THe Prophet declareth in this Psalme howe God of his iustice , for the great syn of Ephraim , tooke from that Tribe both the Tahernacle and the Scepter , & gaue them to the tribe of Iuda : whom then according to his mercy he had purposed to blesse with al pefect happynes . In which we learne not to abuse Gods mercies , least they be taken away from vs , as from the tribe of Ephraim they were . And then what helpeth it vs that in times past we haue bene happy ? And least this should happen also vnto the tribe of Iuda , to fal from Gods mercies , into hys displeasure : the prophet in this place stirreth them vp to thankfulnes , that they might be found worthy to haue continued toward them so great blessinges . And this he doth by example of Dauid , in shewing both how mercifully God had delt with him , and how obediently Dauid walked before the Lord .

And herein he vseth as it were thrée reasons Three reasons . to moue them withall . The first is of Gods great mercye whence he had called Dauid . The seconde is of Gods intent and purpose whereunto he called him . The third of Dauids own person how faithfully & how truly he did execute that wherunto he was called . The first argument or reason he comprehendeth in these wordes : He chose Dauid hys seruant , & tooke hym from the Shepefolds . The second in these wordes : He chose hym to feede hys people in Iacob , & his inheritance in Israel . The third in these wordes : So he fed them according to the simplicitie of hys hart , and guided them with the discretion of his handes . These argumentes wil I speake of as God shall geue me vtteraunce . And if they shal be now more effectual to moue vs , then they were then to moue the people of Israel : then be we profitable & happy hearers . If not , it is good right and reason , that as we haue bene in the fellowship of the same sinne and iniquitie , so we shoulde be partakers of the same reward & punishment : that if God shal so deale with vs , that we loose againe both the Tabernacle & the Scepter , as they haue done before vs , we can say no other but the Lord is righteous , and behold we haue eaten the fruit of our own labours . Let vs therefore consider of these argumentes , and styrre vp as we may the gift of God that is in vs , that at length we may learne by them more holy obedience .

The first argument is the good consideration of Gods mercies whence he called Dauid . I Which argument alone is so effectuall and strong to styr vs vp to the obedience of our calling , that it is able ynough to rayse vs againe , though we were neuer so deepe soonken in rebellion . A sure proofe of the efficacie of it may be vnto vs the oft & continual vse of it in the sacred scriptures . For seyng that Gods spirit in his holy word doth so oft aply it , both as a helpe to confirme the godly , and as a present remedy to turn againe the most obdurat and wylfull synner from hys obstinate purpose : surely , except al the dewes of gods mercies be marueilously dryed vp in our barren hartes , the same argument if we can well thinke of it , wyl be effectuall in vs to woorke our regeneration in the newnes of lyfe . 〈◊〉 God would haue Abraham to forget his country and hys fathers house , to go that long and weary iourney into the land of promise , wher he and his posterity should dwel after him , h●… con●…med him w●…th thys saying : I am the Lord thy God , which brought thee out of 〈◊〉 . xv . V●… of the Chaldeans . By this rem●…brance of hys former benefits he perswaded Abraham to aduenture al that he presently enioyed , vp●… hope of a better promise , which yet he had no●… sene , but which should be fulfilled .

When God would moue the children of Abraham , that is the children of Israel to turne againe from their great iniquites , that they has so long practised in the hardnes of their hart , he vseth but this argument , to tel them of all the miseries that they were borne in : their country to be a cursed country , their fathers idolaters , themselues geuen ouer to al voluptuousnes and pleasure , not regarding Io●… . 24. Ge●…e . xi . Exod. iij. God , nor seking his religion . In which woful estate when the Lord God did behold them , he pitied their misery , & said euen then vnto them : You shal liue . By which promise their former Exod. x●… . wo vanished away , and in stede of nakednes they were clothed with broidred worke , they wer couered with siue silke , de●…ked with ●…ny ornaments , & had a crowne of beuty vpon their heades . Now therfore that they should 〈◊〉 . 23. not walke in their own waies , or commit Idolatry as other Gentiles did , nor treade such Es●… . xli●… . E●… . xvi . benefits vnder their féete : this argument as a strong medecine the Prophet repeated often , and with many wordes .

