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…

Oh then abhor thy self, for not being ravished more with this grace of God to thee! Say, Lord, what a stone, what frost and ice am I? yea worse than they; for David calleth upon them to glorify and praise God, and they do it in their kind; but I am forgetful and dull in this blessed work, which is the only duty to be done to all eternity. It may be then thou feelest no more of this grace of God, because thou are no more thankful for the present enjoyments of it; and it argueth thy heart not only too dull and sluggish, but too earthly and worldly, that thou dost not bless God in the first and chiefest place, for the workings of his grace towards thee.

Oh then abhorre thy self, for not being ravished more with this grace of God to thee! Say, Lord, what a stone, what frost and ice am I? yea worse than they; for David calleth upon them to glorifie and praise God, and they do it in their kind; but I am forgetfull and dull in this blessed work, which is the only duty to be done to all eternity. It may be then thou feelest no more of this grace of God, because thou are no more thankfull for the present enjoyments of it; and it argueth thy heart not only too dull and sluggish, but too earthly and worldly, that thou dost not bless God in the first and chiefest place, for the workings of his grace towards thee.

Lastly, Such only are capable of the benefits of this grace, who do not abuse it, or turn it into occasion of sin. The Apostle Jude 4. complaineth of some, who did turn the grace of God into wantonness. And the Apostle Paul, Rom. 6. 1. speaketh of some, who encouraged themselves to sin, because of Gods grace. Oh take heed of falling into this Libertinism and licentiousness. As the swee• and comfortable showers of April breed frogs and other vermin, as well as pleasant flowers: Thus the grace of God, when falling into a broken humbled soul, makes him more godly and holy; but dropping on the wicked and carnal heart, it pampereth him, and nourisheth him the more in his sins. How many spiders get poison out of these sweet flowers? How many do encourage themselves in their profaneness, and go boldly on in their manifest impieties, hardening themselves with the thoughts of Gods grace? Thus whereas bitter pills, the judgements of God would have consumed their lusts; those sweet and comfortable things of Gods grace, do more confirm them in their impieties. Oh take heed of being wicked, because God is gracious! For thou wilt find, though he be infinitely gracious, and that to great sinners, when repenting and humbling themselves, yet to such as abuse and turn his grace into an occasion of sin, the hottest flames of his anger will fall upon such.