the hungry , Isa. 58.10 . remember especially the houshold of faith , and them that bee industrious , that their bowels may be refreshed by thy liberality , which will bee as sleepe to the labouring man , Eccles 5.12 . sweet and comfortable . Such was the practice of this man of God which hee now recordeth , who after the people had joined with him in the service of the Lord , hee gave unto them for the reliefe and sustentation of their bodies : Also at another time , when hee offered towards the building of the Temple , after that hee and all the congregation had worshipped the Lord , 1. Chron. 29. verse 22. and sacrificed sacrifices , they did eate and drinke with great gladnesse .

It was a iust complaint in ancient times , Olim mensis December fuit , nunc annus . Senec. that December was changed from being a month , to be a yeare : Wee cannot boast of any amendment in our dayes , which would bee more usefull than the Gregorian reformation . Some doe presume to prognosticate of the twelve months by their observation of the twelve dayes ; but we may with more safety iudge what the conversation of some men will bee the following yeare , by marking their carriage during these festivals : David speaketh here but of one holy-day which hee and the multitude kept , whereas these men are willing to keepe a multitude of holy-dayes , being fit to live in a common-wealth like unto that of the Athenians , who had more daies of pleasure than of imployment . I lures voluptat . bus dicati quam negoti●●si & i●●●d●ci . Causabon . V tam sicut peregr nantes transiê●c . Sa●ist . Such doe greatly offend in abundance of idlenesse , passing their time as strangers here , but without preparation for their long home : Never calling to minde how many good dayes they have lost , Amici diem perdidi . Suet. without the least benefit either to themselves or others : And yet , as the rich man in the Parable , who had many flockes , and herds , could not bee satisfied unlesse he might take that little ewe lambe of the poore man ; 2. Sam. 12.3 . So these men are not contented with the great number of profane holy-dayes , as they make them , unlesse they may incroach upon the Lords Sabbath : Whereof I will forbeare to discourse , lest I might seeme to prevent my selfe , by giving an answer to Davids demand , before I come to the question ; which is ,

VERSE V. Why art thou cast downe , O my soule , and why art thou d●squieted in me ? hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance .

WHerein hee makes further declaration of his sorrowfull and perplexed estate ; that his soule in this time of trouble did pant and thirst , and was powred out , and cast downe , and disquieted , not finding release from misery , nor evasion out of these calamities . Now if the light that is in thee be darknesse , Mat. 6.23 . how great is that darknesse ? and if the soule that is in thee be sorrowfull , how great is that sorrow ? Pro. 12.25 . When heavinesse in the heart of man , maketh it stoupe , yea to be cast down as Davids was ; And yet there is great cause that the soule bee lifted up with joy , and not dejected with griefe ; if wee consider the originall of it , Igneus est illis vigor , & coelestis origo . Virgil. that it proceedeth from God himselfe , Gen. 1.27 . & 2.7 . Psal. 8.5 . Mortalibus alti quantum coelicolae , tantundem animalibus isti praecellunt cunctis . Silius . Eccles. 3.21 . & 12.7 . who created us after his own image , breathing into us the breath of life , whereby wee became living soules : So that wee who were made but a little lower than the Angels , were made much higher than all other creatures : For when the spirit of the beast goeth downeward to the earth , our spirit shall returne to God that gave it . Also there is cause of ioy unto the soule in regard of the body : Deus dedit corpus animae ut illud in coelum eveneret . Non dedita animam corp●ri , ut , &c. God gave the body unto the soule , that it might raise the body unto heaven ; Hee did not give the soule unto the body that it might presse the soule to the earth . Admonet figura , &c. Boet . Shall the body be erect towards heaven , and the soule decline towards the earth ? Let us consider how helpfull the body is to the soule in the worship of God , when our eyes wait upon him , and our tongue is our glory to praise him , and wee lift up pure hands , and daily bow our knees before him ; when our feet doe carry us to his house , and there wee prostrate our whole body in his presence : Thus in our estate of grace there is an happy union and consent betweene them both . But as Eve , ●en. 2.18 . who was made a meete helpe , proved a cause of the greatest woe and misery ; So the body which should assist the soule doth rebell against it , and thereby becomes a great annoyance : Like that kinde of torment , when they did binde the dead and the living together ; Corpora ca daveribus ad versa adversis alligata . Val. Max. So the soule that lives for ever , and is willing to doe good , is ioyned unto a body that is weake , yea even dead to any holy duty : And then the servant is upon an horse , Ephes. 2 5. Eccles. 10 7. and the Prince doth walke as a servant upon the earth ; the hand-maide is advanced , Eucherius ad Vale●ian . and the mistresse brought downe to the foot-stoole : The body doth bring the soule into captivity , and make it of a king to become a servent , Modo rex es● modo tyra●nus . Sence . o● else a tyrant . Wherefore when wee finde a law in our members warring against the law of our minde , wee must pray to be delivered from this body of death . Rom. 7. verse 23.24 It was observed that when the body sleepeth , Anima dum corpori vires adm●nistrat , nequaquam vacat sibi , &c. Hippocrat . the soule hath most liberty : And wee know assuredly , that when our bodies shall bee laid to sleepe in the grave , our soules shall bee inlarged , Terreno carcere resoluta caelum ibera pet●● . Boet. and delivered from that earthly house , wherein they were long pent and imprisoned : Vt novus serpens pofitâ cum pelle senectâ , &c. Ovid. And as the serpent doth become young againe after it hath cast off the skinne , so the soule shall bee clothed with maiesty and glory , when this fraile body shall waxe old like a garment , and bee folded up as a vesture , untill the end of all things ; and then this vile body shall be fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ : and being reioyned unto the soule , shall enter into the ioy of our Master . If that father did so reioyce when he saw his sonne to be alive , Gen. 46.30 . whom hee thought to bee dead , then how excellent shall our ioy bee , when the body which was dead shall bee alive , and they both being knit together shall live in blisse for evermore ? & 29.20 . Did those seven yeares seeme to bee but a few dayes , & 31.40 . for the love that Iacob had to Rachel , though hee suffered the drought in the day , the frost by night , and watched both day and night ? Then how wonderfull ought the love of the soule be to the body ? cheerfully serving the Lord , patiently enduring all tryals and afflictions , not being cast downe , as if it were without hope , but looking for the Saviour , who shall unite both soule and body ; And wee shall be as the Angels of God in heaven . Mat. 22.30 .

