Now namely David addeth, According to thy word: And not without cause: for this is not all that we ought to know, that God hath done us good, and that all that we have, proceedeth from him:but we must put this confidence unto it: to wit, that he hath done it according to his word. For like as meat, although it be good and sweet, hath no savour nor taste, but is altogether unsavoury without salt: even so likewise the benefits of God, will have no perfect taste, that we might savour them as appertaineth, if it be not, that they be salted and seasoned with faith and belief, and too know that the graces and benefits which GOD hath bestowed upon us, have been according to his word & promise. And why so I pray you ? For if we shall not have the word of God and his promises: yea and although (as I have already said) we might very well make our petitions unto him, and come before him, in building our selves upon this, that he hath already aided us of his mere favour and goodness: yet should we not for all that, be assured that he will always do the like, ne yet abide constant therein, that when he hath begun, that he will finish it, we can never be able, I say, too have any such certainty without his word. And why so? when God sayeth unto us, go to now, and hearken unto me, I will be ⟨image 79⟩your father, and show my self saviour towards you, and you shall find me to be such one for ever: after that we have felt the proof and effect of these promises: we may then very well apply his benefits to that use whereof I have already spoken: hath God done me good but for a fit? hath he done this only, but by the way of talk? and will he not now hold and continue it? no, not so: but he hath done it according to his word. Doth the word of God stand but for a day or for a month? No, it remaineth and abideth both in life and death. Let us then conclude, that the benefits of God are everlasting, and that he will continue them unto all those that are not unthankful. Lo this sentence which David addeth is not superfluous, but of great wait, when he faith, O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with me, according to thy word. If we will then be confirmed by the benefits of God, which we have heretofore received; and when we shall make our requests, that we would have him to hear us:
Now namely Dauid addeth, According to thy word: And not without cause: for this is not al that we ought to know, that God hath done vs good, and that al that we haue, proceadeth from him:but wee must put this confidence vnto it: to wit, that he hath done it according to his word. For like as meate, although it be good and sweete, hath no sauour nor taste, but is altogether vnsauery without salt: euen so likewise the benefites of God, will haue no perfect taste, that we might sauour them as appertaineth, if it bee not, that they bee salted and seasoned with faithe and belief, and too knowe that the graces and benefites which GOD hath bestowed vppon vs, haue beene according to his worde & promise. And why so I pray you ? For if we shal not haue the worde of God and his promises: yea and although (as I haue already saide) wee might very well make our petitions vnto him, and come before him, in building our selues vpon this, that hee hath already ayded vs of his meere fauour and goodnesse: yet should we not for al that, be assured that hee will alwaies doe the like, ne yet abide constant therein, that when hee hath begunne, that he will finishe it, wee can neuer bee able, I saye, too haue any such certaintie without his woorde. And why so? when God sayeth vnto vs, goe to nowe, and hearken vnto me, I wilbe ⟨image 79⟩your father, and shewe my selfe sauiour towardes you, and you shall finde me to be such one for euer: after that we haue feit the proufe and effect of these promises: wee maye then very well applie his benefites to that vse whereof I haue already spoken: hath God done mee good but for a fit? hath he done this onely, but by the waye of talke? and will he not now hold and continue it? no, not so: but hee hath done it according to his word. Doth the word of God stand but for a day or for a moneth? No, it remaineth and abideth both in life and death. Let vs then conclude, that the benefites of God are euerlasting, and that he wil continue them vnto all those that are not vnthankefull. Loe this sentence which Dauid addeth is not superfluous, but of great waite, when he faieth, O Lord, thou hast dealt gratiously with me, according to thy word. If we will then be confirmed by the benefites of God, which wee haue heretofore receiued; and when wee shall make our requestes, that wee would haue him to heare vs:
