Dauids blessed man: or, A short exposition vpon the first Psalme, directing a man to true happinesse. Wherein the estate and condition of all man-kinde is laid downe, both for this life, and that which is to come.

But as the Chaffe which the wind driueth away.

THe Prophet Dauid hauing she∣wed the difference betwixt the godly and the wicked by a generall Introduction, It is not so, commeth now to set out their estate by a Si∣militude and Comparison, where hee compares the wicked to Chaffe, And it is all one as if hee should say: The wicked and vngodly man is not like a tree well planted and watered, that beares good fruit, and alwaies flourisheth, but like vnto Chaffe, which hath no root at al in the earth, no iuice nor sap, but wants all kinde of good fruit and greenenesse, so as it is easily scattered and dispersed with euery blast of winde: Euen so the wicked are not rooted nor graf∣ted into Iesus Christ, and are al∣together voide and destitute of all fruite of good workes, and of all sa∣uing grace, haue no iuice nor sap of goodnesse in them, and in time

of trouble and temptation, they fall away; yea, euery blast of false do∣ctrine, euery storme of temptation, triall, or persecution, yea the least blast of Gods anger driueth them hither and thither, they know not which way to turne them.

So that in this Similitude or Com∣parison there are two things to bee considered of vs.

First, the matter whereunto the wicked are compared, vnto Chaffe.

Secondly, the condition of Chaffe, which the winde driueth away.

In the former of these wee are to consider how the wicked resemble Chaffe, naturally, and accidentally.

Naturally Chaffe is light and vn∣profitable.

First, it is light, containing in it, no solide and weighty matter, but a ve∣ry sleight and frothy substance, sub∣iect to many alterations; euen so the wicked are not solide in their purpo∣ses & enterprises, & weighty in their carriage and courses, but as Chaffe, light, easily tossed, & blowne away.

It may appeare vnto vs, that the wicked are as Chaffe, light, because they bee light of their words, they haue not their mouth in their heart, like a wise man, but they haue their heart in their mouth, like a foole. Do they promise any thing? their words are as wind, as the Prouerb is. Doe they vow any thing? they keep their vowes, like those that vowed Pauls death. Do they sweare any thing? they are but as belles and bubbles in the water, broken in a moment of time: So that the wicked, in respect of their words, vowes, or othes, may well be compared to Chaffe, light.

Againe, the wicked may well bee cōpared to chaffe, light; because they are light of their minds, entertaining and excluding, one while admitting, another while reiecting, infinite pur∣poses and thoughts of heart. Againe, they are light of their bodies, by cō∣mitting many fornications. Yea, let their vertues be compared with their vices, it will then appeare, That they are lighter then vanity it selfe.

Secondly, as the wicked are like Chaffe, light; so are they vnprofita∣ble, and that two waies. First, in mat∣ters temporall concerning this life, wherein though they haue ability, as they haue for the most part; yet they want wil to do good with the same. Secondly, in matters spirituall, wher∣in though they haue a will, which is a rare thing to bee found in the wic∣ked, yet they want ability.

First, the wicked are as chaffe, vn∣profitable, in regard of matters tem∣porall; For, who doth regard the af∣flictions of Ioseph? For either their will is wholly bent vpon Couetous∣nesse, or Prodigality. This is an e∣uill which the Preacher saw vnder the Sunne; A man to whom God hath giuen riches, and treasures, and honours, and he wanteth nothing for his Soule, of all that he desireth, but God giueth him no power to eate thereof: but a strange man shall eate it vp. Yea, such is the case of many a man, that where hee locks vp his riches from others with one locke, hee lockes them vp from 〈14 pages missing〉〈14 pages missing〉

all power is of God: Hee doth bring downe the mightie from their seate. Yea hee hath all creatures at a becke, and at a call, to humble man; yea, and the least of all creatures, when it is armed and sent of God, is sufficient to destroy the wicked, as Frogges, Lice, Flies, and the like creatures did Pharaoh and the Egyptians; and as the Palmer-worm and the like kind of Caterpillers did the men of Iu∣da and Israell: And therefore this must needes bee a terrour vnto the wicked, who are no stronger then the chaffe to resist the wind of Gods iudgements. This may teach them humllity, and pull downe the haugh∣tinesse of their hearts, when they shal heare the irreuokeablenesse of their destruction.

Secondly, seeing the destruction [Vse 2] of the wicked are irreuokeable, and that the iudgements of God come suddenly: we are taught heere that it is our dutie to awake out of sinne, and to bee watchfull ouer our owne soules. We must not sleepe in sinne,

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neither giue your selues to securitie, but be carefull and circumspect that we be not suddenly ouertaken. This is that charge which our Sauiour gi∣ueth: watch therefore, for you know nei∣ther the day nor houre in the which the Sonne of Man will come. The iudge∣ments of God are threatned to come vpon thee suddenly, as the Winde: thou knowst not whether thou shalt haue an houre, or a moment of time giuen thee to repent, thou mayst bee smitten with sudden death: When thou risest out of thy bedde, thou knowest not whether thou shalt lye downe againe; When thou lyest downe vpon thy bed, thou knowest not what may happen vnto thee ere it be day. Boast not of to morow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. And therfore while it is to day let vs repent and labour to bee reconciled to God in Christ, that when his iudg∣ments shall come as the winde sud∣denly, the destroyer may passe ouer vs, and wee remaine safe vnder the shadow of the Almighty.

Hitherto hath the Prophet descri∣bed the wofull estate and condition of the wicked heere in this life. Now in the next verse by way of prophesie, or threatning, he sets our their estate and condition in the Life to come.

Notes

• Wicked compared to Chaffe, How?
• 1 Light.
• Ecclesia∣stic. 12.26.
• Vnprofi∣table.
• Eccl. 6.2.
• Exod. 10.
• Ioel. 1.3.4.
• Math. 24.
• Prou. 27.1