Psalms

The banner of God's love shall be eternally displayed; the joys of heaven are without intermission and expiration (1 Thessalonians 4:17): And so shall we be ever with the Lord. Use. As it is sad news to the wicked, they shall not stand in judgment (Psalm 1:5) — they shall come t…

Quest. 6. Wherein lies the dignity of such as have God for their Father? Resp. They have greater honor than is conferred on the princes of the earth; They are precious in God's esteem; (Isaiah 43:4) Since you were precious in my eyes, you have been honorable; the wicked are dros…

Moreover the word "know" when it is given to God speaking of the creature, does very often signify to embrace or approve. Psalm 1:6: the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. Matthew 7:23: depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never kne…

And Ishmael is accounted a persecutor, by the Holy Ghost, for mocking Isaac, Galatians chapter 4, verse 29. And David reckoning up the degrees of sinners, makes the chair of the scornful, the third and highest, Psalm 1:1. All these places show the heinousness of this sin: and th…

He had delight in Jacob's daughter, (Psalm 147:10). So [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] the noun is, delight, (Psalm 1:2). The LXX render it generally by [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], and [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], to will, as also the noun by [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩].

And the remnants of the old bondage under Satan must be grievous and irksome to us, and we must bewail them bitterly. The Jews in a bodily captivity, wept when they remembered Zion (Psalm 1:27). How much more should we weep, when we feel the law of our members rebelling against…

How else will you look God in the face at the day of judgment? The ungodly shall not stand in judgment (Psalm 1:5) — that is, so as to be able to plead their cause, and lift up the head, though they shall rise again and receive their sentence; therefore ill rendered by the vulga…

But as has been said, he requires that we be teachable, and he will not have us to be hardened in our sluggishness and dullness. As it is said in Psalm 1: He meditates in his law day and night. The second kind of implicit faith is in regard of apprehension: when a man cannot say…

Let Hezekiah turn himself which way he will, the Lord went with him. It is promised (Psalm 1:3), He that delights in the Law of the Lord, whatever he does shall prosper, and the same thing is noted concerning other reforming Kings, as King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:5): As long as…

To this I answer; that this will not hinder them, but they shall be done the better, as oiling of the wheels makes them go the better. In (Psalm 1:2) he is said to be blessed, that does meditate in the Law of God day and night. Your knowledge being brought to action helps you mu…

Moreover, that the remedy was not prepared for the serpent — which both Targums plainly affirm — the same apostle teaches, ch. 2:16, "For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham." So also in the Midrash Tehillim, on Ps. 1: "All things shall b…

His works are given, not to worship them, which is forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:12), but to see and behold, and praise in them his wisdom, goodness, power, etc. (Psalms 67:13; 104:1; 107:42; 64:10, 11). His word he has given, that we should read and meditate in the same day and nigh…

Third, in urging this doctrine more hardly upon the people, to cause them not to rest on the letter of the law, but seek to the promised Messiah, in whom only was their righteousness — as young heirs and minors are kept under tutors while their minority expires. But, first, who…

2. God does nothing in the election of Peter, more than of Judas; nor can grace and mercy have place in the choosing of the one, rather than the other; but as free will is foreseen to play the game ill, or well, so go the eternal decrees of election and reprobation, and there ca…

Fifthly, the Word also meditated upon, when a man has heard it, and searched it, and believed it, read and conferred about it, or say none of these for the present, but whether these have gone before or no, for the present the very meditation of God's Word, which a man now takes…

Do you meditate on it, digest it as the seed of the new life, as the rule of your actions, as the charter of your hopes? A good man is described to be one that delights in the law of the Lord, and meditates therein day and night (Psalm 1:2) and again (Psalm 119:97) Oh how I love…

Answer: It is a common rule in Scripture, that words signifying knowledge, signify also the motions and good affections of the heart. (Psalm 1): The Lord knows the way of the righteous, that is, knows, and approves it. (2 Timothy 2:19): The Lord knows who are his, that is, he kn…

By peace, we are to understand outward peace, as prosperity, and good success in all things we go about. For whatever they do, shall prosper (Psalm 1:3). And peace with the creatures; as first with the good Angels (Colossians 1:20), who are ministering spirits, sent forth to min…

An high Look, and a proud Heart, are Sin. Psalm 1[•]. [••]. Thou [〈◊〉] bring [〈…〉]

What God has declared of the mind of the Spirit in one place, with what in like manner he has manifested in another. God to try our obedience, and to exercise our diligence, to a study in his Word day and night (Psalm 1:2), and our continual meditation thereon (1 Timothy 4:15),…

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Chata in kal is to sin, to offend, to err from the way, to contract the guilt of sin. Hence [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Chataim, are men given up to, and wandering in the ways of sin (Psalm 1:1). In Pihel it has a contrary signification; namely, to p…

She is not like a city without walls, exposed to every assault and temptation, but has a hedge of divine protection, which is as a wall of fire about her to defend her; and also a guard of watchfulness and holy fear, in the exercise of which the believer has rule over his own sp…

Thus it fell out with David, whose last ways were not like his first; and yet by this, these holy fruits are not utterly destroyed, because it is the seed of God; and so is immortal (1 John 5:4-5). And also because the promises of perseverance and victory made to it, cannot be f…

It has been set down as an axiom of good experience, that all things religiously taken in hand, are prosperously ended (Psalm 1:3); because whether men in the end have that which religion did allow them to desire, or that which it teaches them contentedly to suffer, they are, in…

1. In the day of Judgment. In some sense all must stand before him then; that is, all shall be cited to make their personal appearance before God, and receive their doom; but by standing then, we are to understand their being acquitted and accepted, and acknowledged by him as hi…

1. The influences by which the Lord gives a circumcised (Deut. 30:6), an one and single (Ezek. 11:19, 20), a soft and a new heart and spirit (Ezek. 36:26; Zech. 12:10; Isa. 54:13; John 6:45; Isa. 44:1, 2, 3) — these are simply necessary. 2. These influences are also fundamental,…

Why, God taught Jacob how to enlarge his wages, and so transferred Laban's substance to him. So (Psalm 1), last. The meaning is, the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and therefore it does prosper, and shall. And he knows the way of the wicked, and therefore they shall perish.

To be planted in the house of the Lord, is to be fixed and rooted in the grace communicated by the ordinances of divine worship. Unless we are planted in the house of the Lord, we cannot flourish in his Courts: see Psalm 1:3. Unless we are partakers of the grace administered in…

It is not without good reason that among the many words with which St. Peter exhorted his new converts, this only is recorded, save yourselves from this untoward generation (Acts 2:40). Those that listen to the counsel of the ungodly, and stand in the way of sinners, as willing…

But this foreknowledge here is peculiar to the elect. Verba sensus in sacra scriptura connotant affectus, as the Rabbins remark, so in man (Psalm 66), if I see iniquity, and in God (Psalm 1; Amos 3:2), and in that speech of our Saviour, relating it as the terrible doom of reprob…

Desire the sincere milk] Not only hear it because it is your custom, but desire it because it is your food, and it is 1. A natural desire, as the infants of milk, not upon any external respect or inducement, but from an inward principle and bent of nature, and because natural, t…

But as the Lord does thus equally see both, so, as his eye and countenance imports his mind concerning them, and towards them, the manner of beholding them is different, indeed contrary. And from the other beholding in common, knowing their ways, arises this different beholding,…

Now they are scattered up and down, as God has service for them to do; one here, another there; they are spread in several places, where they are like two or three berries in the uppermost top of the bough. That Psalm is generally acknowledged to be spoken of the day of judgment…

Dross is the filth of the Mettal. Sinners are compar'd to Chaff, Psalm 1:4. When a Wicked man dies, there is only a little Chaff blown away.

The best way therefore is to bind our slvs [〈◊〉], as [〈◊〉] privte prayer, so to reading, for it is a part of the [•…]rifice, this is evint in David that did edee[•…][〈◊〉][〈◊〉] his appointed food, he had rather miss his meat thn this Word, he had rather keep a constant course in…

David calls the statutes of God the men of his counsel. Young men that are taken with other books, if they neglect the word of God, that book that should do the cure upon the heart and mind, they are with all their knowledge miserable (Psalm 1:2). His delight is in the law of th…

Delight causes meditation, and meditation increases delight. Psalm 1:2: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night. A man that delights in the law of God, will exercise his mind therein.

Not to know it only, but to feel the power of it prevailing over his lusts, that was his delight as to the better part of his soul. So it is made a general character of the blessed man (Psalm 1:2): that he delights in the law of God, and in that law does he exercise himself day…

As it is written in the Scriptures, so it is their constant exercise to read it, and consult with it often. (Psalm 1:2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night. And (Joshua 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of your mo…

Where there is an inner man, a frame of grace in the heart, that will bring delight. See the character of a blessed man (Psalm 1:2). His delight is in the Law of the Lord. Quite contrary to the hypocrite, he may act from compulsions and urgings of conscience, from legal bondage:…

Doctrine. A gracious heart does love and delight in the commandments of God. The godly are described by it: hence David makes it the character of a blessed man (Psalm 1:2): His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in that law does he meditate day and night. And Psalm 112:1: Bl…

4. Meditation is necessary to show our love: I will lift up my hands also to your commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate in your statutes. (Psalm 1:2) His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night. (Psalm 119:47) And I will d…

The earth is the fruitful mother of all herbs and plants; but yet it must be tilled, ploughed, harrowed, and dressed, or else it brings forth little fruit. The Scripture contains all the grounds of hope, comfort, and happiness, the only remedy of sin and misery, our rule to walk…

Delight begets meditation, and meditation begets delight. There is a [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] in moral as well as natural things (Psalm 1:2). His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law does he meditate day and night.

And many of them that sleep in the dust shall arise, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. But now the godly are bold and confident (Psalm 1:5). The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

All the moral sentences of Seneca and Plutarch do not come with such force upon the conscience as one saying of God's Word. God's language has a special energy, here must be your study, and your delight (Psalm 1:2): His delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in his Law does he m…

Do not be so irreligious as to go into temptation, when you have been so religious as to pray to God not to lead you into temptation; this is mock-prayer; keep out of harm's way (Proverbs 4:14-15). Enter not (put not a foot) into the way of the wicked; if you have been so foolis…

Let Mary's one thing be preferred before Martha's many. 7. Love God and his law much, and your thoughts will be much upon him and it; the love of God will find your heart work enough to do: he that delights in God and his law, will find occasion enough to meditate therein, and p…

Then they would be glad to take hold of the shirt of a Jew (one that is so inwardly (Romans 2:28-29)) and say, 'We will go with you, for God is with you'; but they will find a great gulf fixed between them, Heaven will not hold any of the wicked, nor shall Hell have any of the r…

But is it not made a character of a godly man to delight in the Word of God? Does not David say, he is a blessed man that delights in the Law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)? There is a delighting in the word, which flows from grace, and is a proof of blessedness.

Name is put here for person; to that holy thing Jesus, to the scepter of that divine person every knee shall bow. Bowing is put for subjection; all must be subdued to him as sons or captives, submit to him as to their Lord or Judge: Kiss the Son (Psalm 2:12), with a kiss of love…

Resp. Not by usurpation, but legally: Christ holds his crown by immediate tenure from Heaven. God the Father has decreed him to be King (Psalm 2:5-6), I have set my king upon my holy hill; I will declare the decree. God has anointed and sealed him to his regal office (John 6:27)…

God is a Spirit, invisible, how can the wicked with all their forces hurt him, when they cannot see him? Hence all the attempts of the wicked against God are foolish, and prove abortive (Psalm 2:3-4). The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord, and against his Anoint…

2. As he partakes of the Godhead: he is of infinite prudence to understand all causes brought before him: and of infinite power to execute offenders. He is described with seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9), to denote his prudence; and a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9), to denote his power. He i…

That stone cut out of the mountains without hands, which smote the image (Daniel 2:34), was an emblem (says Austin) of Christ's monarchical power conquering and triumphing over his enemies. If we are on God's side we are on the strongest side; he can with a word destroy his enem…

Christ himself, as man, obeyed God the Father (John 4:34), much more than must we (Deuteronomy 27:10). 2. Obey God the Son (Psalm 2:12). Kiss the Son lest he be angry.

The Jews expected a monarch for their Messiah; but Christ came not with outward pomp and splendor; his kingdom was not of this world: the stars which are seated in the lightest orbs are least seen; Christ who was the bright Morning Star was not much seen, his divinity was hid in…

At present it suffices for the satisfaction and confirmation of our faith, that the distinctions named are clearly revealed in the Scripture, and are proposed to be its proper object in this matter. Psalm 2:7: You are my Son, this day have I begotten you. Matthew 16:16: You are…

So that faith and unbelief are rooted in the Will: hence we shall find that Christ layes the blame of mens not believing in him upon their Wills (John 5:40). "You will not come to me that you may have life": thus also the Scripture is frequently expressing the work of faith, by…

Knowing, they carry not the sword for nothing, but for the punishment of them that do evil, and for the praise, and defense of them that do well. Lastly, the wondrous power of the Spirit of grace, in enlightening dark minds with the knowledge of his truth; and scattering the kno…

The Lord said to my Lord: and the Oath of God is nothing but the solemn eternal unchangeable decree and purpose of his Will, under an especial way of Declaration. So the same Act and Counsel of God's Will is called his Decree (Psalm 2:7). Therefore when God will so far unveil a…

With respect hereunto he acted of old as the Angel of the Covenant with express prayers for the Church (Zechariah 1:12, 13). So the command given him to intercede by the way of petition, request or prayer (Psalm 2:8), "Ask of me," respects his state of exaltation at the right ha…

1. Jesus Christ is a King: as he is a Prophet and a Priest, so he is a King. Psalm 2:6. Acts 17:7. 1 Timothy 6:14, 15. 1 Corinthians 15:25. He is the blessed and only potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and he must reign: and let his Kingdom come.

Psalm 115:3. Our God is in heaven and does whatever he will. Psalm 2:4. He that dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall have them in derision. Isaiah says (Isaiah 66:2): Thus says the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.

Thus Paul speaking of Christ says, that he was declared mightily to be the Son of God touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). And by the mouth of David God said, "You are my Son, this day I have begotten you" (Psalm 2:7). Which place…

Men cannot endure that two things should be despised, their anger or their kindness: Nebuchadnezzar, when he thought his anger despised, he bids them heat the furnace seven times hotter; and David, when he thought his kindness despised, threatened to cut off from Nabal every one…

The Hebrew Jachad is used in the same sense, (Ezra 4:3) We ourselves together will build; they mean not they will all build in the like fashion, or in the same manner, but that they will build all of them together, one as well as another. So (Psalm 2:2) The rulers take counsel t…

We give you thanks, O Lord God almighty, because you have taken to you your great power, and have reigned. And where there is a resistance of this glory of Christ, it is a natural effect of that decree whereby Christ is constituted King, that the resisters should be broken in pi…

Our God is in heaven and does whatever he will. He that dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall have them in derision (Psalm 2:4). Esay says (66:2), "Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."

It is natural and reasonable to suppose, that the whole world should finally be given to Christ, as one whose right it is to reign, as the proper heir of him, who is originally the King of all nations, and the Possessor of heaven and earth. And the Scripture teaches us, that God…

And to find God is to obtain and secure the aid thus sought, and to experience His most holy majesty as propitious and benevolent." In reply: to take refuge in the faith of God is to trust in God; those who do this are blessed (Psalms 2:12); to seek the aid of God's grace includ…

For the kiss was indeed a pledge and sign of religious worship. So the Psalmist (Psalm 2:12), in Hebrew, "Kiss the Son" — that is, worship with religious reverence. The LXX (Septuagint) corrupts the sense of the passage, rendering the words as "Lay hold of instruction," and the…

Nor, as we have said, does Cohenim, when that word is transferred to the civil sphere, ever signify kings or those endowed with supreme power, but only those who occupy secondary or tertiary positions — the kind of minor prince that the Jews are unwilling to admit their Messiah…

The first title is added to note his great power, to do what he will, so that being persuaded in the first property of his readiness to punish, and in the second of his readiness to reward. And first, in this of his power we need not to doubt at all, and such use we should make…

And yet this that Christ calls for, is, even as if the physician should say to his dying patient, "I will be satisfied greatly, if you will take this potion that is for your recovery, health, and cure, and I will not be content if you take it not, though the ingredients stand my…

Secondly, it is comfortable to God's people, as to their own particular case; corruption is a strong, and formidable enemy, the Devil is a restless enemy, and goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour; the world is a deceitful, ensnaring enemy, and does often, in…

Again, if you look to promises of public mercies, as that He shall have a church in the world, and that she shall be continued and preserved, etc. These promises shall certainly be performed, as that (Psalm 2:6), "I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion, ask of me, and I wi…

Fourthly, consider the expressions under which He sets out His being affected, (to say so,) with this sin; He was so affected with it (Mark 3:5) that it's said, He was grieved for their unbelief, He had many sorrows and griefs, and suffered many things, but this grieved Him in s…

(John 17:5) Father, glorify me, with the glory which I had with you before the world was. Christ will have his spouse, though his by conquest, and the law of buying, and ransom, made over to him by a De novo damus (Psalm 2:8): Ask of me, (pray to me) and I will give you the heat…

Now there must be a condition in this Royal charter, in Christ's Magna Charta, nothing can be done, even when Christ goes up to a mountain, and lifts up his Royal Ensign, and Standard of love, and cries, all mine, come here; and when the people flock in about him, except free wi…

(Psalm 65:2) O you that hears prayer, to you shall all flesh come — a figure there must be in the word flesh; and if there be no figure in the particle [illegible], then must all flesh, and all Adam's sons put up prayers to God, contrary to experience, and to Scripture (Psalm 14…

Likewise when he hung upon the cross, his words to God are recorded, Psalm 22:1: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' In like manner when he rose again, God's words used then to him are recorded: 'You are my Son; this day have I begotten you' (Psalm 2), which place is exp…

Therefore though Christ in his dispensation of all to us downward carries it as a king, as one having all power to justify and condemn (as has been shown), yet upward toward God he carries it as a priest who must still intercede to do all that which he has power to do as a king.…

Do you find that the Lord has worked a spirit of fear in your heart, so as that you walk awfully before him, and in the fear of his name go about every duty, and in his fear depend upon him, and endeavor to approve yourself before him? Truly he will assuredly fulfill the desires…

God sent his Church, and kept it there seventy years among them, that some of them at least might embrace the salvation of God, but she would not be healed; we have used the best means we could to heal her, but it will not be, she will not be healed of us, and therefore let us b…

This is the first combination of graces that is found in the soul after sin is pardoned, and the heart restored to a new life, for we spoke before of prizing Christ in our judgments, by certain preparative graces, but now we speak of that kind of life of sanctification, which pu…

God has appointed another order, that the cross, should go before the crown (Romans 8:17), if so be that we suffer with him that we may be glorified together. 2. From the Libertinism and yokelessness of our natures, and that spirit of unsubjection, which is so natural to us (Rom…

This is a vain boast of the tempter, who ascribes to himself that which was proper to God, and promises to Christ those things, which were all his before. God had said (Psalm 2:8): Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the ea…

So for our improvement of his Kingly Office, which respects duties and privileges; our duty with respect to the Kingly Office is subjection. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish in the mid-way (Psalm 2:12). Because Christ Jesus is the Son of God, he should be submitted…

The soul and life of our worship and godliness lies in our faith, love, reverence, and delight in God above all other things: the visible expression of it is in invocation, thanksgiving, prayers and sacraments, and other acts of outward worship. Now it is not enough, that we own…

We can hardly keep the middle between the extremes, our faith is apt to degenerate into presumption, and our humility into despondency of spirit, and our fear into discouragement and distrust. So hard a matter is it to serve the Lord with fear, and to rejoice with trembling, (Ps…

Therefore, O you mockers, although God defers his punishment for a season, yet when he sees the time he will find you out, and will punish this contempt of his word and bitter hatred which you bear against his ministers. Therefore you deceive not God but yourselves, and you shal…

The Apostle fittingly distinguishes this grace and peace from all other kinds of grace and peace whatever. He wishes to the Galatians grace and peace, not from the Emperor, or kings and princes: for these do commonly persecute the godly and rise up against the Lord and Christ hi…

But these things followed through the fault of the people, the nations, the Kings & Princes, who being possessed of the Devil, would not hearken to the word of grace, life, and eternal salvation: but detested and condemned it as a doctrine most pernicious and hurtful to religion…

Have I then labored and borne the burden and heat of the day in vain? Hereof rise those uproars of nations, of Kings and Princes, against the Lord and against his Christ (Psalm 2:2). For the world neither will nor can suffer that his wisdom, righteousness, religions and worshipp…

The second point is, that Paul must preach to the Gentiles. There be two causes of it: one, that the prophecies of the calling of the Gentiles might be fulfilled (Psalm 2 and 110; Isaiah 2). The second, because at the death of Christ the division which was between the Jews and G…

The paschal lamb was eaten with sour herbs, to signify, that we feel no sweetness in the blood of Christ, till we feel the smart of our sins. We here must rejoice in trembling (Psalm 2:11). Joy is sown for them that are upright in heart (Psalm 97:12).

And the sense is this: they did evil, which turned you forth of the way, and you have done evil that you obeyed not the truth. The like is (Psalm 2:1), Why do the heathen rage? That is, it is great wickedness for them to rage.

Further, in that all the faithful are called a household and a family, this teaches us, that as we have one bed and one board, one bread to feed upon, and one cup of which all drink: so we should have one mind and one heart, we should cleave together, and hold together: for if t…

For no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Hebrews 5:4-5). So Christ took not upon himself the office of the high Priest, but he which advanced him to it, said, You are my son, this day have I begotten you (Psalm 2:7). Moreover, the Proph…

This makes all his subjects become volunteers; they are willing to pay their allegiance to him (Psalm 110:3), Your people shall be a willing people; Plur. Gnam nedabot. 2. Christ is a King to defend his people, as Christ has a scepter to rule them, so a shield to defend them (Ps…

Here is God showing mercy to us; he spins out our forfeited liberties. 3. God shows mercy to us in preventing many evils from invading us (Psalm 3:3): You, O Lord, are a shield for me. God has restrained the wrath of men, and been a screen between us and danger.

As unbelief stains God's honor, and eclipses his name (1 John 5:10): He that believes not makes God a liar; so faith does glorify and hallow God's name. The believer trusts his best jewel in God's hands (Psalm 3:5): Into your hands I commit my spirit. Faith in a mediator does mo…

The third is willfulness: for when the disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, he said flatly, that unless he saw in his hands the print of the nails, he would not believe, and that which is worse than all this, he continued eight days in this willful mind. Now in this e…

After this true acknowledging of the Lord out of his word, must proceed: first a sure confidence in the Lord, with the fruits of the same (Psalm 100:3); then the other affections of love, reverence, fear of the Lord. Also a sure confidence in the Lord, is from the assurance of h…

Let all Christ's followers look for a growing cross, and a sadder and sadder Now. (Psalm 3) Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? (Psalm 25:17) The troubles of my heart are enlarged — that is, become most broad.

Now this is a spirit of liberty, to have the heart set free from all fears, it is the sum of all security, he has redeemed us, that we might serve him without fear all the days of our lives (Luke 1:74-75, 78). We are free from fear of death, and hell, and of the world, and we do…

Yet his heart was toward the temple, which was a type of Christ; he in his heart had respect to the place where the temple stood, and therein he showed his respect to Christ, and so having respect to him, he had him as his Savior, most unruly Jonah; yet he having respect to Chri…

Thus, like the beggar, we shall be always piecing and mending our garment. The second, that as travelers, we must forget things past, and go on to do more good (Psalm 3:14). The third, that we must set before us the crown of eternal glory and seek to apprehend it (1 Timothy 6:11…

It is true wisdom to be wise for our souls, and for everlasting happiness: and it was the folly of the foolish virgins, that they did not furnish themselves with the oil of grace in time convenient. The second rule: we must in this world come as near heaven and the happiness of…

A. Praying begets a holy disposition to pray. When David goes up the mount of Olives, fleeing from Absolom, he weeps and prayes (Psalm 3), and that praying begets a fixedness to believe, and a disposition to pray, v. 6. I shall not be afraid of ten thousand of the people, that h…

Therefore let us learn to adhere so firmly to God's will that, although many may strive to move us from his service, we may nevertheless steadily persevere in his obedience. And David himself sets before us the use of this history in Psalm 3, when he says: Many say, who shall de…

Trust and confidence in God it is the life of their souls. (Psalm 3) 2. There is no help for him in God.

