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[ 1884] Acknowledgment of Mercies received, the rea∣dy way to have them further enlarged.
IT is and usually hath been the manner of great Men (such as from basenesse and beggery have ascended to Kingdomes and Empires,* 1.1 and from sitting with the hirelings and dogs of the flock have been seated on Thrones of State and Tribunals of Justice) to be delighted to speak often of their poor and mean beginnings, to go and see the low roof'd Cottages,* 1.2 where they were first entertai∣ned and had their birth and breeding; yea, there was* 1.3 one of late years that being got by desert into the Divinity chair, did without superstition hang up in his Closet, some part of that mean apparell wherein he first saluted his Ox∣ford Mother: A good way no doubt, and being done with a good mind, the rea∣dy way to have Mercies and blessings enlarged;* 1.4 It would not be unusefull there∣fore for the Christian to look in at the grate, to see the smoaky hole where once he lay, to view the chains wherewith he was laden, and to behold the snares of Sin and Sathan wherein he was once entangled; but then to open his mouth with thanks unto God, who will be sure to fill it with his tender and loving kindnesses.