THis is a Psalme of Dauid as it is intituled ; but whether it were made by him , before he came to the kingdome , or after he was settled in it , it seemes not easie to determine , neither will I striue much about it . It conteineth a certaine vowe of his , by the which in most solemne manner he bindeth himself vnto the Lord , and promiseth faithfully to doe his duetie , in ordering himself , his house , and the affaires of his state in all wisedome , and according to the perfect way of the worde .

1 I will sing . In this verse we haue his generall protestation , which in the verses following , is more particularly ( as it were ) by peecemeales vnfolded and laid open : by that which we doe here reade mercy , we are to vnderstand the care hee would haue , and the fauour that he wold beare to such as did well : and by iudgement , the course of equitie and iustice that he would take , in punishing and rooting out the wicked : according as these be the speciall endes of all gouernment , and principall things which euery christian Magistrate ought to look vnto . And so much dooth Dauid in this verse teach all those that bee in authoritie , and beare any office . First to comfort and cherish such as be good : Isa . 32.1 , 2. euen as it is prophesied in Isai . of a good King raigning in iustice , and of princes ruling in iudgment , that they should be hiding places from the wind , a refuge for the tempest , as riuers of water in a drye place , and as the shadowe of a great rock in a weary land . Whereunto Saint Paul agreeth , saying : wilt thou ●e without feare of the power , Rom. 13.3 . doe well , so shalt thou haue praise of the same . And Saint Peter , where he saith , that gouernors be sent for the praise of them that doe well . 1. Pet . 2.14

Secondly they be taught , to set themselues against such as bee euill , to discountenance , restraine , and correct them according as the Apostles haue added in the places alledged immediately before . As where the one sayth : Princes be to be feared for euill works : & if thou doe euill , feare , for hee beareth not the sword for naught , for he is the minister , Rō . 13.3 , 4. of God , to take vengeance on him that doth euill . And the other : that gouernours be sent for the punishment of euill doers . For these purposes they bee the Lords Lieutenants vpon the earth , 1. Pet . 2.14 . to doe that which he would haue done . Therefore they be called his children , yea by his own name , ( God , ) that by liuing holily and vnblameably , by patronizing and defending the righteous , Psal . 82.6 . & by punishing of euill doers , as most liuely Images they might represent him , & in some sort set before our eyes what a one he is , euen holy , a louer of those that doe wel , & an enimy vnto sinners . Great cause ther is , why gouernors shuld thus do For such as feare God , Mat . 10.16 be here in the worlde as Lambs among wolues , according to the saying of Christ Iesus , in danger to be worried and spoyled by the wicked , that burne in malice against them , except they be bridled by the hand of the Magistrate : for , fearing nothing but punishment , if vpon the remissnes of such as be in office , they may conceiue neuer so little hope to escape , they will not forbeare that which is most outragious , but desperatly aduenture vpon any thing they like . How much more will they be bolde to doe this , when they shall see the gouernours , fauourers of those that be naught , & enemies of such as desire to please God ? such gouernours as thus farr forget themselues , bee guiltie of a great sinne . They peruert the ordinance of God , & turne it a clean contrary way , in bending the edge of the sworde against those , towards whom they should turne the back , and the back to those toward whome they should turne the edge : Such haue a fearefull account to make to the iudge of all the world , euen as now already in a double respect , Pro . 17.15 . they be abhominable to him , in iustifying the wicked , and condemning the innocent , as it is in the prouerbs . According also as Isayah crieth out : Woe vnto them that call euill good , and good euill , Isaiah . 5.20.23 . which iustifie the wicked for a rewarde , and take away the righteousnes of the righteous from him . The people that haue any vnderstanding will curse such : howe much more execrable bee they , in the sight of the most wise and all-seeing God ? Pro . 24.24 . They therefore , whome it hath pleased God here vpon the earth to depute vnder him to beare any office , be it neuer so meane , must know by the example of this holy Prophet , that it is their duetie , to be places of refuge , bulwarks and defences , for such as be carefull to doe well : as on the other side , to bee so terrible to the wicked , that they may feare to see them ; and to come into their presence .

Now we are to remember here , that Dauid vowing this which we haue heard , and the things that followe after in this Psalme , doth not this , trusting to his owne strength , as if of himself he had bin able to do thus , or as if by any grace from God , he looked to be made able in euery thing to doe his duety perfectly . Dauid was more wise in vnderstanding than so : hee knewe that his sufficiencie was from God , and that it could not be , but he should be short in many things : he trusted vpon the couenant of God , who promiseth to write his lawes in the hearts of his children , to giue them his holy spirite , and to pardon their iniquities , Ier . 31.33.34 . as it is in Ieremie . Assuring himselfe then of helpe from God , in a measure acceptable to be enabled to doe his duetie , and being fully perswaded of pardon for the rest , he voweth as we see in this place : and after this maner also wee bee taught to vowe for our selues , namely that by the helpe and assistance of God , wee will bee carefull to our vttermost to doo our duetie . Psa . 119.106 . Neh . 10.22 30.31 . &c. Vnto this by a solemne oath Dauid bounde himselfe as hee witnesseth in an other place . So in the booke of Nehemiah it is sayde , that the chiefe of the people for their brethren came to the oath and to the curse , promising to walke in Gods lawe , to obserue and to doe all his commaundements , his iudgements , and his statutes . That they woulde not giue their daughters to the people of the lande , neither take daughters of theirs , for their sonnes : And that if the people of the lande brought ware on the sabaoth , or victuales to sell , they would not take it on them , Ios 24.15 . on the sabaoth , &c. So also Iosua protested , that he and his house would serue the Lord . This may bee very profitable for men , and much help their infirmitie , to consider when they bee tempted to sinne , that by their promise and oath to GOD they be bound from it . Men otherwise eagre vpon play , whereby their wealth and credit bee decayed , to the end they may the rather conquer themselues in that corruption , bee content by their solemne promise , vpon something receiued from a friend , to bind themselues from playe : that when they bee intised by other ryotous persons , they may truely answere I may not doe this , I am bound from it , I haue passed my worde to my friend which I must not go from : So no doubt it may much helpe vs , when we feele our selues stirred vp to sinne , by satan , by the world , and our corruption , to thinke with our selues after this manner : nay this thing I may not doe , I haue giuen my promise to God to the contrary , I haue solemnly bound my selfe , not to consent or to doe any such thing . True it is , our baptisme is a very bond in this matter . For as the Iewes circumcision bound them to keepe the whole lawe of Moses : Gal. 5.3 . so our baptisme , being the outward receiuing of vs into the visible church and house of God , requireth of vs when we come to discretion , to apply our selues to al good works , and to forsake all manner of euill , as becommeth the children of such a father , and seruants to such a Lord . But it is good for vs , to bee strengthened with a second obligation , that a two-folde cord may holde vs the fasterr Therefore it shall be well , to doe that also which Dauid doth in this place , euen the second time , yea often times to promise vnto the Lorde , that wee will bee carefull to serue him , and to walke in his wayes .