Let us now take notice of Davids examination of himselfe , that wee thereby may learne to iudge ourselves , and wee shall not bee iudged . Formerly hee had with his whole heart sought unto the Lord , to shew him the light of his countenance ; He had earnestly desired to appeare before God ; Hee had humbled himselfe in sorrow for his owne transgressions , and the sins of other men . Now God accepteth the will for the deed ; And they that mourne have a promise of comfort . Mat. 6. Why then art thou cast downe , O my soule , and why art thou disquieted in me ? Psal. 4.4 . Also hee did commune with his owne heart , and was no fugitive from it , as many are , who have greatest reason to bee sorrowfull , and to feare lest their soules should bee cast downe lower than Davids was , because they never looke home to examine and prove themselves , and to know that Christ is in them , 2. Cor. 13.5 . except they bee reprobates : But David did make diligent search in his owne heart , Psal. 77.6 . and in all things desired the good and comfortable estate of it . Then , why art thou cast downe , O my soule , and why art thou disquieted in me ? Remember the workes of old , how graciously the Lord hath dealt with thee . Say not within thy selfe , that his mercy is clean gone for ever , for thou dost stil enioy many blessings , and his grace doth now keep thee from fainting . Consider that in this chastisement the Lord dealeth with thee as with a childe : and it is not his good pleasure that thou shouldest have sorrow upon sorrow ; but that this light affliction working for thy good , may bring thee to an everlasting weight of glory : wherefore acknowledge this to bee thine infirmity ; rebuke and smite thy selfe , saying , Why art thou cast downe , O my soule , and why art thou disquieted in mee ? It must not bee denied , that the soule is sometime disquieted , when wee are not able to give any reason of it ; But then it behoveth us to make strict inquisition into our selves , and to see if there bee any root of evill , Iosh. 7. like Achans wedge , which is the cause of our trouble : If there bee any Ionas lurking in the bottome , which may be sufficient not only to cast downe the soule , but also to cast away the soule by a tempest of Gods wrath . When we find our selves to bee innocent from great offences , and acquitted from regarding iniquity , wee must with patience wait upon the Lord : How unsearchable are his iudgements , Rom. 11. verse . 33.34 . and his wayes past finding out ? For who hath knowne the minde of the Lord ? Iob. 11. Loe hee goeth by me , and I see him not ; Hee passeth on also , but I perceive him not . Behold hee taketh away , Deut. 32.39 . who can hinder him ? Hee woundeth , and hee healeth ; hee bringeth low , and hee lifteth up . Shall wee receive good at the hand of the Lord , Iob 2.10 . and shall wee not receive evill ? Have wee learned to abound and be full of spirituall comfort , Phil. 4.11 . and have we not learned to suffer need , and be abased in the sense of our wants , and confession of our unworthinesse , who are lesse than the least of all his mercies ? God will have us to see that wee are not able to merit any of his blessings , which are wholly in his own disposing : It is not in man that walketh , Ier. 10 23. to direct his steps : There may bee many devices in his heart , neverthelesse the counsell of the Lord that shall stand . Pro. 19.21 . Also wee must know that wee are now in our passage through the vast wildernesse of this troublesome world , unto the heavenly Canaan : And we were of all men most miserable , if our greatest comforts were not reserved for a better life . God doth first cast us downe , and then raise us up to a glorious estate : Though wee walke in the midst of trouble , hee will revive us : Light is sowne for the righteous , Psal. 138.7 . & 97.11 . and gladnesse for the upright in heart . That which thou sowest is not quickned except it dye first : 1. Cor. 15. verse 36. So although wee seeme to be without the life of ioy , yet we hope to reape everlasting consolation : As sorrowfull wee alwayes reioyce . 2. Cor. 6.10 . There is an outward apparence of griefe ; There is an inward substance of true ioy : But I may well desist from speaking of this sadnesse , whereof wee can give no reason ; when there are so many causes of heavinesse , whether we looke upon the sinnes of other men with charitable compassion , or upon our own offences with sorrowfull compunction : Psal 119.136 . How did David lament for the transgressions of the people ? And may not we take up the complaint of the Prophet ; Isai. 1.6 . From the sole of the foot , even unto the head , there is no soundnesse in it ? How great is the number of them that have sold themselves to worke wickednesse ? and never thinke of their redemption by Him , who paid the ransome for us ; Quibus contra naturam corpus voluptati , anima oneri fuit . Salust . whose bodies serve them for pleasure , and their soules are as a burthen ; such a burthen as will bee greater than they can beare , ready to sinke them to the pit of destruction : Yet who doth repent of his wickednesse , saying , What have I done ? Every one turned to his course , Ier. 8.6 . as the horse rusheth into the battell : Which of them doth search their heart by the light of the Word , as with a candle ? and say , as justly they may , inverting these words of David , Why art thou not cast down , O my soule , and why art thou not disquieted within mee ? Wherefore , leaving them unto this examination , let us reflect upon our selves , and as the Circle , Circulus fortitudin● , atque capacitate caeteris figuris praecedit . Clavius . which doth returne upon it selfe , is the strongest and most capacious figure ; and may bee resembled by the shape of a mans body ; Vmbilicum esse centrum , &c. Iul. Scal. So if wee doe returne unto our selves , and search our owne hearts , wee shall become more strong and capable of grace . The opinion of Aristotle is to bee preferred before that of Plato ; The one held , Visio fit recipiendo . Arist. Emittendo spiritum animalem , Plato . Keckerm . that our sight was by receiving the image of the object into the eye : The other , by sending out those opticke rayes unto the object . It will be our wisedome to keepe within our owne bounds , and to looke into our selves , rather than to exceed in curiosity to discover the blemishes of other men : Like her , whom they feigned to have used her sight onely when shee went abroad ; Lamia in vimineum cophinum oculos exemptiles in●ici●bat . Erasmus . but not when shee returned to her owne house . Wee ought rather to look into our selves with David , who seemeth here to strike his hand upon his breast , saying ; Why art thou full of heavinesse , O my soule ? God onely knoweth the hearts of all the children of men ; but by this private search , 2. Chron. 6.38 . 1. King . 8.38 . every man may know the sore , and the griefe , and the plague of his owne heart ; and may find that his foule is cast downe , when it is surcharged with thorny cares , which choke the good seed , O curvae in terris animae & coelest●um inanes , Persius . and maketh him to become unfruitfull . Can that souldier fight the good fight of faith , who intangleth himselfe with the things of this life ? Habak. 2.6 . Woe to him that ladeth himselfe with thicke clay : Such a man may in vaine beate the ayre , but hee cannot runne with patience unto the race that is set before him ; Heb 12.1 . unlesse hee doth cast aside every weight that may hinder him therein . At the time of death wee see how dangerous and offensive it is , by clamour to interrupt the soule in its departure from the body : O that wee could as heedfully practise this during our whole life . 1. Cor. 15.31 . Every good man , with Saint Paul , doth dye daily ; being at all times ready to yeeld up his spirit : How prudent should wee bee to avoyd all meanes of disturbance , that our soule may not bee vexed and disquieted within us ; as it is oftentimes through distrust and infidelity , when there is an inward combat betweene the flesh and the spirit , the one lusting against the other , Gal. 5.17 . and being contrary the one to the other ; Gen. 25.22 . like Iacob and Esau strugling in the wombe . Whereas if Christ did dwell in our hearts by faith , Ephes. 3.17 . wee should overcome the world , and bee delivered from this vexation . 1. Iohn . 5.4.5 . Now we are come to touch upon the true cause of Davids heavinesse ; where I should willingly goe backward with Iaphet , and by silent charity cover this one infirmity of him , whom , as Saint Matthew joyneth with Abraham , Mat. 1.1 . so wee may honour as a Father of the faithfull : Yet because that hee testifieth as much against himselfe ; And his being thus cast downe may warne those that stand by faith , to take heed lest they fall ; and may shew unto those that are downe , the way how to rise againe , I may not without prejudice passe it over . David confesseth that his feete were almost gone , his footsteps were well nigh slipt , Psal. 73.2.21 . and his heart was grieved through distrust of Gods providence , when hee saw the prosperity of the wicked . In the time of persecution , 1. Sam. 27.1 . Labascentem & inclinantem ipsius fidem exprimit . Iun. he said in his heart , I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul : And nere being surprized by the same wavering diffidence , hee speaketh , I shall now perish one day by the hand of Absalom : whereas by faith hee might have beene perswaded , that neither Principalities , nor Powers , Rom. 8.38 . nor any other creature should bee able to separate him from the love of God , who will not suffer the rod of a wicked son to rest upon the lot of a righteous father . Wherefore let us not please our selves by any vaine conceits of our owne ability ; Psal. 125. Rom. 15.2 . but in lowlinesse of minde esteeme holy David much better than our selves . Phil. 2.3 . If this naturall branch , so deepely rooted and established in all graces , was yet notwithstanding thus tossed and carried about by the winde of infidelity , in this dreadfull storme of Gods displeasure ; then how should wee poore unstable soules ( who were wild by nature , Rom. 11.24 . and are now graffed into the good olive tree ) feare and tremble , lest when the winds doe blow , and temptations arise , wee ( who have not by faith laid sure hold , that wee might partake of the root ) bee broken off from continuing in the goodnesse of God ? And yet how doe wee live like the people of Laish , at quiet , and secure , Iudg. 18 27 not fortifying against the assault of the enemy ? In this our day of liberty and visitation , Luk. 19.41 . the things that belong to eternall peace are hid from our eyes , which are dazeled with the bright sun shine of prosperity ; so that our sight is imperfect , Mark . 8.20 . like unto the blind mans , who saw men as trees , walking : But when Christ made him looke up the second time , hee saw every man clearely . At first sight wee thinke our selves to bee as strong as the oake , but when God doth breake us with a tempest , or wee doe frequently looke up in prayer , Iob. 9.17 . to have our darkenesse inlightened , wee then come to discerne plainely , that wee are fraile men , & our strength is not the strength of stones , Iob 6.3.22 . nor our flesh of brasse : yea then wee complaine that our griefe is heavier than the sand of the sea , and our soules are cast downe within us . Now the same graces doe both prevent and cure this infirmity of the soule : By faith wee are kept from this discouragement . The prudent woman is not afraid of the snow , Pro. 31.21 . for all her houshold are clothed with scarlet : So they that are of the houshold of faith , and have their garments dipt in the bloud of the Lamb , shall not need to feare the winter of persecution and trouble : Also such as have beene overtaken in a fault , and are ready to faint through weaknesse ; yet if their hope bee firme , they shall recover : And God will restore them to the joy of his salvation . Act. 27.23 . As the Angel stood by Paul in the night , after hee had beene exceedingly tossed with a tempest , when the sun in many dayes had not appeared , and assured him of a gracious deliverance : Assiditè nata mas inter sp●metusque fluctus . Lipsius . So our hope doth stand by us in our greatest perplexity , when the Lord doth seeme to hide himselfe , and withdraw the beames of his mercy , and sealeth unto our soule , that notwithstanding our present calamity , He will make his face , Revel. 10. ● . which is as it were the Sunne , to shine upon his servants : And wee shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance . psal. 31.16 . The enemies of David , seeing him in misery , were ready to say , & 3.2 . & 41.8 . That there is no help for him in God ; and now that hee lieth , hee shall rise up no more : So our corrupt nature being the greatest adversary , doth suggest unto us when the soule is cast downe , it is a signe that it is cast out of the sight and favour of God ; When it is disquieted it is a fore-runner of despaire , by reason of our grievous sinnes : as for our hope , it is but the dreame of men waking ; Plato dicebat , spec vigi●●tium ho●●num esse somnia . and as hee that thinketh hee eateth is hungry when hee awaketh : so thou thinkest to be sustained by hope , which in the end will vanish away . Call to mind thy former sinnes , which have cryed for vengeance : looke upon thy present afflictions , and acknowledge thou dost receive the due reward of thy deeds : Then what place is left for hope of deliverance ? Why shouldest thou adde to thy sufferings by thine expectation of freedome ? Can the Divine justice , so highly incensed , bee so soone appeased ? Shall not the God of truth bee just and righteous in multiplying his judgements upon thee , who wouldest for ever have multiplie● thy sins against him ? What hope of favour to be shewed unto thee , who hast deserved so great wrath , and hast not merited the least mercy ? Doth not thine owne conscience accuse thee , and thy sins beare witnesse against thee ? and shall not the Iudge of all the world doe right in thy condemnation ? Hast thou not served sinne , and must therefore receive the wages of unrighteousnesse , death and destruction ? Now in this combate , the beleever is armed with hope of salvation for an helmet : 1. Thes. 5.8 . Ephes. 6.16 . with faith for a shield and breast-plate , wherewith hee is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked : Being stung by the old Serpent , and feeling both the guilt and smart of his sinnes , hee looketh with the eyes of Faith and Hope unto Christ Iesus , being lifted up ; who powreth wine and oyle into our wounds , and makes us inwardly glad , outwardly cheerefull , and then doe we praise him for the help of his countenance . What a great encouragement is it to the servant , when his Master doth looke upon him in the conflict ? And though in striving wee sometime take a foyle ; yet then the Lord doth turne and looke upon us as he did upon Peter : Luke 21.61 . and being sorrowfull for our infirmity , wee become strong . Also in our heavinesse , either for sinnes past or present misery , the Lord doth behold us as hee did his servant David , delivering us out of all afflictions : And in the performance of holy duties hee seeth us as he did Nathaneel , Ioh. 1 48. sending his grace to prevent , accompany , and follow us . Lastly , when that which is perfect is come , wee shall with Paul see him face to face : 1. Cor. 13.12 . Truly the light is sweet , and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the Sun : Eccles. 11.7 . If this outward light bee so delightfull , then what an excellent blessing is it , Num. 6. verse 25 , 26. when the Lord doth make his face to shine upon us , and is gracious unto us , and doth lift up his countenance upon us ? That wee may obtaine this benediction , wee must bee obedient unto his Word : When hee saith , Psal. 27.8 . Seeke yee my face . Our heart must answer , Thy face Lord will I seeke : Not for a short time , & 105.4 . but continually . And though a man beholding his naturall face in a glasse goeth away , Iam. 1.24 . & straightway forgetteth what manner of man hee was ; yet wee , when the Lord hath in mercy revealed himselfe unto us , must not forget his benefits , but ever bee mindfull of his gifts that are without repentance ; and alwayes praise him for the help of his countenance . Wee cannot expect deliverance out of trouble , unlesse God doth helpe us ; and when wee have received many blessings , wee shall neither desire , nor yet bee able to praise him , without the helpe of his countenance : So that God doth provide both the altar and the sacrifice ; Hee freely bestowes his benefits , and he doth enable us to offer our thankes-giving , and to praise him for the help of his countenance .

