But now ye see what cause he gave the church to be thankful. Beloved, if we havef the Spirit of God ; and if we consider the churches abroad to whom is not only grace, but to us also, we being all the spouse of one husband, branches of one root, heirs of one inheritance, sheep of one flock and pasture, all as from one head ; whatsoever God doth, and whatsoever favours he sheweth to our brethren beyond the seas, there is grace, and abundant grace shewed. And now there ought to be thanksgiving, and * thanksgiving of many,' if there were many prayers, and for the church. Every one that hath the spirit of prayer, hath many prayers for the church * That is, Iv^asiSTia G. t Mispriuted ' bad.' — G.
47G COMMENTiVKY ON
of God. And so much humilitition for the misery of tho cliiirch, that, as the psalmist saith, 'lay among tho pots,' Ps. Ixviii. 18, as scullions do, all besmeared and all bedaubed with miser}'. But now God hath brought it fi'om ' among the pots, and covered it with silver wings,' the wings of a dove, and begins to restore beauty and excellency to tho church. As we were then ready to pour forth our prayers in the behalf of the church, now let us labour to ha\e our hearts enlarged for his mercy to tho church, that there may be thanksgiving, and thanksgiving of many. This is our duty, and all that have the Spirit of God will do it.
Thus the saints of God have done at all times. You see when the ark was brought into Jerusalem, how David forgot himself and kingly state, and danced before the ark, s(} fiir that Michal his wife scoflcd at him, 2 Sam. vi. 14, mj. And so we should rejoice so, as if we had forgot ourselves, especially them that it nearly concerncth ; as it conccrneih us all, indeed, as if we were in their case, we would desire others to rejoice in our behalfs. Prayers went ' out of Zion.' God blessed the church out of our Church of England ; our prayers did help them. An army of prayers is as good as an army of fighters. Now as an army of prayers went out of our Zion, so let an arm}' of praises go out of our Zion : ' Praises wait for thee in Zion,' saith the psalmist, Ps. Ixv. 1.
When there is matter of praise, make the best use of it. We have waited for matter of praise, we have waited for good news, and we have news. Now as God hath helped out of Zion, so let us help with our praises, for praises help as well as prayer. As in the story of Jehoshaphat, after they had praised God in solemn special manner, the victory came, 2 Chron. xx. 21. Now praises prevail more than prayers, for there is more self-denial in praises than in prayer. God hath more honour, and all his attributes to him, whereas self-love may move a man to pray. Therefore, I beseech you, as we have helped them with our prnyers, so help them with our praises to God, for that will help them still farther and farther. ' When God sees he gaineth a return by our praises, we shall have matter of praise more and more, and still cause to pray that we have an heart to praise ; and praises shall be evermore a pleasing obligation to God. But a place of all places is, Rev. xix., where you see a voice in heaven crying to God to avenge the blood of his saints, on that man of sin, and that cursed seat there ; how all creatures in heaven and earth, they have their alleluiahs against these things. ' I heard a great voice and much people in heaven,' that is, the church, say, ' Alleluiahs ! Salvation, glory, and honour, and power, be given to the Lord our God,' much people. Here is many thanks- giving. When antichrist begins to fall, Babylon to fall, we that belong to the people of God, if we have part in heaven, or any portion in heaven, we will praise God, we will have our alleluiahs. And now because the work is beginning we should join with a choir of heaven, join with the people of God, join with angels, join with all God's people. ' Alleluia ! Salvation, glory, honour, and power, be to the Lord our God.' Why, what is the reason ? ' For true and righteous are his judgments ; he hath judged the great whore, which corrupted the earth with her abominations.' And again ' they cried. Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever ;' and so ' the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped God. Alleluia. Praise God all ye servants, ye that fear him, both small and great,' praise and glorify God, and let all, small and great, in heaven and earth, join in praises. If we had any wise consideration what God is working now in heaven, how he exalts himself, what excellent attributes he
2 coKixxniAxs CHAP, iv, ver. lG-18. 477
slicwctli in delivering his church, of power, and justice, and mercy in destroying his enemies ; if we have divine spirits, let us sing forth praises to God, expecting by God's blessing more matter to praise God, to sing allcJuiahs as the church did there.