682 That abundanceef J thingteaafethpride. vponvs : contrariwife we are moagratefull when weereceiue irisbenefits witha (paring hand,andbetterelceme them, whé We enioy thembut Tome fewdaies in theyeere,then ifwee had continuallvfeofthein throughout ourwhole hues. And as our eyesdoe worfe fee thofè obieets whirls are clofell to them, and thofe better which in a conuenient diflancearc remoued from them; fowe aremoll blind in feting and acknowledging thofe benefits which we holddole in ourpoffeffion, but better ligh- tedwhen theyarca little remoued from vs. By reafonofwhich ourgroffe ingratitude,the Lord is fainetopull fromvs fome of his gifts, that wee maybe thankfull vnto him for the ref!; to withdraw them for a time,that we may learnebetter to eleeme themfor euerafterwards; and to depriuevs altogether offome ofhisbenefits,that wewhoneuer thoughtofthem, while! we had thetn,may glue themdeferued praitè at parting; & that we whowere not thankfulfor that whichwe efteemednotwhile(} wee had it,may bythe want learnt the value, andduly efiee- sning it,maynow be thankfull,if it be relpredagaine;or ifnot s.Chron. a 1.4. fo,yet at leafi becaufe once we had it. And thus Rehaboamwas & 1:.t.6. more thankfull becaufe hee had two tribes left vnto him,then a Chron;q. whenhe raigned ouer all the twclue. AndMana(fes returneth I,,.r3. praile to God for his reftoring, who neuer thought of Gods mercie before hewas refirained. Yea whomay not obferue in his owne experience,that the moremen abound in all worldly profperitie,the more vngratefull theyare vntoGodfor hisbit fings ; andthat where he foweth the molt feedeof his rich be- nefits,therehe commonly reapeth leal! fruits of thankfulneffe? who feeth not that theywho are in honourable callings, take lea!care to honourGod? and whereas they being aduanced aboue others,fhould as much excel! them in thankfulnefhe, as they doe in place: and in aliuely acknowledgement of his mer- cies towards them, fhouldconfeffe his goodneffe before the fonnes ofmen, and being let in theft highplaces, should like lights,fhinc to the gloryofGod in their hues and conuerfati- ons; theycommonly aremore vnthankfvll then thofe,who are in the meanellcondition, and become examples and prefidents ofall fnne,and in leadof acknowledging the mercie ofGod in their honour and preferment, are roadie to rob himofhis glory,and toattribute all,either totheir progenitors,the favor of
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