We shall conclude this head with a double application. First, How few, alas, can we iind so ingenuous as to praise the great Lord of this world's manor, for all the mercies they hold of hiui ! Some are such brutes, that, like swine, their nose is nailed to the trough in which they feed ; they have not the use of their understanding so far as to lift up their eye to heaven and say. There dwells that God that provides this for me, that God by whom I live, and from whom I have my livelihood. You would count it a sad spectacle, to behold a mtin in a lethargy, with his reason so blasted by his disease, that he knows not his friends, and takes no notice bf those that bring his daily food. How many such sense- less wretches are lying upon God's hands ! Divine Providence ministers daily supplies to their necessities, but they take no notice of his cai-e and goodness. Others there are that sacrilegiously set the crown of praise on their own head, which is due alone to God. Thus Nebuchadnezzar writes his own name upon his palace, and leaves God's out : ' Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?' Dan. iv. 30. Proud wretch ! was not every stone he used in tliat pile cut cut of God's quarry ; and did he not come upon God's ground for every morsel of sand ? Thus the atheistical husbandman gives his plough and dung- cart more thanks than the God of heaven, who crowns the j'ear with his good- ness. The proud soldier stands upon his sword, daring to take the honoin- of his victory to himself, and not ascribe it to the Lord of hosts, who at jileasure gives and takes away the heart from the mighty. Yea, some rather tlian God shall have it, will give it to any other : thus Pope Adrian, in his blasphe- mous inscription on the gates of a college he built, abuseth God with Scripture language : ' Utrecht planted me, Lovain watered me, and Caesar gave the in- ci-ease ;' which made one write under. Nihil hie Deus fecit, — it seems God did nothing for this man. Not that I think it unlawful to acknowledge our bene- factors, as instruments in God's hands for our good ; but to blot out the name of God, our chief founder, and admit the name of a creature, is a high piece of wickedness. I like that form which a good man used to his friend for kindness, — ' I bless God for you, I thank God and you.' He that will exact more requires what we owe him not. Some, instead of returning thanks to God for his mercies, abuse them to his dishonour. It is not more sad than true, that the goodness of God with many serves but to feed their lusts ; they eat and drink at God's cost, and then rise up to play : no weapons will serve them to use but the mercies he hath given them. It is very bad if the tenant pays not his easy rent ; but to destroy the trees on his landlord's ground is more intolerable ; yet such outrages are daily practised with the mercies of God. Michael Balbus is infa- mous for his horrid ingratitude, who, the same night that the emperor had pardoned and released him, barbarously slew his saviour ; and do not many, whom God lets out of the prison of affliction, lift up their traitorous knife at God, wounding his name with their oaths and drunkenness. Others who woidd be thought thankful, yet all the return they make is but windy praise ; they honour him with their lips, and pom-, contempt upon hinr in their lives. O, it grates on God's ears when Jacob's voice is attended with Esau's rough hands! When I consider how the goodness of God is abused by the greatest part of mankind, I cannot but be of his miiM that said. The greatest miracle in the world is God's patience and bounty to an ungrateful world. If a prince had an enemy got into one of his towns, he doth not send them provision, but lays close siege to the place, and doth what he can to starve them. But the great God, that could in a moment destroy all his enemies, bears with them, and is at daily cost to maintain them. Vv'ell may he command us to bless them that curse us, who himself does good to the evil and unthankful. But think not, sinners, that you shall escape thus ; God's mill goes slow, but grinds small ; the more admirable his patience and bounty now is, the more dreadful and m- supportable will that fury be which ariseth out of his abused goodness. There is nothing smoother than the sea, yet, when stirred into a tempest, nothing rageth more. There is notliing so sweet as the patience and goodness of God,
WITH ALL riJAYKK AM) SUrPLICATlON. 741