VERSE VI. O my God , my soule is cast down within mee .

WHen the disciples could not cure him that was lunaticke , Mat. 17.15 . they bring him to Christ himselfe : So when David could not by his owne endeavours cast out this spirit of heavinesse , hee seeketh unto the Lord of life , to speake the word , and this disease of his ●oule shall bee healed . Ha● he recovered his life of comfort by a stedfast hope in Gods mercy , which hee laboured for in the forme● verse , yet then hee must have confessed , that it was the grace of God whereby i● was effected ; But that which is obtained by prayer , doth come more immediately from Gods right hand ; and for such blessings wee are most thankfull : Wee come with confidence unto the throne of grace , when wee have used , and doe use all good meanes to recover strength and assurance . Doth God bid us doe some great thing ? we doe it willingly : Doth hee command some small thing ? therein also we yeeld our cheerefull obedience . I cannot give sufficient testimony unto these two , so excellent duties , serious examination of the soule , and fervent praier unto the Lord : The former like Mount Sinai , full of terrour , when by looking into our selves , wee feare and tremble , because of our guiltinesse , having offended against the lawes of God : The latter , like Mount Sion , Heb. 12. bringing consolation through Iesus the Mediator of the New covenant , whose bloud speaketh better things than that of Abel . In the right performance whereof , our griefe is asswaged ; if we prostrate our selves before the Lord in prayer , hee will raise up our soules with spirituall comfort . This is the best refuge of every beleever , whereby he hopeth for these sure mercies of David : And this is the Sanctuary of a Christian , from whence hee cannot bee taken , and wherein hee shall not perish . Our sorrow may often cause us to call upon the Lord , but the soule is never cast downe so low , as to bee wholly disabled from prayer : Being of a sorrowfull spirit , though wee cannot expresse our misery , yet wee can speake in our heart unto the Lord . David being dejected by griefe and heavinesse , doth yet lift up his soule in prayer , and beleeves that God is his God , though now hee seemed to forsake him . When the winde doth blow wee wrap our garments more close about us ; in trouble wee draw neere unto God , and labour to apply his promises unto our soules : The childe walking in the darke doth adhere unto his father , and takes hold upon him , that hee may guide him , and preserve him from danger : So wee in the most disconsolate estate doe cleave unto the Lord , and repose our whole confidence in his love . Our Author in speaking of God and his soule , doth thus plead for himselfe ; Thou art my God , and I am thy servant : Let the wicked bee clothed with shame and dishonour , let their heart dye within them , But redeeme my soule that I may not bee desolate , because I trust in thee . Deliver mee from all my feares , and thou Lord shalt bee magnified , which hast pleasure in the prosperity of thy servant . My soule is thy gift , it came from thee , and I have given it unto thee . How can it ascend towards thee , when it is thus pressed downe by manifold troubles ? The waters are come in unto my soule : Psal. 69.1.2 . I sinke in deepe mire , where there is no standing . My soule abiding in this darke house of earth , lyeth prostrate upon the ground , and is not able to rise : Lord heare the poore , and despise not thy prisoner . Let thy salvation , O God , set me up on high , let thy light and thy truth lead mee , and bring mee unto thy holy hill , and to thy tabernacles .

VERSE VI. Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Iordan , and of the Hermonites , from the hill Missar .

ANother help which David used to sustaine himselfe in this time of trouble , was by calling to minde the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of Iordan ; Iosh. 3. where God provided a passage for the Israelits , & preserved him when he passed over to shun Saul : So now going over the river , 2. Sam. 17.22 . hee hoped that God would make a way for him to escape the danger that might come by Absalom . Whereas hee nameth the land of Iordan , and of the Hermonites , he suggesteth to our remembrance the victory which God gave unto his people , when they tooke the land that was on this side Iordan , from the river of Arnon unto Mount Hermon : at which time Og , Deut. 3.8 . who was of the remnant of the giants , was overthrowne : And thereby his hope might bee confirmed , that although high-minded Absalom was swoln with proud conceits , 1. King . 20.11 . and girding on his harnesse di● boast himselfe as if hee had put it off ; yet the right hand of God was not shortned , no● his power diminished : Bu● hee will save and deliver all them that put their trust in him . Now these three places here mentioned , being the bounds of that countrey inhabited by the Israelites , Iordan towards the East , Hermon the North , and the hill Missar the South ; hee might from thence have this comfortable assurance , that God who was pleased to give unto his people so fruitfull a land after their tedious passage through the wildernesse , would likewise in mercy give him all good blessings needfull for him , after hee had waded through these troubles which hee now endured . In the meane while being deprived of his former liberty of worshipping the Lord in the assembly of the Saints , hee doth stirre up the gifts and graces that were in him , by remembring the goodnesse of God ; and the blessings which he had received . In so doing , he becomes a good example unto all them , that are robbed of that blessed meanes of comfort which they formerly enjoyed ; and unto all inhabitants of villages , which in the old law were counted as the fields of the countrey ; Levit. 25.31 And ( as too frequently ) wanting a faithfull watch-man , are more exposed to the treacherous assaults of the enemy , than Cities environed with Gods favour , and enriched with the pledges of his love ; that they would provide against the worst famine , and keepe those things which have beene committed unto them , 2. Tim. 1 14. & 1. Tim. 6.19 . laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come ; that they may lay hold on eternall life . As Paul gave direction for the collection of the Saints , that every one upon the first day of the weeke , should lay by him in store as God hath prospered him : So wee for the furtherance of the worke of our sanctification , in our first dayes , which wee ought to remember to keepe holy in remembrance of our Creator ; while wee reside in places that are enlightened with Gods favour , should lay up against the time of want ; Dan 6.10 . that as Daniel prayed and gave thankes unto God , his windowes being open in his chamber towards Ierusalem ; So wee looking unto the former part of our lives , may bee excited to prayer and thankesgiving . He is a wise sonne that gathereth in summer , Pro 10.5.14 . & 6.8 . laying up knowledge and keeping instruction . Salomon might justly produce the Ant gathering her food in harvest , thereby to convince the slothfulnesse of most men ; when the least and meanest of the creatures shall exceed man in prudence : And surely most men if they should rightly consider of the former part of their lives , they could not with David here remember God in so doing , for God is not in all their thoughts , Psal. 10.4 . nor his feare before their eyes . Their dayes have beene few , but the evils therein committed very many : Where the youth is vaine , the age is like to bee unprofitable , when nothing shall be left but the lees and dregs of our life . Eorum animi m●●es , & aetate fluxi , dolis haud difficulter capi●bantur . Salust . As Catiline desired the acquaintance of young men , who being plyable were soone taken with his fraudulent baits ; So Satan laboureth to bring such unto destruction : and when the strong man doth get possession in time of strength , he is not readily cast out . Difficulter reciduntu● vitia quae nobiscum crevciu●t . Senec . It is an hard thing to pare off those vices which have grown up together with our selves : Wherefore let us so order and dispose of this instant time , in doing good , that the use which wee make thereof may bee beneficiall unto us for the present , and confortable in remembrance hereafter .

Whereas David remembreth God from these places here named ; we may collect , That if we be well affected , there is no place , wherein we may not be put in mind of the bounty , and goodnesse of God : Whose eyes runne to and fro , 2. Chro. 16.9 . throughout the whole earth , to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect towards him . And as Ioseph in a place of pleasure provided against death , which at first sprung up in a garden : So those places which in themselves are most delightfull , may by our good improovement become most profitable : whereof I may have occasion to treat hereafter if it shall please God to give life and ability . In Christs Kingdome every valley shall be exalted , Isai. 40 4. and every mountaine shall be brought low : 1. King . 20.28 . The Lord is God of the hills , as of Hermon and Missar ; as also of the plaine , as this land of Iordane : From the valley which adjoyneth to the river , Gen. 48.16 . ( where fishes grow into a multitude ) and is thereby made the more fruitfull , we may learne to be humble , & God will give grace unto us : And by the hills we may be put in mind , & 22.8 . of Abraham his offering up his sonne upon a mountaine ; of Christ his transfiguration upon an high mountaine , Mat. 17. of his frequent praying upon Mount Olivet , Luk. 22.39 . and at last his ascension upon the same Mount : Act. 1.12 . Which may instruct us to offer up the sacrifice of our prayers unto God , that he would make us inwardly glorious , and in the end receive us into his heavenly kingdome . If we lift up cleane hands & a pure heart , we shall ascend into his holy hill : The Psalmist doth fi●st speake of the land of Iordan and then of Hermon and Missar , shewing the low estate whereinto he was now brought , when the waters were ready to overwhelme him , and the streame to goe over his soule . But then having confidence in remembring Gods mercy , he will feare no evill though he walke through the valley of the shadow of death : Psal. 23. Thy judgments are as a great deepe , 〈◊〉 36.6 . thy righteousnesse like the great mountaines ; God who by his strength setteth fast the mountaines ; & 65.6 . which bring peace to the people , will establish and support his children , and give them a good issue out of all their trialls .

