Doctr. 1 That there is no godly man keeps so good an house, as to walk with God answerable to their calling, and the means of grace offered unto them; and this is the meaning of the words, though my house be not so with God, to wit, not walking according to my calling in fear and righteousness; it is true, I should shine as the Sun in the morning, without clouds with my family, but we are clouded with many corruptions: the grass after Sunshines and rains, hath always a green and fresh colour, but I and my house receive many showers and Sunshines, yet are not we in the like manner fruitful and flourishing. David might well say, his house had not the fear of God, when Absalom was so rebellious against him, as to have plucked him out of his kingdom, when Amnon defiled his sister, and was for it slain by Absalom, who further defiled his fathers Concubines, and that in the view of the whole nation; there was neither fear of God, nor righteousness to man, notwithstanding the many sweet showers they received from the Prophets, they walked not answerable to the blessed means received, but were cruel and rebellious; therefore, though God hath called David to walk with him in the fear of his Name, and to cause his family to do so, yet that he should fall short of the grace manifested, he hath just cause to complain, and yet Davids house is set for a pattern for all houses, Zach. 12.8. In that day shall the Lord defend the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that is feeble amongst them, at that day shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them; in which place is showed that God had especial regard to the house of David, and where David falls short, few exceed it. David had a special care to rule and govern his house aright, Psal. 101.1, 2. I will, saith he, behave my self wisely, in a perfect way, I will walk within my house with a perfect heart; yet notwithstanding all this, when David looks back, and considers his own ways, and ⟨p. 4⟩finds many disorders and failings, his house is not so with God; therefore you may take it for granted, that no godly man doth keep so good an house, as to walk answerable in his calling to the means of grace offered unto him.
Doctr. 1 That there is no godly man keeps so good an house, as to walk with God answerable to their calling, and the means of grace offered unto them; and this is the meaning of the words, though my house be not so with God, to wit, not walking according to my calling in fear and righteousnesse; it is true, I should shine as the Sun in the morning, without clouds with my family, but we are clouded with many corruptions: the grasse after Sunshines and rains, hath alwayes a green and fresh colour, but I and my house receive many showers and Sunshines, yet are not we in the like manner fruitfull and flourishing. David might well say, his house had not the feare of God, when Absolom was so rebellious against him, as to have plucked him out of his kingdome, when Amnon defiled his sister, and was for it slain by Absolom, who further defiled his fathers Concubines, and that in the view of the whole nation; there was neither fear of God, nor righteousnesse to man, notwithstanding the many sweet showers they received from the Prophets, they walked not answerable to the blessed means received, but were cruell and rebellious; therefore, though God hath called David to walk with him in the fear of his Name, and to cause his family to do so, yet that hee should fall short of the grace manifested, he hath just cause to complain, and yet Davids house is set for a pattern for all houses, Zach. 12.8. In that day shall the Lord defend the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that is feeble amongst them, at that day shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them; in which place is shewed that God had especiall regard to the house of David, and where David falls short, few exceed it. David had a speciall care to rule and govern his house aright, Psal. 101.1, 2. I will, saith he, behave my selfe wisely, in a perfect way, I will walk within my house with a perfect heart; yet notwithstanding all this, when David looks back, and considers his own wayes, and ⟨p. 4⟩findes many disorders and failings, his house is not so with God; therefore you may take it for granted, that no godly man doth keep so good an house, as to walk answerable in his calling to the means of grace offered unto him.