One froward wicked man may do much harm in his neighborhood, as there are some whom God reserves as scourges to his people, and goads and thorns to their sides. But when many rise up against us, the temptation is the greater (Psalm 3:1): "Lord, how are they increased which troub…

So that these texts in Isaiah, which you thought might excuse you from singing with the voice, (which David exhorted to be done with a loud voice) they will not exempt you at all from this duty, but rather bind you the stronger to it. And therefore look as when David says: I cri…

The saints though they are bruised, yet they are blessed. Not only they shall be blessed, but they are so: Psalm 119:1, Blessed are the undefiled; Psalm 3:8, Thy blessing is upon thy people. Question. How are the saints already blessed?

Would you be secured in evil times? Get grace and fortify this garrison; a good conscience is a Christian's royal fort. David's enemies lay round about him, yet he says: I laid me down and slept (Psalm 3:5). A good conscience can sleep in the mouth of a cannon.

When his sins and temptations have been strong, God has come in with auxiliary forces and his grace has been sufficient. When his heart has been sinking under fears, God has buoyed him up out of the quicksands and lifted up his head out of deep waters (Psalm 3:3): you, O Lord, a…

Philippians 4:12. I know both how to be abased, and how to abound: everywhere, and in all things I am instructed, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. If I die, it is good; if I live, it is good; if I be full, and rich, it is good; if I be hungry,…

Truly this assuredness only nourishes and defends faith, when we hold fast that which is said in the Psalm: The Lord is our protection, our help in trouble, therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall tremble, and the mountains shall leap into the heart of the sea (Psalm 46…

This made David rejoice when in the Valley of the Shadow of Death; and Moses was rather for dying where he stood, than to go one step without his God (Exodus 33:15). O, my brother, if he will but go along with us, what need we be afraid of ten thousands that shall set themselves…

4. In case we are close begirt with Enemies. There is a Psalm suited to this condition, Lord how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me, Psalm 3:1. I laid me down and slept, verse 8.

4. That faith is argued to be strong that has no light of comfort, but walks in darkness upon the margin and borders of a hundred deaths, and yet stays upon the Lord (Isaiah 50:11). So this woman had no comfort, nor ground of sense of comfort from Christ, except rough answers an…

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, says Job (Job 13:15). Read (Psalms 3; 91; Romans 8:38-39). The stronger our faith is, the better are we fenced against these temptations: the weaker our faith is, the deeper do they pierce: indeed if they prevail against us, it is beca…

Is sanctification imperfect in this life, there being some remnants of corruption abiding in every part? Yes (1 John 1:10; Romans 7:18, 23; Psalms 3:12). Well then, do not the Antinomians, and many of the Quakers err, who maintain, that those who are justified, are perfectly san…

Where the worm never dies, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:44). Use 1. See how deadly an evil sin is; how strange is it that any one should love it (Psalm 4:3). How long will you love vanity?

The enemy may invade our palaces, but not our peace; this man Christ shall be the peace. When the head aches, the heart may be well; when worldly troubles assault a Christian, his mind may be in peace and quiet (Psalm 4:8): I will lay me down in peace, and sleep. It was now a sa…

He who fears God imagines that whatever he is doing, God looks on, and as a judge, weighs all his actions. 2. To fear God is when we have such a holy awe of God upon our hearts that we dare not sin (Psalm 4:4): Stand in awe and sin not. The wicked sin and fear not; the godly fea…

The more grace, the more joy; as the more sap in the root, the more wine in the grape. Who did more increase in grace than David, and who more in consolation (Psalm 4:7)? You have put gladness in my heart: Grace turns to joy, as the milk to cream.

1. I begin with the first, the petition, Remitte nobis peccata nostra, Forgive us our sins. A blessed petition! the ignorant world say, who will show us any good? (Psalm 4:6) meaning, a good lease, a good purchase; but our Saviour here teaches us to pray for that which is more n…

First, the immediate light of his countenance, which is a clear evident beam and revelation of God's favor, immediately testifying that we are his, which is called the sealing of the Spirit, received after believing (Ephesians 1:13), which David desired and rejoiced in more than…

The prospect of the Day of Christ was the sole foundation of all their spiritual joy, that was purely so. But as to their own present state, they were allowed and called to rejoice in the abundance of temporal things; though the Psalmist in a spirit of prophecy, prefers the joy…

1. In a desire of fellowship, and communion with him in his ordinances, as Canticles 1:1: Let him kiss me with &c. — his love is better than wine — this was a sign, and an evidence of love in them, and so was that in verse fourth, Draw me &c. So here, when the soul desires Chris…

And he must sorrow, not so much for the act of this sin, as for the corruption of nature in this behalf. Covetous people will plead that they are free from this vice, but mark men's lives, and we shall see it is a common disease, as David noted (Psalm 4:6), where he brings in th…

Plato told the musicians, that philosophers could dine and sup without them, much more a believer can be merry in the Lord, without the supplement of worldly comforts. 1. It is a more inward joy (Psalm 4:7): You have put gladness in my heart. Other joy lies more in the surface,…

Oh remember, holiness is the badge of those which are the Lord's called people, and it should be a matter of reverence, not reproach. Again, it serves for caution, to prevent mistakes: Christians, look to your sanctification (Psalm 4:3). Know that God has set apart him that is g…

To be sure in the dark day of desertion, when the soul is benighted, and in the stormy day of temptation, when the soul is in a hurry — it is utterly unfit to judge its estate. 'Examine your hearts upon your beds, and be still' — Psalm 4. This is rather a season for watching and…

And he must sorrow, not so much for the act of this sin, as for the corruption of nature in this behalf. Covetous people will plead, that they are free from this vice, but mark men's lives, and we shall see that this is a common disease, in the most, as it is noted (Psalm 4:6):…

And oh what memorable fruits of secret prayer had David frequently? Surely he felt the sweetness of it, both in his soul and body, in his spiritual estate, and political affairs: Therefore he commends it to all (Psalm 4). Commune with your own heart upon your bed (or in your bed…

Thus did Ezra (Ezra chapter 9), and Daniel (Daniel chapter 9), and David (Psalm 32:3). The fifth: in all our miseries and adversities, we must be silent in our hearts, by quieting our wills in the good will of God (Psalm 4:4). Examine yourselves, and be still.

When a distinction begins to be made, in ordinances, privileges, deliverances, protections, evidently given to some peculiar ones, they tremble within that they are set apart for no good. This picking and choosing of men by the Lord (Psalm 4:3), they cannot bear with. Such might…

He valued the comforts of his God, and the shinings of God's countenance better than life. And (Psalm 4:6): Lift you up the light of your countenance upon me, and that shall more glad me, than when my corn and wine and oil increases. David would more value the comforts of God's…

They rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. What joy you have in the world, the tongue is able to speak of it, but the tongue is not able to speak of that inward joy that godly men have in their hearts, upon the apprehension of the interest they have in Jesus Christ (Ps…

Tenthly, true assurance, wherever it is, it makes a man so to value the comforts of the Spirit of God, that he does undervalue all other comforts in the world in comparison of them. (Psalm 4:6): Lord, lift you up the light of your countenance upon me; what then? And this shall m…

2. In its effects, more exhilarating, cheering and refreshing. And, 3. in her esteem, to me (says she) it's better; I love it, prize it, and esteem it more (Psalm 4:8-9), Thereby you have made my heart more glad, etc. This his love is every way preferable, to all the most cheeri…

3. He has the watch of Angels (Psalm 34:7) pitching their tents about him, and chariots of Angels waiting on him. 4. He has God himself, and his Almighty power for his defense, who alone may make him dwell in safety, therefore he may lie down with confidence, and also sleep with…

Again, the mouth, and its sweetness especially, may be mentioned to signify friendliness and love, or rather the sensible manifestations of these, as the husband does by kissing his wife; and in this sense is taken, (Song of Solomon 1:2), and we take that to be aimed at here, to…

And therefore the wise man gives us this advice (Ecclesiastes 12:13): Fear God and keep his commandments. And the Psalmist (Psalm 4:4): Stand in awe and sin not. Secondly, as the authority of God is set forth to move us to obedience by working upon our fear, so his benefits and…

This is that which the Prophet calls for in the words of the text; so the Psalmist, there are many that say, who will show us any good? Lord lift you up the light of your countenance upon us (Psalm 4). Let other men make what enquiries they please, look for good, for rest, for p…

David drew near to God, for he was ever with him (Psalm 139:17). And this made his pillow soft when he went to sleep (Psalm 4:8): I will lay me down in peace. As the honey-dew falls upon the leaf: O that sweet serenity which drops as honey upon the soul, while it is drawing near…

Husbandmen divide and separate their own lands from other men's; they have their landmarks and boundaries, by which property is preserved (Deuteronomy 27:17; Proverbs 22:28). So are the people of God wonderfully separated, and distinguished from all the people of the earth (Psal…

Consider Martha her grief for her dead brother, and her unbelief, in tying the not dying of her brother to Christ's presence bodily as man (John 11:21), and her sorrow well near drowns her faith (ver. 39, 40). 14. False joy in corn, wine and oil, in full barns (Psalm 4:7; Luke 1…

So says Elias to Ahab (1 Kings 21:20): You have sold yourself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Psalm 4:2. O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you follow vanity and seek leasing?

What is the World, and what are the things thereof which most men spend their thoughts about, and fix their affections on? The Psalmist gives his judgment about them, in comparison of a view of this glory of Christ (Psalm 4:6). Many say, who will show us any good?

Secondly, in regard of the relation they have to God: Gods people have a near relation to God; the nearer relation one has to great ones, the more high he is in the esteem of men; now Gods people though never so mean, have a wonderful near relation to God; for, First, they are t…

Know your folly, that you hast in this, like a Swine sought to take contentment in swill and husks, when as you hear there is bread enough in your Fathers house. Mark what the Psalmist says in Psalm 4:3 How long will you turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity an…

This in a lively manner shadows forth the infinite and incomprehensible Mercy of our God; whose Mercy is said to be over all his works, Psalm 145:9. In how many sweet Notions is the Mercy of God represented to us in the Scripture. He is said to be Plenteous, Psalm 4:5. Abundant,…

He has a hiding place and a covert, and rivers of water, and the shadow of a great rock for his security. This is the great mystery of faith in this matter of our acceptation with God by Christ: whereas the soul of a believer finds enough in himself and upon himself to rend the…

We see it by daily experience, that very many have little taste and sweetness and relish in their souls of those truths, which yet they savingly know and believe: But when we are taught by this unction, oh how sweet is every thing we know of God? As we may see in the place of Jo…

A sense of this love is able not only to relieve us but to make us in every condition rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious. It is not with an increase of corn and wine and oil, but with the shining of the countenance of God upon us, that he comforts our souls, Psalm 4:6. Th…

By Esau's pleasant countenance Jacob perceived that he was pacified in his heart towards him, and thereupon said, I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, that is, an amiable, gracious countenance (Genesis 33:10). On this ground David desired God, to lift up t…

It will tread upon all to come within the embracements of Jesus Christ, and say with Saint Paul, I was not disobedient to, or unpersuaded by the heavenly vision. It is no wonder that the godly are by some called singular and precise — they are so: singular, a few selected ones p…

In prosperity it is pertinent to crown, and sanctify all other enjoyments, with this that so far surpasses them; and in distress it is the only nepenthe, the cordial of fainting spirits. So (Psalm 4): he has put joy into my heart, this mirth makes way for itself which other mirt…

And this is that sacrifice that shall never end, but continues in Heaven to Eternity. Then a holy course of life is called the Sacrifice of Righteousness (Psalm 4:6) (Philippians 4:18) (Hebrews 13:16), where he shows what sacrifices succeed to those, that thus he has taught, so…

As in that formal matrimonial covenant, that was used between the prophet and his wife (Hosea 3:3), "You shall not be for another man, so will I also be for you" — so in the covenant, we resolve to renounce all others, and to live and act for God. "The Lord has set apart him tha…

There must be such an aggregation or gathering together Gods scattered Saints, 1. From the near Relation they have to all the Persons in the Trinity: 1. To God the Faterh; he has chosen these Jewels and set them apart for himself, Psalm 4:3. and will he lose any of his Elect? 2.…

Among Christians, the good and bad, that do so seldom agree in anything, yet agree in this, every man would be happy and not miserable. (Psalm 4:6) There be many that say, who will show us any good? Good, good is the cry of the world; it is intended in the very nature of desire;…

1. There is a Reflexive Meditation, which is nothing but a solemn parley between a man and his own heart. Psalm 4:4. Commune with your own heart and be still. When we have withdrawn ourselves from company, that the mind may return upon itself, to consider what we are, what we ha…

Communion with God is the main thing that we seek after, as to the enjoyment of his favor in the acceptance of our persons and pardon of our sins. This is that the man of God expresses in his own name, and in the name of all the saints, Psalm 4:6-7. Lord, lift up the light of yo…

A delight better than carnal rejoicing. Wicked men that flow in ease and plenty, have not so much comfort as a godly man has in the enjoyment of God according to the tenor of his word (Psalm 4:7). You have put more gladness into my heart, than when their corn, wine, and oil incr…

A man's mind is lessened when he is under that passion. Griefs contract and lessen the soul, but joy enlarges it, as (Isaiah 60:5), and in this sense it is said (Psalm 4:1), you have enlarged me when I was in distress. In sorrow the spirits return to comfort and support the hear…

All desire to be happy by an inclination of nature, for to this were we appointed by God. Many say, who will show us any good (Psalm 4:6)? But men's practice is contrary, they live as if their end were to be miserable.

We were made for another, to be happy in the enjoyment of a being without us; therefore man must have something to love; for the affections of the soul cannot lie idle and without an object. (Psalm 4:6) Then many will say, who will show us any good? We all hunt about for a match…

1. Outward Deliverances out of Straits and Afflictions (Psalm 118:5): I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place: And (Psalm 18:19): He brought me forth also into a large place, he delivered me because he delighted in me. So (Psalm 4:1)…

The world will be soon gone, and the lust and taste thereof gone also; but he that goes on with the work of holiness, building on the promise of another world, lays a sure foundation. Partly because they do more intimately affect the soul; sensual delights do not go so deep as t…

If there be a world of iniquity in the tongue, how many worlds of sin are there in the heart? "Their inward part is very wickedness" (Psalms 5:9). If the tongue, which is the outward part, be so wicked, the inward part is very wickedness.

Let his name be hallowed: by giving God his venerable titles we do as it were hang his jewels on his crown. 5. We hallow and sanctify God's name when we love his name (Psalm 5:11): Let them that love your name be joyful; and that love which is honoring God's name must be a speci…

(Joshua 24:19) He is an holy God, he is a jealous God, he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. (Psalm 5:4, 5, 6) For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with you; the foolish shall not stand in your sight; you hate all worke…

And by this will our judgment is, according to the word of God, that God wills that which is good, and wills not that which is evil as it is evil. Psalm 5:4: You are a God which wills not iniquity. And of this kind or rather manner of will are these sentences of Austin to be und…

And this is the voice of all men really convinced of the holiness of God, and their own condition; such is the state between God and sinners. The Law and the curse of it did so interpose between them, that they could not enter into any immediate treaty with God (Psalm 5:3, 4, 5)…

(3.) It naturally ascended upwards towards heaven, as all offerings in the Hebrew are called ascensions, risings up. And this is the design of prayer, to ascend to the throne of God: I will direct to you, and look up; that is, pray (Psalm 5:3). (4.) It yielded a sweet savor whic…

For where is the glory of the righteousness or holiness of God, if impenitent sinners may be accepted with him? Besides that it is contrary to the whole declaration of himself, that he will not acquit the guilty, that he will not justify the wicked, nor accept the ungodly, it ha…

2. God can so use evil instruments, that the work done by them being a sin, shall nevertheless in him be a good work: because he knows how to use evil instruments well. If it be further alleged, that God wills no wickedness (Psalm 5:5), we must know, that God's will is twofold,…

And the reason is rendered (2 Thessalonians 2:12) that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. What more righteous than to make those vile affections, and that unrighteousness their punishment, which they made their pleasure, an…

We may fear the Lord and his goodness (Hosea 3:5) as well as we fear his eternal displeasure. (4.) Sanctified soul-trouble is a son-like commotion and agony of spirit, for trampling under feet tender love, spurning and kicking against the lovely warmness of the flowings of the b…

The drift of the Psalm is, to set forth God's power and majesty when he comes to call the Gentiles, and to set up the evangelical way of his worship, when the light of the Gospel shall shine forth from Zion. (Psalm 5:5) By terrible things in righteousness will you answer us, O G…

Section 3. Further duties after Closet-Prayer. 3. Another duty after you have been with God in secret, is, to expect a seasonable return: stand upon your watch, hearken what God will speak; To you, says David, will I direct my Prayer, and will look up (Psalm 5:3). So do you: Chr…

Hereby we may plainly see that the Pope with his doctrine does nothing else, but trouble and torment men's consciences, and at length drives them to desperation: for he not only teaches, but also commands men to doubt. Therefore, according to the Psalm (Psalm 5:9): There is no t…

And (Psalm 15:2) he shall rest in the mountain of God, who speaks the truth from his heart. Lastly, destruction is the liar's reward (Psalm 5:6): God will destroy them that speak lies: and they must have their portion in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 22…

But the Prophet respected none of these things. Justice is often in the holy Scriptures taken for faithfulness; for God's righteousness shines especially in defending of his Saints: in which he shows a singular token of his sovereign and unspotted uprightness: (Psalm 5:9 and 7:1…

But now it often falls out, that in such doubtful cases we are entangled in our own thoughts, and put to a loss what course to take. We pray with David. that God would make his way plain before us, Psalm 5:8 Afraid we are of displeasing God, and yet doubtful we may do so; whethe…

(3.) As the freeness of mercies dispensed by Providence, engageth praise; so the Multitudes of mercies heaped this way upon us, strongly oblige the soul to thankfulness. Thus David comes before the Lord encompassed with a multitude of mercies to praise him, Psalm 5:7 We have our…

You may fear, and yet rejoice also. So (Psalm 5:7) As for me, I will come into your house in the multitude of your mercies, and in your fear I will worship towards your holy Temple. Here is fear, and confidence in the mercies of God joined together; to show, that fear and assura…

That is such, as he cannot pass by sin, or let it go unpunished. The Psalmist also expresseth the nature of God to the same purpose (Psalm 5:4, 5, 6): You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with you; the foolish shall not stand in your sight,…

A righteousness was to be brought in, that might answer the justice of God, and abide its trial. Of what nature this righteousness must be, the Scripture declares; and that as well in the revelation it makes of the holiness of God (Psalm 5:4, 5; Joshua 24:19; Habakkuk 1:13) as o…

1. That it is God's due and our duty, to dedicate the morning, the first and best of every day to God. (Psalm 5:3). My voice you will hear in the morning, in the morning will I direct my prayer to you, and will look up. We have a saying among us, that the morning is a friend to…

As the not showing of the countenance supposes discontent or fear; So then the Lord calls by this to holy familiarity with him, and confidence in it, in opposition to her former fainting and misbelief. The second direction is, Let me hear your voice, To make him hear the voice,…

And this translation agrees well with the scope here, where before he broke off communing with the Bride, as in the first part of the verse he had commended her for her frequenting of public ordinances, and in the second, for her keeping fellowship with others, in both which her…

THE FOLLY and MISERY OF Impenitent Sinners. PSALMS 5:5. The foolish shall not stand in your sight. I shall not now spend time in inquiring after the occasion of the penning of this Psalm, or in analysing of it.

Object. By your way we cannot pray for influences, except the Lord bestow on us other foregoing influences. Answ. What follows but that we are to pray that we may pray, and that we are to pray for our own prayers that they may be steeled with faith and strength of grace; and Dav…

If God first, before we stir and bow our souls, as ethical, moral, knowing, and considering causes, must move, stir and determine our souls to good, then are all influences of grace above our reach absolutely, and then farewell free-will; there is no necessity of the one connexi…

He is not a cause inferring violence to free-will. Should he indeed over-drive and over-act the free inclination, contrary to the reason, light, and judgment of the mind, and to the moral and free elective inclination of the will, he should constrain and force free-will: But thi…

He who shows mercy on whom he will, and hardens whom he will, and that by a strong mighty will which no man can resist, he can find fault with no man, though he sin and harden his own heart; for his absolute sovereign will is far above me and my strength; but so does the Lord, s…

As if he should say, the reason why you are not stable is because you are not cleansed from these corruptions, which are the cause of this inconstancy. So (Psalm 5:9) there is no faithfulness in their mouth, their inward part is very filthiness, etc. The reason why there is no c…

Purity: as washed doves' eyes for purity — this may be taken either subjectively, for the excellency and unmixed cleanness and purity of his sight and knowledge in himself, or objectively, for his delighting to behold purity in others. He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity…

Again, the word Command is notable, and expresses the case to the full; command deliverances; all things are at God's command and beck; if he does but speak the word, or give out order to second causes, it is all done instantly. So, (Psalm 5:2) Hearken to the voice of my cry, my…

We pray, and then he gives direct answers, (Psalm 116:1) I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice, and my supplication. So our hope is exercised, in waiting for the blessing prayed for: (Psalm 5:3) O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer to you, and will look up. Th…

Whatever it be, there must be such a sight in prayer, something answerable to this; in a spiritual way this must ever be done. (Psalm 5:3). I will pray, says the Psalmist, and look up. There is a looking up required in all prayer, a seeing the invisible God by faith.

When we come with raw dough-baked offerings, before we have concocted and prepared our thoughts by mature deliberation, we are barren or tumultuary in our prayers to God. Prayer is called by the name of meditation, because it is the product and issue of it, as Psalm 5:1: Give ea…

First men are smitten with the tongue of slander, and afterwards with the fist of wickedness: the showers of slander are but presages and beginnings of grievous storms of persecution; wicked men take more liberty when the children of God are imprisoned as criminals: Therefore it…

USE 1. If God be so ready to hear his people, let us not throw away our prayers as children shoot away their arrows; but let us observe God's answer, what comes in upon every prayer; in every address you make to God, put the soul in a posture of expectation. (Psalm 5:3) I will p…

7. It's a sin which God has expressly threatened to punish in this life, and in the life to come. In this life (Psalm 5:6): You shall destroy them that speak leasing. And (Proverbs 19:5): He that speaks lies shall not escape.

I think rather it is to be applied not to the righteousness he has required, but the righteousness that is in God himself. So (Psalm 5:8). (Lead me O Lord in your righteousness). Now the righteousness of God is put for the whole perfection of the divine essence; for his justice,…

In every nation he that fears God, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. (Psalm 5:5) You hate all the workers of iniquity. (Proverbs 11:20) They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the Lord, but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

And it is an usual practice of Satan and his instruments, to blast the repute of religious persons, to clothe them with the livery of reproach, and then prosecute them as offenders. (Psalm 5:9) Their throat is an open sepulchre. The slanders of the wicked are preparatives to dea…

If we dissect and anatomize man, we shall find this but too true, for not to name every sin that cleaves to the whole or every part, but in a more general way, it is thus said of sinful men: their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, with their tongues they use deceit, the p…

As it is the best of comforts to have assurance of the love of God, and to be sealed to the day of redemption; so it is the saddest of judgments to be given up (as it is three times in one place, Romans 1) to their lusts, to a hardened heart, a seared conscience, a reprobate min…

Who they are that hate and cannot but have sin. The blessed God hates sin with an infinite and an eternal hatred (Psalm 5:4): You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness. And from there it is, that He does punish every sin.

