IN this holy Psalme, consider: The Title. First, the Title: Secondly, the Psalme it selfe: the Title com­mits it, To the chiefe Musician, or the Master of the harmony, or Him that excelleth; and intitles it, A Song, A Psalme, as being one of that kind, which the Church in Dauids time v­sed to sing with Instruments & voyces. It ser­ueth well to prepare attentiō and intention to the matter of the Psalme. For it may plainly teach vs: First, 1 That it is worthy of chiefe skill, and consent in singing the same: 2 Se­condly, That it is a Song full of Excellencie, and to bee vsed so, as our Diuine praises may be made more pleasing, sweet, and excellent by it. Thirdly, 3 That it is to bee sung with a double Musicke, and melodie to God, Ephes. 5.19. euen [Page 2]with the glorie of the Tongue, Col. 3.16. and the grace of the Heart: loe, how the Title is a prepa­ratiue to the vnderstanding, affecting, and vsing of this speciall Psalme.

In which there is: The Psalme First, A generall; Se­condly, A particular setting foorth of the praise of God: by diligent perusing whereof, wee shall learne much worthy and necessarie knowledge: knowledge, how to make Gods praise glorious: to comfort our selues in his greatnesse: to reioyce in his noble Workes: to sucke sweetnesse out of our afflictions: and to relate without either affectation, or osten­tation, to God glorie, and to others edificati­on, the Lords admirable goodnesse vnto eue­rie one of vs, and to awake vs vnto all these; thus this Psalme beginneth.

Make a ioyfull noise vnto God, Vers. 1.all yee lands.] In giuing God thankes, it is our dutie to haue great reioycing; they that doe it without re­ioycing, yea, euen in him, doe it not so right­ly, as is fitting to his Maiestie. Therefore in doing this dutie, reioyce greatly, be not asha­med to let thy reioycing be seene, and heard; make a ioyfull noyse, like the noyse of the Trumpets in the dayes of your triumphs, Num. 10.9.10. of your gladnesse, of your festiuall solemnities, and of the times wherein you found speciall [Page 3]acceptation of your sacrifices: and make this noyse vnto God.

Diuine thankesgiuing, is to bee appro­priate onely to Gods person. Deny it to all creatures in heauen, or earth: deny it to false gods, Psa. 68.19. and giue it to the true euerliuing God, the God of our saluation, 90.17. our owne God, euen the God that saueth vs, and establi­sheth his grace in vs.

All yee lands.] None of the vniuersall Church of God, is exempt from praysing God: high, low, Iew, Gentile, bond, free, male, fe­male, hold not backe your praise from God; hee holds not backe his benefits from you, 65.19. but ladeth you daily with the same: you haue, 1. Cor. 4.7. or can haue nothing, but what you receiue from him, and that, not for your merit, but onely for his mercie, which indureth for euer.

Sing forth the honour of his Name, Verse 2.make his praise glorious.] True Thankesgiuing is such an action, as cheerefully sets forth the glorie of Gods Name: let not your thankes to God, the most High ouer all in heauen, and earth, bee any abasing of his Maiestie, but ascribe that to his great and fearefull Name, which is ho­nourable: Psa. 29.2, 8. giue to him the glorie due to his Name, let euery one that speakes of him, speake of his glory: confesse that his Name is [Page 4]aboue euery name in heauen, Phil. 2.9, 10 and earth: con­fesse that at his Name euery knee should bow, of things in heauen, and in earth, and things vnder the earth. Pro. 18.10. Confesse that his Name is a strong Tower to all that trust in him: Psal. 8. con­fesse that his Name is wonderfull excellent in all the world: confesse that his glorious Name is greater then all thankesgiuing, Neh. 9.5. and praise: let the desires of your soule be to the praise of his holy Name.

Also Make his praise glorious.] Diuine thank­fulnesse makes Gods praise glorious; glorious to the hearing, and vnderstanding of men, though it can supply no defect of glory to God, for his glory is alwayes infinite, and abso­lute: lessen not his praise, praise him not base­ly, giue not his praise to any other: so praise him, Ps. 108.1, 2 as becommeth him: let your hearts bee prepared, and your tongues awaked, to vtter forth the greatest praise you can of Gods Highnesse.

Say yee: Vers. 3.] Thankesgiuing is to bee perfor­med with speaking: bee not silent from this dutie; auoyd that silence, as great disobedi­ence: neither can you excuse it by pleading ignorance: here you are taught what to say. Hee that requireth your thanksgiuing, teach­eth you what you should speake in the same: [Page 5]hee that commandeth to make his praise glo­rious, sheweth, how you should make it glori­ous: of his goodnesse hee findeth you heart, mouth, tongue, words, and all; that to neg­lect this dutie, you should haue no excuse at all.

Say yee vnto God:] In praising God, that must onely be said of him, which may with a good conscience be said euen to him. Vse not the Lord as you doe men, to say one thing be­hind his backe, and another afore his face: for you can neuer bee but in his sight, neuer thinke a thought, but hee vnderstands it; ne­uer speake a word, but hee knowes it: there­fore say yee things glorious of him, and say ye the same vnto him. Shew that his benefits, his Name, his glory, and his praise doe so affect you, as you cannot, but like a gratefull man to a most beneficiall friend, meet the Lord your God in your meditations, and breaking out in­to zealous praises of his bountie, speake, and say euen vnto himselfe, that which may best testifie, how desirous you are to shew your best thankefulnesse for all his louing kindnesse: hence say yee vnto God:

How terrible, or reuerend art thou in thy workes!] To the high setting forth of Gods praise, is required a feeling confession of his [Page 6]most reuerend dealing in euery action. Be­ware you want not the consideration, that should bring this confession; they are neere destruction, Psa. 28.5. Isa. 5.12. and the sound of great woe is to them, that regard not the worke of the Lord, and consider not the operation of his hands. Hos. 14.9. Ps. 107.43. Doe you otherwise, bee you wise to vnder­stand the wayes of God, be you carefull to ob­serue those things in Gods administration, which may teach you this feeling confession, that you may say vnto him with admiration; Psa. 8.1. How excellent, O Lord, is thy Name in all the earth? 92.7. How great and glorious are thy workes? And how innumerable is the number of them? 104.24. How vnsearchable are thy iudge­ments? Exo. 15.11. Who is like to thee, O Lord, among the gods? So glorious in holinesse, fearefull in prayses, and doing wonders. Thou so rulest in the Armies of Heauen aboue, Dan. 4.32. and so wor­kest in the Inhabitants of the earth below, as to thee wee alwayes say, How reuerend and fearefull art thou in thy workes? the like where­of none can doe.

Through the greatnesse of thy power.] It is a principall point in the praising of God, to a­scribe the glory of victory to his power onely; say not, Our own arme shall saue vs; our Idols haue saued vs; our Horses, and Chariots shall [Page 7]saue vs: but euer say vnto God in euery victo­ry, Thou, O God, Psa. 76.4. art more glorious and excel­lent, then the highest helpes; 115.1. onely at thy re­buke both the Horse and Chariot are cast a­sleepe; Not vnto vs, O Lord, not vnto vs, but to thy Name we giue the glory. Thou, euen thou a­lone, by the greatnesse of thy power, hast gotten thy selfe the victory; and through this power

Shall thine enemies submit themselues vnto thee, though dissemblingly.] When wee see Gods enemies driuen for feare to dissemble Religion, and not to dare to withstand the de­fendours, and Ministers of Christs Kingdome, wee should admire, and acknowledge Gods mighty power therin: say not, This is through mans policie: say not, This is for feare of mans power: but confesse and say, Behold the migh­tie power of God: through the greatnesse of thy power, Ezra. 6. Heathenish Darius submitted himselfe vnto thee, and forwarded the buil­ding of thy Temple: through the greatnesse of thy power, Dan. q. 37. great Nebuchadnezzar submit­ted himselfe vnto thee, and extolled, and pray­sed, and honoured thee, the King of Heauen: through the greatnesse of thy power, hard­hearted Pharaoh submitted himselfe to thee, Exo. 12.31. to let thine Israel goe. So still shall thine enemies, and the enemies of thy Christ, sub­mit [Page 8]themselues vnto thy Maiestie.

Thine enemies.] All are not true friends to the Gospel, that vnder Christian Kings, and in the Churches prosperitie professe the Gospel: Through the greatnesse of thy power, O God, some are thy enemies, and therefore not to be trusted by thy seruants (because they, in respect of the betternesse of the times, and some other hand of thine, dare doe no other:) Some are in subiection vnto thee, and submit themselues among thy people, as Iudas a­mong thine Apostles; onely they doe it sore against their heart; they doe it with desire ra­ther of opportunitie to cast off thy yoke, and to shew their enmitie.

Dissemblingly, and lyingly.] They come neere Gods enemies, that serue him in hypo­crisie, or for seruile feare of his power, and not in truth and sinceritie, for dutie, and loue to his Maiestie. Looke to your hearts, that you haue not guiltie consciences this way, so as you may wofully accuse your selues, saying, Through the greatnesse of thy power, we sub­mit our selues vnto thee, and to thy King­dome, onely in dissimulation, and perforce, be­cause we dare doe none other: Psa. 125.4. but be yee so good, 1. Tim. 1.5. and true of heart, as you may find your selues in a child-like submission, with faith vn­fained, [Page 9]and pure loue; and so may say this vn­to God, onely of his enemies, Through the greatnesse of thy power, thine enemies fainedly submit themselues vnto thee.

All the earth shall worship thee. Vers. 4.] There is no respect of person, in Gods Vocation of men to saluation. Be not discouraged, because thou art a Gentile, or bond, or female, or weake, Gal. 3.28. Acts 10.34, 35. or a thing of nothing: God calls all that are his, the Gentile, assoone as the Iew, the bond, assoone as the free, the female, assoone as the male, the weake, assoone as the strong: he puts no diffe­rence, hee doth nothing for any ones person sake, but all for his owne mercy sake. Hee con­cludes not his Church within some one Town, Citie, Nation, or Countrey, but many come from all Regions, to sit downe with Abraham, Matt. 8.11.Isaac, and Iaakob, in his kingdome; and all this through his power: through the greatnesse of thy power, All the earth shall worship thee.] It is Gods praise onely, that his people doe worship him. If you be worshippers of God, praise not your owne wel-willing that way, your owne selfe-affection to godlinesse, your owne apprehension of the meanes, the power of the instruments: but praise the riches of Gods grace, and the power of his Spirit; Rom. 5.6, 8, 10. and say vnto him, Of our selues wee are weake, we [Page 10]are sinners, Ioel 2.32. wee are enemies, wee are vngodly. Now that we are turned to worship thee, thine is the praise: Ioh. 6.44. thou hast called vs vnto it, thou hast drawne vs, Psa. 65.4. thou hast caused vs to come vnto thee, onely through the greatnesse of thy power we worship thee.

