Family devotions for Sunday evenings, throughout the year being practical discourses, with suitable prayers / by Theophilus Dorrington.

THE GREAT DUTY OF THANKFULNESS, Urged and Directed.

Let us Pray. PRevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most graci∣ous favour, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy Holy Name, and finally by thy Mercy obtain Everlasting Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Thes. 5. 18. In every thing give Thanks:—

THere is an exceeding great evil and disorder, which we may too frequently observe in the World, and which every Man's reason condemns in others, and yet all are apt to be often guilty of it themselves: It is, that we we do common∣ly remember long, and retain a very deep re∣sentment of an Injury, whether it be a real, or but an imagined one; but we soon forget the Benefits we receive, and lose the Impressions of them. Thus do Mankind often deal with one a∣nother, and thus also do they behave themselves towards God. Tho he cannot wrong or injure us, yet we are apt to think he does so, when he does in any thing displease us, and we behave our selves towards him, as if he did: We murmur against him, and grow discontented and froward,

are ready to think 'tis in vain to serve him, and to throw off our Duty. And on the other side, we do at the same time forget his Benefits, and take no notice of what we have, many times, through desire of what we want. We are very earnest and importunate in our Requests for what we would have, and are cold in our Thanksgivings, or neg∣lect to be thankful at all, when we have obtain'd it. The Spirit of God, taking notice of this Fault in Mankind, repeats his Instructions in Ho∣ly Scripture to the contrary. He bids us take care to join with all our Prayers, Thanksgivings, in Phil. 4. 6. he says, by the Apostle, Be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by Prayer and Sup∣plication, with Thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God: However desirous ye are, howe∣ver sollicitous to obtain what ye want, of God, be sure to be thankful for what ye have. Again, in this Chapter where our present Text is, he joins the Command of Thanksgiving with that of Prayer; the 17th Ver. bids us Pray without cea∣sing, and this 18th says, In every thing give Thanks; whatever your condition be, recommend it to Almighty God by Prayer; and how long soever it pleases God to deny or delay what you desire, yet continue to pray: And with your Prayers, re∣member also to give Thanks. In every thing give Thanks, that is, in every State and Condition, endeavour to retain always a Sense of the Divine Benefits, to praise him for what he has done for you; and be free from all hard Thoughts of God, and undecent Murmurings against him. I confess this Command in this place seems to be chiefly directed to those Holy and good Men, who are the peculiar Favourites of Heaven by the In∣terest

of Jesus Christ. But, because this Duty is urged more generally elsewhere, and there is no Duty requir'd of such good Men, but it is al∣so required of all Men, at least by consequence, and as all Men are required to be good; I shall therefore take the words as exhorting to an uni∣versal Duty: And I conclude from them, that all Men are bound to express a thankful Acknow∣ledgement unto God of the Benefits they receive from him; and that in all Estates and Circum∣stances whatsoever.

In discoursing upon this Matter, I shall endea∣vour these 2 things.

• 1. To prove that every Man has Reason for great Thankfulness to Almighty God.
• 2. To direct the right Expressions and Decla∣rations of our Thankfulness.

In the first place, I shall endeavour to make it evident, That every Man has some reason to be thankful to God; some reason to praise and love him, and to be patient and contented in e∣very Condition. And this, I think will evidently appear upon the making good the following Par∣ticulars.

1. Let us consider, That all Men are in some measure Partakers of the Divine Benefits. There is not one among the Race of Mankind, that can justly reckon himself not at all obliged to God. Every man is beholden to God for his Being; for the preservation and continuance of his Being so long as he subsists, and for some things that com∣fort him in his Being; and without doubt the Death of Christ is in some sense an universal Be∣nefit.

Every Man is beholden to God for that Being which he has: It is God that hath made us, and not we our selves. And from that sort of Being, which God has given us are we engaged to be thankful. We were made but little lower than the Angels, and crowned with Honour and Dig∣nity, as the Psalmist says of all Men, Psal. 8. The meanest Man is next in Dignity to them in the Order of the Creation. It is an exceeding Ho∣nour of our Bodies, and their greatest Worth and Commendation, that they are made fit to serve and entertain so noble a Guest as an im∣mortal Spirit; and this Honour the most deform∣ed, the weakest, and the most crazy Body has belonging to it. But our greatest Worth and Dig∣nity lies in the Soul which God has given us. There is in every Man an excellent Spirit, which is capable of very great things; however it is in some Men wretchedly neglected and deprest. By this are all Men capable of the sublime Know∣ledge of the Creatour, capable to love, and praise, and delight themselves in him; by such a Being then we are capable of Happiness to a great and excellent Degree, and even of the highest kind of Happiness that can be; as we can enjoy or de∣light our selves in him, who is the highest Good. And our immortal Soul renders us capable of E∣verlasting Happiness in the Eternal fruition of an Infinite, Eternal Good. Every Man may reach this Happiness, if he will; This is that he was made and designed for, and no Man shall fall short of it, but by his own default. Thus our Being then should engage us to be thankful to God that gave it.

