they_o the_o mean_n of_o commit_v great_a wickedness_n the_o ignorant_a god_n may_v pardon_v and_o accept_v notwithstanding_o the_o error_n and_o imperfection_n of_o their_o praise_n but_o not_o the_o wicked_a because_o it_o be_v mere_a confidence_n and_o presumption_n in_o they_o and_o so_o far_o be_v such_o people_n from_o set_v forth_o god_n glory_n that_o they_o rather_o lessen_v it_o for_o the_o praise_n of_o ill_a man_n be_v scandal_n and_o as_o it_o will_v call_v a_o good_a man_n name_n in_o question_n to_o have_v a_o wicked_a man_n commend_v he_o so_o the_o thanksgiving_n of_o the_o unrighteous_a make_v god_n as_o it_o be_v on_o their_o side_n will_v be_v some_o kind_a of_o detraction_n even_o from_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o holiness_n itself_o but_o the_o praise_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v comely_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o man_n and_o great_o advance_v god_n glory_n for_o praise_n be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n and_o every_o act_n of_o justice_n be_v beautiful_a in_o itself_o much_o more_o when_o set_v off_o by_o the_o lustre_n of_o other_o virtue_n the_o natural_a notion_n which_o all_o man_n have_v of_o what_o be_v fit_a and_o just_a make_v they_o please_v when_o they_o see_v good_a man_n act_n according_o when_o they_o see_v those_o who_o have_v receive_v most_o from_o god_n most_o careful_a to_o praise_v he_o for_o it_o and_o that_o particular_o because_o they_o think_v that_o this_o be_v no_o light_a humour_n no_o sudden_a fancy_n which_o seize_v they_o for_o a_o moment_n but_o build_v upon_o a_o solid_a foundation_n and_o therefore_o likely_a to_o continue_v and_o to_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o the_o remain_v part_n of_o their_o life_n if_o then_o the_o righteous_a be_v most_o humble_a most_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v their_o unworthiness_n of_o god_n goodness_n if_o they_o have_v a_o more_o quick_o and_o lively_a sense_n of_o it_o and_o be_v more_o tender_o affect_v with_o it_o if_o they_o have_v always_o a_o solid_a foundation_n of_o true_a joy_n in_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a fitness_n and_o congruity_n between_o praise_n and_o other_o christian_a virtue_n than_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o righteous_a be_v most_o proper_a to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o thanksgiving_n and_o this_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n which_o i_o propose_v i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o ii_o to_o enforce_v this_o duty_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o its_o great_a object_n and_o the_o benefit_n which_o we_o receive_v from_o he_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o our_o praise_n the_o psalmist_n lead_v we_o to_o in_o the_o first_o word_n of_o the_o text._n rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n in_o he_o that_o be_v in_o the_o knowledge_n that_o we_o have_v of_o his_o divine_a excellency_n and_o in_o the_o experience_n that_o we_o have_v that_o those_o excellency_n be_v beneficial_a to_o us._n some_o take_v the_o word_n in_o to_o limit_v our_o praise_n to_o god_n essential_a goodness_n but_o this_o undoubted_o restrain_v it_o too_o much_o for_o tho'_o god_n be_v so_o perfect_a in_o himself_o that_o the_o contemplation_n of_o he_o heighten_v by_o a_o lively_a faith_n may_v afford_v great_a joy_n and_o delight_n to_o some_o good_a man_n yet_o his_o essential_a goodness_n be_v seldom_o apprehend_v sufficient_o by_o all_o people_n to_o produce_v public_a praise_n but_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o mankind_n shall_v feel_v the_o beneficial_a effect_n of_o it_o for_o this_o purpose_n thus_o tho'_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o sun_n consider_v in_o itself_o may_v just_o cause_v admiration_n yet_o it_o will_v never_o be_v magnify_v so_o universal_o but_o that_o man_n enjoy_v the_o light_n and_o the_o warmth_n of_o it_o but_o above_o all_o this_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o