prophet's answer, by proffering external services, and works of su- pererogations, invented by themselves, 520–523. 11. The prophet's answer contains: 1. a reprehension of confidence in external duties, and of projects of human devotion, 524. 2. a di- rection to appear before God with the duties of judgement in ad- ministration, 527, in negotiation, 529, in conversation, 530; with the duty of mercy, 531, and of humbly walking with God. These duties must be founded on the light of God's law, and on the authority of God's will, 533. The mode of discharging the duties must be marked by constancy, 534, by sincerity, 534, by humility and self-denial in our persons and duties, 534, and by faith, 535. The inducements unto these duties are the considerations of human frailty, 535; of God's nature, who, as a most high God, cannot be otherwise ap- proached; and, as a God of mercy, will teach us how we may draw These duties are good by their conformity to the will of God, 536, and by SION'S PRAISES; Opened in a SERMON, preached before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Common-Council of London: on the day of Solemn Thanksgiving unto God for his long and gracious preservation of that great City, from Pestilence, Fire, and other Dangers. TO THE HONOURABLE SIR ROBERT TITCHBORNE, KNIGHT, LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, THE ALDERMEN AND COMMON-COUNCIL OF THAT GREAT AND FAMOUS CITY. RIGHT HONOURABLE, Instead of a dedication, I must make an apology, that this short Sermon hath been so long in the second birth of it from the press; for besides my various diversions and indisposedness, by reason of infirmities, to spend much time together, in revising, transcribing, and maturing short notes for a public view; I had at the same time another service of the like nature upon me, which having been before begun, I could not, till finished, conveniently attend this. It pleaseth the Lord still so to continue those mercies to this city, for the thankful recounting whereof, he put it into your hearts to appoint this service, that as the duty was very seasonable. when it was performed; so I hope the publication (though too long after) may not be altogether improper, to mind us all of the Lord's great goodness, in continuing those comforts unto us, and of our duty, daily to resume and revive the memory of them. If this weak endeavour of mine to quicken you and myself unto that great work of praising God be, through his blessing, of any use to engage your hearts thereunto, and to provoke you unto any of those expedients, which you were in this Sermon minded of, I shall have abundant cause of glorifying God, for so great a fruit of so small a service, and for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ. Which is the earnest desire of Your Honours' most humble servant In the work of the Gospel, ED. REYNOLDS. PSALM CXLVII. 12, 13, 14, 15. Praise ye the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates: he hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. GOD is all-sufficient unto himself, and standeth not in need of any of his creatures to add any excellence unto him, any more than the sun doth of the light of a candle. That which is wholly of him, can contribute nothing at all unto him. He hath all perfection infinitely, all the perfections of the creatures (without the finite bounds and limits wherein they enjoy them) eminently in himself. Our goodness" extendeth not unto him. If he be hungry, he will not tell us; for the world is his, and the fulness thereof. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise, is profitable unto himself? Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? Though the Lord be thus wholly self-sufficient, and do not receive any thing from the creatures; yet he is pleased graciously to communicate himself unto them in several prints a Psalm xvi. 2. b Psalm 1. 12. Job xxii. 2. d Rom. xi. 35. |