Further; 'Tis to him we owe the continuance of our Being; he supports and maintains us in this Life while it lasts, and after it in the other. This is a continual Obligation to Thankfulness, it is a continual Creation. As no Being can make its self, so none can preserve or continue its self at all; but all things have always a most necessa∣ry dependance upon the great Creatour. We ought then all of us to acknowledge, it is he that holds our Soul in Life. And while he continues this Life, he obliges us in that we are so long capable in some measure to see and enjoy the pleasant and good things of this World. If we have good and vertuous Souls, and are free from Envy and Malice, we can see with satisfaction and pleasure, the Hap∣piness and satisfaction of others, tho we are not so happy our selves; especially may this please us in those that are vertuous and good, and in those that are dear to us Besides, while a Man lives, tho it be in an afflicted State, he has that important term and space lengthened to him wherein alone he can make his peace with God, and fit and prepare his Soul for Heaven. The time of this Life is the only space allowed us for the seeking and serving the Interest of Eternity. And if our Life be continued, tho in the midst of continual or succeeding vexa∣tions and miseries; as these give us opportunity of exercising long Patience, an invincible Trust in God, the most commendable love to him, and the most difficult resignation and submission; so we have herein opportunity to gain the greater ap∣plause hereafter, the brighter Crown of Glory, and the more excellent degrees of reward, by a patient continuance in well-doing. We have reason then to be thankful for the continuance of our Being, even in such a State as this.

Further; There is no Man but does enjoy at one time or other, and in a greater or less mea∣sure the comforts of this present Life. Those things which do for the time elevate and chear him, and make him joyful and merry. Every man has some intervals of bright and calm Weather; no one's day is always clouded and stormy: This Life is to none a State of pure misery. We are born to trouble in this World, yet none do meet with only trouble and affliction. Besides, there is commonly a mixture of Good and Evil in every Condition: Every inconvenient State has some conveniencies to allay it. These we may find out if we will impartially consider our Circumstances; And from thence we shall always have some rea∣son to be thankful.

Lastly, The Death of Christ is without doubt in some sense an universal Benefit. Jesus Christ came into the World to save Sinners: He by his one Oblation of himself once offer'd, has made a full, perfect, and sufficient Sacrifice, and Satisfaction for the Sins of the whole World. He has by his Death brought it to pass, that every Man upon his Repentance and Faith in him, may be saved; that Salvation may be offer'd to all; therefore he bid his Disciples go and preach the Gospel to all: And this Salvation may be obtained by all, to whom it is offer'd, if they are not wanting to themselves: None of them perish, but by their own perversness. All in the Christian Church are beholden for the Knowledge of God, and Christ which is offer'd to them; for the Means of Grace and Salvation. Thus it appears that all Men are in some measure Partakers of the Divine Benefits.

2. Another thing that makes this an universal Duty

is, that God has with such admirable Wisdom di∣stributed his Gifts among Men, that every one al∣most has in some respects or other the Advantage of some other Men. As none are, in this Life per∣fectly miserable, so we can see none that are per∣fectly and compleatly happy. No man shall have good reason to think himself worse dealt with, and harder used by God's Providence, than all Men besides him. There is hardly a Man but may say, If I want what others have, I may also see some at least of others wanting what I have, and what I de∣light in, what I would not be without, and per∣haps would not exchange with many for theirs. If the Rich have greater Dainties, the Poor have u∣sually the stronger and better Appetites: The Labourer has greater strength, and more health many times than he that lives at ease. If one Man has less Honour than another, he has less care and trouble too; an obscure Station is blest with greater safety, is exposed to less Envy than the contrary. How many Cares and Griefs and Fears do attend Riches and Greatness, of which the mean, and poor Man may say, I have none of these to trouble me. It pleases God many times to lodge a vertuous and brave Soul in a de∣formed and contemptible Body, and oftentimes are great Beauty, or Strength, and great Folly joined together. It was very sitly replied by the Philosopher, who being pitied by one for the Loss of a Farm, answer'd his Condoler thus, You have but one Field, and I have yet three left, and why should not I then rather pity and grieve for you? If our mind is apt to grow sick with Envy, or dis∣content at seeing the advantages in some respects which others have of us, we should cure them a∣gain

by reflecting on those which in other re∣spects perhaps we may have of them, or of some other Persons. And thus may every man see some∣thing in his Condition to be thankful for, upon a fair comparison of it with that of other Men.