psalmist_n in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o psalm_n for_o he_o do_v not_o tie_v himself_o up_o strict_o to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n as_o to_o its_o essential_a excellency_n only_o but_o consider_v they_o as_o they_o relate_v to_o his_o work_n and_o be_v beneficial_a to_o his_o creature_n and_o that_o particular_o as_o to_o his_o godness_n his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n i_o shall_v follow_v he_o exact_o in_o the_o same_o method_n 1._o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o goodness_n for_o great_a nay_o infinite_a be_v his_o goodness_n and_o because_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o lovely_a than_o supreme_a goodness_n the_o prophet_n cry_v out_o how_o great_a be_v his_o goodness_n and_o how_o great_a be_v his_o beauty_n whatever_o be_v please_v to_o we_o below_o be_v so_o because_o we_o take_v it_o to_o be_v good_a that_o be_v suppose_v it_o to_o partake_v of_o this_o fountain_n of_o everflow_a goodness_n how_o then_o shall_v we_o be_v surprise_v and_o transport_v with_o joy_n if_o we_o lift_v up_o our_o thought_n to_o he_o who_o be_v goodness_n itself_o and_o through_o his_o vast_a abundance_n pour_v it_o upon_o every_o creature_n but_o yet_o this_o will_v not_o be_v sufficient_a for_o his_o universal_a praise_n unless_o we_o consider_v his_o goodness_n in_o his_o work_n thus_o our_o psalmist_n v._o 5._o of_o this_o psalm_n the_o earth_n be_v full_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o lord_n full_a indeed_o on_o every_o side_n for_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v with_o what_o sweet_a variety_n do_v new_a wonder_n and_o new_a blessing_n meet_v us._n how_o do_v the_o season_n succeed_v in_o beauteous_a order_n and_o carry_v health_n and_o plenty_n round_o the_o world_n thou_o crown_v the_o year_n with_o thy_o goodness_n and_o thy_o path_n drop_v fatness_n they_o drop_v upon_o the_o pasture_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o the_o little_a hill_n rejoice_v on_o every_o side_n the_o pasture_n be_v clothe_v with_o flock_n the_o valley_n also_o be_v cover_v over_o with_o corn_n one_o will_v think_v the_o prophet_n describe_v our_o own_o country_n they_o shout_n for_o joy_n they_o also_o sing_v and_o whence_o proceed_v this_o joy_n what_o be_v it_o they_o sing_v but_o their_o creator_n praise_n shall_v inanimate_a creature_n be_v so_o just_a shall_v not_o only_o the_o heaven_n but_o inferior_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n declare_v their_o maker_n glory_n by_o observe_v that_o order_n in_o which_o he_o first_o put_v they_o and_o shall_v man_n only_o be_v unthankful_a and_o that_o because_o he_o be_v at_o liberty_n and_o god_n expect_v a_o more_o noble_a offer_n from_o his_o freewill_n praise_n and_o gratitude_n of_o choice_n and_o not_o of_o necessity_n this_o will_v be_v unpardonable_a in_o any_o wretch_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o much_o more_o in_o any_o one_o of_o this_o nation_n for_o what_o instance_n of_o god_n goodness_n towards_o we_o shall_v i_o name_v first_o the_o many_o deliverance_n which_o we_o have_v have_v from_o open_a violence_n but_o more_o from_o secret_a treachery_n or_o the_o incredible_a wealth_n that_o have_v float_v into_o we_o from_o so_o many_o distant_a nation_n and_o the_o plenty_n healthfulness_n and_o security_n of_o this_o happy_a island_n happy_a indeed_o in_o all_o these_o respect_n but_o much_o more_o happy_a in_o be_v instruct_v so_o soon_o in_o the_o save_v knowledge_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o when_o this_o begin_v to_o be_v obscure_v by_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n in_o be_v bless_v so_o soon_o with_o so_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a a_o reformation_n if_o we_o look_v abroad_o into_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n how_o many_o country_n be_v at_o present_a the_o seat_n of_o war_n and_o expose_v to_o the_o bloody_a incursion_n of_o their_o enemy_n as_o