3. The constancy and continuance —
[See how triumphantly the Psalmist dwells on this e ; and let us compare our experience with his. Has not God made us also the objects of his providential care, by day and by night, from the earliest period of our existence to this present moment ? Has he not also renewed to us every day and hour the blessings of his grace, " watering us as his garden," and " encompassing us with his favour as with a shield ? " Surely we may say that " goodness and mercy have followed us all our days ; " there has not been one single moment when our Divine keeper has ever slumbered or slept ; he has kept us, " even as the apple of his eye;" "lest any should hurt us, he has kept us day and night."
Say now, what are the feelings which such mercies should generate 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 unspeakably 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 salva- tion ; " 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 sickness or danger, you have the more reason to adore your God, who has preserved you so long in the uninterrupted enjoy- ment of health and peace.]
2. Fervently —
e Forgive^, healed, redeemed, crovmeth, satisfied.