Bee thankfull London and her sisters; or, A sermon of thankfulnesse setting downe the kindnesse of God to vs ... by Robert Abbott ...

Be thankefull London : OR , A SERMON , Setting downe the duty of thankfulnesse , the way to it , and the practise of it , preached vpon PSAL. 31. 21. Blessed be the Lord , for hee hath shewed his maruellous kindnesse towards me in a strong City .

WHEN God purposeth to plague a people , who haue not beene wise to obserue the day of their visitation , and by faith and conuersion Ier 15. 2. to hide themselues : such as are appointed vnto death , must vnto death : such as for the sword , to the sword : such as for the famine to the famine : and such as for the captiuity to the captiuity . In which respect , when we , who now liue , do perceiue that , though wee haue beene chasiened sore , yet wee haue not Psal. 118. 18. beene deliuered vnto death : and that neither Plague nor Sword , nor Famine , nor Captiuity , nor any other noysome euill hath so farre preuailed ouer vs , but that we may still praise God after the manner of the liuing : then how can we resolue lesse with our selues then this , I shall not dye but liue , and declare the works of the Lord ? Or , Psal. 118. 17. what can we say lesse then this to others ? Praise yee Psal. 34. 3. the Lord with me , and let vs magnifie his Name together .

True it is , that ordinarily the iniuries that are done vnto vs are written in Marble , and the benefits that are shewed vnto vs are written in Sand : and as the Aire in the Mat. 26. 69 , 70. High Priests Hall did ( after a sort ) infect Peter , and was an occasion to his soone and sudden denying of his Master : so euery blast of new fauours doth ( through our corruption ) infect vs with vnthankfulnesse , and blow away the memory of the former mercies which haue beene shewed vnto vs .

Hence it is , that God expostulateth with his people , Heare , O Heauens , and hearken , O earth , for I haue nourished Esa. 1. 2. and brought vp children , but they haue rebelled against me : And that Christ cryeth out against the vnthankfull Luke 17. 17. Leapers , Where are the nine ? Hence it is that God is ( as it were ) driuen to put his people in minde of the fauours which he hath done vnto them , saying , Surely I brought thee vp out of the Land of Egypt , and redeemed thee out of the house of seruants , and I haue sent before thee Moses , Aron Mic. 6. 4 , 5. and Myriam . O my people , remember now what Balack King of Moab had deuised , and what Balaam the sonne of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal . Yea , hence is it , that good Moses did take such paines with Gods Deut. 6. 12. people , to presse them not to forget the Lord which Deut. 8. 10. 11. brought them out of the Land of Aegypt , but to blesse him for the good Land which he had giuen them . And at that time when hee saw them tardy in their duty of thankfulnesse to God , by corrupting themselues towards him by their vice , how roundly doth hee take them vp , saying , Doe ye so reward the Lord , O foolish people and vnwise ? Deut. 32. 6. is not he thy Father that hath bought thee ? yea , hee hath made thee and proportioned thee .

All which courses doe manifest vnto vs our pronenesse to vnthankfulnesse , yea , and our practice of it also ( for , what are we better then other people ? ) Yea , and that we stand in neede of continuall prouoking to the good duty of thankfulnesse , that wee may practise it , to the assuring of our hearts that greater Plagues then that which we haue had , doe not awaite vs . Therefore is it that I haue chosen this good example of Dauid , to quicken you to this duty at this time , who in the inioyment of some great deliuerance from some great trouble , in some great City , cryed out with a thankefull heart , Blessed bee Psal. 31. 21. the Lord , for he hath shewed maruellous great kindnesse towards me in a strong City .

The Psalme where you reade these words , is spent in the practise of a threesold duty : namely , Prayer , Praise , and Exhortation .

In his Prayer , first he sueth for himselfe ; and secondly , against his enemies . For himselfe , hee prayes to God that he would deliuer him out of his troubles ( as from the hands of his enemies , and from them that persecute him ) Vers. 1 , 15 , 16 , 17 and that he would make his Face to shine vpon him , that hee be not confounded . And that he may with the more confidence depend vpon God for audience , hee doth take a suruay of those arguments which may giue incouragement to him to waite vpon God in Prayer . First , he doth looke to that confidence and trust which it hath pleased God to worke in his heart , and saith , In thee haue I put my Vers. 1. trust . As if he should say , Thou hast promised , that they who put their trust in thee , shall not bee confounded : Behold Lord , through thy good grace I haue done it : or thus , Shall I be ashamed at the last to confesse in whom I haue trusted ? or shall it bee said , That I haue leaned vpon the Reede of Aegypt ? God forbid : Therefore , O Lord , deliuer me . Secondly , hee doth looke to the imployment which Almighty God , in his speciall prouidence hath taken vpon him for the benefit of the Church in his preseruation and redemption of it , and saith , Thou art my strong rocke , my house of defence , my fortresse , by thy Vers. 1 , 2 , 3. names sake thy righteousnesse ▪ which is my shield and buckler ; Psal. 91. 4. yea , thou hast redeemed mee : therefore deliuer mee , Vers. 5. guide me , and draw me out of the Net which they haue priuily laid for me , Thirdly , he looks vpon Gods former dealing with him , and from thence gathereth hope of mercy to come . Thou hast giuen me a soule in loue with thee , for I haue hated them that giue themselues to deceitfull Vers. 6 , 7 , 8. vanities ; yea , thou hast seene my trouble , thou hast known my soule in aduersity , thou hast not shut mee vp , but hast set my feet at large : therefore why should I not triumph and reioyce in thy mercy for after times . Fourthly , he lookes vpon the extremities of his miseries , saying , Mine eye , Vers. 9 , 10 , 11 , &c. my soule , and my belly are consumed with griefe , my life is wasted with heauinesse , and my yeeres with mourning ; and so he goeth on . As if hee should say , Thou art the God that helpest in extremity , and bringest vs downe to the graue . First , because wee should not trust in our selues , 2 Cor. 1. 9. but in thee who raisest the dead : Behold , my case is such , therefore haue mercy vpon me ; especially considering , Thou art my God , and my times are in thy hands . Thus hee Vers. 14. 15. hath sued for himselfe . Secondly , hee prayeth and prophesieth against his enemies . Prayeth ( I say ) in respect of himselfe , who was infallibly led by the Spirit of God , and therefore could not erre in the persons against whom hee prayeth : Prophesieth ( I say ) in respect of vs , because his shooe serues not our foot in such sutes , if wee conceiue them with their particular applications : for wee being led by an ordinary spirit not discerning finall estates , haue this rule giuen to vs Blesse ( I say ) and curse not . In this Mat. 5 44. Prayer then , or Prophecy of Dauid , hee desires that thorow Rom. 12. 14. shame , feare , horrour , God would so silence and stop their mouthes , that they may not be able to pleade for themselues , or against him .

Thus hath Dauid prayed ; but he knowes that he who sues for more , must be thankefull for what hee hath receiued . Therefore now he falleth to the second part of the Psalme , which is Praise . Wherein you may see , that first , he doth with an holy admiration , set out the fauours Vers. 19 , 20. which God sheweth to the sonnes of God aboue the sonnes Gen 6. 2. of men that is , the wicked of the world . How great is thy goodnesse which thou shewest to them ! Thou hidest them priuily Mal. 3. 17. in thy presence , as thy Iewels in thy Cabinet . Secondly , he doth come to a particular fauor which God shewed vnto himselfe , & blesseth God for it . And whereas God might Vers 21. say , Why ( Dauid ) can sweet water and bitter come from Iames 3. 11. the same Fountaine ? Didst not thou erst while distrust me ? It is true Lord , but it was my haste , and thou wert pleased Vers. 22. to passe it by , and to heare the voice of my prayer when I cryed vnto thee , therefore will I praise thee .

Thus hath Dauid praised also : but he knoweth that it is not enough for him to bee good alone , but hee must striue to draw others to be good also : therefore in the Vers. 23 ▪ 24. two last verses hee doth presse all Gods people to loue God , and to put their trust and confidence in God , assuring them , because hee had tried it and found it true by experience , that the Lord preserueth the faithfull , and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer .

Now ye haue seene in part how Dauid spent himselfe thorow this Psalme . Though we haue ouerlooked it all , yet we are to deale onely with that which doth concerne his praise : and not with all that , but only with that Verse propounded , in which hee breakes out into the praise of God for some extaordinary fauour which God shewed vnto him in a strong City .

