Samuel's encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…Samuels encounter with Saul. I Sam. chap. 15 from ver. 13 to ver. 30.…

Whereby we may see, that God doth look for it at mens hands, that they should be knit to him, and wholly at his pleasure, when he bestoweth these benefits upon rhem, which their best friends, and mightiest potentates ⟨p. 72⟩cannot: and we must know, that God doth where he giveth much, look for much again;¹ and upon whom he bestoweth his talents, he looketh that they should faithfully,² and diligently occupy and employ the same. And who is so ignorant that he knoweth not this, that when men of ability cast their favour upon any, or benefit them undeservedly, rather then others, that they look for kindness & good will again (though for no recompense) more then in a common manner. And if all grant that this is so clear, that it needeth little proof, that where more is received of God, they owe more to him again; and so are bound to set forth his glory, ⟨p. 73⟩who hath raised them from the dunghill, to great liberties, and prerogatives, how shall men ever be able to answer this, that whereas they receive all that they have of Gods mere liberality and bounty, yet they feel not, nor find themselves in any sort affected and knit to him, or to seek to please him, by doing the things which he commandeth, neither wonder at his favours to them, rather then to many others, & so to provoke themselves with a thankful heart to say as the Prophet did, what shall I render the Lord, ³for all his mercies bestowed on me? And again, when they see their backwardness, and slowness in such duties, then to stir up themselves, and to say ⟨p. 74⟩with him in another place, O my soul, ⁴praise thou the Lord, and all that is within me praise his holy name: And if when they have done all, that they can say, they are but unprofitable servants, ⁵