Dauids repentance, or, A plaine and familiar exposition of the 51 psalme first preached and now published for the benefite of Gods church : wherein euery faithfull Christian may see before his eyes the patterne of vnfeigned repentance, whereby we may take heed of the falling into sinne againe.

VERSE. 8. 8 Make mee to heare of ioy and gladnesse, that the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce.

DAVID hauing in the former verse craued mercy at the hands of God, for the pardon of his sinnes which were both many and great, he doth in this

verse beg at the hands of God, the blessed fruit of the same, namely the blessed and comfortable perswasion of Gods mercy, and assurance of his loue, for the pardon of his sins, that God would euen testifie vnto his poore soule and wounded con∣science, by his spirit inwardly, that he was appeased and pacified with him, and in Iesus Christ reconciled vnto him, that so being thus assured of Gods loue, of reconciliation with God, and the pardon of his sins, his wounded conscience might be com∣forted, his wounded soule and heauy heart might be refreshed, and his ex∣ceeding griefe might be mittigated and asswaged.

In this verse note two speciall points. [unspec 1] First, what is the thing Dauid so instantly craueth of God, namely that he would cause him to heare comfortable and blessed newes o•• Gods mercy and assurance of th•• pardon of his sinnes. Make mee t•• heare of, &c.

[unspec 2] Secondly, the end wherefore hee

so begs & requests for this, namely, that his broken heart and bleeding conscience might be comforted, and his vnspeakeable griefe by the fee∣ling of Gods loue might bee ended. That the bones which thou hast broken may reioyce.

[Make mee to heare.]

[unspec 1] AS if he should haue faid. O Lord I beseech thee to witnesse thy loue and fauour vnto mee, yea I be∣seech thee send thy blessed and holy spirit to certifie my conscience of the blessed pardon of all my sinnes, that thou wilt not enter into iudgement with me for them.

And that which Dauid doth heare confesse of himselfe, all the children of God shall one day be sure to find by experience, that sinne doth spoile them of their inward peace and ioy. Oh then if we could remember how sweet the ioy and peace is which by sin we loose, for the vaine and tran∣sitory

pleasures of sinne which are but for a season, wee would neuer make so bad exchange.

The maine point is, what is it that Dauid so earnestly craues of GOD: namely, that GOD would assure him of the blessed pardon of his sins: but some may say, this seemes need∣lesse, did not the Lord send Nathan to him (who after Dauid had confes∣sed his sinne told him) The Lord hath pardoned thy sinne, thou shalt not die: How then comes it to passe that here hee prayes the Lord to cause him to heare and feele this, the pardon of his sinnes: I answere, First, it is true that Nathan the Prophet of God did assure him of the pardon of his sins vpon his true repentance: but yet Dauids heart being wounded with sinne, could not so fully feele and finde the assurance of Gods loue and pardon of his sinnes, and therefore intreats the Lord to certifie his con∣science inwardly by his spirit, & ful∣ly to assure him of the same: Second∣ly, I answer, that though Dauid heard

Nathan tell him that the Lord would pardon his sinne, yet hee iudged the outward testimonie of all men and Angells as nothing vnlesse the in∣ward certificate and testimonie of the holy-Ghost go with it: inward∣ly to certifie, assure, and perswade ••he poore wounded conscience of Gods loue and fauour.

[Doctrine. 1] Hence wee learne sundry points of instruction. First, that as Dauid praies to be assured of GODS loue, and the pardon of his sinnes; so euery true childe of God that beleeues and repents of all his sinnes may know and bee assured in his conscience of Gods loue and fauour, and the par∣don of them all: And in the Article of our faith, we doe professe, we be∣leeue the remission of our sinnes, and life euerlasting, and seeing wee pray for this, that GOD would forgiue our sinnes and trespasses; therefore we beleeue it, else we sinne in pray∣ing for it: so that euerie one that truely repenteth and embraceth Ie∣sus Christ, is a new creature, hates

vile wayes, indeuours in heart and life to please GOD: hee may know and be assured that he is reconciled to God, and his sinnes be pardoned.