Yea wee may not onely thus vowe for our selues , but also after this sorte it is lawful for vs to vow for others : namely to doe what in vs lieth , that they may feare the Lord , beleeue his trueth , and walke in his commandements . We may assure our selues by that which is in this psalme , Ios 24.15 . Neh . 10.29 that Dauid did this for his housholde & kingdome . So did Iosua for his familie , and the chief of the people for the rest , as we heard before .

At the coronation of Ioas , there passed a couenant betweene the Lorde , 2. Kin . 11.17 . the King & the people . Thus should euery Prince promise for all the people of his kingdome , & euery housholder forthose that bee of his familie . Yea indeede a childe , which not knowing the right hand from the left , Ionoh . 4.11 . can make no promise himselfe , yet ought not by baptisme to bee receiued into the church , except there bee some to promise to do their indeuour , that it may be well trained vp , and continued in the fayth whereinto it was baptized . The Father or some other for him , ought to do this , wherein there would bee good choyce made . For , such as for their ignoraunce and corruption of life , be vnworthy to be reckoned of the church , bee much more vnworthy to be admitted to promise for the bringing vp of any , and continuance of them in that faith and holines , which becommeth the children of God the Father , and of the Church the mother . Such as be put in trust , to take bandes with sureties for men , are not so vnwise , carelesse and vnfaithfull , to take a childe for a suretie or one that knows not what he is bound too , or vnlikely for any respect to keepe couenant . The ministers of God be put in trust by him , as it were to take securitie on his behalfe , that such children as be inroled into his house , and reckoned among his , may afterward carrie themselues dutifully . Children therfore without knowledge and conscience , Papists and other heretykes none of our communion , and other notorious ignorant and euill liuers , ought not to bee admitted in such a case . And therefore those ministers be much to bee blamed which without difference receiue euery one . We are also to remember here , as Dauid promiseth these things , so hee was carefull to performe them indeede . And so it is saide of him : 2. Sā . 1.15 . Thus Dauid raigned ouer all Israel , and executed iustice and iudgement to all his people . We learne therefore of him not onely to vow vnto God , but also to keepe our vowes , that is to doe such holy and lawful things as we haue promised . Euen as in the 50. Psal . Psa . 50.14 . Eccle . 4.34 . we are called vpon to pay our vowes : And in the booke of the Preacher : defer not to pay thy vow , adding that it is better not to vow , than to vow & not keep it : The word of a Christian euen vnto man , ought much to be respected , whether it bee passed for himselfe or for another . Promise ought to bee kept in lawfull things though to our owne hinderance , Pro . 6 1 , 2 , 3 , 3 , 4. when we are become suerty for our brother , Salomon tels vs , that wee are snared with our owne wordes , and that it is our duety to humble our selues to him to whom we are so bound , and to see that discharged , for the which we gaue our promise : How much more ought wee to doe thus , when wee haue vowed vnto God that which is agreeable to his will , what conscience ought there to bee in vs to keepe our worde to him that is so great , and so farre aboue all men , whether we haue promised any thing for our selues or for others ? And yet this is a common thing , wherin men presume and take too much liberty . For notwithstanding they haue some regard of their promise to men , specially if they be of great place , yet be they ouer bold with the Lord ; scarse once in their life , they think vpon the couenaunt passed between his Maiestie and them in their baptisme , wherein the very receiuing of the Sacrament bounde them to forsake the deuill , the world , and the flesh , and to keepe his commandements : And although peraduenture since they came to vnderstanding , vppon some speciall lessings receiued , or daungers escaped , ●… ey haue promised to become better , to ●… e these or these good deedes , to re●… urme their houses , and to forsake all ●… ill waies , so binding themselues ( as it ●… ere ) by a second band : yet is there not ●… e among a thousand , but he dallieth ●… i th the Lord , so as his word to him is no therwise than wind , the benefit attained ●… r the trouble being passed ouer , they ●… e the same they were before , notwith●… anding their vowe . And as for them ●… at at baptisme take vpon them to pro●… ise for Children , though it bee before ●… e face of God and of his congregation : ●… et where almost is there any one , that ●… er after thinks vpon it ? when do they ●… ew any care to haue these children be●… ome Gods children , by watching ouer ●… em , counselling them , reproouing thē , ●… alling vpon them , and seeing them to ●… e taught all such things as a Christian ●… ught to know and beleeue , to his soules ●… ealth ? We ought therefore the rather 〈…〉 remember that which we haue heard ●… oncerning Dauid , and not onely vowe vnto God good and holie dueties , but also carefully to looke to the performan●… of them , vnles we wil be accounted promise breakers , & be subiect to the cur●… due vnto such .

