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I thank thee, I praise thee, I devote myself, as my best sacrifice to thee, Rom. xii. 1. I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Fourthly, Be persuaded of God's love to you in these good things, which he gives unto you: First, He loves you as his creature, and if only in that respect he does preserve you, and do you good, you are bound to thank him. Secondly, You know not but God may love you with a special love to salvation, 1 John iii. 16; 1 Tim. ii. 4. God's revealed will professes as much, for you must not meddle with that which is secret. I am sure he gives all-sufficient proof of his love, making offers of it to you; and which you are daily receiving the tokens of, both in the means of this life, and that which is to come. Did not he love you when out of his free and everlasting good will towards you, he gave his Son to die for you, that you, believing in him, should not die, but have everlasting life? John iii. 16. What though you are yet in your sins, does he not command you to return to him? Hosea xiv. 2 - 4; and has he not said, he will love you freely? What though you cannot turn to him, nor love him as you would, yet apply by humble faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, as your only Saviour and great physician, and endeavour in the use of all good means, to be and do as God will have you; then doubt not but that God does love you; and patiently wait, till you see it in the performance of all his gracious promises unto you.

(7.) Signs to know when God gives good things in love.

If you would consider things aright, you may possibly know with certainty, that the good things you have received of God, are bestowed in love to you. I will only ask these questions: Have God's mercies excited you to labour more diligently to please him well in all things? Have you had a will to be thankful upon the consideration thereof? Or, if you find a defect and barrenness herein, has not this unfruitful and unthankful receiving of blessings from God, been a great burden and grief of heart to you? If