For our better vnderstanding whereof , resolue the Text into some questions and answers . What did Dauid ? He blessed Iehourah , who giues being to his sweet promises of protection which he hath made vnto his people . But alas , Dauid , canst thou blesse God , who alone is the blesser of men and Angels ? No truly , hee cannot doe it by adding any thing to his happinesse immediately , as be blesseth vs ; or by being instruments vnder another to further his good mediatly , as man blesseth man ; but by confessing to God , and declaring to man with humility and reuerence , what happinesse we doe receiue from God . And this it pleaseth God to account a blessing of him , to encourage and draw vs on to make our selues the more happy by cleauing vnto him by thanksgiuing . Yea , but for what doth Dauid blesse God ? For shewing him kindnesse or mercy . It was some speciall deliuerance from some great danger , as from the cruelty of Saul , trechety of his Courtiers , or the like . Yea , but of what worth was this fauour that he shewed Dauid ? It was his maruellous kindnesse . Thus did he prize his fauour hee did receiue . As Peter did weigh his sinnes , that his godly Mar. 14. 72. sorrow might sinke the deeper : so did Dauid weigh his kindnesse , and found it to be Gods , and found it to bee maruellous , that his thankfulnesse might rise the higher . Yea , but where did Dauid receiue his maruellous kindnesse of God ? In a strong City . Whether in a City or no City it is doubted . Therefore some doe vnderstand it by way of similitude , that the kindnesse was such , as if hee had beene kept in a City of strong defence . But I know no inconuenience , in thinking that Dauid felt the comfort of some walled Towne , as when he fled to the holds of the Philistims , or the like , because the words are so pregnant . Howsoeuer this we are sure of , that if wee reflect vpon our selues , and in this Glasse of Gods kindnesse to Dauid , see the loue of God vnto vs , who , amongst many other fauours , hath heard the grones and sighs of his people for the poore City of London , where so many thousands haue beene swept away as the Dongue of the streets , we may iustly say , Blessed be the Lord , for hee hath shewed maruellous kindnesse towards vs in this our City . As if we should say , It is true , Lord , thou hast ▪ shewed thy Psal. 60. 3 , 4. people heauy things , thou hast made vs drinke the wine of giddinesse : but now thou hast giuen a Banner to them that feare thee , that it may bee displayed because of thy truth : thou hast deliuered vs from the noysom Pestilence , Psal. 91. 3 , 4. euen from the Snare of thy hunting Angell : thou hast couered vs vnder thy wings , and wee shall bee safe vnder thy feathers ; therefore blessed be thou Iehouah , and let all thy people say , Amen .

This blessing of God is the nayle which I would haue driuen home at this time . Therefore I shall passe by other things which might afford vs matter of meditation from these words , and onely insist vpon this point ; That

Obseru . By how much greater the fauor is which God bestoweth vpon vs , by so much more must we labour to praise God .

There are two things propounded here : the first is this , That the greater our fauour is , the greater ought to be our thanks . Therefore Dauid , hauing receiued a great fauour from God ( namely , the forgiuenesse of his sinnes , though as yet he could not feele the comfort of it ) and fearing that he was not able to praise God answerable vnto it , prayeth to God that hee would open his lips that his Psal. 51. 15. mouth might shew forth his praise . And again , vpon the consideration of the like fauours , hee doth stirre vp his soule greatly to the same duty , My soule praise thou the Lord , Psal. 103. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. and all that is within me praise his holy name : my soule praise thou the Lord , and forget not all his benefits ; which afterward he doth reckon vp : yea , and when he doth find his heart inlarged by God to practise the duty , then doth he imploy all his powers , saying , Seuen times a day doe I praise Psal. 119. 164. thee because of thy righteous iudgements : yea , so long as he Psal. 146. 1●2 . liues , so long as he hath any being , hee will sing praises vnto his God : yea , and hee seemes to haue bound himselfe vnto it by an humble vow , and therefore hee saith , Thy Vowes are vpon me , O Lord , I will render praises vnto Psal. 56. 12. thee . Why doth he call them Gods Vowes ? Surely , because they , being made , were out of his power , who might not deuoure the sanctified thing , but giue God praise with all his heart , as he had promised .

The second thing propounded is this , that euery fauour from God doth call for thankes from vs . Therefore is it a duty which is often pressed and patterned in the Scriptures . Paul saith , let your requests be shewed vnto God in prayer with giuing of thankes : and againe , Phil. 4 6. continue in Prayer , and watch in the same with thankesgiuing : Col. 4. 2. and againe , In all things giue thankes : yea , euen 1 Thes. 5. 18. in those things which are matters of humiliation , wee must giue thankes in respect of their fruit and vse for our good . And as for patternes , how might I tell you of Melchizedech , the Priest of the most high God ; of Moses Gen. 14. 20. and Aaron , who led the people of Israel like sheepe ; Exod 15 1. of Deborah and Barack , after their victory euer Sisera Iude 5. 2. and Iabin ; of Iehoshaphat , when his people were deliuered 2 Chron. 20. from Moab , Ammon , and mount Seir ; of that one Leper , who turned backe to Christ with praise ; of the Luke 17. 15. healed Cripple , who went into the Temple , walking and Acts 3. 8. leaping and praising God . I might ( I say ) speake of these and many other rare Patternes , but the time would be too short for me to tell of them . Heb. 11. 32.

It may be now you will aske me , why we must thus labour Why we must praise God . to praise God ? I answer , wee must doe it both in respect of our selues , in respect of others , and in respect of the duty of thankfulnesse it selfe .

First , in respect of our selues ; because it is all that wee are able ( and that from God too ) to render vnto God for all the benefits which we receiue from God . Dauid consulting with himselfe what he shall render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards him ; resolueth , that hee hath nothing but the Cup of saluation , so alluding to the Psal. 116. 12 , 13. Peace-offrings , which were offerings of thankgiuing to God . When therefore we doe consider , that God is not bound vnto vs ( for who hath giuen him first ? ) and that Rom. 11. 35. whatsoeuer wee doe receiue from God is of his free fauour , can we doe lesse for shame then giue him thankes ?

Secondly , we must doe it in respect of others , & them , both God & men . First , we must praise God in respect of God himselfe : because God requireth it as the end of his blessings , and that which sanctifieth them vnto vs . Therfore when God deliuered the Israelites out of Aegypt , hee Exod. 12. commanded that euery yeere they should keepe the feast of the Passeouer ; the old Persons as it was a Sacrament , and the young Persons as it was a remembrance of their deliuerance out of Egypt . And when God fed them with Exod. 16. Mannah , hee appointed that a certaine measure of it should be laid vp for posterity , that they might be thankfull ; which was also the reason of the laying vp of Aaron his Rod in the Arke . When also God gaue the Israelites Heb. 9. 4. a famous victory ouer the Amalekites , hee said to Moses , Write this for a remembrance in a Booke . Seeing Exod. 17. therefore that God requireth a thankfull remembrance of his fauours , as the end of them , we must as cheerefully giue it as God doth iustly require it . Secondly , God maketh speciall account of this duty , and therefore hee vseth many means to work it from his people . In Exodus Exod. 23. 16. yee reade of that generall offering of first fruits in the feast of vnleuened bread , when none must appeare before God Exod. 25. 1 , 2 , &c. empty : and likewise of the voluntary gifts for the making of the Tabernacle . In Leuiticus ye reade sometimes of offering the first fruits of the eares of Corne dryed by Leuit. 2. 24. the fire : sometimes of offering a sheafe of the first fruits of Leuit. 23. 10 , 17. the Haruest to be brought vnto the Priest : sometimes of the shake offring of two Loaues , baked with Leuen for first fruits vnto the Lord . In Numbers we reade of an heauy offring of a Cake of the first of their dough . In Deuteronomy Numb. 25. 20. we reade of the first of all the fruit of the earth , that Deut. 26. 2. must put it in a Basket , and carried to the place which the Lord did choose . Now , why doth the Lord require all this of his people ? Surely this is one reason , that hee might shew what reckoning he makes of thankfulnesse for all the mercies which we receiue from his hand . And therefore must we be thankfull .

Againe , we must praise God in respect of men , both bad and good . If we looke to bad men , they doe encourage themselues to be thankfull to the gods of siluer and Dan. 5. 4. gold , to whom no thankes is due , as wee may see in Belshazzar : and should not we much more doe it to him to whom all is due ? If we looke to good men , they haue beene plentifull in this kinde of duty . When the Flouds ceased , thankfull Noah built an Altar , and offered vnto the Gen. 8. 20. Lord . When God renewed his promise to Abraham , he thankefully built an Altar to the Lord in the plaine of Gen. 13. 18. Mamre . Agar had learned so much in religious Abrahams house , therefore when God had comforted her in her banishment , she called his Name , Thou God lookest on me : Gen. 16. 13. much more would the Iewes , and therefore they thankfully kept a feast of remembrance for Hamans destruction , Hest. 9. and their deliuerance . Thus all sorts of men haue incouraged vs to this duty .