When hee saith that he would sing o●… these , his meaning is , that when he we●… to recreate and refresh his spirits with 〈…〉 song , it should containe matter of instruction to admonish him of his duety ▪ And so wee may see , that the rest of hi●… psalmes serue to the like end . We learn●… of Dauid here : first that it is our dueti●… to sing , for howsoeuer the Iewes ha●… some musicall ceremonies , whereunt●… wee are not tied , Mat . 26.30 . Act. 16.25 . Iam . 5.13 . Eph. 5.19 . Col. 3.16 . yet is singing an exe●… cise still continued vnto vs : Christ an●… his Disciples sung a Psalme after th●… supper , Paul and Sylas sung in prison Saint Iames exhorteth to sing , so doot●… Saint Paul to the Ephesians and Colo●… sians . Eph. 1.19 . Col 3.16 . Dauid saieth that hee will sing t●… God , and Paul speaketh of singing t●… the Lord , teaching vs that this is an exe●… cise of the religion of GOD ; where i●… wee must bee carefull to serue him ▪ 〈…〉 as it ought to be done of vs with great ●… uerence as that which is done vnto ●… od , as well as praier , preaching , or hea●… ng of his word : wee must not then in ●… ur singing , so much respect the deligh●… ng of our selues or others , with the ●… eete tunablenes of the voyce , as to do ●… orship vnto GOD by it , and to edifie ●… ur consciences : Co. 3.16 . whereupon also Saint ●… aul saith , Sing in your hearts as well as ●… i th your mouthes , & that too with a grace ●… instructing and teaching your selues . We ●… ust therefore applie our selues to sing , ●… d to sing as vnto God . It is a duetie ●… ioyned vnto vs : they bee therefore ●… rofane persons , which scorne at such ●… sing Psalmes , as if it were a note of ●… e too too holie as they think , to bee ●… us religiouslie occupied . And seeing ●… auid being a King , disdained not thus 〈…〉 doo , why shoulde any whatsoeuer ●… ee ashamed or thinke scorne , to honor ●… od with lifting vp their voyce , by sin●… ng to his praises in their owne hou●… s , or with the rest of the faithfull 〈…〉 the great congregation ? Which we are the rather to beare away , because many that in other places and in ba●… matters , be bold inough , and very lowd●… in their cursed speaches ; when they should serue God with their tongue , to sing to his praise in the church or in other company , they be mute and dumbe as if this exercise were a thing too bas●… and vncomely for them . We do furthe●… learne here , Col. 3.16 . what song to sing , euen suc●… as bee spirituall according to the speec●… of the Apostle : that is to say such as sauour of the spirit of God , and tend to e●… dification , by the which we may be stired vp to prayse God for his benefites , & the great workes which hee hath done as also put in minde of our owne dutie●… Such was the song of Moses and Miri●… am , Exo . 15.1 , 2 , 3 Ila . 5.1.2 . of Isaiah and Salomon , and such b●… all the Psalmes of Dauid . This al●… ought to be remembred of vs : for it i●… not sufficient for vs to sing , except ou●… songs be such as wee haue heard ; an●… therfore as they are to be reproued tha●… for too much bashfulnes or scornfulne●… abstaine altogether from singing , so i●… their fault very haynous and intollera●… le , that defile their owne mouthes , cor●… upt others , and be offensiue to chaste ●… nd Christian eares , by singing idle , vn●… rofitable , drunken , filthy and vncleane ●… ongs , whereof there is often and lamen●… able vse among the wicked vpon their ●… le-bench , & in other places , where bet●… er orders ought to be . And thus much ●… oncerning the first verse , and the pro●… hets generall protestation in the same . 〈…〉 2 I will doe wisely . Dauid commeth ●… ow more particularly to promise his ●… uty in the seuerall parts of it . And first ●… n my iudgement , in this 2.3 . and 4. verses what he would be in respect of his owne ●… ife and conuersation , and in the reste ●… ollowing how he would carry himselfe ●… oward others of his house and king●… ome . Now it is not to be omitted , that ●… efore he come to deale more specially ●… bout his publique charge , he first pro●… iseth thus earnestly for the good di●… ection of his owne person . He knew it ●… ery well that it was the duty of such as ●… aue the guidance of others , to guide themselues aright , if they meant by their counsell and authoritie , to keepe them in good order . And indeede this is a certaine truth , men desire to find occasions whereupon to refuse and withstand the meanes that should bring them vnto goodnes : if they can espie any faultes in such as teach or gouerne them , they strayght waies imagine that they should neither reproue nor punish them . And to say the trueth , with what authoritie or maiesty can we finde fault with anie , for that which wee our selues committ and make no conscience of ? Mat . 7.5 , 4 , 5 Bee wee not worthily subiect to the reproofe of Iesus Christ ? Hypocrite , why seest thou a mote in thy brothers eye , and seest not the beame that is in thine own ? So then whereas counsell , reproofe , and correction bee the sanctified ordinances of the Lord , to bring men into order and to keepe them within good bounds , and such as bee in place to administer any of these , be worthy of all reuerence ; we may see that the things themselues bee made vnprofitable as water powred out , and the parties ( to the dishonour of God himselfe ) had in reproach , when ●… here is not a care in them to abstaine from that which they would haue others ●… o leaue , and to doe such good things as ●… hey would haue others to doe . When ●… here is this regarde in such as be aboue others , then assuredly their authoritye , ●… ounsell , instructions , admonitions , and ●… hastisements , shall the rather bee entertained to the reformation of many , ●… nd their persons had in the reuerence , which becommeth their place . 1 Tim . 4.12 Tit . 2.7 Wher●… pō it is that S Paul writing to Timo●… hy & Titus , ministers & teachers of the Church , chargeth them with this as an especiall thing , to be examples to their ●… locks ; and the selfe same thing dooth ●… aynt Peter require of the elders in ●… is first Epistle : 1 Pet . 