Thus God delt oft with the Kings of Israel 〈◊〉 . S●…m . x●… . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . x●… . xv●… . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●…ij . 〈◊〉 . Regum 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . and of Iuda , when they began to fall away , & walke as others nations walked that were rounde about them . He called them back by putting them oft in mynde , how hys mercy had bene with them , and from what low estate he had raysed them up . Thus the Prophets of God delt often wyth the people . Iosua , when Iosu. ij . he had brought them into the land of Chanaan , to the end they might feare God , and so make theyr dwelling sure , he made vnto them a long repetition of Gods benefites , that by remembraunce of them theyr dull spirites might be styrred vp the more obedientlye to followe God . Samuel , when , he was afraid of Gods 〈◊〉 . S●…m . 〈◊〉 . heauy displeasure towards the people of Israell , because they had asked a king for them : to th●…nd they might turne a way Gods anger from them by their spéedy repentaunce , he tolde them what God had before done for them , as a ready way to make them beware afterward , how they did willyngly●…●…end so louing a father . Steuen , when he woulde 〈◊〉 . v●… haue perswaded those , whose iniquitye was now growen to so ful measure , that they ha●… crucified Christ , as though in this alonè were the greatest hope of amendement , he chose no other way to conuert them but this , to show in long exhortation what God had done for them , & for their fathers . And this , as in the beginning it was geuen by the holy Ghost to man , as a soueraygne medecine to keepe him far from vnthankfulnes : so it hath bene continued by the same spirit from time to time to styr vs vp not to forget the Lord . Our Sauiour Christ to make hys Disciples sure , and that they should neuer shrincke for aduersitie , he tolde them often this , that they had not chosen him , but he had chosen them . Saint Paul , Iohn . xv . when he would moue the Corinthians for to auoide the false Apostels , and to folow Christ , he perswaded them thus , that in times past 1. Cor. xij they were Gentiles , and were willingly lead away to dum Idoles . And agayne to the Ephesians : You were in tymes past dead in Ephesi ij trespasses and synnes , you walked after the Prince that ruleth in the ayre , after the spirit , that now worketh in the children of disobedience : but God who is ritch in mercies , thorough the great loue wherewith he loued vs , euen when we were dead , hath quickned vs in hys sonne Christ .

This argument , dearely beloued , seing it is so strong , let vs apply it vnto our selues for our disease cleaueth fast vnto our bones with long continuance , and we haue néede of sharpe medicine to heale if agayne . Let vs therfore vse it ( I beséeche you ) and if Gods spirit haue not forsaken vs , that we be vncureable , no doubt we shal recouer and grow to amendement . Let vs sée our own estate , and what God hath done for vs , what cloudy●… daies haue gone ouer our heads , and in how faire sunshine we be set againe , and no doubt wh●…●…e hereafter shal alure vs as before , it wil make vs afraid of his deceitfull baite , and we wil neuer be brought with the beuty of the golden cup , to drinke of the spirituall whoredomes that are within . We were in times past Gentiles , and vncircumcised people , Ephe●… . 〈◊〉 now Christ hath pulled downe the waule of seperation , and made vs all one , euen hys children of adoption . We were aliantes from the common wealth of Israel , now we are receiued as Citizens , in the company of hys faithful . We were straungers from the couenaunt and promise , now Christ hath deliuered a new Testament , in which we also are written heires of mercy . We liued som●…e in ignoraunce , and had no hope , now we haue receiued knowledge , and are comforted . We were without God in the worlde , and could no wher lay downe the terrours of our sinnes , but now we haue receiued the spirite of adoption , by which we cry Abba , Father . And what should I say more ? We wer subiect vnto sinne , hel , death and condemnation , now Christ hath spoiled the principalites and Rom. viij powers , deliuered vs out of the power of darknes , translated vs into a kingdome of immort●…ie Col. ij . ●…xv & grace . Except we haue set our harts as an Adamant stone , or as the Prophet saith Col. i. xi●… made our harts and faces like the Flint , it is impossible but that thys cogitation shoulde ●…ze . iij. ix moue vs . Or if it do not so , surelye , surelye , though the Lord had not spoken it thus often vnto vs , or if the Scripture were not written for our instruction , yet the law of Nature would condempne vs for most vnthankfull men . Day and night we should beare a witnes in our own conscience , how fearful iudge ment God hath reserued for so great iniquity . Who amongest vs could beare it , to be rewarded with vnthankfulnes , wher we haue well deserued ? To bee contemned of those , whom we raised vp to honour ? To be spoyled of those , whom before we had clothed ? To be betraied of those , whom we haue especially trusted ? And how then are we blynde and vnderstand nothing ? Howe shall the Lorde beare it at our handes , if we be vnthankfull vnto him , if we contemne him , rob him of his honour , who alone hath made vs glorious , when we were couered with our own shame and confusion ? The Lord graunt vs his holy spirit , that we deceiue not our selues .