Lastly , we must praise God in respect of the excellency of the duty it selfe . And this may bee seene in foure particulars . First in this , that our God doth account it a gift , as Dauid saith , Giue vnto the Lord glory Psal. 29. 2. due vnto his name , that is , praise him . Alas , what are we that we should giue to God ? We must say with Dauid , Who are wee , that wee should be able to offer willingly to thee 1 Chron. 29. 14. our God ? For all things come of thee , and of thine owne hand we haue giuen thee . Yet it pleaseth God to account them gifts : and we know that it is a more blessed thing to Acts 20 35. giue then to receiue . Secondly , God doth not onely account our praise a gift , but a sacrifice ( the best gift : ) as the Psalmist saith , Let them offer sacrifices of praise . Yet remember Psal. 107. 22. that it is not a sacrifice of redemption ( for so is Iesus Christ alone ) but of thanksgiuing . Therefore , offer to God praise , and pay thy Vowes vnto the most high . Thirdly , Psal. 50. 14. God doth not onely account our praise a gift and a sacrifice , but doth preferre it before all sacrifice . Will I ( saith God ) eat the flesh of Bulls , and drinke the bloud of Psal. 50. 8. to 15. Goats ? offer to me praise . As if he should say , This is that which I prefer to all outward seruice , as being a part of my inward worship . And in another place he saith , That is better then a Bullock that hath hornes & hoofes : i. a perfect Psal. 69. 30 , 31. Bull. Take a Bullocke at the best , and Praise is better then it , and as with hornes ( through the mighty power of Mal. 1. God ) will push downe our enemies , and as with hoofes will inable vs to wade thorow any difficulties . Fourthly . God doth not onely account our praise a gift , a Sacrifice , better then a sacrifice , but by it giues vs communion with the seruice of the life to come in Heauen . Men full of wants do pray , but Angels and Saints full of grace and glory doe practise . The Angels cryed ( saith the Prophet ) Holy , holy , holy is the Lord of Hosts . The Angels said Esay 6. 3. ( saith Iohn ) Praise , and glory , and wisdome , and thankes , and honour , and Apoc. 7. 11 , 12. power , and might , be vnto our God for euermore , Amen . These foure things doe manifest vnto vs the excellency of this duty , to presse vs to lift it vp from the feet of swine , and to set it like a Iewell in our hearts , that it may giue luster vnto our liues and conuersations , and may euidence that we liue to God and not to our selues .

Thus haue I shewed you ( in some measure ) why wee must praise God for his maruellous great kindnes which he hath shewed vnto vs .

Vse . Now therefore let vs be exhorted in the feare of God to sing ioyfully and freely with Dauid , Blessed be our good God , who hath shewed vs maruellous great kindnesse in City , Towne and Country . He might iustly haue giuen vs ouer as a prey to all his Plagues . He might haue sent the Sword Es. 1. 20. to deuoure vs , and brought in the battaile of the Warriour , Es. 9. 5. which is with noise , and with tumbling of garments in bloud . He might haue sent vs a Famine , and made the life of our Lamen. 2. 19 , 20. young children faint for hunger in the corners of all our streets ; King . 6. 28 , 29. and our cockering women to eat their fruit , and their children Lam. 4 2 , 7 , 8. of a span long ; and our Nobles , who are comparable to fine gold , to be esteemed earthen Pitchers ; and our Nazarites , who were whiter then Milke and purer then Snow , to be blacker then a cole , to haue their skinne cleaue to their bones , and wither like a stocke . Thus ( I say ) the Lord might haue done by making an Asses head at fourescore peeces of 2 Kings 6. 25. siluer , and the fourth part of a cab of Doues dongue at fiue peeces of siluer , through a fearefull Famine amongst vs . He might haue made the Plague of Pestilence more wonderfull , and not only seazed vpon some few Cities and Townes amongst vs , but coasted from Dan to Beershebah 2 Sam. 24. by his deuouring Angell , from one part of the Kingdome Psal. 91. 3. to the other , to finde out men , and women , and children that might iustly haue beene appointed to dye . What might not God in Iustice haue done vnto vs who are a rebellious and gaine-saying people ? Wee must needes say ( though God haue looked vpon vs for good and not for euill ) that we are full of sores , from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foot , as Daniel saith , Wee haue Esay 1. 6. sinned , and haue committed iniquity , and done wickedly yea , Dan. 9. 5 , 6. we haue rebelled and departed from thy precepts and from thy iudgements : for we would not obey thy seruants the Prophets , which spake in thy Name to our Kings , to our Princes , and to our Fathers , and to all the people of the Land . Who sees not that we haue beene heauy at the whole heart , notwithstanding Esay 1. 5. all the Lords chastisements ? yea , euen as wicked King Ahaz in the time of our tribulation , Wee did trespasse more against the Lord , when wee would bee 2 Chron. 28. 22. wanton in our Feastings , yea , in our Fastings : as being loth that outward Discipline should speake angrily to our bellies ( which are our God ) though God haue spoken Phil. 3. angrily both to our bodies and soules . And how could we doe otherwise ? Can the blacke-More change his Ier. 13. 23. skinne , and the Leopard his spots ? then may ye also doe good that are accustomed to doe euill , saith Ieremy . As the Drunkards of Ephraim had a Crowne of pride in it : so in all Esa. 28. 1. parts amongst vs , we haue had those that are mighty to drinke Wine , and strong to powre in strong drinke . Oh , Esa. 5. 22. how many haue harped vpon that Epicurean string , Come , I will bring Wine , and we will fill our selues with strong Esa. 56. 12. drinke , and tomorrow shall be as this day , and much more abundant ? How many haue sacrificed their owne distempers to others healths ? Haue not wee had also too too many of them , who ( like fed horses ) haue neyed after their Ier. 5. 8. Neighbours wiues , and waited for the twi-light , that they might fill themselues with dalliances on those cursed pleasures of sinne for a season ? Haue not wee beene full of pride for want of that emptying grace of humility , that God may be all in all ? What shall I speake of vaine glory , whereby we liue vpon the stinking or vaine breath of impostumated mouthes ? Or of our Hypocrisie , wherby we haue beene painted Tombes full of stinking sauors ? Or of our Security , whereby we haue cryed , Peace , Peace , when we haue beene ready to be swallowed vp of the Plague , Sword , Famine , yea , Hell ? Or of the disorders of the poore , who are vnruly and negligent , because they are dis-heartned with the oppressions of the rich ? Or of the disorders of the rich , who prouide for themselues , and are carelesse of the common good , because they are dis-heartned with the clamours of the poore ? Or of the neglect of Iustice , because some Rulers loue to say with shame , Bring ye ? What shall I speake of our Hos. 4. 18. moderate thoughts concerning Popish superstition , as if it were as good a way to Heauen as the best Religion in the world , notwithstanding the abominable idolatry which doth depend vpon the workes and whole worship of it ? Or of that ignorance which is amongst vs , that makes vs a prey to the Priests and Iesuites , that make vs ( I say ) need to be taught the first principles of the Word of God , euen Milke and not strong meat ; notwithstanding , Heb. 5. 12. that concerning the time we ought to be teachers ? I might speake ( to the griefe and vexation of our soules and spirits ) of a world of other our sinnes , which are as a cloud of witnesses against vs , as if we were set to schoole to a thousand Vices : In regard whereof , God may iustly say to vs as to his people of old , Who shall haue Ier. 15. 5 , 6. pity vpon thee ( O Ierusalem ? ) Or who shall be sorry for thee ? Or who shall goe to pray for thy peace ? Thou hast forsaken me ( saith the Lord ) and gone backward : therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee , and destroy thee : for I am weary of repenting . God might ( I say ) iustly say thus vnto vs , and deale with vs accordingly : yet he hath not dealt with vs after our sins , nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities .

As a girdle cleaueth to the loines of a man , so hath God Ier. 23. 11. tied vs vnto him , that we might be his people , and shewed his maruellous great kindnesse to the generations to come . Oh therefore let vs labour ( as wee are bound ) to take notice of the fauours of God , and to make a Catalogue of them , to prouoke our slothfull hearts to obedience and thankfulnesse ! How came it to passe that the Israelites were so vnthankfull ? Surely , they forgat God Psal. 106. 21. that made them , and the strong God of their saluation . Therefore Moses saith , Remember the Lord thy God , for it Deut. 8. 18 , 19. is he who giueth thee power to get riches . And afterwards Ioshuah puts them in minde of Gods benefits , both before the Law and after the Law , as yee may see in that excellent Iosh. 24. 2 , 3 , 4 , &c. Parliament speech which hee made before his death . So let vs lay the mercies of God before vs , that wee may be moued to be thankfull .

