V E R. 3. Ephe /rani, Chap. I. i zs bleffing. Secondly, the Perfons bleffed ; Thirdly, the bleffìngs them- felves, fet downe by enallage ofthe number, and metonymieof the caufe, 6lefing for blrffedbenefits, which are defcribed from thequantity andkinde of them,with all'irituall hleffings. Fourthly,theplace whence thofebleffings come,and where they arereferved,heaventyplaces. Fiftly and laftly,the fountaine;in Chrofl. First, it is to be marked that he had in his heart an apprehenfion of Gods bleffing-him, with thefe faithfull ones he wrote unto, beforehe breaketh forth to bleffe God. Obferve then in general!, that the fenfe and knowledge of Gods ble ling us, is it which maketh us bleffe Godagaine. Lookethrough the thankefgivings of David and others, you fhall finde that the con- fcience of force benefits received from God, did move unto them ; i willpraife thee, becaufe thou hall exalted mee: Prole the Lord my Pule, whohobfórgiven all thy firmer &c. Pfilme 36. 70.3. that meek of benefits, is the foundation of thankfulneffe. When the Leaper taw himfelfe cured, hee returned and gave thankes: As Saint John faith in Love ; Wee love him, becaufe hee bath loved to firth , a John h. So in bffing ; Wee bleffe him, becaufe wee fnde that hce bath bleffed tea firth. As a wall cannot retied light and heat from it , till the Sunne bath frtt fhined on it ; and as an Eccho cannot refound any thing to us, till wee have firft fpoken unto it : fo till our God bath fpoken his bleiftngs to us , wee cannot refound biding to him. TheVfe isto flirreus up,thatas we defireto praifeGod,fo we would la- boar toget that fpirit which maymake us know the things bellowedon us.ThePapifts are the cut-throatsofthankfulneffe,while theywil not let us know the graces givenus : Weknow our earthly things, (yea which is the pity) we know them too well, know them fo that weare proud of them : Let us labour to know our bell bleflings, and our hearts will not be unthankful]. In particular. First obferve, that our heavenly father, he bleffeth all his children. Looke into the Commonwealth, Church, Family, the fathers in them all,doe bleffethofe that are under them.Princes,their people;Teachers, thofe that depend on them, Parents and Matters, children and fervants ; for, the greater bath power to bleffe the !tail. Thus is it with our heavenly Father, father of all fatherhoods in. heaven and earth; he giveth his bleff-ing to thefe that are his. Agaiìló;-as we fee earthly Parents, bleffe their children, both in word and worke, willing them blcffed, and giving them many benefits; for Parents treafure up for their children : Thus our heauenly father, doth both in word pronounce us bleffed, who are hisby faith; Bleffed are you that beleeve on mee ; that hunger and thirfl for righteoufneffe; that are pure in heart ; and bee Both alfo bellow on them many benefits which doe make them blefred; For, to bleffe, fignifieth bothas well togive a gift,as pronouncebleffed, This then mutt teachus, fiat to feekeblefling ofour heavenly fathers D hand;, Doti4 Yfe. Do1i.S- 4 thin ,t i 17. r;
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