together in the same sentence as in the verse before I am thy servant I am thy servant and in the Psalme before this Not unto us O Lord not unto us c. 2 By repeating the same in the end of one sentence and beginning of the next thus Sing unto the LORD with the harpe with the harpe and the voice of a Psalme 3 By repeating the same in the beginnings of severall sentences thus Blesse the Lord O house of Israel Blesse the Lord O house of Aaron c. 4 By repeating the same in the ends of severall sentences as where every verse of a Psalme endeth with this clause His mercy endureth for ever 5 By repeating the same in the beginning and in the end as where the same Psalme beginneth and endeth with this clause O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth 6 By repeating the same in the beginning middest and end thus Sing praises to God sing praises sing praises unto our King sing praises §. 108. Of a soule so ravished with Gods praises as it cannot bee satisfied in setting them out BY the repetitions noted in the close of this Psalme the Prophet manifesteth a divine passion thorow a deepe apprehension of Gods favour and succour shewed unto him wherewith he was so ravished as he could not be satisfied in setting it out nor thought that he could ever say enough thereabouts Wherefore he loves to speake of it againe and againe and oft to declare his purpose thereabouts sometimes in some other words and sometimes in the very same Hereby he giveth instance that A deepe and due apprehension of Gods mercies makes a soule unsatisfied in setting forth Gods praises The divine hymnes that were penned by such as did indeed deepely ponder on Gods mercies are evident demonstrations thereof Among other the booke of Psalmes and in that booke the 47 103 107 135 136 148 149 150 Psalmes Gods mercies the more they are pondered are the more admired especially when the greatnesse freenesse seasonablenesse of them and other like circumstances together with our unworthinesse and therewithall the need that wee have thereof the sweetnesse that we taste and benefit that we reape thereby are duely and deeply weighed They are like a bottomlesse sea which the farther it is sounded the deeper it appeares to be or like to the bright Sun which the more it is gazed upon the more it dazleth the eye Yea further Gods mercies are so linked together as when we have occasion to meditate on one many of them instantly present themselves to the view of our mind as he that in a cleare night lifteth up his eyes to see one starre hath millions on a sudden in his sight or as he that in the banke of a deepe river maketh a gut for a little water to passe thorow maketh way for a floud to follow after Thus was this believe that God heares their prayers cannot but hold themselves much bound to testifie all possible thankfulnesse 4 He keepes his distresse in mind and memory So long as a mans mind is fixed on his danger and distresse his heart remaines on fire with desire of gratitude 5 He was well instructed in Gods goodnesse which doth most of all enlarge a mans heart unto all gratefulnesse 6 He acknowledged God to be his deliverer whereby he saw himselfe so engaged to God as he could not but acknowledge all thanks to be most due unto him 7 His love was setled on God Nothing can more enflame zeale then love 8 He sets God alwayes before him The presence of him that doth a kindnesse doth more and more egge a man on to praise him 9 He remembred his owne weakenesse in making question of Gods promises whereby he is moved the more to blesse God for bringing that to passe whereof he doubted 10 He observed that his death was pretious in Gods sight and is enduced thereby to have Gods name in high esteeme and to praise him with the uttermost of his power 11 He was assured of the mutuall relation betwixt God and himselfe which obliged him the more to God and made him the more fervent in praising God 12 By this benefit all Gods benefits came to his mind which much increased the heavenly fire of zeale in him 13 He knew nothing to render by way of satisfaction to God therefore he is the more stirred up to praise him 14 He useth outward rites to quicken his spirit the more No marvell then that he is so full of life in performing this duty 15 He goeth to the courts of the Lords house where Gods people were assembled together An especiall means to quicken his spirit 16 He provokes others to praise God and thereby incites himselfe the more to that duty §. 