promifesofearthly bleffings,&c. 359 Sixtly, Inprofperity it keepes the heart in an holy tem. 6. per anddifpofition ; (fcil,) in humility and meekneffe, free from carnali confidence and pride; and in tenderneffe andcoapaffìon towards them that be inmifery,efpecially the Church, iffhe be in heavineffe, For the bleflingsof God,embraced by faith, fet an impreflionupon the foule, anfwerable to thofe properties in him from whence they flow. What he gives in grace doth worke the heartto humility and tender commiferation. Faith hath learned Pfa1.62.,::. that power is of God, and that all his gifts are freelybe- llowed ofmercy, without defert ; but mercy received doth both humble and mollifie the heart. The godly man having of tamed mercy and grace fromGod, is againe ho- PfaI.86.:. ly,pious,kind andmerciful' toothers.It is the commande- ment ofGod, Thoußaalt not makefrorg thy heart,norflint Deut.1 5,7,. up thebowels ofcompafflon from thyneedie brother: But ever- more the frameof abelieving heart is correfpondent to the will and pleafure ofGod : for faith Pets the flampe and Image of God upon the foule. Moreover, it difpofe,h the heart to thankfulnefl'e and obedience for it preferveth fpirituall emptineffe, which giveth a fweet rei ifh to the mercies ofGod : and exclu- ding all boafling in our felves, [lirreth up toglory in the Lord, and willingly to devote our felvesuntohis fervice, from whom we have received whatfoever we enjoy. whatfhalllrender unto the Lordforall his mercies towards Pfa1.11632,13 mee ? Iwilltale thecupoffalvation andcall upon the Name of the Lord. Men looke for thankes for a fmall kind- neffe; for a token, a dinner, if they write but a letter, fpeake a word, take a journey in our behalfe : Faith reades the name ofGod inall his mercies, and ferioufly calleth them to remembrance, what then can it doe lefi'e then magnifie the name of God for all his goodneflie ? The mercies of God to a believingheart, are asmanure to foundand good foyle,which maketh it more fertile.Sa- than himfelfe will confeffe, that God is ípecially to be ferved in the dayes of profperity, forwhen Godasked Aa4 him,
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