§. Sect. 1 The first rea∣son, taken from that thanke∣fulnesse which we owe vnto God.
ANd these are the reasons and arguments, respecting Gods workes and benefits towards vs, which may perswade vs to performe all the duties of a godly life with diligence & cheerefulnesse. Besides which, there are diuers other mo∣tiues, arising from those duties which we owe vnto God, in lieu of so many great & inestimable benefits, that are also effectuall to the same purpose. As first, our vnfained thankefulnesse towards God, which we are bound to testifie and approue, by performing ser∣uice vnto him in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse. For we * 1.1 are not debters vnto the flesh, that wee should liue according to the lusts thereof; but so infinitely indebted vnto God for his innumerable mercies, that we are neuer able in the least part to discharge it, and are therefore bound euer to remaine thankefull debters, and to testifie our thanke∣fulnesse by magnifying his grace and holy Name, and by striuing and indeuouring, as much as we are able, to doe his will, and performe all such duties as are acceptable in his sight, acknowledging when we haue done the best we can, that wee are still vnprofitable seruants, who * 1.2 come farre short of that dutie which wee owe vnto him. His grace shining vnto vs when wee were in darkenesse and shadow of death, requireth at our hands that wee should no more doe the workes of darkenesse, but that we should now walke as it becommeth children of the * 1.3 light, proouing what is acceptable vnto the Lord, and by more then ordinary diligence and circumspection, redeeming our lost time, which we haue mis∣spent in the seruice of sinne and Satan. The great worke of Re∣demption also wrought by Christ, whereby he hath saued and deli∣uered vs out of that miserable bondage of sinne and Satan, and pur∣chased