And all shall sing vnto thee.] Singing rightly, is a singing vnto God himselfe. Sing not holy Hymnes, spirituall Songs, diuine Psalmes to your owne mindes carnally merry, or to please the vncircumcised eares of pro­fane friends: but sing them so, as you doe certainely sing them vnto God, Eph. 5.19. Col. 3.16. making a me­lody in your heart vnto him, and singing them to him with grace in your mindes.

Sing vnto thee.] Right singing vnto GOD, is a part of the worship of God: an effect of the gracious operation of GOD: an action be­longing to euery member of the Church of GOD. All the earth shall, in worshipping thee, sing vnto thee; through thy power they shall sing vnto thee, and all they shall sing vnto thee. If you neuer sing vnto the Lord, how doe you giue him his whole worship? Psal. 68.4, 32. Where is his ioyfull Seruice? Therefore as you say vnto him, so sing vnto him, sing daily vnto him, sing praises, sing praises, sing skilfull prai­ses vnto him.

[Page 11] They shall sing to thy Name excellently.] The chiefest, and worthiest renowme that can bee spoken of people, is, that they be religious, and zealous worshippers of GOD. In ascribing vnto God the glory due vnto him, say this chiefly vnto him, Hee rein is thy praise glori­ous, that through the greatnesse of thy power, people doe worship thee, and sing vnto thy Name excellently: this being GODS speciall honour to effect this, it is our speciall renowne, that it is effected in vs: if any bee not a true worshipper of GOD, hee hath no renowne, Psa. 49.20. he is without honour, hee is most base, hee is euen abominable. But they that are made his wor­shippers, are noble in name, in praise, Acts 17.11. Deut. 26.19 and in glo­ry aboue all other: and this is the glory of ve­ry Kings, to bring presents to him, to offer gifts to him, to fall downe to worship him, and to serue him. Therefore, thinke your selues greatly exalted, that you are become his reli­gious seruants, reioyce in this against all earth­ly abasements, and hope after the increase of the number of his true worshippers, and say still vnto the Lord, with confident expectati­on of the restoring of the Iewes, and of the fulfilling of the Gentiles, Psal. 7 [...].All the earth shall wor­ship thee, they shall sing to thee, they shall sing to thy Name excellently.

[Page 12] Come, Verse 5.and see the workes of God.] Vnto the worshipping of GOD rightly, Ier. 2.31. is required a willing comming to the meanes that teach vs his glory: Luke 14.2. Iob 21.15. Luke 14.18 say not as Papists, It is heresie to come: or with the rebellious and voluptuous, Wee will not come: or with the Atheists, What profit is it to come? Isa. 65.5. or with worldlings, Wee cannot come: Isa. 55.1. or with Separatists, Wee are too holy to come: Mat. 11.28 but with the hun­gry and thirstie come; with them that are bur­thened and heauy laden come, Jsa. 2.3. with them that are zealous, Ioh. 6.45. prouoke one another to come, with them that are taught of GOD come; Psa. 34.11. and you shall not come in vaine, but com­ming to the meanes, you shall learne the feare of GOD.

Come.] The Ministery of the Word of God teacheth, and inuiteth vs to make vse, and godly benefit of the workes of GOD, that bids vs come: 1. Thes. 5. Heb. 2. Psa. 95. 1. Cor. 2. Isa. 30. Psal. 27.4. Eccles. 4.17. and let vs not be absent, not from this; neglect not this; harden not your hearts a­gainst this; but frequent this, heare this, beleeue this, obey this, submit your selues to this & exa­mine how you profit by this; and according to the present charge of this, Come and see.] The way to the profitable vse of the meanes of god­linesse, Ier. 42.20. Acts 2.13. is to see, behold, and consider the same. Come not as hypocrites to dissemble: come [Page 13]not as sluggards, to sleepe: Ez. 33.32. come not as scor­ners, to deride, nor as enemies, to catch, nor as children and fooles, to gaze, prattle, or play; but come as the louers of goodnes, to seek; as the wise, to obserue; come as the godly, to learne, as the prudent, to consider, and as the obedient, to see.

The Workes of the Lord.] The workes of GOD are speciall meanes to furnish vs, and fit vs to worship and praise GOD. Doe not e­steeme them as dead things; doe not passe by them as idle matters, & of no reckoning; doe not sinne, as those that are complained of, for that they regarded not the workes of GOD, nor considered the operation of his hands; but come, and behold his workes, vse them as happy meanes to make thee happy, that is, to fit thee to bee an happy and holy worshipper of God.

Vse his workes of creation, Psal. 33. 9. 36. 6. 31. 23. 7, 8, 9, 10. 67. 4. 9. 16. 145. 15, 1 [...] 111. 9. to draw you to feare him; his workes of common preseruati­on, to admire his prouidence; his workes of spe­ciall preseruation, to loue him; of administra­tion, to trust and to reioyce in him; of iudge­ment, to acknowledge him, and to stand in awe of him; of sustentation to waite on him: and his workes of redemption, to praise his holy and fearefull Name: in stead of vaine and corrupt [Page 14]communication, Ps. 105.2, 5 talke of his wonderfull works, and in stead of remembring vanities, remem­ber his maruellous workes which hee hath done, his wonders, and the iudgements of his mouth.

Hee is to be reuerenced in his doing toward the sonnes of men.] They that rightly consider Gods working, doe find that hee is most wor­thy to bee reuerenced in euery action: O thou man, that doest not perceiue this, thou art very foolish. Psal. 92. But yee holy ones, whom God hath made glad through his workes, and who reioyce in the worke of his hands; happy are you, for you see how true this is, and you ad­mire that hee is so reuerend in his doing.

Toward the sonnes of men.] The very per­son, toward whom God is so reuerend in his dealing, is full of argument of his commenda­tion: for who bee these? Euen the sonnes of men. Oh then, praise the Lord highly for his administration to such persons: confesse his bountie vnto these, bountie vnspeakable; con­fesse his goodnesse vnto these, goodnesse im­measurable; confesse his mercy to these, mer­cy most laudable; confesse his loue to these, loue most admirable. For these haue plunged themselues into all misery: these haue prouo­ked his wrath by infinite iniquity: these haue [Page 15]nothing in them to deserue any compassion: these haue all that is in them to bring condem­nation. O wee men, Gen. 6.5. Rom. 1.21. whose imaginations are continually euill, whose foolish mindes are full of darknes, whose very hearts are most de­ceitfull, whose mouthes are full of blasphemy, whose throates are an open sepulcher, Rom. 3. whose eyes are full of vanity, whose eares are full of idlenesse, whose hands are full of bloud, whose feet are swift to euery mischiefe, whose life is most sinfull, and whose body is most vile: Let vs wonder that God is so reuerend in his dea­ling to such most vnworthy persons, and won­dring, let vs to his glory say, What is man, Psal. 8. that thou art so fauourable a God vnto him? What is wretched man, that thou art mindfull of him? What is the sonne of mortall man, that thou visitest him?

Hee turned the sea into dry land.] Verse 6. God shewes himselfe wonderfull in his doing, for them that feare him: Their enemies were be­hinde them, the Red Sea is before them: What now shall become of them? Why, Psal. 106.9. behold the saluation of the Lord to his owne people, hee forthwith rebuked the deepe Sea for staying them, and it presently gaue way vnto them, o­uerwhelming all their enemies that followed them. See how reuerend the Lord was in his [Page 16]doing toward these sonnes of men; ioyne your selues to this God, and hee will doe wonders for you; beleeue in him, and hee will make all things possible vnto you; expect with pati­ence his deliuerance, if no meanes bee with you; if all meanes bee against you, yet can hee find meanes to helpe, and saue you; he turned the sea into dry land:

They went thorow the flood on foot.] To whom God makes himselfe knowne in a speci­all fauour, and manner, to them hee will mag­nifie his power: that they might see his great saluation, hee led them dry shod-thorow the great depths of the cruell sea: Josh. 3.10. and after, that they might know that hee the liuing Lord was among them, and that hee would not faile to doe all that hee promised them, hee cut off the waters of the Riuer Iordan, and made them stand on an heape, euen when it was at the broadest, vntill all his seruants were cleane gone. If hee doe not thus to you, but lets seas and flouds of iniquitie keepe you from entring into his holy Canaan, then lament; for it argues that he yet hath no sauour vnto you: if you would haue him thus magnifie his pow­er some way towards you, then call your selues by the name of Iaakob, Isa. 44.5. and subscribe with your hand vnto the Lord: if you bee his peo­ple, [Page 17]then expect one great deliuerance after an­other: and if you know who feare him, doe not mocke nor despise them; but say, Deu. 33.29 They are happy; say, Who is like vnto them, so sa­ued by the Lord, the shield of their helpe?

There did we reioyce in him.] Gods admira­ble and comfortable dealing begets present reioycing in him, in them that loue and feare him. They were no sooner passed thorow the Red Sea, Exod. 15. but then and there Moses and the children of Israel sang ioyfully, a song of thankesgiuing vnto the Lord: there also Miri­am the Prophetesse, with all the women answe­red the men, with well-tuned instruments, holy dances, and sweet voyces in the same thankes­giuing: There did they reioyce in nothing of their owne, in nothing of any creature in hea­uen or earth, in nothing else but in God alone, in his triumph alone, in his strength alone, in his saluation alone, in his Name alone, in his right hand alone, in his power alone, and in his greatnes alone. But doe wee not honour him in the very place where hee hath honoured vs? Not praise him in the very time, wherein hee hath done great things for vs? Not reioyce a­midst all our comforts, benefits, and deliue­rances? Are wee not now most glad, that hee giues vs blessed proofs, that he is become our [Page 18] owne God, strength, deliuerer, and saluation? Oh let vs tremble at this vnthankfulnesse, and so a­mend this negligence, as we may say iustly, as they haue said, There, there did wee reioyce in him: and still may wee reioyce in him.

For, Verse 7. He ruleth by his power for euer.] Yee righteous, feare not the frownes of for­tune, falsly so called, the hatred of the world, sicknesse, famine, sword, or pestilence, the sonnes of mortall men, hellish principalities, or pow­ers, Dan. 4. nor any creature: for your God ruleth ac­cording to his will in the armies of heauen, and in the inhabitants of the earth, Psal. 135. doing whatsoeuer pleaseth him euery where. Yee wicked, feare, and tremble; be full of sorrow, and heauinesse; Psa. 145.20 howle and lament; for God ruleth, who preserueth all them that loue him: but all such as you are, he destroyeth: All yee vngodly, Rom. 8.28. repent speedily, for God ruleth, who makes all things worke together for the best to them that loue him: Psal. 11. but vpon you he shall raine snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horri­ble tempest, this shall bee the portion of your cup, because not chance, nor fortune, nor Pla­nets, nor windes, nor Popes, nor hell, nor crea­tures rule, but God alone ruleth.

