Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Therefore we must not think that all is past because the Lord hath removed it for the present, he may send the ⟨p. 414⟩sword, and a greater plague, and therefore we are to consider this, and no man is to put it off. God observes how every man is affected with these works of his: he that doth not consider, but neglect it, he takes the name of God in vain. In a special manner I say the Lord observes this, how men behave themselves at such times, whether they do more for him then they were used to do. These great actions of the Lord, ought not to be passed by negligently, but he expects great answering of such great mercies.

But you will say, wherein doth this rendering to the Lord according to the mercies received, consist? What is this ¹thankfulness? I answer, as it is said of love, so it may be said of thankfulness, it must not be in word only, but in deed, and in truth. Not but that it must be in word, Psal. 107. It is required that we confess the loving kindness of the Lord before men, we should be ready to speak of it, but that is not all, it must be indeed, and in truth. And that consists in two things.

But you will say, wherein doth this rendring to the Lord according to the mercies received, consist? What is this ¹thankfulnesse? I answer, as it is said of love, so it may be said of thankfulness, it must not be in word onely, but in deed, and in truth. Not but that it must be in word, Psal. 107. It is required that we confesse the loving kindnesse of the Lord before men, we should be ready to speak of it, but that is not all, it must be indeed, and in truth. And that consists in two things.