A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

2 Doctrine. As the heaven is high above the earth, so is Gods mercy great toward them that feare Him.

• 1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mercy, or loving-kindnesse.] Of this, Vers. 4. Doctr. 4. and Vers. 8. Doctr. 4. Here it is taken largely, for propensity both to remove evil from us, and to bestow and continue good to us, and that notwith∣standing the demerit of our sinnes.
• 2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 them that feare Him.] The feare of God here notes the whole worship or service of God. For that was the phrase of the Old Testament, whilest the heire, being yet a child, had indeed the Spirit of adopti∣on, but tempered with the spirit of bondage. The same thing (that is, the observation of the condition of the covenant) in the New Testament is called Faith or Trust.
• 3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 toward] This preposition according to the nature of the speech wherein it is used, is diversly rendred. Most commonly [over] of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to ascend. Now a thing may be over another, either as being farre above it (as the heaven is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 over or above the earth) or, as contiguous to it, and so upon it. And whereas a thing may be so upon a man either for evil, Judg. 16.30. or for good, Psal. 133.2. hence it sometimes si∣gnifies

• [against] 2 Sam. 11.23. Psalm. 2.2. sometimes [towards] Psalm. 4.6. (that is, Be favourable to us, or manifest Thy love towards us) So here.
• 4 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 usually signifies [to prevaile] Now one thing may prevaile over another, either in strength (and so it is commonly taken) or (amongst other things) in height, as Gen. 7.19, 20. where the LXX render it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And feeing height commonly imports greatnesse, therefore our Translatours here render it not amisse [is great.]
• 5 The particle (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) here signifies not exact parity, but similitude.

For the greatnesse of Gods mercy or lo∣ving-kindnesse see Psalm. 108.4. where it is sayd to be above the heavens, as here the heavens above the earth. See also the places before quoted vers. 8. where God is sayd to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 great or plenteous in mercy.

Now the Mercy or loving-kindnesse of God in it self or in acta primo (as was sayd before vers. 8.) is His essence, and therefore is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 without cause. But in actu se∣cundo, that is, in the exercise, or effects of it (as here) towards them that feare Him, it hath a cause; viz. 1 His mercy in actu pri∣mo (that is, His pronenesse to doe good)

from whence in Christ (Who hath satisfyed His Justice offended by our sinnes) He hath graciously promised to shew mercy or lo∣ving-kindnesse to them that feare Him. 2 His Justice, Truth or Fidelity; which re∣quire the performance of His promise, though graciously made.

Uses.

Here then 1 we see there is in God infi∣nite mercy or loving-kindnes, whereby men may be invited to fear Him.

2 Seeing the subject or object of this mercy is limited to a certaine qualification, we may learn that God is so mercifull that He also doth not neglect His justice whereby he hates sinne.

3 Seeing this qualification is the fear of God; we see to whom, and to whom onely this mercy belongs.

4 It appeares how naturally miserable the condition of men (even of them that fear God) is, to need such mercy; and how happy in obtaining it. The least degree of Gods mer∣cy shewed to such is excellent; because it proceeds from His second love, & is a pledge of greater following. But the greatnesse of it we have here illustrated by a comparison; not fully, but as the nature of the world will afford, wherein the greatest height is that

of the heaven above the earth, that being the highest part of the world, this the lowest.

The limitation of Gods mercy to them that fear Him, reproves them, who, though they fear Him not, yet presume of His mercy.

On the other side it affords singular comfort to them who truely fear Him. Whatsoever good they lose, or whatsoever evil they suffer for this cause, it is all nothing to this Mercy. It comforts them also against the greatnesse of their former sinnes, if they now truely repent and fear God: For how great soever they were, they can not be so great as Gods mercy. Likewise against whatever calamities or af∣flictions they can suffer. For though they have not alwaies the sense of Gods mercy, He sometimes for a while hiding His face from them, either to try them (as in the hi∣story of Job) or to make them (before haply not sufficiently esteeming it) desire and seek it more earnestly being absent, and love and delight themselves in it the more being reco∣vered &c: yet it is most certaine, that Gods mercy is exceeding great towards them, and wil so appeare to them in due time.

Lastly this should exhort us 1 To feare God, that we may be qualified to be par∣takers of His mercy.

2 To imitate our heavenly Father, that as He is kind to all Psal. 145.9. Mat. 5.45. but more exceedingly to them that feare Him, so should we study to doe good unto all, but especially to them which are of the hous∣hold of faith, to them that feare God.

Notes

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