And to be abominable (Titus 1:15): being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate. Sin makes men odious in the eyes of God (Psalm 5:5): you hate all workers of iniquity. The Lord abominates them (Deuteronomy 25:16): all that do unrighteously are an abomination…

God's ear is not heavy that it cannot hear nor his hand that it cannot help, but your iniquities have separated between God and you, and your sins have hid his face that he will not hear. For he professes (Psalm 5:4) that he is a God that wills not wickedness, neither shall iniq…

So (Deuteronomy 29:14, 15) he says not, he shall make another Covenant with these when they shall be born: but I make a Covenant with you, and with these that are not here, not born. Hence by way of excellency he calls it the Covenant, the Covenant of the Lord (Jeremiah 2[illegi…

4. We are to beware of 1. the reigning evils of the heart, of a rotten and unsound heart (1 Timothy 6:5; Psalm 119:82). 2. Of an unsavory stinking heart, that smells of hell and the second death, of all sort of unrighteousness and malice, like a green opened grave (Psalm 5:9). 3…

For truly nothing does so much awake us to cast all our confidence and assurance of mind upon the Lord, as does the distrust of ourselves and carefulness conceived by knowledge in conscience of our own wretchedness. And according to this meaning is that saying in the Prophet to…

Then I saw the man that sat upon the cloud open the book, and bid the world draw near. Yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame that issued out and came from before him, a convenient distance between him and them, as between the judge and the prisoners at the bar. (1 Corinthia…

Psalm 103:8. He is said to be plenteous in mercy; and rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). Psalm 5:7. He speaks of the multitude of God's mercies; and of the variety of them (Nehemiah 9:18); in your manifold mercies you forsook them not. So many are they, that we are said to be surrou…

First, "Give."] Hence I note, 1. That the good things of this life are the gifts of God; he is the founder and donor. 2. From this word "give," I note, that it is not unlawful to pray for temporal things; we may pray for daily bread (Proverbs 30:8): "Feed me with food convenient…

Thus have other of God's servants done, beside Hezekias. When David was grievously sick, the principal thing he did, was this practice of faith; in humbling his soul before God for his sins, and entreating earnestly the pardon of them, as we may see Psalm 6 and 38. This is the p…

We often find more fault, and first blame in Christ, if not only, before we see our own provocations. Hence the complaints of Job (chapters 6, 13, 16, 19) and of Jeremiah (chapters 20, 15) of Hezekiah (Isaiah 38) of Asaph (Psalm 77) of Heman (Psalm 88) of the Church (Isaiah 49:1…

Secondly, this Spirit of God that we receive from the holy one, it is also a spirit of faith, that inwardly persuades us that God has indeed heard us, and that he will do for us whatever we desire, and will sometimes evidently bear witness of it to the heart of a man (Mark 11:24…

And of such terrors David speaks in Psalm 22:17, where he says; I may tell all my bones. Again, Psalm 6:6, I water my couch with tears. Also, My soul is sore troubled (Psalm 6:3).

We have our How longs, and has not God his? We cry, Psalm 6:3 But you O Lord, how long? Psalm 13. 1, 2. How long wilt you forget me, O Lord, for ever?

This is the most melodious music you can make in the ears of God. Therefore David says (Psalm 6:8), The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping: there is a voice in tears, as well as in words. If the Lord see you to weep over your own straitness, and mourn over your own deadness,…

I shall not be afraid of ten thousand of the people, that have set themselves round about me. Psalm 6. he prayes, Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath, have mercy on me; return again, O Lord, deliver my soul. That prayer is heard, and the result is an heavenly disposition to part w…

2. It implies sickness and weakening of the person, as in Amnon's love to his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1, 2, 3, 4). It comes from apprehended wrath, and the curse of the Law (Psalms 90:8; Psalms 32:3, 4; Psalms 6:1; Psalms 38:1, 2, 3, 4, &c.; Daniel 9:11; Romans 7:24; Isaiah 33…

As, that all shall be taught of God; the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord; the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun as the light of seven days (Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33; Isaiah 54:11, 12, 13; Isaiah 11:6, 9; Ezekiel 36:26…

1. Sometimes the unwritten bill is answered (Isaiah 65:24), and the Lord yields to our blank papers, and subscribes them. 2. Sometimes he hears the dumb man's signs, and his breathing, instead of his praying (Isaiah 38:14, 20; Lamentations 3:56; Psalm 6:8; Psalm 102:19, 20). 3.…

Any who believes that the wind blows where it lists, and that the influences of the Spirit are various as touching their degrees may see the truth of this. 2. The children of God appear dead, cold, and unbelievingly to complain in the beginning of praying, and of a Psalm, as is…

Verse 28: My soul drops away for heaviness. Verse 83: I am become like a bottle in the smoke (Psalm 42:1, 2; Psalm 6:1, 2, 3), prays and complains in a holy way to God; Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter, I did mourn as a dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord…

Jonah 2:2: Out of the belly of Hell I cried, says Jonah; and waves of wrath, all the waves, all the waves of your wrath are gone over me, says David (Psalms 45:8): Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my p…

Hence he gives himself that title, I am the Lord that heals you (Exodus 15:26). And because of the poisonous nature of sin, and the danger it brings of eternal death to the souls of men, the removal of it, or a recovery from it, is often called by the name of healing (Psalm 6:2;…

My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments (Psalm 119:120). The flesh is to be awed with divine judgments, though the higher and surer part of the soul is strongly and freely tied with the cords of love, temporal corrections indeed they fear not so much…

How earnestly does David pray wash me, Purge me with hyssop. Though bathed in tears (Psalm 6:6), that satisfied not — wash me. This is the honorable condition of the saints, that they are purified and consecrated to God by this sprinkling, yea have on long white robes washed in…

1. Instances (Psalm 118:17): I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. This was David's hope in the prolongation of life, that he should have further opportunity to honor God; and this argument he urges to God when he prays for life (Psalm 6:5): For in death t…

Though the wicked are not presently punished, yet they are all cursed, and in time they shall be punished. 4. The begun-execution of this curse, You have rebuked them, that is, punished or destroyed (Psalm 6:1), Rebuke me not in your anger, neither chasten me in your hot displea…

'This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us; and if we know that he hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him': God's hearing of us, his audience is a distinct thing from the ans…

3. We learn from this the preciousness of time; it was so to David, see how he spends the time of his life. We read of David when he lay down at night, he watered his couch with his tears, after the examination of his heart (Psalm 6:6); at midnight he rose to give thanks. In the…

Second, we may complain of the delay of comfort, God's children have done so. Psalm 6:3. "But you, O Lord, how long?" Psalm 13:1. "How long will you forget me, Lord, forever? how long will you hide your face from me?"

A desire of life for the praise of God, is the only desire of life, that will have praise of God. This was David's desire when he was visited with sickness, when he was weak, and his bones were pained, then said he in (Psalms 6:5), O save me, for in death there is no remembrance…

God seals his pardons upon melting hearts. Tears, though they are silent, yet have a voice (Psalm 6:8). Tears wash away sin; rain melts and washes away a ball of snow.

2. It is a more Gospel way to bear in the threat of everlasting wrath than of temporal rods. 3. Desertions and trials under the Law were more legal and sharp and sad upon David, Hezekiah, Job, Jeremiah, Heman (Psalm 6; Psalm 38; Psalm 77; Psalm 102; Psalm 88; Isaiah 38; Jeremiah…

She brought two things to Christ (says Austin) unguentum & lachrymas, tears and oyntment; her tears were better than her oyntment. Tears are powerful Orators for mercy; they are silent, yet they have a voice, (Psalm 6:8). Hear the voice of my [illegible]eeping.

Instead of nourishing despondent and despairing thoughts in you, and making you to hide away from God, let it drive you to him, to seek his face and favor, his pity and pardon: let it draw forth that request from you in (Psalm 41:4), Heal my soul for I have sinned against you. T…

8. A godly man is an Evangelical weeper. David did sometimes sing with his Harp, and sometimes the Organ of his eye did weep, Psalm 6:6. I water my couch with tears. Christ calls his Spouse his Dove, Canticles 2:14.

Pour out your wrath upon the nations that have not known you, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name. And David says: Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath, nor correct me in your anger (Psalm 6:2; Psalm 38:2). And it makes nothing to the contrary, that oftentimes…

That affliction may be a Furnace to refine, not consume us. Pray, that if God do correct us, it may not be in anger, Psalm 6:1. That we may taste the honey of his love at the end of the rod.

How sad a moan does Job make of his long-continued affliction (Job 16:6-7): 'Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?', 'But now he has made me weary.' And if you look into Psalm 6:3, 6, you may see another strong Christian even tired in t…

Therefore, Faith frequently in the Psalms, prays, and answers. Psalm 6:4, compared with verse 9. Psalm 55:2, Attend to me, and hear me, verse 19.

3. This cannot stand with the promise of perseverance, made in the covenant of grace (Jeremiah 32:40-41; Isaiah 59:21, 24; Ezekiel 36:27; John 6:39-40; John 4:13-14). Nor 4. with the faith of persuasion of perseverance (Romans 8:38-39; Jude 24-25; Psalm 6; 2 Timothy 4:18), and 5…

There are some cautions here that are considerable. 1. God leads some strong ones to heaven whose affections are soft, as David's were (Psalm 35:13 and Psalm 119:25, 28, 136, 53; Psalm 6:6), and yet faith is strong (Psalm 22:1) — God possibly immediately working upon the assenti…

Objection 2: I have not so much as a voice to utter to God; and Christ says (Song of Songs 2:14): Cause me to hear your voice. Answer: Indeed, but some other thing has a voice besides the tongue (Psalm 6:8). The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping: tears have a tongue, and gr…

2. The ground of it is God's mercy; the two blind men (Matthew 20:30) put this in their bill — they cry, Have mercy on us, O Lord, you Son of David. They will not have seeing eyes, but under the notion of mercy: David, pained with severe sickness, as some think, or under some ot…

And a threefold grace watchfulness has a special respect to in this particular. First purity, both with God and man (Psalm 6:18). If I regard iniquity, if I squint aside at any sin, God will not hear me.

Many who have no better than a temporary faith, are at first much grieved, and wounded in conscience; but after they receive some comfort by the promises of the gospel, are so joyful and merry, that they grow secure again, and never after let grief seize upon them; no, though th…

And that it is so, as I say, beside experience, it is clear in the word of God. David in this distress affirms, that his eyes were eaten as it were with worms, and sunk into his head (Psalm 6:7), that his moisture became as the drought in summer (Psalm 32:4), and Job says, that…

And so between works and such passions there is an inestimable difference of better place, condition, and price. Moreover, the highest degree of faith is when God punishes our conscience not only with temporal hurts and persecutions, but with death, hell, and sin, and seems in a…

There is more difficulty in the contrivance and pursuit of a wicked design, than in obeying the commandments of God. Hence a sinner is said to travel with iniquity (Psalm 7:14). A woman while she is in travail, is in pain, to show what pain and trouble a wicked man has, in bring…

Secondly, Deliver us from Evil; that is, from temporal evil; we pray that God will either prevent temporal evils, or deliver us out of them. 1. We pray that God will prevent temporal evils; that he will be our screen to stand between us and danger (Psalm 7:1). Save me from them…

This is generally used in Scripture to express vengeance, more especially in the prophecy of Ezekiel. So also in Psalm 7:13: 'If he turns not, God has whetted his sword and prepared his instruments of death' — to inflict torments, and eternal torments also, as Deuteronomy 32 imp…

Objections of Papists. (Psalm 7:8) Judge me according to my righteousness. Hence they reason thus, if David be judged according to his righteousness then may he be justified thereby, but David desires to be judged according to his righteousness: and therefore he was justified th…

It is not my purpose now to search when this time of the power of the Beast, and of the Church's desolation did begin, and when it ends, and so to find out the time of building this new Temple: only this much I trust I may say, that if we reckon from the time that the power of t…

(Romans 2:8-9) Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil; which one place, putting the four words together says, 1. That there is sorrow most certainly and inseparably on every soul that has sinned, and 2. That this sorrow is exceeding…

And though we see but very little appearance of the spreading of the gospel among the Jews, and Pagans, or where Antichrist reigns; the visible church being now for many years rather encroached upon than extended; yet there is not one word here promised, but it shall be accompli…

God makes a good cause, though darkened, to shine as daylight, if men would open their eyes and see. Psalm 7:5, Roll over your way upon the Lord, and trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass. But flesh and blood says, Innocence lies in the dark, and weeps in sackcloth in the…

Now the vain-glorious man takes another course, first and principally aiming at the glory and good liking of man, having small or no regard of the two other. 2. Excuse: There is a good boasting, which David used, and that we may lawfully use (Psalm 7:8). Answer: Boasting is eith…

Bellarmine answers, that it may be both a reward, and an inheritance: a reward, because it is given to laborers upon compact: an inheritance, because it is given to none, but those that are children. But the word [Greek text] translated reward, signifies a gift freely given with…

For say, that God suffers them for a time to consult, to imagine, and rage against us, yet in the end he will scatter all that they have rashly and proudly done, as chaff before the wind. Let us also know that this which Isaiah has prophesied against Sennacherib, does likewise a…

I deny not but the Lord sometimes admits his children to rejoice in the things which they have well done: not as boasting of their deserts in his sight, but to acknowledge his benefits, and to be so touched with the remembrance thereof, that they may the better fit themselves th…

I am not ignorant that this place is otherwise expounded by some, namely, that while the wicked are weaving the web of other men's destruction, they overthrow themselves; and thinking themselves very wise, do notwithstanding plot their devices in vain. And thus are caught in the…

Lions and other rapacious and cruel easts, especially when hungry, tear and devour their prey: And for Arbitrary and rational Agents, they also act according to the principles and Laws of their natures. A wicked man when his heart is fully set in him, and his will stands in a fu…

In her love [in non-Latin alphabet] you shall erre with delight, we have translated it, be ravished, noting affections out of order. The word then holds out a delightfull wandring, and variety: and this litterally, because those two Songs (Psalm 7. and Habakkuk 3.) are not tyed…

The difference of states, manners and persons must remain on earth, as long as we live: but the heart may not cleave to nor flee: not cleave to them of high estate and rich, nor flee the abject, despised and needy. After this manner says David also in Psalm 7: Maintain the just…

To be under the apple-tree, implies her to be near him, and actually delighting herself in him, as being abundantly refreshed under his shadow, as was cleared, (Chapter 2:3). Her raising up of Christ, imports these three things, 1. A duty on her part (to say so) putting him to s…

If London would be chastised, and receive the impressions of grief and shame for their sins by these judgments, God's bowels would be moved, and his fierce anger would be changed into tender compassions; and though he has spoken terribly against London, yet he would now speak co…

Observe therefore; That it is a woful infelicity for a sinner to be every day exposed to destruction, to have the wrath of God continually impending over him, to be in the state mentioned (Psalm 7:11): God is angry with the wicked every day. To have the arm of divine vengeance u…

And if God hates you, you have reason to expect that he will separate you from his presence. You have a fearful account given you, of the condition of those who add impenitency to iniquity (Psalms 7:12, &c.), if he turn not, he will whet his sword; he has bent his bow, and made…

The Israelites had freed them from Sihons yoak, and yet they conspire against them, and seek their ruine. Secondly, it is mighty bitter where it is: Psalm 7:13 it is said, that God has ordained his arrows against the persecutors; the word signifies, such as burn in danger and ma…

I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Persecutors stand in the place where all Gods Arrows fly, Psalm 7:13. He ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors.

But, I ask, with what candor, with what integrity, when some are perjurers, others profane the most holy name of God, and like apes only imitate those words of God's faithful servants, 'God is my witness.' Therefore when we appeal to God and summon the adverse party on a day bef…

Love will tell you; but lest you should miss, God himself has told you (Proverbs 23:26), My Son give me your heart. There is no need to wish for windows in your body: He searches the heart and tries the reins (Psalm 7:9). The righteous God tries the hearts and reins.

Would you have your consolation here (Luke 6)? Your portion here (Psalm 7)? Would you value yourselves by the flourishing of the outward man, or the renewing of the inward man (2 Corinthians 4:16)?

A wicked man's brain is a forge, that is always hot. So (Psalm 7:14) Behold, he travails with iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. Wicked men conceive, and then travail, but usually the birth proves abortive.

The proud helpers do stoop under him (Job 9:13) — the helpers of pride, so it is; man is apt to be very proud, and has helpers of pride; and it is observable, that the word we read, pride, signifies strength also, to denote that man is very apt to be proud of his strength; but a…

Oh what an injury has sin done in separating man from the Divine Life and Nature, and sinking him into the dregs and death of sin, namely made him dead in sin! 3 Sin has separated man from the love of God: I speak not now of what love and good will there is in God toward man, bu…

The blessed God will pass a judgment, after a trial upon us; whether we truly love Him and seek Him, or no. We are told in Psalm 7:9: the righteous God tries the hearts and the reins; an assertion, an expression, it may be, more than seven times repeated in the Word of God! The…

Though some may do very much in a way of duty (as I shall show hereafter) and yet miscarry, yet that soul that does duty with the least sincerity shall never miscarry. For he saves the upright in heart (Psalm 7:10). The least measure of true grace is as saving as the greatest, i…

A young plant is easily removed, but when the tree is once rooted, there is no stirring of it: you who are rooted in your pride, unbelief, impenitency, it will cost you many a sad pull before you are plucked out of your natural estate. It is a hard thing to have a brazen face an…

It is not this or that sin in it self, that holds the sinner bound under the curse; for, let it have been what it will, of what sort or degree soever, yet if men do truly repent of it, that will turn away the wrath of God, and take off the threatening from them: but it is impeni…

1. God screens off temporal evil. There are many casualties and contingencies which are incident to life; God mercifully prevents them; he keeps watch and ward for his children (Psalm 7:10). My defense is of God (Psalm 121:4).

There is more difficulty and perplexity in the contrivance and pursuit of wicked ends than in obeying the sweet and gentle precepts of Christ. A wicked person is said to labor with iniquity (Psalm 7:14), showing what anxious pain and trouble he has in bringing about his wickedne…

As this was Job's comfort in the aspersion of hypocrisy: my witness is in heaven, and my record on high. 3. It serves also for comfort in the prevailings of the wicked against us, and that under color of right (Psalm 7:9). O let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but guide…

The Prophesies that were long before Christ was born, did declare this, that Jesus Christ should ascend up into Heaven, and in the 110. Psa. 7. verse, He shall drink of the brook in the way, therefore shall he lift up the head; what is that? It is spoken of Christ, I will set hi…

So the Psalmist tells us (Psalms 106:37, 38). The same is again mentioned (Psalms 7:31), and in sundry other places. The whole manner of that abomination I have elsewhere declared.

And yet power, where it is not restrained by wisdom and goodness, is a great temptation to anger; because where there is power, there is something to back it and make it good. And therefore the Psalmist does recommend and set off the patience of God, from the consideration of hi…

Isaac an earthly father moved, and his heart went and torn with the weeping and tears of Esau his son, so as he must confer some blessing upon him; far more must the bowels of our Father infinite in mercy be turned within him, at the weeping and tears of a praying and crying Chu…

Suppose a man have a willing mind, to pray in the power of God's Spirit, to confer fruitfully, etc., that he might build up his soul in his holy faith, now all that comes from him is a lively fruit of grace, be it otherwise never so weak (Psalm 103:14). God knows what we are mad…

Many bitter complaints the good man makes against such men, but it is in case they offend of malicious wickedness. Secondly, faith will plead its own innocency against all its adversaries (Psalm 7:3-4). He will acknowledge that he has done much evil in God's sight, but if agains…

He that touches you (says the Prophet, meaning the Jews his chosen and beloved people) touches the apple of his eye (Zechariah 3:8). The man that devises mischief against his harmless brother that dwells peaceably by him, commits a sin most odious to God and man (Proverbs 3:29;…

I have somewhere, not long since, met with an exposition of those words of the spouse, that we have several times repeated in the book of Canticles, I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please, which is the only satisfying expo…

Q. 7. What are the chief attributes of his being? A. (a) Eternity, (b) infiniteness, (c) simplicity, or purity, (d) all-sufficiency, (e) perfectness, (f) immutability, (g) life, (h) will, and (i) understanding. (a) Deuteronomy 33:37; Psalm 93:2; Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 1:11. (b…

Q. 7. What are the chief attributes of his being? A. (a) Eternity, (b) infiniteness, (c) simplicity, or purity, (d) all-sufficiency, (e) perfectness, (f) immutability, (g) life, (h) will, and (i) understanding. (a) Deuteronomy 33:37, Psalm 93:2, Isaiah 57:15, Revelation 1:11. (b…

Great was the work of creation, but greater the work of redemption: it cost more to redeem us than to make us; in the one there was but the speaking a word, in the other shedding of blood (Luke 1:51). The creation was but the work of God's fingers (Psalm 8:3). Redemption the wor…

There is in God all that may draw forth both wonder and delight; he is [illegible], there is in him a constellation of all beauties; he is Prima Causa, the original and spring-head of being, who sheds a glory upon the creature. This is to glorify God when we are God-admirers; we…

1. When God made the world he met with no opposition; as he had nothing to help him, so he had nothing to hinder him: but when he comes to convert a sinner, here he meets with opposition; Satan opposes him, and the heart opposes him: a sinner is angry with converting grace. 2. T…

3. God made all things at first very good (Genesis 1:31). No defect or deformity. The creation came out of God's hands a curious piece; it was a fair copy, without any blot, written with God's own fingers (Psalm 8:3). So perfect was God's work. 2. The adorning of the world.

12. We hallow and sanctify God's name, when we give the same honor to God the Son, as we give to God the Father (John 5:23): That all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. The Socinians deny Christ's divinity, saying, that he is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], a b…

In the redeeming us there was shedding of blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). The creation was the work of God's fingers (Psalm 8:3). Redemption was the work of his arm (Luke 1:5).

Where we learn, that whosoever is endued with saving faith, is also touched with fear and reverence at the consideration of God, and his glorious works; whether they be works of his power, his wisdom, his mercy, or his justice, or of all together. For the first: David could not…

And as we are thereby made unconceivably more nigh to God in our nature, than we were upon our first creation, or than angels shall ever be; so by virtue thereof, are we in our persons brought in many things much nearer to God, than ever we could have been brought by the law of…

1. What is this first estate from which they are departed. I answer their original condition of holiness and happiness; every creature which the Lord made, he saw it to be good, much more the angel whom God created for his own train and company, they are called the sons of God (…

The God of Abraham, Jacob, &c. (Exodus 3:15). Hence, because the Lord in excellency is remembered in his works, by likeness they are called his name (Psalm 8:2; 2 Chronicles 6:32). Much more his Gospel (Acts 9:15).

1. Sovereignty of power and might: this the phrase "sitting at God's right hand" implies, (Matthew 26:64), where Christ himself expounds the purport of it: Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power: And so, (Ephesians 1:20-22), this is made the pr…

The proof of it needs not so much to be spoken to as the improvement of it, which we are called upon for everywhere. 1. It is a mercy that being so great, he takes notice of us (Psalm 8:3-4): When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars which you ha…

Literally the words run, Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings thou hast founded strength, (Psalm 8:2;) by which David means that, though every tongue were silent, “Quand toutes bouches seroyent closes, et toutes langues se tairoyent;” — “though every mouth were closed, and…

Those blessed women that anointed the body of Jesus [reconstructed: are] represented as in a very high exercise of religious affection, on occasion of Christ's resurrection; Matthew 28:8. And they departed from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy. It is often foretold of the…

Christ did not chuse the eloquent Orators, or men of Authority in the Courts of Kings and Emperours, but twelve poor Mechanicks, and Fisher-men; and these not sent together in a troop, but some to take one Countrey to conquer it, and some another: the most ridiculous course (in…

Never was man so magnified before. If David could say, Psalm 8. . When I consider the Heavens the work of your hands, the Moon and Stars which you hast ordained, Lord, what is man?