To this end ( that I may giue a little light ) let vs behold God , either giuing of vs fauours , or remouing miseries from vs . If we would a little see his fauours , let vs consider our selues liuing a fourefold life . The first is , a life of vegetation , whereby wee grow : and this putteth vs in minde of a double benefit . First , that God hath not made thee a Dwarfe , or imperfect man of parts , but hee hath giuen thee the full feature and proportion of a man , that thou maist be able to doe all the businesse of a man . If thou hadst not this , thou wouldst see the worth of it . Carendo magis quàm fruendo . If thou wert as little Dauid to combat with Goliah ; or if thou didst dwell among the sonnes of Anak ; or if Og , the Deut. 3 11. King of Bashan should set vpon thee , who was of the remnant of the Gyants , and had his bed nine cubits long , and foure cubits broad , according to the cubit of a man , it would trouble thee much : but God hath prouided better for thee , for thine , and for thy Countries good . Yea , secondly , God hath not made thee fire , and haile , and snow , and vapour , Psal. 148. 8. and winde . If hee had but made vs a Hailstone , yet we must haue praised him according to our creation ; how much more now , God hauing giuen vs life .

The second , is a life of sense , whereby wee heare , see , smell , and the like , as beasts doe : and this putteth vs in minde of a threefold benefit . First , that God hath giuen vs the comfort of our senses . If by Sight thou couldst not discerne colours ; by Hearing , sounds ; by Feeling , substances , qualities and quantities ; by Smelling , sauours ; and by Tasting , meates ; though wee had neuer so much wisdome , wee would thinke our selues halfe dead , and no better then obiects of scorne and pitty . Yet God hath not onely giuen vs this but more : for secondly , hee hath giuen vs a full measure of naturall delights for all our sences . There are variety of Flowers to fill thy smelling , chaunting of Birds to delight thy hearing , vnmatchable Colours for thy eye , infinite variety of Meates for thy taste , and soft and hard , hot and cold substances for thy touching . Yea , and more then this : Thirdly , he hath made vs the noblest composition of all sensitiue creatures . God might haue made vs a Dragon in the deepe , a Toade in the earth , an Owle in the aire , and a Boare in the Forrest , but he hath made vs men and women , after his owne Image , though wee haue defiled it . Gen. 1. 27. Yea , and though hee hath made Plants to excell vs in Col. 2. grouth , and Beasts in particular senses ; as a Dogge in smelling , a Hawke in seeing , a Spider in touching , and an Hare in hearing ; yet in all these Senses , no creature is like vnto man .

But thirdly , if to these we adde the life of reason , then Gods kindnesses are greater : for by it wee are put in minde of a double benefit . For first , he hath giuen vs reason to be a Ruler ( at the least sometimes ) to all the inferiour powers of the soule . If the will should be alwaies an absolute Monarch of it selfe , it would turne Tyrant , and make vs vtter that imperious voice , So I will , so I Dictasapientum . command , my will shall be my Councellor and wisdome . If the affections should gouerne , the Lawes would not bee the Iuraplebeia . sayings of the wise , but the decrees of the heady multitude . And what could follow but confusion , when euery man would doe what he list . For the redresse of which disorders Almighty God hath giuen vs Reason . Yea , and secondly , he hath giuen vs a sound minde , or our wits , as we call it . If we were fooles , as Dauid did counterfeit himselfe to be before Achtsh in its slaueting moode ; or as Nabuchadnezzar , whom God depriued of his wits for a season , we were worse then beasts ▪ and euery man ( I thinke ) would rather wish alwaies to mourne , hauing his wits about him , then alwaies to laugh and to bee merry without them . Behold then , God hath giuen them vnto vs , blessed be God .

Yet here God hath not left to be kinde vnto vs . For , if ( lastly ) we consider the life of Religion , wee know not where to beginne with Gods fauours , nor where to make an end . We might speake of being borne of religious Parents , to bring vs vp in the instruction and information Eph. 6. of the Lord : of being brought vp in a most Christian Church , where we are entred into the publike fellowship of the Saints by Baptisme , and nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist : of liuing vnder a most worthy and religious King , vnder whom we haue peace , and the Gospell , and a greater measure of plenty then we deserue . These and many other I might speake of , and I pray God that the commonnesse of these benefits do not make vs to slight them : but I must not be infinite . Therefore briefly call to minde , that ( first ) from God the Father we haue the blessing of all his Attributes , by his diuine influence , doing of vs good : as of his truth in keeping promise ; of his mercy ▪ in accepting the righteousnesse of , Christ for ours ; of his Iustice , in bringing tribulation to them that trouble vs ; and of his Wisdom , in finding a meanes in Christ to make his Mercy and Iustice meet together for our saluation , and so of the rest . Secondly , from God the Son wee haue tasted such loue , greater then which , knowes no man , that one should dye for his Iohn 15. 13. enemy . Yea , and this his loue he hath manifested by his Rom. 5. 10. obedience Actiue and Passiue to the Father for vs : as it is Psal. 40 6 , 7 , 8. written , Behold , I come . In the volume of thy Booke it is Heb. 10. written of me , that I should doe thy Will , O God . Yea further , he doth maintaine all this good , which hee hath done for vs , by the power which the Father hath committed to him , whereby hee ruleth in vs , and ouer-ruleth our enemies . Thirdly , from God the holy Ghost , wee haue the Wisdome of Christ applyed vnto vs by teaching : Ioh. 16. 13. We haue the Righteousnesse of Christ applyed vnto vs by 1 Ioh. 3. 24. vnion : We haue the Holinesse of Christ applyed vnto vs by Ioh. 3. 5. regeneration : We haue the learned tongue of Christ applyed Esay . vnto vs by comfort : And the full Redemption of Christ Ioh. 14. 16. applyed vnto vs , by assuring our hearts that wee shall reioyce , Ioh. 16. 22. and that no man shall take our ioy from vs . Lastly , from the whole Trinity we haue this benefit , that though all the earth be Gods , yet we are his inheritance , his precious Deut. 32. 9. people , his Iewels , his chiefe Treasure . This swalloweth Deut. 26. 18. vs vp , and it may thus bee valued , that the Saints Mal. 3. 16 , 17. of God , who were wiser then we , haue rather chosen to Psal. 135. 4. be seruants of God with sorrow , then otherwise to bee in great places without it , as Moses .

Thus haue I stirred you vp , to look vpon God , giuing of vs fauours . Now doe but cast your eyes about , vnto more kindnesses , and see him remouing miseries from vs . And this I shall shew in two particulars : First , in deliuering vs from our enemies both at home and abroad : and secondly , in a comfortable abating and remouing by degrees the fearefull infection of the Plague . Concerning Gods deliuering vs from our enemies ( I thinke ) no man can doubt that it is a maruellous kindnesse . Therefore Ioseph , when he was ready to dye prophesied of Gen. 50. 24. it for the Isrelites , and God in a speciall manner came downe from Heauen to send Moses about it : and the Israelites Exod. 3. 8 , 16. were assigned to keepe the memory of it vpon a Exod. 12. set day : and Moses , as a thing worthy the speaking of , Exod. 18. 8. told Iethro of it , and often rubbed it vpon the Israelites , that they might not forget it . But there are two things aboue the rest , which doe make it to bee a great kindnesse .

First , that God did not deliuer his people of old ( ordinarily ) but at their great and earnest suite . Sometimes hee left them twenty , sometimes forty , and sometimes seuenty and more yeeres vnder their enemies hands , that they might cry aloud , stretch out their throats till they were hoarse , and waite vpon God . Now things dearest bought and hardest come by , are vsually ( as we see ) most precious .

Secondly , consider that the oppressions of an enemy doe extend both to body and soule . When Sampson fell into his enemies hands , they put out his eyes , bound him in Iud. 16. 21. fetters , and made him grinde in the prison house . Abel in Gen. 4 , 8. Cains hands came to an vntimely death . The Israelites in the power of the Aegyptians were caused to serue and made weary of their liues . Naash the Ammonite , hauing Exod. 1. 13 , 14. aduantage ouer the men of Iabesh-Gilead , would 2 Sam. 11. 2. haue all their right eyes , that hee might bring shame vpon Israel . Haman being prouoked by Mordecay , thought it Est. 3. 6. too little to hang him except he rooted out all the Iewes . The King of Babel hauing Zedechiah in his hands , slew his Ier. 52. 10 , 11. sonnes before his eyes , put out the eyes of Zedechiah , bound him in chaines , and carried him to Babylon . But what , doth the oppression of an enemy goe ▪ no further then the body ? Yes , these things cannot , but by way of sympathy , sad the Spirit : Yea , and it makes Ioseph sweare by the life of Pharaoh , and draweth fearefully to sinne ; as God knowes how many the popish yoke hath made to shake hands with Conscience for the present , vntill this tyranny be ouerpast , and to bow the knee to that cursed Romish Baall .