109. Of expressing the same thing in differing phrases THe first branch of the Repetition of the Prophets protestation concerneth the principall duty here promised thus expressed I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving Though the Prophet for substance of matter intends no more here then he did before vers 13. yet the different manner of expressing the same affordeth some other usefull instructions which that we may the better discerne let us take a view of the different phrases 1 What he stiled before cup of salvations here he termeth sacrifice of thanksgiving 2 Where before he said I will take or lift up here he saith I will offer up This latter manner of expressing his mind is the more plaine and perspicuous and serveth as a commentary to the former in which respect it is not in vaine but to very good purpose added In and by this patterne a usefull rule for repeating one and the same thing in different words is set out which is In the latter place to use such words and phrases as are in themselves more easie and better knowne then the former and which may give some light for a better understanding of the former For why are phrases added to phrases in and about the same thing but for illustration sake to make the point the more perspicuous That therefore which is added for this end must be more cleare and evident otherwise multiplication of words and phrases is idle and absurd §. 110. Of offering a sacrifice of praise WHere the Ptophet saith I will offer he useth a word that signifieth to flay but is most usually applied to the slaying of beasts or birds for feasts or sacrifices a nowne therefore derived from that verbe is here and in many other places put for a sacrifice Our English as well as other tongues can well expresse this derivation thus I will sacrifice the sacrifice of thankes The expresse relation of this oblation to God in this phrase to thee importeth a kind of donation that thereby something was given to God The attribute of thanksgiving distinguisheth
unto others Praise ye the Lord. Oh that Ministers Magistrates Governours of families and all that have either function or disposition to call upon others to praise the Lord would first take notice of the many just and weighty occasions that themselves have to praise him and answerably bind themselves so to do and be carefull to performe what they are bound to performe having their owne hearts filled with matter of praises and their mouthes wide opened to utter the same so might they with much courage and confidence speake to others and say PRAISE YE THE LORD §. 122. Of Gods present mercies to England FOr a particular application of the generall summe and scope of the Psalme and of the two last mentioned duties of praising God our selves and of provoking others so to doe let us take a view of the speciall occasions which the Lord doth now even at this present time give us to quicken our owne and others spirits to render all possible thanks unto him for his unspeakable blessings on our owne and other nations 1 We here in England doe still enjoy the great blessing of peace together with that farre greater blessing the Gospell of peace and a free use of all Gods holy ordinances requisite for our spirituall edification and eternall salvation At this time this blessing ought to be the more highly esteemed because it is in a manner proper to us For most of the parts of Christendome are now or lately have beene exceedingly annoyed with bloudy warre Of this blessing Scotland Ireland and all the parts of His most excellent Majestie our Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES do partake Of the benefit of this blessing I have els where treated So as here I need no longer to insist upon it 2 The last yeare there was great scarcity of corne every where in this land Corne rose to a greater price then hath beene knowne in our memories And where in former times supply in like cases hath beene made by the plenty of other countries All the nations round about us were pinched with penury so as there was too great cause of fearing a famine But the Lord was pleased to heare the heavens whereupon the heavens heard the earth and the earth heard the corne the grasse and all manner of fruits and they heard England and the cry of the poore therein Thus by the divine providence our land brought forth such a plentifull harvest and the heavens afforded so faire a season for gathering it in as scarcity is turned into plenty dearenesse into cheapenesse Our floores are now full of wheate we eat in plenty and are satisfied The misery of famine giveth sufficient proofe of the great benefit of plenty 3 There was also the last yeare great feare of much sicknesse and that of the infectious pestilentious sicknesse which some few yeares before had moneth after moneth weeke after weeke day after day destroyed such multitudes as the feare of the returne thereof was the more terrible Physitians gave up their opinion that the aire was infected The famous Vniversity of Cambridge was so smitten therewith as for the space of halfe a yeare and more Colledges were dissolved Students dispersed Readings and Acts intermitted that populous place made desolate and the poore that remained much pinched with poverty Other great market townes round about in the country were also the last yeare much infected with the plague and many people were thereby destroyed or brought into great exigences But now hath the Lord healed our land Sicknesse is removed and