3. It is yet another ground of Thankfulness common to all Men; That the Gifts which we receive from God, are undeservedly and freely bestowed upon us. As he is the Sole Fountain of all the good we enjoy; so he is the absolute, and free Dispenser of all his Gifts: God is a Debtor to no man. We cannot draw any of his Bles∣sings from him by previous Merit. It was the meer and free Goodness of God, which mov'd him to give us our Being; Certainly before we were, we could not oblige him; All our Faculties and Pow∣ers then are free Gifts, and render us indebted, and obliged to him. Therefore no exercise of these in any service of him, can merit any thing from him; for in all we do, we only pay our own Debt; if indeed we could do so much as that. Well might the Apostle make that Challenge, Who hath given any thing to God, and it shall be recom∣penced to him again? Rom. 11. 5. He can receive no advantage from his Creatures, and therefore he designs none to himself in what he bestows up∣on them. He may then very justly expostulate with our murmuring and discontent, as the Hous∣holder in the Parable, Friend, I do thee no wrong. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? We should always consider he is at liberty whether he will give what we ask of him or not. What we want is his, and what we have is so too, even whilst we have it; and so he is at liberty also to take that away. We are entirely

beholden to him for all that we have; And should not this make us always thankful? He deserves this from us, if he gives and continues any thing to us, since he does this freely. Since God is kind, Let us be ashamed to be unjust; since he gives us the good Things, which we do not deserve from him, Let us not be so guilty as to deny him the Praise and Thanksgiving, which he does deserve from us. Should we not thank him for those things which we cannot demand of him, which he gives, and needs not give us? Tho we have not all that we desire, yet since what we have is more than we deserve, we ought sure to be very thankful for this.

4. Another ground of thankfulness common to all Men is, there is none of us but have forfeit∣ed all the Mercies which God has ever bestowed upon us. It is true, that before we had a Being, we could not deserve not to be made; we could not offend God, nor provoke him to deny us our Being; for that which is not, can do nothing: But it may be consider'd, that he who made us, knew before with what perverseness, and rebellion, and ingratitude we would use the Beings he should give us: He fore-saw all the Sins and Provoca∣tions of our Lives, and yet he brought us into Being; and has made us capable to be greatly Happy, tho he knew we would deserve to be mi∣serable. And since we came to an ability of exer∣cising the Powers he has given us; we have not only laid no Obligations upon him to do us good, but have also deserved the contrary. We are all Sinners, and fall short of the Glory of God; we have not answered the End of our Being, and so have render'd our selves utterly unworthy of all his Mercies. We brought into the World with

us at our Birth a sinful Nature, possest with En∣mity against God, disposed to rebel, and such as did deserve to be crusht in its Infancy. He has, notwithstanding that, nourisht and brought us up, and we, notwithstanding his Favour have re∣belled against him. He took us into the tender Arms of his Providence, when we first came in∣to the World, when he might have thrown us immediately into Hell, as guilty in our first Pa∣rents: He suffered us to be admitted into his Church, and wash'd away that Guilt in the Laver of Baptism. Let us consider how ill we have requi∣ted this Kindness: How much we have forgotten him, in whom we live, move, and have our Being: How we have broke his just and good Laws, de∣spised to be like him in Holiness, wilfully pollut∣ed our selves with Sin, affronted his rightful So∣vereignty over us, abused his free Gifts, and dis∣honoured him with what we ought to have used to his Glory: I say, let us consider these things, and wonder that he does any thing for us, rather than murmur at any time that he does no more. Let us never think our selves hardly dealt with, while we enjoy any thing that is good, since we de∣serve none, since we have actually forfeited all. And thus, I suppose it appears, Every Man has Reason for the Practice of this Duty: It is in∣cumbent upon all to be contented and easy under God's Dispensation, and to be thankful for the measure of good that they have; not only is this due from the rich and prosperous, but also, even from the poor and afflicted.

I proceed now to the Second Part of the Dis∣course, which is to direct to the right Expressions and Declarations of our thankfulness to God

for his Benefits. And this (we must know) is not fully performed in a short Ejaculation now and then lifted up to God: But the Heart that is tru∣ly and habitually thankful, will constantly endea∣vour, and for the most part perform all that is contained in the following Particulars.

