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THE SERNON
Psal. 116.12.What shall I Render unto the Lord for all his Benefits towards me.
THere is no Condition of men here below so good, but there is need of duty; There is none so bad, as to be past duty. In all Estates we must be doing: no Pro∣vidence exempts from duty; yet several Conditions re∣quire several duties; The Christian Conversation is like a wheel every Spoke taketh its Turn; God hath planted in man Affections for eve∣ry Condition; grace for every Affection, and a duty for the Exer∣cise of every grace, and a Season for every duty; in which it is most beautiful; In the day of Trouble and Affliction, the duty then is Prayer and Petition; In the time of Deliverance and Prosperity Thanksgiving; giving praise to the God of our Salvation; and it is wisdome to perform what is most seasonable, Jam. 5.13. Is any Af∣flicted, let him pray? Aske mercy and deliverance from the evils at Gods hand. Is any merry by Reason of mercy received, let him sing Psalms of praise? exalting the Lord for his free goodness and bounty therein.
Accordingly the holy Prophet (very probably David) in this Psalm sets before us the Exercise of his grace in various Conditions which befell him: He tels us what he did in the time of great Af∣fliction and Distress; he prayed, He called upon the Name of the Lord: ver. 3, 4. and being delivered and helped what he did, and was resolved to do: He loved the Lord, and would walk before him in the Land of the Living; He was thankful, and would express his gratitude in his Conversation; yea, is Inquisitive, what further to do