A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. XI.

Of the daily exercise of Thankesgiuing; and how it ought to bee performed.

§. Sect. 1 What things are required in the duty of thanksgiuing.

ANd as we are thus to pray daily & continually, by making our suites and petitions vnto God, so also by thankesgiuing, re∣turning thankes and praise for all the benefits and blessings which wee receiue at his hands. Vnto which duty, diuers things are required; first, that it bee done in the name of Christ, according to that of the Apostle, By him therefore let vs offer the * 1.1 sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giuing thanks to his name. Secondly, that it be done in a right manner; vnto which is required, that it be done, first, not onely in outward profession with the lips, but also inwardly with the soule, with all the powers and faculties of it, according to that of the Psalmist, Blesse the Lord, O my soule, and all that * 1.2 is within me, blesse his holy name. First, in our vnderstanding we are to take notice, and rightly to conceiue of Gods benefits, not onely in some gene∣rality, but also of those particular blessings, which we daily and continu∣ally receiue from him; that we may not be vngratefull, through ignorance and heedlesnesse, but haue thankefull mindes, and so, as the Psalmist spea∣keth, sing praises with vnderstanding. Neither must we onely know Gods * 1.3 benefits and blessings, but also acknowledge them to be his free gifts, and that he is the principall Author and fountaine of all the good which wee * 1.4 either presently inioy, or hope for in time to come; giuing him the whole glory of his gifts, and not attributing them to secondary causes and infe∣riour meanes; which are onely his instruments by which hee conserreth these gifts vpon vs. In our iudgements, we must rightly value, and high∣ly esteeme of Gods benefits, as well when we inioy them, as before we had them, or when they are taken from vs; not extenuating, but rather ampli∣sying his gifts to the aduancing of his glory, and increasing of our thank∣fulnesse. * 1.5 In our memories we must thankefully retaine the remembrance

of Gods manifold mercies and inestimable benefits, that wee may conti∣nually * 1.6 take occasion thereby to praise him for them; esteeming it one of the worst kinds of vngratitude, to forget our benefactour, or the gifts and blessings which wee haue receiued from him. And this God often impo∣seth vpon his people, that they should not forget him nor his blessings; and * 1.7 Dauid vpon his owne soule, Blesse the Lord, O my soule, and forget not all his * 1.8 benefits. But aboue all, we must be thankefull vnto the Lord with all our hearts; according to that of Dauid; I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole * 1.9 heart. Or if we faile herein of that perfection which the Law requireth, yet at least let vs doe it in vprightnesse and integrity, which will be accep∣ted of God in Iesus Christ. Vnto which thankfulnesse of the heart is re∣quired, first, that it be done in humility, giuing God the whole praise of * 1.10 his owne workes, and acknowledging his glory and greatnesse, his good∣nesse and graciousnesse, who dayneth and vouchsafeth of his free grace to respect vs who are dust and ashes, base and contemptible, sinfull and mi∣serable, * 1.11 and are so farre off from deseruing the least of his mercies and benefits, that we haue iustly merited the greatest of his iudgements and punishments. Secondly, we must shew our thankfulnesse, with all due re∣uerence, in respect of Gods glorious Maiesty, acknowledging it to bee a singular priuiledge, that so mighty a King, and Soueraigne Lord of hea∣uen and earth will receiue any thing at our hands. Thirdly, wee must performe it with all alacrity and cheerefulnesse, reioycing much, in that he giueth vs not onely the occasions of this duty, but hearts also to doe it in some poore and weake measure.

§. Sect. 2 That we must giue thankes in all things.

And after this manner must we shew our thankfulnesse vnto God: The obiect of our thanksgiuing, or the cause and occasion of giuing thankes, * 1.12 is, all things, according to that of the Apostle, In euery thing giue thankes; And againe, giuing thankes alwayes, for all things, vnto God the Father, in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ. That is, we must giue thankes for all good things, which are so in their owne nature, or which through Gods wise∣dome, power, and goodnesse are made so vnto vs; for positiue good things, as all Gods blessings and benefits, both temporall, spirituall, and eternall; or priuatiue, when God in his loue and mercy freeth vs from those euils of punishment which our sinnes haue deserued, or at least, doth not inflict them in that measure and degree which hee might iustly impose vpon vs: in which respect, the Church in her greatest afflictions * 1.13 tooke occasion of praysing God, and acknowledging his mercies, in that they were not vtterly consumed: And doth also turne these light and * 1.14 momentany afflictions to our good, as the mortification of our sinnes, the inriching of vs with spirituall graces, the furthering of our saluation, and the increasing of our heauenly ioy and happinesse.

§. Sect. 3 That we must giue thankes at all times.