[Vse. 1] This condemnes that hellish Do∣ctrine of the Papists, who teach and hold, that no man can bee assured of the pardon of his sinnes, vnlesse God send a reuelation from heauen to do it: and that it is a vertue of faith to doubt of GODS loue: but how did Paul doubt when he saith, I am fully perswaded &c. Alas how dares a vile sinner, not iustified, nor assured of GODS loue, and the pardon of his sinnes, how dares he come to call on God and make his prayer vnto him? dares a traitour come to his King, speake vnto him, not hauing his par∣don? Well, this Doctrine of doubt∣ing, it is a racke for wounded consci∣ences, and torments afflicted soules when they can not tell whether God loueth or hateth them, nor know not that their sinnes be pardoned.

[Vse. 2] And therefore that religion which teacheth doubtings, and pronoun∣ceth

them accursed, who ••old that a man may be ass••red of saluation: we accurse it as a Doctrine enemie to faith and saluation. And indeed it is strange to see, that whereas they teach a man is able to fulfil the whole law of GOD, and by his workes to merit eternall life; yet they accurse him if hee say hee is sure to be saued: so directly doth one point of their false Doctrine impugne another. In∣deede it is no maru••ll though their religion can yeelde no comfort for certainety of saluation, seeing they draw men from off the foundation Christ Iesus, in whom only it is pro∣mised, that we shall find rest for our soules.

Seeing Dauid prayes for this assu∣rance of Gods loue to bee assured of the pardon of his sinnes, by his spirit, and that vpon his true repentance. This shewes that the confidence that most men haue, is a fond presumpti∣on and securitie: They would not doubt of GODS loue for all the world; they beleeued euer since they

were borne, and thus they brag of their strong faith, but they deceiue themselues: for till a man do repent, turne to GOD, beleeue in Christ, be a new creature, hee can haue no assurance of Gods loue or pardon of his sinnes.

Let all true Christians examine themselues, whether they feele and finde this blessed assurance and per∣swasion of Gods loue, and the pardon of their sinnes: if thou hast it, make much of it, loose it not: If thou want it, vse all meanes, giue all dili∣gence, to get it, repent, turne to God, begge mercy, and pardon for thy sinnes, embrace Iesus Christ, be∣leeue in him, that thou mayest bee assured, and neuer be at rest till thou canst say, I am perswaded of Gods loue in Christ Iesus, I know my Re∣deemer liueth: I am perswaded I am the childe of God, else a man can haue no ioy, peace, nor comfort.

[Doctr. 2] Though Nathan had told him his sins were forgiuen, yet Dauid could not be assured till he felt the inward

assurance and certificate of Gods spi∣rit to perswade and witnes the loue of GOD vnto him for the pardon of his sinnes.

Hence we learne, that it is not the testimony of all men & Angels, that can assure vs in our soules of Gods loue, and pardon of our sins, without the inward speciall certificate and perswasion of Gods Spirit, who is called the Spirit of Adoption, because he doth reueale, yea perswade and as∣sure our soules that we be adopted. If Peter, Paul, Nathan, yea al the world; nay if an Angell from heauen should tell me I am the childe of God, yet vnlesse God doe farther certifie my conscience inwardly by his Spirit, I should not be assured, but doubt stil, euen as Dauid did in this place, al∣though. Nathan had said; Thy sinnes are for giuen. yet Dauid could not bee assured vntill he had the inward and comfortable perswasion of Gods ho∣ly Spirit. Men cannot know the se∣cret councell of God, they may de∣ceiue, and be deceiued; but the Spirit

of Gods knowes all things, and the Apostle saith, Ye haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage to feare againe: But ye haue receiued the Spirit of Adoption, whereby yee crie Abba Father. The same Spirit beareth witnesse to our spirit, that we are the children of God. And because ye are sonnes, therefore GOD hath sent foorth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father. Againe, God the Father hath sealed vs, and put into our hearts the earnest of his Spirit. So that you see it is the pro∣per worke of the Spirit to assure our harts and consciences of Gods loue, and the pardon of our sinnes, and without this inward certificate and assurance of the Spirit, all the testi∣monies of men and Angells can not assure our consciences.

