First, By a free and frequent acknowledgement, that all §Answ.your graces flow from the Lord Jesus, the fountain of grace. 1 John 16. Of his fullness we all receive grace for grace. Jam. 1. 17. Every good and perfect gift comes down from above, &c. Thou must say, O Christian, I have nothing but what I 1have received, I have no light, no life, no love, no joy, no peace, but from above. The Jewels that hang in my breasts, and the Chains of Pearl that be about my neck, and the golden Crown that is upon my head, and all sparkling Diamonds 2in that Crown, are all from above. All those Princely Ornaments by which I am made more beautiful and lovely, then others; and all those beds of spices, and sweet flowers, by which I am made more desirable, and dilectable, is from above. Say I am nothing, I have nothing of my own; all I am, and all I have, is from on high: We have given thee of 3thine own, says David. So do thou say, Lord, the love with which I love thee, is thine own; and the faith by which I hang upon thee, is thine own; and the fear by which I fear 4before thee, is thine own; and the joy which I rejoice before thee with, is thine own; and the patience with which I wait upon thee, is thine own, &c, And therefore say as David did, upon the receipt of mercy, Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel, our father for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the Majesty, for all that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine: Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
First, By a free and frequent acknowledgement, that all §Answ.your graces flow from the Lord Jesus, the fountaine of grace. 1 John 16. Of his fullnesse we all receive grace for grace. Jam. 1. 17. Every good and perfect gift comes downe from above, &c. Thou must say, O Christian, I have nothing but what I 1have received, I have no light, no life, no love, no ioy, no peace, but from above. The Jewels that hang in my breasts, and the Chaines of Pearle that be about my neck, and the golden Crowne that is upon my head, and all sparkling Diamonds 2in that Crowne, are all from above. All those Princely Ornaments by which I am made more beautifull and lovely, then others; and all those beds of spices, and sweet flowers, by which I am made more desirable, and dilectable, is from above. Say I am nothing, I have nothing of my owne; all I am, and all I have, is from on high: We have given thee of 3thine owne, sayes David. So doe thou say, Lord, the love with which I love thee, is thine owne; and the faith by which I hang upon thee, is thine own; and the fear by which I feare 4before thee, is thine owne; and the joy which I rejoyce before thee with, is thine owne; and the patience with which I wait upon thee, is thine owne, &c, And therefore say as David did, upon the receipt of mercy, Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel, our father for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatnesse, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the Majesty, for all that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine: Thine is the Kingdome, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore our God, we thanke thee, and praise thy glorious name.
- 11 Cor. 4. 7.
- 2Ezek. 16. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Psal. 45. 8.—ult.
- 31 Chron. 29. 14.
- 4Deus nihil coronat nisi dona sua. Aug.