The expression is metaphorical, and is to be interpreted and applied variously, according to the nature and condition of the enemies with whom he has to do. The allusion in general is taken from what was done by Joshua his type, towards the enemies of his people (Joshua 10:24);…

Cajetan insists on that of the first Chapter, verse 5. I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son, taken from (2 Samuel 7:14) or (1 Chronicles 17), which words, as he supposeth no way belong to that, in whose confirmation they are produced by the Author of this Epist…

The place of their first habitation which they left (Jude 6) was the highest heavens, the most glorious receptacle of created beings; in opposition whereunto they are said to be cast into the lowest hell (2 Peter 2:4). Whereas man was placed in the earth, which although then bea…

But to return; it is evident that in this Psalm much light was communicated to the Church of old, into the office, work, grace, compassion and rule of the Messiah, with the calling, and glorious access of the Gentiles to him. There is mention likewise made of him in the Targum o…

In the one, there was only the speaking a word (Psalm 148:5); in the other the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). The creation was the work of God's fingers (Psalm 8:3); the redemption, the work of his arm (Luke 1:5). In the creation God gave us ourselves; in the redemption he ga…

The Sun has no glory, the Moon and Stars no beauty, the order and influence of the heavenly bodies, have no excellency in comparison of it. This is that which the Psalmist designs to declare (Psalm 8): O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your Name in all the earth! Who has set you…

And if we do (as there is occasion) with humility and sincerity, and from a principle of zeal for God, and his honor, appear in defense of religion, and its injured cause, we may doubtless take encouragement from that promise (Matthew 10:19): it shall be given you in that same h…

1. In regard of Christ, the more to magnify his love. Our former estate, before he cast the wings of his mercy upon us, shows our unworthiness, our vileness, and wretchedness, and in that respect it opens our heart and mouth to think and say, O Lord our Lord, what is man that yo…

Before the foundation of the world] This we understand by faith, that the world was framed by the word of God; although the learned probably think it evincible by human reason, yet some of those that have gloried most in that, and are reputed generally masters of reason, have no…

As a man is known by his name, so God's titles and attributes, his ordinances, his works, his word, are his name; chiefly the two latter. For his works, they are a part of the name of God (Psalm 8:1): the burden of that Psalm is twice repeated — O Lord, our Lord, how great is yo…

It is notable, David does (in two Psalms especially) contemplate heaven — [reconstructed: one] seems to be a nightly, the other a [reconstructed: day]-meditation. The night-meditation you have, (Psalm 8:3). When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the…

His speaking here of the subjection of the whole world, is to show, that whatever thing we have need of, if we can resort to our Lord Jesus Christ, he is able to succor us, for he has wherewith to do it. Indeed we must mark well how it is said in Psalm 8, that God has care of al…

1. That to us, who can neither hurt him, nor help him. (Psalm 8:3-4), Lord, what is man that you are mindful of him? and the son of man that you visit him? What a poor sorry creature is man? will you set your eyes upon such a one?

Thus the creatures lift up our minds to the Creator. David had his night-meditation (Psalm 8:3). When I consider the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon, and the stars which you have ordained, etc. The sun is not mentioned.

(Psalm 19:1): The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. (Psalm 8:3): And when I consider your heavens, the work of your [reconstructed: fingers], the moon and the stars which you have ordained. David when he walked abroad in a moonlit night, he…

2. To study it so as some good may come of it: we should keep our thoughts on this holy subject. 1. Till we admire God. The degree of the saints' knowledge here below is only to proceed to admiration (Psalm 8:1). O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! When…

There is no part of the world that we can set our eyes upon, but it speaks praise to God, and the thoughts of his bounty to the creatures, especially to man: for all things were either subjected to man's dominion, or created for his use and benefit. If we look to the Heavens, al…

1 Sin has degraded man by defiling him, and tantum non almost unmanned him; for as our text speaks of sin as a man, so the holy Scripture speaks of man as if he were sin, and every man were a man of sin (made up of sin) whether we consider the outer or inner man. Man was a very…

He is set over the works of God's hands, and all things are put in subjection under him (Hebrews 2:7-8). And what are those all things, or what are among them, you may see in the place of the Psalmist from which the Apostle cites those words (Psalm 8:6-8). And did he die for all…

The sun has no glory, the moon and stars no beauty, the order and influence of the heavenly bodies have no excellency in comparison of it. This is that which the Psalmist designs to declare (Psalm 8): "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who has set you…

For in that very nature, God has set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. This is that which is so celebrated…

When we consider God, we should be so far from admiring ourselves, that we should with an humble thankfulness wonder that God should regard such inconsiderable nothings as we are. (Psalm 8:1, 3, 4) O Lord our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth! who hast set your gl…

Of all the creatures in this visible world, man is the chief; and what is said of Behemoth, or the Elephant (Job 42), in respect of his great strength, and the vast bigness of his body, is only true absolutely of man, that he is, divini opificii caput, the chief of the ways of G…

How great then is the mercy of God, which regards us, who are so far below him, which takes into consideration such inconsiderable nothings as we are! We may say with David (Psalm 8:4), Lord! What is man, that you are so mindful of him, or the Son of Man that you visitest him! A…

His argument from (Psalm 8:5-6) and (Hebrews 2:6-9) is built on those words, "You have put all things under his feet." He was of the opinion that those words mean, by the universality of the terms, that even sin itself shall be subjected to Christ; and that sin cannot be subject…

9. If they feel a want of all these, then they dig within themselves for power to leave sin, power to be more holy and humble, and so think to work out themselves in time, out of this estate, and so they dig for pearls in their own dunghills, and will not be beholden to the Lord…

So again, for continuing the peace and prosperity of the land (1 Kings 8:62,66). 6 For general blessings on mankind, David praised God (Psalm 8:1,6). 7 For God's blessings on his family, Jacob is thankful, and in testimony thereof built an altar to God (Genesis 35:7).

3. Armor of proof; it does furnish us with weapons to fight against the adversaries of the truth. 4. It is the holy seed of which grace is formed: it is semen fidei, the seed of faith (Psalm 9:10). It is Radix Amoris, the root of love (Ephesians 3:17).

God adjourns the sessions, spins out his mercies toward sinners, and if they repent not, his patience will be a witness against them, and his justice will be more cleared in their condemnation, (Psalm 51:4) That you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge.…

1. The relation of a Father (2 Corinthians 6:18). I will be a Father to you: A Father is full of tender care for his child: Who does he settle the inheritance upon but his child? God being our God will be a Father to us; a Father of mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3). the everlasting Fat…

Hell is Domus Servitutis, a house of bondage; a house built on purpose for sinners to lie in. 1. That there is such a house of bondage where the damned lie (Psalm 9:17): The wicked shall be turned into Hell (Matthew 23:33): How can you escape the damnation of Hell. If any one sh…

Ignorance is the nurse of impiety: the Schoolmen say, Omne peccatum fundatur in ignorantia; (Jeremiah 9:3). They proceed from evil to evil, and know not me, says the Lord. Where ignorance reigns in the understanding, lust rages in the affections: (Proverbs 19:2). That the mind b…

The snares they lay for others catch themselves. Psalm 9:16. In the net which they hid is their own foot taken. God loves to counter-plot politicians; he makes use of their own wit to undo them, and hangs Haman upon his own gallows.

Use 2 of Exhortation. Branch 1. If God be so glorious a king, full of power and majesty, let us trust in him (Psalm 9:10), They that know your name will put their trust in you: Trust him with your soul; you cannot put this jewel in safer hands; and trust him with church and stat…

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God. Though the Lord visits for every sin, yet he will in a special manner make inquisition for blood (Psalm 9:12). If a beast did kill a man, the beast was to be stoned, and his flesh must not be eaten (Exodus 21:8).

4. A fourth aggravation is, this loss of the Kingdom of Heaven is accompanied with the punishment of sense. He who leaps short of the bank falls into the river; such as come short of Heaven fall into the river of fire and brimstone; (Psalm 9:17) The wicked shall be turned into h…

Q. What else may be a further proof that there is a God? A. That there is a God is manifestly declared by the strange and wonderful plagues and judgments, that sometimes are inflicted upon notorious sinners upon earth (Exodus 8:19 & 9:16; Psalm 9:16 & 58:10-11 & 79:10). Q. What…

So his Son's name also is all-sufficient to answer all objections for faith to rest upon. 'They that know his name will trust in him' (Psalm 9:10). A second reason why his name is sufficient — though you have and see nothing in yourself, nor any promise made to any grace in you…

And the knowledge of him as so revealing himself, is that which secures our confidence, faith, hope, fear and trust. The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble; and they that know your Name, will put their trust in you (Psalm 9:9, 10). What he promi…

In great judgements the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against the ungodliness of men (Romans 1:18), and an intimation is given of what he will farther do hereafter. For as he leaves not himself without witness in respect of his goodness and patience, in that he does good…

It is not an unaccountable severity that they are threatened withal, but it is a just and righteous sentence denouncing punishment proportionate to their sin and crime. Judgment is taken sometimes for punishment itself (Psalms 9:16; James 2:13; 1 Peter 4:17; 2 Peter 2:3). But mo…

From this root do all our fears of the power of men grow (Isaiah 51:12-13): who are you that are afraid of a man that shall die, etc., and forget the Lord your Maker, that has stretched forth the heavens, etc.; our forgetfulness at least, if not a secret denial of God's power in…

We know that we are of God (1 John 5:49); that is, we know it experimentally; they can say of this, as it is said in 1 John 1:1, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the words of life, decl…

In (Job 18:7) 'tis verified of many that their own Counsels have cast them down. And (Psalm 9) toward the latter end, The wicked is snared in the work of his OWN HANDS: Higgajon Selah. You have not those two words put together in all the Book of God besides.

I would readily grant that the condition of the church was already wretched at the time when Enosh was born, and that hence arose for his pious parents an occasion of lamentation. The word Enosh denotes a miserable man; from the root it signifies one who is mortally sick, one wh…

(Psalm 119:33) Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. (Psalm 9:10) Those that know your name, will put their trust in you. Christ said, but, Follow me, to Matthew.

Of the Devil (John 8:44). And with an emphasis, the wicked (Psalm 9:17). Answer: In these grammatical arguments Mr. Moor shows how weak his cause is, and how dubious from the word "men" and "all"; for Hebrews 9:27, it is said, it is appointed for all men to die, and the Holy Gho…

John 12:45. He that seeth me, seeth him that sent me. Psalm 9:10. They that know thy Name, will put their trust in thee. Philippians 3:8. I count all Things but Loss, for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.—.

This irreligious Inference carnal reason was ready to draw from the dispensations of outward prosperity to wicked men; but now if we would hedfully observe, either the signal retributions of Providence to many of them in this world, or to all of them in the world to come; O what…

Psalm 7. 14, 15, 16. Psalm 9:16 O what exact proportions do Providences and Scriptures hold! little do men take notice of it.

Behold, I will send a blast upon him, &c. So when God glorifies his wisdom and power, in delivering his people from their Enemies, and ensnaring them in the works of their own hands, a double note of attention is affixed to that double work of Providence, Psalm 9:16 higgaion sla…

But the Christian is never superannuated as to the work of religion; indeed, the longer he lives, the more his Master expects from him. When he is full of days, God expects he should be full of fruits (Psalm 9:14): They shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and f…

II. That this Judgment is after Death; this is the order that it is manifestly put in, Text. That there are many awful and stupendous judgments that God brings upon men in this world, is not to be denied; in which he declares his holiness and just indignation at sin; and hence w…

3. Understand well obedience, faith the weight of the love of Christ, never quenched with many floods, and sin, hatred of Christ, and the horror thereof. 4. Take a right view of heaven, how it lies in length and breadth, and a right impression of the fire that is never quenched,…

For ought appears by what we have quoted by Morinus, he is like to prove a Notable witness of the Antiquity of the points. It may be well supposed that Morinus writing on set purpose against their Antiquity would produce that Testimony which in his whole Author was most to his p…

This is such a wild conceit as destroys both all law of reason in human societies, and all religious obligation to the Laws of God. For the qualification and measure, I shall mention no other, but that in the Text, that it be always regulated by this, that here goes before it, t…

2. Study his name, if you would sanctify his name. (Psalm 9:10) They that know his name will put their trust in him. 3. Submit to his providence without murmuring.

He must be both God and Man: he must be God that he may see mens Hearts: and he must be man that he himself may be seen. What a solemn day will this be, when Christ shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature! he will judge righteously, Psalm 9:8. Though he himself was wronged, he wi…

If we had more knowledge of God and his ways, we should trust him more, fear him more, love him more. Trust him (Psalm 9:10): And they that know your name, will put their trust in you: for you, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek you. If God were more known, he would be bette…

2. It engages you to dependence and assurance of faith. (Psalm 9:10) They that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, Lord, have not forsaken them that seek you. Whoever has observed God's dealings, will see God is to be trusted, he may be depended upon; if he has…

1. As to the means if you would do so. 1. Know him (Psalm 9:10): They that know your name will put their trust in you, if God were better known he would be better trusted (2 Timothy 1:12): I know whom I have believed. 2. Get a covenant interest in him, if our interest be clouded…

2. When God raises in our minds some particular express hope (as in some cases he may do) to these things that are of a temporal nature, and are conditionally promised, and where our qualification is clear, he will not disappoint us (2 Corinthians 1:12). Though the promises of t…

That is, many times there are such providences, that all that behold them, shall see, and say, that godliness and holiness are matters of advantage and benefit in this world, abstracted from the rewards to come; and so an infallible evidence that the world is not governed by cha…

Whet truths upon the understanding, and agitate your minds in this holy work. 2. My next work is to show, that it is a notable help to godliness, and that appears enough, in that forgetting God is assigned as the cause of all mischief, and remembering God the engagement to all d…

See how God pours out his Name (Exodus 34:5-7): And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the Name of the Lord, and the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in go…

That is an idle speculation that does not beget trust: an empty praise, a mere compliment that does not produce a real confidence in God, that he will give us spiritual blessings when we heartily desire them. True knowledge of God's name breeds trust (Psalm 9:10): They that know…

Psalm 7:15. He made a pit, and dug it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. Psalm 9:15-16. The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared by the work of his own hand. They are sunk down into the pit they dug: in the net which they hid is their o…

Holiness is the beauty of Earth and Heaven, without which we cannot live well on Earth, nor shall ever live in Heaven: certainly they that jeer and scoff at holiness, and rejoice that they are none of the holy ones, they do as if they should make bonfires, ring the bells, and gi…

Next judgment to this, is being let alone, or given up to a reprobate judgment, and a hardened heart; but that being future, and this (though present) invisible, I shall waive further speaking to them, and show that God has visibly judged this world for sin, from age to age. He…

When Cain had killed his brother, and his conscience felt the stroke of the curse, he was like a distracted man and mad: when Judas had betrayed his Master, he was weary of his life. 5 Sin is against the beauty of man; it takes away the loveliness of men's very complexions, it a…

And surely, the Song of the Lamb, recorded (in Revelation 15:3, 4) seems evidently to point at sundry Psalms of David, out of which it was compiled and collected, and which therefore were suitable and fit to be sung upon occasion of their victory over the Beast, especially with…

These evangelical commands you are bound to observe, if by any means they be wanting you lose your life, if you lose them; forget these, and God will forget you. Now you return your excuse, that while you were busy here and there, busy in planting, and building, busy in plotting…

But another man by the [illegible] of reason or strength of argument out of the [illegible] may convince my conscience, indeed settle and [illegible] my heart, in assurance of a truth which formerly I saw not, and therefore it is said (Acts 14:22) they confirmed the souls of the…

An ignorant man can have no love to God — you cannot desire what you do not know. He cannot have faith; knowledge must usher in faith (Psalm 9:10). He cannot worship God aright (John 4:22).

The first is knowledge. Faith is an intelligent grace; though there may be knowledge without faith, yet there can be no faith without knowledge: They that know your name will put their trust in you (Psalm 9:10). Philo calls it fides oculata, quick-sighted faith.

Thus when Saul hunted him, he left a city of gates and barres to trust God in open field. Indeed all the Saints are taught the same lesson, to renounce their own strength, and relie on the Power of God, their own policie, & cast themselves on the wisdom of God; their own righteo…

There must be a discovery made of him to and in the soul, by which it may be certified of his fullness and suitableness; that he is able to answer the soul's wants, and to supply its needs, to fill its cravings, and remedy its miseries: what else should move it to adventure its…

You who are given much to passion, whose tongue is often set on fire, take heed you do not one day in hell desire a drop of water to cool your tongue. 4. The evil tongue is the vain tongue, that vents itself in idle words: as if a tree should bear nothing but blossoms, Psalm 10:…

Hypocrites do not virtutem facere, but fingere, Melanct. they carry it fair with men, but care not how bad their hearts are; they live in secret sin: (Psalm 73:11). They say how does God know? (Psalm 10:11). God has forgotten, he hides his face, he will never see it. But (Psalm…

God has threatened to wound the hairy scalp of every one that goes on still in his trespasses (Psalm 68:21). He has threatened to judge adulterers (Hebrews 13:3), to be avenged upon the malicious (Psalm 10:14). You behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your own hand: to…

The higher grace is, the less earthly should Christians be: the higher the sun is, the shorter always is the shadow. 1. Covetousness exposes us to God's abhorrence (Psalm 10:3). The covetous whom the Lord abhors.

Prayer ushers in mercy. Be your case never so sad, if you can but pray you need not fear (Psalm 10:17); therefore give yourself to prayer.

Doing God's will will be both your comfort, and your crown. 10. If we are not doers of God's will, we shall be looked upon as contemners of God's will: let God say what he will, yet men will go on in sin, this is to contemn God (Psalm 10:13). Why does the wicked contemn God?

This is a sure sign of faith in every touched and humbled heart, and it is peculiar to the elect: and they which have this, have in them also the ground and substance of true saving faith: which afterward in time will grow up to greater strength. Reasons: 1. the promise of life…

How many trifles occupy our minds? But the Lord can seldom find any room there; God is not in all their thoughts (Psalm 10:3). Yes, when thoughts of God rush into our minds, they are like unwelcome guests; we wish to be rid of them.

'The poor leaves himself with you' — and does his God fail him? No: 'You are the helper of the fatherless' (Psalm 10:14) — that is, you are the helper of the destitute one who has none to go to but God. And that is a sweet Scripture (Psalm 112:7): 'He shall not be afraid of evil…

Indeed the Scripture everywhere places sin upon this root. Psalm 10:11: "God has forgotten, he hides his face, he will never see it." He has turned his back upon the world.

God does not usually deal thus with men, until they have rejected the means of their deliverance. There is a generation indeed, who from their youth up do live in a contempt of God; such are those proud sinners whom the Psalmist describes (Psalm 10:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, &c.). There…

Which governes his house well and excellently. Psalm 10:1: I will walk in the perfect way, in the uprightness of my soul in the midst of my house. Which declares, there is a perfect way which comes from God only, as all perfection does; wherein is required the uprightness of one…

This drawing is by wiles, to steal a man off his feet. So (Psalm 10:9) a bird is drawn in the net. It is then a word borrowed from bodily strength, which draws heavy bodies out of one place to another, by strong hand.

3. It is the poor heritage of the sons of men, a clay patrimony (Psalm 115:16). The heavens, even the heavens are the Lord's; but the earth has he given to the children of men; and oppressors are the landlords of it (Psalm 10). God arises to judge (verse 18), that the man of the…

First, the Spirit certifies us of this, that surely our petitions are heard and granted, because he has given us a heart to pray, he has helped us to pray, we could never have prayed fervently, and feelingly, unless the Holy Ghost had helped us; we know we have straight hearts,…

These are the things that do most ravish the heart, and raise it in the contemplation of that glorious God to whom we speak; and fill us with the ecstasies of love, that we may be more like him, holy, wise, and good, as he is holy, wise and good. 4. We think a dry narrative to b…

2. A child of God that cannot speak a word, may put up an acceptable prayer: suppose the tongue which is the organ of speech, were cut out, yet a saint cannot thereby be obstructed in his access to God by prayer. For, as Amesius says, [Oratio formaliter est actus voluntatis] Pra…

1. Here is just ground of sharp rebuke to all graceless, prayerless persons, who understand nothing of this duty; they know not what it is to tug and struggle with the Lord in Closet-Prayer. David says, The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God, God…

8. Would you not prevent and circumvent wicked men's secret plots? Be sure then, you undermine them by secret prayer: The Devil and the Pope have many close and conclave consultations to undermine the Protestant religion, and to root out the name of Israel from under heaven: the…

Hereby we may plainly see that the Pope with his doctrine does nothing else, but trouble and torment men's consciences, and at length drives them to desperation: for he not only teaches, but also commands men to doubt. Therefore, according to the Psalm (Psalm 5:9): There is no t…

When God will punish the sins of the reprobate with eternal torment, according to their deserts; and crown the good works of his servants, with an eternal weight of glory, above their desert: for piety shall not always go unrewarded, neither shall impiety always go unpunished, f…

I bow my knees for you all that a living delightful religion may flourish in your hearts and families, instead of those dry, withered things, worldliness, formality, and strife about trifles. Which will make Torrington an Heph-zibah, a place to be delighted in; your country a pl…

The wicked boasteth of hi hearts desire, and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth. The wicked through the pride of his countenance will [] sk after God; God is not in all his thoughts, Psalm 10. 3, 4. Here you see Providence may give men their hearts desire, and yet the…

How many should we see daily blasted with the breath of malicious execrations? Some men's mouths are full of cursing (Psalm 10:7). They love cursing, they clothe themselves with cursing as with a garment (Psalm 109:17-18).

By under the tongue, which is the part commended, we understand the heart or inward man, as it's distinguished from the bare expression of the tongue or words, which are only spoken (as we say) from the teeth forward: So, Psalm 66:17, He was exalted under my tongue, (as it's in…

London, seek the Lord of Hosts, who has come forth against you in battle, and wounded you with his sharp arrows, and yet has not laid down his weapons; get to your knees; hang about God's feet and arms; fill your mouths with arguments to stay him in the course of his judgments;…

The wicked are estranged, from the Womb; they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking Lies; Their Poison is like the Poison of a Serpent, etc. So it is said of the Wicked, Psalm 10:2, 3, 4, 7: His Mouth is full of Cursing and Bitterness. This the Apostle, Romans 3 cites as a…

The Lord must then follow his own planting (for the loving of the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and the girdle of truth about the loins, is a part of the armor of God (Ephesians 6:14)) with pruning, hedging, digging, and showers from heaven, whereas upon the heart unrenewed and still…

He who shows mercy on whom he will, and hardens whom he will, and that by a strong mighty will which no man can resist, he can find fault with no man, though he sin and harden his own heart; for his absolute sovereign will is far above me and my strength; but so does the Lord, s…

And he that says there is no God wishes there were none, and if he could help it there should be none. Others blaspheme the attributes of God, that charge the all-seeing eye with blindness, saying, the Lord shall not see (Psalm 94:7), that charge the eternal mind with forgetfuln…

This in a lively manner shadows forth the infinite and incomprehensible Mercy of our God; whose Mercy is said to be over all his works, Psalm 145:9. In how many sweet Notions is the Mercy of God represented to us in the Scripture. He is said to be Plenteous, Psalm 4:5. Abundant,…

The sun seems less than the wheel of a chariot: but reason teaches the philosopher, that it is much bigger than the whole earth, and the cause why it seems so little is, its great distance. The naturally wise man is as far deceived by this carnal reason in his estimate of Jesus…

The sanctified man's body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, as the Apostle speaks, and his soul the priest in it, that offers sacrifice both holy to the Lord, consecrated to him, a believing heart, no praying without this. Faith the very life of prayer, from which springs hope an…

And this seeking the destruction of souls is (you see) marked as all his work, the prey he hunts is souls, that they may be as miserable as himself. Therefore justly called our adversary, the enemy of holiness and of our souls, tempting to sin, and then accusing for sin, as his…

There is a crying with the soul, and with the heart to God. Psalm 10:17: Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble. It is the desires God hears.

