316 Wer .('jreenham,c`Readings Verf.4 tr. Anddrallwai eatlibertie for l feek¿e thyprecepts. HEwill walke in thecommaundements that hemaybe at libertie, for that isthe plain way-All other arebie-paths, which he(hallbe free from ifhe (ticke tothe cotumaun- dements. For this is thecaufe that we are troubled and intángled, becaufe we aske not counfell atGods word, andwholy Riekeveto that : andthereforewefall into force linne, and beouerc«newith fame temptation. For the word is alanternetodireEtour fteppes: without this we (hall wander but if wetend to this light, wefhall beat libertie. Thisfec- teth out thebenefit that thofehaue which inioy theword ; and their milerie thatwant it. This then requireth that we be thankefull for Gods word: and reproueth them that ha- uing the word, yet wanderaffray,and loue darkenesmore then the light, and falfehood, herefies and lyes more then thetruth. Thisis a finne to be puni(hed; when wehaue the word,and yet walkenot atlibertie,and ifwecannotbeat libertie whenwehave the word, it is fore that wecherifh force fecret finne,and doenot fèarch into Gods word.Forthat is fo full ofwifedome,thatit will rid vs out ofall.Yetthe childrenof Godhaue theirinfirmities, outofwhich they hauegood iflues. Butthe ignoranceof Gods word is thecaufe ofmany troubles;for though amanwere inas great a ffreight as Abraham was whenhe Mould of- ferhis fonne, yetfhouldhebedireEfed. Then-this layethaftreightchargeonvs coftudic thewordofGod. Verf.46.1rrillfeai¿ealfo ofthy teflimonie: beforeKings,andmillnot beafhamed. ,IF God will thus àffilt me, Iwill fpeakecum before thewifelt, and hand indie fightof the Kings though it be fearefull.This thenwill afirevs that we (hallneuer fall,ifweflu- die,heare,reade, &c. on Godsholy word, and take heede to ourwayes according thereto. Thenifwe defire to ffand for euer, let vs meditate on Gods word ; forGod bathgiven this not onely to the learned, but alfo to idiotes. Here we fee that weneuer rightly profit, till webe notafraide before whom foeuer we come: for if we be affured that our caufe be good, thenmaywe be afliired that it (hall begiuen vs what to anfwere, and thismaketh men afraidewhenttey doubt oftheir caufe. We arenot afraide to fpeake toa gentleman, ifa Lordbe withvs: then Mall wenot needeto feare a King, when the King ofKingsis withvs : as Mofs Heb.ra. None then haue this gift of bouldnesbut they to whomGod giuethit,not thewife,notthemightie ofthe world. The word giuethvs what toanfwere; then if wefaile, itisa figne chat we failein theword. Butlet vsdealeearneflly withthe word,and keepe a good confcience, and it (hall begiuen vs. This dothagaine commend theword ofGod vntovs. If webe notafhamedof him before Kings, we (hall be Kingsw his kingdome. Verf.47. Andmydelightfhallbe in thy oommaundements,which ¡haue loosed. THat hemay cometo this grace, he willlouethe word, becaufe hedelighteth in it, for delight is the figne ofloue. Doewe not then delight in the word? weham? notaloue to it: fo ofprayer, and hearing the word, ifwedelight in it, we will prepare ourfeluesto heare it, and meditate init afterward : forhe fheweth his lóue, whenhe faith : Iwillmob- tare : then, ifwe will not finde terror ofconfcience, and fall intomanycoils ; let vs make confcience to call it tominde : for ifwedoetakethe nameofGod in vaine,by hearingthe word without meditation ; then the word being a tone witnes, (hall be a witnes again4 vs in that day : forthis meditation is commended,. Part.13. There are fettimes for hearing, praying, &c. but meditationmuff euer bewith thee, thatthou mayeftknow, whether the thingthoudoeff be agreeable to his will, andwhether thou mayelf Tooke for his blef- fing in it. PORTI-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=