He ruleth by his power.] Ye Potentates, and sonnes of the mighty, lift not vp your hornes on [Page 19] high, oppose not your greatnes against any ordinance of God; for hee ruleth by his power, Dan. 4.35, 37. none can stay his hand, nor may say to him, What doest thou? Them that walke in their pride, hee is able to abase. Yee sinners, prouoke not him to anger, for hee ruleth by his power; if yee still forget him, and will not consider, hee will teare you in pieces, Psa. 50.22. and none can de­liuer you. Yee that feare him, bee not discou­raged, because your enemies are too strong for you: doubt not of reliefe, because your misery seemes helplesse: despaire not of reco­uery, because you see no remedy: for your God not onely ruleth, but he ruleth by his pow­er, euen by his mighty power, whereby hee is able to subdue all things to himselfe: Phil. 3.21. Ephes. 3.20. euen by his infinite power, whereby hee is able to doe exceeding abundantly for you, beyond all that you can aske, or thinke.

For euer.] Thinke not, O ye wicked, that there is any time, wherein you shall haue the rule in your hands, or shall escape his iudgements; for hee ruleth for euer, Dan. 4.34. his dominion is an euerla­sting dominion, and of his kingdome there is no end. Reioyce, O yee righteous, for the proui­dence, the goodnes, the protection, the presence, the power, the iustice, the mercy of the Lord your God shall neuer bee diminished, shall ne­uer [Page 18] [...] [Page 19] [...] [Page 20] cease, shall neuer faile you; for hee ru­leth by his power for euer: Ps. 146.10. Thy God, O Sion, raigneth, and he shall raigne for euer.

His eyes behold the nations.] O yee mad peo­ple, Isa. 29.15. that seeke out deepe deuices to hide your counsels from the Lord, and to keepe your workes secret in darke, asking, Who seeth vs? Who can know vs? woe bee vnto you: for his eyes behold the Nations; Pro. 15.11.hell, and destruction are before him; how much more the hearts of the children of men? hee hath seene all your imaginations, Psa. 10.14. he beholdeth all your mischiefe and spite to requite it with his owne hand. Ye faithfull ones, be the same in all places, and in all countries, dissemble no where, sinne no where; for your God will find it out, his eyes behold all Nations, Psal. 33.13. hee beholdeth all the sonnes of men, his eyes are vpon all the wayes of man, Iob 34.21. and hee seeth his goings; his eyes are in euery place beholding both the euill and the good. Prou. 15.3. You that are in affliction, doe not say, Isa. 40.27. My way is hid from God: but be glad, and reioyce in his mercy, Psal. 31.7. in the midst of thy mi­sery, with full assurance that hee considers thy trouble, and knowes thy soule in aduersities; for his eyes behold the Nations, and his eye-lids do try the children of men: Isa. 40.28. there is no search­ing of his vnderstanding: Behold, his eye is [Page 21]vpon them that feare him, and that hope in his mercy, to deliuer their soule from death, Psal. 33.19. and to keepe them aliue in famine. All people trust in the liuing Lord of heauen and earth, haue him alone to bee your God, for hee is the ve­rie God: The Heathen gods haue eyes, Psal. 115.5. and see not; Gen. 1.31. but our God seeth euery thing that hee hath made, and his eyes behold all Na­tions.

Let not the rebellious exalt themselues: they which are rebellious, let them not bee lifted vp too much in themselues.] Pray for this vnto the Lord, so oft as you heare of Nations rebelling against any Christian Countrey; for hee alone is able to tame, and spoyle the stout-hearted, Psal. 76. and can cause the men of might to haue no strength in their hands. Pray for this vnto him, so oft as you see any proud persons exalt themselues against the free passage of the Gospel; Rom. 16.20 for hee alone is able to bruise Satan himselfe, and to tread him downe vnder our feete. Pray for this vnto him, when the enemy waxeth stil prouder; for though he suffer them sometime to afflict vs, Deu. 32.27 yet hee cannot abide that they should behaue themselues proudly, and strangely against vs. Pray for this vnto him, euen when thy sonnes and daughters are arrogant and insolent: for he will either breake [Page 22]them, because they are rebellious, or if they belong to him, hee will heale their rebelli­ons.

O blesse our God, Verse 48.yee people, and make the voyce of his praise to be heard.] Gods holy ones are so affected with desire to praise him, as they prouoke all other also to praise him. Haue you no desire to praise God? Oh, how can you aske any mercy at his hands? Is your desire to praise him so weake, as it moues you not to draw others to this duty? Oh, how little reckoning make you of God, and of his glory? and how carelesse are you of others saluation? Doe you prouoke others to dishonour and blaspheme him? Oh, you doe an abominable thing; such a wickednesse, as neuer did wic­ked Idolaters to their false gods. Beware of no affection: beware of too little affection, and la­bour to this high affection vnto the praise of God, which will moue you to exhort others to it, Psal. 34.3. saying, O magnifie the Lord with mee, and let vs exalt his Name together.

Our God.] This is the glory of Gods peo­ple, that the Lord hath made them so neere vnto him as they may very boldly professe, and call him, Our God. Oh yee hypocrites, this glory doth not belong to you: if you call him, Matt. 7.21. Our God, hee denyeth it, saying, Away [Page 23]from me, yee workers of iniquitie, I know you not. Oh, you enemies to the true doctrine of Christ, this glory doth not belong to you; if you call him, Our God, he denyeth it, saying, Not I, but your belly is your god, Phil: 3.19. and your end damnation. Oh you worldlings, this glory belongs not to you, ignorant, blind, and vn­beleeuing soules: if you call him, Our God, he denyeth it, saying, Not I, 2. Cor. 4.4. but the Deuill is your god. But, oh yee seruants of the Lord, to you, euen to you doth this glory belong, if you call him, Our God, he denyeth it not, but answereth, I am the Lord your God, Psal. 81.10. and you are my people. All that desire this glory, Hos. 2.23. bee his true seruants, be in Christ, bee in fellow­ship with his Church, then may you say also, The Lord is Our God, euen our owne God: Psal. 144. then are you blessed, Oh blessed are the peo­ple, whose God is the Lord. Rom. 8.32. Then are you protected. If God bee on our side, who can bee against vs? Then are you safe: Psal. 48.14. Our God will be our guide euen vnto death. Reioyce that the Lord is become your God, prepare an habitation for him in your hearts, Exod. 15.2. exalt him with your tongues, and call to others, saying, Blesse our God, blesse our God, O ye people.

And make the voyce of his praise to bee [Page 22] [...] [Page 23] [...] [Page 24]heard.] This is the token that people are come vnto God, when they make others heare them praise God: they that make others heare them praise Images, and superstitious Popish Ceremonies, shew no token that they are come vnto God: they that make others heare them praise the sinfull pleasures of wicked lust, shew no token that they are come vnto God: they that make others heare them, by swearing, and lying, and other sinnes, blaspheme God, shew no token of com­ming vnto him: they that are afraid, and a­shamed to let others heare them professe, praise, and glorifie God, shew no token that they are come vnto him. But they that with zeale, modestie, reuerence, and sinceritie doe make others heare, and perceiue that they doe acknowledge, honour, and praise God, doe shew a sufficient token that they are indeed come vnto him. Therefore, when the exerci­ses of praising God are performing, congre­gate together readily thereto, lurke no where in Kitchin, or Hall, or Butterie, or Chamber, or Yard, or Street, or any where absent, which is enough to make you suspected of irreligi­ous hearts. But come forth all, & come affec­ted, and come prepared to pray together, to heare together, and to sing together, that we [Page 25]may together blesse our God, and make the voice of his glorious praise heard, euen his praise, [Which holdeth our soule in life.] Vers. 9. Euen his praise, which hath restored our soulevnto life: The restoring of our soules vnto life, & the hold­ing of them in life, are speciall reasons to lead vs to praise God. Oh man, or woman, whose soule by sicknesse, or by the malice of enemies, or by other euils hath been compassed about with the sorrowes of hell, and beene in the snares of death, and God of his maruellous goodnesse hath redeemed it, and restored vnto life, and doth still preserue, and keepe thee healthfull, and aliue: Doest thou disobey this good God? doest thou dishonour him with thy life? doest thou sinne against him with the health and libertie that hee giues thee? doest thou not praise him for his wonderfull kindnesse? O foolish body, and vnwise, Deut. 32.6. doe you thus requite the Lord?

O ye righteous, be it farre from you to be so vngracious: doe not you so requite the Lord; but remember all his benefits, Psal. 107. thinke vpon all his goodnesse, and consider in parti­cular, how when your soules were in wofull miserie, when your liues were in great ieopar­die, your troubles were sore, and many, hee heard your cry, hee sent you helpe from his [Page 26] holy place, and hee redeemed you from all your miseries; and it is he only which holdeth our soule in life, and

Suffereth not our feet to be moued.] They that doe serue God faithfully, are in the grea­test safetie. Yee bloudie and deceitfull men, why doe you imagine mischiefe against Gods faithfull seruants? They shall bee as Mount Sion, Psal. 125.1. which cannot bee remoned. Yee gates of hell, why doe you offer violence to Gods Saints? Ioh. 10.29. They are in his hands, who is greater then all, and none can plucke them out. Ye men on earth that desire to be safe, why doe yee not turne from your sinnes, and come to our God to serue him? Then you shall bee safe, Psal. 15.5. and shall neuer bee mooued. Yee righteous, why are you afraid in any condition, or for any mans threatning? Feare not, Psal. 55.22. faint not, cast your burthen vpon the Lord, hee will sustaine you, and will neuer suffer you to bee moued. Are we safe? Is our King safe? Is the Kings sonne safe? Is our Land safe? Are our Preachers, and people safe? Are our wiues, and children safe? Are our goods and cattel safe? Giue God alone the glory, sing praise to his Name: Psal. 36.6.44.4, 6, 7. for hee onely saueth vs, he preserueth man, and beast: Not our owne arme, nor our sword, but hee himselfe hath [Page 27] saued vs from all our enemies, putting them to shame that hated vs: Psa. 18.34.56.13. hee inlargeth our steps vn­der vs, hee holdeth our feet that they slip not, hee keepes them from falling, he sets them, 40.3. as on a Rocke, and suffers them not to bee moued; and if at any time, 30.6, 7. to checke vs for our securi­tie, and vaine confidence, wee be moued, and troubled, it is onely his gracious triall of vs, that wee might then looke to him, and say to him, In this also wee acknowledge thine hand.