Of all things a person can least endure to be sleighted. Psalm 10:13. Wherefore does the wicked contemn God?

OUT of the quiver of this Text I may draw several Arrows of Reproof. 1. It reproves such as do not think upon Gods Name. It is the Brand-mark of a Reprobate, God is not in all his thoughts, Psalm 10:4. He endeavours to expunge and blot God out of his mind: though he draws his Br…

Surely then this is pride with a witness, to neglect God who is over all blessed forever. (Psalm 10:4) The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God. That is, of his heart, betrayed by his countenance, he will not seek after God, and God is not in all h…

USE 1. It informs us of the evil of covetousness: most will stroke it with a gentle censure, and say such a one is a good man, but a little worldly, as if it were no great matter to be so. In fact they are apt to applaud those that are tainted with it (Psalm 10:3): He blesses th…

And so now proportionably, the new creature, the saints, they have an appetite suitable to their nature (1 Peter 2:2). (As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby.) Appetite still follows life, and prepares men for receiving things good for…

The desires of the righteous are suitable to the constitution and frame of their heart. He will grant the desires of their souls (Psalm 10:17). A man that makes God his heart's delight, shall have his heart's desire (Psalm 37:4).

4. For setting about any action, especially of weight (Genesis 41:22): Without you shall no man lift up his hand, that is, attempt or do any thing. So (Psalm 10:12): Arise, O Lord, lift up your hand, forget not the poor; that is, Set to your active hand for their assistance. So…

To press you to this, 1. Consider we are naturally apt to forget God, do not like to retain him in our knowledge (Romans 1:28), backward to any remembrance of him (Psalm 10:4). The wicked through the pride of their countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all their th…

Use 1. To reprove those that are indifferent whether they enjoy God's favor, yes or no; so they may enjoy the creature they are satisfied. Surely God is not these men's portion, for their only care is what they shall eat, how they may be clothed, how to live well in the world, b…

And have you never thought of the God that made you? Are you of those harebrained fools that go on rashly in a course of sin, and God is not in all their thoughts? (Psalm 10:4) How can you look upon the body without thoughts of him whose workmanship it is?

God's prerogative must not be encroached upon, there is a superior sovereign: partly in vexing, molesting, and oppressing them at their pleasure; the formal Christian hates the spiritual (Galatians 4:29). Now this comes from their pride (Psalm 10:2): The wicked in his pride does…

And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. (Daniel 9:19-20) and (Psalm 10:17) Lord you have heard the desire of the humble, you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear. Et passim Alibi.

1. Not because he is unwilling to give, but because he will have us better prepared to receive. Psalm 10:17: You will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear. We understand it usually of preparing the heart for prayer; to ask the mercy, but it is also meant of prepa…

Pride in some sense is the original of all wickedness, but more especially of malicious dealing with the people of God. Psalm 10:2: "The wicked in the pride of his heart does persecute the poor." The godly many times are in a mean condition when their adversaries are in power, a…

They promise themselves impunity in sinning against the holy God. Hence the Psalmist speaks, as in Psalm 10:13, Therefore does the wicked contemn God? he has said in his heart you shall not require it. Every sinner so far forth as he is a sinner, is an atheist: he says in his he…

He has threatened to judge adulterers (Hebrews 13:3), to be avenged upon the malicious (Psalm 10:14). You behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your own hand: to rain fire and brimstone upon the sinner (Psalm 11:6). And God is as true in his threatenings as his promises;…

Now in a Judge it is requisite. 1. That he be of a discerning eye; That so he may be able to see into the whole case, to state it right, and to understand the true and full sense of the Law which refers to it, and to compare the matter of fact with the mind of the Law, that so h…

But that is not the fire that is here intended. It is devouring, consuming, destroying, such as answers the severity of God's justice to the utmost, as Isaiah 9:5; chapter 30:33; chapter 66:15; Amos 7:4; Matthew 18:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Psalm 11:7; Deuteronomy 32:22. Therefore…

And thus much for this verse of raining righteousness. God has another rain for the wicked and ungodly, in Psalm 11, he rains snares, and fire and brimstone upon them.

They should go then into the holes of the rocks and caves of the earth, for they were wont to use such things there much. And so that Scripture in Psalm 11:1. "In the Lord put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"

(Romans 2:8-9) Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil; which one place, putting the four words together says, 1. That there is sorrow most certainly and inseparably on every soul that has sinned, and 2. That this sorrow is exceeding…

This is laid down as a certain truth (Ecclesiastes 8:12-13): Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with him that fears God, but it shall not be well with the wicked — there shall be a change at death. And it…

The use. Hence we learn, that God has an exact knowledge of all our actions, and cannot be deluded (Proverbs 15:11). Hell and destruction are before him, how much more, etc. (Psalm 11:4). His eyes consider, his eyelids try the children of men (Psalm 139:2).

When one blow will not do the work appointed, God redoubles the stroke of his hand (Leviticus 26:22, 23, 24, 25). Or burning coals, dreadful judgments, mortal weapons, as fire and flames are often taken in other descriptions of God's dealing with his enemies (Psalms 11:6, 18:8):…

God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, [in non-Latin alphabet] and shall rain it upon him while he is eating; [in non-Latin alphabet] for [in non-Latin alphabet]. So again, the same word is used, chap. 22. v. 2. Psalm 11. v. 7. The Righteous Lord loves Righteousness, [in…

Hell is taken by this violence (Proverbs 4:17): Who drink the wine of violence. This wine will turn to poison at last (Psalm 11:5): Him that loves violence God's soul hates. 4. They are violent for their covetous lusts.

Man looketh on the outward Appearance, but the Lord looketh on the Heart. Psalm 11:7. His Countenance doth behold the Upright.

(Psalm 16, last verse) in your presence is fulness of joys; and the Apostle thought he had backed his exhortation with a most potent argument in (Hebrews 12:14), follow after holiness, without which no man shall see God; in his light only can we see light; and there is nothing b…

And what way God plagues hypocrisy with farther hypocrisy, and by all sins? Heart-deceitfulness is within itself a rooting of itself: now this deceitfulness being so contrary to sincere and singleness of heart must be incapable of influences, for the upright and sincere heart, a…

Object: But you will say this is a work of time; what is to be done to avoid the danger of the present distractions? Sol: I answer, that question is to be put to God not man (Psalm 11:3). If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do — that is, if religion, laws, au…

There is a cup for them but his children drink not with them; they have another cup, the Lord himself is the portion of their cup (Psalm 16). His favor, as closes (Psalm 11), the righteous Lord loves righteousness, his countenance does behold the upright, that is another beholdi…

Raining snares is an argument of God's hatred. First, the Lord shall rain snares; and then, brimstone and a horrible tempest shall be their portion: (Psalm 11:6) so it makes way for his eternal anger. Use 5. Let us be contented with that portion which God has given us of worldly…

2. Therefore God is said to dwell in heaven, because from there he manifests his powerful providence, wisdom, justice, and goodness. God is not so shut up in heaven, as not to mind human affairs, and to take notice of what is done here below (Psalm 11:4), The Lord's throne is in…

But David did not however succumb to this temptation, but overcame it by faith. For which reason in Psalm 11, insulting his very enemies, he says: In the Lord I trust, how do you say to my soul, Flee to the mountain like a sparrow. Indeed God's enemies harass his servants with m…

Now in what a direful condition are all the deserters of God's law! Besides the loss of heaven, there is eternal fire which is the portion of the wicked; (Psalm 11:6) Upon the wicked he will rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest; this shall be the portion of th…

Here God is patient, and if he judges, yet in the midst of judgment he does remember mercy, and does not deal with men as their wickedness deserves; but then he will be extreme in punishing. The Lord himself will rain upon the wicked snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible te…

There are the trials of divine examinations, which will be critical upon us. It is said in Psalm 11:4, 5: the Lord's eyes behold, and His eyelids try the children of men; the Lord sounds (as the French translation has it) both the righteous and the wicked. Every man in the world…

Thus a good man can be drawn forth into large expressions of goodness and virtue. It was said by such an one in Psalm 11:3, my goodness extends. He extends his piety, his charity, he extends his influence far and near; and he is a diffusive good.

(3.) There is in it a receiving of Christ (John 1:11) a fiducial resting of the heart upon God in Christ. And the word [illegible] is to confide, to betake himself to a lurking place, where one may be safe from a storm (Psalm 2:12; Psalm 11:1; Psalm 31:2; Deuteronomy 32:37; Psal…

So they who by their prodigious sins have so far incensed the God of Heaven, that he denies them the water of Repentance, may look upon themselves as condemned persons. 3. Repentance is necessary for thecheating crew, (Psalm 11:9). 18. Their deceitis falshood; who are wise to do…

If judgment begins at the house of God, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel? 1 Peter 4:17. If God mingles his people's cup with wormwood, he will mingle the sinner's cup with fire and brimstone, Psalm 11:6. If God thresh the Wheat, he will burn the Chaff.

It were almost an infinite task to declare what the Scripture, the word of truth has delivered concerning the issue of righteousness. Generally it says, the Lord loves righteousness (Psalm 11:7). Verily there is a reward for the righteous (Psalm 58:11): blessings are on the head…

Q. 8. What are the attributes which usually are ascribed to him in his works, or the acts of his will? A. (k) Goodness, (l) power, (m) justice, (n) mercy, (o) holiness, (p) wisdom, and the like, which he delights to exercise towards his creatures, for the praise of his glory. (k…

Q. 8. What are the attributes which usually are ascribed to him in his works, or the acts of his will? A. (k) Goodness, (l) power, (m) justice, (n) mercy, (o) holiness, (p) wisdom, and the like, which he delights to exercise towards his creatures, for the praise of his glory. (k…

Thus this holy man ascribes his assent into the one unquestionable principle of the Scripture, as to the effecting of it in himself, to the work of God's Spirit in his heart. As Basil also does on Psalm 11. [in non-Latin alphabet]: Faith which draws the soul to consent above the…

They say, they give God their hearts; but let the Devil take possession of their tongues. (Psalm 12:4) Our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? Who has anything to do with our words?

1. He is holy in his nature; his very being is made up of holiness, as light is of the essence of the sun. 2. He is holy in his Word; the Word bears a stamp of his holiness upon it, as the wax bears an impression of the seal (Psalm 119:140): "Your word is very pure;" it is compa…

It is for the matter of it so full of goodness, justice, and sanctity, that it could be breathed from none but God: the holiness of it shows it to be of God, it bears his very image. The Scripture is compared to silver refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). This book of God has no er…

The Apostle says, All Scripture is of divine inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16). God's Word is compared to a lamp, for its enlightening quality (Psalm 119:105), and to silver refined, for its enriching quality (Psalm 12:6). Among other parts of sacred writ, this in the text is not the…

2. The exactness of this prayer appears in the excellency of the matter. I may say of this prayer, it is as silver tried in a furnace, purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). Never was there prayer so admirably and curiously composed as this.

Clamitat in Coelum vox Sanguinis — there are three sins in Scripture said to cry. (1.) Oppression (Psalm 12:5). (2.) Sodomy (Genesis 18:21).

Q. What is the sum of the ninth commandment? A. Truth in speeches, promises, and our dealings among men; and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9, 10; Psalms 15:2; Micah 6:12; Psalms 12:2). Q. What is the sum of the tenth command…

A ceremonious ritual religion is very pleasing to carnal sense; conjectural persuasions is but a more handsome word for the thoughts of ignorant persons; they say they cannot be assured, but they hope well. Doctrines of Liberty are very suitable also to corrupt nature; Cast away…

Lot had his goods rifled and carried away captive before God stirred up Abraham to rescue him. When the hand of the wicked lies heaviest upon the heads of the righteous and wrings the most mournful sighs from them, when they are needy and the wicked securely puffing at them, as…

1. The word "men" is used for Adam, and all his sons (Hebrews 9:27). (2.) Often in the fullest sense, not regenerated, nor wholly reprobated, are called men (Job 11:11, 12; Psalm 12:1; and 4:2; and 53:2). (3) Believers are called men (Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 3:21, 22).

Then we have not Christ for our Governor, we do not put the government of our thoughts, and actions upon his shoulders, and are not in subjection to him, but cast his cords from us (Psalm 2:3), and say we will not have this man to reign over us (Luke 19:22). What, are not our th…

1. God is a governor, as well as a benefactor; and must be respected in both relations; and therefore we must not only desire and wait for his benefits, but submit to his government; his government is seen in his laws, and providence. In his laws he appoints our duty, in his pro…

More plainly, in a lie there be 4 things: the first is, to avouch and affirm that which is false. The second is to speak with a double heart (Psalm 12:2), that is to speak against knowledge, and conscience, as when a man says that is true which he knows to be false, or that is f…

As in Zechariah he witnesses, that as often as his children are oppressed by any, they even touch the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8). He sees the tears and hears the groans of the afflicted which call upon him (Psalm 12:5, Psalm 38:9, Psalm 102:20). And however this always com…

Where it follows, that God speaks in righteousness, it serves as an exposition: as if he should say; My word by which I seek to draw the saints to me, was never yet tainted with any untruth, but contains things that are altogether righteous (Psalm 19:9). The words of the Lord, s…

What is here said with a special reference to riches, may be properly extended to every other description of vice. As God pronounces everywhere such commendations of sincerity, and hates a double heart, (1 Chronicles 12:33; Psalm 12:2,) all are deceived, who imagine that he will…

That an estate of bondage is a miserable restless estate. There the prisoners rest together; captives and bondmen have little rest until they rest in the grave: the language of prisoners is a sorrowful language; their speech is sighs (Psalm 79:11): "Let the sighing of the prison…

Secondly, there is a sinful flattering of others; and that, either by an immoderate extolling of their virtues; or what is worse, by a wicked commendation even of their very vices. This is a sin most odious to God, who has threatened to cut off all flattering lips (Psalms 12:2).…

Truth is pure (Psalm 119:140). It is compared to silver refined seven times (Psalm 12:6). There is not the least spot on truth's face, it breathes nothing but sanctity.

May it not satisfy us, that by our meekness and quietness under reproaches, we engage God for us, who has promised, that he will with righteousness judge the poor, the poor in spirit, and will reprove with equity for the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:4)? He that has bid us to ope…

The power of religion is not only disliked and denied, but contradicted and condemned by those that rest in the form. They that call the evil, good, will call the good, evil (Isaiah 5:20); and it is not strange if they, who abandon themselves to work all uncleanness with greedin…

The sixth particular, in having God to be their portion, is the Rest that the foul has in God: The term of all motion is rest, every thing that moves, moves that it may have rest: Now here in this world the creature is altogether in motion, and especially man, because he is not…

He has such an absolute right, that you can call nothing your own. We think indeed, our lips are our own (Psalm 12:4), and our estates our own: as Nabal (1 Samuel 25:11), Shall I take my bread, and my water, and my flesh? All you have, it belongs to this king, by right of creati…

They do but no, as Plutarch said of Alcibiades. Their Lips do not drop as an Honey-comb, but run as a Spout; their speaking is Just like a Childs scribling, Psalm 12:2. They speak Vanity every one with his Neighbor.

And indeed we often see by God's just judgment that wicked men gain dominion over the good, and that on account of the iniquity of the ungodly the good are afflicted by them. An example of this is conspicuous in Job, and well known is the complaint of the prophet David in Psalm…

Your whole is God's, your spirit, your body, and every part; your wit, strength, hand, tongue, is all God's, and therefore he expects to be glorified by your tongue. They were rebels that said, (Psalm 12:4): Our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? There is nothing we have tha…

Now in our words we are said to lie two ways, assertorily or promissorily. (1.) Assertorily in a matter past or present, when one speaks that as false which he knows to be true; and that as true which he knows to be false; which is called speaking with a double heart in Scriptur…

Aristotle makes it the property of a servant to be one that cannot live as he would, that has no will of his own, but has given up himself to be commanded and directed by another, and sometimes contrary to his own inclination. They are rebels and not servants that said, our tong…

As Pharaoh said (Exodus 5:2), Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice? Or those rebels (Psalm 12:4), Our tongues are our own, who is Lord over us? We will speak and think and do what we please, and own no law but our own lusts.

See an instance in the wicked, whose ungodliness and rebellion against God comes from looking upon themselves as [reconstructed: their] own. (Psalm 12:21) "Who have said with our tongues will we prevail, our lips are our own, who is Lord over us." Their time their own, wealth th…

1. An acknowledgment of the debt, that man being God's creature is obliged to serve him; as he was not made by himself, so not for himself; and should no more cease from intending God as an end, than he can cease from depending on God as a principle. Now it is long ere we are br…

Would not have their lazy course upbraided and disgraced, by the seriousness and strictness of others: they malign what they cannot imitate. And it is carried on by their pride, or abuse of power: God counts it pride (Psalm 12:5): For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing…

A winnowing storm may be sent to this purpose; we think our faith and resolution strong, now God will try how we can stand alone. And partly to drive us to God — with you the fatherless find mercy (Hosea 14:3); (Psalm 60:11): Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of ma…

As I have endeavored before to clear the heart, so now to clear and cleanse the mouth, that as there might not be an evil thought in that, so not an evil word in this: persons too many are apt to think that words are but wind, things that they shall not account for, and therefor…

(1) It deposes the sovereignty of God, as much as in it lies; it will not that the King of Kings should be on the throne, and govern this world which he has made: it was by this instinct that Pharaoh said, who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know no…

I know not the Lord, nor will I let Israel go (Exodus 5:2). In the time of their prosperity see how the Jews turn their backs and shake off the authority of the Lord: we are Lords (say [illegible]) we will come no more at you (Jeremiah 2:31), and our tongues are our own — who sh…

Second characteristic: the sincere Christian serves God with the whole heart (Psalm 119:2). Hypocrites have a double heart (Psalm 12:2) — a heart for God and a heart for sin (Hosea 10:2). Their heart is divided.

It is a childish thing, as I said before, to restrict this to particular doings, whereas Christ speaks without exception, that not a sparrow of never so small a price does fall to the ground without the will of his Father (Matthew 10:29). Surely if the flying of birds be ruled b…

And Virtus sola & unica Nobilitas: virtue is the only true nobility. And the Scripture tells us, that the vilest men are exalted (Psalm 12:8), and that the most high rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men (Daniel 4:17)…

What makes them to cry out, Holy, holy, holy, etc.? Why, the prophet was now to be sent about this very business we have now in hand, he was to go to the people (verses 9, 10, 11), to make their hearts fat, and their ears heavy, lest they should be converted: God is proclaimed t…

Therefore, try and you may know whether ever the law had any kind of working upon your spirits or not. If we be such as stand upon our own freedom — "our tongues are our own and we will speak" (Psalms 12:4) — and we break the bonds and cast the cords from us (Psalms 2:2-3), if w…

Objection 1. The heart of man is deceitful above all things, who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9)? how then can the truth of any grace be discerned? Answer. In natural and wicked men, there is a double heart, whereby it comes to be deceitful: but the faithful have a single, simple, h…

Do you light my lamp, O you great Prophet of your church, give me a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, that I may see things in another manner than ever I saw them before. Teach me in the word to hear your voice, and in the Sacrament to discern your body (Psalms 13:3): Lighten my…

Such was Jonah's case: 'I am cast out of your sight' (Jonah 2:4) — that is, he could not get a sight of him; not one smile, not one glance or cast of his countenance, not a beam of comfort, and so thought himself cast out. And so he dealt with David often, and sometimes a long t…

It informeth us, that those that would apply themselves to God, must make mercy their only plea and claim: Returning sinners have this form put into their mouths (Hosea 14:2): Take away all iniquity, receive us graciously: Lord, we desire to be entertained by mercy, to have our…

Yes, although means be wanting, we give glory to God (Romans 4:10; 2 Kings 6:16). From hence cometh it, that we fear not in greatest dangers (2 Kings 6:16; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 27:3); that in the time of affliction, we are patient (Proverbs 20:22; Hebrews 10:33); without all murmuri…

Thus the Psalmist speaks of his love, as if it were unspeakable; Psalm 119:9[reconstructed: 7]. Oh [reconstructed: how love I] thy law! So he expresses a great degree of [reconstructed: hatred] of sin; Psalm 13[reconstructed: 9]:21, 22. Do I not hate them, O Lord, that hate Thee…

It pleases the Lord oftentimes to try, and exercise his people thi way, and make them cry, How long Lord, ho long? Psalm 13. 1, 2. These delayes both upon spiritual and temporal accounts are frequent, and when they befaus, we are too apt to interpret them as denyals and fall int…

Zion said, the Lord has forsaken me and my Lord has forgotten me, q. d. It's in vain to look for such a mercy, God has no regard to us, we are out of his heart and mind, he neither cares for us nor minds what becomes of us. So it was with David, after God had made him such a Pro…

The Targumists term it in the Chaldee tongue, [in non-Latin alphabet] to the same purpose. And it is mentioned by them, Psalm 13:5, that [in non-Latin alphabet], the evil figment say not I have ruled over him; instead of the enemy; for it is the chief enemy of men. Twice also it…

And the Apostle (1 Thessalonians 4:13): I would not have you ignorant concerning those which sleep, that is, concerning those who are dead. Lighten my eyes (says David) [reconstructed: lest] I sleep the sleep of death, or as the Hebrew, Lest I sleep death (Psalms 13:3). And henc…

4. The practice of the Saints says so much (Job 13:24). Therefore hidest you your face? Psalm 13:1. How long will you hide your face from me? 5. His shining is desirable; O send day light.

He endures the vessels of wrath with much long-suffering (Romans 9:22). While the gospel is administered in the world, he is patient toward the men of it — until the saints in heaven and earth are astonished and cry out 'How long?' (Psalm 13:1–2; Revelation 6:10) — and those men…

Because there is not so much as a word of it for the time (so the word is) this greatens, and fills the heart of man, and makes it big to do evil. And not only is the Lord's long suffering mistaken by the ungodly, but even by his own, that should understand him better, and know…

We mind our own interest more than God's honor. 3. A word of promise calls for faith and trust whatever contrariety appears in God's providence, God's word must bear up our hearts, it is as a pawn till the deliverance come: God's mercy is the same still, his word calls for trust…

2. It allays our sorrows, and makes us cheerful in the midst of all difficulties and discouragements. Psalm 13:5: I have trusted in your mercy, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. So, Psalm 52:8: I am like a green olive tree, for I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ev…

Psalm 6:3. "But you, O Lord, how long?" Psalm 13:1. "How long will you forget me, Lord, forever? how long will you hide your face from me?" So verse 2. "How long shall my enemies triumph over me?"

Jonah 2:4, I said I am cast out of your sight, yet I will look again toward your holy Temple. He cries out, how long? (Psalm 13:1). He deliberates with himself, and expostulates with God (Psalm 85:5, 6): will you be angry for ever?

When Haman's face was covered, he was near execution. Pray with David: lighten my eyes that I sleep not the sleep of death (Psalm 13:3). People who are sick think themselves well because of the haughtiness of their spirits.

Oh therefore keep your heart awake; let the judgments of God on sinners be as an alarm to awaken you. Make that prayer of David (Psalm 13:3): lighten my eyes, that I sleep not the sleep of death. Keep your heart jealous; towards others exercise charity, towards yourself jealousy.

(6.) It is a word of near adherence [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] to lean firmly upon any with hope of security (2 Kings 18:5): have you leaned upon this reed? (Hosea 10:13; Psalm 13:6; Psalm 31:7; Deuteronomy 12:10): you shall dwell safely, confidently; it places the soul under t…

Hence there is a holy chiding with God (Psalm 22:2). O my God, I cry in the day time, and you hear not, and in the night season, and am not silent (Psalm 13:1). How long will you forget me, (O Lord) for ever? How long will you hide your face from me?

