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

Uses.

Here then 1 we see the wonderfull con∣descension of God,* 1.1 who vouchsafes to chuse these bodies of ours to abide and dwell in Joh. 14.23. to sup in Revel. 3.20. yea to be His Temples 1 Cor. 3.16. (See Psal. 113.6. 2 Chron. 6.18. Luk. 1.43. where David, So∣lomon, and the Blessed Virgin wonder at it) but especially the unspeakable both love and humility of our Blessed Saviour, Who unites them to Himself as His members 1 Cor. 12.27. & 6.15. Ephes. 5.30.

2 We may not think them too good to doe God service by reading, hearing, knee∣ling, praying &c. yea (if occasion be) suffe∣ring death for Him. Rather we should re∣joice, and think our selves highly favoured and honoured by God, if being so infinitely glorious, He will deigne to accept of any action or passion of our vile bodies to glorify Himself thereby.

3 If the body it self be so meane, then surely the things which serve for the body can be of no great value; that which is for an end being alwaies inferiour to the end it self.

4 If the bodies even of those that feare

God be mortall dust, much more the bodies of them, who still continue in that which made them so, viz. in sinne.

This reproves 1 Them that make their bo∣dies yet viler.* 1.2 A thing may be debased 1 in it self, when the matter or fashion of it is spoi∣led by taking away or putting to. 2 when it is put to a base use. Both which waies many debase their bodies. In the former rank drun∣kennesse hath the first place &c. For the lat∣ter, so every sinne debases the body. For if he that commits sinne be the servant of sinne, Joh. 8.34. then he that puts his body to the committing of any sinne, makes his body a servant to that sinne. And what honour is like to come of that service, where the master is worse then the devil, the work abominable drudgery, and the wages eternall damnation?

2 On the contrary such as preferre their bodies before their soules, bringing their soules within danger of Gods displeasure and everlasting condemnation for the procuring of those things, which are onely for the ser∣vice, yea sometimes for the disservice of the body, and which in effect tend to make it more miserable.

3 Such as are proud of their bodies. 1 They are proud of nought. 2 What have they, which they have not received?

This also should exhort us seriously to me∣ditate of this our condition.* 1.3 But of this in the next Doctrine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Instr.
• * 1.2

  Repr.
• * 1.3

  Exhort.