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, 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.

Again, Meditation will inflame, by apprehending of Gods freenesse in every mercy, and our unworthinesse. 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 bosome! 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 crum 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 bloud, 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 justifie, sanctifie, and at last to glorifie thee? Certainly, thou art a stock and a stone, if such discriminating mercy as this doth not affectionately possess thee.