THE Prophet of God, the Author of this most heavenly Psalm, in this part of it, proceedeth in his meditations after this order. First, he makes way to his petitions, by professing his diligent care of Gods Law, Vers. 129, 130, 131. Secondly, he propounds his petitions; for mercy, Vers. 132. direction, 133, deliverance, 134. feeling of Gods favour, 135. Lastly, he concludes his petitions, ⟨p. 200⟩with professing his sorrow for other mens sins in these words. And this he puts also for a confirmation of his faith, to assure himself, and (as one may say) to persuade the Lord, that he should speed in his suites: For it is great reason, that God should mercifully guide, deliver, and comfort him, that doth take so heinously the dishonour done to God by other people. We have here then to make the grief of David, set out by the quantity and cause of it. The quantity is expressed in that hyperbolical phrase, Rivers of waters run down mine eyes. Whereby is meant, that his sorrow was very great, and withal constant, in that it did show it self by continual and abundant streams of tears. The cause is in these words; Because they keep not thy Law. Not wrongs and persecutions against himself, but sin and wickedness against God, did procure his great sorrow: or if he wept for the molestations and injuries offered unto himself, yet not so much considered in the nature of injuries, as of sins. Let me therefore at this time be bold to press upon you a most needful and excellent duty, from the example of this holy man,1 viz. Doct. To lay to heart the sins of other men. All the servants of God should imitate this one servant of God in the cause, course, quantity, constancy of his sorrows, and set themselves to mourn heartily, earnestly, daily, for the transgressions of others, which their eyes do see, and their ears do hear. It should be a corrosive to our souls, and an anguish to our spirits, to behold, ⟨p. 201⟩and know the dishonour that is done unto our Maker, by the offences of our neighbours. Every good subject is troubled, to see his fellow subjects prove Rebels; neither can any good and dutiful son or daughter, behold without sorrow, the rudeness or undutifulness of their brethren or sisters:
THE Prophet of God, the Author of this most heauenly Psalem, inthis part of it, proceedeth in his meditations after this order. First, he makes way to his petitions, by professing his diligent care of Gods Law, Vers. 129, 130, 131. Secondly, he propounds his petitions; for mercy, Vers. 132. direction, 133, deliuerance, 134. feeling of Gods fauour, 135. Lastly, hee concludes his petitions, ⟨p. 200⟩with professing his sorrow for other mens sins in these words. And this he puts also for a confirmation of his faith, to assure himselfe, and (as one may say) to perswade the Lord, that hee should speed inhis suites: For it is great reason, that God should mercifully guide, deliuer, and comfort him, that doth take so hainously the dishonour done to God by other people. Wee haue here then to make the griefe of Dauid, set out by the quantitie and cause of it. The quantitie is expressed in that hyperbolicall phrase, Riuers of waters runne downe mine eyes. Whereby is meant, that his sorrow was very great, and withall comstant, in that it did shew it selfe by continuall and abundant streames of teares. The cause is in these words; Because they keepe not thy Law. Not wrongs and persecutions against himselfe, but sinne and wickednesse against God, did procure his great sorrow: or if he wept for the molestations and iniuries offered vnto himselfe, yet not so much considered in the nature of iniuries, as of sinnes. Let me therefore at this time be bold to presse vpon you a most needfull and excellent dutie, from the example of this holy man,1 viz. Doct. To lay to heart the sins of other men. All the seruants of God should imitate this one seruant of God in the cause, course, quantitie, constancy of his sorrowes, and set themselues to mourne heartily, earnestly, daily, for the transgressions of others, which their eyes doe see, and their eares doe heare. It should bee a corroziue to our soules, and an anguish to our spirlts, to behold, ⟨p. 201⟩and know the dishonour that is done vnto our Maker, by the offences of our neighbours. Euerie good subiect is troubled, to see his fellow subiects prooue Rebels; neither can any good and dutifull sonne or daughter, behold without sorrow, the rudenesse or vndutifulnesse of their brethren or sisters:
- 1we ought to lay to heart the sins of other men.