5.3 . for howsoeuer the Ministers preach well , and execute the Church censures in the best order , yet ●… hall they ( as we vse to speake , ) destroy ●… y theyr ill life , that which by their good preaching they woulde seeme desirous to builde vp . No maruaile therefore though the Apostles do so earnestly warne them of that poynt , and that Dauid ( desirous to doe good in his house & common wealth gouernment ) vow to be thus watchfull ouer his owne life , that the wicked ( with whom he was to deale ) might haue no exception at all against him , and the order hee meant to take for their reformation . Let this point then be well marked , as that which is of great importance : And if we bee in any place ouer others in the commonwealth , in the church , or in the house , so as wee minde to helpe them to doe well , by our authoritie , calling , or place ; let vs first looke to our owne stepps that they bee straight , vpright , and such as they shuld be : whatsoeuer wee call others from , le●… vs leaue our selues , and that which wee call them vnto , let vs first put ou●… owne shoulders to the same ; not being like the wretched Pharisies , who layde heauy burthens vpon others , themselues not touching the same with thei●… owne fingers . Mat . 23.4 . Nor like those of whom the Apostle speaketh : Rom. 2.21.22 . Thou that teachest other men , teachest thou not thy selfe ? thou that preachest a man shoulde not steale , doest thou steale ? &c. And yet is this also a course in respect wherof many bee very faulty : some in the ministery speak against this or that vice , which it is knowen that themselues doe tumble and wallow in . So are wee to say of many that beare offices , by the which they might punish and restrain euill doers , but themselues doe euill , and so offer their place vnto contempt . The like complaint might iustly bee taken vp against many housekeepers , which crye out of disorders in their children and seruants , and yet marre all themselues by their owne sinfull example , being guilty of horrible pride , couetousnes , scraping and raking by extreame meanes , slaundering and lying , fretting and chafing , mispending the sabaoths , and such other disorders , let vs therefore looke to this , and procure reuerence to our place , and authoritie to the meanes wee vse for the reformation of any , by the holie and vnblameable carriage of our selues , that wee may the rather doo good to such as by our calling wee be bound to doe good vnto . Who will not easilie be perswaded , that wee thinke the things whereof wee giue them warning , to be so euill as we account them , when they see vs doe the same or the like : nor the things to be so good , wherto we exhort them ; when they shall perceiue in our selues no conscience at all to doe them .

I will doe wisely in the perfect way : The latter of these expoundeth the former , they seeme to be both one . To doe wisely is to walk in the perfect way , and to walk in the perfect way is to do wisely . Now by the perfect way is meant nothing else , but the wayes of Gods law & word , Psa . 19. 2. Tim 3.15 which conteineth true wisdome giueth wisedome to the simple , and is able to make a man wise to saluation , and what would we haue more ? worthily therfore it deserueth the name of perfection , being absolute in it selfe , hauing nothing superfluous , nor any thing wating , whereunto no man must adde in pain of the curse , and from the which no man must take , in paine of the same . Apo 22.18.19 . Psa . 19.7 . So it is said in the Psalme : The lawe of the Lord is perfect : and Saint Iames calleth it the perfect lawe of libettie , Iam . 1.25 . containing in it whatsoeuer is necessary for vs to knowe vnto saluotion , either for religion , or for ordering of our life among men And therefore the Papists be here iustly reproued , which at their pleasures adde to the worde of God , and take from it , as if it were an vnperfect thing , and needed supply or amendment from them : shall not therfore the curses written in that booke , fall vppon them ? But to let them goe , wee bee taught here , what is true wisedome , and how onely we may become wise , euen by giuing ouer our selues to walke in the perfect wayes of GODS worde , there onely wisedome is to bee found , & not in the brain of men nor in the writings of the most wise men of the world , who not being guided by this rule doe then shewe extreamest folly , when they thinke to shew the very depth of their wisdome ; as it is saide of such in the first to the Romanes , Rom. 1.22 . without the light and direction of this worde , men be but fooles whatsoeuer they be thoght of in the world ; though for the things of this present life , they haue neuer so many deepe fetches , reaches , and forecasts ; 2. Sā . 16.23 though their counsell among men bee as was Achitophels , euen taken for an oracle of God , yet is there not in them , so much as one crum of sound and substanciall wisedome . According as in the fourth and fifth of Ieremie , Ier . 4.22 . & 5.4 . the people are charged to be foolish because they knew not God : And in the eight Chapt . it is said ; that there could not bee any wisedome in them , because they had cast off the lawe of God , Ior . 8.9 . where onely true wisedome was to be founde . Let vs marke this well : wee doo all desire to be accounted wise , wee abhorre the name of a foole , wee woulde thinke great wronge offered vnto vs , if any shoulde tearme vs so : and yet it is sure we are no better , except we vnderstand the perfect way of God , and apply our selues to walke according to his word . So farre are we wise as wee knowe that , and so far wee bee ignorant and foolish , as we be ignorant of that : the most part be of another iudgement , they thinke them vnwise , yea verie idiots , that bee carefull to liue after Gods commandements , in the deniall of themselues , in mortification , sanctification , and crucifying of the world : to beare wrongs and iniuries , to bee readie to forgiue , to loue their enemies , to indure reproaches , stripes , imprisonment , losse of liuing & of life for their conscience ; they thinke there is no follie greater . On the other side , they esteeme them wise , that will put vp no wrong , will soone reuenge themselues , with all extremity will pursue their owne matters , bee cunning to gaine in the world , can serue for al times , especially , if they can giue wretched counsell , to serue the turne with to effect horrible things , though it bee to lie with the fathers wife , 2. Sam . 