[Vse.] Well then, seeing that there can be no assurance in a mans conscience of the pardon of sinne, and life eter∣nall, but by the inward certificate and testimony of Gods Spirit, let vs pray for this, labour to find and feele our hearts perswaded and assured in∣wardly

by the holy Ghost of the par∣don of our sins, and the loue of GOD in Christ, Proue your selues whether yee be in the faith. And because men are deceiued generally with a fond pre∣sumption, and foolish opinion, that they be the children of God, and shal be saued: and this carnall presump∣tion is more common then true sa∣uing faith: I will shew how we may know this testimony and certificate of Gods Spirit, when it is in our con∣sciences.

[unspec 1] First, the Spirit of God assures no man of the pardon of his sinnes, but such as be humbled for them, repent of them, leaue and forsake them, be∣come new creatures, and walke in newnesse of life: and therfore if thou liue in sinne, be not humbled for them, nor bewaile them, hast a pur∣pose to liue still in thy sinnes, igno∣rance, lying, swearing, couetousnes, vncleanenes, &c. Thou canst haue no assurance of Gods loue; and this per∣swasion of thine, if thou hast any, it is meere presumption; for where

men doe not repent, and turne vnto God, and amend their liues, there is no faith, neither is the Spirit of God in them; and therefore they can not bee assured of GODS loue and mercie.

[unspec 2] Secondly, the spirit of Adoption doth not onely tell a man that hee is the child of God, but doth by sundry arguments and reasons perswade the childe of God that hee is elect, that God loues him, and that his sinnes be pardoned: but wicked men haue no such perswasion in their hearts; onely they haue a fond opinion and conceit, which is no good ground, neither did the Spirit of GOD euer perswade their hearts thereunto.

[unspec 3] We shall know the testimony of Gods Spirit, that it is sure and sound by the fruits and effects of it: for if the Spirit of God do truly testifie the loue of God for the pardon of our sinnes, and life eternall: then it will follow, that we shall hate our sins, loathe & abhorre them, because they grieue our most gracions God & lo∣uing

father: yea, wee shall desire in all things to honour God, to doe his will, to please and serue him: so that if wee finde and feele these things, a true hatred and dislike of sinne, be∣cause it dishonours our God, a de∣sire to liue in holinesse and righte∣ousnesse before him all our dayes: it is a certaine signe that the Spirit of God doth assure vs of our recon∣ciliation with God: But if men find not this, no hatred of sinne, no loue to obey his will and keepe his com∣mandements, but ignorance, rebelli∣on, prophanenesse, and the like; let them bragge what they will of their strong faith, feeling of Gods loue, and I know not what, yet it is cer∣taine, they haue not the testimony of Gods spirit, which Dauid praieth for here, but a sond and foolish opinion proceeding of selfe-loue, carnall se∣curitie and diuellish presumption, which in the end will deceiue them.

[Doctr. 3] Make me to heare of ioy and gladnes: In these words note a third point of doctrine: namely, whence, and where

Dauid looked for comfort: namely, from the word of God, and hearing the same opened and preached vnto him: So that in his example wee learne that all true comfort and spi∣rituall consolation is to bee learned and fetched out of the word of God, that is, the store-house of heauenly comfort. And therefore our Sauior Christ bids vs search there for com∣fort, Search the Scriptures, for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life. Againe, it is called Spirit and Life, because God vses the preaching and ministe∣rie of the Gospel to beget spirituall life. It is called, The word of truth, e∣uen the Gospel of our saluation, Ephesi∣ans 1.13.