For thou, O God, hast prooued vs: Verse 10.thou hast tryed vs, as Siluer is tryed.] Gods children can picke matter of thankesgiuing, and of con­solation out of their affliction. O thou that quarrellest at the godlies Religion, because of their tribulation, and scoffest at their Profession, because of their affliction: their crosse is bet­ter then thy crowne; their miscrie, then thy prosperitie; their sorrowes, then thy pleasures. For thou pickest out of thine abundance, mat­ter of irreligion, of pride, of vnthankfulnesse, of crueltie, of condemnation: but they out of their sore affliction, matter of reioycing, of thankesgiuing, and of consolation. Psal. 73.21, &c. O child of God, whose mind is grieued, who art pricked in thy reines, whose flesh, and whose heart fai­leth because of rebuke, and chastening; be no [Page 28]more so foolish, so ignorant, and so like a beast before the Lord, regard and take out this les­son, picke thou matter of comfort, and of thankesgiuing out of thine affliction.

But here must be grace, wisedome, experi­ence, and obseruation: First, grace; for if we be by faith in Christ entred into that grace, Rom. 5.2, 3 wherein wee stand vnder hope of Gods glory, then shall wee euen glory in tribulations. Se­condly, wisedome; for if we be truely wise, we shall vnderstand the easie and wealthy place of the vngodly to be so slippery, Psal. 73.18. and their end such infelicitie, and so vnhappy, as wee shall praise God that wee drinke not of their full cup of prosperitie, Heb. 11.25, 26. and preferre the affliction of Gods people, before their sinfull and short pleasures; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches, then the treasures in Egypt. Thirdly, experience; for if wee find the tryall how God comforteth vs in all our tribulation; 2. Cor. 1.4. yea, so farre as hee makes vs able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith wee our selues are comforted of him, we shall get much ioy, and hope, and blesse the Lord with great gladnesse. Fourthly, ob­seruation; for if we obserue, first, Who afflic­teth vs, namely, our faithfull Creatour, our hea­uenly Father, our owne God, who may iustly [Page 29]say, Mic. 6.3. What vnkindnesse haue I euer done vnto you? Wherein haue I been any way grieuous vnto you? 2. Cor. 1.31. I haue beene alway a Father of mercies vnto you; a God of all comfort vnto you. I am the Father of spirits, Heb. 12.9. to whom you ought to be in subiection, much rather then to the fathers of your flesh. Secondly, Vers. 7.8. How he dealeth with vs when hee afflicteth vs, namely, hee therein dealeth with vs, as with sonnes; not as with bastards, whose-fathers are asha­med to haue them vnder their nurture; but, as with naturall, and legitimate children, whom the parents nourish and chasten.

Thirdly, Out of what affection he af [...]licteth vs, namely, out of his most fatherly loue. Prou. 3.12. For whom he loueth, he chasteneth, euen as a father doth that sonne in whom he delighteth. Fourth­ly, His ordinary entring of vs into his num­ber, and into his Kingdome, which is by afflic­tions: For euery sonne, whom he receiueth, Heb. 12.7. he scourgeth; Acts 14.22 and through much tribulation wee must enter into his Kingdome. Fifthly, How he afflicteth vs, namely, in measure, with such moderation, and mingling of mercy with iudge­ment, as, though we be sore chastened, Psa. 118.18 yet wee are not killed: Lam. 3.22. though we be sharpely correc­ted, yet we are not consumed: 1. Cor. 10.13. though the ten­tation be long, or great, yet we be made able [Page 30]to beare it. Sixthly, What he doth in afflic­ting vs, namely, hee proueth vs, hee doth not prouoke vs like the Tempter, but proueth vs like a Father, Deut. 8.2. that he may know, or that rather he may make it knowne to our selues, and to our friends that ioy at it, and to our foes that gnash their teeth at it, what is in our hearts, and what care, and constancy there is in vs to keepe his commandements. Seuenthly, To what end he afflicteth vs, namely, to our profit, and to doe vs good; Heb. 12.10 Deut. 8.16. & ver. 2.5. Isa. 27.9. Hos. 5.15. 1. Cor. 11.32. 2. Tim. 2.12 as to purge vs: to humble vs: to take away our sinne: to nurture vs: to draw vs to himselfe: to saue vs from the condemnation of this world: to make vs partakers of his owne holinesse: and to fit vs to raigne with him in his Kingdome. Eightthly, How he esteemeth vs, in afflicting vs, namely, not as hee estee­meth the wicked, whom hee taketh away from the earth like drosse: but as hee esteemeth his Saints, whom hee keepeth vnder his owne wings, and in his owne hand, as precious gold: not as refuse siluer, which he reiecteth; but as fine siluer, which hee hath tryed, and fined for his owne vse. If wee obserue all these, who seeth not that we may picke out matter of con­solation, and thankesgiuing out of our affliction, and reioyce that wee are able to say, Thou, O God, hast proued vs, thou hast tryed vs, as sil­uer [Page 31]is tryed: thou hast magnisied vs, Iob 7.17, 18 in setting thine heart vpon vs, to visit vs euery morning, and to try vs euery moment.

Thou broughtest vs into the net: vers. 11.12.thou laydst affliction vpon our loynes: Thou hast caused men to ride ouer our heads: we went throrow fire, and thorow water.] God doth ofttimes exercise his very deare children with very sore, and mani­fold affliction. Art thou afflicted, O Christian? Looke vnto God, as Iob did: as Dauid did: Iob 1.21. Psa. 118.18. Dan. 9.12. as Daniel did: as heere the godly did: and con­fessing it to be hee that hath brought thee vn­to it, that hath laid it vpon thee, that hath cau­sed men to doe it, consider it wisely: Eccl. 7.14. Iam. 4.7. Heb. 12.9. submit thy selfe to it quietly: take it reuerently: ac­knowledge it thankfully, and beare it constant­ly; yea, Heb. 10.32, &c. though thou know thine owne innocen­cy: for so he exerciseth oft times his deare, and his righteous children.

Art thou his obedient child? Job. 1.8. 1. Sam. 13.14. Dan. 9.23. Acts 9.15. Mat. 3.17. thinke it not strange, be not discomforted that thou art af­flicted: Iob righteous: Dauid a man after his owne heart: Daniel, beloued: Paul, a chosen vessell: Christ, his onely Sonne, in whom hee is well pleased: yet all these he sorely afflicted. Being so; O ncere Christian, vnder his af­fliction, admire his wisedome: thinke of the lot of thy fellow brethren: care not for the wic­keds [Page 32]vpbraiding: indure the vncharitables censuring: and refresh thine heart with con­solation, though, being one of his children, thou suffer sore affliction.

How sore is it, when he casteth vs as down on the ground, and (as it were) throweth vs along vnder the most vile contempt of men, setting euen Atheists, and Sycophants (as it were) to tread and trample vpon vs, and to make vs no better then as myre vnder their very horses feet: exalting them on high aboue vs, and bringing vs to most low and base estate: Dout. 28.43, 44. and vs the tayle? when he puts vs to the hardest pinches, paines and perils that can bee, and driueth vs thorow the most grieuous extremities, and most feareful calamities, to make vs as hoplesse to escape, as they are the burning that passe thorow a violent fire; or they drowning, that goe thorow a deepe gulfe of water? There­fore, O beloued Christian, art thou in any affliction? 1. Pet. 4.12. & 5.9. Heb. 12.3, 5. thinke it no newes; thinke it not thine alone case; thinke it not strange; be not weary of it; do not faint; distrust not; despaire not: Acts 16.25 sing in thy prison; reioyce in thy dunge­on; refuse not to take comfort; yea, remem­ber thy lesson;

That God, euen our most gracious God, oft [Page 33]times doth exercise his very deare children with very great affliction: and not onely so, but also with manifold affliction; Deut. 28.15, &c. afflictions of the bodie by aches, paines, sicknesses, diuers diseases; afflictions of the name, by infamies, reproches, and all bad reports: affliction of the goods, by losses, by thefts, by robberies, by debts, by sundry casualties: affliction of the mind, by terrors, by feares, by discontentments, by discomforts in husband, or in wife, or in chil­dren, or in seruants, or in neighbours, or in friends: affliction of euery kind, nets to in­snare vs, burthens to oppresse vs, men to tyran­nize ouer vs, fire to burne vs, water to drowne vs.

O Christian man, or woman, is thine afflic­tion not onely sore, but also manifold? Fret not thy selfe for all this: Psal. 37.8. consent not in any wise to do euill: forget not Gods Name: Psal. 44.17, 18, 20. deale not falsly in his Couenant: let not thine heart turne backe, nor thy steps decline from his way, Heb. 10.35, 36, 37, 38. nor stretch out thine hands to a strange god: cast not away thy confidence: liue by faith patiently and ioyfully; and to this end remem­ber that thy confidence hath great recompence of reward: remember, that after long patience, thou shalt receiue the promise: remember, that many are the troubles of the righteous: Psal. 34.19. re­member, [Page 34]that yet a little while, and hee that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.

Onely, see thou bee not the cause of thine owne affliction, as wicked sinners are, as com­panions of the wicked are, Pro. 13.20. 1. Cor. 11.30 Ps. 107.17 and as carelesse Christians are: for then thou art a foole; then thy best comfort in thine affliction is to re­pent of thy transgression, Ier. 17.16. and to craue par­don. Againe, see that thou desire not afflicti­on; for though God please to send it, he will cause it to worke to thy best: Rom. 8.28. yet if thou wil­fully desire it, hee may leaue thee to thy selfe, and so thou wilt peruert it to thy worst: it shewes faith and obedience, wisely to beare it; but shewes arrogancy and vaine confidence, to desire it. Also maruell not, that God exerciseth his children oft times with sore affliction, when they would faine be in liberty and free­dome; for it is his will: and who should haue their will; the Father, or the Child? Parents ought to shew, and mainetaine their owne right will against the childs wicked, or wanton will; yea, though the child doe pet at it, and bee sicke at it, &c. Otherwise (as lamen­table experience shewes) the childs wills ful­filling, is the parents shame, smart, paine, and vndoing. Now our heauenly Father, whose will is most holy, and who knoweth that his [Page 35]childrens willed liberty, and wished free­dome would bee many times abused to his dishonour, therefore chuseth rather to his glory and their good, to crosse their indis­creet and childish will in denying them ease, and freedome; & to do his owne will in exer­cising them with sore affliction. Isa. 30.18. O behold his goodnesse and wisedome herein! for all this is that he may haue the fittest occasion to be gra­cious vnto vs: this he euen waiteth for, and this these holy ones so experienced, as they haue left a worthy confession of it, saying,

But at length thou broughtest vs into a weal­thy place.] After God hath tryed his children by affliction, Psal. 103.9. hee bringeth them out into the wayes of consolation: hee afflicteth them, hee childeth them, hee is angry with them, hee bringeth them into the Net, hee aba­seth them, hee commits them to the fire, he casts them into the water, he doth try them by affliction, but not alwayes. Oh afflicted Christian, be patient, though the Rod of the wicked come vpon thee, Psal. 125.25 it shall not rest vp­on thee: be content, though thou be in trou­ble, thy trouble shall not last euer: bee cheerefull, though thou be in pouerty, in debt, in misery, thou shalt come out: bee of com­fort, [Page 36]though it be long, Pro. 23.18. yet there will bee an end, and thy hope shall not bee cut off: bee thankefull, and waite still on God, and let thy Soule keepe silence vnto him.

