A Body of Practical Divinity

11. We glorify God by praising of him; Doxology or Praise is a God-exalting Work, Psal. 50.23. Whoso offers praise glorifies me. The Hebrew word Bara to create, and Barak to praise, are little different, because the End of Creation is to Praise God: David was called the sweet Singer of Israel, and his praising God was called a glorifying of God, Psal. 86.12. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, and I will glorify thy name. Though nothing can add to God's essential Glory, yet Praise exalts him in the eyes of others: when we praise God we spread his Fame and Renown, we display the Trophies of his Excellency: In this manner the Angels glorify God, they are the Queristers of Heaven, and do trumpet forth God's Praise; and praising of God is one of the highest and purest Acts of Religion; in Prayer we act like Men, in Praise we act like Angels; this is an high degree of glorifying God. Believers are called Temples of God, 1 Cor. 3.16. when our Tongues praise God, then the Organs in God's Spiritual Temple are going. How sad is it that God hath no more of his Glory from us this way. Many are full of Murmurings and Discontents, but seldom do they bring Glory to God by giving him the Praise due to his Name. We read of the Saints having Harps in their hand, Rev. 5.8. the Emblem of Praise: Many have Tears in their eyes, and Complaints in their mouth, but few have Harps in their hand, blessing and glorifying of God; let us Honour God this way. Praise is the Quit-rent we pay to God; while God renews our Lease, we must renew our Rent.

11. We glorifie God by praising of him; Doxology or Praise is a God-exalting Work, Psal. 50.23. Whoso offers praise glorifies me. The Hebrew word Bara to create, and Barak to praise, are little different, because the End of Creation is to Praise God: David was called the sweet Singer of Israel, and his praising God was called a glorifying of God, Psal. 86.12. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, and I will glorifie thy name. Though nothing can add to God's essential Glory, yet Praise exalts him in the eyes of others: when we praise God we spread his Fame and Renown, we display the Trophies of his Excellency: In this manner the Angels glorifie God, they are the Queristers of Heaven, and do trumpet forth God's Praise; and praising of God is one of the highest and purest Acts of Religion; in Prayer we act like Men, in Praise we act like Angels; this is an high degree of glorifying God. Believers are called Temples of God,