And this thankefulnesse in all things we must shew at all times, that is, daily and continually, priuately and publikely, secretly in our hearts, and outwardly in our words and workes, so often as we haue any occasion and opportunity offered vnto vs, either ordinary or extraordinary: by conside∣ration, either of positiue or priuatiue benefits; both at set times of prayer, and thorowout the whole day, by lifting vp our hearts with thanksgiuing vnto God, for the continuall benefits, which in euery part of the day hee

conferreth vpon vs: As our deliuerance from euils, with which wee see others ouertaken, our preseruation from many dangers, to which wee are daily subiect: for the assistance of his grace and holy Spirit, against the tentations of our spirituall enemies; for keeping our hearts in his feare, and from wandring with the world, in the by-wayes of sinne and wicked∣nesse. For giuing vs hearts to seeke and serue him, and for accepting of vs and our imperfect actions, in the perfect obedience of Iesus Christ. For multiplying and continuall renewing of all his blessings and bene∣fits vpon vs, and those that are neere and deare vnto vs, both in tempo∣rall and spirituall things, and for those assured hopes which he hath giuen vs of heauenly and euerlasting happinesse in the world to come. For those which hee bestoweth publikely vpon the Church and Common wealth, and priuately vpon our families and our owne persons. And this daily and continuall thankfulnesse and thanksgiuing vnto God, is required of vs in the Scriptures. The Apostle exhorteth vs, to speake to our selues in * 1.15 Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall Songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, giuing thankes alwayes for all things, &c. And that wee should by Christ, offer the sacrifices of praise to God continually, that is, the * 1.16 fruit of our lips, giuing thankes to his name. And this was Dauids daily practice, as he often professeth; I will blesse the Lord (saith he) at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth. And againe, Euery day will I blesse * 1.17 thee, and I will praise thy name for euer and euer. Which resolutions, because * 1.18 he could not atchieue by his owne abilities, he craueth helpe and assistance from God: Let my mouth bee filled with thy praise, and with thine honour all * 1.19 the day; and then hee promiseth to performe it; I will (saith he) praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew foorth thy righteousnesse and thy salua∣tion all the day, for I know not the numbers thereof.

§. Sect. 4 Reasons which may mooue vs vnto daily thanksgiuing.

Besides which testimonies and examples of holy Scriptures, there are many reasons which may moue vs to the dayly and continuall practice of this holy duty. As first the excellencie of it, seeing it is the continuall ex∣ercise of the holy Angels and Saints in heauen, in which a great part of their happinesse consisteth, and wee see in the Reuelation, where great multitudes of the Saints cry alowd, and say, Blessing, and glory, and * 1.20 wisedome, and thankesgiuing, and honour, and power and might, bee vnto our God for euer and euer, Amen. And this exercize they continue day and * 1.21 night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Secondly, it is most comely and decent, in respect of God, who being the chiefe goodnesse all glory and praise of due belongeth to him, as being the end of all things, and the Author and fountaine of all our * 1.22 our good. And therefore Dauid often repeateth it, and maketh it the foote of his song, that we must giue thankes to the Lord and praise him, because he * 1.23 is good, and his mercy endureth for euer. In respect of vs also, who daily re∣ceiue benefits at his hands: for seeing he reneweth his mercies vpon vs e∣uery * 1.24 morning, as the Church confesseth, and followeth vs with his fauours, throughout the whole day, what better beseemeth vs, then to be thank∣full to such a gracious Benefactour, and to haue our hearts filled with thankfulnesse, and our mouthes with his praises? Againe, we are spiritu∣all Priests vnto God, to offer vnto him daily sacrifices: and what better be∣seemeth * 1.25

our office, then to offer vnto him praises and thanksgiuing, which * 1.26 are the sacrifices wherein his soule doth chiefly delight? For it is a princi∣pall part of his seruice, which most redoundeth to his glory, according to that of the Psalmist, Whosoeuer offereth praise, glorifieth mee; and is daily * 1.27 therefore to be performed by vs, as our Sauiour teacheth vs in his perfect forme of prayer, the first petition whereof, is, that Gods name may bee hallowed and glorified; and the conclusion, an acknowledgement that the Kingdome, power, and glory, doe belong vnto him alone. Thirdly, it is the mayne end for which God bestoweth all his blessings vpon vs, that * 1.28 wee should yeeld vnto him the praise and glory of his owne gifts; The which we will performe, if we be not too too vngratefull, seeing they are so inestimable and manifold, and yet he in loue of them all requireth no∣thing of vs, but that we daily shew our selues thankfull debters. Yea, in truth we haue nothing else to returne vnto him, seeing all wee haue is his already; as wee see in the example of Dauid, who, though he were a King, * 1.29 yet confesseth after long deliberation, his nullity and insufficiency in this kinde, and therefore concludeth, that he would render vnto him thanks * 1.30 and praise. Yea, it is the end why God hath giuen vs our tongues, that with them we should glorifie him; whereof it is, that the Psalmist calleth his tongue his glory, because it was the instrument of glorifying God; and therefore they are vtterly vnworthy this excellent gift of speech, wherein * 1.31 we excell all the creatures, who doe not in the vse of it, ayme chiefly at this end for which it was giuen them.

