ISay now, what are the feelings which such mercies should ge- nerate in our souls ; and what are the returns which we ought to make to our heavenly Benefactor?]
Not doubting but that all of you must acknowledge your obligation to praise God, we will, as God shall enable us,
II. Stir you up to the performance of this duty — - It is the office of your Minister to stir up your pure minds '* by way of remembrance," yea, *' to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." We therefore call upon you to praise God,
1. Individually — [This is not the duty of Ministers only, but of all, what- ever be their age, situation, or condition in life : every one is un- speakably indebted to God ; and therefore every one should say for himself, " Bless the Lord, O my soul !"
If any object, that they have never yet been made partakers of the blessings of Divine grace, we answer. That you have not on this account the less reason to bless God ; for the very " long- suffering of God should be accounted by you as salvation ;" and if you compare your state (as yet on mercy's ground) with that of those who have been cut off in their sins, you will see that all the thanks which you can possibly render unto God, are infinitely less than what he deserves at your hands.
, Moreover, if you have received no signal deliverances from sick- ness or danger, you have the more reason to adore your God,
who
"* Forgive//?, heale/A, redeeme/A, cvowneth, satlsfifM,
407.] PERPETUITY OF god's MERCY. 34/
u*ho has preserved you so long in the uninterrupted enjoyment of health and peace.]
2. Fervently — •
Praise is not a service for the lip and knee, but of the warmest affections of the soul. The ^^ soul, and all that is' within you," should be exerscised in this blessed work. As you are to " love God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength," so also are you to bless him with all your faculties and powers. You must not however mistake vociferation, and talkativeness, and bodily fervour, for devotion ; your expressions of gratitude, even when most elevated and joyous, must resemble those which are used among the heavenly hosts ; who ** veil their faces and their feet," or " cast their crowns at the feet" of their adorable Redeemer. Not to bless him iu this manner, is con- structively and really to ^'forget the benefits " you have received from him : yea, an utter forgetfulness of them were less criminal than such an ungrateful remembrance.]
3. Incessantly—
[" Bless, bless, bless the Lord 1" says the Psalmist to hr» soul ; shewing thereby that he would have that to be the con- tinual exercise of his mind. Thus should we also labour to have our minds in a constant readiness for this glorious work. We need not indeed be always engaged in the act of praise ; for we have many other acts in which a great part of our time must be occupied: but i\\e frame of our minds should always be disposed for this duty, so as to be ready for it whensoever occasion may call for the performance of it. That we shall feel backwardness to it at times, must be expected : the Psalmist intimates as much, by so repeatedly urging his reluctant soul to this duty. But let us follow his example, and urge our souls, however reluctant, to this blessed work. Let us Say with him, " Bless the Lord, O my soul ; bless him, bless his holy name!" or, like Deborah, ** Awake, awake, Deborah; awake, awake; utter a song."
Thus to bless God is our privilege on earth : thus to bless him is an antepast of heaven.]