For after he hath tryed his Children by af­fliction, he bringeth them into the wayes of consolation, hee his owne selfe doth it: hee brought Israel out of Egypt, Exo. 20.2. Acts 7.10.Ioseph out of Pri­son, Dauid out of all his troubles; these out of the Net, out of the Fire, out of the Water: and he his owne selfe brings all his Children out of their affliction. O thou good Christi­an, whom God hath brought into any grie­uous condition, Psal. 123.2. euen as the eyes of the Ser­uant looke to receiue helpe from the hand of his owne Master, and as the eyes of the Maiden are lifted vp to the hand of her owne Mistresse: So lift vp thine eyes, and expect deliuerance from Gods owne selfe: hee him­selfe hath wounded thee, and he himselfe will heale thee: he himselfe hath cast thee downe, and he himselfe will raise thee vp.

Thou shalt not neede to cry to any Crea­tures in Heauen or in Earth: Oh who will helpe mee? Who will heale mee? Who will comfort me? Who will deliuer me? for hee Himselfe will do it: as in afflicting thee, hee giues not his Authority to another: so in re­leasing [Page 37]thee, he will not giue his glory to ano­ther: Reioyce in the Net he hath brought thee into; reioyce in the affliction he hath laid vp­on thy loynes; reioyce in the riding of men ouer thine head; reioyce in the fire ready to burne thee, and in the water ready to drowne thee, for he himselfe will bring thee out, euen he, to whose helpe thou maist most confident­ly trust. Vaine is the helpe of Man, Psal. 60.11. but hee is a sure Helper, he is a sure deliuerer, he is a sure comforter; his power is a sure power, his wil­lingnesse is a sure willingnesse, his promise is a sure promise, his mercies are sure mercies; Isa. 55.3. they shall not be ashamed that waite on him, they shal not be forsaken that seek him, he wil neuer faile them that trust in him: but after, for his owne glory and their good, he hath tryed them some while by affliction, he will in due time, e­uen in due time, bring thē out into consolation.

O Christian, though yet thou bee chaste­ned euery morning, do not say, Psa. 73.13. I haue wash­ed mine hands in Innocency, and clensed mine heart in vaine: do not not say, The Lord hath forgotten to be merciful: do not say, 116.11. They that prophecy of future comfort vnto thee, are Lyers: do not say, thy way is hidden from the Lord: Isa. 40.27. doe not say, thy Iudgement is passed ouer of thy God: Psal. 97.11. but beleeue that light is sowne for [Page 38]the Righteous, and gladnesse for the vpright in heart, and in due season, such shall reape a pleasant crop: Psa. 30.5, 11. beleeue that at length he will turne thy mourning into reioycing, and thine heauinesse into gladnesse: though weeping indure all the night, yet ioyes shal come in the morning: 126.5, 6. Though thou dost now sow in teares, yet hereafter thou shalt reape in com­fort: he will bring thee out of borrowing, into the ability for lending; out of present misery, into permanent felicity; out of a poore, sicke, desolate and dolefull case, into a delightfull and wealthy inclosure.

And when this is not according to thy ex­pectation in Earth, remember the infinit and endlesse Consolation prepared, and reserued for thee in Heauen: 16.9, 11. and let thine heart be glad, and thy glory reioyce, and thy flesh rest in hope of that fulnesse of ioy, and of those pleasures at his right hand for euermore.

I will goe into thine house with burnt Offe­rings. Vers. 13. God deliuering his people out of af­fliction, moues some in particular to greater zeale of the duties of Religion. Oh see the con­trariety of some in affliction! they seeme full of Deuotion; but no sooner deliuered, they returne againe to their vaine conuersation: these are euen such as God saith, Ier. 2.30. receiue no correc­tion: [Page 39]they are such as haue not vpright hearts with him: Psal. 78.37. Isa. 1.5. Hos. 4.14. they are such as prouoke him to strike them no more as his children, but let them alone as bastards vnto destruction. Oh, happy are we, if we bee not of the number of these, but of such as in their owne particular are moued to bee more zealous in the duties of Religion, after they see how comfor­tably God hath brought them out of af­fliction: heere is more then common grace; for such are very rare; heere is true Wise­dome; for after a wise man is rebuked, Pro. 9.8. hee will loue more: heere is right profiting by affllic­tion; for after such are afflicted, Ps. 119.67, 71. Psame 116.12. they learne and keepe Gods Word the better: Here is a thankefull mind indeed: for such are zealous of Gods praise; such study what to render vn­to God; such desire to expresse their thanke­fulnesse in the presence of all Gods people; such make haste to meet the Lord in his wor­ship, saying euen to himselfe, I will goe into thine House.

Oh man and woman, that art willing to go into the Tauerne, and into the Ale-house, but vnwilling to goe into Gods House: How foolish art thou to goe like the euill seruant, Mat. 24.49. to eate and drinke with the drunken, and to sit among Hypocriticall Scoffers, and to re­fuse [Page 40]to goe like the Seruants of God to his House, to sing and pray with his Children, and to heare his holy Ministers? Oh thou that art willing to goe into the gaming house, but not into Gods House! How foolish art thou to goe like the ding-thrift, to spend the preci­ous time, and thy needfull goods with the prophane, vnto thy vndooing, and to refuse to go like the Prudent, Pro. 23.23. to buy the truth, and get grace vnto health, and wealth, and saluation? Oh thou that art willing to goe into the Har­lots house, but not into Gods House! How foolish art thou to goe like a Foole to the Stockes, Pro. 7.22. and like an Oxe to the slaughter, vnto the house that leadeth to death, and to refuse to goe like the Wise and Religious, vn­to the House that leadeth vnto Happinesse, Comfort, and eternall Life?

Oh man or woman that art willing to goe into Gods House, that louest the place where his Honour dwelleth, Psal. 26.8. Psa. 84.1, 2. that holdest his Taber­nacles amiable, that feelest thy soule longing, and fainting for the Courts of the Lord, Psal. 122.1 that art glad to heare and see others willing to go vnto his House, Psal. 27.4. that desirest to dwell all the dayes of thy life in his House; how prudent and how wise art thou? for there thou shalt behold the beauty of the Lord, enquire at his [Page 41] mouth, Rom. 10. Psal. 65.4. Psal. 84.4, 11. heare the happy tydings of peace and of good things, be satisfied with goodnesse, be euer praysing of God; there God will be the Sunne and the Shield vnto thee; there he will giue thee grace and glory; Psal. 63.5. there he will feede thy Soule with better then marrow and fatnesse, there will he hide thee in his Pauilion, and in the secret of his Tabernacle in the time of trouble.

With burnt Offerings will I goe, Ver. 13.15.I will offer vnto thee burnt Sacrifices of fat Rammes, with Incense: I will prepare Bullocks with Goates in a­bundance.] The godly worship God perso­nally, rightly, delightfully, and plenteously: Personally, for they come, and they offer in their owne persons: Rightly, for they offer to God that which he prescribeth, then Legall, now Euangelicall Sacrifices: Delightfully, for they offer with Incense, Exo. 30.34. with artificiall & most pleasant persume of sweete Spices: vnder the Law, with spirituall most pleasant perfume of Christs most sweete intercession, and of the most sweete grace of his Spirit vnder the Gos­pell: Plenteously, for they offer not a Ramme, 1. Chr. 29.21. or a Bullocke, or a Goate, but Rammes, Bul­lockes, and Goates, many Offrings and ma­ny Sacrifices.

O you that come not to appeare before [Page 42]the Lord in the assemblies of his people per­sonally: how sawcie and vnreuerent is this? Not a pretended necessitie, to ride out to see your purchase; Luke 14.18, 19, 20. nor the desire to goe trie your yoke of Oxen newly bought; nor your reason to tarry at home with your late wedded wife, will serue to excuse it. Oh, you that come, and doe offer, but not rightly, in that you offer not that which he prescribeth, but your owne fancied repetitions, your owne supposed good intents: how vniust, how vncomely is this? Mat. 15.9. 1. Sā. 15.23 Eccl. 5.1. This worship, is a worship in vaine: this seruice, is a rebellion and stubbornenesse: this offering, is a sacrifice for fooles: this doing, is doing of euill. Oh, you that offer, but not delightfully, not with incense, not in Christs name; not in sinceritie; not with grace in your hearts: how vnprofitable, and how vn­acceptable is this? You keepe backe Gods part, his portion, his delight, and so (without you repent) you shall find him another day, as Nadab and Abihu partly found him, Leu. 10.2. that is, a consuming fire. Hob. 12.28, 29. Oh, you that come and offer to God, but not plentifully, but emptie-hear­ted, grudgingly, with wearinesse, and snuffing at it, euen snuffing at the pure, and plentifull worship of God, disdaining that hee should bee so plenteously made known by his Preachers, [Page 43]and his Word so powerfully taught by them! how vngodly? how crooked? and how vn­thankfull is this? Mal. 1.6, 7, 8, 10, 14. & 2.2. The Lord holds this a despi­sing of his Name, and a contemning of his Table. Hee hath no pleasure in such worship­pers, he accepts no such offerings, he reckons such offerers, deceiuers, hee curseth them, and their blessings.

Oh, you therefore that feare God, follow the example of the godly Prophet; come (e­specially on the Sabbaths) and appeare per­sonally before the Lord, to worship him in your owne persons. For thus do all his Saints, they all sit downe at his feet, Deut. 33.3. that euery one of them may receiue of his words: Psal. 84.7. euery one of them appeareth before him in Sion. Come, and offer to him the sacrifices which he pre­scribeth: so did the godly vnder the Law; so doe you vnder the Gospel, worship him right­ly: then they gaue him the burnt offerings of fat Rams, Bulls, and Goats: now giue him that which is your reasonable seruice of him; euen in all thankfulnesse for all his mercies towards you in Christ Iesus; Rom. 12.1. present your bodies a li­uing sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to him. Come, & worship him delightfully, pray, giue him thankes, heare his Word, receiue his Sa­craments with holy incense, with a pure mind, 1. Tim. 2.8. [Page 44]with truth in the inward affections, Psa. 51.6. Heb. 12.28 Col. 3.17. with grace in your hearts, and in the Name of the Lord Iesus. For this hee loueth; this is pleasing vn­to him; in this hee delighteth; this makes our sacrifices acceptable vnto him. Come, and worship him plenteously: as they prepared many Rams, and Bulls, and Goats to offer vnto him; so prepare to bring in your prayers, plentifull deuotion; in your thankesgiuings, plentifull affection; in your hearing his Word, plentifull attention; in receiuing his Sacra­ments, plentifull feeling; and in dedicating your whole life, and selfe vnto him, plentifull and vnwearied application.