health restored to our borders If the miserable desolation that the plague maketh in many places taking away Magistrates from their subjects Ministers from their people husbands and wives one from another parents from children children from parents deare friends helpfull neighbours one from another and then especially depriving persons of the comfort of their best friends when they stand in most need of them If I say the miserable condition occasioned by the plague be well weighed we shall find our deliverance and freedome from the same to be a great blessing To amplifie this blessing the more Gods more then ordinary providence not onely in abating the violence of that extraordinary sicknesse which in the yeare 1625 so fiercely but also in his speedy suppressing and utter removing it is frequently and seriously to be considered A distinct narration thereof is before set downe The more terrible the three evill arrowes of warre famine and plague are the more remarkable are the blessings of peace plenty and health 4 We in our dayes have such a blessing conferred upon us as hath not fallen out in England fourescore and thirteene yeares before which is the Birth of a Prince heire to the crowne Blessed in this respect be the nine and twentieth day of May 1630. On that day was Prince CHARLES borne From the twelfth of October 1537. whereon Prince Edward who was Edward 6. King of England was borne to the said 29 of May 1630 England was not honoured with such a blessing This is an incomparable blessing to this present age and to future ages also as we stedfastly hope and from our hearts with the most humble devotion and the most earnest affection that we can we daily pray §. 123. Of the present liberty of the reformed Churches in France CHristian charity requireth that we be affected with the blessings conferred on others especially such as are of the same faith and profession that we are Let us therefore cast our eyes on other Churches and their present condition which if we duely observe we shall find Gods gracious providence to be more then ordinarily extended towards them in these our daies We will begin with the reformed Churches in France When Henry 4 stiled the great deceased by that favour he had shewed and peace he had given to those of the reformed religion in his kingdome they were made so safe and secure in mans opinion as it was supposed that no power was able to wrest their liberty from them They had above two hundred walled and fenced townes for their refuge and safety Many of the greatest nobility in France were their partizans and seemed most affectionate to the religion They had troupes and armies of men well disciplined in armes with many brave Commanders and old-beaten soldiers They were well provided with all store of amunition Nothing requisite for defence and safety was wanting in mans imagination It is to be feared that they were too confident in the arme of flesh which that they might the more thorowly discerne the Lord withdrew his protection and left them to defend themselves against the power of their owne Soveraigne which at first they too much sleighted Soone after that their now Soveraigne had raised and brought his forces against them many of their chiefest Commanders revoulted their souldiers were slaine their treasures exhausted their cities and townes of defence were violently wrested from them or treacherously given up many bloudy
it should be performed By this take notice of a maine reason of mans ingratitude The benefits of the Lord which occasion matter of thanksgiuing are either not at all obserued but passed ouer without regard or else soone forgotten When the Lord by his Prophet upbraideth to the Israelites their great ingratitude he rendreth this reason thereof Israel doth not know my people doth not consider And when the Psalmist speaketh of their like ingratitude he rendreth this reason They sorgat God their Sauiour which had done great things in Aegypt Where there is no knowledge of a benefit there can be no good esteeme thereof What is not esteemed can not be affected No man will enquire what hee may render for that which he affects not Againe that which is forgotten is as not knowne as not esteemed as not affected They therefore that either take no notice of Gods benefits or soone forget them after they have once knowne them must needs be ungratefull But without all doubt remembrance of kindnesse incites gratefulnesse To preuent this crime of ingratitude a crime most odious to God and man 1. Be diligent in obseruing Gods benefits Psal 85. 8. 2. Oft and seriously meditate thereon that they may not slip out of thy mind and memory Psal 77. 11 12. 3. Speake of them to others as he that said Come heare all yee that feare God and I will declare what he hath done for my soule Psal 66. 16. This is the way to make thee see and say Gods benefits are towards mee and thereupon in testimonie of gratefulnesse heartily to enquire what shall I render to the Lord §. 