BEloued , we ought to be greatly ashamed of our selues , when as our good God and heauenly Father , goeth aboute by all meanes possible too drawe vs vnto him , and yet wee in no wise will come nighe him , but rather as is commonly said , do pul our heads out of the coller and hale backwarde . If there were none other testimonie hereof againste vs , but this Psalme which I am heere nowe in hand about to handle , it might suffice . The summe whereof is this , to shewe vnto vs what grace the Lorde our God offereth vnto vs , when as we are taught the straight rule and order , by which wee may rightly and truely serue him , wherein cons●steth the whole effect of our saluation , and the same to bee the very way and meane to com therunto . When as God then granteth vnto vs his grace , to be thus instructed by his woorde , beholde he hath now giuen vnto vs an vnspeakeable treasure , and impossible too bee sufficiently valued . By this Psalme is declared vntoo vs , that this is the very vse of the lawe of God , and also of all the holy Scripture : and that we are instructed and exhorted too profite our selues by that which is there offred vnto vs . But because that when any talke is ministred of drawing vs to God , wee are so blockishe and dull , that it is pittie and lamentable to see : and albeit that God approcheth neere vnto vs , and that wee haue many and sundry times cleerely forgotten all whatsoeuer wee haue vnderstoode and learned of him , see heere what an ayde and helpe he hath added for our behoofe : which is this , that his will and meaning is , that this Psalme shoulde bee drawne and framed into an order of eight verses aparte , and that all the verses of euery eight aparte , should begin with a seuerall letter , after the order of an A.B.C. As if he should say , It shall not be materiall that we be profounde learned men , for our instruction in that which is necessary to our saluation : But that the doctrine is common aswell to the learned as to the vnlearned . Are our wittes and memoryes growen so short ? Let vs then recken and tell vpon our fingers , when as wee haue learned A.B.C. Let vs then ioyne eight verses togither , and so eight by eight , & go through the whole crosserow , and wee shall haue the whole Psalme at our fingers endes . What shall we farther say ? If wee will hereby profite our selues no way , neither yet vouchsafe to hearken vnto our good God , ne suffer vs to be so familiarly guyded by him , yea euen vnto that thing which is more then necessary , may it not be very well sayd , that we are al most accursed ? True it is that verses in deede beginne not either with the English or yet the Latine letters : but with the Hebrue : wherin Dauid made and wrote this Psalme Notwithstanding so it is , that the wil and purpose of the holy ghost , is to make vs to fieele and vnderstand that which before I haue declared : to witt , that the doctrine herein conteyned , is not onely see downe for great Clearkes which haue gone to schoole ten or twentie yeeres : but also for the most simple : to the ende none shoulde pretende any excuse of ignoraunce . And herewithal let vs note this by the way : That weal , ought too knowe and vnderstand this Psalme as perfectly as our Pater noster as we vsually say . But here we must not say as a number of men doo , that our wit & capacities are not so excellent and fyne , as to comprehende & vnderstande the holy scriptures : and besides , that oure memorie will not serue too reteine and keepe that whiche sometymes is preached vntoo vs . A straunge case : wee will easely retaine and keepe in minde not onely vayne and foolishe songes and ditties , but also such as are both wanton & dissolute , & euen such as S. Paule sayth , doe corrupt and poyson good manners , for this horrible infection is always shutte vp for an euil intent and purpose . For if wee shall heare any villainous and ribaudrous song , which shall only stirre vs vp all to all filthy lust and shamelesnesse the same by and by we retaine with great ease .

