Here is special and special, I express it so, because to praise God is every days duty; Thus the Apostle directs (Heb. 13. 15) By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But though praise be an every days work, yet there is a day of specialty in praising God. For as it is our duty to pray continually, to continue in prayer (Col. 4. 2.) yea, to pray without ceasing ⟨p. 5⟩(1 Thes. 5. 17.) yet there are some special seasons for prayer, or peculiar praying times. Call upon me in the day of trouble (Psal. 50. 15.) And we have the same rule (James 5. 13.) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Tis both our duty and our interest to pray though we are not afflicted; but the duty of prayer is most incumbent upon us in affliction. Trouble drives us to God; and God only can drive away our troubles. Again, it is our duty to repent continually, yet there are some special seasons for repentance, as when we have fallen into great sin• or when we are under the fear of great calamities (Isa 22. 12.) And in that day (a day of common danger) did the Lord God o• Hosts call to weeping and mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sack cloth, all which are the most significant acts of repentance and soul humiliation before the Lord. So (I say) though to give thanks be every days duty, and that upon a threefold consideration. First, because every day we receive new mercies, and have our former mercies renewed. Secondly, because every mercy is a witness of the goodness of God to us, and of his power put out for us. Thirdly, because every the least mercy is more then we have either deserved at Gods hand, or could get alone with our own hand; and therefore we are bound by this threefold cord, to praise the Lord every day, yet upon some days we are bound more to praise him, and that upon a fourfold consideration.
Here is speciall and speciall, I expresse it so, because to praise God is every days duty; Thus the Apostle directs (Heb. 13. 15) By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But though praise be an every days work, yet there is a day of specialty in prasing God. For as it is our duty to pray continually, to continue in prayer (Col. 4. 2.) yea, to pray without ceasing ⟨p. 5⟩(1 Thes. 5. 17.) yet there are some speciall seasons for prayer, or peculiar praying times. Call upon me in the day of trouble (Psal. 50. 15.) And we have the same rule (James 5. 13.) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Tis both our duty and our interest to pray though we are not afflicted; but the duty of prayer is most incumbent upon us in affliction. Trouble drives us to God; and God only can drive away our troubles. Again, it is our duty to repent continually, yet there are some speciall seasons for repentance, as when we have fallen into great sin• or when we are under the fear of great calamities (Isa 22. 12.) And in that day (a day of common danger) did the Lord God o• Hosts call to weeping and mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sack cloath, all which are the most significant acts of repentance and soul humilition before the Lord. So (I say) though to give thanks be every days duty, and that upon a threefold consideration. First, because every day we receive new mercies, and have our former mercies renewed. Secondly, because every mercy is a witnesse of the goodnesse of God to us, and of his power put out for us. Thirdly, because every the least mercy is more then we have either deserved at Gods hand, or could get alone with our own hand; and therefore we are bound by this threefold cord, to praise the Lord every day, yet upon some dayes we are bound more to praise him, and that upon a fourfold consideration.
