THE matter and argument of this Psalm, is a consolation for them that are wont much to be moved and afflicted, when they see the ungodly flourish, and prosper in all wealth, and pleasure: and contrariwise, the godly and good people oppressed with poverty, and all other calamities, & afflictions. As ye may see the Prophet Asaphe entreat of this matter in this his first Psalm: the same ye may see also in king David, in his 37. Psalm. Wherein he exhorteth men not to judge amiss of God,1 nor to leave off godly conversation, although the best be punished, and the worst scape quit. These two Psalms entreating of one matter, are to be read and known of us in these perilous days, least the hatred & persecution that happeneth to Gods truth, and to the lovers thereof, might unhappily make us to judge of God, & to forsake his trueth, as many have done, and daily the number of them increase, with the decrease of Gods honour, and the increase of their own damnation. For now Christ trieth the chaff from the come,2 the rust from the metal,3 and hypocrisy from trueth, If we will not, or cannot abide the hammer,4 or trying pot that God setteth us in, to explorate and search,5 whether our faith will abide the fire of trouble and persecution,6 or not: if we suffer not, all our religion is not worth a haw. For,7 it is not words that prove faith, but deeds.8 If it abide the trial, it is true, and the more it is tried, the finer it will be: and at length brought into such fineness,9 as corruption shall never hurt nor harm it,10 in the world of grace and virtue. GOD therefore grant us grace to suffer his trial, and search strongly,11 patiently and thankfully.12 Amen.
THE matter and argument of this Psalme, is a consolation for them that are wont much to be moued and afflicted, when they see the vngodly flourish, and prosper in all wealth, and pleasure: and contrariwise, the godly and good people oppressed with pouertie, and all other calamities, & afflictions. As ye may see the Prophet Asaphe intreate of this matter in this his first Psalme: the same ye may see also in king Dauid, in his 37. Psalme. Wherein he exhorteth men not to iudge amisse of God,1 nor to leaue off godly conuersation, although the best be punished, and the worst scape quit. These two Psalmes intreating of one matter, are to be read and knowen of vs in these perillous dayes, least the hatred & persequution that happeneth to Gods truth, and to the louers thereof, might vnhappily make vs to iudge of God, & to forsake his trueth, as many haue done, and daily the number of them increase, with the decrease of Gods honour, and the increase of their owne damnation. For nowe Christ trieth the chaffe from the come,2 the rust from the metall,3 and hypocrisie from trueth, If we will not, or cannot abide the hammar,4 or trying potte that God setteth vs in, to explorate and search,5 whether our faith wil abide the fire of trouble and persequution,6 or not: if we suffer not, all our religion is not worth a hawe. For,7 it is not woordes that proue faith, but deedes.8 If it abide the triall, it is true, and the more it is tried, the finer it wilbe: and at lengthe brought into such finenesse,9 as corruption shall neuer hurt nor harme it,10 in the world of grace and vertue. GOD therefore graunt vs grace to suffer his triall, and search strongly,11 patiently and thankefully.
- 1Psalm. 37.
- 2Matth. 26.
- 31. Tim. 1.
- 42. Tim. 4.
- 51. John. 2.1. Iohn. 2.
- 61. Cor. 3.
- 7Heb. 11.
- 8Matth. 10.
- 9James. 2.Iames. 2.
- 10Gen. 12. 15. 17. 22.
- 11Rom. 4.
- 12Matth. 7.