The Lord might haue illumina∣ted the minde of the Eunuch, Actes 8. by the mediate working of his owne Spirit, and haue made him vn∣derstand that scripture which he was reading, without any Interpreter, but it pleased the Lord to doe it by the Ministerie of Philip; hee might haue likewise communicated his

Spirit to Cornelius, Actes 10. But the Lord would not do it but by the ministerie of Peter. According to that of the Apostle, 1. Corin. 1.21. It hath pleased the Lord by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue so many as beleeue: and so many shall beleeue as are or∣dained to eternall life. If then thou be desirous with Dauid to heare of ioy and gladnesse: and to haue assurance of the pardon of thy sinnes, then re∣uerence the ministery of the word by which the Lord communicateth his Spirit to such as hee will saue. And surely this must needes be an excee∣ding comfort to all the children of GOD, that GOD doth not onelie freely forgiue them their sinnes, but also telleth them of the forgiuenesse of the same, sealing vp in their hearts the testimonie thereof by his holy Spirit.

[Ʋse 1] Seeing God hath appointed the ministerie of the Word to bee the meanes to worke all true and spiri∣tuall comfort. Oh then in all our needes, wants and distresses, let vs

search the word of God, ther is com∣fort to be found, many heauenly and sweete promises of the gospell to quicken & reuiue our poore distres∣sed soules; and this the Prophet Da∣uid knew by good experience, that there is more found comfort in the feeling of Gods loue, then in all the world besides. It may well be com∣pared to the tree Saint Iohn speaketh of, which beareth twelue manner of fruit, and the leaues of the tree serue to cure and help diseased and woun∣ded soules, and the fruit of this tree of the word of God is most sweete and pleasant, and therefore let vs, if wee desire to desire true comfort in∣deed, seeke it in the meanes: name∣ly, in the word and ministery of the holy gospel.

[Ʋse 2] This sheweth, that all those be e∣nemies to their owne soules, tha•• despise the ministery of the Word, and preaching of the Gospel. If e∣uer thou finde one iote of true com∣fort, thou must haue it in the meanes that God hath ordained: namely▪

in the ministerie of the Word: let men seeke it else-where, and they shall find none. Men may seeke de∣light and ioy in their golde and sil∣uer, in merry companie, in this or that, as men vse to doe: but (alas) they can not finde it there; yea, ex∣perience sheweth, that distressed soules, full of woe and miserie, could neuer finde true comfort in anie thing else saue in the ministerie of the Word of GOD, and there they haue found endlesse comfort, by the hearing of the blessed and sauing promises of the Gospel: and there∣fore it men shall neglect or despise the word preached, how can they e∣uer find ioy or gladness, or anie dram of sauing comfort?

[Doctr. 4] Whereas Dauid craues of GOD, that he would cause him to heare of ioy and gladnes, that is, that his sins were all pardoned, and be reconci∣led to God in CHRIST, that so he might haue some good matter of ioy and gladness.

Wee learne hence, that there is no

sound ioy nor comfort to any man or woman, but onely in the pardon of sinne, and feeling of Gods loue in CHRIST, and all other ioy which men do frame and deuise vnto them∣selues, alas, it is but from the teeth outward, it is not sound nor durable, it is but carnall and earthly, and will easily be lost, Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise-man reioyce in his wisdome, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches: But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he know∣eth me to be she Lord: And without this there can be no sound ioy, as we see in Dauid, and so in all distressed sinners till they feele the assurance of Gods loue for the pardon of their sinne.

[Ʋse. 1] This shews, that the common ioy of most men and women, is but a carnall ioy, earthly, & vaine, it is not spirituall, it is not true ioy: for al the while they eate, drinke, make them∣selues merry, laugh, and sing, they liue in sinne, in danger of Gods an∣ger and condemnation, no feeling of

Gods loue, no assurance of saluation, and then how can they haue any true ioy, for this proceedes from the as∣surance of Gods loue, and the par∣don of sinne; The kingdome of God stands not in meate and drinke, but in righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the Ho∣ly Ghost: but vnto the wicked there is no peace.