In these respects is the hand of an enemy a grieuous burthen : yet hath our good God ( in whom alone wee must trust ) deliuered vs from it both past and approching . As for times past , how powerfull and louing hath God shewed himselfe , in smiting our enemies vpon the cheeke Psal. 3. 7. bone , and disappointing them of their hopes . Some through maleuolence would haue brought disgraces to our persons , troubles to our liues , vnquietnesse to our mindes by vnchristian aduantages and politique wresting of simple , tolerable , and good actions to badnesse , as the Iesuites declamations may witnesse : yet blessed be God , we stand in the same condition as before . And doe wee not call to minde the proud Armado of Spaine in eighty eight , which was ( to no purpose ) called Inuincible ? We were like the Israelites , two little flocks of Kids , and they like the Aramites , who couered the Sea . They laughed at our handfulls , and confidently expected our ruine : but he that sits in Heauen laughed them to scorn , Psal. 2. the Lord had them in derision ; he brake the snare , and we were deliuered . And can we euer forget that Gun-powder plot of Gods and our enemies , which should haue beene the ruine of Prince and people ? Who could deliuer vs from this but God ? He that must do it , must haue praescience to foreknow the mischiefe , wisdome to supplant it , and power to withstand it : And where are these but in God , and in them to whom God leudeth them ?

Thus hath God defeated our enemies in times past , and hath he not done so for the present ? It is not long since Iesuiticall brags were euidences of their hopes , & their facings of an assurance of a triumphant day : but God hath once more driuen those stout Confessors heads into an hole . And it is but as yesterday that our hollow friends beyond the Seas looked towards vs , either to affright vs , or else , as from the top of Pisgah , to looke towards our Land of Canaan , with a desire to plant themselues , and root out vs and our posterity : but as Saul had tidings which drew him from the Wildernesse of Maon : so there was a Flea in their eare , which ( blessed bee God ) hath for the present sent them another way . So , euen so , Iud. 5. Lord , let thine enemies perish , be consounded or disappointed still .

Secondly , as God hath beene kinde in remouing the misery of our enemies abroad , so of a wonderfull abating the Plague of Pestilence at home . The grieuousnesse of the euill will make the more for the greatnesse of the deliuerance . And that the Plague is a grieuous euill , besides , our wofull experience ( I thinke ) these considerations will make good : First , it is a powring out of Gods Ezek. 14. 19. wrath vpon a Land in bloud ; and a pleading against a people Ezek. 38 22. with pestilence and bloud , as the Prophet calleth it . And it may be called so , either because it poysoneth the bloud , so as no disease doth the like , or else because in the generall ( though not in euery particular vpon whom it seazeth ) it is an argument of an angry God , who will not bee pacified with the light skirmishes of Feuers , Aches , Gouts , Rheumes , and the like , but will haue bloud , and that in abundance , and stremes answerable to the iniquities which haue gone before ; as when he saith , Hee will make his Arrowes drunke with bloud , and his Sword shall eat Deut. 32. 42. flesh . Secondly , it is the Plague of wofull euils , or the noisome Pestilence , as the Psalmist calleth it . For it poysoneth Psal. 91. 3. the spirits , both Animall and Vitall , choking the one in the braine , and stifling and ouercomming the other in the heart : yea , it Infecteth Houses , Clothes , Breath , and the Aire it selfe . It is true , that I doe not thinke it naturally to haue such a malignant quality as other poysons haue ; for then ( as they doe in some degrees or other ) it would seaze vpon all persons where it comes , which it doth not , but according to the Commission , which ( as a seruant ) it hath from God to doe his pleasure : yet that it noysomly infecteth ( I thinke ) wee haue no iust cause to doubt , if we consider that God setteth his extraordinary prouidence on worke , to keepe them that trust in him ( if they haue not done all that businesse Psal. 91. 4. which he hath for them in this world ) from the infection of it . Thirdly , that it is the terrour of the night Psal. 91. 5 , 6. which is so much the more terrible because ( like a thiefe ) it walketh in the darke , and surpriseth a man before he is aware . Hence is it that it breeds a strangenesse betwixt Father and Son , Mother & Daughter , Brother & Brother , one friend and another . Hence is it that some in places of danger grew cruell , & others not in so great danger grew vnkind . Hence is it that there is flight on all sides in times of infection . The wicked do fly out of rashnes , & contempt of Gods stroke , like rebellious sons , who , when they see that their father hath prouided a Rod for them , do run out of the house from him , & will neither submit to his correction nor amend their faults for which he doth correct them . Oh too many such fly from the Plague out of the City , & are plagues vnto the Country by disorderlinesse . But these must know , that if they bee now appointed vnto death , Gods hunter shal bring them into the snare : if not , except they shall with bleeding soules amend their wayes , God hath reserued them for greater miseries . The good do flye out of humble submission , to the vse of those means , which daly experience warrants to be the way to safety , at some times , and to some persons . Therefore like fearefull children ( yea , and good ones too ) when they see their father reach downe a Rod , they run away , not out of contempt , but with deep cries & lamentations , out of tendernesse of nature , sorrow for offence , and hope of pardon : so sometimes Gods good children doe flye also , but with humblings in the sight of God , for the weaknesse of their faith , want of preparednesse to meet God , and the like ; and doe in their absence , not thinke themselues so safe , but that God may smite them ; and therefore they spend much time in deprecating the wrath , in mourning with them that mourne , and ( to their power ) in relieuing the necessities of their forsaken brethren that are in aduersity . These three things ( if we speake of no other ) doe either make or shew the Plague to be a grieuous euill : yet some of vs may say with the Psalmist , which some change , A thousand hath fallen besides mee , and ten thousand at my Psal. 91. 7. right hand , but it hath not come neere me . And where it hath come , may say , I haue beene as Aaron , standing betwixt Numb. 16. 48. the liuing and the dead , but the Name of the Lord hath Prou. 18. 10. beene a strong Tower : And many that had the Pestilence , and are yet escaped may say , We haue been sore afflicted , but it is thou ( Lord ) which hast not deliuered vs to death : For man is not Lord ouer the spirit , to retaine the Eccles. 8. 8. spirit , neither hath he power in the day of death : And all of vs , who haue felt , heard , seene or vnderstood of the abatements of this noysome euill , may say , Blessed bee the Lord for this maruellous kindnesse ; and let all Gods people say , Amen .

It may be you wil aske why we should account this such Ob. a kindnesse , seeing he giues it to many that are wicked people , and denies it to many whom he dearely loueth ?

I answer , that it is neuer the lesse fauour for that . If Solu . hee giue it vnto wicked men , it is because God may shew the riches of his bountifulnesse and patience , and long sufferance towards them : and if they after their hardnesse , and hearts that cannot repent , heape vp to themselues Rom. 2. 4 , 5. wrath against the day of wrath , and the declaration of the iust iudgement of God : What good haue they by it , what good can they haue by it ? If he deny it vnto good men , it is as a father denies a knife to a Childe , who knowes not how to vse it . To dye of the Plague is better then to escape to such . To such , to dye , is gaine : for all Phil. 1. things worke together for their good ; and so whether they Rom. 8. liue or dye they are the Lords . Rom. 14. 8.

You haue now ( so farre as I intended ) as in a little Map , a glimpse of the world of those kindnesses which God hath shewed to vs . Let vs take heede that wee doe not diminish the worth of them . Yee know what is said of the Israelites , That they despised the good and pleasant land : Psal. 106. 24. and ye know what they said of Mannah , Our soules are Numb. 11. 6. dried vp , and we can see nothing but this Man : and againe , Numb. 21. 15. Our soule loatheth this light bread . But though Israel play the harlot , yet let not Iudah sinne ; and though Israel , according to the flesh , hath beene vnthankfull , yet let not Israel according to the spirit . No , let vs rather heare our good God speaking vnto vs , and saying , Haue I beene a wildernesse vnto thee , or an vnpleasant land ? Ier. 2. 31.

