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, There is required the regeneration and renovation of the whole man. As a wicked man cannot pray to God, so neither can he praise God. Therefore though natural men may have it often in their mouths; they bless their good God, and I praise my God; yet to praise God requireth a principle of grace within, a supernatural root, as well as to pray to God. Indeed they may externally ⟨p. 129⟩sing Psalms, and give praise to God, even as they pray; but all this while, there is nothing at the root, all is dead within, Psal. 147. 1. Praise is comely for the upright. It's a comely suitable thing for a man of an upright and gracious heart, to bless God; but for a carnal profane man, it is as unseemly, as a pearl on the swines nose; God is dishonoured, and not pleased: Oh then, that this might awaken every natural man! Thou canst neither pray to God, or praise him: Thou canst neither receive gifts from God aright, or return praise to him aright. So that this must be looked to, as the principal and chief of all. Hath God put his own image into me? Hath God bestowed the life of grace upon me? Then praise is seemly and comely for me. Even amongst men the Rule is, Laudari à laudat is laudabile est.

Thirdly, There is required the regeneration and renovation of the whole man. As a wicked man cannot pray to God, so neither can he praise God. Therefore though natural men may have it often in their mouths; they bless their good God, and I praise my God; yet to praise God requireth a principle of grace within, a supernatural root, as well as to pray to God. Indeed they may externally ⟨p. 129⟩sing Psalms, and give praise to God, even as they pray; but all this while, there is nothing at the root, all is dead within, Psal. 147. 1. Praise is comely for the upright. It's a comely sutable thing for a man of an upright and gracious heart, to bless God; but for a carnal prophane man, it is as unseemly, as a pearl on the swines nose; God is dishonoured, and not pleased: Oh then, that this might awaken every natural man! Thou canst neither pray to God, or praise him: Thou canst neither receive gifts from God aright, or return praise to him aright. So that this must be looked to, as the principal and chief of all. Hath God put his own image into me? Hath God bestowed the life of grace upon me? Then praise is seemly and comely for me. Even amongst men the Rule is, Laudari à laudat is laudabile est.