A sermon preached before the queen the 22d of May, 1692 upon occasion of the late victory obtained by Their Majesties fleet over the French / by John Scott ...
         Scott, John, 1639-1695.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             A sermon preached before the queen the 22d of May, 1692 upon occasion of the late victory obtained by Their Majesties fleet over the French / by John Scott ...
             Scott, John, 1639-1695.
          
           [2], 35 p.
           
             Printed for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             MDCXCII [1692]
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Great Britain -- History -- William and Mary, 1689-1702.
        
      
    
     
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           Dr.
           SCOTT's
           Thanksgiving
           Sermon
           Preached
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           The
           22d
           of
           May.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           The
           22d
           of
           May
           ,
           1692.
           
           Upon
           Occasion
           of
           the
           late
           VICTORY
           OBTAINED
           BY
           Their
           Majesties
           Fleet
           OVER
           THE
           FRENCH
           .
        
         
           By
           JOHN
           SCOTT
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           Their
           Majesties
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           Her
           Majesties
           Special
           Command
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ;
           Printed
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bishops-Head
           in
           S.
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
           M
           DC
           XC
           II.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           .
        
         
           
             
               Psalm
               50.14
               .
            
             
               Offer
               unto
               God
               thanksgiving
               ,
               and
               pay
               thy
               vows
               unto
               the
               most
               High.
               
            
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           foregoing
           Verses
           the
           Psalmist
           (
           whether
           he
           were
           David
           or
           Asaph
           is
           uncertain
           )
           introduces
           God
           as
           delivering
           his
           own
           Sense
           concerning
           the
           Ritual
           and
           Ceremonial
           Religion
           of
           the
           Iews
           ,
           upon
           which
           they
           so
           much
           valu'd
           themselves
           ,
           and
           laid
           such
           a
           mighty
           stress
           ;
           v.
           7.
           
           
             Hear
             O
             my
             people
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             speak
             ,
             O
             Israel
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             testifie
             against
             thee
          
           ;
           or
           I
           have
           something
           of
           high
           Moment
           to
           speak
           to
           thee
           ,
           
             I
             am
             God
             even
             thy
             God
             ,
          
           that
           God
           who
           ,
           under
           the
           Title
           of
           The
           Lord
           thy
           God
           ,
           
           brought
           thee
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           gave
           thee
           the
           Moral
           Law
           comprised
           in
           Ten
           Commandments
           .
           
             I
             will
             not
             reprove
             thee
             for
             thy
             sacrifices
             and
             burnt
             offerings
             to
             have
             been
             continually
             before
             me
          
           :
           I
           know
           thou
           art
           exact
           enough
           in
           the
           observance
           of
           these
           my
           Ritual
           Commands
           ,
           and
           therefore
           as
           to
           this
           matter
           I
           do
           not
           blame
           thee
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           not
           the
           thing
           I
           chiefly
           value
           and
           esteem
           :
           'T
           is
           the
           observance
           of
           my
           Moral
           Laws
           ,
           in
           which
           thou
           art
           extremely
           defective
           ,
           that
           I
           principally
           insist
           on
           ;
           as
           for
           those
           Sacrifices
           with
           which
           thou
           causest
           mine
           Altars
           continually
           to
           smoak
           ,
           they
           are
           things
           with
           which
           (
           if
           I
           needed
           'em
           )
           I
           could
           supply
           my self
           from
           the
           Herds
           of
           a
           Thousand
           Hills
           which
           thou
           knowest
           not
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           all
           my
           own
           .
           And
           so
           he
           goes
           on
           to
           the
           Text
           ,
           upbraiding
           'em
           with
           laying
           the
           whole
           stress
           of
           their
           Religion
           upon
           their
           exact
           performance
           of
           the
           instituted
           Rites
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           ,
           tho
           it
           was
           their
           Duty
           ,
           yet
           the
           least
           part
           of
           it
           .
           And
           then
           comes
           ,
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           to
           acquaint
           'em
           what
           was
           the
           main
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           which
           he
           principally
           intended
           ,
           and
           was
           most
           delighted
           in
           ,
           and
           wherein
           they
           were
           most
           remiss
           and
           negligent
           ,
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             thanksgiving
             ,
             and
             pay
             thy
             vows
             unto
             the
             most
             High
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           If
           thou
           wilt
           bring
           me
           an
           acceptable
           Sacrifice
           indeed
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           bring
           me
           a
           truly
           thankful
           Heart
           ,
           that
           gratefully
           receives
           and
           acknowledges
           my
           Benefits
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           perform
           to
           me
           those
           Vows
           and
           Promises
           of
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           ,
           which
           thou
           madest
           to
           me
           in
           thy
           Affliction
           ,
           when
           out
           of
           extreme
           want
           of
           the
           Benefits
           I
           have
           since
           bestowed
           
