An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Thirdly, Such are capable subjects of Gods grace, that are affected thankfully with the least discoveries and manifestations of it to the soul. The Sun is not more welcome to the world, than the grace of God to a broken, contrite heart. If then the soul come to taste of the sweetness of it, both heart and mouth will overflow in the acknowledging of this grace. And indeed therefore doth the Lord do all out of grace to us, that as the Apostle saith, We might be to the praise of the glory of his grace, Ephes. 1. 6. And that we should show forth the praise of him, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. So that there is nothing so comely and beautiful for a soul partaking of this grace, as to be calling upon his soul, and all within him to praise God: Yea, because he cannot do it enough, to call upon all other creatures, Angels and Saints, that they would join with him in this work. And certainly the dullness and negligence of the godly is much to be lamented in this very particular. David discovered this, when Psal. 103. he calls upon his soul to bless God; and in other places, Psal. 18. 2. Awake psaltery and harp, I my self will awake early. Why then is it thus with thee, that in temporal mercies and deliverances thou art so cordially sensible of them? If God of weak and sick, make thee healthful; if he recover thee from the gates of death, if he bless thy outward estate, so that thou art freed from the former straits and perplexities thou wert in: If (I say) God do thus for thee, thou lovest to take notice of it; thou canst with tears and joy speak of Gods goodness to thee herein; but for those great and unspeakable riches of his grace, in calling of thee, and justifying of thee, in beginning of ⟨p. 105⟩grace in thy heart; these things thou dost not meditate of so affectionately as thou oughtest to do. How far otherwise was it with Paul, whose heart, was like a fountain never dry, but did always stream forth abundantly in blessing of God for those spiritual mercies. Certainly were this grace of God rightly considered by us, it would put us into holy ravishments, it would take us off from all worldly comforts or discontents. The soul possessed with thankful thoughts about this grace of God, will be even in Heaven it self. Indeed we should account this our meat and drink, and our only blessedness.