A thankefull remembrance of Gods mercy to several persons at Quabaug or Brookfield partly in a collection of providences about them, and gracious appearances for them: and partly in a sermon preached by Mr. Edward Bulkley, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Concord, upon a day of thanksgiving, kept by divers for their wonderfull deliverance there. Published by Capt. Thomas VVheeler. [Five lines from Psalms]

Hence this Doctrine may be raised.

Doct. A person or people in a right thankful frame upon the Obser∣vation of Gods Benifits, and Bountiful favours towards them, are very Sollicitous what to return to God for them. Or such as are after Gods heart upon their Observation of mercies and deliverances bestow∣ed on them are Sollicitous what Returns to make to God for them:

There be two parts in the Doctrine. 1. That a gracious Heart observes and takes notice of Gods goodness towards him. 2dly, He is thereupon Inquisitive what to Return to God.

1. The Prophet takes notice of Gods goodness; His Inquisition what to return, for it argues his Observation of it; If he enquires what to Render, It argues his taking notice of the Benefits; yea, of the variety and multitude of them, in what God had been doing for him. So David tels us Psal. 139.14. marveilous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well. So also in Psal. 103.1, to the sixth verse, Neh. 9.7, to 27th verse: They take notice of the great and manifold mercies which God had bestowed upon his people Israel in former as well as latter times. The Reasons hereof are.

Reason 1. From the worth of every one of Gods mercies. There is not one of All of Gods Benefits, and the blessings which we enjoy but it is worthy of notice, for it is the Lords work; the Operation of his hands, every mercy is Gods gift, and therefore to be Eyed and ob∣served, Psal. 111.2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. As your deliverance from the great

danger you were in at the Swampe, and afterwards in the House: It's worthy observing and remembring: how much more, All our mercies at all time and in all places. All comes from God, Jam. 1.17. Every good and perfect gift commeth, &c.

Reason 2. From the Thankfulness we owe to God for every mer∣cy being unworthy of the least of them; as Gen. 32 10. Jacob hum∣bly acknowledgeth. Now, how shall we be Thankful for them if we do not observe them. Hence the Prophet to Induce men to Thankfulness, and to bless God for his goodness and mercy adviseth men to take notice of his kindness towards them: Psal. 100.3, 4. And when the Lord upbraids his people for their great Ingratitude towards him, he gives this as one Cause of it, and so expresseth it, they did not know nor Consider, Isai. 1.3. and Hos: 2.8. she did not know that I gave, &c that is, she did not seriously Consider of it, that thereby she might have been stirred up to Thankfolness in obedience.

Reason 3. From the great difficulty of raising up our dull and slug∣gish hearts to that great duty of praise and Thankfulness, especially, in a lively and spiritual frame; and therefore there is great need to observe not only some, but All his Benefits: Though one mercy should raise our Hearts to Heaven; yet the more to quicken and en∣large them, we should take notice of All; the variety of them; as praise is a difficult duty, so it is difficult raising our hearts to the du∣ty. We are dull and Listless to all duty, but especially to Thank∣fulness; We are slow to go to God for mercy in our Troubles and Di∣stresses, but more slow to Return praise after Deliverances vouchsa∣fed. Hence that Expression in Psal. 107. Psal. 8.15 21, 31. Oh that men would praise the Lord; as if he should say: It's rather to be wished then expected, Luke 17.17, 18. There were Ten cried Lord have mercy upon us, but only one Returned to give Thanks to Jesus Christ when cured.

The second part of the Doctrine. Gracious and Humble Hearts observing Gods goodness towards them, are studious and Sollicitous what to Return to him. So the Prophet here, what shall I Render to the Lord, &c. so 2 Sam. 7.1. when God had brought him to Rest in his Kingdome after so many wandrings; he was studying how to advance the honour of God, who had done so great things for him; had so delivered him, so advanced him to honour and Renown, 1 Thes.

3.9. what Thanks (saith the Apostle) can we Render. &c.