So that there is a necessity of having God for our God, unless we intend to be eternally espoused to misery. Use 1. If we must have one God, and the Lord Jehovah for our God, it condemns the atheist who has no God (Psalm 14:1): The fool has said in his heart there is no God. The…

He that says there is no God, is the wickedest creature that is, he is worse than a thief, who does but take away our goods from us, but the atheist would take away our God from us: (John 20) They have taken away my Lord. So we may say of atheists, they would take away our God f…

When a man commits a sin he is the Devil's lackey, and runs on his errand, they who serve Satan have such a bad master, that they will be afraid to receive their wages. 7. Sin is an unsavory thing (Psalm 14:3). They are altogether become filthy, in the Hebrew, neelachu — they ar…

Q. What may be thought of those accusations, and terrors of conscience, that sometimes are found in men, upon the committing of heinous sins, though known to no man living, but to the sinner himself? A. This also is another testimony that there is a God, before whose judgment se…

(1) A full purpose of heart for the relinquishment of every sin. This is cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23; Psalm 14:3). To manifest the stability and steadfastness which is required herein, David confirmed it with an oath (Psalm 119:106).

And this is the commendation of it, that it makes no delays but brings forth in its proper time and season, when its owners and tillers have just ground and reason to expect and look for it. And it is an especial commendation of any thing that bears fruit; and what is out of sea…

1 Corinthians 1:2. To them that are sanctified by Jesus Christ, saints by calling, with all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And contrariwise, Psalms 14:4. it is made one of the properties of an Atheist, Never to call on the name of God. And such persons as neithe…

Nothing is more conducible to beget a trust, than distinct thoughts and conceptions of God's Mercy. Let us take notice of some places where 'tis set forth: See Psalm 103:8, The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy: the expression is diversified; a…

The mariners in Jonah implored his mercy in their distress at sea, yet they generally attributed affairs to blind chance, and worshipped Fortune as a deity. For this vain conceit, the Psalmist calls the atheist fool (Psalm 14:1): "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.…

(Acts 9:14) He has authority to bind all that call on your name; (1 Corinthians 1:2) to them that are sanctified by Jesus Christ, saints by calling, with all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And contrariwise, (Psalm 14:4) it is made one of the properties of an ath…

'Tis abundantly represented in Scripture as the spirit and character of all true saints, that they set their hearts upon, love, long, wait and pray for the promised glory of that day; they are spoken of as those that prefer Jerusalem to their chief joy (Psalm 137:6), that take p…

In this we should delight and grow as the chiefest knowledge (Jeremiah 9:23, 24). Here is forbidden, first atheism, to persuade our heart there is no such true God in heaven (Psalm 14:1; Exodus 5:2); mockers of him and his works (2 Peter 3:4, 5, etc.); those that oppose themselv…

Indeed, the law was a severer teacher to awe the saints, in regard of the outward dispensation of ceremonies and legal strictness, keeping men as criminals in close prison until Christ should come. But imputation of Christ's righteousness, and blessedness in the pardon of sin, a…

(Genesis 21:6) All that hear shall laugh with me — Sarah means the laughter of faith; then must all that hear of Sarah's bearing of Isaac in her old age, believe in Christ, as Sarah did? (Psalm 65:2) O you that hears prayer, to you shall all flesh come — a figure there must be i…

When he looked on it altogether, behold it was exceeding good; but afterwards man, the ungrateful part of the creation, though the masterpiece of it, in this visible and lower world, fell from God his Creator, and preferred the creature before him, to his loss and ruin; then God…

They that have no worship, are as if they had no God. The Psalmist proves atheism by that (Psalm 14:1): The fool has said in his heart there is no God, and verse 4, They call not upon God. The acknowledgement of a king does imply subjection to his laws; so does the acknowledgmen…

Thirdly, here we see that true and spiritual invocation of God, is a mark of the Church of God: because it is a fruit of the spirit of God in them that are the children of God. And by this the people of God are noted (Acts 9:14; 1 Corinthians 1:2), and on the contrary, it is the…

For the word way, is taken for their estate or reasons; and hidden, is taken for contemned or unknown: because if God withholds his help but a little, we straightway think that his providence reaches not to us. Some expound it otherwise; to wit, that the people are here reproved…

Now in the next place the Prophet adds joy and gladness, whereby he signifies, that there shall be such a wonderful change, that the Church shall mourn nor lament no more: for while she was oppressed under so heavy a bondage, there was nothing heard but sighs and groans, but bei…

Thus then the Prophet shows in what estate we are, till we be regenerated by Christ: for all are wrapped up in the same condemnation: there is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understands, there is none that seeks God. They have all gone out of the way, they are al…

Those who are ill at ease, who have an inward struggle, whether God is favorable or hostile to them, whether he accepts or rejects their services,—in a word, who fluctuate in uncertainty between hope and fear, will sometimes labor anxiously in the worship of God, but never will…

It's true, if God have a purpose to destroy a man, he may for a time suffer him to succeed and prosper in his sin, for his greater hardening, Job 12:6 But it is not so with those whom the Lord loves; their sinful shits shall never thrive with them. The world prohibits your trust…

Such was he (1 Samuel 25:25): Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; that proper name is the same with the Appellative here, that's the Masculine, this the Feminine, You speak like a Nabalesse. We find the word often used elsewhere to signify wicked, worthless and vile person…

There is a vast difference between (thus says the Prophet by the Lord) and (thus says the man) and therefore where are we when our righteousness does not exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees? The devils believe there is one God, and they do well (James 2:19), an…

John 6:44, No man can come to me, except the Father draw him; and that is a most wicked shift of him who married a wife (Luke 14:20), therefore I cannot come; we excuse such wicked weakness with this, God help us, we cannot without his grace do better. 3. The very sinful habit a…

2. When a soul can live contentedly and joyfully and wants God, and lives fat and rejoicingly 60 or 70 years without Christ, and never missed Christ; how few know this sickness? Especially 1. The pain of hunger and thirst which is destructive to life; the fruitful earth's diseas…

He who shows mercy on whom he will, and hardens whom he will, and that by a strong mighty will which no man can resist, he can find fault with no man, though he sin and harden his own heart; for his absolute sovereign will is far above me and my strength; but so does the Lord, s…

The glorious and blessed God the great Creator and benefactor of the universe, that does good to all, and whose tender mercies are over all his works, even he is everywhere spoken against. Some deny his being: though his existence be so necessary, so evident, that if he be not,…

What those previous dispositions are and how far they go, and where is the boundary, or point of difference between them and the infusion of spiritual life, I conceive not so easily determinable. If naturalists and physicians cannot agree upon the order of [reconstructed: format…

There is a kind of being, a life that the soul has by a peculiar union with God, and therefore in that sense the soul without God is dead, as the body is without the soul (Ephesians 2:1). Indeed as the body separated from the soul is not only a lifeless lump, but putrefies, and…

Now thus to live in sin, is called to be dead in it, because in that condition man is indeed dead in respect of that divine life of the soul, that happy being which it should have in union with God, for which it was made, and without which it had better not be at all: for that l…

Christ sacrificed for us, and that only powerful to take away sin; but our gratulatory sacrifices, praise and alms are as incense burnt to God, of which as the bystanders find the sweet smell so the holy life of a Christian, smell sweet to those with whom they live, but the wick…

The Apostle, when he would describe the Ephesians by their unconverted state, describes it thus; (Ephesians 2:12). That they lived without God in the world, when God is not owned and called upon; and unless the restraints of men, the law of common education, and custom of nation…

It is one of the accusations brought against natural men, and is an aggravation of their sin. (Psalm 14:1) They do not call upon God. (Romans 3:10) it is applied to natural men.

Jeremiah 10:15. Pour out your fury upon the heathen that know you not, and upon the families that call not upon your name, for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, &c. Psalm 14:4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as the…

Though the Wicked are high in dignity and worldly grandure, yet God slights them. A dunghil may be higher than other ground, but it sends forth noisom Vapours: Psalm 14:3. They are altogether become filthy.

When men restrain prayer, they cast off the Fear of God. It is the brand set upon a Reprobate, Psalm 14:4. He calls not upon God.

O the Mischief of Thoughts! A man may Deny God in his Thoughts, Psalm 14:1. The Fool has said in his Heart there is no God.

So long as men lie unconverted, they are wholly neglectful of him, and think they do not want God. Psalm 14:2. There is none that understands and seeks after God. They have no affection or desire of communion with God.

God is the cause of all things, and nature cannot be satisfied without him. We were made for God, and can never enjoy satisfaction until we come to enjoy him, therefore the Psalmist says (Psalm 14:2), We are all gone aside, and altogether become filthy. Nature is out of joint, w…

Doctrine 2. Divine teaching is necessary for all those that would walk in the way of God's statutes. 1. We have lost our way to true happiness, Adam lost it, and all mankind in him, ever since we have been wandering up and down (Psalm 14:3): They are all gone aside, that is, gon…

Man has reason, but to guide it to a spiritual use, that is above his power. The Psalmist complains of all natural men, There is none that understands, none that does good, to no one (Psalm 14:2) and (Romans 3:11): There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after G…

It is not enough to grant the doctrine, own the opinions that are sound and orthodox concerning God, but we must have a reverential and superlative esteem of him. All men confess a God with their mouth, and think they believe in him, but the fool has said in his heart there is n…

The beasts were made to glorify him in their kind, but man to enjoy him. This is my end, to seek after God, to please him, to serve him; (Psalm 14:2) the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. God that ha…

Proverbs 3:34: He scorns the scorners: but gives grace to the lowly. Psalm 14:6: You have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge; that is, mocked at a man, because he is resolved to trust in the Lord, laughed at those that made conscience of their duty; t…

1 Sin has darkened man's understanding: poor man is wise to do evil, but to do good has no knowledge (Jeremiah 4:22); indeed there is none that understands (namely, as, and what he ought) (Romans 3:11). All the workers of iniquity have no knowledge (Psalm 14:4). Poor man is cove…

If they think it evil, why do they but think it so? It is only because they are ashamed of it, that any body should know what they think, as (Psalm 14:1) the fool has said in his heart, there is no God: It seems he had not the hardiness nor heart to say it with his mouth; he whi…

1. Then the sinfulness of sin not only appears by, but consists in this, that it is contrary to God, yes, contrariety and enmity itself in the very abstract: Carnal men, or sinners, are called by the name of enemies to God (Romans 5:8, 10; Colossians 1:21), but the carnal mind o…

Many persons that seem to be modest and sparing as to evil words and deeds, will yet make bold with thoughts, and (as the saying is) pay it with thinking; such as are speculative, contemplative sinners. There are some who are so wise as not to say with their tongues, yet such fo…

3. Though spiritual gifts are necessary to make melody to the Lord in singing; yet spiritual gifts are neither the only, nor chief ground of singing; but the chief ground thereof is the moral duty lying upon all men by the Commandment of God; If any be merry to sing Psalms (Jame…

Pythagoras being asked what made men like God? answered, Cum vera loquuntur, when they speak truth. It is the note of a man that shall go to heaven (Psalm 15:2). He speaks the truth from his heart.

And as it is a sin against this commandment to raise a false report of another, so it is a sin to receive a false report before we have examined it. Lord, who shall dwell in your holy hill? Quis ad Coelum? (Psalm 15:1). He that backbites not, nor takes up a reproach against his…

Whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them. First, take heed of a deceitful tongue in selling: The Scripture makes it the character of one that goes to Heaven (Psalm 15:2). He speaks the truth from his heart.

And as these are all distinct in themselves, having several formal reasons of them, so they all concur to complete that effectual vocation or calling that is required to constitute persons members of the Church. For besides that this is signified by the typical holiness of the C…

Q. What is the sum of the ninth commandment? A. Truth in speeches, promises, and our dealings among men; and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9, 10; Psalms 15:2; Micah 6:12; Psalms 12:2). Q. What is the sum of the tenth command…

But that Condition God would have concealed, because it would not have been for the good of the Ninevites to have known it; since the concealing of it caused them more speedily, and earnestly to repent. But out of these cases, a man (being called to speak) must declare the whole…

Men are deceived that let their children be the devil's slaves here, and think to have them free in heaven; let us then bind our children prentices to God, that is, make them his servants here: then assuredly, as in their repentance and regeneration here, they are born free-men…

Joshua knowing this bond of the spies to Rahab (as we may read) gives special charge for her preservation. Hence David says, If a man bind himself with an oath, he must keep it, though it be to his own hindrance, Psalm 15.4. Every single promise binds a man's conscience, if it b…

Job gives testimony to his faith herein (Job 19:25, 26). So does David also (Psalm 15:17), and in sundry other places. And Isaiah is express to the same purpose (Isaiah 26:19): "Your dead shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise: awake and sing, you that dwell in…

Remember David, he ventured presumptuously on sin, and what got he? He lost his peace, he felt the terrors of the Almighty in his soul: Though he had all helps to cheerfulness, he was a King, he was of a ruddy sanguine complexion, he had skill in Music, yet nothing could adminis…

And is not truth banished out of our coasts, considering that for gains and outward commodities men make no bones of glossing and dissembling? But alas, the practice is damnable, and the contrary is the fruit of the Holy Ghost, namely to speak the truth from the heart, and he wh…

Indeed in one sense God's love to Christ and believers is not alike; for Christ is loved purely for his own sake, but believers are loved for Christ's sake; yet in another sense God the Father loves believers as he loves Christ: it is the same love for the quality, the same for…

Your eyes shall see the land that is very far off (Isaiah 33:17). Jerusalem also was a type of the Church, and of Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26; Revelation 21:2), and so the Temple (Psalms 15:1), and it was a type also of Christ's body (John 2:21; Colossians 2:9). Hence some h…

Fourthly, truth is a fruit of God's spirit (Galatians 5), and a mark of God's child (Psalm 32:2): he has the pardon of his sins in whose spirit there is no guile. And (Psalm 15:2) he shall rest in the mountain of God, who speaks the truth from his heart. Lastly, destruction is t…

This vice the law of God expressly forbids (Leviticus 19:16). And it is the property of a good man, not to take up a false report (Psalm 15). And David reproves [reconstructed: Saul] because he did but lend the ear to tale-bearers saying, why do you give ear to men's words that…

In this we see the fashion of the world; which is to raise rumors, reports, and slanders of all persons, especially upon Magistrates and Ministers, and that upon every light and unjust occasion. But good men will take no such occasions of raising reports (Psalm 15:3). But how di…

For although there are many hypocrites full of iniquity, mingled in the Church with the elect of God; yet notwithstanding they are like to the Ishmaelites, whom God will drive out from there when his time is. To this purpose we are to note that which is said in (Psalm 15:2 and 2…

—Keep your Tongue from Evil, and your Lips from speaking Guile; depart from Evil, and do Good, seek Peace, and pursue it.' Psalm 15 at the Beginning, etc. 'Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle?

He is our Rock and his work is perfect. A good man, if he want not power, will go through with his serious promises though he be engaged to his own hurt (Psalm 15:4). The power of the mighty God is serviceable to his will to the utmost.

1. Uprightness of words. 2. Of works; so upright walking is expounded and branched forth (Psalm 15:2-3): He that walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart. He that does not backbite with his tongue.

After this manner has he also thrown his only beloved son Jesus Christ in the depth of all misery, and evidently declared his seeing, work, help, nature, counsel and will, that it might [illegible] to what intent he suffers it to [illegible]. Therefore remains in Christ such not…

2. It's pleasant and delightsome for its manner, like a sweet, comely and pleasant voice, opposite to some kind of voices that are harsh and unpleasant; it's by prudence and love sweetened, and made savory, and therefore is said in Scripture to be seasoned with salt (Colossians…

Thus we have the ways of holiness called ways of righteousness (Psalms 23:3). And the works of holiness, work of righteousness (Psalms 15:2; Isaiah 64:2, etc.). This evangelical perfection is attainable in this life, and indeed is attained by every sincere and upright Christian.

Indeed, in all our bargains and agreements, though they be never so much to your own prejudice, you are bound to stand to them, unless the other will voluntarily release you from the obligation. For this is one of the characters given of a godly person (Psalm 15:4): he that swea…

It is an expression of Cleopatra to Marcus Antonius, It is not for you to be fishing for Gudgeons, but for Towns, and Forts, and Castles: And so those that are acquainted with the ways of godliness, it is not for them to be trading for poor things, but for eternal life, glory an…

And this is a piece of men's natural perverseness to drink in tales and calumnies, and he that does this will readily from the delight he has in hearing slide insensibly into the habit of evil speaking; and it is strange how the most dispense with themselves in this point, and t…

For not all who have the outward sign and profess themselves to be the church of God are in fact such. As the prophet says in Psalms 15 and 24, that many come into the church and offer sacrifices to God with the faithful, who nevertheless will not abide in God's house. But, he s…

Well therefore Samuel admonishes the people not to persuade themselves that it is enough to obtain God's grace to be reckoned in His people, and to have the sign of circumcision, which to them was then what to us today is baptism: but rather that they should follow the Lord. For…

It is hard to say which is worse, railing or receiving. Psalm 15:3: when an inhabitant of Zion is described, it is said, he that receives not a report, and takes it not up against his neighbor. So (Proverbs 17:14): a wicked doer gives heed to false lips, and a liar gives ear to…

He is a slanderer that wrongs his neighbor's credit, by upholding an evil report against a man. It is hard to say which is worse, railing, or receiving (Psalm 15:3). A Citizen of Zion is described to be one that takes not up a reproach against his neighbor, and you shall see on…

If they think you fools for preferring Heaven before inconsiderable vanities, remember they can no more judge of these things than a blind man of colors. 7. If some dishonor, others will honor us who are better able to judge; (Psalm 15:4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned…

That is, his love and kindness was towards the godly, esteeming them more excellent and precious how mean soever in condition, above the ungodly world how great soever their rank and quality be, and taking pleasure in their society; them he valued, and them he esteemed above all…

If you tell me, it's the custom of the city and all the world, I ask you, whether that will answer God, and make it no sin? 5. Take heed of breaking bargains and covenants, when you perceive you can buy cheaper of, or sell dearer to another: I am almost afraid that this practica…

Are they rich men, or great men, or learned men? If they be adorned with grace in their souls, then are they excellent indeed: but if not, God in His Word calls them vile persons (Psalm 15:4). That Antiochus whose admirers gave him the name of Epiphanes, as if he had been an ill…

There is a contrariety and natural enmity between the two seeds; between the children of the world, and those whom the Father in his eternal love has chosen out of the world. It is likeness which is the great ground of love; now there is the highest dissimilitude and unlikeness…

Leviticus 19:16: You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people. A good man does not evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor (Psalm 15:3). We must not only not raise a false report, but not take it up.

First, by prizing their persons above others. He who is born of God honors those who fear the Lord (Psalm 15:4). The saints are the dearly beloved of God's soul (Jeremiah 12:7).

It appears by scripture; the scripture knows no other way to happiness but practice. Psalm 15, final verse: he that does these things shall never be moved. It is Calvin's gloss upon the words: the Psalmist does not say he that knows these things shall never perish, but he that d…

Then is love right and genuine, when we can rejoice in the graces of others, though they seem to eclipse ours. 4 Love to the Saints must be appreciating, we must esteem their persons above others, Psalm 15. 4. He honors them that fear the Lord:

But let us again keep this in mind, that the accomplishment of the mercy of God hangs not upon the works of the faithful: but that he therefore fulfills the promise of salvation to them which answer to their calling in uprightness of life, because in them he acknowledges the nat…

For, that general calling is also common to the wicked: but this special calling brings with it the Spirit of regeneration, which is the earnest and seal of the inheritance to come, with which our hearts are sealed up against the day of the Lord. In sum, since hypocrites boast o…

Secondly, he which takes an oath, tendered by the Magistrate, must swear according to the mind and meaning of the Magistrate who exacts the oath, and not according to his own private intent. Thirdly, he must not swear ambiguously, but in a simple sense, so as the words of his mo…

Of Justice. Psalm 15:2. He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness. The substance of the whole Psalm is a question, and an answer.

Much more are these things required in swearing, wherein God is called to be witness of the truth of those things which are asserted. (2) Because the Lord threatens such as use guile and deceit in their words (Psalm 15:4; Psalm 24:4; Galatians 2:11-13). (3) Because the Lord requ…

Do we believe the Bible to be the Word of God? and can we allow our selves in the common practice of a sin, than which there is hardly any fault of men's lives more frequently mentioned, more severely reproved, and more odiously branded in that holy book. Consider seriously thes…

The garland made of flowers of Paradise fades not (1 Peter 5:4). I have read of a river which they call the Day-River, in which time it runs with a full torrent, but at night it is dried up; such are all earthly comforts, they run with a full stream all the daytime of life, but…

The things which are not seen are eternal. Psalm 16:11: At your right hand are pleasures for evermore. Who can span eternity?

If there be but one God, then let us take heed of setting up more gods than one. Psalm 16:4: Their sorrows shall be multiplied, that hasten after another God: their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. God is a jealous God, and he will…

O how rich are they who have the infinite God for their portion! Well might David say, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage (Psalms 16:5). We may go with the bee from flower to flower, but we shall…

When grace is crowning it is not so much to be content, but when grace is conflicting with inconveniences, then to be content is a glorious thing indeed: for one to be content when he is in heaven, is no wonder, but to be content under the cross, is like a Christian. This man mu…

A man that has assurance has enough: in one Savior all the gems needed for salvation flourish. He has the riches of Christ's merit, of his love, an earnest of his glory, he is filled with the fullness of God — here is enough, and having enough he is content (Psalm 16:5): The Lor…

In the chief good, there must be first delectability, it must have something that is delicious and sweet: and where can we suck those pure quintessential comforts which ravish us with delight, but in God? In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima, imo rapitur; at God's right hand…

5. To make God to be a God to us, is to fear him (Deuteronomy 28:58): That you may fear this glorious and fearful name, the Lord your God. This fearing of God is, 1. To have God always in our eye (Psalm 16:8): I have set the Lord always before me. And (Psalm 25:15): My eyes are…

2. There is but one omnipotent power. If there be two omnipotents, then we must always suppose a contest between these two; that which one would do, the other power being equal would oppose, and so all things would be brought into a confusion. If a ship should have two pilots of…

Better lose our seeing than our hearing, for faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). To have an ear open to God, is the best jewel on the ear. 4. The tongue. David calls the tongue his glory (Psalm 16:9). because it is an instrument to set forth the glory of God: the soul at firs…

Sixthly, the saints shall be fully crowned with the enjoyment of God forever. They shall be in his sweet presence, in whose presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). And this shall be forever.

An eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). The saints shall bathe themselves in the rivers of divine pleasure; and these rivers can never be dried up (Psalm 16:11). At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Sic vivendum est tanquam in conspectu, Seneca. Let us set David's prospect before our eye (Psalm 16:8). I have set the Lord always before me. Seneca counseled Lucilius, that whatever he was doing, he should imagine some of the Roman Worthies beheld him, and then he would do noth…

This is a sin that enrages God, and makes the fury come up in his face (Ezekiel 38:18). Search through the whole book of God, and you shall find no sin God has followed with more plagues, than idolatry (Psalm 16:4). Their sorrows shall be multiplied, that hasten after another Go…

I will write my name upon him, as the son bears his father's name: What an honor and dignity is this. 2. God confers honorable titles upon his children: 1. He calls them the excellent of the earth (Psalm 16:2), or the magnificent, as Junius renders it. They must needs be excelle…

There is all that is truly glorious, transparent light, perfect love, unstained honor, unmixed joy; and that which crowns the joy of the celestial paradise, is eternity. Suppose earthly kingdoms were more glorious than they are, their foundations of gold, their walls of pearl, t…

Faith makes God our portion, and so in him we have enough. Psalm 16:5: The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a goodly heritage. Faith by a divine chemistry extracts its chief comforts out of God.

