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…

Again, The Wisdom of God, if that be considered in every mercy, this will also greatly enlarge to thankfulness. Gods mercies are not only mercies in themselves, but they come in such fit seasons, they are at such times and opportunities, that this maketh them double mercies; and so some have observed this difference between blessing and praising of God; Blessing of God is, because of the goodness of the mercy; Praising is for the wisdom and curious workmanship of God, as it were in that mercy. As if a friend, who also was himself the maker of a curious Watch, should bestow it upon you as a gift, you would not only thank him for his love, but praise his skill and art likewise. Thus we are not only to consider the mercies God giveth us, but the wisdom that God demonstrateth at that very time, making every mercy to be with an aggravation.

Again, The Wisdome of God, if that be considered in every mercy, this will also greatly inlarge to thankefulnesse. Gods mercies are not only mercies in themselves, but they come in such fit seasons, they are at such times and opportunities, that this maketh them double mercies; and so some have observed this difference between blessing and praising of God; Blessing of God is, because of the goodnesse of the mercy; Praising is for the wisdome and curious workmanship of God, as it were in that mercy. As if a friend, who also was himself the maker of a curious Watch, should bestow it upon you as a gift, you would not only thank him for his love, but praise his skill and art likewise. Thus we are not only to consider the mercies God giveth us, but the wisdome that God demonstrateth at that very time, making every mercy to be with an aggravation.

Again, Meditation will inflame, by apprehending of Gods freeness in every mercy, and our unworthiness. We could do nothing, that may provoke God; especially this we are to aggravate in our spiritual mercies, as Paul doth often, excluding our works, and giving all to the grace of God, who worketh according to his own purpose and will. Oh what coals of fire will this be in thy bosom! To think, why doth God do this to me? What moveth him? Is God necessitated to it? Can he not do otherwise? Would he be unjust, if he did it not? And this further will be aggravated, when we consider the mercy comparatively with others that want such; if for spiritual mercies, we compare them with the damned Angels, that are utterly cut off from the least crumb of any spiritual mercy, though so noble and excellent creatures, may not this astonish thee? And if thou sayest, These are not of the same nature with thee; How many are there of the same flesh and blood, in the same vicinity where thou livest, of the fame calling and profession, yea of the same parentage, and yet they are forsaken by God, and left to their natural deserts, whereas he hath pitched his favour upon thee, to justify, sanctify, and at last to glorify thee? Certainly, thou art a stock and a stone, if such discriminating mercy as this doth not affectionately possess thee.