§. Sect. 5 Of the meanes whereby wee may be stirred vp to thank∣fulnesse.

Now the meanes of yeelding vnto God this daily and continuall thankfulnesse, is partly to remooue the causes and occasions of vngrati∣tude, * 1.32 and partly to vse all helpes wherby we may be furthered in this duty. Concerning the former, wee must take heede of pride, and all opinion of our owne merits, which will make vs to thinke that all which we receiue, is lesse then we deserue; and contrariwise imbrace humility, and wholly deny our selues with our owne workes and worthinesse, and so we shall be thankefull for the least benefits, when we consider that they are more then we deserue. Secondly, we must not attribute the good things which we * 1.33 receiue, vnto secondary causes and inferiour meanes; as to our owne wise∣dome, power, and industry, but ascribe them wholly vnto God, whose gifts they are, for otherwise we shall not giue God the praise, but sacrifice * 1.34 to our owne nets. Thirdly, we must not thinke how much we want, but what we haue; not how many are preferred before vs, but how many bet∣ter then we come behind vs, and want the good things which wee inioy. The helpes whereby we may be furthered in this duty of thanksgiuing, are first, to take notice of those manifold blessings which the Lord heapeth vpon vs, & euen of his particular gifts, at the very time they are receiued; for whilest they are new, they more affect vs, and stirre vs vp to greater thankfulnesse. Secondly, we must highly value them in our iudgements, if not in their owne worth, yet as they are loue-tokens sent from God, pledges and pawnes of his fauour, and earnest-pennies of euerlasting life and happinesse; for the better wee conceiue of Gods benefits, the more thankefull will we be vnto him for them. Thirdly, we must keepe blessings receiued in former times, in faithfull memories, that we may often recount

them, and adding them to the new, wee may become more feruent and cheerefull in performing of this duty; especially those mayne benefits of Gods loue, our election, creation, redemption, vocation, iustification, sanctification, continuall preseruation, and assured hope of our glorifica∣tion. The which we shall the more readily doe, if we consider, that it is an especiall meanes to mooue the Lord to conferre vpon vs new benefits, when as we are truely thankefull vnto him for the old, which is the mayne end for which he gaue them, and to cast vpon vs the seeds of his blessings with a liberall hand, when as we are not barren grounds, but yeeld vnto him the fruits of thanksgiuing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ephes. 5. 20. Heb. 13. 15. Ro. 1. 8. & 7. 25.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 103. 1. & 104. 1.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 47. 7.
• * 1.4

  Jam. 1. 17. Habac. 1. 16.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 16. 6.
• * 1.6

  Deut. 6. 11, 12. & 8. 14.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 103. 2.
• * 1.8

  Ps. 9. 1. & 138. 1. & 86. 12.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 119. 7.
• * 1.10

  Psal. 115. 1.
• * 1.11

  Gen. 32. 10. 1. Chro. 17. 16.
• * 1.12

  1. Thes. 5. 18. Ephes. 5. 20.
• * 1.13

  Iam. 3. 22.
• * 1.14

  Rom. 8. 28.
• * 1.15

  Eph. 5. 20.
• * 1.16

  Heb. 13. 15.
• * 1.17

  Psal 34 1.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 145. 2.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 71. 8, 15.
• * 1.20

  Apoc. 5. 13. & 7. 12.
• * 1.21

  Apoc. 4. 8.
• * 1.22

  Psal. 92. 2.
• * 1.23

  Psal. 1••6. 1. & 147. 1.
• * 1.24

  Psal. 33. 1. Lam. 3. 23.
• * 1.25

  Apoc. 1. 5.
• * 1.26

  Psal. 50. 14.
• * 1.27

  Ʋers. 23
• * 1.28

  Deut. 8. 18.
• * 1.29

  Psal. 16. 3.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 116. 12.
• * 1.31

  Psal. 30. 12. & 57. 8.
• * 1.32

  1. Chro. 17. 16. & 29. 14, 15.
• * 1.33

  Psal. 127. 1. Deut. 8. 17.
• * 1.34

  Hab. 1. 16. Isa. 10. 13.