           on
           thee
           ,
           thou
           wast
           earnestly
           imploring
           'em
           at
           my
           Hands
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           at
           present
           only
           treat
           of
           the
           first
           of
           these
           ,
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             thanksgiving
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Sense
           I
           have
           given
           of
           the
           Text
           and
           Coherence
           ,
           is
           a
           Duty
           of
           far
           more
           value
           with
           God
           than
           any
           of
           the
           instituted
           Rituals
           of
           Religion
           ,
           as
           being
           one
           of
           those
           Moral
           and
           eternal
           Duties
           in
           which
           the
           Main
           and
           Substance
           of
           Religion
           doth
           consist
           .
           In
           handling
           this
           Argument
           therefore
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavor
           these
           two
           Things
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           To
           shew
           you
           what
           this
           Duty
           is
           ,
           and
           wherein
           it
           doth
           consist
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           shew
           you
           that
           is
           a
           Moral
           Duty
           ,
           or
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           a
           Duty
           inforced
           with
           eternal
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           I.
           What
           this
           Duty
           of
           Thanksgiving
           is
           ,
           and
           wherein
           it
           doth
           consist
           .
           In
           general
           ,
           Thanksgiving
           consists
           in
           rendring
           to
           our
           Benefactors
           a
           chearful
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           Benefits
           we
           have
           received
           at
           their
           Hands
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           to
           offer
           Thanksgiving
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           freely
           ,
           heartily
           ,
           and
           chearfully
           ,
           to
           acknowledge
           and
           recognize
           to
           him
           the
           manifold
           Favours
           and
           Benefits
           which
           with
           a
           most
           liberal
           Hand
           he
           bestows
           upon
           us
           from
           time
           to
           time
           .
           In
           order
           to
           which
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           we
           should
           diligently
           remark
           and
           attend
           to
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer
           'em
           to
           pass
           thorough
           our
           Minds
           like
           Birds
           thorough
           the
           Air
           without
           leaving
           any
           Track
           or
           Path
           behind
           'em
           ;
           but
           that
           we
           should
           so
           curiously
           observe
           and
           take
           notice
           of
           'em
           ,
           
           that
           every
           Footstep
           of
           'em
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           may
           remain
           upon
           our
           Memories
           in
           lively
           and
           lasting
           impressions
           :
           For
           tho
           we
           can
           no
           more
           count
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           than
           we
           can
           the
           Moments
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           tho
           when
           ever
           we
           enter
           into
           the
           recollection
           of
           'em
           ,
           we
           are
           like
           a
           man
           that
           is
           diving
           into
           the
           bottom
           of
           the
           Sea
           ,
           over
           whose
           Head
           the
           water
           runs
           insensibly
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           neither
           he
           is
           pressed
           with
           the
           weight
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           confounded
           with
           the
           number
           of
           the
           drops
           of
           it
           ,
           because
           he
           attempts
           not
           to
           cast
           'em
           up
           ,
           but
           concludes
           'em
           innumerable
           ;
           yet
           there
           are
           many
           and
           many
           of
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           which
           lie
           so
           open
           to
           our
           observation
           ,
           being
           attended
           with
           such
           indearing
           and
           remarkable
           Circumstances
           ,
           as
           that
           without
           great
           stupidity
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           of
           '
           em
           .
           And
           therefore
           in
           order
           to
           our
           being
           truly
           thankful
           to
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           that
           such
           as
           these
           should
           be
           drawn
           and
           imprinted
           upon
           our
           memories
           in
           strong
           and
           lively
           Colours
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           worn
           or
           washed
           out
           by
           Time
           or
           Chance
           ,
           but
           to
           flourish
           there
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           like
           the
           Pictures
           of
           the
           Graces
           in
           immortal
           Youth
           .
           And
           as
           to
           our
           giving
           Thanks
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           requisite
           that
           we
           should
           so
           far
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           closely
           observe
           and
           remember
           'em
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           no
           less
           requisite
           ,
           that
           ,
           by
           frequent
           reflections
           upon
           'em
           ,
           we
           should
           indeavour
           to
           raise
           in
           our
           own
           Minds
           a
           just
           value
           and
           esteem
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           affect
           our
           own
           Hearts
           with
           a
           warm
           and
           vigorous
           Sense
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           inexhaustible
           Fountain
           whence
           every
           good
           we
           receive
           is
           derived
           .
           And
           when
           with
           the
           close
           consideration
           
           of
           the
           Favors
           and
           Benefits
           of
           God
           we
           have
           chafed
           our
           own
           Souls
           into
           an
           affectionate
           feeling
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           we
           may
           then
           cry
           out
           with
           
             David
             ,
             My
             heart
             is
             ready
             ,
             O
             Lord
             my
             ,
             heart
             is
             ready
             ,
             I
             will
             sing
             and
             give
             praise
             .
          
