USE 1. To acknowledge the Lords goodness in these common mercies. We did not give life to our selves, and we cannot keep it in our selves. God made us, and God keepeth us. It was not our Parents that fashioned us in the womb; they could not tell what the child would prove, male or female, beautiful or deformed. They could not tell the number or posture of the veins, or bones, or muscles; it was all the curious workmanship of a wise God: and it is the same God that hath kept us hitherto. Isa. 46. 3, 4. By me ye are born from the belly, and carried from the womb, even to old age; I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you, &c. We have been supported and tenderly handled by God, as Parents and Nurses carry their younglings in their arms. Many times wanton children are ready to scratch the faces of those that carry them; so have we put many affronts upon him, yet to the very last doth he carry us in the arms of his Providence. In infancy we were not in a capacity to know the God of our mercies, and to look after him; but nevertheless he looked after us. Afterwards we knew how to grieve him and offend him, long before how to love and serve him: Oh how early did our naughty hearts appear! and all along how little have we done for God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being! He is not far from us, in the effects of his care and Providence; but we are far from him by the distance of our thoughts and affections, by the carnal bent of our hearts. It is a good mornings-exercise for us humbly and thankfully to consider of his continual mercies. For Gods compassions are new every morning, Lam. 3. 22. as fresh as if never tired with former acts of grace, nor wearied with former offences. It is some recompense for the time of sleep; half our time passeth away, and we do not show one act of love and kindness unto God; therefore as soon as we are awakened, we should be with God, Psal. 139. 18. How many are gone down to the Chambers of death since the last night!
USE 1. To acknowledg the Lords goodness in these common mercies. We did not give life to our selves, and we cannot keep it in our selves. God made us, and God keepeth us. It was not our Parents that fashioned us in the womb; they could not tell what the child would prove, male or female, beautiful or deformed. They could not tell the number or posture of the veins, or bones, or muscles; it was all the curious workmanship of a wise God: and it is the same God that hath kept us hitherto. Isa. 46. 3, 4. By me ye are born from the belly, and carried from the womb, even to old age; I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you, &c. We have been supported and tenderly handled by God, as Parents and Nurses carry their younglings in their arms. Many times wanton children are ready to scratch the faces of those that carry them; so have we put many affronts upon him, yet to the very last doth he carry us in the arms of his Providence. In infancy we were not in a capacity to know the God of our mercies, and to look after him; but nevertheless he looked after us. Afterwards we knew how to grieve him and offend him, long before how to love and serve him: Oh how early did our naughty hearts appear! and all along how little have we done for God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being! He is not far from us, in the effects of his care and Providence; but we are far from him by the distance of our thoughts and affections, by the carnal bent of our hearts. It is a good mornings-exercise for us humbly and thankfully to consider of his continual mercies. For Gods compassions are new every morning, Lam. 3. 22. as fresh as if never tired with former acts of grace, nor wearied with former offences. It is some recompence for the time of sleep; half our time passeth away, and we do not shew one act of love and kindness unto God; therefore as soon as we are awakened, we should be with God, Psal. 139. 18. How many are gone down to the Chambers of death since the last night!
