1This pattern 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 several 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 general particle all, as many do when they profess to thank God for all his benefits, and yet have none at all in their minds. His spirit was otherwise disposed, then to content it self with such a general, indefinite, cold, loose, formal form of acknowledging Gods benefits. If we would accustom our selves to make diaries of Gods blessings on us, and when we are before God, recount them in order, & oft 2call to mind how from 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 temporal and spiritual, 3privative 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 general 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 zeal.
1This 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 2call 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, 3privative 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.
- 1Direction to rouse up our spirits in thanksgiving
- 2Psal 22. 10.
- 3See in the whole armour of God, Treat. 3. part. 2 § 64, 6•. &c. a catalogue of benefits.