16.21 . as did Achitophel to Absolom . But these sinfull men controle the wisdome of GOD , throwing downe & abasing that which he sets vp , and aduansing that which is abhominable in his eyes . Let vs knowe there is no wisdom but to know God aright , and to reforme our selues after his will : this is to bee wise vnto saluation , euen wise indeede ; for what wisdome is it , if possiblie wee could with our skill get all the world into our hands , & order all things euery where , according to our own pleasure , Matth . 19.26 . if our soule bee lost and perish in the end . But inough of this ; if wee consider it well , wee shall see the vowe of Dauid in this , worthie of our speciall obseruation ; for it is no common thing , to see the great personages of the world such as he was , to submit themselues to the gouernement of the word : it is a hard thing for a rich man to bee saued , Christ saith ; Matth . 19.23 , 24. It is easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle . Riches and pleasures choake the good seede of the word in the most of them , Matth . 13.22 . as it is saide in the parable . In the Apostles time , God had not called manie such as Saint Paul witnesseth : trueth it is , Matth . 13.22 . 1. Cor . 1.26 the fault is not in their birth , high places , riches , and aboundance , which all in themselues be the good blessings of GOD ; as they were vnto Noah , Abraham , Isaach , Iakob , Iob , Dauid , Iehosophat , Ezechia , Iosia and many others . The onely fault is in the corruption of men , who doo abuse the fauours of God , to contrary endes : the better borne , the richer , the higher in place , ( for the most part , ) the more proud against GOD and men , the more wanton , lose and profane , disdaining all good instruction , and taking libertie vnto euery euill , as if no man might controle them : whereas in deed the more of these mercies they haue receiued from the Lorde , the more obedient and dutifull they ought to bee aboue the porer sort : for to whom men commit much , Luk . 12.48 . of them they require more : euen as themselues doo looke for more painefull and trustie seruice at the hands of such their seruants , as they haue done most for ; so it becommeth them to knowe , that the Lord hauing done more for them , looketh that they should bee more seruiceable to his maiesty , & wholie suffer themselues to bee guided by him , which if they doo not , their account shall one day bee verie heauie : for such by the iustice of GOD must suffer great wrath in the end . They therefore whome GOD hath any way aduanced aboue their brethren , giuing them many priueledges and prerogatiues in the world , knowing how hard a thing it is to bee good stewards of so much , must be so far off from imagining that in respect of their greatnes , they may doo what they list , that so much the rather , they ought with Dauid to vow to be verie watchfull ouer themselues , least the deceitfulnes of honor , riches , and pleasure withdraw their hearts , and so to their owne destruction they shake off the Lords yoake .

Till thou commest to mee : Some holding that this Psalme was made by Dauid , after he was setled in his kingdome , think that hee promiseth here to continew dooing well to the end of his life , so as walking alwaies in the perfect way , hee would euer bee expecting and waiting , when the Lord would by death take him out of this world ; which they vnderstand by comming vnto him . If wee take it thus , it offereth a very profitable instruction , which is , that continuallie wee giue our selues to well dooing , that the Lorde when hee calleth vs hence to giue accounts of our seuerall stewardships may finde vs well occupied , for blessed shall such seruants be . Luk . 12.43 . There is great cause why men should be carefull of this , seeing that death it selfe , and the last iudgement ( both which shall certainely be ) be so vncertaine in respect of their special and particular times : wherevpon it is , that in the Gospell wee be so often willed to watch , to bee alwaies readie to meete the bridegrome with the wise virgins , Matth . 25.1 , 2 , 3. &c. hauing our lampes burning and store of oyle in them , and with the good seruants , Luk . 12.35.36 . hauing their loynes girt , and their lightes burning , to waite for the comming of our Lord . For his comming shall be at midnight , Matth . 25.6 vpon the sodaine , like the paines of a woman in trauell , 1. Thes . 53 Matth . 24.43 . 1. Thes . 5.2 . or as the comming of a thiefe , when men shall thinke all safe and crie peace peace . Now how fearefull a thing will it bee then , to bee taken vnprouided , Matth . 25.3.8 . as were the foolish Virgins , and with the bad seruant , which imagining that his Master will not come yet , Luk . 12.45 , 46. giueth himselfe to drinke with the dronken , and to beate his fellowe seruants . Matth . 24.51 . Surelie such a one shall bee sawne a sunder , and haue his portion with hypocrites . It is then a most fearefull estate to liue so , as thou fearest to die , and to come before the Lorde to giue vp thy reckning ; it is therefore a profitable meditation and a necessarie indeuour for vs , alwaies to remember that wee must die , and bee iudged ; and because wee knowe not when the time hereof will bee , therefore to giue our selues no rest , till our consciences and conuersations bee brought vnto such an order , that resting vppon the mercie of our God , wee may cheare●… llie with Saint Paul desire and wish ●… r our dissolution . Phil . 1.23 .

