A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

Uses.

Here we learn 1 Who it is, to Whom e∣specially all blessing is due. We may our selves desire praise from others, so it be upon a just ground, and for a right end, 2 Cor. 12.11. In like manner we may praise others, 1 Cor. 11.2. Yea our selves, 2 Cor. 11.5, &c. But the chief object of all praise must be God. Not that He any way at all needs it, as being infinitely perfect; but that he infi∣nitely deserves it, and we by this means testi∣fie our gratitude and reverence toward Him, and may hereby win others to Him.

2. That it is not enough to blesse God with the mouth unlesse the soule also con∣curre. He that is the Creatour, and Preserver, and Redeemer, and Glorifier of the whole man, deserves and requires the obedience and

service of the whole. But chiefly He will be worshipped in spirit, and above all requires the heart; hating such as draw near to Him with their mouth, and honour Him with their lips, when their hearts are farre from Him.

3 Seeing David saith thus to his soul, therefore the greatest, mightiest, wealthiest, &c. are not exempt from this duty. Yea, as blessing implies thanksgiving, they of all o∣ther are most obliged to it, as who would otherwise be justly liable to that complaint of Guilielm. Parisiensis, Qui majores terras tenent, minorem censum solvunt, They who hold the greatest farmes pay the least rent.

Again, this example of David thus exci∣ting his soul to blesse God, reproves as op∣posite hereunto, 1 Such as neglect at least the manner of the duty, not doing it with the soul. But of this in the third Axiome.

2 Such as neglect the whole duty it self, not doing it at all. As namely, such who caus∣lesly absent themselves from Gods publique worship, or being there, talk, sleep, or think of other matters, and doe not join their tongues and souls with the congregation in blessing God: And who in private either perform no religious duty at all, or with those 9 Lepers, Luke 17.12, &c. are altoge∣ther

upon petition for what they want, but never return to give God the glory, by bles∣sing, praising, thanking Him for what they have received.

3 Such as bestow this act upon objects most unworthy of it: who blesse wicked men, and that in and for their wickednesse, (Psal. 10.3. 1 Sam. 23.21.) themselves in their sins (Deut. 29.19.) idols (Judg. 16.24. Dan. 5.4.) which is paralleled with killing a man, cutting off a dogs neck, and offering swines blood, Isa. 66.3.

4 Such as, in stead of blessing, blaspheme God, by denying those Attributes which of due belong to Him, and attributing to Him that which is most contrary to His nature, and ascribing to others that which is proper onely to Him.

Lastly, Davids example may serve as a ground of exhortation to us to imitate him in thus exciting our souls to blesse God. And the considerations before mentioned as Reasons of the Doctrine, may likewise serve as Motives to enforce this Exhortation, and also as Means to dispose us to the perfor∣mance of this duty.

Notes

• Instructi∣on.
• Reprehen∣sion.
• Exhortati∣on.