Beholde nowe ▪ how the Lorde our God here teacheth vs as it were by an A. B. C. a moste excellent song amongst the rest , by which we may learne to rule & order our liues , whereby also he exhorteth vs to well dooing , to comforte vs in all our afflictions , to ratifie vnto vs the promisses of saluation , too open vnto vs the Gates of his euerlasting Kingdome , that wee might enter into euerlasting life : and all this is contayned within this A. B. C. of this present Psalme , and yet wee will all say that our memory is ouer shorte , and our witte too too grosse , or weake to holde it . Nowe I beseech you tell mee this , will this excuse goe for payment or not ? Verely I beleeue not , wherfore let vs learne to bestowe our whole indeuour and study to recorde the lessons which are heere taught vs : & that we may be heerafter throughly acquainted with this Psalme , if we wil be repured & taken to be the children of God . And seeing we see our nature to be giuen to many vngodly and pernicious , or at the least to very vnprofitable thing : let vs yet retaine and holde that which shall be moste profitable for vs , and the rather because that God so abaseth himselfe to the moste rude , simple , and ignorauntest emong vs . For mine owne parte , because I will frame my selfe to that manner and order which the holy Ghoste hath heere set downe , I shall inforce my selfe to followe as briefely as I can the plaine and true meaning of the text : and without continuing in longe exhortations . I will onely doe my best too mince or shred , as we say , the wordes of Dauid , because wee may the better digest them . For performance whereof , I determine by the grace of God , too finishe eight verses aparte in euery Sermon , and to holde my selfe with in such a compasse , as that the most ignoraunt shall easily , acknowledge and confesse that I meane nothing else but to make open and playne the simple and pure substaunce of the text . And nowe let vs come to the contents if the first viii . verses apart , beginning with the first letter Aleph : Blessed are they ( saith Dauid ) which are vpright in the way : and walke in the Lawe of the Lorde . First of all , he doth vs heere to witte , that we vnderstand not wherin our chiefe blessednesse consisteth , and the reason is , because that wee are blinde , and doe liue in the worlde as sauage ? and wilde beastes , vtterly voyde of sense and reason : and suffer our selues to be ledde and carryed away of our brutishe and swinish affections and lustes . And because it is so , that we are thus carryed away , it is a manifest signe and token that wee discerne not good from euill : or else that the Deuill hath so bewitched vs , that wee thinke thereof no whitte at all . True it is that the moste wicked wil confesse and say , that they desire too bee saued but yet in the desire thereof , they cleerely flye from it , and goe as cleane away from it , as they can for their liues .

But what is the cause whye they so greately withdrawe them selues from that which they so highly proteste too loue ? Yea they drawe as neere vnto it , as they can possibly flye from it . By this it seemeth that they haue conspyred too reiecte and make little accounte of that good which GOD meaneth to doe for them . And heere we are too note , that Dauid in this firste verse accuseth vs of horrible blindenesse , as if he should say , Surely you are all senselesse and without witte . And to say the trueth if there were but one droppe of reason in vs , without doubte , wee would not so reiecte and refuse our saluation of a sett purpose as wee doe . See heere howe mercifully our good God dealeth with vs , who sheweth vs howe and in what manner we may be blessed , and yet we for all that drawe altogither backwarde . Doth not Dauid then of very right , iustly condemne vs ? But because euery of vs protesteth to knowe the right way , hee addeth , They which walke in the way of the Lorde . Hee hath sayde : Blessed are they which are vndefiled in their way : that is , whiche walke aright . And who are they ? It is very true in deede as before I haue sayde , that there are a greate number , which will boast them selues too walke aright , and that in such sorte , as that it can not be much amended : and yet notwithstanding , if they be asked who made their way , and who it is that assureth them that they shoote at the true marke , they knowe not what aunswere to make . For there is but one way which leadeth to saluation , which is the law : as Dauid heereof speaketh , wherefore as many as walke in the Lawe of the Lorde , sayth he , goe not out of their way . We haue in this firste verse twoo notable lessons : The one is , that God heere acuseth vs , that euery of vs strayeth and erreth from the way of saluation , and although wee proteste that we are willing and desirous to bee saued , yet for all that our wicked affections doe in such sorte carry vs away , as that we desire nothing else but that wee may bee farre from that felicitie and blessednesse which is set before vs . For there it is sayde , Blessed are they which walke in the right way . And thus much for the first poynte . The seconde is , That wee may inuent and deuise many and sundry kindes of life , and so think that we go the best & surest way that may be , and by this meane deceiue our selues , for there is but one way that leadeth to saluation . What way is it ? It is not that which wee of our owne braine doe imagine : For when Isaiah sayth , Esay . 53.6 . that euery one hath declined from his way , he meaneth that we all runne into euerlasting destruction . The Law of God then is the way which must rule and order our life , and when we will hearken vnto it , all thinges shall goe well with vs , but whosoeuer swarueth from that , the same is like vnto a sauage and wilde beaste , which can doe nothing else but gallopp and flinge ouerthwart the fieldes . There is none of vs all but that may haue many motions which may seeme good to vs , as wee may see by the poore and filly vnbeleeuers , which are very feruent and earnest to doe this or that , which too their thinking seemeth very good and profitable : but yet the spirit of God is not their leader and guide .