But for my part , I will rather in●… line to such as thinke this Psalme ●… o bee made before Dauid came to ●… he Kingdome , and that in these ●… ordes : Till thou come to mee , hee ●… eaneth the accomplishment of that which was promised him concerning ●… is establishment in the throne : for 〈…〉 is the Lord saide to come vnto vs , ●… hen hee bestoweth any speciall be●… efit , as in Genesis it is saide : Gen. 18.10 . I will ●… ertainelie come againe vnto thee , accor●… ing to the time of life , and Sarah thy ●… ife shall haue a sonne : and then this 〈…〉 bee the meaning of the Prophet . 〈…〉 Lorde I will tarrie thy leasure , and ●… eepe my selfe within the boundes ●… f my duetie , till thou hast accompli●… hed that which thou hast promised ●… nto me , though thou delay the matter , ●… nd put mee off , I will bee content to walke in the perfect way , and not once presume to goe a side out of it , to compas that which thou hast saide that thou wilt giue me . And according vnto this promise of Dauids , wee may see how he carried himselfe : for although there were a great space , 1. Sam . 16.13 . & 1. Sam 31. betwixt his annoynting , whereby hee was by Gods owne mouth proclaimed heir apparant to the crowne , after the death of Saul : notwithstanding hee had the hearts of the subiects : 1. Sam . 18.7 1. Sam . 18.1 insomuch , as the women in their songs extolled him aboue the King ; though the soule of Ionathan the kings sonne were lincked fast to him , and so he might haue conceiued hope to haue made a great part against Saul , which continuallie prouoked him , by his most cruell , outragious and vniust persecutions : yet Dauid kept himselfe in his vprightnes , hee hasted not by any indirect attempt ( as did his owne sonne Absolom afterward against himselfe ) to seeke his owne reuenge , 2. Sam . 15. &c. nor to displace the king & his seed , which he knew in time were to be remoued ; but patientlie waited vpon God , dooing his wil . Yea when God two seueral times , 2. Sam . 24.6 2. Sam . 26.12 . had put him into his hands , once in the caue where Da●… id and his men were hidden , another time in Saules owne tent , whether with such courage hee had aduentured : hee was so farre off , from taking awaie his ●… ife , which easilie hee might haue done , ●… hat it grieued his conscience so much , ●… s to haue cut off the lap of the Kings ●… arment at the one time , 2. Sam . 24.6 . & he sharplie ●… eproued Abner for guarding the Kings ●… erson so weakelie and careleslie at the ●… ther . 2. Sam . 26.14 , 15 , 16. Thus did the holie man car●… e himselfe in the perfect waie of pa●… ience , and loyaltie to his cruell prince , ●… nd persecuting father in lawe , till GOD himselfe by the waie that hee ●… ppoynted , had set him in the Kinges ●… ate . And so wee bee taught here ●… oncerning such things , as in time be ●… kelie to become ours , either in re●… pect of the generall promise of GOD ●… ade to vs , or else of the ordinarie ●… aie , whereby hee conueigheth such ●… ings to his Children , to attend vp●… n him patientlie , till it please his Maiestie to giue them vnto vs. He knoweth the most fit season to doo euerie thing in , when it shall most aduanc●… his name , and yeeld vs especiall comfor●… we may not therefore prescribe him , t●… appoint when wee will haue any thing neither must we , if hee tarrie long ente●… into any euill course , for the attaining o●… that which hee hath passed vnto 〈…〉 by his worde alreadie , but still pe●… seuer to walke in his waies , till he●… bring euerie thing to passe , beeing a●… sured , that for as much as hee is holie and true : Apoc . 3.7 . therefore hee will neue●… fayle vs in the ende . This wee ough●… to remember ; for euen they whic●… bee well disposed , doo often offen●… herein : Gen. 15.5 . Ge . 16.1.2 . Abraham and Sarah had God promise to haue seede , but becau●… it came not so soone as they desire●… they forget themselues shamefullie●… Sarah becommeth no better than 〈…〉 baude , in putting her maide into he●… Husbands bosom , and the olde ma●… is too easilie intised to defile his bodi●… with horrible adulterie , and that wit●… an Aegiptian stranger . Gen. 25 23. and Gen. 27.6 , 7. &c. So also Rebec●… ha beeing assured by the Oracle of GOD , that Iaakob should haue the birth-right , and superioritie ouer E●… au , taketh an indirect and sinfull course , in teaching her sonne to dissemble and lie ; and so by wicked meanes ●… o attaine that , which GOD had before assuredlie promised . If such rare godlie personages as these , were thus soone drawne aside in this case , what ●… ause haue we to feare and stand in awe ? Therefore wee must alwaies remember ; that as GOD promiseth good thinges to vs , for our Soules and Bodies : so must wee not bee our owne ●… aruers of them , but onelie content ●… ur selues to come by them by such waies as GOD alloweth and hath made lawfull vnto vs , beeing well bleased to bee without them so long ●… s hee seeth good , assuring our selues , that in their due time wee shall attaine them . And so much dooth Dauid teach ●… s . Howsoeuer therefore the Lorde hath promised to such as feare him , health , Children , and other outward necessarie and conuenient things , ye●… if wee be without these , or any of them , wee must bee content , and tarie his leasure , in any case not presuming to vse anie euill waie forbidden by him to attaine and compas them . It followeth .