As a man that thinkes hee hath escaped the perill of water being come unto the shoare , and yet is presently beaten back by the tenth wave , and brought into his former estate of daunger : So David who began to be refreshed in remembring Gods love , is now again overtaken with sorrow : When ,

VERSE VII . Deepe calleth unto deepe at the noyse of thy water spouts ; All thy waves and thy billowes are gone over mee .

DUring our whole life there is a continuall ebbing and flowing ; And this time of Davids affliction is like a double tide , wherein new troubles did arise , before the other were past away : If hee found a short time of release , it was like a fayre day in winter , which we use to say doth breed fowle weather afterward . That strength which he then recovered did enable him to undergoe those calamities which should come upon him . But for the most part , in this time of chastisement , there was no other voyce heard , but that of the flying Angel , Revel. 8.13 . which said ; Woe , woe , woe ; as if God , who afterward did smite the people for the sin of the King , should now smite the King for the transgressions of all the people . As in Iobs tryall , Iob 1.14 , 15 , 16. while one messenger was speaking , another came bringing sad tidings ; so here , before one calamity was past , another cause of sorrow did afflict him : To bee cast out of the city where hee lived ; To be expelled out of his kingdome wherein he governed , as unworthy to come within the borders of it : and yet God had promised that his throne should bee stablished for ever ; and when his daies should bee fulfilled , his seed should bee set up after him , but not before him ( as Absalom desired , building his house upon his fathers ruine ; ) Then to have his concubines defiled in the sight of all Israell : And all this not by an enemy , for then he could have borne it more patiently ; but by his owne sonne : And one messenger brings word , that the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom ; Another tels him , that Ahitophel the Kings Counsellor was among the conspirators : Moreover Shimei doth vex his righteous soule with malicious reproaches . Now what could bee done more , that was not done to make the measure of his sorrow , to bee pressed down in heavinesse of soule , and running over in the outward expression of his griefe ? How great and manifold are the dangers of them that goe downe to the sea in ships , ●sal. 107.26 . that see the workes of the Lord ? For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind , which lifteth up the waves thereof : They mount up to heaven , they goe downe againe to the depths : So here , Deepe calleth unto deepe ; David is exposed to the greatest perils that may be . The windowes of heaven are opened , ●en. 7.12 . as in the floud : There is the noise of thy water-spouts ; but no Arke of deliverance like Noahs ; no not so much as that little Arke of Moses , Exod 2.3 . whereby he may hope to be drawn out of these miseries . There is a mighty tempest , but no ship to defend him ; nor yet any signe of a calme , as to the Mariners ; neither any creature to waft him to the shore , Ionah 1.4 . as Ionah had : There is a boystrous winde , that made the billowes to goe over him ; but the helping hand of the Divine providence is not stretched out to uphold him , Mat. 14.30 . Psal. 69.2 . as unto Peter . The flouds over-flow him , the proud waters goe over his soule : & 124.5 . Hee is cast into the deepe , and all thy waves are upon him : Ionah . 2.3 . Not one wave alone , but many , but all of them . There was such a variety of his crosses , and such a succession of his trouble ; that as the day was prolonged untill such time as Ioshuah had subdued his enemies ; so here the night of his misery was doubled , untill such time as God had perfected the work of humiliation in him . God , who is most perfect , will finish every good worke that hee hath begun in any of his children : And being the author of time , hee disposeth of all things for our good , making us strong when wee are weake ; so that wee may take pleasure in infirmities , 2. Cor. 12.10 . in reproaches , in necessities , in persecutions , in distresses for Christs sake . And by seeing our miserable and weake estate , wee learne not to trust in our selves , but in God who raiseth the dead . When the water of affliction doth flow over our head , we are thereby cleansed , that we may be presented unto Christ without spot and blemish : As Pharaoh and his host were covered by the depths , Exod. 15.5 . and sanke into the bottome , as a stone ; so they that want faith to stand in temptation , are ready to be swallowed up of despaire . But every one that is godly hath this comfortable protection ; That in the flouds of great waters , Psal. 32.6 . & 18.4 . they shall not come nigh unto him ; and though the flouds of ungodly men make him afraid , though he be compassed about with many tribulations , Psal. 130.1 . yet out of the depth of his misery hee cryeth unto the depth of Gods mercy ; and prayeth unto the Lord on high , who is mightier than the noyse of many waters ; & 93.4 . yea than the mighty waves of the sea , to deliver him from them that hate him , & 79.14 , 15. that the water-floud may not over-flow him , nor the deepe swallow him up : And in conclusion hee finds this comfort , that neither height nor depth shall bee able to separate him from the love of God . Rom. 8.39 . When Christ was asleepe in the ship that sailed over unto the other side of the lake , Mat. 8.26 . there came downe a storme , insomuch , that the ship was covered with the waves : but when the disciples awoke him , hee said , Why are yee so fearefull , O yee of little faith ; and rebuking the sea , there was a great calme : So in our voyage to heaven , when the winde doth blow , the raine doth fall , and the waves doe beate upon us ; In strong temptations , when wee are opposed on every side , and looking up to heaven , see nothing but the terrour of Divine justice ready to fall upon us ; looking downe , wee see the horror of the pit ready to shut her mouth upon us ; and looking about , wee see all the creatures armed for our destruction , then through want of strength we are ready to sinke under the burthen of our calamities : But when the quickning spirit shall revive our faith , that slumbred within us , and restore us to the life of grace , wee begin to bee comforted , in assurance that God will put an end to our trials , and deliver us out of all affliction : Such was Davids anchor which he cast out now in this storme , and thereby hoped for safety . Though the waves and billowes doe goe over me ,

VERSE VIII . Yet the Lord will command his loving kindnesse in the day time , and in the night his song shall bee with me , and my prayer unto the God of my life .

AS before his teares were his meate day and night ; Verse 3. So now hee finds cause of rejoycing both day and night ; for the loving kindnesse of the Lord who did put songs of praise into his mouth : His misery and trouble were now present before him ; His comfort was only hope , but not to bee discerned by sense and reason : Yet such was the strength of his confidence , which he had fixed upon Gods love , that thereby he became as fully assured of deliverance , as if he were already restored to his former liberty . The wicked shall feare day and night ; Deut. 28.66 , 67. in the morning he shall say , Would God it were Even , and at Even he shall say , Would God it were morning : And his greatest woe , shall then begin , when time shall be no more : But the righteous that like Anna serve God night and day , Luke 2.37 . shall at all times be refreshed by trusting in Gods mercy : who will command his loving kindnesse in the day time ; as He hath promised to command the blessing upon them that observe his Lawes : Deut. 28.8 . And we know that all things obey the voyce of God . Hath he spoken , and shall he not performe it ? Do the souldiers come when the Centurian calleth , Mat. 8.9 . and shall not all creatures be ready prest to doe the will of God ? Though his loving kindnesse be as it were unwilling to come and reveale it selfe unto us , that have so highly offended ; yet when God commandeth , it must yeeld obedience : Yea he so commandeth , as that we may therein discerne his favour vnto vs : He sends the Angel to comfort Hagar , in her distresse : And he commands his kindnesse , which is as his messenger bringing glad tidings of great joy unto his children .

His kindnes is not without love : Pro. 12.10 . The tender mercies of the wicked are cruell , but the chasticements of God doe proceed from his love : An if our chasticements , then much more his kindnesse : He is a Father of mercies ; they are as naturall and as deare unto him as a sonne to his father ; And though a mother should forget her child , He will never forget his love to his children .

Mat. 5.45 . Our heavenly Father causeth the sunne to rise on the evill , and on the good , and sendeth raine on the just and on the unjust : He is kind unto the unthankfull and evill . Luke 6.35 . But as Hanun used the messengers of David disdainfully , 2. Sam. 10.2 . when he thought to shew kindnesse unto him : So wicked men doe abuse the goodnesse of God , and pervert it unto their owne destruction : But they that are indued with wisedome from above , doe sing praise unto his holy name , and doe pray unto the God of their life , for the continuance and increase of all his blessings .

