BEsides the Enumeration of mercies, we may likewise finde abundance of matter for the Amplification, or heightning of them; which may be either in General. Particular.
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In the general, by their Multitude. Greatnesse. Continuance.
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From their multitude; Many O Lord, my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward, (Ps. 40.5) they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee. If I would declare, and speak of them, they are more then can be numbred. How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God, how great is the sum of them! (Ps. 139.17, 18) If I should count them, they are more in number then the sand.
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From the greatnesse of those mercies we receive, which may appear by consideration of the Giver. Receiver.
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The Giver, the great God, who is of infinite, incomprehensible power. The heavens are full of the Majesty of his glory, of absolute perfection, and alsufficiency in himself, and cannot expect any addition from mans love, or gratitude. My goodnes extendeth not unto thee. Now the greatnesse of the person, (Psal. 16.2) doth adde a value to the favour; ‘tis counted an honour but to kisse a Kings hand.
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The Receiver: So vile, and despicable in comparison of him, as creatures; So loathsom and abominable before him, as sinners: When we were nothing, (Rom. 9.11) he took care of us, & since we have been worse then nothing, Enemies, (Rom. 5.10) he hath been pleased to pay a price for our reconciliation to him:1 He is kinde to the unthankful and to the evil; to those that do neither seek nor ask after him; and at the best […] return nothing to him again, but some poor words or thoughts, which bear no commensuration to those real infinite mercies which we receive from him: (Job 22.2, 3) Can a man be profitable unto God? Is it any benefit to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Lord, what is man,2 that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him? Behold, I am lesse then the least of thy mercies. Now the vileness & unworthines of the receiver, may be another argument to set forth the greatness of the gift.
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From their Continuance: (Ps. 103.17) The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him: He had thoughts of love to us, before ever the world was made, and his mercy endureth for ever, till time shall be no more. His favour is renued to us every moment; and that notwithstanding our continual provocations against him.
From these and the like considerations, we should labour to affect our souls with wonder, and thanks, to quicken and raise up our hearts in offering up unto God the sacrifice of praise, that we may come before his throne with Halelujahs, loud voices of joy and thankfulnesse.
- The Particular amplification of mercies from their Circumstances, Degrees, Contraries, hath been touched upon already, in the Enumeration of their several kindes and acts of favour, to which the arguments of this kinde may be properly annexed.
The conclusion should consist of some brief affectionate Doxologies, which may both expresse and excite our love and confidence, such are those Scripture-expressions.
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousnesse, & salvation all the day long, (Ps. 71.15) for I know no end thereof.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only doth wondrous things, (Psal. 72.18) and blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory: Amen, Amen.
(Ps. 103.2) While I live, will I praise the Lord, I will sing praises to my God whilest I have any being.
(Ps. 145.1, 2) I will extoll thee, O God, my King and I will blesse thy name for ever and ever: Every day will I blesse thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever.
(Ephes. 3.20, 21) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church of Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, and salvation,3 and thanksgiving be unto the Lord our God, for ever and ever.
← Chapter 29. Of Occasional thanksgiving, either for inward, or outward mercies · Contents