If you shal aske me , What good it wil do vnto vs thus to behold God in his mercifull kindnesses vnto vs ? Truly ▪ they will be excellent meanes to subdue the pride of our hearts , and to make vs seruiceable to Gods will . The power of God alone doth it not , for though Christ manifested his power , yet it did no good to them that apprehended him ; they went backward and fell to the ground at Iohn 18. 6. his very word , yet they persisted in their course . The iustice of God doth it not , for though God brought one Plague after another vpon Pharaoh , which made him stoope for the present ( as many haue done , I feare , in this Plague ) yet presently he hardned his heart : but if the mercy of God comes , it is like the Sunne which thawes hard Ice , and the Fire , which makes old Wax soft , pliable , and fit to be wrought vpon . Though Iustice follow vs to Hell , yet there is blasphemy and gnashing of teeth , both which are arguments of pride : But Paul knew how forceable an argument this was , I beseech you by the mercies of God . Rom. 12. 1. Is not my word ( saith God ) like an hammer and like fire ? Ier. 23. 29. The Law which bringeth tidings of Iustice , may like a Hammer breake our stony hearts in pieces ( breake , I say , before bend ) but the Gospell ( bringing the glad tidings of saluation by Christ ) like fire will melt vs and mould vs anew . This will breede the spirit of iudgement ( as Dauids kindnesse ▪ made Saul iudge him more righteous then himselfe ) and the spirit of burning to clense out Esa 4. 4. and purge away the filth of sinne , that the graces of God may be shed into vs , or ( at the least ) shine from vs , and amongst the rest this iust thankfulnesse .

Well ( say you ) I see that God ( blessed for euer ) hath beene maruellous kinde vnto me , I haue heard and felt many particulars of it , and I see that the thought of it is of excellent vse to breake my proud heart , and make mee thankfull to God : I pray now tell mee wherein must I shew my thankfulnesse to God ? I answer , to giue you a little helpe herein , I must first lay downe the root and ground of thankfulnesse ; and secondly , the practise of it . As for the root of thankfulnesse , It is the loue of God . No man will freely and ioyfully acknowledge , that all goodnesse , in what estate soeuer comes from God alone , except we loue God . We see ordinarily , if men happen to receiue kindnesses from them they loue , or desire not to be beholding vnto , how they pinch courtesie ( as wee say ) and slight them : whereas , if wee doe receiue them from such as we prize in our affections , then euery Mole-hill is a Mountaine , and a point from a friend is better then a pound from an enemy . Therefore Paul louing Aquila and Priscilla , did freely acknowledge their kindnesse : Rom. 16. 4. saying , They haue for life , yea for my life , layed downe a necke , yea , their owne necke , vnto whom not onely I giue thankes , but all the Churches of the Gentiles . So likewise Dauid , when he had professed , saying , I loue the Lord , Psal. 116. 1 , 12. he presently sheweth it , and saith farther , What shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits ? Oh therefore let vs labour to winde vp our hearts from the loue of the world , 1 Iohn 2. 15. and the things which are in the world , that the loue of the Father may be in vs . And ( if we desire to be thankfull ) let vs not giue either God , or our soules rest , till we haue found this loue in vs in these fiue particulars .

First , in taking any paines , and induring any hardnesse for Gods sake . As Iacob did thinke seuen yeeres trouble Gen. 29. 20. nothing for Rachel , because he loued her ; and Gods people of old haue indured the losse of Father , Mother , Houses , Lands , Wife and Children for Christs sake , because they loued him : so must we ( euery day , and vpon the Lords day , in liuing the life of Iesus , and dying for the Lord when he calleth ) suffer any thing for the Lord , if we loue him .

Secondly , in setting our hearts towards him and vpon him ; for where our Treasure is , there will our hearet be also . Mat. 6. 21. Of the wicked man the Psalmist saith , That God is not in all his thoughts : but hee that loues him , can thinke of him almost to an extasie . As when Dauid saith , Oh how I Psal. 119. 97. loue thy Law ! he presently addeth , It is my meditation continually : so when wee can say , That wee loue God , our thoughts of him will let in comparison of other things , deepe and long : yea we will thinke vpon him sometimes in the night season , and our soule shall receiue comfort .

Thirdly , in highly esteeming the pledges of Gods fauour which he hath left with vs , to wit , the Word and Sacraments . If the wounded Iew in the Parable should haue cast away the two pence which the Samaritan left to Luke 10. 35. prouide for him , it had bene an argument that he neither regarded him nor his kindnesse ; and it was a signe that Esau loued not God , because he esteemed not his birth-right : So certainly is the Law of God farre from vs , if we loue not the word , wherein wee heare our louer speake , and the Sacraments , wherein wee see him speake peaceably vnto vs .

Fourthly , in being humbly familiar with God , and acquainting Iob 12. 21. our selues with him . Where there is loue free from Iob 12. 21. iealousie betwixt man and man , they thinke themselues neuer better than when they are in one anothers company , talking , and communing one with another , laying open each other griefes , and making one another partaker of each others comforts . So we must haue such interest in Gods acquaintance , if we loue him , that we must often sup with him , and open our hearts vnto him , both concerning Apoc. 3. 20. our miseries and our sinnes . As if wee should say ; thou seest ( Lord ) what sorrowes I endure within and without : I beseech thee giue me grace so to carrie my selfe , as thou mayest haue the glorie of this thine owne worke . And thou knowest ( ô my God ) that I haue this infirmitie , or that weakenesse , and that were it not for thee , I should fall into fearefull breaches of thy Law : but Lord helpe me against this or that ( as against pride , vaine-glorie , deceite , hypocrisie and the like ) that I may in a more setled and constant course honour thee my good God , to whom I am so infinitely bound . Oh , how would such acquaintance make the day of death welcome , and our daily prayers comfortable , without which we haue little hope to haue accesse to God in either .

Lastly , we must loue God by fearing to lose him , grieuing after him , when in sense and feeling he is lost , and caring to recouer him againe . It is strange that a man Discat timere qui vult amare . Amor eijcit timorem inimici , non timorem domini . should loue by fearing : but it is very true . Perfect loue casteth out feare of hauing , to wit , the wrath of God for sinne , ( because , after repenting and belieuing the Gospell , it quiets the heart from such troubles ) but it casteth not out feare of loosing , to wit , our God in those sweet comforts , whereby hee speakes peace vnto our consciences , and sayeth vnto our soules that he is our saluation . Blessed Iohn 19. is he that so feareth alwaies , saith Salomon . As Pilate loues Iohn 19. his place by fearing to loose it , which made him do against Quod cupis habere times perdere . his conscience when once he heard that speech . If thou deliuer Christ , thou art not Caesars friend : So must wee loue God so , as wee must feare to loose him aboue all things . Yea and as the young man in the Gospell , which Luk. 18. 22 , 23. was a rich man , when he did but thinke of parting with all and following Christ , was very heauie , because he loued his riches too well : so when we do but thinke of parting with our God ( who is our Portion ) it cannot but Psal. 119. grieue vs , if wee loue him and prize him as wee should . Yea and againe , if the Spouse in the Canticles , when through her securitie she had ouerslipped the golden season of entertaining Christ , who therefore withdrew himselfe , Did seeke him ( whom her soule loued ) but could not find Can. 5. 6 , 7 , 8 , &c him , did call him though he answered not , did go to the watchmen , and tooke a great deale of paines to recouer him : then so must wee , if our hearts be in loue with God , care to recouer God by hearing , praying , meditating , conferring , receiuing of the Sacrament , and such other good duties , in which it pleaseth him to giue vs the influence of his fauour , and the testimonie to our spirits of his most deare presence .

Thus haue I learned you how to loue God , that wee may lay a good ground for the dutie of thankefulnesse , which is to be practised by euery one of vs . Now that we may be the better able to practise it , you must know that it must be performed in word and deed . To thanke God for his blessings with our tongues , and not to liue answerable to them , is no better then to say , All hayle King of the Iewes ▪ and to spit vpon him ; it is to haue Iacobs smooth tongue and Esau's rough hands ; it is as bad as to giue a man sweete words for a benefit , and to beate him about the eares : in conclusion , it is after a deale of formall hypocrisie , hanged out at the signe of the lips , to requite God with euill for good , which is the worst degree of ingratitude . First wee must thanke God in word ; because we must take the first opportunitie to do it : for delayes argue no will vnto it . Secondly , we must thanke God in worke , for as Physitians do passe their iudgements of mens hearts by their armes ( when they feele vppon Per brachium fit iudicium de corde . their pulses ) and not by their tongues : so wise men will looke more to doing , then to saying ( though both are good , and both must be done ) remembring that Iesus Acts 1. 1. did and said .

