Uses.
The Instructions which hence we may ga∣ther,* are
Page 277 1 From the Object. Seeing David spea∣king now the third time of Gods mercy or loving kindnesse, mentions the feare of God as a condition necessarily required in the ob∣ject, see 1 How prone men are to presume of Gods mercy without having this qualificati∣on. For the Spirit of wisdome (which doth nothing in vaine) would not so often incul∣cate the same thing, if there were not need of it. And indeed experience too plainly proves it. For whereas the feare of God shewes it self in the keeping His commandements, in the eschewing of evil and doing of good, and that with perseverance, lest God should be dishonoured and we punished; how many may we see every where, who neglecting Gods commandements (either because they do not think them to be indeed Commande∣ments, signifying what God would have us to doe, but Promises, shewing what Himself will doe, if it be done at all; or because they think they were indeed sometime Comman∣dements, but now are abrogated by Christ, and so do not bind us; or because they love and preferre their own lusts before Gods commandements) yet nothing doubt but that Gods mercy belongs to them? 2 How cer∣taine it is, that onely they that feare God, shall obteine His mercy. For although we Page 278ought to beleeve the Holy Ghost once affir∣ming a thing; yet sometimes, that we may the more firmely beleeve Him, He useth to reiterate it. Gal. 5.21. Philip. 3.18 and often elswhere. Let them therefore who feare God, beleeve this for their comfort; and let them, who feare Him not, beleeve it, that they may be converted and feare Him.
2 From the duration 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 1 See how Gods mercy is decreed from ever∣lasting, or from all eternity, namely to men as considered under the qualification of fea∣ring God: that is, Gods will decreed mercy to those whom His understanding foresaw would by His preventing and following grace truely feare Him. Hence then we may learne how to know whether Gods mercy be from all eternity decreed to us. Experience teacheth that of the Apostle to be true 1 Cor. 2.11. What man (that is, No man) knowes the things of a man save the spirit of man, which is in him? Wherefore that must needs be much more true, which followes, The things of God knowes none but the Spirit of God. Most certaine therefore it is, that no man can by any meanes know to whom God hath from all eternity decreed His mercy un∣lesse it be revealed by the Spirit of God. Now the Spirit of God here by David clear∣ly Page 279tells us that the mercy of God from everla∣sting is to them that feare Him. Let us then see that we truely feare God, and constantly continue in His feare, and then we may cer∣tainly know that we are of them, to whom His saving mercy is decreed from all eterni∣ty. But some man will say. They that list, may goe so farre about, but I have a nearer way. For the Spirit certifyeth me by secret whisperings, without considering of any such qualification, that mercy is prepared for me from all eternity. I answer with S. John 1 ep. 4.1. Beloved, beleeve not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. Now we have no rule, whereby to try the spi∣rits, but the Scriptures, Isa. 8.20. The spirit therefore, which urges faith and good works according to the Scriptures, is plainly the Spi∣rit of God; Who having given us His Word of highest perfection, which nothing may be added to or taken from, doth not dictate any thing inwardly unto men, but according to that, which He (alwaies constant and like un∣to Himself) hath revealed in that word. But that spirit, which muttereth any thing in mat∣ter of religion contrary to Scripture, is most certainly the spirit of giddinesse and of dark∣nesse. If therefore we consult the Scripture, we shall find both here and every where the Page 280same constant doctrine, That mercy is from all eternity decreed to them that feare God: but the Scripture no where saith that it is de∣creed to any of us by name without conside∣ration of this qualification. Whence it fol∣lows, that the Spirit, which by our perseve∣rance in the feare of God certifies us, that mercy is prepared for us from eternity, is the Spirit of God: but that which suggests to us that it is absolutely prepared for us with∣out any consideration of such qualification, is the spirit of errour. 2 Seeing the mercy of God unto all eternity is to men not simply but as fearing God; we must be carefull to persevere in the feare of God, if we would certainly expect His mercy unto everlasting. 2 Chron. 15.2. The LORD is with us, Whilest we are with Him: but if we forsake Him (which we doe, if we cast away His feare) He will forsake us. For then we are no longer under the qualification, to which mer∣cy is annexed.
3 From both together. Behold Gods im∣mutable constancy in shewing mercy to them that feare Him.
This reproves 1 Them who presume of Gods mercy from everlasting,* and yet are so farre from remembring their Creatour in the daies of their youth, that they deferre Page 281their repentance to the houre of death.
2 Them who presume of Gods mercy unto everlasting, and yet doe not persevere in His feare during the few daies of this life.
As Vers. 11. Doctr. 2. with a litle alte∣ration.*
