The Godly Man's Picture

2 Praise is not comely for any, but the godly, Psa. 33. 1. Praise is comely for the righteous: A profane man stuck with Gods praises, is like a dunghill stuck with flowers; praise in the mouth of a sinner, is like an Oracle in the mouth of a fool; how uncomely is it for him to praise God, whose whole life is a dishonouring of God? it is as undecent for a wicked man to praise God, as it is for an Usurer to talk of living by faith, or for the Devil to quote Scripture; the godly only are fit to be queristers in Gods praises, 'tis called the Garment of praise, Isaiah 61. 3. ⟨p. 181⟩this garment sits handsome only on a Saints back.

2 Praise is not comely for any, but the godly, Psa. 33. 1. Praise is comely for the righteous: A prophane man stuck with Gods praises, is like a dunghill stuck with flowers; praise in the mouth of a sinner, is like an Oracle in the mouth of a fool; how uncomely is it for him to praise God, whose whole life is a dishonouring of God? it is as undecent for a wicked man to praise God, as it is for an Usurer to talk of living by faith, or for the Devil to quote Scripture; the godly only are fit to be queristers in Gods praises, 'tis called the Garment of praise, Isaiah 61. 3. ⟨p. 181⟩this garment sits handsome only on a Saints back.

2 Thanksgiving is a more noble part of Gods worship; our wants may send us to prayer, but it argues an heart highly ingenuous to bless God; the Raven cries, the Lark sings; in petition we act like men, in thanksgiving we act like Angels.