A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

Thirdly, The sinfulness and weakness of the memory is manifested not only by the end of the Scriptures in general, but also several parts of the word of God are peculiarly so ordered, that they might be the more easily conserved in our memory. Thus when any great deliverances were vouchsafed to the Church, those mercies were made into Psalms and Songs, that for the meters sake, and the pleasantness of the matter, all might have them in remembrance: This method did signify how dull and stupid our memories are, and how apt to forget the benefits and mercies of God, and therefore our memories are to be helped therein: Thus the 119th Psalm, is put into an alphabetical order, thereby to further our memory about it, yea there are two Psalms, Psal. 8. 1. and Psal. 70. 1. which have this Title, To bring to remembrance; And the matter of those two Psalms containeth a complaint under afflictions and earnest importunity with God for deliverance. ⟨p. 255⟩The Spirit of God by instruments made them to be composed for this end, that afflicted and troubled souls should have them in remembrance; and indeed we may say of every Chapter, as well as of those Psalms, A Chapter to bring to remembrance; yea, of many Verses, A Verse to bring to remembrance; And because the memory is so slow and dull about holy things, you may read of a peculiar command to the Jews in this case; and although the same obligation doth not belong to us, yet it teacheth us all, what forgetfulness and oblivion is ready to seize upon us about holy things, Numb. 15. 39, 40. God doth there command Moses, to speak to the children of Israel, that they make fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations. It was a perpetual Ordinance; And why must this be done, To remember all the Commandments of God: This was Gods special command? The Church under the Gospel may not in imitation hereof prescribe Ceremonies, or appoint Images to stir up the dull memory of man. The Popish-Church commendeth their Crucifixes and their Images upon this account, because so helpful to the memory, being the Lay-mens Books; But (though the memory be greatly polluted, yet) it belongs not to man, but to God as part of his regality, to appoint what he pleaseth, to stir up and excite the memory in holy things;