The Lord will command his loving kindnesse in th● day time , by restoring him to his former liberty of appearing before God : And after he had in an holy manner performed the duties of the day ; he did in the night meditate upon the lawes of God , and rejoyce in the gracious benefits which he had received : Gen. 3.17 . ●abor exori●r durus & omnes agitat c●ras , &c. ●enec . The day is made for man to labour . It was the punishment upon Adam and his posterity , to eate their bread in sorrow all the daies of their life : Yet through the goodnesse of God , we receive many blessings therein . It is a time of salvation vnto us , if we dothe works of righteousnesse while it is day , and labour to know those things which belong unto our peace : 1. Pet. 3.10 . If we desire to see good dayes we must eschew euill and doe good : 1. King . 3.14 . Then the Lord will lengthen our dayes , Deut. 30.20 . yea he himselfe will be our life and the length of our daies : Wherefore let us ever remember the love of God , & 11.19 . and speake to the praise of his name : not only when we rise up in the day , but when we lye downe in the night ; Then to call to remembrance our song as David did , who remembred God upon his bed , Psal 77 6. & 63.6 . and did rise at midnight to giue thanks , & 119 62. whose eyes prevented the night watches , ●48 & 139.18 . & when he awaked he was still with him : And howsoever the sons of perdition do turn night into day , whose evill conscience hateth the light , 1. Thes. 5.7 . and being by darknesse robbed of all shame , Quippe omnem pudorem nox ademetat . Tacit. Gravis malae conscientiae lux est . Fastidio est lumen gratuitum . Senec. doe scorne the day so freely given unto them , And are drunken in the night , committing all kinde of wickednesse and uncleannesse therein : Forgetting that the darknesse hideth not from God , but the night shineth as the day ; the darknesse and the light are both alike to him : Psal. 139.12 . Nox faecundo operum pulchraeque accommoda fraudi . Stat. Yet they that are godly doe receive much strength and consolation in the night , to the refreshing both of soule and body . It did discover the tinorous weaknesse of Nicolemus , to come unto Christ by night ; Nox hominum genus , & duros miseraca labores . Val. Flac. But it sheweth our holy confidence , then to sing praise unto the Lord ; and with our soule to desire him in the night , yea with our spirit within us to seeke him early : Isai. 26.9 . In former times God appeared vnto his servants in visions of the night ; and therein revealed his good will vnto them : God came to Abimelech by night , Gen. 20.3 . and with held him from sinning : And surely we may make a profitable use of our dreames in the night , Iob 33.15 , 16. whereby many times God sheweth us the great corruption of our deceitfull hearts , wanting his grace to make resistance unto the assaults of Satan , who wil not give us any time to rest from his temptations : But as that great Commander did sodainly come upon the enemy , Ma ius ●n Salust . be . l. Iugur . by marching diverse nights ; so hee doth then beset us , and seekes to wound us , by casting his fiery darts , evil thoughts into our hearts : Sometime we offend by carnall affections , sometime by uncharitablenesse , carefull thoughts , and vaine imaginations . Psal. 16.7 . Dicetur merita nox quoque Naenia . Horat. My reines also instruct me in the night seasons ; and such a night requires a song of lamentation : But when the Lord hath proved our heart , Psal. 17.3 . and visited us in the night , and hath tryed us , and shall find nothing ; then may wee have a song in the night , and gladnesse of heart , as when an holy solemnity is kept . Isai. 30 29. There is great cause of joy , for that the Lord doth refresh and sustain us by quiet sleepe , after we have beene wearied with the evill of the day : And as hee giveth rest after labour , so hee giveth ease and deliverance after affliction and trouble . In the night , Act. 12.7 . a light shined unto Peter in the prison , and the Angel of the Lord raised him , when hee was sleeping betweene two souldiers , bound with two chaines : So the Lord doth looke graciously upon us in our most disconsolate estate , when we are environed with many miseries , and lifts us up by his favour , making away for us to escape out of the greatest dangers . At mid-night , Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises , and immediately , Act. 16.25 . by the earth-quake , all the doores were opened , and every ones bands were loosed . In the midst of trouble , if our mouth bee opened in prayer , our hearts also shall bee inlarged in thankes-giving : Even in the time of affliction there is cause of rejoycing , in that it comes from Gods fatherly love , who maketh us to trust in him for reliefe after the time of triall . Shall a man that is miserable delight himselfe in musicke ? Philoxenu i● Al●iano . and shall not wee bee comforted by singing praise unto the name of the Lord ? Iosephs brethren thought evill against him ; Gen. 50.10 . but God meant it unto good ; that he , being advanced , might preserve life : When wee thinke our selves to bee neerest unto destruction , God may then intend our greatest happinesse and comfort . As the heaven is high above the earth , so the height and depth of his wisedome and love doe exceed the capacity of our shallow understanding . Wee are not able to apprehend the manner of his gracious dealing with us : When the Lord turned againe the captivity of Sion , Psal. 116.1 . they were like them that dreame : Then was our mouth filled with laughter , and our tongue with singing . The Apostle himselfe in his gaole-delivery , Act. 12.9 . wist not that it was true which was done , but thought hee had seene a vision . At what time soever God is pleased to inspire his grace and comfort into us , we ought to rejoyce therein , and by night on the bed to seeke him whom our soule loveth ; Cant. 3.1 . Circumscribatur nox , & aliquid ex illa in diem transferatur . Senec. abridging that time of rest and ease , that it may become as beneficiall unto us , as the day it selfe . David was not satisfied by offering the sacrifice of thankesgiving in the courts of the Lords house , Psal. 116.17 . and paying his vowes in the presence of all the people : But in the night also he would continue his song of Gods mercy ; Siquis adest auditor lu●ciniae prius al imus quam cantus deficiet . Like that excellent bird , which is never weary or spent by continuing her delightfull notes : So this sweete singer of Israel was uncessant in praising the Lord ; not giving sleepe to his eyes , untill hee had blest his holy name . In time of affliction hee made his bed to swimme , praying unto the Lord to returne , and deliver his soule : Now in prosperity hee gives thankes for the blessings hee doth receive . When our bones are vexed , and our sleep departeth from us , wee pray unto God to deale mercifully with us ; But when our diseases are healed , wee doe not returne to give thankes , being soone overtaken with heavinesse and security : And yet David did endeavour to watch in the night , that hee might sing praise unto the Lord . He did not then onely meditate in the Law of God , when he could not take any rest , ( as Ahasuerus had the booke of the records of the Chronicles read before him , Esther 6.1 . when hee could not sleepe ; ) for now hee might lye downe in peace , and sleepe , when God made him to dwell in safety : Much lesse did hee intend to procure sleepe by a sinister performance of any good duty ; which notwithstanding is a corrupt practice of many men , who by singing , or reading , or hearing , or meditating , will have an unworthy aime to bring themselves asleepe ; and yet confessing that the enemy is most busied , when they are best exercised . And therefore David saith , Psal 149 5. Let the Saints sing aloud upon their beds : Thereby to testifie their cheerefull devotion , and also to prevent that spirit of slumber . Such as shall thinke to obtaine quiet rest by performing any such action ( in it selfe commendable ) they doe like unto that people which followed Christ , not because of the miracles , Iohn 6.26 . but because they were filled with the loaves : So these seeke him , not that their faith may bee strengthened , but that their bodies , may bee refreshed ; The words then used by them , being as a charme to gaine their purpose . Wee know how dangerous the fall of Eutichus was , Acts 20.9 . and yet he was overcome by a deepe sleep against his will ; whereas these men doe addresse themselves thereunto , stretching out the arme to welcome sleepe , rather than to declare any fervent zeale . And therefore as their offence is more hainous , so their fall will bee greater . And they also offend in an high nature , who in publike are not able to watch one houre ; but doe settle themselves to their repose : With what horror may they feare to be awakened by the sound of the last trumpe , who have despised the voyce of God ? And how can they sleepe without suffering many things , Mat. 27.19 . because of that Iust Man , whom they so unjustly contemne in their neglect of his Word exhibited unto them ? This example may be very forcible to convince the sluggard that folds his hands to sleepe : Shall David improve the night to so happy an use , and wilt thou consume both day and night in drowsinesse and sloth ? Also this good act here mentioned doth confute them that neglect the frequent use of so heavenly a duty : Whereas the Apostle doth call upon us to sing with a grace in our heart , Ephes. 5 29. Col. 3.16 . making melody unto the Lord. Quod essent soliti stato die antelucem convenire , c●●menque Christo quasi Deo dicere secum invicem . Plin. Iun. And in former time , Christians were so fervent in spirit , that they would not forbeare their spirituall songs in the night , though their lives were brought in danger thereby . Vide Tertullian . in Apologet . Bu● now , excepting that generall exercise in the congregation ( where there be too many abridgments of abridgements ) the use thereof is not so common as it ought to be . In some families it is rare , in other it is never thought upon : In Societies and Colledges , where friends meeting privately in the end of the best day , Luke 24.32 . perhaps their heart may burn within them while they talke about the Scripture , but yet this holy duty is much omitted ; which if it were conscionably performed in a religious manner , would bring comfort unto the soule , by letting the servants of God to depart in peace . Mat. 26.30 . That hymne which Christ sang with his Apostles , may bee a president unto all that are in authority , to doe likewise .

David saith , that the Lords song shall be with him in the night , Psal. 118.14 . And , that the Lord is his strength and his song ; which doth confound the foolish love-songs , and unreasonable poems , which are too much in request ; Songs in praise of Venus , and the great Diana , to the dishonour of their Creatour , & the shame of the maker ; striving to get a name , though it be by their owne confusion : This their way is their folly , yet their posterity approve their sayings . Of these we may say , as Ronsard spake of the famous Du-Bartas , He hath done more in a day then I have done in my whole life : So David hath done more by this song in the night , than they by the writings of their whole life : Wherefore let them forbeare any longer to exceed their bounds in loose dittyes , and wanton catches , whereby youth is soone taken ; as appeares by the lewd songs , so common in their night-walks , more harsh to every good eare than the voyce of the raven or any prodigious bird .

VERSE VIII . And my prayer unto the God of my life .