well_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o friend_n and_o yet_o even_o war_n itself_o can_v be_v worse_o than_o the_o miserable_a peace_n of_o those_o other_o country_n which_o groan_v under_o idolatrous_a superstition_n and_o be_v impoverish_v by_o its_o avarice_n or_o dispeople_v by_o its_o cruelty_n while_o all_o the_o while_o we_o enjoy_v our_o liberty_n and_o our_o law_n under_o a_o wise_a and_o gracious_a administration_n and_o need_n fear_v no_o disturbance_n under_o our_o vine_n and_o fig_n tree_n unless_o we_o force_v it_o upon_o ourselves_o by_o our_o own_o dissension_n 2._o rejoice_v in_o he_o because_o of_o his_o wisdom_n it_o be_v by_o this_o he_o govern_v and_o dispose_v of_o all_o thing_n as_o in_o wisdom_n he_o make_v they_o all_o some_o have_v think_v it_o do_v not_o consist_v with_o the_o honour_n of_o so_o great_a a_o be_v to_o trouble_v himself_o with_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n as_o if_o he_o be_v endow_v with_o infinite_a knowledge_n and_o almighty_a power_n only_o to_o sleep_v away_o eternity_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o grandeur_n but_o in_o sloth_n no_o majesty_n but_o in_o stupidity_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o the_o same_o god_n who_o give_v all_o thing_n their_o be_v do_v give_v they_o also_o their_o manner_n of_o be_v nor_o
glad_o acknowledge_v and_o adore_v his_o goodness_n whereas_o wicked_a man_n very_o slow_o discover_v it_o or_o very_o slow_o confess_v it_o they_o be_v take_v up_o so_o entire_o with_o the_o world_n and_o themselves_o that_o they_o regard_v not_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n nor_o consider_v the_o operation_n of_o his_o hand_n but_o attribute_v every_o extraordinary_a event_n to_o chance_n or_o to_o necessity_n or_o else_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o human_a force_n or_o prudence_n and_o consequent_o undervalue_v it_o and_o despise_v it_o and_o though_o a_o ill_a man_n may_v possible_o discern_v god_n goodness_n in_o some_o public_a and_o remarkable_a blessing_n yet_o this_o will_v not_o move_v he_o much_o he_o be_v too_o wise_a to_o admire_v any_o thing_n long_o and_o therefore_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o or_o forget_v it_o immediate_o and_o indeed_o praise_n be_v so_o spiritual_a and_o so_o heavenly_a a_o duty_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o it_o can_v take_v no_o hold_n upon_o such_o a_o mind_n as_o be_v weigh_v down_o by_o sensual_a desire_n and_o besot_v in_o its_o vice_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n as_o the_o righteous_a discover_v god_n benefit_n quick_o so_o they_o be_v touch_v with_o they_o sensible_o they_o be_v entire_o absolute_o take_v up_o with_o the_o contemplation_n of_o his_o love_n and_o the_o gracious_a evidence_n of_o it_o break_v out_o so_o delightful_o upon_o they_o that_o they_o be_v continual_o fall_v into_o rapture_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n such_o a_o condition_n as_o this_o holy_a david_n seem_v to_o be_v in_o frequent_o the_o sense_n of_o god_n benefit_n make_v such_o a_o lively_a impression_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o can_v mention_v they_o without_o ecstasy_n and_o he_o seem_v to_o labour_v with_o holy_a joy_n and_o to_o be_v in_o pain_n how_o to_o express_v it_o o_o god_n thou_o be_v my_o god_n early_o will_v i_o seek_v thou_o my_o soul_n thirst_v for_o thou_o my_o flesh_n long_v for_o thou_o because_o thy_o love_a kindness_n be_v better_a than_o life_n my_o lip_n shall_v praise_v thou_o my_o soul_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v as_o with_o marrow_n and_o fatness_n and_o my_o mouth_n shall_v praise_v thou_o with_o joyful_a li_n thou_o be_v my_o god_n and_o i_o will_v praise_v thou_o thou_o be_v my_o god_n and_o i_o will_v exalt_v thou_o o_o give_v thanks_o unto_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o be_v good_a and_o his_o mercy_n endure_v for_o ever_o there_o be_v many_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o psalm_n of_o this_o kind_a but_o