Psal. cix. Matt. xxi. John iii. Zech. i. Tob. iii. [Vulgate.] 1 Cor. xvi. Psal. xiii. Rev. xxii. Rev. xxii. which hunger and thirst after righteousness," and promiseth that all such "shall be satisfied" and have their desire, even so are they cursed which have no delight in the word of God; and from such shall the blessing of Christ's gospel be taken away, and the cursed traditions of men shall be thrown upon them; as the psalmograph saith: "He would none of the blessing; it shall therefore be taken away from him." Hereto agreeth the saying of our Saviour Christ: "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation that bringeth forth the fruits of it." Again: "This is condemnation, that light is come into the world; and men have loved darkness more than light: for their works were evil." Now, to recover the favour of God, and to turn away his heavy displeasure from us, that he may once again lighten his glorious and loving countenance upon us, and bless us with the most blessed benefit of his Son's gospel, the means, as ye heard, is earnest repentance of our former life, humble knowledging of our sins unto God, undoubted faith in the merciful promises of God the Father, set forth unto us in the most precious blood of our Saviour Christ, diligent invocation and constant calling on the name of God for remission of our sins, for mercy, grace, favour, peace, rest of conscience, &c., patient abiding of the Lord's leisure, and finally a continual meditation and practice of a new life. If we on this manner return unto the Lord our God, let us not doubt but that he will shortly turn unto us, mercifully behold us, and once again bless us with the heavenly benefit of his blessed word, that we here on earth may know his ways, and his saving health among all nations. "Turn unto me, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will turn unto you." Remember how favourably God at all times dealt with his people, both when they were captives in Egypt, and also in Babylon, yea, and at all other times, whensoever they were in any distress. For though he worthily plagued them for their wickedness, yet so soon as they unfeignedly returned unto him, he delivered them from their enemies, and gave them their hearts' desire. For God is never so angry with his people, but that in the midst of his anger he will remember his mercy. And though he sometime punisheth us, yet will he be pleased again, if he seeth our unfeigned conversion; as Toby said in his prayer: "After a storm, O Lord, thou makest the weather fair and calm. After weeping and heaviness thou givest great joy. Thy name, O God of Israel, be praised for ever." Only let us return unto the Lord our God, and become new men, and without all doubt we shall see out of hand the mighty working of God. Repent betimes, therefore, repent: humble yourselves in the sight of God, believe his promises, call on his holy name, abide patiently his godly pleasure, become new men in life and conversation, walk worthy your profession, and so behave yourselves in all things that God may be glorified by you. Fare ye well, dear brethren; and, according to the admonition of the holy apostle, "watch ye, Hab. ii. Prophet. He will come, and not tarry. Give the glory to God alone. THE HUNDRED AND THIRD PSALM, MADE IN ENGLISH METRE BY THOMAS BECON, FOR A THANKSGIVING UNTO GOD, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS DELIVERANCE OUT OF PRISON, WHOSE IMPRISONMENT BEGAN THE 16th DAY OF AUGUST, THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1553, AND ENDED THE 22nd OF MARCH THEN NEXT ENSUING. PSALM CIII. Be thankful, O my soul, unto the Lord, And all that within me have their being, Laud, praise, and magnify with one accord His holy and blessed name above all thing. say, O my soul, once again to thee I For he it is, yea, he it is alone He delivereth thee from all grief and moan, And sendeth thee health in time of sickness. He saveth thy life from destruction, Which otherwise should perish without doubt: He of mere grace and tender compassion Crowneth thee with loving-kindness round about. He with good things thy mouth doth satisfy, To eat and drink giving thee abundance : He maketh thee joyful, young, and lusty, Even as an eagle that is full of pleasance. The Lord doth minister justice and judg ment To such as are opprest with violence: sence. He shewed his ways unto faithful Moses, In all kind of virtue for to excel. O the Lord God, even of his own nature, For though our sins be both great and many, Yet will not the Lord be alway chiding, But shew himself to us both gentle and loving. After our sins he dealeth not with us, For look, how high is the heaven supernal And look, how wide the east is from the west, So far hath he set all our sins from us; Yea, like as a father, gentle and tender, For he, being our Maker, knoweth certes All of vile and slimy earth created. A man in his life is like unto grass: dure: Like the flower of the field away he pass, Flourishing for a time, but nothing sure. For as a flower, with fierce wind assailed, Fadeth shortly away and cometh to nought, So doth man, of cruel death oppressed, Depart hence, and unto nothing is brought. But the merciful goodness of the Lord Upon them that fear him with one accord, In heaven hath the Lord a seat prepared Ye that do his will without any miss; ensue. O praise the Lord our God omnipotent, all. Yea, all things that ever God created, Praise ye the Lord, the God of might and power; But thou, O my soul, with heart unfeigned Look that thou praise the Lord at every hour. Give the glory to God alone. PSALM CXII. O BLESSED is the man at each season Such a man in his house shall have alway The remembrance of the just and truehearted Shall for ever and ever still endure. The righteous shall be nothing afraid Yea, his heart is so throughly stablished, He disperseth abroad plenteously, Remembered therefore continually The ungodly seeing these things shall wax wood, Gnash with his teeth, and consume away; Yet shall the ungodly with all his mood Shortly come to nought, perish, and decay. Give the glory to God alone. |