Hallowed
1. The wants, which we in this place are taught to bewail, are specially four. The first is an inward and spiritual pride of our hearts; a sin that none or very few can see in themselves, unless the Lord open their eyes. When our first parents were tempted in paradise, the devil told them they should be as gods: which lesson not only they, but we have learned: and we conceive of ourselves, as little gods, though to the world we show it not. This hidden pride, when other sins die, it begins to get strength, and to show itself: and appears in vain thoughts, continually on every occasion ascending in the mind. As may appear in the Pharisee, whose thoughts were these when he prayed thus within himself, O God I thank you that I am not as other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican, etc. And as this was in him, so it is in us till God give grace: for so that men may have praise and glory in the world, they care not for God's glory though it be defaced. We must therefore learn to discern this hidden corruption, and to mourn for it: for it does poison and hinder all good desires of glorifying God, so long, as it does or shall prevail in the heart.
2. Secondly, we are taught here to bewail the hardness of our hearts: whereby we are hindered from knowing God aright, and from discerning the glory and majesty of God in his creatures. Mark 6:52. The disciples, through the hardness of their hearts, could not see God's power in the miracle of feeding many thousands with a few loaves, though themselves were instruments of it, and the food did increase in their hands. Our redemption, what a wonderful work is it, but how few consider of it, or regard it? If we see a man have more wit, wealth, or honor, than we have, we immediately wonder at him: but beholding God's creatures, we see nothing in them, because we do not go higher to acknowledge the love, power, wisdom, and justice of the Creator. And this is the cause why God's name is so slenderly honored among men.
3. The third corruption is our great ingratitude, for the Lord has made heaven and earth, and all other creatures to serve man: yet he is the most unthankful of all creatures. Bestow many jewels, or a king's ransom on a dead man; he will never return any kindness: so men being dead in sin, deal with God. Commonly men are like the swine that run with their grunts and eat up the mast, but never look up to the tree from where it falls. But the godly are with David, to feel this want in themselves, and to beseech God to open and as it were to unlock their lips, that they may endeavor to be thankful to God (Psalm 51:15).
4. The fourth is the ungodliness and the innumerable wants that be in our lives, and the sins committed in the world. Psalm 119:136. My eyes (says David) gush out with rivers of water, because men keep not your laws. The reason is, because he which lives in sin, reproaches God's name; even as an evil child dishonors his father. Now some will say that this cannot be: because our sins cannot hurt God. True indeed: yet are they a cause of slandering God's name among men: for as we honor him by our good works, so we dishonor him by our offenses. Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