these_o may_v show_v sufficient_o how_o fit_a the_o righteous_a be_v to_o offer_v praise_n and_o that_o particular_o because_o they_o soon_o discern_v the_o effect_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o when_o they_o do_v so_o be_v touch_v with_o a_o more_o tender_a sense_n of_o it_o iii_o another_o reason_n why_o the_o righteous_a be_v most_o proper_a to_o perform_v this_o duty_n be_v because_o they_o have_v always_o a_o solid_a foundation_n of_o true_a joy_n in_o a_o good_a conscience_n joy_n be_v essential_a to_o thanksgiving_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v grateful_a without_o we_o be_v please_v first_o but_o the_o sense_n of_o gild_n will_v never_o suffer_v this_o innocence_n be_v the_o only_a ground_n of_o last_a joy_n this_o be_v that_o happy_a spring_n of_o good_a humour_n and_o vivacity_n which_o give_v a_o please_a air_n to_o all_o our_o word_n and_o action_n this_o be_v that_o which_o bring_v down_o heaven_n to_o we_o or_o at_o least_o begin_v it_o here_o while_o god_n himself_o vouchsafe_v to_o dwell_v in_o the_o pure_a and_o spotless_a heart_n o_o the_o unspeakable_a happiness_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n this_o make_v we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n easie_n to_o ourselves_o delightful_a to_o our_o friend_n and_o dear_a to_o our_o god_n it_o be_v true_a wicked_a man_n will_v often_o make_v some_o show_n of_o satisfaction_n and_o joy_n but_o in_o this_o they_o be_v the_o great_a hypocrite_n in_o the_o world_n alas_o to_o be_v please_v with_o a_o well_o tell_v story_n to_o be_v delight_v with_o witty_a and_o malicious_a censure_n to_o be_v exalt_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o strong_a liquor_n be_v not_o to_o be_v joyful_a 23._o sen._n ep._n 23._o mihi_fw-la crede_fw-la res_fw-la severa_fw-la est_fw-la verum_fw-la gaudium_fw-la true_a joy_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o wild_a and_o thoughtless_a gaiety_n but_o be_v a_o sober_a and_o severe_a thing_n because_o it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o our_o have_v moderate_v our_o passion_n and_o appetite_n of_o our_o have_v absolute_o conquer_a our_o vice_n and_o not_o the_o act_n of_o indulge_v they_o beside_o though_o god_n blessing_n be_v never_o so_o great_a or_o so_o public_a the_o wicked_a can_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v bestow_v for_o their_o sake_n or_o belong_v to_o they_o in_o the_o least_o but_o the_o thought_n of_o their_o gild_n must_v strike_v they_o with_o shame_n and_o sorrow_n when_o they_o behold_v the_o joy_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o consider_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o the_o righteous_a may_v apply_v god_n mercy_n without_o presumption_n to_o themselves_o they_o may_v reflect_v with_o pleasure_n upon_o their_o former_a prayer_n and_o humiliation_n and_o look_v upon_o themselves_o without_o vanity_n as_o benefactor_n to_o their_o country_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o one_o private_a man_n bring_v down_o blessing_n upon_o the_o public_a and_o prevail_v more_o at_o home_o than_o the_o strength_n and_o policy_n of_o many_o in_o the_o field_n and_o as_o these_o argument_n of_o god_n goodness_n must_v cause_v joy_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o a_o righteous_a man_n so_o his_o heart_n by_o be_v keep_v still_o in_o order_n by_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o virtue_n be_v always_o ready_a and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o tune_n to_o sound_v forth_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n iv_o the_o righteous_a be_v most_o proper_a to_o praise_v he_o because_o of_o the_o fitness_n and_o congruity_n which_o there_o be_v between_o praise_n and_o other_o virtue_n this_o be_v that_o reason_n which_o the_o psalmist_n give_v here_o in_o particular_a include_v in_o those_o word_n praise_n be_v comely_a for_o the_o upright_a as_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o body_n consist_v in_o the_o exact_a dimension_n of_o every_o