A55752:1256
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…
Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity and duty of Gods children by the late Reverend and Faithfull Minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston ...
London: printed by J.T., 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
You must consider, that this duty of thankfulness of 1all other that we can offer to the Lord, it is the most free, it is the greatest testimony of sincerity and ingenuity in us, for when we pray to the Lord it may proceed out of self love: but when we are thankful, that comes out of love to the Lord: prayer may tend to our own profit, but thankfulness tends to Gods Glory: therefore we should be the more abundant in this duty: because the nature of this duty is such as is more commendable, it is more free, it is a testimony of more sincerity and ingenuity in us. Besides it is a duty that stirs us up more to think well of the Lord and to speak well of him; for when we come to give thanks for mercies, it pitcheth our thoughts upon his goodness, ⟨p. 408⟩and upon the great works he hath done for us; and this causeth us to think better of the Lord, and makes us the more willing to obey him, and therefore it is an acceptable duty.
- 1Thankfulness a free duty.
Again it is a commendable thing, Psal. 33. 1. Rejoice ye righteous: for it is a comely thing to praise the Lord. That is, 1it is a duty of that nature, that it is not only comely at some times; as things are comely commonly with reference: for nothing in it self is comely but in reference to such and such things: but now thankfulness is of that nature that it is alway beautiful, and comely at all times; because it i• simply so, and therefore it continues for ever. You know it is the commendation of love, that it shall continue when prophecy, and faith, and other graces shall fail: so it is the commendation of thankfulness that even in heaven it is comely; for there we shall praise the Lord for ever.