1Show me then thy gratitude by the effect thereof. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Even to men are these benefits to be acknowledged. Thus iDeborah acknowledged Jael's kindness: kDavid, Abigails: lSaul, Davids, and many other, other mens. Much more to God must his benefits be acknowledged, in regard of the multitude, greatness, freeness, needfulness, profitableness, and continuance of them, together with many other circumstances whereby they are much amplified. And so much the rather, because acknowledgement is all that we can render to God: and it is all that God doth expect, which yet he doth most graciously accept. Make this holy profession therefore of the Lords benefits to God himself and to men: make it ⟨p. 168⟩to God in secret and in public: make it at all times, in all places: make it while the benefits are fresh before thee: lay up his benefits in thy memory, that thou mayest in future times again, and again make it. Acknowledge the benefits which thou hast received, and thou shalt be sure to receive more. The tenth leper which returned to give glory to God, received thereby another, and a greater benefit, which was the cleansing of his soul from the leprosy of sin; as this 5phrase importeth, Thy faith hath saved thee. He was cleansed of his bodily leprosy before he returned. There was then somewhat more intended, by the pronouncing of this after his returning to glorify God. The other nine that returned were cleansed in their bodies. This was said to him as an evidence of a greater benefit, then that which they received. For Gods sake therefore who is thereby honoured, and for thine own sake who gainest thereby more benefits, acknowledge Gods benefits, and say, His benefits are towards me.
1Shew me then thy gratitude by the effect thereof. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Even to men are these benefits to be acknowledged. Thus iDeborah acknowledged Iaells kindnesse: kDavid, Abigails: lSaul, Davids, and many other, other mens. Much more to God must his benefits be acknowledged, in regard of the multitude, greatnesse, freenesse, needfulnesse, profitablenesse, and continuance of them, together with many other circumstances whereby they are much amplified. And so much the rather, because acknowledgement is all that we can render to God: and it is all that God doth expect, which yet he doth most graciously accept. Make this holy profession therfore of the Lords benefits to God himselfe and to men: make it ⟨p. 168⟩to God in secret and in publike: make it at all times, in all places: make it while the benefits are fresh before thee: lay up his benefits in thy memory, that thou maist in future times againe, and againe make it. Acknowledge the benefits which thou hast received, and thou shalt be sure to receive more. The tenth leper which returned to give glory to God, received thereby another, and a greater benefit, which was the cleansing of his soule from the leprosie of sinne; as this 5phrase importeth, Thy faith hath saved thee. He was cleansed of his bodily leprosie before he returned. There was then somewhat more intended, by the pronouncing of this after his returning to glorifie God. The other nine that returned were cleansed in their bodies. This was said to him as an evidence of a greater benefit, then that which they receiued. For Gods sake therefore who is thereby honoured, and for thine owne sake who gainest thereby more benefits, acknowledge Gods benefits, and say, His benefits are towards me.
- 1Exhortation to acknowledge benefits.
- iJudg. 5. 24.Iudg. 5. 24.
- k1 Sam. 25. 33
- l—•4. 19.
- 5Luk. 17. 19.
