Page 11
CONTEMPLATIONS and COLLECTS ON THE Second PSALM of DEGREES, BEING The CXXI. PSALM.
I Will lift up my Heart to thee, O Lord! And though it be cast down with the dangers and diffidence I am in, while mine Af∣flictions and mine Enemies have cast a Mount about me, to hinder me from the sight and hope of Succour, yet have I God's Hill to fly unto; and from thy House I can survey the end of the Wicked, the Redemption of thy Captives, and the height of thy Power, that is higher than the highest. But O the depth of thy Love! What a pleasant Vale is this under it? How doth this smile and sing, and stand full of Corn, that strengthens Man's Heart? So that although I remain in the Valley of the shadow of Death, if I can but look up to the Rock that is higher than I, to Christ (the Shecinah) the true Mercy Seat, that is placed above the Cherubims, all Types and Symbols of his Pre∣sence, I shall neither lose my Faith, nor my Life; I shall not be discom∣fitted, nor enslaved like a surprized Zedekiah, I shall not be famished, nor broken up like a long besieged Jerusalem. Though mine Enemies hem me in on every side, and carnal Fear cause me to cry out (as the Prophet's Servant) What shall we do? Yet if I can but lift up mine Eyes to thee, which indeed are naturally as heavy as Moses his Hand, I shall perceive somewhat else besides Perils and Foes on every side, I shall find the Mountains full of Chariots of Fire, and more for me than can be against me. For an Host of Angels shall pitch their Tents about me to secure me, and those mighty Ministers of thy good pleasure shall keep me like Daniel from the power of the Lyon. So that my most Savage Enemies shall lack and suffer hunger, while I want nothing that is good. For though my way be hedged up that I cannot pass which way I would, nor follow the Lusts of my Heart, and the desires of mine Eyes, as many do, yet I may look up with joy and confidence (as I trust I shall) at the last day, because my Salvation is drawing nigh.
My Hope, my Help, cometh from the Lord, not from the Angels in his Presence, but from the Angel of his Presence, and of his Covenant, the Blessed JESUS, who having taken our Nature that he might be sensible of our Infirmities, ever abides with Humanity, at thy right Hand making Intercession for us. And as he made the Heavens and the Earth for us, so he makes a new Heaven and a new Earth of us, by justifying and sanctifying both our Souls and Bodies, through the mighty Work of his Spirit, in his Word and Sacraments: For these are the Mountains of the Lord, wherein he is apparently seen, Glorious in Holiness, Fearful in Praises, doing Wonders, and abounding in Good∣ness and Truth. If we Worship him (as our Fathers did) in these