I will pay thee my vowes, Verse 14.which my lips haue vttered, and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble, or affliction.] What the godly pro­mise God in their debts, sickenesse, or any other misery, they are carefull to performe in their wealth, health, and libertie. Oh thou man, or woman that didst vow, and promise to God, that if hee brought thee out of debt, thou wouldest neuer bee a vaine companion, a care­lesse waster, an idle walker, vnthristie, vngodly any more; Pro. 3.9. Psal. 16.3. but honour him with thy substance, and extend thy liberalitie to his Saints! O, thou that didst in thy sore sickenesse promise and vow vnto him, that if hee brought thee [Page 45]to health againe, thou wouldest neuer neglect the Church, neglect hearing his Word, pro­fane his holy day, sweare, lye, keepe ill compa­ny, bee vnruly any more; but feare, honour, serue him, liue like a good Christian all thy life! O, thou that didst in any kind of di­stresse, trouble, or misery promise and vow vn­to him, that if hee would deliuer thee, thou wouldest neuer be irreligious, vnholy, wicked, disobedient any more; but doe all such du­ties, obserue all such orders, follow all such Wayes as most agree to his holy will, and Word, and glory! And hath he been kind vnto thee, according to thy necessities? and hast not thou paid thy vowes vnto him, which thy lips vtte­red in thine affliction? but denied, neglected, or forgotten the same?

Oh, how vniust, how vnthankefull, how vn­godly, how dishonest, how shamefull is this? So to promise, was as little as thou couldest doe; and wilt thou not respect to doe so lit­tle for God, that hath done so much for thee, as to indeuour to performe thy promise? Thou wouldest haue giuen any thing, and been at any cost to haue bin deliuered; GOD hath done it freely for thee, and dost thou de­ny to pay him thy vowed seruice? Whom wilt thou regard? Isa. 57.11. To whom wilt thou keepe [Page 46]thy word, since thou liest vnto God? Thou canst no way excuse thy selfe: Eccles. 5.2, &c. if thou plead rashnesse, and haste; oh, how durst thou be rash and hastie, to speake thou couldest not tell what vnto the high God of Heauen? If thou confesse it was thy folly; why, hee hath no pleasure in fooles. If thou thinke it no great matter, thou deceiuest thy selfe, in promising without conscience to performe; thy mouth hath caused thy whole selfe to stand guiltie of much sinne: better it had beene (though that would haue witnessed thine vnthankfulnesse, and forgetting of God) that thou hadst not vowed, then to vow, and not to pay.

Oh, Christian, doe thou both, vow, and pay: God by troubles and afflictions doth (as it were) call thee, and euen importune thee to vow someting vnto him; as some lawfull, allowed & prescribed testimony of thy thank­fulnesse: if thy lips haue vttered, and thy mouth hath aduisedly, reuerently, and holily spoken some vow vnto his Maiestie, in the day of thy miserie; see that thou carefully per­forme it, as soone as hee grants thee any de­liuery. If a filthy fornicatour, and a rebellious fornicatresse, pretend conscience of keeping their abominable vow against all GODS forbid; Iudg. 11.3. if Micha's mother, making a mad [Page 47] vow to make a grauen image for her sonne, was so diligent to performe it; oh, how care­full should wee be to pay our lawfull and holy vowes, a part of his worship vnto GOD? Pre­cept, praise, peace, patterne, and profit requi­reth this at vs. Precept of GOD; for hee com­mandeth vs to pay our vowes vnto him, Eccl. 5.4. and that quickly, without delay. Praise; Psal. 65.1. for this is a part of the praise giuen to Sion, that in it the vow shall be performed vnto GOD. Peace; Deu. 23.21 for if we haue speedily paid that wee vowed, our conscience shall excuse vs of that inquiry, and that sinne, that otherwise wee are guiltie of. Patterne; Gen. 28.20 for this is exemplified to vs in Iaa­kob; in Israel; in Dauid; in Hannah; Num. 21.2. Psal. 116. and all o­ther holy ones: and paying our vowes to God, wee follow their godly example. Profit; for if wee pay our vowes to GOD, 1. Sam. 1.11 hee will still giue vs more blessings, and make vs haue such experience of his goodnesse, as each one of vs shall haue cause to say,

Come, and heare, all yee that feare God, Verse 16.and I will tell you what hee hath done for my soule.] The knowledge of Gods goodnesse to his peo­ple in generall, moueth the true godly to note what it is to themselues in particular. Oh, beware heere of the most fearefull spirit of some; I meane of the spitefull wicked: for [Page 48]when they see GODS goodnesse to his people, Ps. 112.10. they be grieued at it, they gnash their teeth for anger, and they melt away with enuy: which sheweth that they are inspired with the malice of the Deuill: for from the beginning, he and his haue beene so hellishly-minded. But be­hold, and take your marke by it: the true godly put the sight, and knowledge of this to a most worthy and excellent vse: for it moueth them to note, what Gods goodnes is to their very selues in their owne particular.

Oh Christian, doe thou so: hast thou heard what great, excellent, wonderfull, and what comfortable things, God in all ages hath done for his people, to witnesse his mercy, loue, righteousnesse, and truth vnto them, and to make them hope in him, trust in his Name, serue him, and be assured that they are blessed of him? Oh thinke, and obserue what he hath done also for thy person! Oh, if thou canst tell of none, but common to euery creature, yea and to the vniust, as well as to the iust, then thy case is vncōfortable: but if thou find, that to thee also hee doth communicate his speciall kindnesse, and his singular fauour; then thou hast that which is for comfort, for reioycing, for assurance, and for instruction: for com­fort, because thereby thou seest that God com­forts [Page 49]thee, as one of his owne, by doing for thee, as for his very owne. For reioycing, be­cause thereby God giues thee reason to sing with blessed Mary, Luke 1.46. My soule doth magnifie the Lord, and my spirit reioyceth in God my Saui­our, for he hath done great things for me. For assurance, because thereby thou art assured, that God remembreth thee with the fauour of his owne people, Psal. 106.4, 5. and makes thee see the feli­citie of his chosen. For instruction, because thereby thou art fitted to relate the goodnesse of the Lord vnto others out of thy owne ex­perience.

Come, and heare, and I will tell you, what God hath done for my soule.] Hee that is guided by a right spirit, is carefull to vse all good meanes to bring others comfort. Oh, the scarefull car­riage of such as bee guided by a froward, and vncleane spirit, as Cain, Saul, Doeg, Iudas, and the like: for these vse what meanes they can to bring to others, and especially to the godly, discomfort. Oh, happy are they that are gui­ded by a right spirit: for they seeke euery way to comfort others, chiefly such as are godly: they lead a life to comfort them, performe good actions to comfort them, and they lay vp words to comfort them: they euen pur­pose to relate what sweetnes they haue found [Page 50]in Gods goodnesse towards their owne soules, vnto other Christians to reioyce, and solace their holy mindes therewith: Act. 14.26, 27. so did Paul, and Barnabas to the Church at Antioch: so did Pe­ter to the Christians in the house of Mary praying together: 12.12, 17. teaching vs the like zeale, delight, loue, and desire to comfort others, Da­uid stands forth and saith to the godly,

Come, and heare, all yee that feare God.] It is a Christians dutie to heare of Gods priuate and speciall benignitie. O worldling, thou sa­uourest nothing, Psal. 4.7. but this transitory world: O profane person, Act. 18.15. thou holdest such questions, nothing but vaine words, and idle names: O hypocrite, thou (measuring another by thy line) accountest such relation, but vaine glo­rie: O sincere Christian, it is my dutie to de­clare it, Psal. 25.12, 14. and thine to heare it; for thou fearest God, and so oughtest to haue the speciall things of God reuealed vnto thee: thou fearest God, and so wilt bee glad to heare how kind God hath beene vnto me: Ps. 119.74. thou fearest God, and so wilt cheere thine owne soule with that com­fort which thou hearest that God hath giuen to anothers soule.

And I will declare what hee hath done for my soule.] It agreeth to true pietie, to declare our owne experience of Gods speciall mercy. O [Page 51]man, or woman, to whom God hath beene specially mercifull, Psa. 106.7, 21. and thou hast not vnder­stood it: O thou to whom he hath vouchsafed a multitude of mercies, and thou hast not re­membred them: O thou, for whom hee hath done great things, and thou hast forgotten him: O thou, Psal. 147. with whom he hath dealt more graciously, then with many others, and thou doest not so much as thinke, or speake of it: O thou, Deut. 32. whom he hath crowned with rare be­nignities, and thou hast lightly esteemed both himselfe, and his benefits: how peruerse, fro­ward, and impious is this thy dealing? Many would faine see that, which God hath offered thee to see, and cannot: many would faine heare that, which thou mightest heare, and may not: many would turne vnto God, and loue him, and praise him, if those glorious things, mighty workes, and gracious doctrines were vttered to them, that haue beene plen­tifully shewed vnto thee: woe vnto thee for thine ingratitude, woe vnto thee for thine im­pietie.

O Christian, be it otherwise with thee; Gen. 45. Exod. 18.1. Sam. 1. Luk. 1. 1. Tim. 1. Psa. 40.10. shew thy pietie, by declaring thine owne experience of Gods speciall mercy, as Ioseph did: as Mo­ses did: as Hannah did: as Mary did: as the Apostle did: hide not his righteousnesse within [Page 52]thine heart: conceale not his louing kindnes, but declare his mercy, and his saluation. Thou declarest to thy wife, or to thy neighbour, thy experience of some friends speciall friendly­nesse; O how much more shouldest thou, to winne them to God also, declare to wife, and family, and neighbours, thine experience of Gods speciall mercy? Imitate this holy man, saying: Come, let your worke alone a little while; come, let your businesse stay a little while; come, leaue off your other communi­cation a little while; come, sit downe by me, and giue eare a while to what I shall tell you, and heare, and I will tell you excellent, admi­rable, comfortable things, euen

What God, hath done for my soule.] Much of our bounden praise of God, consists in an holy obseruation, and faithfull mention of our owne part, in the particular goodnesse of God. O thou, whom God doth not afford the matter of such obseruation: O thou, to whom God giues no cause of any such men­tion: Hos. 4.17. but lets thee alone, like Ephraim, like those blind leaders: leaues thee in fearefull hunger, Mat. 15.14thirst, shame, sorrow of heart, and vex­ation of spirit, Isa. 65. like those that forsake him: suf­fers thee to walke in thine owne wayes, like all the Heathen of old time: Act. 14.16 giues thee vp [Page 53]vnto vile affections, and to a reprobate mind, Rom. 1.26, 28. like those vnreasonable Idolaters: thou canst not sing of his Name, thou canst not praise him, thou canst not glorifie him; but cleane contrary. And this is the punishment, the plague, the iudgement of God, that thou canst be merrie, but not in him: thou canst reioyce, but not in him: thou canst shew testimonies of his wrath against thy soule, but thou canst not tell of any grace hee hath giuen to thy soule.

