on the 1:19. Pfalme. = 595 asfortheobtaining of diem. Forthough he had executed iudgement and iuflice, yet he wasoppreffed ; though hewaited onGodspromdes, and yet they were not fulfilled, he might haue fhrinked,had not the Lordcaught him his flatutesto ftrengthen his obedi- snce,and exercifed him in his couenants toconfirmehis faith. Hisprayer is the felfefasne, which in elica Chriffcaught his Dilciples, commaunding . them topray,Lordenaeafc our fairh,that is, Lord increafeour faith in theaflurance of our iuflification, according tothyflatster,in thefeelingof our fan&ification : according to thyco- tenants. So we feenow, that asthe manof God prayedbefore for a furthervnderttandittg ofche Ratutesofthe Lord, fohere he prayethfor a further vnderftanding of hiseeltuno- nies.TheSaintsof Goddid neuer fo bragof their giftesof knowledgeand faith, butthat The eartithe mar they Rill acknowledged and lamented inthemfelues theremnants of ignoranceand in- besot etr of credulitie,anddefired the rarndieofthembyprayer. tm,tont,t aftd This ought tobefor our inftruétion, that though webe not confcious in our felues of incredutitie. anygroflè difobedience, or palpablevnbeleefe ; yetwe mutt pray for a furtherfight ofthe law,&findingour vnbeleefewe mutt craneofGod that we may bemore flayedin his pro- Mks. Perfeuerance isan excellent thing,cfpecially when Gods pronaifes are delayed,and rnjenermue. we ingreatef daunger, then is the fare trial'. both of our knowledge and faith. Weare allo taught here,thatwhatfoeuer good things we haue,wehaue themnot,astolockethetn vp inour poil'e(Gon, butPeeing wemay fhrinke away and makefhipwracke both offaith and a good con4ence, we inuft pray to lime agreater knowledgeof the flatutcs of the . Lord,and a greaterfaith in hispromites.And here is tobe noted,how the Prophetdefiring agreater knowledge of Gods tefiimonies : hedoth not fomuch delireany corporall re- liefeagainft his enemies, asfpirituall refittanteagainft his vnbeleefe, teaching vs, that inperill we(could cfpeaallycrane thetrue vnderflanding ofGods wil,that hauing gotten that,wemay haue all otherthings,as it (tall pleafe the Lord.Herewe fee agreat difference niffrbe- betwixt the faith of Godschildren, and cheprefumption of the wicked : flefhand bluud t,ee e tbe a finds after longtriall either cart offal weldoing,andperfeueringinobedience,or elfe labouretofititd°f and weaken ourfaith; but inGod hischildren it muffnot fopreuaile, either to the flayingof efemptimiof their obedience, or.hinderingoftheir faith. For flefh and blond inall troublefeeke to be the wicked. releafed from them, but Gods children are taught to pofrei a their foules in patience, and Rhone allcrane that faith, whichpiralèthGod, and that obediente, which is-moltaccep- table vntohim. This then is a token of areuerentfaith in the tefinsones-ofourGod, whenwe callinto queftion rather our obedienceand faith, then Gods promuesand ftatutes, andwhen our confciencestell vs,that we doenot fomuch deftretobe rid from our troubles, as that the rodofthe wicked maynot light vpon vs,cithcrin rebellingagainftGods late, or in mi- itruftinghis couenants. For as wehaue laid, flefhand blood would rather be exempted from outward miferies,then tofede thecomfort ofGods promifes. But wemuff hauea ie- loulleof ourfettles, and fufpe&our want of tare herein, asthey doe, who nester can con- tent thcmfelucs in carking and caring, when they are tobring in the frnites of the whole ycere in theirharueff. Many wouldthinke,that this prayer of the nian of God isfuperfluous,but ifthey truly T eecie fof knew their owne dccayesof faith, and fhrinking inobedience,they wouldnot futpeéì: this "f Pfalme. of any needles repetition, butwould acknowledge, thatit is thewondertullwife wakeouree- dome and goodneffeof Gods Spirit, fo to prouide fonour vnbeieefe and difobedience. titionro /irx. And as the holyGhoft dothhere fetdowne thegla11 ofregeneration,and teachethvshow Agodtyte topray for the continuanceof our obedience, and flrength-of faith: fo we muff fo be- Gouge rfeoiera bolde our corruptions therein, asfromhenceforthwe may haue a greater ieloufie, of our thing 1st,, (clues in them both. necegarie. We learned in thefe two prayers, how contrarie to the do&rine of the Sophiflers, heHic t& de- craued knowledgenot ofdcfiet or merite, butof graceandmercie. Wherewe are to re- inceps, member, that when we are to craneof Godany new mercieto be receiued, or perfeue-- rance in fainmade alreadie receiucd,we Inuit laywith the man ofGod, Dtale witb thy praantaccording verso thy merce. E 4 Now
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