512., c alter greenhorns `. adings ries of the law.TherforefaithChrift vntohis Apoftles,To you itirgiuentoknow thef things, but to the otherareallthingsfpoken in parables. Then it is for good.eaufe that the Prophetde- fetch tobehold thefe mytteries : yethee reftraineth hisdelire,anddcftreth to know no o- thermyfteries then are contained in theword. Many would gladlydeliremyfteries,and many the toreuelations ; yet theywall not be kept within the bounds ofGods word,but- will needes follow thefpeculations of their- owne fantafies : of this fort is the Familie of loue. ButweeInuit defre with this than ofGod tobehold myfferies, and keepeour felues within thecompalfe ofthe word,euer crauing for the good fpirit ofGod to inlighten our heartsin the vnderftanding thereof: that wee neither be like thecarnal! Proteftanr, which rated) in the outward word, neuer craning for Gods fpirit, to heipetheir vnder- ftanding therein ; neither yet like thephantafticall Familreof loue,which followeth reue- lation,and illumination without theword. Verf i 9. l amafirenger onearth:hidenot thy eortmandemsntt fromme. IAma(ranger upon earth: Hefetteth downeanother reafonwhy he would be inttru &ed TAN; the lawof theLord,becauk he is but hereaftranger,thae is,that he had not here any long abiding place, but continued here for a while. And this doe all the menofGod pro- fcfie, Heb. t i.verf. t 4. that they looked for anothercitie:and therefore Godwasnot álamed to be called their God : fo in anotherplace Dausdfaith, lamaftranger, as all mrfatbersetere.If this werethe affeeìion ofGodschildren in times paft,itmull be in vs now,ifwewith them will be partakers tithefame promifes in the kingdomeofheauen. We fee thenwherewee muff make the beginning of all godlines and good religion,euro in denying this world, and acknowledging ourfelues tobe but pilgrimes in the fame. When afonne is fent be- Simile. yond thefeas tolearne the tongues,&c. and hath his time appoynted him how long bee bath to tarrie,theconfiderationofthat time,ifbee beany thingtoward, will mouehimto take paines,thatwhen beereturneth home, beemaypleafe hisfather: Solet vsthen often fitour times before vs, let vs intime learnt knowledge, and applie our hearts fpcedily thereto. Again,ifwebeftrangers,wehauefewfiends ,andmanyenemies,andtherefore it ftandeth vs inhand to be careful( ofthe law ofGod,which mayteachvs thatgood path, in which ifwe walkelwethallwell pleafe God,andlo begarded and defended againft our, enemies. Weha=ourowne corruption toftriuewith, thevanitiesache world,theeuill examples ofwicked men to prouokevs todoe thelike,theirmaliciousprabhi(esagainft vs, and thegreat monkofmankinde thediuell : andwith principalities and powers in Ilea- uen ngs. Ifwedoe well and wifelyconfider ofdick enemies,wefhall footle fee what neede illUt weiìuetobeiolbss&ediii the lawofGod,thatwe may beableto refift them. Hidenot thycommandementsfromme. Tile Prophet beholding thefeenemies,crauethof the Lordthathe.would not hidehis fominandements from hi:u.Thishiding doth the Pro- phetoppuie to that inlightening whichhe fpakeof before : as our Sauiour Chrift doth, when he faith,' thank! theeO Father, that thouhaghid thefe thingsfromthemif , andrarest- led themOntobabes: where is fgnifed,that vnlellè the Lord doereueale his lawvntovs, lie is laid to hide it :forit is hidden fromvs,andwecannot attainvnto theknowledge ofit, vnlelle he make it knowne vntovs. Verfeso. Mineheartbreaketh forthe defirerothy judgementsalma'. THe Prophet lheweththe vehemencieof hisdefre,whenhe faith,that hisfolk' faintethfor thedefre thereof. So in another place he faith, that hisheartpanterh, and that his foule cleaneth tothe duff; and manyfuch complaints the manofGod maketh, whenhue feeth the Lorde withdrawing his fpiritefromhim, that hecannot fo cleerely feeinto Godsword : as con- trariwife he (hewethhis ioy, thatinheart heconceiueth , when the Lord byhis fpirit Both open his fight, thathe canfecleforce comfortthereby, when befaith, Howfweet arethy preceptsvn- to anymouth? Oh,how loue I thy Law ? &c. Manymen, beingnot acquaintedwith thispra- étikof theProphet, doe thinke that it isfomc mclancholike humour,&c.whcn they fee Gods children
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