The real belief of a deity gives life to all religious worship: the more we believe the truth and infiniteness of God, the more holy and angelic we are in our lives. Whether we are alone or in company God sees us; he is [illegible], the heart-searcher; the belief of this would m…

They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom, lose God's sweet presence, the ravishing views and smiles of God's glorious face. God's presence is the diamond in the ring of glory; (Psalm 16:11) In his presence is fullness of joy. If God be the fountain of all bliss, then to be separated f…

2. The holy unction, God has anointed us with the graces of his Spirit: grace is a seed of God, a blossom of eternity; the graces are [illegible], Damascen, the impressions of the divine nature, stars to enlighten us, spices to perfume us, diamonds to enrich us; and if God has a…

Secondly, he had also a respect herein to his creatures; for, he made that heaven, therein to reveal his majesty and glory to his reasonable creatures, Angels and Men: and (by showing them his glory) to glorify them. For in God's presence is the fullness of joy, Psalm 16 last ve…

The same also was David's practice. Psalm 16:3, All my delight (says he) is in the Saints that dwell on the earth. This fruit of Moses' faith, does discover unto us a grievous fault, which reigns in this age; to wit, the neglect and contempt of the communion and society of Saint…

This love in the first place acts itself by valuation, esteem, and delight. So the Psalmist affirms, that all his delight was in the saints and in the excellent in the earth (Psalm 16:3). The Apostle carries this to the height in that instance, wherein we ought to lay down our l…

He is, or was to be, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Sanctus, Holy, that is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. For, (Acts 2:22) [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] is rendered [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], your Holy one: from Psalm 16:10. And the Lord Christ is there said to be [〈 in non-Latin al…

For (1) they are not so, as though he stood in any need of them to his glory. Our goodness extends not to him (Psalm 16:2). It does not so, as though he had need of it, or put any value on it for its own sake.

(1) A forgetting the things that are behind, contrary to a resting in present attainments, as they did (Revelation 3:17), who had enough, and need of nothing: as a man that runs in a race, he minds not what is behind him: and when a man forgets the things that are behind him, he…

Now follow the consolations: first this very point of God's special providence is a great comfort to God's church: for the Lord moderates the rage of the devil and wicked men, that they shall not hurt the people of God. David says, The Lord is at my right hand, therefore I shall…

Your joy no man takes from you. Divine joy is but begun in this life, it is perfected in glory; here is but the tuning of the instrument, the sweet consort is reserved for heaven; here the saints do but sip of the cup, there they shall drink of the rivers of divine pleasure for…

Now God is the supreme object of love, and other things are loved for God's sake, because of that of God which we find in them: as his Word, which is the copy of his holiness; his engraved image; as the coin bears the image of the Prince; so 'tis said (Psalm 119:47), I will deli…

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked — Jeremiah 17:9. O it is as necessary as it is sweet, that we and our inner thoughts confer together every night — Psalm 16:7. We should call our hearts to account every evening and say: 'O my heart, where have you b…

There is no acceptance but in Christ. But Christ has said concerning Idolatrous worship, I will not pour out their Oblations, that is, I will not be a Mediator to their Services (Psalm 16:4). 4. It will in time justle out God's true worship, His Institutions will be laid aside,…

When Christ has summed up all together, he has attained his end. And to what purpose then can we imagine God should continue the world any longer; for his delight is not simply in the world, but in the saints there (Psalm 16:3). But to the saints that are in the earth, in whom i…

First, because the Lord is their inheritance: secondly, because they are the Lord's inheritance. Now both these reasons do agree to all the faithful people of God: for there is none of the faithful, who may not say with David (Psalm 16:5), The Lord is the portion of my inheritan…

Yes, although means be wanting, we give glory to God (Romans 4:10; 2 Kings 6:16). From hence cometh it, that we fear not in greatest dangers (2 Kings 6:16; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 27:3); that in the time of affliction, we are patient (Proverbs 20:22; Hebrews 10:33); without all murmuri…

Also men's traditions and ceremonies brought into the church, not being to edifying, nor for comeliness, nor for order, &c. (1 Corinthians 14:10; Matthew 15:8). Secondly, in this commandment other sorts of particulars are forbidden, as all means, occasions, or appurtenances of i…

Use 3. The third Use serves to humble believers who have anything of the work of grace, and so, to work them up to thankfulness to Him that has imparted aught of it to them: Is there any of you that have grace, who has made you to differ from others? It was not yourselves but fr…

This will be clear if we consider these things. 1. The person that suffered — he was not an ordinary, or rather not a mere man, but God-man; as is clear (Acts 2:27), cited out of (Psalm 16), where it is said, You will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy…

Secondly, observe that the Messiah had to come to the grave and be buried; it was so designed, foretold, and prophesied of him: 'He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.' Hence the Apostle (Acts 2:30, citing Psalm 16:8) gathers that as there was a neces…

Though by being man He became of no reputation, and a veil was drawn over the declarative glory of the Godhead in His person for a time, yet He remained still the Son of God, and glorious in Himself, and it cannot be but He that is God must be glorious in His exaltation, when th…

Answer: If this were presumption, then all we have said of the warrant of the Gospel to believe is to no purpose; Christ never counted it presumption to desire and endeavor in His own way to believe on Him for attaining of life through Him; to desire heaven and peace with God, a…

He was not as man in his intellect, wise, or desirous to be wise (as Adam and Eve, and men now are taken with the disease of curiosity) above what was fit: so neither were his affections above banks; he saw the blackest and darkest hour that ever any saw; suppose all the sufferi…

No danger of sunburning or summer-scorching, or winter-blasting: all morning without twilight, all noon-day without one cloud for eternity, is joyful: light, and day, and summer, flowing immediately from the Lamb, is admirable. 10. (1) Joy, (2) full joy, (3) fullness of joy, (4)…

Yet Antinomians are not ashamed to pretend Calvin's name and authority for their opinion, when Calvin in a learned Treatise refuting the Libertines of his time does clearly condemn the Antinomians of our time, and proves from the necessity of sanctification that we are not freed…

In the other Prophets you shall find Christ still comforting himself against his condemnation at his death, with the thoughts of his Resurrection which he foresaw as shortly to follow after it; as here in Isaiah he comforts himself with these hopes of his being justified after t…

Moreover, let me add this, that although the Spirit rested on him here without measure in comparison of us; yet it may be safely said, that the Spirit in respect of his effects in gifts of grace and glory, rests more abundantly on him in heaven, than he did on earth, even in the…

Our hearts should be shut up against the thoughts of any other thing, and confined only to the object to whom we direct our worship. I reason thus, if a Christian foresees the Lord before him in all his ways, and keeps always as in his eye and presence, surely he should set the…

This which the disciples had, was but a little glimpse, and taste of the life to come. This must needs be so; it is called joy (Matthew 25:21): Enter you into the joy of your Lord, and fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11): In your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand t…

The second action of the spirit is to engender good motions, cogitations, and inclinations, agreeable to the will of God. Thus David says that his reins did teach him in the night season (Psalm 16). And the prophet Isaiah says, your ear shall hear a voice saying, here is the way…

The rest are bastards and not sons, they are (it may be) in the house, but not of the house: for true saving faith, does characterize those that are of the family of faith; even as fanatical dreams, fantastical opinions, allegorizing of the literal sense of the scripture, denyin…

And yet no doubt but the Prophet alludes to that place of Moses, by whose mouth God had promised to be the lot and portion of his people, that they might content themselves with him alone. According to which also David says, The Lord is my portion and my inheritance (Psalm 16:5)…

One that is deformed may look on beauty, and not be made beautiful. But the saints that so see God, as that sight shall transform them into his likeness (Psalm 17:15): When I awake I shall be satisfied with your likeness. Not that the saints shall partake of God's essence; for a…

3. God is a satisfying good. The soul cries out, I have enough (Psalm 17:15). I shall be satisfied with your likeness; a man that is thirsty, bring him to the ocean, and he has enough.

O engage God's power to help us to persevere; we engage his power by prayer. Let us pray to him to keep us (Psalm 17:5). Hold up my goings in your paths that my footsteps slip not.

In this life we do rather desire God than enjoy him: but what rich mercy will it be, to be fully possessed of God, to see his smiling face, and to have God lay us in his bosom? This will fill us with joy unspeakable, and full of glory (Psalm 17:15): I shall be satisfied, when I…

Who would have thought that Haman, who was so great in the king's favor, He set his seat above all the princes of the provinces, (Esther 3:1) yet for want of the bowing of a knee, he was dissatisfied; but in the kingdom of Heaven we shall be freed from these dissatisfactions. Th…

Suppose earthly kingdoms were more glorious than they are, their foundations of gold, their walls of pearl, their windows of sapphire, yet they are corruptible: but the kingdom of heaven is eternal, those rivers of pleasure run for evermore (Psalm 16:11). And that wherein the es…

Alas, if David and Peter who had a habit of grace, fell, for want of a fresh gale of the Spirit to hold them up, much more will they be in danger of falling, who have only the power of free will to hold them. Let us therefore sue to God for strength to keep us from sinning; pray…

So Christians must not be so in love with this world, as to forget or neglect the world to come. If they do, they are unworthy of it, and show themselves not strangers, as Abraham here was; but men of this world, who have their portion in this life, Psalm 17.14. In performing th…

Meditate on it often, meditation is a temperate ecstasy, a survey of the land of promise, God bids Abraham take a view of Canaan (Genesis 13:14, 15). Surely the more we lift up our thoughts in the contemplation of this blessed estate, the more lively will our hopes be, if every…

Did God take care for hirelings, when their work was done not to stay any space of time, no not a night, and does he not fulfill this himself to his sons that serve him? Surely yes: he defers not, nor puts them off to the morning of the resurrection, as the Psalmist elegantly ca…

Children and all other relations are but common blessings, which God indifferently bestows upon his friends and enemies, and by the having or losing of them, no man knows either love or hatred. It is said of the wicked (Psalm 17:14), that they are full of children; indeed, and o…

2. God is just in that wherein the question supposes him unjust, he suffers wicked men to continue to be the plagues of the places where they live, and the executioners of his justice upon offenders against him. (Psalm 17:13) The wicked are God's sword. (Jeremiah 47:6) Those tha…

With many Additions in every Page, marked with the letter A. Five Books of Mr Jer. Burroughs lately published: As also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded, namely: - 1. The rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, on Philippians 4:11. Wherein is shewed: 1 What Conten…

This Spirit is the genius, the nature, and disposition of the world (1 John 2:16) and is all for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; and these be the world's all things. Such a soul knows not the white stone, and the new name, nor can he smell the…

3. The perfection of all heavenly gifts both in soul and body. (1.) In soul — that is the heaven of Heaven (1 John 3:2): Now are we the sons of God, but it does not yet appear what we shall be, but this we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him…

By whom? Even by God the righteous judge, who as he will utter their false accusations and slanders, so will he reveal the righteousness of the godly like the noon day, as it is said, (Psalm 17). This clause: in himself (to touch this also by the way) must so be understood that…

There is an elegant metaphor in the word ἐπισκιάσει, overshadow. The power of God, by which he guards and protects his own people, is frequently compared in Scripture to a shadow, (Psalm 17:8; 57:1; 91:1.) But it appears to have another and peculiar meaning in this passage.

The children of this world never think themselves safe, but when they fiercely revenge the injuries that are done them, and defend their life by the “weapons of war,” (Ezekiel 32:27.) But as we must believe, that Christ alone is the guardian of our life, all that remains for us…

It is not so much the possession that Providence gives us of such or such comforts, as the goodness and kindness of God in the dispensing of them, that engages a gracious soul to praise, Psalm 63:3 Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. To gi…

But God shall appease him, and say to him, The Son of your Son sits at my right hand, and I am at your right hand, as it is written, Your loving kindness shall increase me. And so on Psalm 17. Rabbi Joden in the name of R. Chijah, [in non-Latin alphabet], The holy blessed God sh…

Sometimes likewise it is called God's hands, when it is the hand of a creature, it is God's hand in a creature's hand; God's hand when it is the hand of wicked men, God's hand when it is Satan's hand. So that place is translated (Psalm 17:14), Deliver my soul from the wicked whi…

By lions and leopards, we understand covetous, worldly men, who pursue the world to the destruction of themselves and others; so they are often called in Scripture (Psalm 57:4, etc.): 1. For their devouring, insatiable nature, that can never have enough, but always prey on other…

10. Consider yet further, treasures of glory are proportioned to treasures of grace in the heart: it is true, they that have least glory in Heaven shall want none, yet withal, it is very likely there shall be degrees of happiness, and they that have had most grace shall have mos…

But in this perfect state they are able to behold and delight in this glory constantly, with eternal satisfaction. But as for me (says David) I will behold your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake, with your likeness (Psalm 17:15). It is Christ alone, who is…

When the undutiful rebellious son (in a story that I once read) dragged his father by the hair of the head to the house door, it qualified the anger of the old man, to remember, that just so far he had dragged his father; as it seems to have silenced Adonibezek, that he was now…

Says Christ, Father, I will, that those which you hast given me, be where I am, that is a blessing; but in Rev. 22:4 it is said, They shall see his face, and that is more, They shall know as they are known, 1 Cor. 13:12 It is the promise of the pure in heart, that they shall see…

And 1 Corinthians 3:22. All things are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Another Argument is, That God gives these Temporal Things to those he never gave his Christ to, and therefore there is no great matter in them: Indeed, to those, which in a little while, are…

What of men's speech is not manifestly evil in any of the other kinds, is the most of it naught this way; speech good to appearance plausible and fair, but not upright, not silver, but silver dross, as Solomon calls it, burning lips, etc. (Proverbs 26:23). Each almost some way o…

There is a two-fold right to these common blessings; a providential, and a covenant-right: Dominium Politicum fundatur in Providentia, our civil right to things is founded upon God's providence: But Dominium Evangelicum fundatur in Gratia; our gospel-right to things is founded u…

I confess indeed that these things do not always happen in a perpetual succession: many being born poor and afflicted, whom poverty accompanies all the way to the grave; on the contrary, many being wealthy from birth, transmitting their riches even to their posterity, and indeed…

As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness (Psalm 17:15). 2. Sincere and constant obedience is the evidence of our right to future blessedness.

That is the most that worldly things can afford us, a little bodily cheer. Psalm 17:14: You have filled their bellies with hidden treasures; there is the poor happiness of a rich worldling. He may have a belly full, and fare at a better rate than others do.

All the presence, the communion, the sight of Christ they get now, it is but mediate through the glass of the ordinance (1 Corinthians 13:12), and it is frequently interrupted, his face is many times hidden (Psalm 30:7), and it is not full as it shall be there (Psalm 16:11). But…

This great mystery of godliness, the more we look into it, the more will we wonder at the wisdom of God discovered in and through Christ Jesus. For external providences, to see how God answers prayers, how he brings about our mercies according to our wants in a way we know not (…

1. He that takes up his rest in this world, or any earthly thing, is but a higher kind of beast, and unworthy of an immortal soul. The beasts have an instinct that guides them to seek things convenient for that life which they have, and therefore a man does not follow the light…

Fourthly, another benefit that we have is many gracious experiences and manifestations of God vouchsafed to us in the way of obedience. In the present world God and believers are not strange to one another, a man that walks close with him will meet him at every turn (Psalm 17:15…

But in this portion there's contentment, we need no more but God, and there is nothing besides him worth our desire. Necessities that are not supplied by him are but fancies, it is want of grace, if we want anything else when we have God for our portion; (Psalm 17:14) From the m…

2. They manifest it in this, their contentedness with Him, though they are kept low and bare in outward things. Psalm 17:15. As for me I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness. It's enough for them to have the face of God, th…

2. By our patience and contentedness in the want and loss of other things for this thing's sake — want, if God's providence be so; loss, if occasioned by our adherence to truth. As for want, we have no reason to envy carnal men (Psalm 17:14-15): From men which are your hand, O L…

1 That damned sinners will be stripped naked, and deprived of all the good things they had in this life. Wicked men are called the men of this world (Psalm 17:14); they have their portion and consolation in this life (Luke 6:24 and 16:25). Many of them fare well, and prosper in…

The examination and observation of God extends itself to the most interior parts of men; the motions of their very hearts and reins come under His exactest cognizance. Every man may so far say after that godly man, in Psalm 17:3: Lord, you have proved my heart, you have visited…

This began upon man's apostasy, which made a separation; and though it remains with the children of God through this life, yet it shall continue no longer; and the reason why they experience it now, is because they have sin abiding with them. The Psalmist hereupon presumes (Psal…

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongues, for their heart was not right with him (Psalm 78:34, verses 36-37). Hearken to my prayer that goes not out of feigned lips, says David (Psalm 17:1). 7. Afflictions and the pressures of o…

Woe to you rich men, for you have received your consolation. Hence it was that David made it his solemn prayer, Deliver me from the wicked, from men of the world which have their portion in this life, and whose belly you fill with your hid treasure (Psalm 17:14). The words, I th…

He plants holy desires in us — and will he not satisfy those desires which he himself has wrought in us? As in case of prayer, when God prepares the heart to pray, he prepares his ear to hear (Psalm 17:1). So in case of spiritual hunger, when God prepares the heart to hunger, he…

Cast three worlds into the heart and they will not fill it; but the sight of God satisfies. Psalm 17:15: I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness. Solomon says the eye is not satisfied with seeing (Ecclesiastes 1:8), but there the eye will be satisfied with seeing.

Psalm 17:15. As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with your likeness. A reflection upon some foregoing verses of the Psalm, by way of Introduction to the Text.

But in the perfect state they shall be able to behold and delight in this glory constantly, with eternal satisfaction. "But as for me," says David, "I will behold your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with your likeness" (Psalm 17:15). It is Christ alone…

Hopeful: They also gave us a note of directions about the way, for our more sure finding thereof; but therein we have also forgotten to read, and have not kept ourselves from the paths of the destroyer. Here David was wiser than we; for says he, "Concerning the works of men, by…

2. The meditation of hypocrites' final falling away would make us earnest in prayer for perseverance. Hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not, Psalm 17:5. Lord, hold me up, that I may hold out.

I have seen the afflictions of my people. God is in Heaven, and he can thunder out of Heaven upon his enemies (Psalm 18:13). The Lord thundered in the heavens; indeed, he sent out arrows and scattered them, and he shot out lightnings and discomfited them.

2. To love God. Mercy should be the attractive of love; (Psalm 18:1). I will love you, O Lord my strength. The Hebrew word for love, ercameca, signifies love out of the inward bowels.

9. If you would not come short of the kingdom of heaven, take heed of indulging any sin; one millstone will drown as well as more; and one sin lived in will damn as well as more: Vbi regnat peccatum non potest regnare Dei regnum, Hierom. If any one sin reign, it will keep you fr…

I saw two Women and the wind was in their wings: Wings are swift, but wind in the wings great swiftness; such readiness should be in our obedience; as Peter as soon as ever Christ commanded him to let down his net, at Christ's Word he presently let down the net, and you know wha…

This exposition has its warrant in God's word, where hell often signifies the sorrows and pains of hell, as Hannah in her song to the Lord says (1 Samuel 2:6), The Lord kills and makes alive, he brings down to hell and raises up, that is, he makes men feel woe and misery in thei…

1. By their constant communion with God, for their always beholding his face, must needs beget the more holy awe and reverence: Michael durst not, &c. 'Tis a great advantage to holiness, to set God before our eyes, and to foresee him in all our ways (Psalm 18:23). I was upright…

He does not fly upon the mercy and suck out the sweetness of it, looking no further than his own comfort — no, he cares for no mercy except God be magnified in it. So in Psalm 18:2, when God had delivered him from all his enemies: 'The Lord,' said he, 'is my strength and my rock…

It is as easy for the Lord to revive as to remove your comforts in relations. There is a sweet expression to this purpose in Psalm 18:28: For you, Lord, will light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Every comfortable enjoyment — whether in relations, estates,…

Upon the sight of their distressed condition, he watches only for the fittest opportunity to show himself strong for them. And when that opportunity comes, he is speedy in the deliverance of them (Psalm 18:10): He rode upon a cherub and did fly, indeed, he did fly upon the wings…

Fourthly, the comforts of this life are pure comforts. I walk purely with those that walk purely (Psalm 18:26). This is not only to be understood of the consolations of grace, but also of common blessings, being the fruits of this life: there is no sorrow with them, there is a p…

But observe here more particularly, 1. That all the elect people of God are lying under iniquity even as others; this we spoke to the last day, and shall not repeat what was then said; it's with respect to iniquity in the elect that all the business of redemption is transacted,…

But the coals of the furnace cast upon reprobates are dipped in the curse of God; so that in a small affliction, even in the miscarrying of a basket of bread, and the loss of one poor ox, there is a great law-curse, and intolerable vengeance (Deuteronomy 27:26; Deuteronomy 28:17…

4. And by faith I live not, Christ lives in me, and I am crucified and mortified; that is, by faith I know that I did live the life of God, and was crucified to the world; whereas I was dead in sins, before I believed. 5. And because believing is somewhat more than a naked act o…

So we are bidden (Malachi 3:10): Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now therewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough t…

I answer, Answer. we must always observe to whom the Prophet speaks. For the Prophets were accustomed to describe God in various sorts, according to the diversity of the hearers: as David also testifies where he says; that he is merciful and favorable to the good, severe and rig…

Surely because we are not capable of his goodness. For this cause he is compelled to show himself perverse with such as are perverse; and pure with the pure, as David shows (Psalm 18:26). For he manifests himself in such a way to us, as we give him occasion.

All the faithful by his example are taught what to do when God for their sakes manifests his power miraculously, or by extraordinary means: it ought not to suffice them that those of their own times should be made acquainted with it, but as much as in them is they are so to prov…

I have appareled, or girded you. This appareling answers to the nakedness of which he spoke before, saying: The loins of kings shall be ungirt: for he is said to apparel such as he furnishes with strength to the battle: (Psalm 18:32) to make them conquerors. From where we may ga…

For when the Prophets mean to extol God's works, it is their custom (as we have often shown) to mention this first deliverance. And thus David setting forth the victories he obtained, says, that the mountains trembled and shook, the air cleft in two, and the Lord appeared from h…

With such minds he has no sympathy. He examines the Scriptures with the humility of one who inquires at the oracle of God, (2 Samuel 16:23,) and proclaims the reply with the faith of one who knows that the word of the Lord is tried, (Psalm 18:30.) Intimately connected with this…

9. Make to yourselves friends. As in the words which were last considered Christ did not enjoin us to offer sacrifices to God out of the fruits of extortion, so now he does not mean that we ought to search for defenders or advocates, who will throw around us the shield of their…

God declares that his dealings with men shall be suitable to their disposition and practice. Psalm 18:25-26: 'With the merciful man you will show yourself merciful; with an upright man you will show yourself upright; with the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the perver…

Crying unto God is an expression that does not only denote prayer, but intense and fervent prayer. To cry is to pray in a holy passion; and such are usually effective prayers (Psalm 18:6 and Hebrews 5:7). The encouragements to this resolution are twofold.

Cant. 2. 3, 4, 5. Why, so does the observation of his Providences also. Never did any man convers with Gods works of Providenc aright, but fnd his heart at some times melted into love to the God of his mercies, Psalm 18:1 compared with the Title. When God had delivered him from…

Sanctified mercies are commonly turned into Cautions against sin, Ezra 9:13 they are so many bands of restraint upon the soul that has them, to make them shun sin. They will engage a mans heart in love to the God of his mercies, Psalm 18:1 compared with the Title. They never sat…

I hope the poor town wherein I live, is more enriched with a store mercy of a few months, than with a full trade of many years. The snares of death compassed us, and the floods of ungodly men made us afraid (Psalm 18:4) but the Lord thundered from heaven, the highest gave his vo…

But this is contrary to the use of that prefix throughout the whole Book of Psalms; and if this observation might be allowed, all Psalms with this title, [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], le David, which are the greatest part of those composed by him, must be adjudged from him, contr…

Others of the Jews, as Kimchi, think the word to be compounded of [in non-Latin alphabet] caph, a note of similitude, and [in non-Latin alphabet] a child, to signify, like a child, being so called from their form and shape. But this answers not to the description given afterward…

The LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]. Ver. 13. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩]: I will put my trust in him; from Psalm 18:3. LXX. [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩], I will hope in him; but [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] is rightly rendered by the Apostle, I will trust in him.