part_n and_o the_o symmetry_n and_o proportion_n of_o the_o whole_a so_o do_v the_o beauty_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o all_o christian_a virtue_n and_o in_o the_o mutual_a relation_n which_o they_o have_v to_o each_o other_o and_o if_o any_o one_o be_v want_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a deformity_n and_o will_v be_v perceive_v immediate_o thus_o shall_v those_o who_o be_v righteous_a in_o other_o respect_n be_v negligent_a in_o their_o praise_n they_o themselves_o hold_v the_o light_n by_o which_o they_o be_v discover_v and_o those_o virtue_n which_o they_o have_v will_v show_v the_o deformity_n of_o their_o ingratitude_n and_o make_v it_o the_o more_o inexcusable_a but_o when_o the_o upright_a join_v thanksgiving_n to_o their_o other_o work_n of_o righteousness_n all_o be_v complete_a and_o uniform_a this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o other_o action_n it_o bear_v proportion_n with_o they_o and_o receive_v a_o peculiar_a grace_n from_o they_o and_o in_o this_o consist_v that_o comeliness_n of_o praise_n and_o that_o beauty_n of_o thanksgiving_n which_o make_v it_o please_v and_o acceptable_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o man._n on_o the_o other_o side_n what_o shall_v praise_n do_v alone_o without_o any_o other_o virtue_n what_o absurdity_n and_o hypocrisy_n be_v it_o for_o ill_a man_n to_o pretend_v to_o it_o as_o a_o well_o shape_v garment_n will_v not_o become_v a_o crooked_a body_n so_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n can_v never_o become_v a_o wicked_a heart_n therefore_o as_o st._n basil_n say_v upon_o this_o place_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o our_o saviour_n rebuke_v the_o devil_n and_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o confess_v he_o because_o such_o mouth_n be_v not_o fit_a to_o pronounce_v such_o a_o name_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n psal_n l._n 16._o upon_o the_o wicked_a god_n say_v what_o have_v thou_o to_o do_v to_o declare_v my_o statute_n or_o that_o thou_o shall_v take_v my_o covenant_n in_o thy_o mouth_n see_v thou_o hate_v instruction_n and_o cast_v my_o word_n behind_o thou_o what_o indeed_o have_v he_o to_o do_v to_o pronounce_v the_o name_n of_o god_n under_o pretence_n of_o show_v forth_o his_o glory_n who_o have_v be_v use_v to_o pollute_v it_o every_o moment_n by_o his_o oath_n and_o blasphemy_n or_o how_o can_v he_o pretend_v to_o praise_v the_o bounteous_a giver_n of_o all_o thing_n who_o have_v be_v a_o disgrace_n to_o his_o goodness_n and_o turn_v his_o own_o benefit_n against_o he_o by_o make_v
a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n on_o sunday_n september_n 8._o 1695._o be_v the_o day_n of_o thanksgiving_n for_o the_o take_n of_o namur_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o his_o majesty_n person_n by_o j._n adam_n a._n m._n rector_n of_o st._n alban_n woodstreet_n publish_a by_o order_n of_o the_o lord_n justice_n london_n print_v for_o thomas_n bennet_n at_o the_o half_a moon_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1695._o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n etc._n etc._n on_o psalm_n xxxiii_o 1._o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n o_o you_o righteous_a for_o praise_n be_v comely_a for_o the_o upright_o praise_v be_v so_o easy_a so_o pleasant_a and_o so_o profitable_a a_o duty_n so_o ready_o acknowledge_v by_o reason_n and-so_a just_o claim_v by_o revelation_n that_o there_o have_v never_o be_v much_o pain_n require_v to_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o but_o as_o all_o the_o passion_n be_v difficult_o govern_v when_o they_o rise_v to_o excess_n so_o joy_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v not_o only_o unruly_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n but_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o encourage_v it_o so_o much_o and_o give_v it_o such_o a_o loose_a upon_o any_o public_a occasion_n that_o they_o seldom_o stay_v to_o consider_v the_o great_a object_n of_o their_o