I will walke in the vprightnes of my heart , in the middest of my house . He voweth here that hee would not onelie studie to carrie himselfe well before me●… and in companie , but also secretlie in hi●… owne house , within his owne walles where hee had no witnesses to see o●… heare him , euen there to keepe a watch ouer his heart , that it might bee singl●… and vpright , and his conuersation such as it ought . Which thing proueth tha●… hee did vnfeignedlie feare God , dooing good things and abstaining from euill , euen for conscience sake , because GOD had commanded the one , and forbidde●… the other without seeking the praise , o●… fearing the displeasure of men : and indeede this minde ought to bee in eueri●… of vs , when wee bee alone by our selue●… to doo our duetie , as well as if all men beheld , and to bee as carefull then not to sinne , as if all the worlde looked vpon vs : for hee that is holier and mightier than they all , euen GOD himselfe seeth vs euerie where : his eyes beholde all things , they are naked vnto him , Pro . 15.3 . Heb . 4.13 . wee cannot any where hide our selues , neither vppon the Sea , nor vppon the land , neither in the day , nor in the night , hee seeth alike in both , darkenes and light bee all one to him , as Dauid saith●n another place . Psal . 139.12 Ier . 17.10 . Yea he searcheth the hearts , and is priuie to the secret conceites and purposes thereof ; how much lesse can any word or action of ours , ( though spoken or done neuer so closelie ) be hidden from him ? Wee may well thinke that Dauid meditated thus with himselfe , and therefore the rather promised to be as watchfull in his house and priuie chamber , as hee was in the sight of all the worlde . And surelie it will not a little helpe vs , to this Christian and conscionable dealing , if wee often thinke with our selues vpon Gods continuall presence , if wee say wheresoeuer wee bee : God is in this place , hee will heare and see , whatsoeuer I doo imagine , speake , or doo . Doo we not perceiue , that the presence of a mortall man or woman , dooth manie times bridle vs from that which wee would doo , if wee were alone ? Is there any almost so shameles , to steale , commit fornication , lie , deceiue , slander or curse , when other bee present to beare witnes of their naughtines ? And should wee not much more master our selues from euill , if wee alwaies remembred , that GOD which will one day iudge vs , is with vs euerie where ? How would a thiefe feare to steale before him , that he knew should after bee his iudge ? And how should wee tremble to doo euill in the presence of him that shall iudge the world ? Gen. 18.25 . This ought to be thought vpon by vs , for there is much hipocrisie , there bee many dissemblers ; which whatsoeuer they doo wel , it is onlie because they would be seene of men as Christ saieth , Matth 6.2.5 . when they be in companie they vse good speaches , and sometime will doo good ●… eedes ; but alone , or in their houses with such as they dare trust , they boldlie ad●… enture vpon euerie abomination , there ●… s scarce any thing so horrible , but they giue themselues vnto it . One to profane ●… he sabaoth , to adulterie and fornication : another to dronkennes , another to slandering of the quicke and dead , to speake euill of those whome they praise to their face , to passe al bounds in chafing and fretting , Amos . 8.4.6 to oppresse the poore and needie , to take all aduantages of them , Isa . 3.16 . and to grinde their faces as the Scripture speaketh . And yet when they bee in companie , especiallie of such whome they cannot but reuerence for their callings and graces , and of whome they desire to bee well thought and reported , they pretend great holines , as if they had as much desire as coulde bee in any , to doo well themselues , and to haue their houses brought into good order . Doo not these plainelie witnes themselues to bee guiltie of horrible Idolatry , in that they more feare man , Isa . 2.22 . Heb . 12.9 . whose breath is in his nostrells , than they doo God himselfe the father of spirits , in that they dare presume boldlie to doo and speake that before him , which they would be ashamed shuld come to the knowledge of any , neuer so meane , much more of a Magistrate , a preacher , or some such other . The Lorde meeteth with such as these often in this world , beside the iudgement at the last day , that shall bee pronounced vpon their hidden things ; Eccl. 12.14 . for as euen now hee is priuie to their most secret priuities : so sometimes hee causeth such things to their great reproach to be commonlie knowne abroad , which they most carefullie and cunninglie ( as they thought ) deuised in their closets ; and howsoeuer in respect of their great callings , they bee now and then spared , while they be here aliue , because there be few that dare tel such the truth : yet at their death often the sting of conscience inforceth thē to lay open their abominations in the bitternes of their soules , & being once dead there is no further sparing of thē . The scrol and register of their iniquities is layd open before the worlde , so as their name was not so honourable & precious in their life , by the faire shew of painted holines they made , as it becomes shamefull and dishonourable after their death , when the chanell is raked , and the truth of their secret wickednesses is brought to light . Dauid himselfe wee may think conceiued , that it should neuer haue been reuealed , concerning the defiling of Vriahs wife and the slaughter of her husband his faithful subiect : for assuredly hee dealt warilie ; hee had men for the purpose , some to keepe his counsell that brought her to him . Either he wrote himself , 2. Sam . 11. or els had some other trustie secretary to write to Ioab . But beholde howe the iust God suffereth not that worthy man to beare away this scotfree . It was not long after brought to light , & now all the Church in the worlde ringeth of this adultery and murther committed by Dauid . Let vs therefore bee wise and keepe a watch ouer our selues , to doe , speak and thinke alwaies that which is righteous and good , not only when we be seene & heard of men , but also , when God onely that shall iudge , is present as he is euery where , according to that which Dauid voweth here .

3 J will set . As he had before promised to doe well , so here he protesteth to keepe himselfe from euill , according to the duty which he ought vnto the Lord . For so indeede the case standeth , betwixt his maiestie and vs , we are bound to him in two bands , the one to doe whatsoeuer he commaundeth , the other to leaue vndone whatsoeuer hee forbiddeth , so as we bee alike guilty before him , if wee doe the latter , as if we leaue vndone the former . A poynt to be marked of vs : But the speech of the prophet is to bee considered ; for hee saith not , I will keepe my selfe from this or that wickednes , and from some things that bee euill , but from all manner of euill whatsoeuer , so as hee woulde not in any thing presume to do that which God had forbidden .