Vindicated. Psalm 18. v. 32. Psalm 21.3, 4.

It is said God made this hedge, Have you not made a hedge about him? First, There is a hedge which is made immediately by the hand of God: sometimes God makes the hedge immediately, yea sometimes God expresses himself to be the hedge or wall, as (Zechariah 2:5); so (Psalm 18, ve…

3. The same might be objected against public prayers also, seeing there may be many petitions that are not suitable to all joiners; yet the Lord has commanded both public praying and praising. 4. When the matter which is sung is above us, being a thing we have not yet reached, a…

The eighth particular is, the nose (it was not mentioned in her commendation, Chapter 4.). It is not to be taken here for the whole countenance, but for a part thereof: Therefore it is distinguished from the eyes, and is described as being eminent (like a tower) beyond the rest…

It's called hers, because she must make a special account for her own soul, and the talent that is given to her, according to the trust that is put on her. We have almost the same phrase, Chapter 1:6, where the Bride calls it, mine own vineyard: this vineyard is said to be befor…

Prayer is the soul's private converse and intercourse with God. Prayer whispers in God's ears (Psalm 18:6). My prayer came before him, even into his ears.

And then it is added in the second verse, And thou shalt swear, the Lord liveth, in Truth etc., that is, Then your profession of religion will be worth regarding, you will be indeed what you pretend to be, you will be Israelites indeed, in whose profession is no guile. They who…

True grace tolerates no lust (Galatians 5:17). No, not the bosom darling-corruption (Psalm 18:23). Thirdly, Does that which I call my grace, humble, empty and abase my soul?

Therefore 1. He speaks (Psalm 88) of God after the manner of men, as if Heman, in a manner, were more early up in the morning to pray than the Lord were ready to hear; the contrary whereof is true; as if Heman's early praying wakened God (Psalm 44:23), Awake, why sleepest you? 2…

That prayer is heard, and the result is an heavenly disposition to part with wicked men, 6. Depart from me you workers of iniquity, and a new disposition of assurance, The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. And assurance that God heard the man, is a new seed of praying to h…

The legion of devils in the possessed man (Matthew 8) spoke words, and made a suit to Christ, but they prayed not. David's enemies cry, even to the Lord (Psalm 18:41), but pray not. The damned in hell speak words to God, but they blaspheme and quarrel with holy justice, but pray…

2. Sometimes he hears the dumb man's signs, and his breathing, instead of his praying (Isaiah 38:14, 20; Lamentations 3:56; Psalm 6:8; Psalm 102:19, 20). 3. Sometimes the Lord hears, and sends the message of deliverance, but we hear not, nor do we know or feel that he hears (Psa…

Shall we thus requite Christ for his free grace. 6. Though there be no merit in diligent seeking and hearing the preached Gospel, it is good to lie near the fountain for all that; as motion begets and augments vital heat and activity to move, frequent seeking brings home influen…

Fire casts heat, the Sun light and influences, the Sea ebbs and flows by nature; yet there must also be a free new commission sealed from eternity, to every acting of nature; he commands the Sun, and it rises not; forbids the fire to cast out heat, and it obeys (Job 9:7; Hebrews…

Strengthen you me according to your word. It appears to be spiritual sorrow that breaks out in prayer (Matthew 26:38, 39; Psalm 18:4, 5, 6; Psalm 61:2; Psalm 102). 4. There are in the fourth class two affections, hope and audacity, or fool-hardiness, which would be taken heed to.

God smites me, and I love God (Psalms 42:7): All your waves and your billows are gone over me; yet this sea and all the waves of this hell cannot quench heavenly love and the fire of thirsting after God (v. 1): As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you…

Indeed things are not denominated from their externals; a vessel of copper washed over with silver, or a cup of brass over-gilded and lustered with gold, is not, nor is named a vessel of silver or a cup of gold. Though we name things by their skin and out-side, yet when the hypo…

Answ. 1. Get and entertain large apprehension of God. Who is a rock save our God? (Psalm 18:30, 31). Be principled in the broad apprehensions of Christ, he is altogether lovely, all loves (Canticles 5:16).

If God were dead (if I may speak so, with reverence of him who lives forever and ever) and Christ buried and rotten among the worms, we might have cause to look like dead people. But the Lord lives, and blessed be the rock of our salvation (Psalm 18:46). None have right to joy b…

I take this for the manner and course of heaven, to work one contrary out of another, by the greatest distractions to make way for unity and order. It is said (Psalm 18:11), He has made darkness his secret place. God's counsels are always carried under the covert of darkness; us…

Let conscience keep up a grand inquest in the soul, under a charge from the judge of heaven and earth, to enquire, and due presentment make of all riots, routs, and breaches of the peace, and let nothing be left unpresented for favor, affection or self-love; nor let anything pre…

Resp. Every creature has a voice to call to us. The heavens call to us to behold God's glory (Psalm 19:1). Conscience calls to us, God's judgments call to us — Repent (Micah 6:9).

It is pity then that ever man was made! 1. Creatures below us glorify God, the inanimate creatures; the heavens glorify God (Psalm 19:1). The heavens declare the glory of God.

Saint Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden; the Moral Law is a chief flower in it; the Scripture is a banquet, the Moral Law the chief dish in it. First, The Moral Law is perfect (Psalm 19:7). The Law of the Lord is perfect.

2. Positively; God made the world to demonstrate his own glory. The world is a looking-glass, in which we may see the power and goodness of God shine forth: The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). The world is like a curious piece of arras or tapestry, in which we may…

Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a garden — every truth is a fragrant flower, which we should wear not in our bosom but our heart. David tasted the Word sweeter than the honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10). There is that in Scripture that may breed delight: it shows us the…

And read the Word not carelessly, but with seriousness and affection; it is the oracle of Heaven, the well of salvation, the book of life. David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above gold, and for the sweetness above honey (Psalm 19:10). By reading the Word aright…

1. Get the fear of God. Why does David say, The fear of the Lord is clean (Psalm 19:8)? Because it cleanses the heart of malice, it cleanses the tongue of slander.

Use. You see all sins are not equal, some are more grievous than others, and bring greater wrath; therefore especially take heed of these sins. (Psalm 19:13.) Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins. The least sin is bad enough, you need not aggravate your sins, and make t…

Psalm 33:18-19: The eye of the Lord is over them that fear him; to preserve them from death, and to keep them alive in famine. God by his providential care shields off dangers from his people, he sets a lifeguard of angels about them (Psalm 19:11). God's Providence keeps the ver…

O then let us bestir ourselves for the kingdom of Heaven; it is a labour full of pleasure; a Christian would not part with his joy for the most delicious music; he would not exchange his anchor of hope for a crown of gold: Well might David say in keeping your precepts there is g…

9. Doing God's will on earth brings peace in life and death. 1. In life; (Psalm 19:11) In keeping your precepts there is great reward; not only after keeping them but in keeping them; when we walk closely with God in obedience, there is a secret joy let into the soul, and how sw…

First, he sends us and directs us thereunto, expressly for that purpose (Isaiah 8:20, Luke 16:19, John 5:39), and not once intimates in the least, any other way or means of instruction to the end. Secondly, he frequently affirms, that it is sufficient, able, and perfect to guide…

Q. How else may it be proved that there is a God? A. The succession of day, and night, and other seasons with the sustentation, and ordering of the creatures and the motions of them, does plainly witness that there is a God (Psalm 19:2-3; Acts 14:17; Amos 4:13 & 5:8). Q. How may…

It is taken generally among the learned, for a singular opinion of Master Wotton, that To credere, the act of believing should be imputed for righteousness. For, indeed, the act of believing is neither a righteousness according to the law; for the law is perfect (Psalm 19:7). No…

But it is a fond imagination; at least the argument from these words for it, is so. For besides that the Scripture calls all sins by the name of errors (Psalms 19:12; Psalms 25:7), and the worst, the most provoking of all sins, is expressed by erring in heart (Psalms 95:10), and…

And those who were wise and sober among them thought it sufficient to brand a person as impious and wicked, to deny an unseen judgement of men's actions out of this world, wherewith Cato reproached Caesar in the business of Catiline. This sense being that which keeps mankind wit…

For (1) it was herein the peculiar design of God to glorify his goodness, love, grace, and mercy by Jesus Christ, and he will do it in an abundant manner. He had before glorified his eternal power and infinite wisdom in the creation of the world and all things therein contained…

The Word of God is light (2 Peter 1:19). And one principal use of it, to us, is to give us light: even spiritual light, and spiritual discerning of spiritual things (Psalms 19:8 and 119:130). It does enlighten the eyes, and gives light: and if it have not this effect in us; we h…

Did the Commandment ever come with light, and power? Has the Word ever been a powerful, enlightening word to your souls (Psalm 19:8)? Yes, has there been such a sight, as could never have been obtained, by all reading, hearing, studying, and use of means, without this work of wh…

And it was practiced by David (Psalm 51) and (Psalm 32:5). The manner of making confession is this: known sins, and those which trouble the conscience, are to be confessed particularly; but unknown sins generally (Psalm 19:12). 6. Lastly, hence it is manifest, that there is no j…

The mind is made a forge for holy uses, wherein to debate and contrive how to carry on the work of grace, how to glorify God in our relations, concernments; certainly this will be found in all those that are called and converted. So in the will and affections there will be a con…

And as for secret sins, they cannot make our repentance void: for he that truly repents of his known sins, repents also of such as be unknown, and receives the pardon of them all. God requires not an express or special repentance of unknown sins; but accepts it as sufficient, if…

So the upright heart cannot be at rest till it has wept out its troubles, and poured out its complaints before the Lord. 3. It includes earnest supplications and fervent prayer for heart-purifying and rectifying grace, when sin has defiled and disordered it, so as in Psalm 19:12…

The ways by which it acts. The Psalmist treating with God in prayer about sin, acknowledges that there are in all men unsearchable errors of life, beyond all human understanding or comprehension; with such daily sins of infirmity, as stand in need of continual cleansing and pard…

(1.) For the whole revelation of the mind and will of God in the Old Testament. In this sense it had grace in it, and so did give both life, and [illegible], and strength against sin, as the Psalmist declares (Psalm 19:7, 8, 9). In that sense it contained not only the law of pre…

Carefully enquire and try whether such things which you may do or approve of in yourselves, do not promote the power of sin, and help on its rule in you. This method David prescribes (Psalm 19:12). Secret sins, such as are not known to be sins, it may be to ourselves, make way f…

And it was practised by David (Psalm 51 and 32:5). The manner of making confession is this; known sins, and those which trouble the conscience, are to be confessed particularly: but unknown sins generally (Psalm 19). 6. Lastly, hence it is manifest, that there is no justificatio…

Thus the most eminent philosopher: "The sciences that are in the rational soul, which pertain to sensible things — if indeed the knowledge of these things is to be called science by us, since it would be more fitting to call them opinions — these, I say, since they are posterior…

VIII. Furthermore: from the contemplation of the works of God — both those of creation and those of providence — this residual knowledge of God can be nourished and increased day by day; for this theology, such as it is, rests not only upon human nature but upon the whole world…

But that one thing is a great matter. All the salutary external means of repentance and salvation are contained exclusively in that one thing of which God did not deem the nations worthy (Psalms 19:4, 9–11; 147:19, 20). It has not yet been proved that any saving knowledge of God…

The occasions of the origin of idolatry — The report of the dominion of the sun and moon — In what sense the sun and moon are the two great lights — The monstrous fiction of Jonathan the Targumist — Delegated dominion as a corrupt basis for worship — The vain reasonings of idola…

They are "blind," (2 Peter 1:9; Isaiah 42:7; Luke 4:18); and they are "darkness," (John 1:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8); "their minds are darkened," (Ephesians 4:18); "they walk in darkness," (1 John 1:6); and "they love darkness," (John 3:19); they are "dead," (Eph…

Theology as a complex of spiritual gifts — Extraordinary or ordinary gifts — Ordinary gifts peculiar to the ministry or common to all — Christ the bestower of all gifts (Psalm 68:19; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:8) — The Hebrew word signifies both to receive and to give — Christ the a…

Here again our great coldness, wavering minds, and multitude of other like infirmities, is condemned. The end is, that we may apply all to ourselves, examine our hearts by it, and so in calling on the Lord, wholly to endeavor ourselves to put it in practise (Psalm 19:26-27; 59-6…

2. No man living on earth, but he is beholden to Christ (though many know him not) for common helps of providence, and experiences do teach him some more of God by nature. 3. The sound of Christ, God revealed in the Gospel, in the Apostles' ministry is declared, and is gone to t…

There is unbelief in it, when we dare sin against the clear light and checks of conscience, and venture upon his threatenings: You cannot drive a dull ass into the fire that is kindled before him (Proverbs 1:17): Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And the…

13. The reward of secret prayer shall be open and manifest: They have already a reward and gift in secret; communion with God is an abundant recompense. In keeping your commandments there is great reward (Psalm 19:11). But this is a [praemium ante praemium] reward before the rew…

His eyes are open upon all the ways of man, and who knows all the errors of his life? Therefore must we get alone and enumerate all the sins we know of, and desire God to show us what we do not know, and with holy David, breathe out that devout petition (Psalm 19:12): Cleanse yo…

As (Psalm 2:8): Ask of me and I will give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. And again (Psalm 19:3): Their voice has gone through all the earth. Briefly, all the prophecies of the kingdom of Christ and of the publishing of the Go…

Answer. Known sins require particular repentance: but if sins be unknown, or unconsidered, by reason that men are carried away with the sway of the times (as the Patriarchs were) a general repentance suffices (Psalm 19:12). Again, it may be alleged, that Abraham took Hagar by th…

For this had been an improper simile, and too far-fetched, seeing he speaks here of children's first rudiments. I confess indeed that the same Hebrew word is used in the 18th chapter, where I have translated, 'From all parts,' or, 'Line after line,' and so in many other places:…

And thus he convinces their ingratitude, who being called, answered not: for God's meaning is to make us partakers of all the good things which he offers us, whereof otherwise we are utterly destitute. Where it follows, that God speaks in righteousness, it serves as an expositio…

I grant it seems very hard at the first blush, that the Prophets should make the hearts of men more hard; seeing they bring the word of God in their mouth, by which as by a light men should lighten and order their paths (Psalm 119:105). And we know that David gives it this title…

‐Mais aussi il entrera en une grande admiration de sa puissance et sagesse infinie;” — “but also will greatly admire His infinite power and wisdom.” Thus the sun and moon, though they are dumb creatures, are said to have a loud and distinct voice for singing the praises of God,…

I know of no Part of the holy Scriptures, where the Nature and Evidences of true and sincere Godliness, are so much of set Purpose, and so fully and largely insisted on and delineated, as the one hundred and nineteenth Psalm; the Psalmist declares his Design in the first Verses…

He made all things for himself (Proverbs 16:4). And they all declare his glory (Psalm 19). Nor is it said, that God rested on the seventh day from making of man, but from all the works that he had made.

For God first made all the inanimate, then animate and sensitive creatures in their glory, order and beauty. In, and on all these, he implanted a teaching and instructive power; for the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work (Psalm 19:1, 2), a…

So deals the Psalmist with the works of God's providence in bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt (Psalm 136): he takes as it were that whole curious work into its several pieces, and subjoins that inference of praise to every one of them, for his mercy endures for ever.…

Besides they observe the number of the verses at the end of every book: as also that [in non-Latin alphabet] in [in non-Latin alphabet] Leviticus 11:42 is the middle letter of the Law; [in non-Latin alphabet], Leviticus 10:16 the middle word; Leviticus 13:33 the middle verse; th…

3. Holy fear keeps the heart and life clean. The fear of the Lord is clean, says David (Psalm 19). Clean not only in itself, formally clean, but effective, it makes clean and keeps clean the heart and life.

Quest. 1. What is meant by God's name? Resp. 1. By God's name is meant his essence; (Psalm 20:1). The name of the God of Jacob defend you; that is, the God of Jacob defend you.

But this is not so in this latter sort of blessings, which consist only in prayer for a blessing on them. For so equals may bless one another; yes, inferiors may bless superiors, children may bless parents, servants masters, subjects their rulers (Psalm 20:1, 2, 3, 4). Authorita…

This is the reward of faithful elders, that feed the flock of Christ. The heaven of glory is called the holy heaven (Psalm 20:6). The Lord will hear from his holy heaven, and the new Jerusalem the Church, has a brave crown on her head (Revelation 21:10-11).

Instances have been given already to the contrary, and more shall be added. Generally learned men deduce the word from [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], that mem may be esteemed a radical letter, from where in the plural number it is read [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] in the misna; whi…

And hence our Apostle applies those words, v. 3. [in non-Latin alphabet], I will put my trust in him, to the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:13). See also Psalm 20. v. 7. Psal. 21. v. 1. The King shall joy in your strength O Lord.

You have a few names in Sardis, that have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: that is, you have a few persons in Sardis. So likewise we may observe it to be frequently used when the Scripture speaks of God, and Christ, Psalm 20:1. The name of the Go…

So it is used in the present case: God's name is put for God himself. Psalm 20:1: The name of the God of Jacob defend you! That is, God himself. So, Psalm 44:5: Through your name will we tread them under, that rise up against us; that is, by you.

2. The object was God's name. That is either God himself, as Psalm 20:1: The name of the God of Jacob defend you; or that by which God is known, his wisdom, goodness, and power, especially those notions by which he has manifested himself in the Word. 3. The season: In the night.

For the earnestness or vehemency of the voice is allowable only in two cases: (1.) When the Edificationof the Congregation does require it, which being numerous, cannot hear what is spoken unless a man lift up his voice. (2.) When the vehemency of Affections will bear no restrai…

God has land enough to give to all his heirs, there can be no want in that which is infinite. If God be infinite, he fills all places, is everywhere present; this is sad to the wicked, God is their enemy and they cannot escape him, nor fly from him, for he is everywhere present:…

Pardoning mercy is the sauce that makes all other mercies relish the sweeter; it sweetens our health, riches, and honor. David had a crown of pure gold set upon his head (Psalm 21:3). But that which David did most bless God for was not that God had set a crown of gold upon his h…

It is mercy to feed us, but it is rich mercy to pardon us; this is spun and woven out of the bowels of free grace. Earthly things are no signs of God's love; he may give the venison, but not the blessing, but when God seals up forgiveness, he gives his love and heaven with it (P…

'Tis true, nature is allowed to speak in prayer, but grace must be heard first; our first and chiefest requests must be for mercy, peace and love, and then other things shall be added to us; the way to be heard in other things, is first to beg for grace. (Psalms 21:4) He asked l…

Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession (Psalm 2:8). When Christ asks souls of the Father, he gives him his asking: the Lord cannot withhold from this King the desire of his heart (Psalm 21:2). He…

This is a great matter (I say), not to be moved with these great offenses, and to be able, not only to despise them, but also to esteem this poor Christ so spitefully scorned, spit upon, whipped and crucified, more than the riches of all the richest, the strength of all the stro…

And verse 53. Horror has taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. He expresses high exercises of joy, Psalm 21:1. The king shall [reconstructed: joy] in Thy strength; and in Thy salvation, how greatly shall he rejoice. Psalm 71:23. My lips shall greatly re…

Be exalted, O God, in your own strength. We will sing and praise your power. (Psalm 21:13) Forsake me not until I have showed your strength to this generation, and your power to every one that is to come, etc. (Psalm 71:18)

Psalm 18. v. 32. Psalm 21.3, 4. Psalm 45.

And when Job's three friends. The word which we translate (friends) springs from a root which signifies to feed a man's self, or others, or to eat together, as sheep eat together, and so from the same word, a Pastor or a feeder of sheep is derived (Psalm 21:1). The Lord is my Sh…

2. The object proposed to these daughters, is King Solomon, even the King of Zion the King of Peace, and King of Saints, in a word, their King: This relation makes him lovely to them; yet, it's not Christ simply that is here proposed to their view, but Christ with a crown, in mo…

1. His head is as the most fine gold; or his head gold, solid gold, so some, made of pure gold, so others, [illegible] say the 70 retaining part of both the Hebrew words [illegible] massa auri. Two things are eminent in gold; splendor or glory, and duration; this is that which t…

It is the Lord's mercy to the richest, for they were miserable and indigent. It is a great mercy to relieve those from hand to mouth: but you that have abundance, it is a double mercy to you, for he anticipates the necessity before it was felt; as (Psalm 21:3) You anticipated hi…

4. The believers are blessed through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:10, 13; Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 4:6; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 119:1). Their afflictions and death are blessed, precious in the eyes of the Lord, not qualified with any law-curse (Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12; Matthew 5:6; Luke 6:22;…

Question 2. What is the right manner of a Christian's growth? Response 1. The right manner of growth, is to grow less in one's own eyes (Psalm 22:6): I am a worm and no man. The sight of corruption and ignorance makes a Christian grow into a dislike of himself, he does vanish in…

First [illegible]. That God does deliver his children out of troubles (Psalm 22:4): Our Fathers trusted in you, they trusted, and you delivered them. 2 Timothy 4:17: And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, namely, from Nero.

God's people esteem others better than themselves; they shrink into nothing in their own thoughts (Philippians 2:3). David cries out, I am a worm, and no man (Psalm 22:6) — though a saint, though a king, yet a worm. When Moses's face shone, he covered it with a veil: God's peopl…

There can be no submission to God's will till there be an acknowledging of God's hand. (2.) Patient submission to God's will lies in our justifying of God (Psalm 22:2): O my God I cry to you, yet you hear not, you turn a deaf ear to me in my affliction; but you are holy (Psalm 2…

Indeed, whatever causes torment or anguish is in Scripture called a sword, and piercing with a sword is used to express the most exquisite sufferings, as in Luke 2:35: 'A sword shall pierce through your soul also' — spoken to the blessed mother of Christ, of that anguish with wh…

And thus, while you may be speaking blindfolded as it were, casting anchor in the dark, yet speaking his very heart, he may own you and fall upon your neck and kiss you. And if yet after continual praying thus you still find no comfort, no answer from him, but he seems rather to…

And this was the reproach that was cast upon him on the cross, as the next words manifest, They gave me gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink (verse 21). And this reproach was that which we instance in, They shook the head at him, saying, He trusted on…

So was the Lord Christ among men in the days of his flesh, in comparison of the tall cedars of the earth. Hence was his complaint; that he was as a worm and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people (Psalms 22:6). And the scarlet wool might represent him as red in th…

His anchor was trust and hope in all his storms (chap. 2:13; Isaiah 50:7, 8, 9). And it was tried to the utmost (Psalm 22:8, 9, 10). It preserved him in them all, and will be no less faithful to the whole Church.

But shall we say that Paul wanted something to make him a free Roman, because he had no personal fitness nor ability to procure that freedom to himself by his own act, but only was so born? Or shall we say that David and others mentioned in (Psalm 22:10; Isaiah 46:4) wanted some…

For as Paul says, being in the form of God and thinking it no robbery to be equal with God, made himself of no reputation, and took on him form of a servant: and humbled himself and became obedient to death, even to the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-7). Indeed so far forth…

[illegible], Though I be nothing. David cries out, I am a worm and no man (Psalm 22:6). Though a saint, though a king, yet a worm: Saint Austin, Lord, I am not worthy of Thy love: Bishop Hooper, Lord, I am hell, but Thou art heaven.

'Tis good to keep to the shepherd's tents (Canticles 1:8). The Angels left their first estate, at the same time that they lost their own habitation, 'tis dangerous to leave our own place, to be cast out of the congregations of the faithful, where God dwells and is glorified, he…

What, shall I fear lest that one be not sufficient for us both? it is not a short cloak that cannot cover two: it will cover both you and me largely being both a large and eternal justice. Augustine on Psalm 22: He prays for our faults, and has made our faults his faults, that h…