Nowe it is sayde , That when wee haue the lawe of God before vs , it shal go wel with vs : & that without it , it is impossible , but that our life must needes bee confounded and come to naught . He sayth a little after , Blessed are they which keepe his Testimonies : and seek him with their whole heart . Dauid now vseth another worde , then this word the law , to wit , testimonies . This word in it self importeth a couenant or contract , & it is not to be vnderstood otherwise than to be ayplyed to this end : to wit , that God couenanting with vs , declareth , that his meaning is to pull & draw vs vnto him , and also howe we ought to order our life , because cause it is a mutuall Contract betweene him and vs . As if he should haue saide ▪ Goe to now , vnderstand you that heere I make a couenaunt with you , that you acknowledge mee to bee your GOD : That you doubte not of my loue towards you , and in louing you that I am your Sauiour , and that you call vppon mee in this affiaunce and trust , and besides that you bee also my louing & obedient Children , that I doo protect and gouerne you , and that you are my householde Seruauntes . When the Lorde our GOD thus abaseth and offereth him selfe vnto vs , and that hee vseth suche famyliaritie and gentlenesse towardes vs , as to talke with vs , It is sayde , that hee giueth vs his Testimonyes of his loue and fauour towardes vs .

Heere nowe Dauid declareth , That they are blessed which keepe the Testimonyes of GOD : and seeke him with their whole hearte . As if hee shoulde say that the Lawe of God consisteth not onely in this , that it shewweth vnto vs what wee ought too doo , but that it carryeth also with it another speciall Doctrine : too weete , to assure vs that hee will bee our Father , that hee loueth vs so deerely that hee desireth none other thing of vs , but that wee woulde bee his sonnes and heyres . And heerevnto tende all the Ceremonyes , whereof wee shall speake hereafter more at large . Yet this is true , that aswell in this place abouesayde , as also by the reste of the names couched in this Psalme , as of Statutes , Decrees , and Ordinaunces , Dauid alwayes meaneth the doctrine of the Lawe . Howbeit it is to be noted , that this diuersitie of woordes , it is not heere sette downe without good cause . For it expresseth moste plainely vnto vs , what varietie of consolation wee receiue by that which GOD sheweth vnto vs in the Lawe of Moyses , and in all the Prophetes , who are as it were Expositors thereof . For many times when wee speake of the Lawe , wee suppose that there is nothing else meant but that which GOD commaundeth vs to do . But there is a great deale more to be considered : to witte , hee assureth vs of his fauour and grace , and willeth vs to staye our selues thereon , that wee might be assured of our saluation , and that also we might be certaine of his loue by his sacraments therein ordeined . Moreouer , that wee shoulde addresse our selues to Iesus Christ , and by that meanes be instructed to runne vnto him who is our onely and alone Sauiour . When God then speaketh vnto vs , we must consider that hee saith not onely , doe this , or that , but declareth himselfe vnto vs , what manner of one wee should thinke him to be , and what one also he sheweth him selfe on his parte too be towardes vs , both by experience and effecte . This diuersitie of woords vsed heere in this Psalme by Dauid , is not superfluous : For it sheweth vs that the Lawe of God doth hot onely commaunde vs how wee should liue , and after what sorte : but doth also certifie vs of the good will of God , promiseth vs saluation , leadeth vs too Iesus Christe ; stirreth vs vp too call vpon the name of God , giueth vs Ceremonies to confirme vs therein , and moreouer , that it guideth , & holdeth vs within our limits . And surely there is not one verse in all this Psalme ( although there are very many ) wherein there is not mention made of one of these wordes , too witte , either of the lawe of God , or of his Commaundementes , either else of his Ordinaunces , Statutes , or Testimonyes , or of his voice , Iudgementes , or Iustice . These wordes are heere so many times repeated , as that there is not one verse , but that there is one or sometimes twoo of them in it : as heereafter wee shall see throughout the whole Psalme ▪