O happy Christian, remember wherein thy bounden thankes to God, and the plentifull argument of thy praising of him consisteth, namely, in thy holy obseruation, and faithfull mention of thy owne part in his particular goodnesse. O how great is his goodnesse, Psa. 31.19. that hee hath laid vp for them that feare him! Be thou wise to obserue thy part in it, Ps. 107.42. that thou maist vnderstand the Lords louing kindnesse vnto thy soule: obserue whether thou canst say with the Prophet; Come and heare, all you that feare God, and I will tell you what hee hath done for my soule.

Hee hath chosen mee, Psal. 4.3. and set mee apart for himselfe: In the Volume of his Booke of Life, 40.7. my Name is written in Heauen: 23.3. 31.7. Hee hath con­uerted, and restored my soule: He hath knowne [Page 54]my soule in aduersitie: Psal. 30.3. Hee hath brought my soule from the graue: 86.13. He hath deliuered my soule from the lowest hell: 71.17. Hee himselfe hath taught me, 32.5. euen from my youth: He hath for­giuen mine iniquitie, 103.10, 13 and my sinne: Hee hath not dealt with me after my sinnes, nor rewar­ded mee according to mine iniquities: As a father pittieth his children, so hee hath pittied me: 118.6, 7, 21. He is on my side, he taketh my part: He is become my saluation: Hee vpholdeth mee in mine integritie: 41.12. I was brought low, and hee helped me: 116.6. Sometime hee hath shewed mee great, 71.20. and sore troubles; but hee hath by and by quickned me againe: He hath brought me vp againe out of my deepe miseries: He hath increased mine honour: Hee hath returned to comfort me on euery side: Hee hath healed all my diseases: 103.3. He hath deliuered my soule from death, 116.8. mine eyes from teares, and my feet from falling.

I cryed vnto him with my mouth, Verse 17.and I was exalted for the words of my tongue.] I cryed earnestly vnto him in my grieuous misery, and because I prayed without doubting, in a sted­fast faith, he lifted me vp out of all my feares: Hee hath deliuered mee, 71.3. and caused mee to escape: Hee hath giuen commandement to saue me: 139.17, 18 O how precious are his thoughts vn­to [Page 55]mee! how great is the summe of them! If I should count them, they are moe in number then the sand: Psa. 116.7, 23, 6. Hee hath dealt so bountifully with mee, as surely goodnesse, and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life, and I shall euen dwell in his House for euer.

Canst thou tell all this the Lords admira­ble doing to thy soule (as euery experienced Christian can?) see thou declare it, to shewthine abundant reioycing in God: to magnifie his benignitie: to glorifie his Name: and that sin­cerely, conscionably, reuerently; and as Da­uid did, which was both (as Gods Saints vse) to vtter forth abundantly the mention of Gods great goodnes: 145.7. and also to shew (con­trary to carnall mens thoughts) how rich God is to all that call vpon him, sets his heart vpon them, careth for them, and preferreth them.

If I regard iniquitie in mine heart, Verse 18.the Lord will not heare me.] The godly apply that vnto themselues, if they become like the wicked, which God speaketh properly of them that be wicked. Oh, the vnbeleefe of wicked ones indeed! for these will not beleeue the threat­nings, that properly are threatned against them: they perswade themselues, Ier. 5.12, 13 that no euill shall come vpon them; they be conceited that they shal neuer see the iudgements denounced; [Page 56]they hold the Preachers Words, prophesy­ing the same to be an empty winde: Yea that the Preachers themselues shall sooner smart then they: they blesse themselues in their owne minds; they say in their owne thoughts, We shall haue peace, Deu. 29.19 though we walke in the imagination of our owne hearts. O intolera­ble blindnesse! O high presumption! Hence they adde drunkennesse to their thirst; runne with the Thiefe; Psal. 50.18 19, 20, 21. Eccl. 11.8. partake with the adulterer; haue hearts set on them to do euill; do neuer think & say in themselues vpon the hearing or sight how God plagues such as they are, Cer­tainely if I be still such a one, God will plague me also in the end, and more and more har­den their hearts. O the fearefull effects of the wicked and vnbeleeuers of that which GOD hath set downe as their doome; and yet this is not neere all: Pro. 28.15. Ier. 5.12. Deu. 23.20. for hence they fall into more euill, they doe euen belye God himselfe, and God denies them his mercy, besides, hence they cannot repent.

But the true godly beleeueth and applyeth to himselfe, if he do that which is wicked, e­uen the same punishment which God himselfe speaketh properly to them that are wicked: he expects no other, he lookes for no toleration, hee hopes for no dispensation: he saith with [Page 57] Iob, If I sin with the vaine persons, Iob 3.1. or the de­ceiuers, or the adulterers, or the cruell Masters, or the oppressours, or the vncharitables, or the vniusts, or the idolatrous couetous ones, or the vngodly worldlings, or the spitefull euious ones, or the churlish Nabals, or the common sorts sinne, or any sinne; the plagues of such sin­ners will come vpon me. Hee saith with the Church, If I deale falsly in Gods Couenant; Psal. 44.17, 18, 20, 21. if I turne backe, if I forget his Name, if I lift vp my hands to a strange god, he hath said, He wil search out such sinners to punish them, and therefore I shall not escape, but hee will surely search mee, and my sinne out also. Hee saith with Dauid, God hath said, Isa. 1.15. When the wicked doe spread forth their hands, I will hide mine eyes from them; when they make many prayers, I will not heare them. Joh. 9. I doe not heare sinning sinners; therefore, If I regard wicked­nesse in mine heart, I beleeue that I shall fare alike; out of all doubt he will not heare me.

Thus the truely godly apply Gods threat­nings to themselues; and that, because of their beleefe, and their experience; they belecue that he is so true, as hee will not breake any of his words; they beleeue that he is so holy, as he can­not indure any to haue accesse vnto him in their sins; they beleeue he is so iust, as he iudg­eth [Page 58]without respect of person; Iosh. 22.20. they obserue in their owne experience, how, as God hath threatned, euen so hee hath executed vpon them that haue sinned.

Oh the happy, and blessed fruits of the god­lies beliefe of Gods iudgement, euen vpon themselues, if they fall vnto sin! Hence they stay themselues from yeelding to temptations, saying: Gen. 39.9. How can I doe this great wickednes, and so sin against God? Hence, though they indure neuer so much affliction, yet they hold faithfull, Psal. 44.17. saying: All this is come vpon vs, yet haue we not forgotten thee. Hence they la­bour to preuent sin in their brethren, lest they bee iudged together with them, saying, to those that they thinke are reuolting, Iesh. 22.17. Is the ini­quitie of Peor too little for vs, from which we are not clensed vntill this day; but that yee must turne away from God, and so you rebel­ling to day, to morrow his wrath will come vpon vs all? saying, to them that breake the Sabbath; Neh. 13.17, 18. What euill thing is this that ye do? Did not your Fathers thus, and did not God bring all this euill vpon vs, and vpon this City? Yet ye bring more wrath vpon Israel, by pro­faning the Sabbath. Hence they liue alwaies in feare to offend, 1. Pet. 1.17. saying, Since wee call him Fa­ther, that iudgeth without respect of person, ac­cording [Page 59]cording to euery man; worke, let vs passe the time of our soiourning heere in feare. Hence the Prophet saith, I will wash mine hands in in­nocency, and so compasse Gods Altar.

The Lord will not heare mee.] They are in wofull misery, whose hearts regard iniquitie. O man, or woman, whose heart imagineth that which is euill: because thou art in health, in peace, in wealth, in prosperity, at hearts-ease; doest thou thinke that thou art not in misery? Yes, yes, thou art in wofull misery. For because thine heart deuiseth, nourisheth, and regardeth iniquitie, the Lord doth not heare thee: this is thy miserie, and this is a grieuous misery; Gen. 4. This was the misery of Cain, that God would not heare him. This is the misery of such as heare not Gods Word to obey it, Prou. 28.9. that God hea­reth not their prayer, but holdeth it abomina­tion; Jer. 14.11, 12. this is the misery of such as fall away from God, that he will neither heare their owne pray­ers, nor haue his Prophets pray for them; this is the misery of such as refuse to bee reclaimed from their old customes, vanities, and sollies, Prou. 1.28. that though they come in their extremities, and call earnestly, and seeke early vnto God for mercy, hee will not be found of them, hee will not answer them, he will not heare them; this is the misery of such, as for all Gods continu­all [Page 60] paines, and care, and cost in bringing them vp like children, Isa. 1.2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. yet they rebell against him; that hee delighteth not in their sacrifices; that hee is displeased with their appearing before him, that he accounteth their offerings and their incense abomination; that hee cannot away with their holy dayes, their Sabbaths, their so­lemne meetings; that hee hateth their high times, takes them a trouble to him, is weary of them, cannot beare them, and that hee hideth his eyes from them, and will not heare their prayers. Oh consider this, thou, whose heart is full of wickednes, whose heart regardeth nei­ther pietie, truth, or mercy, but iniquitie, vn­godlinesse, vanitie: consider and see, if this be not a sure, and heauy misery, that the Lord will not heare thee.

O beleeue, as thou oughtest, that it is a grie­uous misery indeed: for what is a more grie­uous misery, then Gods most seuere iudge­ment? and as the foresaid places doe proue, it is one of his threatned fearefull iudgements; such a iudgement, as makes the godly lament, saying, [...]. 3.8. When I cry, and shout, hee shutteth out my prayer: such a iudgement, as make vs vnto our selues comfortlesse. For what comfort can we haue, when we cannot haue comfort in God? And what comfort can we haue in him, [Page 61]while he will not heare vs? Such a iudgement, as makes vs vnto others helpelesse: for what helpe can we giue them, when we can procure no helpe to them from God? And how can we procure helpe to them from him, when he wil not heare vs? such a iudgement, as denies vs hope of all benefits for body, and soule: for what hope can wee haue to obtaine any of them, when God, at whom wee seeke them, and of whom alone wee must receiue them, will not heare vs? Such a iudgement, as presages to vs finall exclusion: for what can we looke for, but that in the end God will say to vs, Away from me yee workers of iniquitie?

But, blessed Christian, Rom. 13.12 that hast so cast off the workes of darknesse: washed, Jsa. 1.16. and made cleane thy selfe: put away the euill of thy works out of Gods sight: ceased to doe euill: Ps. 73.13.clensed thine heart from the wickednesse, and hypo­crisie thereof: abandoned the loue of iniqui­tie: thou escapest this wofull misery, and thou partakest his most comfortable mercy: Ioh. 9.31. for be heareth thy prayers; Isa. 65.24. euen while thou art spea­king, he will heare, and before thou callest, Pro. 15.8. he will answer; yea, thy prayer is his delight.