[Obiect.] Obiect. But, doe wee not see that wicked men, that liue in sin, that be notorious sinners, swearers, blasphe∣mers, drunkards, &c. that these liue in mirth, and iollity, in eating, drin∣king, in ease and idlenesse, and the children of GOD haue much for∣row and heauinesse, griefe and wrong.

[Answ.] Answ. Yes it is true, that wicked men that liue in sin, passe their dayes in eating, drinking, sport, and passe∣time, no sorrow nor heauinesse, but spend their dayes in pleasure, But so∣dainely they goe downe to hell.

Now, who wil call this a true ioy? nay, it is a swinish and brutish ioy, carnall and fleshly, for if they knew

all, and saw their misery, that they be in danger of Gods eternall venge∣ance, of hell and damnation: oh! then they would mourne, and turne all their mirth into teares. If a tray∣tor be apprehended, arraigned, con∣uicted and condemned to bee han∣ged, drawne, and quartered, and looks for nothing but present death and execution, and yet should giue himselfe to eating and drinking, to carding and dicing, to ryot & reuel∣ling: Would not all men say he was a madde man, and out of his wits? surely this is the case of all wicked and vnregenerate men, they bee ar∣raigned and already condemned, they want nothing but execution, and they bee euery moment in danger of hel-fire: alas! what cause haue they to bee merry? yea, how haue they cause to howle, and cry, and mourne for griefe, and therefore their mirth is but mad∣nesse.

[Vse 2] Seeing wee can haue no peace of conscience, nor any sound comfort,

till wee haue the feeling of Gods loue, and assurance of the pardon of our sinnes, let vs neuer giue any rest to our soules, till we haue repented and got some blessed perswasion of Gods loue in Christ; and some war∣rant from the Spirit, that our sinnes are done away: For the kingdome of God stands not in any outward thing, but in righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghost. Alas! if any of vs were condemned to death, lay in prison looking for nothing but present execution, What could do vs good? There were then no ioy in wife nor children, lands nor liuings, meate, nor musicke, no, no: vnlesse were haue the Kings pardon we cannot bee merry, but would contemne all these things: Euen so when a poore sinner is arraigned and condemned in his owne con∣science for sinne; hath no feeling of Gods loue and mercy for pardon of it, how is it possible that hee should haue one dramme of ioy till the Lord in mercy seale vnto his

poore soule a generall pardon by his spirit, dipped in the bloud of Christ Iesus. Well then, let vs neuer be at peace, nor giue any rest vnto our soules till we haue got some com∣fortable perswasion of Gods mercy for the pardon of our sinnes.

[That the bones which thou hast bro∣ken may reioyce.]

THese words containe in them the second part of this verse, and it is as much, as if the Prophet should haue said: O Lord I intreate thee for Christ Iesus sake to for giue me my sinnes, and giue mee the blessed assurance of the same in my soule and conscience, that so feeling and finding that thou art reconci∣led, and hast pardoned my sinnes; my soule so wounded and ouerwhel∣med with griefe and sorrow, as my very bones and most strong parts are wasted and consumed, and my

strength decaied, may be restored, cheered vp and gladded.

By this speech he would shew his ••xtreame griefe and sorrow for his sinnes, which was so extreame, that it wasted & consumed his strength, dryed vp his bones, spent his mar∣row.

[Doctr. 1] Hence we see that there is no sor∣row in the heart of Gods children, like that sorrow which is for sin, and offends our most gracious God and mercifull Father. Great is the griefe of an husband that looseth a kinde and vertuous wife; and who can ex∣presse the sorrow of a father or mother for the death of their deere and onely childe? But yet all the sorrow in the world is not like that sorrow and griefe of heart for sinne: this will wound the con∣science, cause weeping and wai∣ling, and great heauinesse, it will euen weaken the body, and strength of nature; and if it bee of any continuance, it will waste the bones, and consume the flesh.

When I held my tongue, my bones consu∣med.

