(3.) When we take a rise from hence, to have heavenly admirations of the graciousness of God. That he should pity and pardon so many slight addresses to him, and give any gracious returns to us. Though men have foolish rangings every day, and in every duty; yet free grace is so tender as not to punish them, Gen. 8.21. And the Lord smelt a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not curse the Ground for mans sake, for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth. 'Tis observable, that this was just after a Sacrifice which Noah offered to God, v. 20. But probably not without infirmities common to human nature, which may be grounded upon the reason God gives; that though he had destroyed the Earth before, because of the evil of mans imaginations, Gen. 6.5. He still found evil imaginations; He doth not say in the heart of Ham, or others of Noah's Family; but in mans heart, including Noah also; who had both the Judgments of God upon the former world, ⟨p. 168⟩and the mercy of God in his own preservation before his eyes; yet God saw evil imaginations rooted in the nature of Man; and though it were so, yet he would be merciful: If therefore we can, after finding our hearts so vagrant in worship, have real frames of thankfulness that God hath spared us; and be heightened in our admirations at Gods giving us any fruit of such a distracted worship; we take advantage from them, to be raised into an Evangelical frame, which consists in the humble acknowledgements of the grace of God. When David takes a review of those tumultuous passions which had ruffled his mind, and possessed him with unbelieving notions of God in the persons of his Prophets*; how high doth his Soul mount in astonishment and thankfulness to God for his mercy*? Notwithstanding his distrust, God did graciously perform his promise, and answer his desire; Then it is what shall I render to the Lord? His heart was more affected for it, because it had been so passionate in former distrusts. 'Tis indeed a ground of wondering at the patience of the Spirit of God, that he should guide our hearts when they are so apt to start out; as it is the patience of a Master to guide the hand of his Scholar, while he mixes his writing with many blots. 'Tis not one or two infirmities the Spirit helps us in, and helps over, but many*.
(3.) When we take a rise from hence, to have heavenly admirations of the graciousness of God. That he should pity and pardon so many slight addresses to him, and give any gracious returns to us. Though men have foolish rangings every day, and in every duty; yet free grace is so tender as not to punish them, Gen. 8.21. And the Lord smelt a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not curse the Ground for mans sake, for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth. 'Tis observable, that this was just after a Sacrifice which Noah offered to God, v. 20. But probably not without infirmities common to human nature, which may be grounded upon the reason God gives; that though he had destroyed the Earth before, because of the evil of mans imaginations, Gen. 6.5. He still found evil imaginations; He doth not say in the heart of Cham, or others of Noah's Family; but in mans heart, including Noah also; who had both the Judgments of God upon the former world, ⟨p. 168⟩and the mercy of God in his own preservation before his eyes; yet God sawevil imaginations rooted in the nature of Man; and though it were so, yet he would be merciful: If therefore we can, after finding our hearts so vagrant in worship, have real frames of thankfulness that God hath spared us; and be hightned in our admirations at Gods giving us any fruit of such a distracted worship; we take advantage from them, to be raised into an Evangelical frame, which consists in the humble acknowledgments of the grace of God. When David takes a review of those tumultuous passions which had rufled his mind, and possessed him with unbelieving notions of God in the persons of his Prophets*; how high doth his Soul mount in astonishment and thankfulness to God for his mercy*? Notwithstanding his distrust, God did graciously perform his promise, and answer his desire; Then it is what shall I render to the Lord? His heart was more affected for it, because it had been so passionate in former distrusts. 'Tis indeed a ground of wondring at the patience of the Spirit of God, that he should guide our hearts when they are so apt to start out; as it is the patience of a Master to guide the hand of his Scholar, while he mixes his writing with many blots. 'Tis not one or two infirmities the Spirit helps us in, and helps over, but many*.
- *Psal. 116.11.
- *verse 12.
- *Rom. 8.26.