BEfore he spake of the blessings received , God commanding his loving kindnesse in the day time , Of his thanks-giving for those blessings , singing praise unto God in the night , And now he betakes himselfe unto Prayer , for the continuance of those blessings , and supply of all graces needfull . Wee see our poore and weake estate in this life : If God withdraw his right hand , we fall and perish : If he stop the fountaine of his mercies , we dye for thirst : Wee cannot say that we are rich , Revel. 3.17 . and increased in goods , and have need of nothing ; For in our selves wee are wretched and miserable : Going out full in the morning , we may be brought home againe empty in the evening : Having in the day given thanks unto God , who filleth us with his blessings ; before night we pray unto him for our dayly bread : In our thankfull acknowledgment of the benefits we doe enjoy , we humbly pray unto God , to renew his wonted mercies , and to multiply his favours upon us . How can we testifie our due valuation of the bounty and goodnesse of the Almighty , but by ascribing all glory unto him ? when our soules doe blesse the Lord , and all that is within us doe praise his holy name : How can we better declare the sincerity and devotion of our thanks-giving , than by our fervent prayer for the increase of those graces , for which we desire to give thanks ? He that is in want , may move compassion : He that is gratefull , will soone obtaine reliefe . Can we presume to beg any thing of God , not having rightly priced those blessings , which we have formerly received from his bountifull hands ? David was so far from forgetting any benefit , that God had bestowed upon him , that in this prayer , he doth insinuate a dutifull remembrance of Gods gracious dealing with him , in that he calleth Him , The God of his life ; who breathed into him the breath of life : who in sicknesse healed his diseases , and brought up his soule from the grave : Who delivered him from the Beare and the Lion , and that lion-like man , Goliah , and that Fox , who sought after the blood of this Lambe , and yet , confessing him to be innocent : And here from this ravening Woolfe , Absalom , who in the morning devour'd the prey , slew his brother Amnon ; And now thought to divide the spoyle , by casting his father out of his throne into his sepulchre : & laboured to have the Sun turned into darknesse , that himselfe might have shined like a blazing meteor ; But God was the God of his life : The living , the living he shal praise thee as I doe this day : Having received so great a blessing , he doth use it to the praise of his name : And from Him he hoped for that better life , when this should be finished ; for which Bathsheba prayed , That the King might live for ever : Our life being a good gift , doth come from the Father of lights : In him we live and move and have our being : And whether we live or dye we are the Lords : Then let us live to his glory , and bee willing to forsake all things to follow Christ ; and to lose our lives that we may save them at the last day : not like the unregenerate , who wil preserve their lives , though they destroy their soules ; and will keepe their goods , though they spend their lives : as Ananias did , Act. 5.5 . Mat. 21.19 . being like the fig-tree , which brought forth the broad leaves of outward profession , whereby hee thought to cover his nakednesse , Gen. 3.7 . But wanting sound fruit , he was blasted by the breath of divine justice , and withered away . By this example of David , we may be taught unto whom to direct our prayers : Even unto the God of our life , who hath given us so great a blessing , & is able to give us all things requisite for our good : How voyd of all sense , and understanding are they , that neglect praying unto the eternall and everliving God ? and doe pray unto Saints , which are dead , which never were living ; and doe represent their prayers unto images , in a language equally unknowne to the idoll and themselves ; Psal. 115 8. They that make them , so is every one that trusteth in them .

VERSE IX . I will say unto God , My rocke , why hast thou forgotten me ? why goe I mourning , because of the oppressions of the enemye ?

DAvid doth here premeditate what he should say , when he comes to speake unto the Lord in prayer : And in so doing he becomes a good example unto us , duely to consider our necessity , that we may performe this holy duty with the more reverence , and thereby obtaine the more comfort . As wee use to examin our selves before we come to the Lords supper , where we are made the partakers of the body & blood of Christ , So likewise we ought to search our hearts before prayer , at which time we partake of the benefit of his sufferings : Mat. 6.7 . And then we must omit vaine repetitions , for we are not heard for our much speaking : A few words with fervency & zeale are better than ten thousand without importunity & holinesse . The Pharisee made a great sound in his prayer , But the Publican like a vessel full of pretious liquor , strikes himselfe upon the breast , & drawes out these few words , God be mercifull to me a sinner . Our care must be to fitt our prayer unto the present occasion , And that estate , wherein we then are : Sometime the soule is lifted up with joy , and then there is cause of thanksgiving , and praysing the name of the Lord for his manifold blessings : Sometime it is weighed downe with sorrow ; and then we must be humbled in confession of our owne vnworthinesse , and labour to strengthen our selves by trusting in Gods mercyes : All helps are good , that may either assist us therein , or enable us thereunto : But above al , the Holy Spirit , which teacheth all things , and sheweth unto every man the griefe of his owne heart , leading him in the way of life ; By the which we must be guided & instructed all the dayes of our lives : In comparison whereof , all other are but blind guides , And not fitted to every particular exigent . Paul being unable to see , was led by the hand , Act. 9.8 . But after the scales fell from his eyes , he needed no such helpe . And that other blind man cured by Christ , Iohn 9.21 . being of age was able to speake for himselfe . They that are strong men in Christ , doe poure out their complaint before the Lord : Yea , the new-borne child doth cry , though not able to speake . In the beginning we cry unto the Lord in sighs and grones : And afterward growing from milke to strong meate ( as the flax , which at first did but smoke , in the end doth burn bright ) wee are able to make expression of our want . When Zacharias his mouth shall bee opened , Luk. 1.63 . and his tongue loosed , that hee could speake to the praise of God , the writing table may bee laid aside . Naturally wee are all borne with this infirmity ; and unlesse God put forth his hand , and touch our mouth , as hee did Ieremiahs , Ier. 1.9 . wee are not able to speake unto him . Let us then covet this excellent endowment , and pray unto God to open our lips , and to touch our tongue with a coale from the altar , that we may obtaine this originall and fundamentall blessing , whereby so many graces are derived unto us ; and wee come to bee built up in our most holy faith : In our voyage to heaven , take heed of these two dangerous rocks ; Either to withdraw the shoulder , Nehem. 9.29 . laying the burthen upon others , not seeking the bread of life by any sweat of our owne , but onely as wee wipe it off from the face of other men ; Or else a customary and negligent performance of this duty , whereby wee rather quench the spirit , than stirre up the gift that is in us , 2. Tim. 1. ● . that it may shine cleerly , for the benefit of others ; and burne cheerfully for the comfort of our own soules .

Now let us observe this resolution of David ; I will say unto God : Ought hee not rather to have confessed with Iob , Iob 9.3.15 . That hee was not able to answer him one of a thousand ? And though hee had beene righteous , yet would not answer , but make supplication unto his Iudge : As the Publican would not so much as lift up his eies unto heaven ; So , might not he have said , that hee was unworthy to lift up his voyce unto the Lord , and to speake unto him ? Who art thou , O man , Rom. 9.20 . that repliest against God ? Hath not the potter power over the clay ? Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker . Isai. 45.9 . 1. Pet. 2.20 . Are servants commanded to take it patiently , when they suffer for doing well ; and shall Gods servants bee impatient , when they are corrected for their faults ? as if , like Balaam , He did smite us when wee did not offend against him . Num. 22.28 . Also where hee complaineth , that he is now forgotten , he speaketh as if God should repent of his love towards him ; as Adam , when he thought to justifie himselfe , Gen. 3.12 . did impute the blame upon God : So David doth not accuse himselfe , who had provoked the Lord by his transgressions , but speaketh as if God had forgotten to bee gracious , and had rejected him in his displeasure . In the former part , I will say unto God , My rocke ; There is a strong confidence in Gods mercy , which emboldened him thus to speake : In the latter , Why hast thou forgotten me ? He speakes according to carnall reason , Iudg. 2.3 . which is as a Canaanite in the land , a thorne in our side , not to bee wholly conquered , untill the last enemy be destroyed . 1. Cor. 15.26 .

