First, The heart that is duly fitted to praise God, though it be thankful for every mercy, even the least mercy, yet it keeps an order in its thanksgiving according to the dignity of its objects; so that it praiseth God chiefly and principally for spiritual mercies; and then secondarily, for temporal mercies. And this argueth the difficulty of this duty, and that also only the regenerate and spiritual man can in a Scripture-way bless God, for he only doth prefer heavenly things above earthly. When the Psalmist had spoken of outward mercies to a people, Psal. 144. 12, 13, 15. great mercies in sons and daughters, rich abundance and plenty, he corrects all at last, Happy is that people that is in such a case, yea happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. So that you see all the outward desirable mercies that are, are but in a subordination to Gods favour. When thou art breaking forth after this manner, I bless God for my children, for my health, for my outward contents. Oh but above all, Lord, that I have any spiritual mercy, that thou hast loved my soul, converted me to thy self, saved me from the evil ways of the world, in this my soul is overwhelmed! So then, as we see it is in matter of Petition, Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus it is also in Thanksgiving, whatsoever heavenly mercy God hath bestowed on thee, bless God for that in the first place. Thus the Apostle doth praise God in a most divine manner, Eph. 1. 3. Blessed be God, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Insomuch that this may be a good Touchstone of the truth of grace in thee, whether thy soul be most affected and enlarged towards God for soul-mercies, that thou canst truly say; O Lord in that thou hast made me in a saving manner to know thee, in that thou hast revealed thy Son to me, I do more rejoice in this, and bless thee for it, then if thou hadst given me all the glory of the world! Doest thou see a natural worldly man boast in his riches, in his birth, in his greatness above others, and knoweth nothing at all of Gods favour and spiritual mercy to his soul? This is like a beast that is crowned with Garlands, but yet prepared for the slaughter. Canst thou say, O Lord, I judge all the outward mercies I have to be but husks, and empty shells, in comparison of that Manna, that spiritual favour I am made partaker of.
First, The heart that is duly fitted to praise God, though it be thankefull for every mercy, even the least mercy, yet it keeps an order in its thankesgiving according to the dignity of its objects; so that it praiseth God chiefly and principally for spiritual mercies; and then secondarily, for temporal mercies. And this argueth the difficulty of this duty, and that also only the regenerate and spiritual man can in a Scripture-way blesse God, for he only doth preferre heavenly things above earthly. When the Psalmist had spoken of outward mercies to a people, Psal. 144. 12, 13, 15. great mercies in sons and daughters, rich abundance and plenty, he corrects all at last, Happy is that people that is in such a case, yea happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. So that you see all the outward desirable mercies that are, are but in a subordination to Gods favour. When thou art breaking forth after this manner, I bless God for my children, for my health, for my outward contents. Oh but above all, Lord, that I have any spiritual mercy, that thou hast loved my soul, converted me to thy self, saved me from the evil wayes of the world, in this my soul is overwhelmed! So then, as we see it is in matter of Petition, Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus it is also in Thanksgiving, whatsoever heavenly mercy God hath bestowed on thee, bless God for that in the first place. Thus the Apostle doth praise God in a most divine manner, Eph. 1. 3. Blessed be God, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Insomuch that this may be a good Touchstone of the truth of grace in thee, whether thy soul be most affected and enlarged towards God for soul-mercies, that thou canst truly say; O Lord in that thou hast made me in a saving manner to know thee, in that thou hast revealed thy Son to me, I do more rejoyce in this, and bless thee for it, then if thou hadst given me all the glory of the world! Doest thou see a natural worldly man boast in his riches, in his birth, in his greatness above others, and knoweth nothing at all of Gods favour and spiritual mercy to his soul? This is like a beast that is crowned with Garlands, but yet prepared for the slaughter. Canst thou say, O Lord, I judge all the outward mercies I have to be but husks, and empty shels, in comparison of that Manna, that spiritual favour I am made partaker of.