He knew well that the Lord requiring perfect obedience , had not restrained him in some sinnes , and giuen him a dispensation in others ; whereupon he voweth thus solemnly , that hee would set no wicked thing before his eyes . Teaching vs by his example , how carefull we ought to be to purge our selues from whatsoeuer is offensiue to the maiesty of God , though it sauour neuer so much of profite and pleasure vnto vs. And thus be we taught in other places of the scriptures , 2. Cor . 7.1 . as where the Apostle sayth : 1. Pet . 2.1 . Let vs clense our selues from all filthines of the flesh and of the spirite . And againe : Laying aside all maliciousues , and all guile , and dissimulation and enuie , and all euill speaking , as new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word . S. Iames also exhorteth after the same maner saying : Iam . 1 . 2● Lay aparte all filthines and superfluitie of maliciousnes . The sord ( all ) is to be noted ; for it warneth vs of the selfe same thing , wee heard before , namely that there must not bee fostered in vs any maner of corruption either inwardly or outwardly , because the Lord whose we bee , for as much as hee hath bought vs with a price , will bee glorified of vs in bodie and in spirite , 2 Cor . 6.20 as it is saide : wee must remember , that as one disease in the bodie , if it be not looked vnto , will bring on many other diseases and death itself in the end : So if we entertaine any one sinne , and submit our selues vnto it , it wil not only bring in other sinnes , but also condemnation it selfe at the last : euen as we be taught by Saint Paul , saying : 1. Cor . 6.9.10 Be not deceiued , neither fornicators , nor Idolaters , nor adulterers , nor wantons , nor buggerers , nor theeues , nor couetous , nor drunkards , nor raylers , nor extortioners shall inherite the kingdome of God . And in another place it is written : Apoc . 22.15 without shall bee dogges and inchanters , and whore mungers , and murtherers , and Idolaters , and whosoeuer loueth or maketh lies . From which places wee are to learne , that the holy ghost saith not , hee that is all these , or doth all these shall be condemned , but hee that without repentance is any of these , or giueth himselfe ouer to any of these . We desire that our seruants should be obedient to vs in all things , & so it is their duety in the Lord : ought we not much more to subiect our selues as dutifull seruants to God our maister in heauen . Col. 3.22 . We greatly disalow it , if a seruant in some poynts seruing vs very wisely , carefully , and faithfully , should in other thinges presume to walke in a course contrary to our plaine commaundement to vex vs. And shall we thinke , that the Lorde hath not iust cause to burne in wrath against vs , if wilfully we shall go against his expresse and knowen will , howsoeuer in other things , we pretend some care to doe our duetie ? let vs therefore looke well vnto it . Wee see here what puritie of bodie and minde we should striue vnto by the example of Dauid . True it is , wee can neuer attaine this while we be here , to be altogether without fault , but this is the thing which wee must ayme at and pray for . And therefore they be wretched men which vse to reproch such as haue this care as if they were too precise . They be far inough from thinking themselues pure without sin , which they know and professe they cannot be here ; although , on the other side , they both know and professe to all the world , that ( to their vtmost ) they ought to endeuo●… and labour for this perfection . And so brethren let each of vs doe : we haue this care of our bodies , that there is not any infirmitie , be it neuer so little , which we seeke not to cure : the least spot in our faces we cause to be wiped away , and the least weede in our gardens to be pulled vp : ought we not much more to be careful to rid our soules of euery corruption , especially the danger being so great , as we haue heard before . This poynt is the rather to be vrged , because many , which in their bodies , houses , and gardens be too too curious , to haue all things , neat , fine , handsome , and trim , are content that their soule , be laden with corruption , full of stinch , sores , & botches , ouergrowen with the briers & thornes of sinne , to haue no sound or smooth place in it ; and especially if they make shewe of care in some things , they streyt imagine that in other things God will bee content and beare with them , notwithstanding they take liberty . So shall you see that some , which would seeme to make conscience of theft , whoring , drunkennes , and open blasphemy , wil yet profane the saboth by iournies , markets , accounts casting , sending seruants here and there ; they be cruel & oppresse , they be proud , they make no scruple at all to spend that riotously , & in vaine vnnecessary pomp , which ought to be laid out to maintaine Gods seruice . But let vs beware of such things : Sathan careth not how he haue vs , so hee may haue vs at all , whether by whordome , pride , oppression , or by any other sin . The reward of euery sin being death without true repentance and the mercy of God , we must take heede of euery one , bee it neuer so smal in our eies . We must hate euen the garment spotted with the flesh , Iude 23. yea abstain from euery shew of euil . 1. The . 5.22 And euil must not be measured as it seemeth to vs , but as it is in the sentence & iudgement of the Lord the lawgiuer & iudge . We ought to be so far off , from fostering our selues in any one sin , that cleane contrarywise , we should consider what the sinne is whereunto wee be most giuen , and into the which wee fall most often and easily , and from the which wee bee hardlyest reclaymed , against that wee should strengthen our selues with spiritual armour . As in towns of warre that be besiedged , the fortification is most , where the wall is weakest , & it would be counted madnes to rampier vpon the south side wher no assault is , & to leaue the north side naked and open wher the battery is hot , & the aduersary ready to enter : so ought it to bee in our spirituall warfare . Thou cryest out vpon adultery , whoredome , drunkennes , and blasphemy : against these thou art armed on euery side , Sathan assaulteth thee not there , he knoweth it were but vaine and lost labour ; for the shame of the worlde , weaknes of bodie , or feare of punishment by the magistrate doth bridle thee . He that knewe Eue to bee the weaker of the two and therfore also laid battery at the saluation of mankinde in her rather than in Adam , knoweth also where thou art weakest , and where he is most likely to preuaile , and there giueth thee the battaile , peraduenture thou louest the world ouer much , thou couetest ●… iches or honour : looke to thy selfe , when the question is about such things : when occasion offereth it selfe into thy hands to attaine these by euill and vnlawfull , wicked and sinfull meanes , Sathan will not faile to make thee offer of all the world , if thou wilt robbe God of his due and fall down to worship and obay him , as he did to Iesus Christ . When there is an offer made thee to come by any of these , with the breach of Gods commandement , with his dishonour , and the dishonor of thy profession ; beware least then Sathan not onely assault thee , but also ouercome thee . It may be that thou art giuen to impatience , to be soone stirred , easily prouoked , and then to forget thy selfe , to passe all good bounds , take heede when thy patience is tried , when thou art ill dealt with & abused , by thy husband , wife , children , friends , enemies , or such from whome thou lookedst for all good , duetiful and comfortable vsage , least then Sathan draw the●… to that which is altogether vnseemely & vncomely for thee . It were too long to recken euery particular . Sathan knoweth the time when , the place where , and the occasion wherupon he is likest to surprise vs : we ought therfore ( knowing his slights ) to be armed from top to to●… with the whole armour of God , that w●… be at no time , nor in any part of vs vnarmed , and so put our selues in danger to be vtterly spoyled . And this in my iudgment is not the least poynt of wisdome in a christian , if wee know what the sin●… be , with the which we are most easily ouertaken , against them to strengthen ou●selues : as on the other side it is extreame folly , for vs to bee in detestation of some corruptions , whereinto for some outward respects , wee bee not like●… to fall , and in the meane time , to ly●… open to the assaults of the deuill in other iniquities , which with lesse danger of credit , and feare of men we may doe . Let vs goe on to the rest .