1. We must take notice of, and own the Di∣vine Benefits. We must acknowledge God's con∣tinual care of us, and kindness to us: Own it was he that made us to differ in all the ad∣vantages that we have above others. When a Man prospers in the World, he must not as∣cribe his Prosperity to his own Industry or Skill, nor to a blind Chance; but always to the Pro∣vidence of God, and be ready to say, 'Tis he gives him all things. We must observe and va∣lue the Divine Benefits, it is great unthankful∣ness to despise them; we must take heed that we do not so regard and magnify our wants, as to over-look our Mercies, and to think that we are not beholden to God. We must receive his Fa∣vours and Obligations as such, reckon our selves beholden to him for what he gives us. We must preserve a fresh and lively remembrance of God's Mercies and Deliverances; as David charges himself to do, Psal. 103. 2. Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his Benefits. Thus our Mind and Thoughts are to be employed about these.

2. We must praise him for his Mercies in so∣lemn and devout Thanksgivings. In these we must express by words the former inward Sense of his Benefits, and so be thankful in Heart, and in our words. Say to him, as David, Psal. 30. I will ex∣tol thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and hast

not made mine Enemies to rejoice over me; when at any time he has delivered us from Enemies, say, O Lord, my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast heal∣ed me, and brought up my Soul from the Grave, thou hast kept me alive from going into the Pit, when he has deliver'd from Sickness. Say, for daily Mercies, It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O most high: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night; as in Psal. 92. 1, 2. The Book of Psalms, as it was the Exercise of ex∣traordinary and inspir'd Devotion, is an excel∣lent Repository of the best Expressions of all sorts for the exercise of our Devotion by: Out of which, we shall do well to furnish our selves with the wise and acceptable forms of Thanks∣giving, which are therein for the better per∣formance of this Duty.

3. We must express our Thankfulness in Deeds, as well as in Thought and Word: And this must take in an universal Obedience to his Commands; we ought to charge our selves with this Task, and constantly endeavour to perform it through the whole course of our Lives. No∣thing can be more absurd, than for an habitual Sinner to pretend to any gratitude towards God: Is he to be reckoned thankful, who affronts him continually? who lives in those Practices, which he knows are most ungrateful and displeasing to him? Is this the right way of acknowledging a Benefactor, to do him all the Injury that we can? Let us then study and learn his Laws, that we may know what will please him, and then apply our selves industriously to do it. And whatever we have and are, should be all devoted to him,

and employed as far as it is capable to be to the serving of his Honour and Glory, 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do (says the Apostle) Do all to the Glory of God. This is the just End of all his Gifts, and to serve that end, must needs be the expected way of our Thanksgiving for them.

And that end may be served, and another Ob∣ligation answered too, and that when we employ, (as he requires we should do) what he gives us, as much as we can to the good of Mankind. We must desire and endeavour to be useful to others, not live to our selves alone: We must not be proud of our advantges, but serviceable with them. In Heb. 13. 15. We are exhorted to offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our Lips, giving thanks to his Name: But the Apostle immediately adds, To do good and communicate, forget not; for with such Sacrifice God is well-pleased: He intimates the former is requi∣red and due; but we must not satisfy our selves with that alone, but he requires also another Sa∣crifice, even that of good Works, and offices of Charity. All the good that we have power and opportunity to do for our Neighbour, relating to his Soul or his Body, his Reputation or Estate, we must be ready charitably to perform; and this is to be always done in the best way to serve his Interest; we must not only regard our own Advantage. Thus should all the several Callings, Offices and Dignities of Men be managed: And thus may all Men express their Thankfulness to God for his benefits in the Business of their world∣ly Callings; thus they may consecrate these, and make them religious.

Thus I have also finisht the Second thing pro∣pos'd. Now to conclude, that we may the bet∣ter excite our selves to these things, Let us fur∣ther consider at our leisure.

The greatness of God to whom we are behol∣den, together with our own meanness. He that gives us all we have, is a Being infinite and perfect, he is eternally happy in the enjoyment of himself, has no need of any of his Creatures, nor can have any advantage from them: Yet has he taken care of us continually; he watches over us every moment, to defend us from mischief, to supply our wants, to protect our enjoyments, and to support our frail Lives. Justly may we say with the Psalmist, Lord, what is Man that thou art mindful of him, or the Son of Man that thou visitest him?

Let us assure our selves too, that the best way to preserve the Benefits we enjoy, is, to use them rightly, and to be duly thankful for them.

Let us reckon also that this must needs be ne∣cessary to the acceptance and success of our Pray∣ers for such things as we want, to use well, and be thankful for what we have already obtained.