O here is a mercy indeed: such a mercy, as intitles the Lord himselfe with that honourable description; O thou that hearest Sions prayer: Psal. 65.2. [Page 62]such a mercy, 1. Kings 8.30, 32, 34.36, 39, 43, 45, 49. as in the dedication of the Tem­ple King Salomon chiefly prayed for saying, to euery kind of occasion of prayer; Then heare thou in Heauen thy dwelling place: Such a mercy, as makes vs able to comfort our selues in God in all our necessities: such a mercy, as armes vs against discomfort in all miseries: such a mercy, as makes vs hopefull of all tempo­rall and eternall blessings.

For whom he promiseth so to heare, he hea­reth to the purpose indeed: Psal. 34.17. as it is said, The righteous cry, 145.19. and the Lord heareth, & deliue­reth them out of all their troubles. They that feare him, cry, and he heareth their cry, and sa­ueth them. They aske, and he granteth: they seeke, and hee lets them find: they knocke, and he opens vnto them: they pray, and hee giues them good things: they desire, and hee giues them the Holy Ghost. This mercy is most worthy to be noted; this fauour is most wor­thy to be obserued; this blessing the holy Pro­phet tooke such notice of, as hee was able to say: Verse 19. But verily God hath heard me, he hath at­tended vnto the voyce of my prayer.]

Oh, Psal. 65.2.116.1.4.3.6.8, 9. Exod. 8.8. this moues them to come vnto him con­stantly: this moues them to loue him dearely: this assureth them, that hee highly regardeth them: this comforteth them against their ene­mies: [Page 63]this causeth others to honour them, 1. Sam. 7.8. Ioh. 9.31. with crauing their prayers: this witnesseth that they obey his Word, that they worship him, 1. Ioh. 3.22.5.14. that they doe his will, that they doe the things which please him: that they pray according to his will: that the Spirit prayeth in, and for them. Rom. 8.27. This makes them the mostprofit able members in a family, in a towne, in a city, in a kingdom: this proues to themselues, and others, their integrity, and vpright heart with God, and that (notwithstanding, through humane frailtie they erre in many things) they cherish no hy­pocrisie, they disgest no wickednesse, they pur­pose no euill in their hearts. This speciall be­nefit Dauid got, by obseruing how God heard his prayers, and thence reasoned, saying, If I regard iniquitie in mine heart, God will not heare me: but verily God hath heard me, and attended vnto the voyce of my prayer: there­fore, who dare say, that I regard any iniquitie in my heart? Lastly, this obseruation prouo­keth (as it ought) the true godly, to great thank­fulnesse; as it did this holy man, saying:

Blessed be God, Verse 20.which hath not put backe my prayer from him; nor his mercy from me.] Gods not refusing our prayers, and his not with­holding his mercy from vs, requireth speciall thankesgiuing at vs. O they, that haue had [Page 64]much, and long experience, how God hath not put backe their prayers, nor kept away his mercy from them; and yet the time is to come that they haue made, euen very this point, an argument of thankesgiuing. O this, euen this one neglected, this one vnknowne, this one forgotten dutie, puts them into the guilt of much iniquitie; as the guilt of presuming, that God owes them the hearing of their prai­ers, and that he owes them his mercy: the guilt of esteeming, that it is no such great matter, that he turnes not away their prayers from him, or his mercy from them: the guilt of not reckoning these among Gods speciall bene­fits: the guilt of ignorance, that these are wor­thy signes of his goodnes, and do deserue high account, much praise, and great thankfulnesse.

Therefore, O Christian, if this haue beene thy guilt, repent vnfainedly thereof; shew thy selfe sorrowfull before God for it; make suite to him for the pardon heereof: and remem­bring, that euer since thou wast called, thou hast been a petitioner vnto him; remembring, that thou hast made innumerable requests to him; remembring, that hee might iustly haue excepted against thy petitions, for diuers wants in the best of them; remembring, that thou art most vnworthy to vtter thy mind vnto his [Page 65]most high Maiestie; remembring, that thou art not worthy of the very least of his daily, hourely, continuall, corporall, spirituall, necessa­ry, more necessary, most necessary innumera­ble mercies, that hee hath shewed, doth shew, and according to his faithfull promise will shew vnto thee.

Remember these things, and then thinke; how for all thy often comming, thy neuer ceasing to aske at him thy manifold wants, thy great vnworthinesse; yet, though a father, a mother, a most kind friend would haue been weary; hee neuer shewed himselfe troubled, grieued, or weary, neuer put backe thy prayers, nor kept backe his speciall mercy, his most needfull mercy, nor his sauing mercy from thee. Thinking, I say, how for all thou hast giuen him sufficient occasion to prouoke him to doe it, yet hee hath not done it; oh bee thankfull, oh be thorowly thankfull!

For who knoweth not, that if he would, he might haue turned away thy prayers from him: he might iustly in anger, and sore displea­sure haue reiected them: he might haue held backe his mercy from thee? Oh what would become of vs, if the Lord should refuse our prayers, and turne away his mercy? Oh then calamities, fearefull desolation, dreadfull de­struction [Page 66]like a whirlewind, and sore distresse, and anguish would come vpon vs, and wee should find none to helpe vs, there could bee none able to comfort vs, in the bitternesse of our soules wee should lament, wee should cry out, saying: Oh, are not all these griefes, mise­ries, troubles, and euils come vpon vs, because the Lord hath put our prayers backe from him, and kept his mercy backe from vs?

O consider these things, and let vs be wise; let vs not still prouoke him to refuse our pray­ers, by refusing his precepts; let vs not still prouoke him to hold back his mercies, by our holding backe our duties: O, that our secure generation, so giuen ouer to manifold prouo­cation, could so number their dayes, as they might apply their hearts speedily to this wise­dome! neuer more need of this wisedome: oh, let vs be yet wiser: let vs make sure, that God shall continue not to turne away our prayers from him, nor his mercy from vs; and this we doe, namely, if we turne not away our hearing, and obedient hearkening from his Word: if wee hold not backe our obedience, hee will not hold backe his acceptance: if wee keepe not back our duty, he wil not keepe back his mercy.

And if he keepe not backe our prayers from himselfe, nor his mercy from vs; oh, how hap­pie [Page 67]are we! Then we haue assurance that he lo­ueth vs; forgiues vs; will deliuer vs, and saue vs; heale our Land of all the miseries thereof; teach vs in the good way wherein wee should walke; and when wee make mone because of drought, or famine, he will heare the Heauens (as it were) crying for vs, and make the Hea­uens heare the Earth gaping after raine for vs, and cause the Earth to heare the Corne, and the Wine, & the Oyle, longing to grow forth for vs, and will see that these shall heare vs according to our want and seuerall neces­sities. [My prayer from himselfe, nor his mercy from me.] God makes a blessed exchange with his blessed seruants. O man, or woman, that sayest otherwise: ô thou that sayest; I haue offered vnto God, and he had no respect vn­to it. Iob 21.15. What profit should we haue to pray vn­to him? We haue fasted, and hee beholds vs not; we haue humbled our selues, and he takes no knowledge of it; wee find no such ex­change; we thinke, the proud and wicked re­ceiue more fauour then we doe; we account tis but in vaine to serue him. Mal. 3.13. O fearefull stout words against God, and most false, Gen. 4. except thou be naught, as Cain was; except thou be an Hypocrite, as the Iewes were; Isa. 58. except thou be a wicked seruant, as Iudas was; which, if [Page 68]thou be, thou must blame thy selfe. Otherwise thou shalt find his seruice, an happy seruice; thou shalt find a great difference betweene the righteous, Mal. 3.17, 18. and the wicked; betweene him that serueth God, and him that serueth him not; betweene the religious, and the irriligi­ous: thou shalt find a seruice, like the seruice of a child to his deare and louing father. For as a father with such a child: so he makes a blessed exchange with his blessed seruants.

They bring him their offering, Gen. 4.4. Rom. 12.1. Ps. 115.12. Prou. 23. Matt. 7. Ephes. 4. and he giues them his holy acceptation: they giue him their bodies, and he giues them his blessings: they giue him their hearts, and hee giues them his Spirit, and his grace: they giue him his wor­ship, Psal. 50.23 and hee giues them the comfort of his saluation: they honor him with their substance, and he fils their barnes with abundance: Prou. 3.10. Mat. 10.41, 42. Iam. 4.8. Rom. 8.28. they giue his Messengers a small reward, and hee giues them a great reward: they draw neere to him, and hee drawes neere to them: they loue him, Psal. 91.14, 15. Mal. 3.16, 17. and hee makes all worke for the best vnto them: they honour him, and he honours them: they thinke of his Name, and he keeps in remembrance their name. His glory, is their iewel, and he makes them his iewels: they are euer sending vp their prayers, and praises to him, and hee is euer multiplying his mercies [Page 69]vnto them: oh, what a blessed exchange doth he make with his blessed seruants?

O wonderfull bounty! ô admirable benigni­ty! behold, and admire this blessed exchange: it is worthy to be admired and magnified for euer. For what is it, for which God makes this exchange with his seruants? Oh it is, Isa. 64.6. as out of them, and as it is theirs, euen no better then as filthy rags: and what are they with whom hee makes it? oh, Mat. 8.8. Isa. 64.6. as of themselues they are most vnworthy; they are euen as an vncleane thing: and what is that, that they giue him, conside­red in it selfe? Oh, it is none of theirs, 1. Cor. 4.7. it is no­thing, but what he hath first giuen them; it is nothing, but what they haue first receiued of him; it is only his very owne: they must needs confesse, saying, What are we, O Lord, 1. Chron. 9.14, 16. that we should be able, or apt to offer any thing vnto thee? for all things come of thy selfe, and of thine own haue we giuen vnto thee: all duties that we render vnto thee, are first taught vs by thine own hand, and all that thou exchangest with vs, is thine owne, it is all thine owne.

O Christian, let this blessed exchange moue thee to bee euer in an holy exchanging with the Lord: moue thee to glory in his liberality: moue thee to hold no gaine comparable to godlinesse: moue thee to serue the Lord with [Page 70]gladnesse: mooue thee to come before him with reioycing: mooue thee to main­taine to the face of all blasphemers, that no seruice is so commodious to them that serue in it, as the Lords seruice is to his ser­uants; none so honourable, none so comforta­ble; and that he is most rich to all that call vp­on him: moue thee to confesse, and say to him for all his exchanges in generall; Now there­fore, 1. Chron. 29.13. ô my God, I thanke thee, and praise thy glorious Name: moue thee to confesse, and say to him in particular for this exchange; Blessed be God, which hath not put backe my prayer from himselfe, nor his mercy from me. His Name be extolled; his Name bee praysed; his most glorious Name be blessed for euer, and euer, Amen.