A01981:1232
The saints sacrifice
The saints sacrifice: or, a commentary on the CXVI. Psalm Which is, a gratulatory psalm, for deliverance from deadly distress. By William Gouge, D.D.The saints sacrifice: or, a commentarie on the CXVI. Psalme Which is, a gratulatory psalme, for deliverance from deadly distresse. By William Gouge, D.D.
London: printed by George Miller for Edward Brewster, 1632
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Section 85: §. 85. Of praise the best that man can render unto God.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3 Our own spirits are much roused and quickened hereby. Outward gratulatory actions, as they manifest an inward grateful affection, so they are means, as it were by a reflection, to increase the heat of gratitude, and inflame our zealous affection the more. Now our dullness and coldness in all pious duties giveth evidence that all means that can be used for quickening our spirits, are little enough.
3 Our owne spirits are much roused and quickened hereby. Outward gratulatory actions, as they manifest an inward gratefull affection, so they are meanes, as it were by a reflection, to increase the heate of gratitude, and enflame our zealous affection the more. Now our dulnesse and coldnesse in all pious duties giveth evidence that all meanes that can bee used for quickening our spirits, are little enough.
1Too austere and severe are they, who censure as unlawful, and condemn all cheerful rites, and actions of gratulation. Their main ground is the evil consequence which followeth from thence. But that followeth not from a lawful use of warrantable rites, but from an abuse of them, which is indeed unlawful. If abuse of a thing were sufficient to prohibit the use of it, the use of the most necessary and bounden duties which the word commandeth, should be prohibited. It is an especial point of wisdom to discern whence every evil ariseth, and accordingly to be so circumspect in avoiding the evil, as a warrantable, commendable, needful, useful duty be not forborne thereby. The wise farmer neglecteth not to sow his ground because weeds use to grow among the corn. No wise man will forbid the drinking of wine because some by intemperancy ⟨p. 177⟩are made drunk. Evil consequences arising from good things, give just occasion to be watchful over our selves in the doing of those good things, that by our carelessness they prove not pernicious. So as, it is not a sufficient plea for intemperancy, to say, the thing that we do is lawful. He that hath warranted a thing to be done, hath prescribed rules for the manner of doing it, by a due observation whereof good things will be well done.