Before you saw him panting and thirsting for God ; but now he is come to the rocke from whence floweth the water of life : Before the waves and billowes went over him ; but now his feet are set upon the rocke : For who is a rocke save our God ? Psal. 18.31 . He is a rocke of refuge , & 62.7 . & 94.22 . of strength , of salvation . Thus Hannah calls him in her song : & 95.1 . There is no rocke like our God : 1. Sam. 2.2 . Thus Moses frequently in his song , Deut. 32 31. Their rocke is not as our Rocke : Thus David in his song , 2. Sam. 22.47 . Blessed be my rocke , and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation : God who is pleased to call himselfe , Exod. 3.14 . I AM ; may fitly be described by this title of the Rocke , as being ever the same : Yea more stable and permanent than any rocke ; Mat. 27 51. For the rocks have beene rent , but God is immutable , with him is no shadow of change : wherefore let us put our whole trust in God . And as the conies , Pro. 30.26 . though a feebl folke , yet are commended as exceeding wise , because they make their houses in the rockes : So it will be our wisedome to build upon this Rocke , Mat 7.24 . that we may no● fall , when we are opposed & exalted by the prince of the ayre . Ephes. 2. The dove is sayd to be in the clefts of the rocke ; Cant 2.14 . So let our soules , being purified by faith , enter through the wounds of Christ , Isai. 2.10 . and be united unto him by love . In this appellation here used , My Rocke ; the Psalmist alludes to Gods favourable dealing with the Israelites , whom he relieved by causing water to come out of the rocke at Horeb , Exod. 17.6 . Num. 20.11 . & Meribah : The remembrance of Gods grace , and love shewed unto others , doth bring comfort unto our soules : And it is the best menes for us to obtaine the blessings we want , when we doe magnifie his holy name for his mercy and goodnesse unto his children , and for the great benefits formerly conferred upon our selves : Isai. 17.10 . Not being unmindfull of the rocke of our strength . It was Davids infirmity , having begun in the spirit , in calling God his Rocke , thus to end in the flesh , saying , Why hast thou forgotten mee ? Had wee faith as a graine of mustard seed , Mat. 17.20 . wee might bee able to remove mountaines ; but it doth discover our unbeliefe , when wee thinke that our Rocke doth forsake us , that our God forgets us : Wee doe , with Iesurun , Deut. 32.18 . forget the Rocke that begat us , the God the fo●med us ; but he never forsakes his servants that wait upon him . How often would hee , like the henne , gather us under the wings of his providence and mercy ? But when did he , like the Ostrich , Iob 39 14. leave us wholly destitute of his favour ? Shall the man that falleth through his owne weakenesse , or is overthrowne by the strength of the winds , and power of the waves , accuse the Rocke whereon hee stood , for instability ? The Rocke is fixed and sure , but wee are feeble : yet such is our error , that as in passing by water , the eye is ready to apprehend that the rockes doe remove , and the vessell wherein wee are doth stand still : So wee many times doe deceive our selves , by thinking that God doth goe from us , when as wee doe runne from him by disobedience . 1. Iohn 4.10 . We have not loved God , but hee us : God hath not forgotten us , but wee him : Doth David demand , Why hast thou forgotten me ? Might hee not as well have asked , Why hast thou dealt so favourably with mee ? There was great cause of indignation , but no merit of love . 2. Sam. 7.8 . When God tooke him from the sheepe-coat , from following the sheepe , and anoynted him King over Israel , and delivered him out of the hand of Saul , & 12.7 . and gave him his Masters house , and the house of Israel , and Iudah ; and if that had beene too little , hee would have given him such and such things : Having received so great blessings , hee brought forth the grapes of Sodom in lust and uncleannesse ; making his transgression to be like that crying sin of the men of Gibeah , Iudg 25. where adultery and murther were both joyned together : Wherfore it was a just judgement of God , to forget him , who had so highly offended . And yet in this wee may see , that the wayes of God are not like our wayes , nor his thoughts as our thoughts : Wee thinke hee is well pleased with us , when hee is most angry ; and that hee forgets us , when hee begins to looke upon us in mercy . David during the whole yeare that hee slumbred in his sin , thought the time to bee like a jubilee of ioy , wherein all things succeeded prosperously ; but now that God doth punish him for his iniquity , and like a good shepheard , with his rod doth bring home this straying sheepe , hee thinkes that he is forgotten and cast out of Gods fight . Of our selves wee are not able to discerne Gods fatherly chastisements , and the trials of our faith , from the punishment of our rebellion ; yea wee thinke that wee doe him good service , when wee provoke him to wrath . Being punished for our sinnes , wee are ignorant of the cause of his anger ; unlesse hee shall tell us the cause why many are sicke , and weake , and many sleepe : For the heart of man is deceitfull above all things , and desperately wicked , who can know it ? Being thus ignorant , wee ought to inquire of the Lord , and to pray that hee would shew us the cause , why his anger is kindled against us , and his hand is heavie upon us : As David here , out of a desire to be informed , saith , Why hast thou forgotten me ? It seemed strange unto him , that God should forget to be gracious , and that his mercy should be cleane gone for evermore , considering how graciously hee dealt with his people , the Israelites : When they dealt proudly , Nehem 9. Verse 16. and refused to obey , thou wert a God , ready to pardon , and forsookest them not ; yea , when they made them a molten calfe , 17. 18. yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not : When they cast thy law behinde their backs , 19. and slew thy Prophets , and wrought great provocations , yet in their trouble , 26. when they cryed , thou heardest from heaven & gavest them Saviours . 27. When they had rest , they did evill againe , 28. yet many times didst thou deliver them , and wouldest not utterly consume them : Then why hast thou forgotten me , O my God ? Through the intercession of Christ we shal for ever enjoy the favour and presence of the Almighty . If God sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when hee remembred Abraham , Gen. 19.29 . who prayed for Sodom , then we may be assured that God will not forget us , having Christ Iesus to be our Mediator .

VERSE IX . Why goe I mourning , because of the oppression of the enemy ?

HAd this man of God spoken no more than he did before , that he was forgotten of his Creator , we might have conceived his estate to bee very disconsolate ; But now after the setting of the sunne , to have such horrid darknesse succeed : After he seemed to be forsaken of God , to be thus vexed by the adversary , must needs aggravate his sorrow ; when hee went from one place to another , not finding ease or comfort , first to the wildernesse , then to the ascent of Mount Olivet , after that he passed over Iordan ; not having his head adorned with a diademe , but covered with sack-cloth , making every place where he came to be like Bochim , Iudg. 2.5 . a place of weepers : While he was unjustly oppressed by one , who was an enemy unto God , and to David , and to himselfe ; who , as Iudas sought to shed the bloud of Christ , who had formerly washed his feet , So Absalom sought the destruction of his father , who before had washed the guilt of blood from him with teares of compassion , weeping sore for the evill done by him , & remitting his great offence , he received him into his bosome ; Yet this untamed heifer lift up his heele against him : This is the enemy that hath persecuted his soule , Psal. 143.3 . that hath smitten his life downe to the ground , that made him to dwell in darknesse , as those that have beene long dead . Had God dealt with him as he did with Saul , 1. Sam. 15.28 . to have rent the kingdome from him , and to have given it to another better than himselfe , he might have endured it with the more patience ; Let the righteous smite me , Psal. 141.5 . it shall be a kindnesse : But now , that the son of pride should make this humble servant of God to mourne , that the enemy to holinesse should thus afflict the child of Abraham , 2. Chro. 20.7 . Gods friend ; it must cause him to walke heavily , and to be full of perplexity : like the Hart which he mentioned in the beginning , which is in daunger to be devoured unlesse it be refreshed by the water-brookes ; So he is even consumed by these troubles , unlesse that God , who maketh the lame man to leape as an Hart , Isai. 35.6 . be pleased to renew his strength , and to put an end to these calamities . If we offend against God , we shall be punished by them that are worse than our selves , who shall be as his rod and his hammer for our correction . We cannot thinke those to be vessells of mercy , who were the instruments of his wrath against the Israelites , that went mourning by reason of the oppression of the enemy , imposing such heavy burthens upon them in their captivity .

It is our infirmity in time of any crosse , to looke rather unto the hand of him that smote us , than to the divine permission , or our sinnes provoking : No man could have power against us unlesse it were given from above : Iohn 19 11. There is no evill of punishment which God hath not done ; our destruction proceeds from our selves : And therefore David , who was unwilling to mourne because of the cruell oppression of an insulting enemy ; might yet have prayed unto God to breake his heart , and to give him true sorrow , that he might lament for his owne sinnes ; whereby he had incensed Gods displeasure , and by which , as by the most tyrannicall enemy , hee was oppressed and brought into bondage , when lust and corruption did set up their throne in the heart of him , who was advanced to the kingdome ; And were more unsatiable in their exactions , than ever the task-masters of Egypt , were against the distressed Israelites . Deut. 4.20 . And his worke was more servile , than theirs in the iron fornace , when his soule did burne in lust ; and though hee were a King , 2. Sam. 23.39 . yet he betrayed the life of his faithfull subject , 1 Sam. 18.14 . yea of one of his Worthyes , altogether unworthy of such an untimely end : And that he might make him sure , As Ioab thrust three darts through the heart of Absalom ; So he seekes to kill Uriah thrice ; First , to rend him asunder as Samson did the Lion , Iudg. 14.6 . when he tooke away his wife from him ; He put him to a second death , when he made him drunke : 2 Sam. 11.13 . And surely drunkennesse may well be called the second death , as being the next way thereunto ; And thirdly he caused him to be slaine by the enemy . Now this was a fit time for him to have cried out , Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy ? when Satan , as afterward in the numbring of the people , stood up against David , 1. Chro. 21.1 . and overthrew him . What greater sorrow , than for sinne ? What more dreadfull enemy than Satan ? What oppression comparable unto that which is undergone by the vassals of Satan ? whose condition is worse than that of the Gibeonites , Iosh. 9.23 . who were bondmen , hewers of wood , and drawers of water ; or than that of the men of Rabbah , who were put under sawes , 2. Sam. 12.31 . and harrowes of iron , and axes of iron , and were made to passe through the brick-kilne : There is no act so vile and fordid , that he doth not put them thereunto ; no torment so cruell , that hee doth not inflict upon them . How circumspect ought wee to bee , that the wicked one may not touch us ? and whensoever we are overtaken in a fault , how importunate should wee bee in our prayer unto God , night and day , to deliver us from that thraldome ? I am thine , Lord save me , and let thine eare bee attentive unto the prayer of thy servant , Nehem. 1.11 . who desires to feare thy name . Thou knowest , O Lord , that mine enemy is thine enemy : He first rebelled against thee , and justly suffered thy fierce wrath , by reason of his pride . Hee assaulted our blessed Saviour with diverse and sundry temptations , and would not leave him , untill being vanquished hee was commanded to depart : Mat. 4.10 . But for ever hee continueth his malice against mee thine image ; and often , too often hee prevailes against mee , so that I am brought into subiection , and the irons doe enter into my soule : Arise , O Lord , Psal. 105.18 . for my deliverance ; Thou hast bought mee , not with gold and silver , but with the bloud of thy Sonne ; O then redeeme mee out of this captivity : Why should this traitor destroy thy subiect , that laboureth in all things to bee faithfull and obedient ? Why should Satan vex thy servant , that endeavours to doe thy blessed will ? Why goe I mourning , because of the oppression of the enemy ?

VERSE X. As with a sword in my bones , mine enemies reproach mee , while they say daily unto me , Where is thy God ?

WHat grievous vexation and anguish holy David did endure , by the reproaches of wicked men , may appeare by the description thereof in this Psalme : Before there was the outward expression in teares ; and here is the inward torment , A sword in his bones . Not some little hurt in the skinne onely , nor some small wound in the flesh , but the breaking of the bones ; which how deadly it is , may appeare by the practice of the Iewes towards them that were crucified . Iohn 19.32 . This here mentioned , is not much unlike to that which is spoken of the Word of God , being sharper than any two edged sword , Heb. 4.12 . piercing even to the dividing asunder of the joints and the marrow : But that sword doth cut downe sinne from the good , with one edge ; and with the other it destroyes the soule of the ungodly : Whereas this doth wound the righteous , and like an Egyptian reed doth enter into the hand , yea into the soule of him that useth it . Had they spake thus unto him in sodaine anger , and unadvised passion , hee could the better have endured these disgraces : But their obstinate continuance in the daily use of it , did discover their inveterate malice , that they were given over to a reprobate sense ; and living without God in the world , they did scorn and vilifie all those that put their confidence in him : wherefore hee had iust reason to say , that they were bloudy enemies unto him .