Lastly, Let us consider that a thankful frame of Mind; such as is sensible of God's Mercies, that which sees its own advantages, and thinks upon the good things which it enjoys; That u∣ses them as God requires, with Wisdom and Reason, and a good Conscience; such a one keeps the Soul always easy and calm, always chearful and contented; such a Person fully enjoys what he has, and tastes the sweetness of it. Whereas he who murmurs and complains, who is never satisfied, nor contented, is always unhappy: He who pores only upon his wants, and what he de∣sires,

who is impatient under every affliction and cross, and abuses himself and his enjoyments in guilty excesses; such a man can never feel any rest or quiet in his Mind, he is always troubled and uneasy: He imbitters his Pallate so, that he cannot rightly relish any good thing he has, is a burden to himself, and indeed does severely pu∣nish upon himself his own Iniquity and Ingrati∣tude. Lt us then in every thing give thanks, and say, To God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be all Honour and Glory, Thanks and Praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE PRAYER.

ALmighty and most Gracious God, thou art good, and doest good; thou art abundant in Goodness. We thine unworthy Servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kind∣ness, which thou hast graciously shewn to us, and to all Men. We bless thee for our Creation, O Lord; for that thou hast made us little lower than the Angels, and crowned us with honour and dignity; and for that thou hast plentifully furnisht this World with good things for our Use. We own, O Lord, with all thankfulness, that thou hast hitherto preserved us; thou hast taken care of us ever since we came from our Mothers Womb. Thou hast defended us from innumerable Evils, which always compass us about: Thou hast given us all that we have enjoy'd of the good things of this World, for they are thine, and thou dost dispose of them, as seemeth good to thee; and by thy Blessing upon thy Gifts have they been sufficient to support and comfort our mortal Life. But above all, we bless, we praise thee, we magnify thee for thy inestimable Love in the Redemption of the World by our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the hopes that we have of obtaining everlasting glory and happiness by the vertue of his Merits, and by the guidance of thy good Spirit. O Lord, give us, we beseech thee, a due and deep sense of all thy Mercies, make our Hearts unfeignedly thankful; make us ready to acknowledge, that we are less than the least of thy Mercies; that in all thou givest, thou owest us nothing: Make us humbly sensible and ashamed of all our transgressions against thee, of our base and ungrateful returns to thy Mercies; That instead of winning us to love and serve thee, they have encouraged us to trans∣gress, and have been used in rebellion against thee. O Lord, of thy infinite Mercy, pardon all our past unthank∣fulness:

And let thy Grace make us set our selves for the future, to shew forth thy praise, not only with our Lips, but in our Lives; by giving up our selves to thy Service, and by walking before thee in Holiness and Righteous∣ness all our Days. O Lord, make us to go in the Path of thy Commandments. And from thy mercy and goodness, let us learn to shew mercy, and to do good according to our power and opportunity, communicating to the Ne∣cessities of others; which is a Sacrifice well-pleasing un∣to thee. And do thou, O Lord, continue the exercises of thy goodness to us, till thou hast made us perfectly and compleatly happy in the enjoyment of thy self.

We humbly implore thy Mercy and Favour for all Man∣kind. Oh that thy way may be made known upon Earth, and thy saving Health among all Nations; that the People may praise thee, O God, yea, that all the People may praise thee. Bless, we pray thee, thy Church, and defend it from all Spiritual and Temporal Enemies. Re∣move out of it all false Doctrin, Heresy and Schism, En∣vy, Hatred, Malice, and all Uncharitableness; hardness of Heart, and contempt of thy Word and Command∣ments.

We intreat thee graciously to watch over that Part of it which thou hast planted amongst us; defend it from secret Attempts and Plots, and from open Violence, from all the Enemies of thy true Religion establisht among us, and make it, we pray thee, a glorious Church in the eminent Gifts and Vertues of the Members of it. Bless our King and Queen, and all that are put in Authority under them, with great Wisdom and Understanding, with a Zeal for thy Glory, and the Subject's Well-fare. Teach those that are Subjects, each in their several Places, to do their own Business, and to study submission and qui∣etness. We humbly recommend to thy Mercies, our Friends, Relations, and even our Enemies, and all that are in Adversity. We render thee Thanks, O Lord, for all the Mercies of this Day in particular; but especially for the Liberty of thy House, and for the Means of Grace we have there enjoyed. Hear, O Lord, the Pray∣ers we have offered to thee. Bless thy Word and Sa∣craments to us; whenever we enjoy them, let them be

thy power to our Salvation. We humbly beg thy Pro∣tection for this Night and evermore, even unto thy Heavenly Kingdom, for the sake of Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all Ho∣nour and Glory world without End.

OƲR Father, which art in Heaven; Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that tres∣pass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But de¦liver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.