praise_n or_o what_o be_v the_o proper_a qualification_n to_o make_v it_o acceptable_a but_o the_o psalmist_n lead_v we_o to_o both_o these_o in_o this_o excellent_a psalm_n and_o whoever_o peruse_v it_o with_o attention_n will_v find_v that_o he_o have_v consider_v well_o the_o adorable_a perfection_n of_o god_n before_o he_o presume_v to_o rejoice_v in_o he_o and_o that_o he_o can_v never_o have_v be_v so_o great_a a_o master_n of_o thanksgiving_n have_v not_o his_o piety_n qualify_v he_o for_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o the_o uprightness_n of_o his_o heart_n make_v it_o worthy_a of_o inspiration_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o he_o break_v out_o into_o this_o holy_a rapture_n rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n o_o you_o righteous_a for_o praise_n be_v comely_a for_o the_o upright_a the_o person_n which_o the_o psalmist_n call_v upon_o here_o in_o particular_a be_v the_o righteous_a and_o according_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o good_a and_o righteous_a man_n be_v most_o oblige_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o praise_n and_o most_o fit_a to_o perform_v it_o 2._o what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a object_n of_o praise_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o it_o apply_v each_o particular_a to_o the_o present_a occasion_n 1._o that_o good_a and_o righteous_a man_n be_v most_o oblige_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o praise_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v many_o of_o god_n blessing_n that_o be_v universal_a in_o regard_n to_o these_o the_o duty_n of_o thanksgiving_n shall_v be_v of_o as_o large_a extent_n but_o since_o some_o man_n partake_v more_o particular_o of_o his_o favour_n since_o it_o be_v with_o regard_n to_o the_o righteous_a and_o sometime_o for_o their_o sake_n only_o that_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o nation_n enjoy_v public_a benefit_n they_o be_v in_o a_o more_o particular_a manner_n oblige_v to_o gratitude_n and_o thanksgiving_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o most_o early_o and_o most_o active_a in_o their_o praise_n and_o that_o too_o in_o order_n to_o the_o spread_a and_o promote_a of_o god_n glory_n the_o example_n of_o good_a man_n will_v always_o have_v a_o influence_n upon_o the_o worst_a part_n of_o mankind_n for_o those_o who_o deride_v piety_n and_o virtue_n in_o private_a be_v glad_a to_o imitate_v they_o in_o public_a there_o be_v such_o a_o natural_a beauty_n in_o goodness_n as_o command_n esteem_v and_o veneration_n therefore_o people_n ready_o join_v with_o those_o who_o be_v righteous_a and_o out_o of_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o integrity_n take_v their_o action_n upon_o trust_n without_o far_a examination_n whatever_o then_o can_v any_o way_n contribute_v to_o god_n glory_n what_o outward_a respect_n soever_o aught_o to_o be_v pay_v to_o he_o in_o any_o part_n of_o devotion_n this_o shall_v be_v undertake_v chief_o by_o the_o righteous_a not_o only_o in_o consideration_n of_o what_o they_o owe_v to_o their_o god_n but_o also_o of_o what_o they_o owe_v to_o their_o neighbour_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n which_o be_v so_o please_v and_o delightful_a in_o themselves_o that_o every_o body_n will_v ready_o join_v in_o the_o offer_n of_o they_o but_o the_o righteous_a be_v not_o only_o more_o oblige_v to_o this_o excellent_a duty_n upon_o these_o account_n but_o they_o be_v also_o most_o fit_a to_o perform_v it_o and_o that_o for_o these_o reason_n 1._o because_o such_o man_n be_v always_o humble_a and_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v their_o unworthiness_n of_o god_n gooodness_n 2._o because_o they_o have_v a_o quick_a and_o lively_a sense_n of_o it_o and_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v tender_o and_o passionate_o affect_v with_o it_o 3._o because_o they_o have_v always_o a_o solid_a foundation_n of_o true_a joy_n in_o a_o good_a conscience_n 4._o because_o of_o that_o fitness_n