And the reason is this, because a poore sinner being wounded in con∣science for sinne, and not feeling the loue and mercy of God for pardon, he sees nothing but hell, nothing but damnation and the wrath of God, which is a fearefull thing: for this causeth torments, and feares, and ter∣rours, and makes iudgements what is more terrible and fearfull then to feele the heauy weight and burthen of Gods anger, which is insuppor∣table? For as Salomon saith: A man may beare his sicknesse and infirmi∣tis, but a wounded Conscience who can beare? Againe, It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing GOD.

[Vse. 1] Seeing this is the wofull fruite of sinne, that is, thus wounds the conscience, and wasteth the flesh, and the bones, we see how God ha∣teth sinne, euen in his deerest chil∣dren,

so as if they will needes sinne and rebell against God, they must feele the wofull smart of it. And therefore let vs aboue all things shun it, auoid it, nor dare to commit it: Oh! it will cost thee deere, it will make thy heart to ake, it will breed thee much woe and misery in soule and body.

[Vse 2] We see the miserable blockish∣nesse of all carnall men and women, who are not ashamed to say, that they had rather deale with God then with men for sinne; but alas they ne∣uer knew nor felt the weight of sinne: but if God should once open their eyes, and let them see their sinnes, and feele the weight of his anger for them, Oh! then they will confesse it is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of God. If he be angry (saith Dauid) blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

[Vse 3] Let vs learne that it is not some light sorrow, or small sigh, or Lord haue mercy on mee, will serue for our sinnes against God. No, no, let

vs labour to bee humbled more deeply for our sinnes, seeing by them wee offend a most mercifull God: yea, if it were possible, to shed euen teares of bloud for our sinnes, for all were little enough to expresse that griefe for sinne wee ought to haue.

[Which thou hast broken.]

THat is, which thou, O Lord, my God, in iustice hast inflicted vpon me for these my great and hey∣nous sinnes.

[Doctrine.] Hence behold, that God is most righteous and iust in punishing and correcting the sinnes of men, he cannot winke at sinnes of men, he cannot winke at sinne in any man, no not in them that bee deere and neere vnto him, in his most holy ser∣uant Dauid, a man after his owne heart, a holy Prophet of the Lord, yet if he rebell and play the wanton, he is sure to be whipt for it, as heere in this place: so when hee numbred

the people, so Hezehiah, Ierusalem the holy Citty: yea, if the Son of God which had no sinne, take but our sinnes vpon him, he must be punish∣ed, the Iustice of GOD will ceize vpon him. And the reason of this is manifest, because God doth so hate sinne, that he cannot winke at it in any man.

[Vse.] If the Lord do so sharpely and se∣uerely punish sin in his deerest chil∣dren, whom he loues best, Oh! then what will he do vnto those that are his enemies? If to the greene Tree, what to the dry? If Iudgement begin at the house of God, Oh! then what shall be the end of those that obey not the Gospell of God? If God do so se∣uerely handle his owne people, then much more the wicked.

[May reioyce.]

[Doctrine.] HEnce we learne that there is wonderfull ioy and gladnesse in the hearts of those who haue the

pardon of their sinnes, it is matter of endlesse comfort to feele the loue of God in a mans soule: to know God to bee my gracious Father, Iesus Christ to bee my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost to be my Comforter, it is matter of endlesse comfort. Blessed is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen, and whose sinne is couered. Againe, The king∣dome of God stands not in meat and drink, but in righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the Holy Ghost.

[Vse 1] Wee learne hence that such as con∣tinue in any knowne sinne vnrepen∣ted of cannot looke for peace from God, for where goes sinne there goes the curse, Esay 48. There is no peace to the wicked: God doth euen wage war, & enter into a combat against all im∣penitent sinners: This the Prophet speaketh Psal. 7. God doth whet his sword, bend his bow, and make it ready against the wicked: And there∣fore if we want this, and haue not the feeling of Gods loue, and assu∣rance of his mercy for the pardon of our sinnes, Oh then let vs labour

for it, vse all meanes to attaine vnto it, pray for it, begge for mercy, and giue no rest vnto thy soule till thou hast it; and if thou hast it, Oh then make much of it, loose it not though thou mightst gaine a Kingdome: for all the world will not affoord one dram of ioy and comfort without it, and take heed of sin, which will driue it away, dim it, and damp it, and de∣priue vs of the feeling of it.

