Moses his prayer. Or, An exposition of the nintieth Psalme.: In which is set forth, the frailty and misery of mankind; most needfull for these times. Wherein [brace] 1. The sum and scope. 2. The doctrines. 3. The reasons. 4. The uses of most texts are observed. / By Samuel Smith, minister of the Gospel, author of Davids repentance and the Great assize, and yet living.

The Reasons are

First, [Reas. 1] it is onely the feare of God, that is the chiefest Armour to keepe off Sathans temptations, to sin. How can I doe this great Wickednesse sayth Jo∣seph and sin against God? * 1.1 It was the feare of God that kept him from con∣senting to his Adulterous mistrisse. It was the feare of God that kept Job, that he durst not give liberty unto himselfe so much as in a wanton looke. And he professeth, that he durst not oppresse nor wrong any, and that for this very Reason; * 1.2 for Destruction from God was a terror to me. He was not able to beare Gods wrath.

And from this ground Saint Paul exhorts men to obedience knowing (saith he) the terrours of the Lord, * 1.3 we perswade men. See that the conside∣ration of Gode anger, & wrath against sin, is an excellent preservative against sin.

But before we come to the Vses, [Quest.] this Question is to be resolved; Whether a child of God may abstaine from sin for fear of wrath?

I answer, [Answ.] God children are princi∣pally to avoyd sin; because of the evill of sin: as that which most displeaseth God yea though there were no Hell at all, or punishment to be inflicted; yet in regard it offendeth God, so good and so gratious a Father, in Jesus Christ they should principally deter from sin.

Yet this sence of Gods wrath, and heavy, displeasure against sin, must not, nor may not be cast aside, this was the case of David. * 1.4 My flesh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am affraid of thy Judgments. David no doubt had a child-like feare and awe of God; And yet in the second plaee, he stood in awe

of Gods judgments, thus were Gods judgments a terrour unto Job, the De∣struction from God was a terrour unto me. * 1.5

So that howsoever, the godly are freed from Gods wrath by Christ, yet being continually preserved with the ill neighbourhood of the flesh, by the which we are often drawne into sin; the consideration of Gods judgments, is an excellent preservative to keepe us from sin.

Seeing the power of Gods anger is so great and terrible, [Vse 1] so powerfull, and unsupportable, it is our duty to feare the power of his wrath. Now to doe this, there is no way but to repent us of our sins, to turne unto God, and by faith to lay hold on Christ, who alone must stand betwixt God and us. * 1.6 Vnto you that feare my Name shall the Sun of Righteousnesse arise with healing under his wings. It is he that must Shield us from the heat of Gods wrath. Would we then have the heat of Gods anger to fly away, and to be safe from wrath, kisse the Son; get we under the wings of Christ, and so shall we be safe

under his Feathers; otherwise we lye open to the fire of Gods anger, which at last shall devoure to de∣struction.

This serves likewise to informe us of the Reason, [Vse 2] why there is so little fear of God amongst us little trembling at his Judgments, but men are bold to sin. The Reason is, Men know not the power of Gods wrath, they consi∣der not what the Lord is able to do when he is provoked.

There are two speciall causes why so few do so truly feare God.

Is a high conceit of our selves, Be not high minded in thy owne eyes, [unspec 1] but feare the Lord. * 1.7 Where the Holy Ghost opposeth pride to the feare of God Such as are proud and think their estate good enough, cannot truely feare God.

The second Reason why men cast off the feare of God, [unspec 2] is the hardnesse hearts. Blessed is the man that har- of their that feareth the Lord. * 1.8 But he dens his heart shall fall into mi∣sery: a hard heart shuts out all feare

of God.

Is for Exhortation, [Vse 3] that seeing the wrath of God is so fearefull and so terrible, it may teach us wisdome and circumspection to take heed to our selves, that we doe not provoke his wrath against us: this was that exhor∣tation that Moses gave to the people; * 1.9 take heed that there be not amongst you man or woman which should turne their heart away from the living God.

And he gives the Reason. Lest the wrath of God breake out, and every curse that is written in this booke light vpon him. It is sun that Brings this wrath of God upon the Children of Disobedience.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 39.
• * 1.2

  Iob. 31.23.
• * 1.3

  1 Cor. 5.11.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 119 120.
• * 1.5

  Job 31.23.
• * 1.6

  Mal. 4.2.
• * 1.7

  Pro. 3.7.
• * 1.8

  Prov:
• * 1.9

  ••eut. 29.18.