5. And though you are not to prefer the consideration of your own interest in God as a good suitable to you, or to give it the highest place in your delight; yet also you must take heed of neglecting it, or of denying it any place at all. For though we may plainly observe, as hath been said, That it was the usual temper of holy Men of Old, to be most taken up in admiring God upon the account of his own Excellency and Glory in it self considered; and may thence collect that to be the genuine right temper of a gracious heart when it is most it self: Yet also 'tis as evident, That they were far from neglecting their own interest in ⟨p. 345⟩God, and that they counted it not a small matter; Yea, that it had (though not the principal) a very great influence upon their delight and joy in him. No one can read the Bible, and not have frequent occasion to take notice of this. For how often do we find him spoken of under the names of their Portion, Heritage, &c! And in what raptures of Joy do we often find them upon that account! So the Psalmist considers him, when he says, The lines are fallen to him in pleasant places, 1and he had a goodly heritage. How often do we find them glorying in their relation by Covenant, and making their boasts of him as their God; 2I will love thee, O Lord, my strength, &c! You have [my] no less than nine times repeated in the beginning (the first and second verses) of that Psalm, My strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, &c. And afterwards How glorious a triumph is there raised, and in what exultation do we behold them upon this!3 Who is God save the Lord, and who is a Rock save our God? And again, The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my Salvation be exalted. And this was some of the last holy breath uttered by that anointed one of the God of Jacob, 4and the sweet Psalmist of Israel; He hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure. And this is all my Salvation and all my Desire—With this, How well satisfied and pleased did he expire, and go down to the grave! And the People of God are sometime represented as so taken with this apprehension ⟨p. 346⟩of their peculiar relation to God that they cannot be content to know, but they proclaim; it; nor was it enough the present age should know, but they must have it told the following generation; Let Mount Zion rejoice, &c.5
5. And though you are not to prefer the consideration of your own interest in God as a good sutable to you, or to give it the highest place in your delight; yet also you must take heed of neglecting it, or of denying it any place at all. For though we may plainly observe, as hath been said, That it was the usual temper of holy Men of Old, to be most taken up in admiring God upon the account of his own Excellency and Glory in it self considered; and may thence collect that to be the genuine right temper of a gracious heart when it is most it self: Yet also 'tis as evident, That they were far from neglecting their own interest in ⟨p. 345⟩God, and that they counted it not a small matter; Yea, that it had (though not the principal) a very great influence upon their delight and joy in him. No one can read the Bible, and not have frequent occasion to take notice of this. For how often do we find him spoken of under the names of their Portion, Heritage, &c! And in what raptures of Joy do we often find them upon that account! So the Psalmist considers him, when he says, The lines are fallen to him in pleasant places, 1and he had a goodly heritage. How often do we find them glorying in their relation by Covenant, and making their boasts of him as their God; 2I will love thee, O Lord, my strength, &c! You have [my] no less than nine times repeated in the beginning (the first and second verses) of that Psalm, My strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, &c. And afterwards How glorious a triumph is there raised, and in what exultation do we behold them upon this!3 Who is God save the Lord, and who is a Rock save our God? And again, The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my Salvation be exalted. And this was some of the last holy breath uttered by that anointed one of the God of Jacob, 4and the sweet Psalmist of Israel; He hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure. And this is all my Salvation and all my Desire—With this, How well satisfied and pleased did he expire, and go down to the grave! And the People of God are sometime represented as so taken with this apprehension ⟨p. 346⟩of their peculiar relation to God that they cannot be content to know, but they proclaim; it; nor was it enough the present age should know, but they must have it told the following generation; Let Mount Sion rejoice, &c.
- 1Psal. 16.
- 2Psal. 18.
- 3v. 31.
- 42 Sam. 23.
- 5Psal. 48.
