And the grateful Christian imitates the Psalmist yet farther; he does not hide the sense of God’s goodness within his own bosom; nor confine the mention of it to the narrow boundary of his closet; but declares it openly as opportunity serves; first of all “in the assembly of the upright,” or, according to the better version of the Prayer Book, “secretly among the faithful;” in the company of his family and his religious friends. When he has experienced or observed the peculiar mercies of his almighty and merciful Father, he delights to speak of them; though with humility, yet with fervour and joy. Such is the natural disposition of man, when he feels deeply the obligation of benefits conferred: if an earthly friend has enriched or favoured him, he thankfully makes mention of the kindness: and shall he do less for the abundant, the infinite goodness of his God? Shall he not rejoice to proclaim it in the very overflowing of his heart? 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.