There are persons, who would draw a line of distinction between the two cases; and say, that our obligations to God should be felt only, and our obligations to man should be both felt and proclaimed. It is probable, that such observations, however sincerely made, generally proceed from the want of spirituality of heart: there is an aversion to the introduction of religious topics, however sober or seasonable. That they are often indiscreetly introduced, often in a spirit of self-righteousness, and fanatical pretension, we cannot deny: but the abuse of any holy exercise is not to prevent us from the use. Look at the recorded lives of any pious Christians, of those who are held up to us as patterns of righteousness, whom in fact we profess to admire; and see how ready and forward they were, on all occasions, to speak of the manifold works which God had wrought for them, of the kindness which they had experienced at His hands. The Psalms are full of such expressions and resolutions: the text is a decided instance: let it have its effect upon us: let every one who has been favoured of the Lord, delight to be “talking of His doings:” not intrusively, not boastingly, as if he were a special favourite of heaven; as if he would make it appear, that the Lord were kinder to him than to others: but with simplicity and singleness of mind. The true believer abhors the two extremes, of spiritual pride on the one hand; and of cold-hearted insensibility on the other. He feels himself all undeserving of the bounty of the Lord, and is astonished that it should be so bestowed upon _him_, who is “not worthy to gather up the crumbs under his master’s table;” but the bounty _is_ bestowed, and he cannot let it pass unnoticed or undeclared.
Again, the Psalmist says, “in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” He vows, that not only in the company of his faithful friends, but also in the great congregation, in the holy temple, the power and mercy of Jehovah shall be publicly proclaimed. { 401} Not that any particular acts, of providence or grace, could be there mentioned by name; but that the thankfulness, which he feels for them, would put new life and energy into his praises, in the House of God. And this also we shall do well to imitate; this we shall assuredly imitate, if we have the true spirit of faith and piety. At all times, the sincere worshipper has so powerful a sense of the divine goodness in his heart, as to preserve him, in his public thanksgivings, from indifference and languor; but there are times, when he is visited with peculiar favour, with signal deliverances and blessings; and the remembrance of them will inspire him, when he next visits the temple of the Lord, with more than ordinary ardour; “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh;” and as his love and gratitude rise, his tribute of praise will ascend, in a loftier strain, to the fountain of mercy, to the throne of grace.