A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Whatsoever we receive signally from God in a way of Mercy, we ought to return a ⟨p. 111⟩Portion of it unto him in a way of Duty. That this was the Practice of the Saints of old, might easily be proved by an Induction of Instances, from this Act of Abraham, (yea, from the Sacrifice of Abel) down to the Vow of Jacob, the Dedications of David, Solomon, and others in their respective places and Generations. The light of Nature also counted it as a Duty among all the Civilized Heathens. The Offerings and Sacred Dedications of Nations and Private Families, are Famous on this Account. And it was laid as a lasting blemish on good Hezekiah that he returned not unto the Lord according to the Mercy which he had received.

And we may do well to consider, (1.) That no Man hath any great or signal Success in any Affair or Occasion, more than others, or more than at other time, but there will be in his Mind an ascription of it unto one cause or another. This the Nature of things makes Necessary, nor can it be avoided, Hab. 1. 11. (2.) That whatever a Man doth secretly ascribe such Successes unto, That he makes in some sense his God. They Sacrifice unto their Net, and burn Incense unto their Drag, because by them their Portion is fat, and their Meat plenteous, Hab. 1. 16. They ascribed their Successes unto their own strength, endeavours and means that they used. Hereby they Deified themselves as far as in them lay; and therefore these thoughts are called Sacrificing and Burning Incense which were Expressions of Religious Worship. And it is no better with us when in our Successes in our Trades and Affairs we secretly applaud our own Endeavours, and the Means we have used as the only causes of them. (3.) It is a great sign that a Man hath not engaged God in the getting of any thing, when he will not entitle him unto any Portion of what is gotten. There are two Evils common in the World in this case. Some will make no Acknowledgement unto God in the especial Consecration of any part of their Substance unto him, where it is Lawfully gotten. And some will make great Dedications of what hath been gotten by Robbery, Spoils, Oppression and Violence. Many Public Works of Munificence and Charity as they are called, have had no other Original. This is but an Endeavour to entitle God unto injustice, and draw him to a Copartnership with them, by giving him a share in the Advantage. God hateth Robbery for Burnt-Offerings,