There is nothing more effectual to moue a sonne to obedience , then to know he hath a louing father . Nothing maketh so trusty the ●…ondseruant , as to remember he hath a gentle Maister . Nothing maketh the Subiect more faithful vnto his Prince , then to féele by good experience his Princes elementy . Nothyng ioyneth man faster in the bond of friendship , then to consider well what his friende hath done for him . And let nothing binde our obedience more carefully to the word and wyl of God , then that he hath so long continued mer ciful vnto vs . As sure as the Lord doth liue , this is his holy truth , he that cannot be moued with this , he hath not Gods holy spirit . Poo●…e or ritch , bond or free , hye or low , Noble or of low degrée , Prince or subiect al is one . The remembrance of Gods mercy must make vs al thankful , were we neuer so mighty . This cogitation must vanish far from vs the pride of a kingdome , to thinke how God hath raysed vs from the sh●…s . Whoso●…er can say thus : I haue bene bond , but I 〈◊〉 free : I haue bene in danger , I am in safety . I haue bene feareful and trembling , I am carelesse : I haue bene ful of sorow , now my soule is at rest : I haue bene in misery , I am in dignity : I haue bene a prisoner , I am a Princes . Beleue me , beleue me , if the great and goodly Cities , which he builded not : if the houses full of al maner of gold , which he filled not : if the vineyardes and Oliue trées , which he planted not , did not make him to forget the Lord , which brought him out of the land of Egypt , out of the house of bondage : If prosperitys haue not made him dronken , so that he hath banished farre from him al sense and vnderstanding , the remembrance of this thing will make him thankful vnto him that hath bene the worker .

Yea , euen you that are now a Princes of Maiesty , if you haue felt any such alteration , take héede , flee far away from al vnthankfulnes . If you haue sene the daies , in which you haue said : O Lord , I haue no friend but th●… alone , now that prosperitie hath brought vnto you a great many of faire countenaunces , forget not that God , who was your onelye Friend in trouble . If in times past you haue praied that you might not builde vpon the sand , to haue your house shaken wyth euery Mat. vij . blast of winde : now that you haue choyce of your 〈◊〉 ground , take ●…de . I beseeche you , where you lay your foundation . Now that the Sterne and Helme is in your own band , guide your Ship so that the waues do not ouer run it . If you haue prayed in times past vnto God to molify your enemies harts , and to bring their cruel practises to nothing , now that you your selfe are in safety , be not cruel vnto Gods anointed , and do his Prophets no P●…l . ●…v . harme . I neede not séeke farre for offences , wherat Gods people are greeued , euen round about this Chappel I see a great manye , and God in his good tune shall roote them out . If you haue sayd sometime of your selfe : Tanquam Ps●… . xlii●… ouis , as a Shéepe appointed to be slain , take héede you heare not now of the prophet : 〈◊〉 . xxx●… Tanquam indomita Iuuenca , as an v●…tamed and vnruly Heiffer . I wyll not with many words admonish your Maiesty , that are wise inough : onely I wyll say this , returne into your own hart , and search your raynes . And here I set before you the tribunall seate of Christ : If you know these things to be true , discharge the faith you owe , greene not your quiet conscience , least it begyn to accuse you , and the burthen of it be greater then you shal be able to beare . If God haue defended you mightely , as euer he did Dauid the Prophet , discharge your faith with the Prophet Dauid and cry in spirit : Quid retribuam Domino 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 pro omnibus quae retribuunt mihi ? What shal I geue vnto the Lord for all those benefites that he bestowed vpon me ?

