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BEing thus instructed in generall•• auoyd euill and doe good, the next duetie that thou must performe,* 1.1 is thankefulnes vnto God. 1. Thes. 5. 18.
And this duty is necessary: because
1 We doe approoue our right in Gods blessings. 1. Tim. 4.* 1.2
2 We make them profitable and durable. Mat. 14. 19, 20.
3 We encrease them, and make them pledges of heauen.
4 We do ease our selues of much begging, and so approch to the life of glory.
5 We acknowledge God to be the giuer, and blesser of them.
6 We do answer the end, why God bestowed them on vs. Deu. 8.
7 And do by this duty performe a most principall part of worship & glory to our God. Psal. 50. 23.
8 Security and hardnes of heart is hereby preuented.
9 Our faith in God is confirmed and encreased.
10 Spirituall pride and hypocri∣sie is ouer-mastered.
11 The certainty of our salua∣uation hereby pledged & cōfirmed.
12 Our account made readie, & so we prepared to meet the Lord.
And it is to be performed daily:
1 Because we daily receiue good at the hands of God. Lam. 3. 23.
2 And by this meanes shal preuent many euils which daily do assault vs
And this duty is performed on this manner:
First,* 1.3 The hart must be prepared:
1 With sound notice of the bles∣sing, conceiuing more excellently of God then wee possible can see him by his blessings.
2 True humility for the same, by serious meditation, both of the Ma∣iesty, power and goodnes of God and also of it owne vnworthines.
3 As also it must be purged by •• setled purpose of not offending s•• bountifull a God.
4 And an holy perswasion, that we haue receiued the benefit in the fauour of God.
5 And a•• holy desire to set forth the glory of God.
2 The mouth must speake of the mercies of God: And that,
1 Reuerently and holily, no•• lightly or loosely.
2 Particularly, as neere as wee may recounting the same. Genes. 32. 10.
3 Publikely, euen in the great congregations vnto the Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 GOD, yea to the generations to come. Ps. 66. & 102.
4 Priuately betweene God and
our owne soules to auoyd hypocri∣sie. Matt. 6.
5 Wisely and orderly for spiri∣tuall blessings, and then for tempo∣rall. Ephe. 1. 3.
6 Faithfully, aswel for blessings promised and to come, as for those we haue receiued. 2. Chro. 6.
7 Constantly, aswel when God takes, as when he giues. Iob 1. 21.
8 Humbly, acknowledging our selues to bee vnworthy of the least of them. Iacob, Gene. 32.
9 Speedily, if it bee possible to preuent the Lord. Gene. 24.
10 Continually, euen all our life long.
11 Charitably prouoking others to the like duty.
12 Acknowledging Gods gra∣ces in others, and without enuie or detraction aduancing the same.
13 Yea, wishing that all may be partakers of the same graces with vs. Num. 11.
14 Impartially, aswell for the least as for the greatest.
3 We must praise God in our life, & actions. Here obserue these principall
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actions of thankefulnesse. Psalme 1.
1 To renue our obedience, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encrease our seruice of God. Psal•••• 116.
2 Continual mortification of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 old man. Psal. 106. 3. Ezr. 10.
3 Casting out the speciall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beloued sinne. Mat. 5. 29.
4 Making much of the mean whereby Gods blessings are sanct¦fied, & so continued vnto vs, nam••¦ly, the Preaching of the gospell, & Rom. 10. 15.
5 Labouring hartilie the co••¦uersion of others. Psal. 51
6 Releeuing and forgiuing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 praying one for another. Eph. 8.
7 Beleeuing Gods promises, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 waiting patiently the full acco••∣plishment of them. Psalme 40. •• Heb. 11.
8 Erecting monuments and tro••phes of Gods benefits to posteri•••• Gen. 22. 15. &c.
9 Writing & registring the n••∣ble acts of the Lord. Psal. 102.
10 Imposing fit names vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 children, in remembrance of God
mercies. Gen. 41.
11 Paying our vowes vnto God and men. Psal. 65. 1. Ion. 2. 9.
12 Being content with whatsoe∣uer God bestoweth vpon vs.
Thus are we to performe thankefulnes vnto God.
Which that wee may performe more happily:
First, Let vs beware of these euils which are maine enemies to this duety: As,* 1.4
1 To imagine, that we deserue any thing Luc. 17. 10.
2 That wee haue any thing meerely by our owne labour and industry. Psal. 127.
3 That wee harpe more vpon our troubles, then Gods fauours and benefits.
4 That we be alwaies begging, but neuer recounting what we haue receiued.
5 That we consider what others haue, rather then what wee haue need of.
6 That we be not secure in the blessings of God, but rather feare our estate most when we haue most
fauours. Iob 1.
7 That we tie God vnto these outward things.
8 That we dote and rest vpon these, and not rather forget them in regard of the things of the life to come. Phil. 3.
9 That we conceiue basely and meanely of Gods mercies, and doe not see & worship God in the least of them.* 1.5
Secondly, Let vs vse these helpes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thankefulnes. As
1 Rest we vpon God as the giuer of all good blessings.
2 Vse we all holy meanes for the obtaining of them.
3 Leaue we the successe to Go: depending on his prouidence.
4 Thinke we not what God can giue, but what is fit for vs to re∣ceiue.
5 Consider wee how small a tribute the Lord requires for all his blessings.
6 What a prerogatiue we attain by thankesgiuing, that God is the receiuer, and we giuers vnto God, and how much better it is to giue
then to receiue.
7 Let the creatures prouoke vs hereto, left otherwise they con∣demne vs. Heb. 6.
8 Let our commodity perswade vs, either if we will haue, or vse, or hold Gods fauours comfortably.
9 And lastly consider we the ac∣count to bee made in the life to come, which is made vp by thanke∣fulnes vnto God in this life. Ioh. 3.
And thus far concerning thankefulnes
The chiefe vse and benefit there∣of,* 1.6 is to keep vs in a constant course of obedience vnto God, in the en∣ioying of his blessings. And this is of the Next duety daily to bee performed of vs:
Thankes∣giuing.
Sect. 1. It vse.
Sect. 2. How to be practi∣sed.
Sect. 3. What e∣uils to be auoided.
Sect. 4. Helpes to thankeful∣nes.
Sect. 5. The be∣nefit ther∣of.