           For
           the
           Requisites
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           are
           only
           necessary
           Dispositions
           and
           Preparations
           to
           Thanksgiving
           ;
           they
           are
           only
           the
           tuning
           the
           Strings
           of
           the
           musical
           Instrument
           ,
           and
           setting
           it
           in
           order
           ,
           for
           the
           Angelical
           Harmony
           to
           be
           plaid
           on
           it
           :
           but
           the
           Thanksgiving
           itself
           consists
           in
           an
           affectionate
           Acknowledgment
           to
           God
           ,
           of
           the
           manifold
           Favours
           we
           have
           received
           at
           his
           hands
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           those
           gracious
           Circumstances
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           are
           able
           to
           recollect
           them
           ,
           with
           which
           they
           came
           attended
           :
           which
           Acknowledgment
           is
           to
           be
           made
           either
           in
           express
           Words
           ,
           in
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           Hymns
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           Songs
           ,
           or
           by
           recounting
           his
           Favors
           to
           him
           in
           mental
           Recognitions
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           make
           melody
           in
           our
           Hearts
           to
           the
           Lord.
           But
           because
           usually
           when
           the
           Heart
           is
           full
           ,
           the
           Mouth
           will
           overflow
           ,
           therefore
           Thanksgiving
           in
           common
           Acceptation
           ,
           signifies
           an
           oral
           and
           verbal
           Acknowledgment
           of
           Gods
           Favors
           ,
           arising
           from
           an
           inward
           and
           affectionate
           Sense
           and
           Feeling
           of
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           .
           And
           to
           crown
           all
           this
           ,
           and
           render
           our
           Thanksgiving
           substantial
           and
           real
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           accompanied
           with
           a
           hearty
           study
           and
           intention
           of
           Soul
           ,
           to
           render
           unto
           God
           for
           his
           Favor
           ,
           all
           possible
           Compensation
           ;
           to
           gratifie
           him
           with
           our
           free
           and
           chearful
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           more
           especially
           with
           our
           Charity
           and
           Beneficence
           ,
           towards
           
           his
           poor
           and
           indigent
           Creatures
           ,
           whose
           Wants
           are
           the
           Briefs
           by
           which
           God
           authorizes
           them
           to
           ask
           releif
           for
           his
           Sake
           ,
           and
           to
           recieve
           it
           in
           his
           Name
           :
           
             He
             that
             giveth
             to
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Wiseman
           ,
           
             lendeth
             to
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           and
           consequently
           he
           that
           giveth
           not
           ,
           refuseth
           to
           lend
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           which
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           any
           degree
           of
           hearty
           Gratitude
           towards
           him
           .
           For
           how
           can
           he
           be
           truly
           thankful
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Favors
           ,
           who
           hath
           no
           intention
           to
           render
           him
           any
           Compensation
           ;
           and
           what
           intention
           can
           he
           have
           to
           compensate
           God
           ,
           who
           will
           not
           lend
           him
           a
           little
           Mony
           or
           a
           little
           Bread
           ,
           when
           by
           the
           Mouths
           or
           Necessities
           of
           his
           Poor
           he
           craves
           it
           ?
           This
           Man
           complements
           God
           instead
           of
           thanking
           him
           ,
           and
           only
           flatters
           him
           with
           fained
           Lips
           ,
           in
           hope
           thereby
           to
           obtain
           further
           Favors
           of
           him
           ,
           without
           being
           at
           all
           influenced
           by
           an
           ingenuous
           Sense
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           make
           him
           any
           returns
           for
           what
           he
           hath
           already
           received
           .
           So
           that
           the
           full
           import
           of
           our
           
             Offering
             Thanksgiving
          
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           render
           him
           an
           affectionate
           Acknowledgment
           of
           his
           manifold
           Benefits
           ,
           with
           an
           hearty
           intention
           to
           make
           him
           all
           the
           Compensation
           for
           them
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           by
           our
           constant
           and
           chearful
           Obedience
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will
           ,
           and
           readiness
           to
           repay
           him
           in
           works
           of
           Charity
           ,
           according
           as
           our
           Abilities
           and
           the
           Necessities
           of
           the
           Poor
           shall
           require
           it
           .
           And
           accordingly
           the
           Psalmist
           himself
           thus
           explains
           this
           Duty
           :
           
             I
             will
             remember
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             thy
             works
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             talk
             of
             thy
             doings
          
           :
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           
             My
             mouth
             shall
             praise
             thee
             with
             joyful
             lips
             ,
             when
             I
             remember
             
             thee
             upon
             my
             Bed
             and
             meditate
             on
             thee
             in
             the
             night-watches
             ,
             because
             thou
             hast
             been
             my
             help
             .
          
