2 It is an evidence of much love to our brethren to incite them to praise the Lord, both in regard of the great need wherein they stand thereof, and also in regard of the great benefit they may reap thereby. All have great need to be daily stirred up to this duty, by reason of their natural backwardness thereunto. The more excellent any duty is, the more backward we are by nature thereunto: but of all duties, none more excellent, none more divine, none wherein we come nearer unto the celestial spirits, then this of praising God: which maketh our earthly, perverse disposition to be so dull to it, as it is, Can heavy things of the earth be forward to ascend upward? but in praising God our spirits ascend to heaven where God is. Hence also is it, that, though we are at some times quick and forward thereunto, yet we ⟨p. 271⟩soon wax dull therein, and as it were fall downward, as heavy weights, which though they be pulled up, by their own heaviness fall down again: or as water, which though with fire it be heated, of its own nature waxeth cold again. Therefore as weights are oft to be pulled up, as fire is of• to be put under water, and blown up, so our spirits are oft to be quickened and stirred up by mutual cohortations. The benefit whereof is very great, by reason of the true virtue and efficacy of incitations. As soldiers, even fresh water soldiers, and all that strive for masteries by running, riding, rowing, shooting, wrestling, &c. are much animated and whetted on by acclamations, and incitations, so Christians by holy exhortations are much quickened to praise the Lord.
2 It is an evidence of much love to our brethren to incite them to praise the Lord, both in regard of the great need wherin they stand therof, and also in regard of the great benefit they may reape therby. All have great need to be daily stirred up to this duty, by reason of their naturall backwardnesse thereunto. The more excellent any duty is, the more backward we are by nature thereunto: but of all duties, none more excellent, none more divine, none wherein we come nearer unto the celestiall spirits, then this of praising God: which maketh our earthly, perverse disposition to be so dull to it, as it is, Can heavy things of the earth be forward to ascend upward? but in praising God our spirits ascend to heaven where God is. Hence also is it, that, though we are at some times quicke and forward thereunto, yet we ⟨p. 271⟩soone waxe dull therein, and as it were fall downward, as heavy weights, which though they be pulled up, by their owne heavinesse fall downe againe: or as water, which though with fire it be heated, of its owne nature waxeth cold againe. Therefore as weights are oft to be pulled up, as fire is of• to be put under water, and blowne up, so our spirits are oft to be quickned and stirred up by mutuall cohortations. The benefit whereof is very great, by reason of the true vertue and efficacy of incitations. As souldiers, even fresh water souldiers, and all that strive for masteries by running, riding, rowing, shooting, wrastling, &c. are much animated and whetted on by acclamations, and incitations, so Christians by holy exhortations are much quickened to praise the Lord.