[Ʋse. 2] Wee see that vngodly men doe offer great wrong vnto the children of God: Oh! say prophane beasts and Atheists, these professors, these Puritanes, they are alwaies hea∣uy and dumpish, there is no com∣fort, no ioy, no mirth in them, they are alwaies sad and heauy. Thou lyest like an Atheist, they haue more sound Ioy, and Christian Mirth in one houre, then the cur∣sed Athiests of the world haue in a yeare: yea, who should bee merry, if the children of GOD be not mer∣ry? Who can reioyce more then hee that is the childe of God, that

feeles Gods loue in his soule, is a member of IESVS CHRIST, and to whom there is no feare of con∣demnation.

It is true indeed, in regard of our sinnes and euils, wee haue cause to mourne and lament: yea to weepe, if it were possible, teares of bloud: but in regard of Gods mercy, in that wee bee reconciled to God, deliue∣red from Death, Hell, and Damnati∣on, by the death and merites of IE∣SVS CHRIST, in whom we be∣leeue, we can be merry: yea, reioyce in all estates, in sicknesse as well as in health, in pouerty as plenty, in prison as in liberty. Looke on Peter in prison, Paul in his chaines; where∣as wicked men haue onely a carnall and worldly ioy in their friends, ri∣ches, honors, pleasures, and delights, if these be gone and lost, all their ioy lyes in the dust, then they be dum∣pish, heauy, and sad; no ioy then, no reioycing, but a knife, an halter, a pond.

So that by this wee see a cleare

and notable difference betweene the ioy of wicked men, and the ioy of Gods children: the ioy of wicked men it is carnall, and worldly, and earthly: the ioy of Gods children is spirituall, inward, and heauenly: theirs is onely in time of prosperi∣ty, but the ioy of Gods children is durable, permanent, lasting for euer in life and death; whereas the ioy of wicked men ends in death, if not before.

Notes

• Dauid heare en∣treats for peace of consci∣ence.
• Sinne had takē away his inward ioy.
• Parts of his verse.
• 2. Sam. 12.13.
• Euerie childe of God may be assure•• of the par¦don of hi•• sinnes.
• 2. Pet. 1.
• Rom. 8.38. Iob 13.15, 19, 25. Psal. 125.1.
• Mans te∣stimony of the remis∣sion of sins is nothing without the testi∣monie of Gods spi∣rit.
• Ro. 8.15.16.
• Note.
• 1. Cor. 1.10 Ro. 8.15, 16
• Galat. 4.6. 2. Cor. 1.22
• 2. Cor. 13.5.
• Markes of Gods Spi∣rit.
• That Man repents of his sinnes.
• Is perswa∣ded of the Spirit.
• The ef∣fects will appeare.
• God con¦uaies con¦fort vnto vs by the ministerie of his ho∣lie word.
• Iohn 5.39
• Iohn 6.63
• Psa. 119.50 Psa. 84.1, 2 Psalme 43 Psalme 4. Reu. 22.2.
• Where sin is not par∣dond ther can be no true ioy.
• Iere. 9.23.
• Ro. 14.17.
• Esa. 57.21
• Iob 21.13 Psal. 73.
• Iam. 4.9.
• Rom. 14.17.
• 2 Part of the verse.
• Pro. 8.14 Psa. 32.3.4.
• No sorrow in the godly like the sorrow for sinne.
• Lam. 1.2.5.2.11. Psal. 32. Psal.
• Pro. 18.14.
• Heb. 10.31
• Psalm. 2.
• There is no respect of persons with God.
• 2. Sam. 24. Esay 39. Math. 23.
• 1. Pet. 4.17 Ier. 25.29.
• Pardon of sin brings true ioy.
• Psal. 32.1.
• Rom. 14.17.
• Rom. 8.1.