The Soul's Conflict with Itself

It requires especially self-denial, from a conscience of our own wants, ¹weaknesses, and unworthiness; it requires a giving up of our selves, and all ours to be at Gods dispose; the very ground and the fruit which it yields are both Gods; and they never gave themselves truly up to God, that are not ready to give all they have to him whensoever he calls for it; thankfulness is a sacrifice, and in sacrifices there must be killing before offering, otherwise the sacrifice will be as the offering up of ⟨p. 441⟩some unclean creature; thanksgiving is […] Incense, and there must be fire to urn that Incense; thanksgiving requires not only affections, but the heat of affections; there must be some assu•ce of the benefit we praise God •or; and it is no easy matter to maintain assurance of our interest in the best things.

It requires especially selfe-denyall, from a conscience of our own wants, ¹weaknesses, and unworthinesse; it requires a giving up of our selves, and all ours to be at Gods dispose; the very ground and the fruit which it yeelds are both Gods; and they never gave themselves truly up to God, that are not ready to give all they have to him whensoever he calls for it; thankfulnesse is a sacrifice, and in sacrifices there must be killing before offering, otherwise the sacrifice will be as the offering up of ⟨p. 441⟩some uncleane creature; thanksgiving is 〈…〉 Incense, and there must be fire to •rne that Incense; thanksgiving requires not onely affections, but the heat of affections; there must be some assu•ce of the benefit wee praise God •or; and it is no easie matter to maintaine assurance of our interest in the best things.

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