and_o congruity_n which_o there_o be_v between_o praise_n and_o other_o virtue_n i._o the_o righteous_a be_v most_o fit_a to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o praise_n because_o they_o be_v always_o humble_a and_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v their_o unworthiness_n of_o god_n goodness_n humility_n be_v the_o chief_a ground_n of_o gratitude_n and_o praise_n and_o nothing_o make_v man_n want_v in_o these_o virtue_n so_o much_o as_o pride_n but_o where_o be_v humility_n to_o be_v find_v to_o that_o degree_n as_o in_o the_o righteous_a the_o sum_n of_o all_o religion_n be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o the_o more_o we_o know_v of_o god_n the_o more_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a we_o find_v he_o the_o more_o we_o know_v of_o ourselves_o we_o discover_v the_o more_o weakness_n and_o misery_n but_o no_o one_o can_v be_v so_o sensible_a how_o wide_o these_o extreme_n be_v as_o the_o righteous_a man_n and_o therefore_o no_o one_o can_v be_v so_o humble_a so_o ready_a to_o acknowledge_v his_o unworthiness_n of_o god_n goodness_n whenever_o it_o be_v manifest_v towards_o he_o there_o be_v too_o many_o man_n that_o look_v upon_o god_n benefit_n as_o their_o due_a there_o be_v other_o that_o think_v the_o design_n they_o have_v compass_a the_o estate_n they_o have_v raise_v their_o success_n in_o peace_n or_o war_n be_v all_o through_o their_o own_o prudence_n and_o industry_n and_o therefore_o be_v more_o ready_a to_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o net_n as_o the_o prophet_n speak_v to_o themselves_o than_o to_o their_o god_n this_o kind_n of_o pride_n moses_n foresee_v in_o the_o israelite_n and_o therefore_o he_o warn_v they_o deut._n viij_o 14.17_o that_o after_o god_n have_v show_v such_o great_a wonder_n for_o they_o they_o shall_v beware_v lest_o they_o shall_v forget_v the_o lord_n and_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n my_o power_n and_o the_o might_n of_o my_o hand_n have_v do_v this_o how_o much_o more_o reasonable_a be_v that_o of_o holy_a jacob_n when_o he_o reflect_v from_o how_o many_o danger_n god_n have_v deliver_v he_o i_o be_o not_o worthy_a of_o the_o least_o of_o all_o thy_o mercy_n nor_o of_o all_o the_o truth_n which_o thou_o have_v show_v unto_o i_o alas_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o god_n have_v do_v for_o we_o and_o yet_o the_o stubborness_n and_o ingratitude_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o this_o sinful_a nation_n that_o neither_o the_o long_a experience_n of_o god_n goodness_n nor_o the_o terror_n of_o his_o justice_n have_v be_v able_a to_o move_v we_o to_o repentance_n but_o that_o old_a heresy_n in_o our_o faith_n be_v again_o revive_v with_o the_o great_a confidence_n that_o instead_o of_o mend_v in_o our_o practice_n we_o have_v plain_o grow_v worse_a and_o add_v the_o vice_n of_o war_n to_o those_o of_o peace_n if_o we_o consider_v this_o how_o much_o more_o just_o ought_v we_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o we_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o the_o least_o of_o god_n temporal_a mercy_n nor_o of_o that_o truth_n that_o save_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o have_v show_v unto_o we_o in_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n than_o to_o any_o other_o nation_n and_o humble_v ourselves_o into_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n according_o ii_o the_o righteous_a have_v a_o quick_a and_o lively_a sense_n of_o god_n goodness_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v tender_o and_o passionate_o affect_v with_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o praise_v he_o good_a man_n be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o way_n of_o god_n their_o thought_n be_v always_o take_v up_o and_o possess_v by_o he_o nor_o be_v their_o understanding_n corrupt_v by_o prejudice_n or_o weaken_v by_o intemperance_n so_o that_o they_o perceive_v he_o immediate_o in_o his_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o