And thus much as God hath geuen me vtterance , I haue noted vnto you out of the first part of this scripture , how that God did chuse Dauid from the shepefold . The Lord geue you grace to confesse his goodnes , and she we your selues more thankfull for all his benefites . One other thing we maye note here , that al that we haue of God , it is of hys frée mercy , it is not of our deseruing , euen as he gaue both the Tabernacle and the Scepter vnto the tribe of Iuda , because he loued it . So God gaue vnto his people a land that flowed with milke and hoony , but he gaue it not for Iosua . v. their righteousnes , for they were a frowaroe , people , but because he loued them . So God delt fauourably with Sion , that is , wyth the children of Israel , not because of their obedience , Deut. 1. 8 for they were a rebellious nation : but because hee remembred his othe whych her sware vnto their forefathers . So God fulfilled the prophecy of Iacob , & he blessed Iuda , 〈◊〉 . xlix . but he fulfilled it in Dauid , whom hee tooke from the shepefoldes . So Christ made hys 1. Corin. j. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kingdome euerlasting in the house of Iacob , but he layd first the foundation of it . And now he hath builded it vp neither by the wisdome of the wyse , nor by the vnderstanding of the p●…udent , but to testifye vnto vs his frée grace and mercy . Hée hath chosen the foolish things This her doth to beare dow ne 〈◊〉 pride . of this world , to confound the wyse , and the weake thinges of this world , to confound the mighty : and vyle thinges of the world which are despised , to bring to nought the thinges that are estéemed and had in reputation , for this cause alone ( as the scripture witnesseth ) that no flesh should reioyce in his presence .

But what nede we so far to seeke for examples ? Let vs behold our selues how plentifully at thys day are Gods mercies and benefites poured out vpon vs , both vpon our Quéene , and vpon her people . How myghtely doth he defend vs in so many daungers ? How sit we in safety , when all the world is on an vprore ? And is this ( thinke you ) of our deseruing , or rather of Gods mercy ? Now surely , surely , we were very blinde , if we would not al confes with the Prophet Ieremy , that it is Gods Lai●… ix . mercy that we be not consumed . So muche disobedience both in Prince and Subiect , so litle care of duty , so déepe forgetfulnes of God what doth it els deserue , but heauye iudgement ? What can it testifie els , but that all these blessinges are of mercy ? Wel , wel , the wisest w●…y is to take heede in time . Let not Esay . 〈◊〉 . our syus seperate betwene God and vs . If there be no wher examples that we can looke vpon , yet let vs beware by the tribe of Ephra im , that we abuse not Gods mercies for feare we lose them . Because we are now out of daunger , and ther is no peril that is present , let ve not therfore say as proud Babilon : I sit like a Queene , & shal see no euil , I shal be a Reu. xvi●… Lady for euer , and shall see no losse of Children . He that thinketh he stands ( saith Paul ) 1. Cor. x. let him take heede he fall not . It is no good argument that our state is sure , because God hath deliuered vs out of a great many of trou bles . Nay , let vs rather feare , & be the more circumspect . Gods arme that hath bene out for our safegard in times past , is not now drawne in that he cannot againe gréeue vs . God deliuered the people of Israel out of ij . Regum . x●…ij . x●…ij the handes of many and gréeous enemies : but yet when the people of Israel would in no wise amend . God could raise vp Salmanasar to leade them away to perpetual captiuitie . ij . Regum ●…ij . ix . Nay , we haue a great many more fearful examples then this . We haue fearful example before our eyes , to take héde of Gods iudgementes , when we abuse hys graces . God defended Senacherib in the conquest of a Esay . 37. xxxv●…j . great many of countries , in al which he escaped harmles : yet when he knew not himself , but blasphemed the God of Israel , euen before the waules of Ierusalem , God could finde him out at home in hys own country , and in the temple of his Idols his own sonnes slew him . Agamemnon . x. yeres together in mortall Agamemnon . and bloody warres , could neuer be hurt : yet after , at home in his owne house by hys own wyfe he was kylled . Bibulus a noble Bibulus . Romaine , gat many victories , and styll escaped peryl : yet afterward in the city of Rome , when he should haue had the glory of all hys valiant actes , and rode through the strats in the pryde of hys triumphe , a tyle fallyng from the house , stroke so déepe into hys head , that it kylled hym presently . Iulius Caisar , Iulius Caesar. in wynnyng the west part of the world , in . 51. set battayles neuer receyued daungerous stroke : yet after all hys daungers so happely escaped , at home in the Senate house , in the myddest of hys Nobilitye , and in hys Parlament robes he receiued . 24. woundes , and all of them deadly . Many such examples are before our eyes to make vs beware and take heede of security , when any daunger is pa●… and to take hede of forgetfulnes , when we haue receiued mercy . The Lord enrich vs with the graces of his spirit , that when we often behold from whence we haue bene delyuered , we may séeke diligently , and be alwayes carefull how to be found thankfull .