Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

bf the duty of prelyfing God ', 213 due unto his name, Pfal. 9 2.2 . in refpe1 both of his attributes and works: Praife the Lord: for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever, Pfal. 136. I, 2, &c. Secondly, in refpe& of the faithfull; Pfal. 33.1, For what can more become thofe who by Chritls benefit are become priefs to offer fpirituall facrifi- ces unto God,then to facrifice.praife unto him i.Pet. 2.5. Revel. i . 5. By him therefore let its offer continu- ally the f cri free of praife to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, con fefsing to his name, Heb.13.15. To thefe we may adde another ternion of argu- ments, That praife and thankfgiving is an exercife it felf moll Excellent, to God moll Honourable, to us moll Neceffary. a. The excellency of it may appear by compa- The excel- ring it, firfl to the facrifices of the Law : For the leny of this f crifce of praife, thecalvesof our lips, is farre prefer- duty, red before theft' crifices of goats and bulls,Pfal.5o.14. fecondly, with Prayer: for as it is a more blejdthing to give then to receive, As 20.35. fo a more excel- lent thing to give thanks then to beg and crave. A- gain, what more excellent thing can be done on earth then that which is the exercife of the Saints and Angels in heaven,: and therefore to praife God is not onely an excellent but alfo a blefï'ed exercife; wherein the faithfull have repofed happineffe,Pfai. 84.4. Ble/féd are they that dwell in thine houfe: they will be flillprayfingthee. 2. Praife is Honourable to God Pfal. 50. 23. He z Praire that f crificeth praife he honoureti me. God fo highly tho nnGooudrable efteemeth his praifes proceeding from us,as if there- by fotnething were added to his glory, to which be- 3 g