And now let vs come to the matter heerin contayned : Blessed are they which keepe the Testimonies of the Lorde : and which seeke him with their whole heart . First Dauid decalareth heere ( as afore said ) that wee haue greatly profited in the lawe , when as wee shall acknowledge and confesse what affection and loue God beareth vs , and how we ought to assure our selues of his good will and fatherly loue . And afterward he telleth vs to what end and purpose it is , that God graunteth vnto vs such an assurance , bicause ( saith he ) we should seeke him . For this is most sure , when as we shall vnderstand God to be such a one , as he declareth himselfe vnto vs by his worde , it is impossible but that wee shoulde stirre vp our selues , and be moued to giue our selues wholy vnto him . And to proue that this is true , behold the inestimable bountie and goodnes declared vnto vs in our God , what man is hee that is so peruerse and voide of sense and reason , which wil not be contented to place him self there , where he thinketh his whole blessednes and felicitie consisteth and lieth . Euen so likewise , when as become careles in seeking after the Lorde our God , it is a signe and token that we haue vnderstoode nothing of that which he hath shewed vnto vs of his goodnes and mercie , and of all his fatherly affection , which is witnessed vnto vs in the law , and in the holy scriptures . But because it shall be no great adoe for a number of men , to make a countenance of seeking the Lord , Dauid sheweth that wee must not seeke him with our feete and handes , with the outward gestures of the bodie alone , but with a true and pure affection . And therefore , he saieth , Blessed are they which seeke him with their whole heart . As if he should say , I would not haue you to doe as the hypocrites do , which beare of religion with strong hand , no , I meane not so : but I would haue your loue to be sound and true . As touching that saying , With their whole heart , it is to declare vnto vs , That God cannot away with parting of stakes , as we men many times doe : For we are well contented to bestowe some part vpon God , and would be at free libertie to holde vs with the world , and to serue God by halfes . But Dauid teacheth vs here to serue him with our whole heart : to wit , in all integritie and soundnes , and not with two faces in one hood . He would not haue vs patted in sunder , to saye , Well , I am contented to serue God , howbeit I would not that he should require my whole seruice to him selfe : but that I might after satisfie and followe my owne lustes and pleasures , that I might be at libertie to serue the worlde . No not so ( saith he : ) It must be brought into a true and perfect soundnes , and not to deuide man after such a maner . True it is that wee shall neuer be able to seeke God with such a perfection , but that it may be greatly amended : neither doth the holy scripture meane by this saying , With their whole heart , ful perfection , but only opposeth it selfe against the hypocrisie of a great number of men , and which would be in vs al , were it not that God him self did remedy & help it . That is , we would with good wil serue God by halfes , if so be he would let vs alone with the rest , to do what we thought good . As for example , Wee shall haue very many which will not sticke with God , to come to the Sermon on a Sunday , and to be present at the prayers of the faithfull , and to make some shewe of religion : and yet they would haue God to giue them free choise to do what they listed at the rest of the weeke after : or if they come to a Sermon oftener then on the Sunday , it seemeth to them that they haue done very well , that they are throughly discharged of their dueties if they tarrie there but one houre . But because they might be set at more libertie , they will not sticke to saye , that they will bee free from some one vice , one will say that he will be no whoremaister , Another , that he will be no drunkarde , Another , that he wil be no blasphemer : & yet euery one of these wil haue his particular vice , and thinke that God ought to beare with them , seeing that for his honour , and to do him pleasure , they absteined from some synne , and that they obeyed him in some point . But the scripture telleth vs that all this is nothing , but that euery one ought to examine him selfe throughly and in all pointes , and finding in him selfe any thing which is against the wil of God : to be vtterly displeased therewith , clerely to renounce it , and to desire nothing but to be cleansed thereof . See nowe , this is that perfection , whereof Dauid here speaketh . Nowe let vs see what is the summe of the second verse , to weete , that wee should doe nothing els but study in the lawe of God , not onely to knowe what is forbidden or commaunded , but to be certaine what maner of one GOD is towardes vs , and what affection he beareth vs , that we might put the trust of our saluation in him , and call vpon his holy name . And besides , there is declared vnto vs , that when we haue tasted of the mercies of God , that hee hath certified vs of his loue and grace , that the same ought to stirre vs vp to seeke him , and to cleaue wholy vnto him , and to yelde our selues wholly to his seruice : and that not in the outward shewe , and in hypocrisie : but with a pure and sound heart and affection , and not by halfes : so that there bee founde true soundnes and integritie , as before I haue touched . Now it followeth ,

Surely they woorke none iniquitie that walke in his waies . First Dauid here sheweth in this present verse , what the cause is why all men abounde in euill and iniquitie : to weete , for so much as they will not bee ruled by the Lorde their God . See here the spring head of the outrages , of all the disorder , and confusions in the worlde , to weete , that God is prest and ready to guyde and gouerne vs , but what ? we may not awaye to beare his yoke , euery man refuseth it , and wil be exempt from it . Loe here whereupon ariseth our dissolute and wanton life , to weete , bicause we will not suffer the authoritie which God hath ouer vs , to leade and guide vs , as he is alwayes ready to do , and as he also sheweth vs by his lawe . Let this then be an Item for vs .

And it followeth further . For Dauid meaneth to confirme the woordes before spoken , to weete , howe it commeth to passe that wee are blessed , that is , if wee keepe the testimonies of our GOD , and walke in his lawe . For , sayeth hee , they which doe no wickednesse walke in his wayes : contrarywyse , wee doe nothing but prouoke his heauy wrath and displeasure against vs , in committing of synne and iniquitie .