And in common Equity, he that is unthankful
for a little, is worthy of nothing; whereas thanks
for one good turn, is the best introduction to a∣nother.
Holy David was a man according to Gods own
heart; and therefore he continually mixeth with
his Prayers, Praises; and being of a publike spirit, he
discovereth the secrets of this skill: As when he saith,
Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise
thee; then shall the earth bring forth her encrease, and
God, even our God shall give us his blessing, Psal. 67. 5, 6,
7. When Heaven and Earth are friends, then Sum∣mer
and Winter, Seed-time and Harvest, run on their
race. When God was displeased, what was the
effect? Ye have sown much, and have reaped little. A∣gain,
when God was pleased, mark the very day;
For from that very day I will bless you, Hag. 2. 15. to 20
Whensoever glory is given to God on high, peace &
good will shall be bestowed on men below, Luk. 2. 14▪
Psal. 84▪ 11, 12. Noah gave a Sacrifice of Praise for
his deliverance from the Flood; And God being prai∣sed
for that one deliverance, he perpetuateth his
blessing, and promiseth an everlasting deliverance
to the World from any more Floods.
Again, it is the only way to procure Gods Bles∣sing
upon our endeavours: It happened that Ber∣nard
one day made a curious and learned Sermon,
for which he expected great applause, but recei∣ved
none: The next time he made a plain whol∣som
Sermon, and it was wonderfully affected, li∣ked
and commended. A friend of his noting it,
askt him what might be the reason? Who an∣swered,
In the one I preached Bernard, in the o∣ther
Christ; in the one I sought to win glory and
praise to my self; in the other, the glory of God,