As concerning that thankes which wee must giue to God in word , it stands in the practise of a double dutie : The first is called celebration , the second inuocation . Celebration is that dutie of thankefulnesse , whereby we do speake of Gods mercies , and maruellous kindnesses to others : as when Dauid saith , Come and hearken all yee that Psal. 66. 16 , 17 , &c. feare God , and I will tell you what be hath done to my soule . I called vpon the Lord with my voice , and he was exalted with my tongue : and God heard me , and considered the voyce of my prayer , and so forth . Now , for our more conscionable practise of this dutie , wee must obserue foure rules .

First , we must ( as farre as we can ) speake particularly of Gods fauours to vs . Euen vngodly men , being ouercome with Gods kindnesse , and wallowing daily in the midst of his mercies , which are renewed euery morning , will Lam. 3. 23. either out of custome , or example , or conuiction speake of them in generall : but wee must do it in particular . As Iacob names them , saying : With my staffe came I ouer this Genes. 32. 10. Iordan , and now haue I gotten two Bands : so must wee . As if we should say , as Hannah in her song , The bowes of the 1. Sam. 2. 4. 5. mightie are broken , and the weake haue girded themselues with strength ; They that are full are hired forth for bread , and the hungrie are no more hired , so the barren hath borne seauen and she that had many children is feeble : So we , the Spanish Armado was broken , the Gunpowder traitors were discouered , the Plague is ceassed , and our enemies are yet disappointed , Oh blessed be God .

Secondly , wee must speake publickly of them for the generations to come . The Prince must speake of them to his subiects , the Minister to his people , the Maister to his seruants , one neighbour to another , and the father to his children . As the Iewes are said by the Rabbins , the night before the Passouer , to confer with their children on this wise : The child said , Why is it called the Passeouer ? The father answered , because the Angell passed ouer and destroyed vs not . The child said , Why do we eate vnleauened bread ? The father answered , because we were forced to make haste out of Aegypt . The child said againe , Why eate we soure hearbes ? The father answered , to put vs in mind of the affliction in Aegypt : so ought wee to deale in all the great and maruellous kindnesses of God . Thus Dauid saith , ( as I mentioned before , ) Come ye children , Psal. 66. 16. hearken vnto me , I will tell you what hee hath done for my soule . And to this wee are exhorted by the Psalmist , saying : Sing vnto the Lord and praise his Name , declare his Psal. 96 2. 3. saluation from day to day : Declare his glorie among all Nations , and his wonders among all people .

Thirdly , we must speake wisely of them , that is , so as it may easily bee discerned which fauours wee prize most . Worldly men and godly men , will both speake of Gods blessing them : but it is ( except policy preuent ) with as much difference as there was in Isaacks giuing a blessing to Iacob and Esau . The worldly man saith , Blessed Genes. 27. 28. 39. be God for the fatnesse of the eartth , and for the dew of Heauen from aboue , as if a fat earth were his best benefit : but the godly man saith , Blessed be God for the dew of Heauen , and fatnesse of the earth , and plenty of Wheat and Wine . Thus is he wise in speaking of spirituall blessings with the highest straine ; if not alwaies in order , yet in affection . See it in Dauid , My soule praise the Psal. 103. 1. 2. 3. 4 5. Lord , and all that is within mee praise his holy Name : my soule praise the Lord , and forget not all his benefits , which forgiueth all thine iniquity and healeth all thine infirmities . Here are the chiefe fauours which hee speaketh of , and then he descendeth lower : Which redeemeth thy life from the graue , and which satisfieth thy mouth with good things . This also must be our course . Wee must thanke God for outward peace and prosperity , but especially for the Gospell : Wee must thanke God for our deliuerance from the Plague : but especiall , that he hath giuen vs to know the Plague in our owne hearts , and to confesse it , and turne 1. King . 8. 38. from it vnto the liuing God .

Lastly , we must speake constantly of them . The mercies of God are shewed in prosperity and aduersity ; and we must speake of them in both estates : as Iob , who said , The Lord giueth and the Lord taketh away , blessed bee the Iob 1. 21. Name of the Lord : yea , they are renued euery morning ; Lam. 3. 23. and therefore must we say with the Psalmist , In the morning , in the euening , and at noonetide , will I praise thee because Psal. 119. of thy righteous iudgements . Thus haue I taught you how to be thankefull vnto God by Celebration , that is , speaking of Gods praises to others .

Secondly , we must be thankfull vnto God by Inuocation , which is that duty of thankfulnesse , whereby in one branch of Prayer we speake of Gods praises to himselfe : as when Christ saith , I giue thee thankes , O Father , Lord Math. 11. 25. of Heauen and earth . Now for the better performance of this duty , we must properly doe three things :

First , wee must humbly acknowledge our owne vnworthinesse of any fauour . It is impossible that we should be truly thankfull , till we see what Dunghills we are vpon , vpon whom God casteth his beames , and gather our worthinesse , not by the worth of Gods blessings ( seeing a precious stone may be in a Toades head ) but by the glorious worthinesse which is in God , who accounts it little enough for him to giue , though it bee too much for vs ( as we are our selues ) to receiue . Hence is it that Dauid cryeth out , What is man that thou shouldst bee mindefull of Psal. 8. 4. him ; and the sonne of man , that thou shouldst so regard him . And good Iacob , when he did swimme in Gods fauours , freely confessed , that hee was lesse then the least of Gods Gen. 32. 10. mercies . Thus ought it to bee with vs . As if wee should say , O my God , how vnworthy am I that I should liue , when so many haue dyed ? that I should abound , when so many haue wanted ? that I should haue ease , when so many haue cryed for woe and paine ? What am I better then my brethren ? No , Lord , I am worse then many thousands , who haue made their beds in the darke in this common calamity . Thou knowest mine vnrighteousnesse , and mine iniquity can I not hide , and yet thou hast beene gracious , and so forth .

Secondly , we must amplifie the mercies of God , wee must not extenuate the least of them , as if they were ordinary , but we must make the least of them in the ranke of those which are too great for vs . As Hannah , when she had borne her Samuel , sings , The barren hath borne 1 Sam. 2. 5. seuen : and Dauid , when hee sate before the Lord , said , Who am I , O Lord God , and what is mine house that thou 1 Chro. 17. 16 , 17 hast brought me hitherto ? yet thou esteeming this a small thing , O God , hast also spoken concerning the house of thy seruant a great while , and hast regarded mee according to the state of a man of high degree . Euen thus must we doe : as if we should say , O blessed God , my Father was an Amorite , and my Mother an Hittite , and thou mightest haue cast me into Hell from the wombe , yet thou keptst mee when I hanged vpon my Mothers breast : yea thou hast brought me vp in a Christian Church , vnder Christian Kings , who haue desired to serue God according to thy Word : yea , and thou hast continued the Gospell to mee euen vnto this day : and though I haue beene vnworthy of them , and therefore thou hast plagued me and mine ; yet , as if I had been like King Dauid , worth ten thousand of others , thou hast kept mee from the common misery , and so forth .

Thirdly , we must more excellently conceiue of God then we can see him in his blessings . If the whole world were full of Bookes ( as an Ancient saith ) and all the Creatures writers , and all the water of the Sea Inke ; first all the Books should be filled , all the Writers wearied , & all the Sea should be exhausted and drawne dry , before one of Gods perfections could bee absolutely described . In which respect Moses singeth , Who is like vnto thee , O Exod. 15. 11. Lord among the gods ! Who is like vnto thee so glorious in holinesse , fearefull in praises and doing wonders ! Fearefull in praises ( saith he ) because he cannot duly bee praised but with astonishment : according to that of the Psalmist , God is very terrible in the assembly of the Saints . And thus Psal. 89. 7. should he be to vs in praising him . As if wee should say , O our God , let not thy fauours seeme ordinary vnto vs , which thou bestowest vpon vs . It may seeme a small thing to vs , to haue water to our hands , aire to breath in , earth to tread vpon , and the like : but when wee doe consider who it is that giues , and to whom ; that thou art he who art a God of glory , whose glory is able to swallow vp Heu miser quid sum ? vas sterquilinij ▪ concilia putredinis plenus foetore , August . our vnderstanding , and that it is to vs , who are a sinke of sinne and stinking noysomnesse before thee , we are confounded in our selues , and cannot tell which way to returne thee thankes , which in the least measure may answer thy loue , and so forth .

