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Little do we know how we wrong ourselves by shutting out of our<br />
prayers the praises of God, or allowing them so narrow a room as we usually<br />
do, while we are copious enough in our confessions and petitions. Reader, I<br />
entreat thee, remember this: let praises have a larger room in thy duties; keep<br />
matter ready at hand to feed thy praise, as well as matter for confession and<br />
petition. To this end study the excellencies and goodness of the Lord as<br />
frequently as thy own wants and unworthiness; the mercies thou has<br />
received, and those which are promised, as often as the sins thou hast<br />
committed. "Praise is comely for the upright. Whoso offereth praise,<br />
glorifieth God. Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises unto his<br />
name, for it is pleasant. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God<br />
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." Had not<br />
David a most heavenly spirit, who was so much in this heavenly work? Doth<br />
it not sometimes raise our hearts when we only read the song of Moses and<br />
the psalms of David? How much more would it raise and refresh us to be<br />
skilful and frequent in the work ourselves! O the madness of youth, that lay<br />
out that vigor of body and mind upon vain delights and fleshly lusts, which is<br />
so fit for the noblest work of man! And O the sinful folly of many of the<br />
saints, who drench their spirits in continual sadness, and waste their days in<br />
complaints and groans, and so make themselves, both in body and mind,<br />
unfit for this sweet and heavenly work! Instead of joining with the people of<br />
God in his praises, they are questioning their worthiness and studying their<br />
miseries; and so rob God of his glory and themselves of their consolation.<br />
But the greatest destroyer of our comfort in this duty, is our taking up with<br />
the tune and melody, and suffering the heart to be idle which ought to<br />
perform the principal part of the work, and use the melody to revive and<br />
exhilarate itself.<br />
8. Ever keep thy soul possessed with believing thoughts of the infinite<br />
love of God. Love is the attractive of love. Few so vile, but will love those<br />
that love them. No doubt it is the death of our heavenly life to have hard<br />
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