Vers. 19. But the liuing, the liuing, he shall confesse thee, as I doe this day: the father to the children shall declare thy truth.
HE comprehends not all men generally within this sentence, seeing many liue, who notwithstanding as much as in them is, labour to extinguish Gods glory by their in∣gratitude: so far are they off from thinking they were borne to set forth or magnifie the same. But his meaning onely is, that men may be true and lawfull Preachers of the glory of God, as long as it pleaseth him to retaine them aliue in the world, because he by his li∣beralitie daily & hourly sūmons them to the performance of this dutie. This opposition shews that his former speech, The graue can∣not confesse thee, death cannot praise thee, &c. oght to be referred to this point, namely, that such as are cut off from the world, where they imploy their time in praising God, are by death depriued of so excellent a benefit. Besides, he protesteth that himsefe shall now bee one of the witnesses of Gods glory; thereby shewimg a signe of his thankfulnesse: for he saith hee will neuer forget such a mer∣cie, but will magnifie the Lord, and preach to others what fauour hee hath tasted of. And not onely to those of his owne time, but to the posteritie also, that they may euerie one set forth these praises, and reuerence the au∣thor of so great a blessing.
Hence wee are to gather a very profitable instruction; to wit, that men haue children be∣stowed vpon them, on condition to bring them vp in the information of the Lord, eue∣rie one indeuoring with al his might to leaue behind him for his successors, some good oc∣casions to set forth Gods praises. Fathers of families therefore ought carefully to record vnto their children, the mercies which God hath shewed them. By the word truth, wee are to vnderstand the fidelitie which God keepes with his seruants, and with all those that are witnesses of his grace, where∣by hee manifests vnto them the truth of his promises.