12. It is the knowledge of Christ, dwelling in you, and so of the special Love of God, that must acquaint you with a life of holy Thankfulness and praise. These highest and most acceptable duties, will be out of your reach if Satan can hide from you that mercy which must be the chiefest matter of your Thanksgiving. Will that soul be in tune for the high Praises of the Lord, that thinks he meaneth to use him as an enemy? Can you look for any cheerful thanksgiving from him that looks to lie in hell? will he not rather cry with David, Psal. 6.5. [In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Psal. 30.9. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?] shall the damned praise thee, or shall they give thee thanks that must be scorched with the flames of thine indignation? Can you expect that Joy should be in their hearts, or cheerfulness in their countenances, or praises in their mouths, that think they are Reprobated to the fire of Hell? Undoubtedly Satan is not ignorant, that this is the way to deprive God of the Service which is most acceptable to him, and you of the pleasures ⟨p. 378⟩of so sweet a life. And therefore he that envieth both, will do his worst to damp your spirits, and breed uncomfortable doubts and fears, and wrongful suspicions in your minds. Whereas the Knowledge of your interest in Christ, would be a continual storehouse of thanksgiving and praise, and teach your hearts as well as your tongues, to say with David, [Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered; Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. — Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye Righteous, and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.] Psal. 32.1, 2, 11. Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name: Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases: Who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Psal. 103.1, 2, 3, 4.] O Lord, my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me: O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit;
12. It is the knowledge of Christ, dwelling in you, and so of the special Love of God, that must acquaint you with a life of holy Thankfulness and prase. These highest and most acceptable duties, will be out of your reach if Satan can hide from you that mercy which must be the chiefest matter of your Thanksgiving. Will that soul be in tune for the high Praises of the Lord, that thinks he meaneth to use him as an enemy? Can you look for any cheerful thanksgiving from him that looks to lie in hell? will he not rather cry with David, Psal. 6.5. [In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Psal. 30.9. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?] shall the damned praise thee, or shall they give thee thanks that must be scorched with the flames of thine indignation? Can you expect that Joy should be in their hearts, or cheerfulness in their countenances, or praises in their mouths, that think they are Reprobated to the fire of Hell? Undoubtedly Satan is not ignorant, that this is the way to deprive God of the Service which is most acceptable to him, and you of the pleasures ⟨p. 378⟩of so sweet a life. And therefore he that envyeth both, will do his worst to damp your spirits, and breed uncomfortable doubts and fears, and wrongful suspitions in your minds. Whereas the Knowledge of your interest in Christ, would be a continual storehouse of thanksgiving and praise, and teach your hearts as well as your tongues, to say with David, [Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered; Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. — Be glad in the Lord, and rejoyce ye Righteous, and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.] Psal. 32.1, 2, 11. Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name: Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases: Who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Psal. 103.1, 2, 3, 4.] O Lord, my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me: O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit;