There was a time , when there was no sword found with the Israelites ; 1. Sam. 13.22 . It were an excellent blessing if now in our Israel , there were none that did strike at the good name of their brethren , by slanderous reports , and uncharitable censures : But as then , Gal 4.29 . he that was borne after the flesh , persecuted him that was borne after the spirit , So it is now : Many thinke they cannot better declare their freedome from vice , than by reproching them that are vertuous . Ephes. 6. A good Christian shall have need of the whole spirituall armour , that hee may be enabled to withstand the fierce assaults , and to quench the fiery darts of the wicked : He must have his loynes girt about with truth , that he be not weakened , and shaken by the dissolute , and railing accusation that is brought against him : He must haue the breast-plate of righteousnesse , to oppose against their wickednesse , and his feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace , that he may not runne with them in the crooked paths leading to destruction : And the Sword of the spirit , which is the word of God , that he may thereby disarme them of these instruments of cruelty . There was a flaming sword , Gen. 3.24 . which turned every way , placed to keepe Adam , from reentring into Paradice : These flaming swords , these tongues set on fire from hell , keepe many men from walking in the wayes of godlynesse , and from approching unto the tree of life , Christ Iesus : who wanting a constant and firme resolution , will chuse to halt betweene two opinions , Psal. 107.27 . yea to reele to and fro , and stagger like the ship mentioned in the Psalme , in unknowne wayes , rather than with Micaiah , 1. King . 22.24 . to be smitten and reviled for their sincere profession of the truth . Could that blessed Martyr endure the picture of the devill which was put upon on his head , Iohn Hus in Fox . and esteeme it a crowne of glory unto him ? And shall not we undergoe the termes of disgrace , cast upon us by wicked men ? which being rightly considered , are no other than be used in holy scripture ; So that their sinne is the greater by the profanation . And it may be our greatest sorrow , that we have not attained to be such as they accuse us to be ; Or as we our selves desire to be . Now the successe which they shall find by this their violent carriage , will be no other than Asahel had , 2 Sam. 2.23 . who ranne upon his owne destruction . Mat 26.52 . All they that take the sword , shall perish by the sword : Psal. 64.3 . They whet their tongue like a sword , but it shall enter into their owne hart . & 37.15 . Ier 9.3 . They bend their tongue like a bow for lyes ; and shoot their arrowes , Psal. 11.2 . even bitter words , at the upright in heart : & 64.3.7 . But God shall shoote at them with an arrow , sodainly shall they bee wounded . & 52.2 . Their tongue deviseth mischiefe like a sharpe rasor , working deceitfully : But in the end it will bring them to torment . & 79.12 . They speake evill of those things they know not , and persecute the faithfull ; Nehem 4.4 . But God will render seven fold into their bosome , their reproach , and turne it upon their owne head : We may demand the cause of this their inquisition , Where is thy God ? He might have asked them one question , Iohn 9.27 . Will ye also be his disciples ? Had they intended to have taken his yoke upon them , David would willingly have instructed them in the way , yea hee would have beene their guide ; Come and see Him , who hath told me all things that I know , & 4.29 . and knoweth all things that ever I did ; is not this the only true God ? But they meant to honour him no otherwise than Herod thought to worship Christ , Mat. 2.7 . when he enquired diligently after him : He hoped to have killed the Lord of life , and they purpose to doe no lesse , comming out with swords , Mat. 26.55 . as against a theefe ; though they aime at the members , yet they smite the head it selfe in their persecution : Act. 9.4 , 5. What is done to one of those little ones , is done unto Christ ; and what is done to Christ , is done to one of them . A servant of God cannot heare His holy name , which wee ought not to use without great reverence , to bee dishonoured , but his righteous soule must be vexed thereat . It was this which did strike so deepe into David , and vexe him so sore : See the coherence which hee makes in the same verse ; Psal. 69.9 . For the zeale of thine house hath eaten me up , and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are falne upon me . How free hee was from anger and revenge in his owne particular case , may appeare by his carriage when Saul had a quarrell against him : For though Saul had so highly offended God by his folly , in offering a burnt offering , for the which hee was told that his kingdome should not continue ; God having sought a man after his owne heart : And againe hee rebelled by disobedience , in sparing Agag , & the best of the spoile ; at which time the Prophet threatned him , that his kingdome should bee rent away from him . And though David was anoynted by Samuel , and might have set upon Saul , when hee cut the skirt of his robe privily ; and another time might have suffered Abishai to smite him , and make him sleepe his last ; yet hee would not upon these pretences put forth his hand against him , but lamented at his death , and calls to the daughters of Israel to weepe over Saul . But here , when God was contemned , he was pricked to the heart , and his marrow was turned into the drought of Summer : He was upon the racke , and all his bones were broken , when he heard their evill speeches , whereby they infected the ayre , and poysoned their owne soules . Now between David and most men living in these daies , there is as great a difference , as betweene the King upon the throne , and the meanest subject grinding at the mill : Hee had a soveraigne command over him selfe , and was slow to anger , not sinning by wrath , yet most sensible o●e . malicious words , tending to the dishonour of God : Whereas many that in Gods cause are like dumbe idols , which have eares and heare not ; as if it did not concerne them , being never touched with inward compunction , when his name shall bee blasphemed ; but will rather give some consent thereunto , as if they were well pleased with such lewdnesse : And yet when their owne reputation shall be brought in question , they will whet their tongue , like a sword , in sharpe invectives ; and will whet their swords also , that they may wash off the least disgrace with the bloud of other men : But if God doth whet his glittering sword , and his hand take hold on judgement , Deut. 32.41 . he will render vengeance to all those which are of that mercilesse disposition that Cain was , who thought the life of his brother to bee the most acceptable sacrifice .

VERSE XI . Why art thou cast downe , O my soule , and why art thou disquieted within mee ? Hope thou in God , for I shall yet praise him , who is the health of my countenance and my God .

WHereas David so often repeateth these words , we may observe the manifold troubles which befall us in this life . Having mentioned his teates , and his banishment in the beginning , at the fift verse he rebukes his soule for sadnesse ; Having rehearsed his other afflictions , he now againe chides himselfe for this distrustfull heavinesse : As Peter , Mat. 14.30 . though he began to sinke the first time hee went to Christ upon the water , Yet he was not thereby discouraged from casting himselfe into the sea againe ; Iohn 21.7 . and then he passed safely to the shoare where Christ was : So though the waves & billowes went over David , when hee hoped to approch unto God by faith , yet here againe hee calls upon his soule , and casting himselfe upon Gods mercy , he arrives at the port of blessednesse : Hee did not overcome these temptations and trialls , at the first assault , nor yet was he wearied with the continuance of them ; But whensoever he was molested with any evill , he labours to strengthen his confidence in Gods love , that he may be restored to comfort . As Paul prayed thrice that the messenger of Satan might depart from him : 2. Cor. 12. ● . So our Author , shutting up the next Psalme with the same conclusion , doth the third time seek to be freed from this thorne in the flesh , this heavinesse that was so offensive unto him .

By this we may learne that lesson , which we shall have cause to remember , and occasion to practice , That through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdome of heaven : Act. 14.22 . 2. Cor. 7.5 . Without are fightings , within are feares . A wounded spirit , who can beare ? What sorrow so neere , what trouble so heavy , as this , when the soule shall be disquieted with doubt of Gods love or sense of his displeasure ? And yet wee must not faint and forsake our assurance , but continue faithfull unto the death , that wee may receive the crown of life : In afflictions wee must not thinke some new thing doth come upon us , which hath not beene before : Wee will not compare our sufferings and trials with those which David endured . Wee may take this one Prophet for an example of suffering affliction ; yet did hee not cast away his confidence , but hoped in God : therfore let us also hold fast the profession of our faith . Iam 5.7 . Behold , the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth , and hath long patience for it , untill hee receiue the earely and later raine : let us also stablish our hearts , that wee may bee refreshed with Gods favour . As in water , face answereth to face , Pro. 27.19 . so if wee looke unto the Lord , Psal. 42.5 . we shall praise him for the helpe of his countenance , who is the health of our countenance , and our God . The consideration hereof may be of speciall use and importance in all the casualties of this life , but chiefly at the time of death , Iob 18.14 . when wee are brought to the king of terrors : when this earthly house is dissolved , we shall be conducted to the kings palace ; when these old garments be laid aside , we shall be arraied in long robes ; I shall yet praise God , yea I shall for ever praise God , when I shall alwayes appeare in his presence , Who is the health of my countenance , who raised me from sicknesse to a sound estate , who gave me strength after infirmity , who filled me with plenty after adversity , who revived me with comfort after sorrow , and who will bring me to life after death ; Being then especially the health of my countenance , when hee makes my face to shine as the sunne , by beholding his glory , And doth change this vile mortall corruptible body into a glorious body . The lame man , Act. 3.4 . who was laid at the gate of the temple , looking upon Peter , received strength , and entring into the temple praised God : Though now our soules be cast downe , yet if we trust in the Lord , all our infirmities shall be cured , & entring into the holiest place we shall blesse the name of the Lord for evermore : Then be not discouraged with present afflictions , let thy hope be stedfast and sure : Though in tempests sometimes they cut the anchors & leave them in the sea , Act. 27.40 . that the men may be saved , yet if we let our hope depart from us we perish . The time of our life is but as sixe dayes of labour and sorrow , and in this space we have so many nights of quiet and comfort , yea we have an evening before the morning , a time of strength before a time of triall ; But in the end there is the eternall Sabbath of blessednesse , when we shall for ever magnifie the name of the Lord : Amos 8.5 . Though the carnall man doth with the Sabbath gone , that he may set forth wheate , and falsifie the ballances by deceit ; yet let not beleevers make hast by impatience , but waite upon the Lord , knowing that by this difficult ascent we come to sit upon the throne .

FINIS .