Thus haue we considered that thankes which we must giue to God in word ; yet that is not enough , for it remaineth that we bee thankfull vnto God in deeds also . And wherein this stands we cannot better learne then by looking into those that haue beene thankefull vnto God in the Scriptures . Now these haue performed a reall thankfulnesse vnto God two waies . First , by studying and caring in what particulars they may shew themselues thankfull vnto God . As one that hath receiued a great kindnesse , doth bethinke himselfe how hee may in some measure requite it : so will he that is thankfull doe . As 2. Cor. 7. 11. the penitent man careth for the remission of his sinnes and eternall happinesse by Christ , and therefore careth also to vse meanes answerable thereunto ; so doth also the truly thankfull person . See it in Dauid , who hauing receiued a great kindnesse from God saith , What shall I Psal. 116. 12. giue vnto the Lord ? as if he did consult and take care with himselfe how to be thankfull to God . Euen thus must it be with vs , we must , when wee are by our selues alone , take thought and care what to doe , wherein wee may shew our selues thankfull to God . As a man roles euery stone , and takes thought how to liue and beare about the world ( as we say : ) so must all of vs whom God hath pleased to deliuer from these dangerous times , either by healing our sores , or by keeping vs from infection , or by comforting our hearts against the feare of our enemies , either at home or abroad , say and thinke with himselfe : O Lord , what shall I doe ? How shall I carry my selfe in my thoughts , words and actions ; yea , and sufferings so as may pleasethee , and I may testifie how highly I prize those fauours which I haue receiued from thy hands .

Thus we must study , but wee must not there leaue ( this were but like a dash of raine which wets not to the root ) therefore answerable to our care and study , we must in the second place take paines to shew our thankfulnesse in foure particulars .

First , we must register the noble acts of God ; according to that of the Psalme , This shall be written for the generations to come . Hence was it that the Patriarkes erected Psal. 102. 18. Mountaines , builded Altars , and imposed fit names vpon their children , that they might in these things register the kindnesse of God vnto them . Therefore as Ahashuerosh did cause his deliuerance from Bigthan and Teresh to be written in the booke of the Chronicles before Hest. 2. 22. the King : so must we haue a record of fauours , that we telling our soules that such a yeare God did such a kindnesse for thee , and such a yeare , moneth , weeke , or day did he another , to day thou hast receiued one euidence of his loue , and yesterday thou diddest receiue another ; wee may not onely practise a dutie of thankfulnesse in it , but prouoke our selues thereby to be thankfull in after times : As Ahashuerosh his registring of his deliuerance Hest. 6. made him afterwards to be thankefull to Mordecai who ( vnder God ) was the author of it . And think we not thus of our selues , that there are few who haue done thus before vs . I make no doubt but that thousands of Gods people , of whom the world is not worthy , haue taken this Heb. 11. course in secret , yea and do take it . And of a good man I haue often read , who is said to delight in one booke which he daily carried about him , and was portable enough ; for it had but two leaues , one blacke , and the other white : in the black he made a register of his sinnes , that he might daily be humble , in the white he made a register of Gods mercies that he might be thankfull .

Secondly , we must heartily labour the good of others . For can we requite God himselfe ? we cannot do it , Our Psal. 16. goodnesse reacheth not to him : onely he pleaseth to interpret some seruices which he requires as thankfull requitals to himselfe ; amongst which this is one , to do good to others . Now , this wee must do ( by way of thankfulnesse vnto God ) both vnto their soules and bodies . As for their soules wee must labour their conuersion and turning from darknesse to light , and from the power of Satan to God , Acts 26. 18. that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes , and inheritance amongst them that are sanctified by faith in Christ . Thus Dauid promiseth vnto God when he saith : Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation , and stablish me with thy free Spirit , Psal. 51. 12 , 13. then shall I teach thy wayes vnto the wicked , and sinners shall be conuerted vnto thee . Yea and Peter was commanded thus much when Christ saith vnto him : When thou art Luke 22. 32. conuerted , shew thy thankefulnesse , by strengthening thy brethren . As for the bodies of others wee must relieue ( so farre as our selves bee not grieued ) the poore members of 2. Cor. 8. 13. Iesus Christ . For do but marke how it was with the Iewes , when they freely heard the word of God againe , they did eate and drinke , and did send away part ( as they were Neb. 8. 10. 11. 12 commanded ) to those for whom nothing was prepared , for ioy that they vnderstood the words which they had taught them . And we may reade of an Apostolicall ordinance of thankfulnesse in the Primitiue Church to be obserued euery Lords day , or first day of the weeke , that euerie one should put aside by himselfe , and lay vp as God had prospered 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. him , for the necessities of the Saints . Thus also must it be with vs who haue tasted how good God is , in these times of troubles : we must throw about these our almes both spirituall and temporall . Wee must labour to do others soules good , who are within our gate and iurisdiction , saying as Dauid , Come ye children , hearken vnto me , Psal. I will teach you the feare of the Lord : or as Philip who had found Christ said to Nathanael . Come and see : we must labour Ioh. 1. 46. to do others bodies good , by thinking who haue endured more hardship then wee , and who haue endured the more for our flight , and then parting with something to feede the hungrie , cloathe the naked , relieue the oppressed , maintaine the fatherlesse , and set at libertie the honest prisoner and captiue , and the like . Thus shall wee shew the true vse and issue of all our fasting this Sommer , which as the Prophet saith , is to loose the bands of wickednesse , Esay 58. 6. 7. to take off the heauie burthens , and let the oppressed go free , and that ye breake euery yoake . It is to deale thy bread to the hungrie , to bring the poore that wander into thine house , to couer the naked and not to hide thy selfe from thine owne flesh .

Thirdly , we must renue our couenants and promises to God of a more sincere and hearty obedience . When God had deliuered Dauid from Saul in the Wilderdesse of Maon , he renued his promises twice together , That he would take the Cup of saluation , That he will offer the sacrifice Psal. 116. 13. 17. of praise , and call vpon the Name of the Lord . Thus Asa , when God gaue him victory ouer his enemies and setled peace , and the Prophet Azariah came and put him in minde of his duty , he and his people made a couenant 2. Chro. 15. 12. 14 to seeke the Lord God of their fathers with all their hearts , and with all their soules , and they sware vnto the Lord with a loud voice , and with Trumpets , and shouting , and Cornets . Thus Ezra also , and the people who returned from the captiuity of Babylon , when they were sensible of Gods mercy and their owne sinning , and while there was Ezra 10 2. 3. hope in Israel ( though as yet they trembled for their sins in the street of the house of God , and for the ruine ( as we may doe for the Plague ) did make a couenant with God to put away their heathenish wiues , and liue more holily . Thus must it bee with vs also ; wee must bethinke our selues wherein we haue offended God , either priuately or publikely , either as Magistrates , or Ministers , or Husbands , or Wiues , or Masters , or Seruants , or Fathers , or Children , or Buyers , or Sellers , or Borrowers , or Lenders , or Letters , or Hirers ; and we must prepare our selues for the Lords Supper ( with the first opportunity ) wherein we must renue our Couenant with God , humbling our selues for the sinnes we haue committed , and promising to God vpon his assuring of vs his loue vnto vs in Christ Iesus , that we will be carefull to vse our best endeuours , according to the measure of grace which wee haue receiued , to liue more holily to God , more righteously & iustly in all Tit. 2. 12. our dealings with men , and more soberly in our selues : and when we cannot doe so much good as we would , that we will lament it to God , and cry out vnto him , saying , Oh that my wayes were so direct that I might keepe thy Statutes . Psal. 119. 5.

Lastly , as we must renue our Couenant , so when wee haue done , we must with all our strength ( and with an humble dependance vpon the vse of Gods meanes for more ) resolue and settle our bodies and soules to continue in it , and neuer so to offend so good a God as wee haue done in former times . This is true thankfulnesse indeede , when out of a feeling of Gods loue , and out of a conscience of our duty to God , wee can say as Dauid , I Psal. 119. haue sworne to keepe thy righteous iudgements , and I haue determined to keepe thy Statutes . Without this resolution our hearts will start aside like a broken Bow , and our Psal. righteousnesse will be like a morning dew , and like a cloud Hos. 6. passing away . Therefore ( I say once more ) striue wee to the vtmost of that to which God hath enabled vs , and for the rest pray with Dauid , Lord , Stablish mee by thy free Psal. 51. Spirit , which is a Spirit of liberty , and will make vs run the way of thy Commandements .

Thus haue I taught you in some measure to practise this duty of Thankfulnesse . I pray God giue vs vnderstanding in all things , and honest hearts that we may practise this duty now when Gods maruellous kindnesse calleth for it with so loud a voice . And thus I commend you to him , who is of power to establish you according to the Gospell , Rom. 16. 25. euen to the God of peace , whom I humbly beseech to make you perfect in all good workes , to doe his will working Heb. 13 , 20 , 21. in you , that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ , to whom bee praise for euer and euer ; Amen .

FINIS .