81. Of a fourth property of gratitude by one kindnesse to be put in mind of many V. GRatefulnesse raiseth the mind from some favours to all This generall particle all is not so strictly to be taken as if no favour or benefit were to be left out for so many are the benefits which God from time to time doth bestow upon vs as it is not possible to fasten our mind upon them all but it is to be taken of the severall kinds of Gods benefits as Generall Particular Publike Private Temporall Spirituall c. and of as many seuerall and distinct brāches of these as we can Thus whē David was setled in his Kingdome and thereupon tooke occasion to praise God in his Psalme of praise he reckoneth up all those kindnesses which God had done to his people from the time of their firstfathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob yea he giveth this expresse charge Talke ye of All his wondrous workes So Iehosophat when he consulted upon the promise of victory which God by his Prophet had given him to praise the Lord the 136. Psalme which containeth a catalogue of all Gods mercies was appointed to be sung That sweet singer of Israel who well knew how to order his formes of praise to God as affirmatively he promiseth to shew foorth All Gods marveilous works so he giveth a negative charge to his soule not to forget all or any of his benefits As more fuell added to fire maketh the flame the greater so more benefits brought to an heart set on fire to praise the Lord enlargeth it the more and enflameth it with an holy zeale This patterne is worthy our imitation and affordeth an excellent rule to stir us up heartily cheerfully and zealously to praise the Lord. The rule is this to be so acquainted with the severall kinds of Gods benefits as on all occasions they may be presented to our minds Without all question the Prophets mind was upon many and sundry sorts of benefits when he said all his benefits are towards me He did not confusedly use this generall particle all as many doe when they professe to thanke God for all his benefits and yet have none at all in their minds His spirit was otherwise disposed then to content it selfe with such a generall indefinite cold loose formall forme of acknowledging Gods benefits If we would accustome our selves to make diaries of Gods blessings on us and when we are before God recompt them in order oft call to mind how frō our mothers womb he hath bone our God how in every estate and degree of our age he hath blessed us and that with all manner of blessings temporall and spiritual privative and positive conferred on our selves and those that belong unto us yea on the nation city parish or family where we live then would not such a generall clause as this all his benefits are towards me be an idle clause but the mind which is large in apprehension where it is well informed would comprise much matter on it even so much as would set the heart on fire with zeale §. 82. Of particular sence of kindnesse whereby the heart is stirred up to thankfulnesse VI. SEnce of Gods kindnesse to ones selfe doth most enlarge the heart to thankfulnesse Words of particular relation betwixt God that is praised and the persons that praise him used in formes of praise give good proofe to this point Such are these O Lord my God my strength my defence the God of my mercy my rocke my fortresse my deliuerer my buckler the horne of my salvation mine high tower c. That which here is generally implied under this clause all his benefits towards me is in sundry particulars exemplified thorowout the whole booke of Psalmes Take a few instances for many Thou hast maintained my right and my cause He tooke me he drew me out of many waters he deliuered me he was my stay c. In particular let the five first verses of the 103. Psalme bee well obserued for this purpose Men are most sensible of kindnesses done to themselves the sweetnesse whereof their owne soules doe taste Now according to the taste and sence of a kindnesse is the heart quickned and stirred up to thankfulnesse Though it be an effect of naturall selfe loue to affect the heart with such good things as a man himselfe is made partaker of yet is it not against spirituall love to make an advantage thereof and to use that affection of the heart to kindle and inflame our zeale unto a more feruent manner of praising God Among other mercies take especiall notice of such as in particular concerne thy selfe as he that said I will declare what God hath done for my soule In this consideration first marke such as are most proper and peculiar to thy self wherof thou maist say He hath not dealt so with others So did he who said He chose Dauid his servant c. Then observe what part thou hast in such as are common with others And here consider what relation there is betwixt thee and those others whether they bee such as are committed to thy charge neerely united to thee of the same family or alliance or parish or incorporation or nation or profession Neere relations will affect