           Here
           is
           his
           advertence
           to
           and
           recollection
           of
           the
           Mercies
           of
           God
           towards
           him
           .
           And
           then
           he
           goes
           on
           ,
           
             How
             excellent
             is
             thy
             loving
             kindness
             ,
             O
             God!
             how
             precious
             are
             thy
             thoughts
             unto
             me
             !
             how
             great
             is
             the
             sum
             of
             them
             !
             if
             I
             should
             count
             them
             they
             are
             more
             than
             the
             sand
             .
          
           Here
           is
           his
           high
           esteem
           and
           value
           of
           the
           divine
           Benefits
           ;
           then
           he
           proceeds
           ,
           
             Because
             thy
             loving
             kindness
             is
             better
             than
             life
             ,
             my
             lips
             shall
             praise
             thee
             ,
             my
             soul
             shall
             be
             filled
             as
             with
             marrow
             and
             fatness
             ,
             my
             mouth
             shall
             praise
             thee
             with
             joyful
             lips
             .
          
           Here
           is
           his
           affectionate
           sense
           of
           the
           divine
           Goodness
           towards
           him
           :
           Then
           he
           breaks
           forth
           into
           raptures
           of
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           
             I
             will
             sing
             of
             the
             mercies
             of
             the
             Lord
             for
             ever
             ,
             with
             my
             mouth
             will
             I
             make
             known
             his
             faithfulness
             to
             all
             generations
             ;
             I
             will
             speak
             of
             the
             glorious
             honor
             of
             thy
             Majesty
             and
             of
             thy
             wondrous
             works
             ;
             I
             will
             praise
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             with
             a
             song
             ,
             I
             will
             magnifie
             him
             with
             Thanksgiving
             .
          
           And
           lastly
           ,
           he
           closes
           all
           this
           with
           a
           hearty
           design
           of
           rendring
           to
           God
           these
           best
           and
           noblest
           Compensations
           of
           his
           Obedience
           and
           Charity
           ;
           
             What
             shall
             I
             render
             unto
             the
             Lord
             for
             all
             his
             benefits
          
           ?
           And
           upon
           this
           Enquiry
           resolves
           ,
           
             I
             will
             take
             the
             cup
             of
             salvation
             and
             call
             upon
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             I
             will
             pay
             my
             Vows
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           those
           Vows
           of
           Sacrifice
           ,
           and
           Alms
           of
           Fidelity
           and
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           I
           made
           in
           my
           Distress
           and
           Affliction
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           what
           there
           is
           implyed
           in
           this
           Duty
           of
           
             Offering
             Thanksgiving
          
           unto
           God.
           
        
         
         
           I
           proceed
           now
           in
           the
           second
           place
           ,
           to
           shew
           you
           that
           this
           is
           a
           Moral
           Duty
           ,
           not
           founded
           upon
           positive
           Will
           and
           Institution
           ,
           as
           Sacrificing
           was
           ,
           which
           therefore
           could
           no
           longer
           oblige
           ,
           than
           during
           the
           continuance
           of
           that
           positive
           Will
           ;
           but
           upon
           eternal
           and
           immutable
           Reasons
           ,
           which
           no
           positive
           Will
           can
           ever
           cancel
           or
           repeal
           :
           and
           this
           I
           doubt
           not
           will
           appear
           upon
           the
           following
           Considerations
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Justice
           and
           Equality
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Pleasure
           and
           Delightfulness
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Obligations
           it
           lays
           upon
           God
           to
           continue
           and
           repeat
           his
           Favors
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           great
           Aid
           and
           Furtherance
           it
           gives
           us
           in
           all
           our
           other
           Duties
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           mighty
           Relish
           it
           gives
           to
           all
           God's
           Favors
           and
           Benefits
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           The
           great
           Support
           and
           Confirmation
           it
           affords
           our
           Faith
           and
           Dependence
           upon
           God
           for
           the
           future
           .
        
         
           I.
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           is
           due
           to
           him
           in
           strict
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           ,
           for
           the
           Benefits
           God
           bestows
           upon
           us
           ,
           are
           rather
           Loans
           than
           Gifts
           ;
           because
           as
           he
           is
           supreme
           Lord
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           he
           retains
           an
           unalienable
           Propriety
           in
           every
           Good
           he
           bestows
           ;
           and
           upon
           that
           account
           he
           may
           justly
           demand
           of
           us
           whatsoever
           Homage
           or
           Quit-rent
           he
           pleaseth
           ;
           and
           certainly
           the
           least
           he
           can
           claim
           is
           our
           Gratitude
           ,
           from
           which
           we
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           released
           by
           the
           freeness
           of
           his
           Gifts
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           the
           more
           strictly
           obliged
           by
           it
           .
           For
           he
           who
           receives
           a
           Benefit
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           from
           
           God
           or
           Man
           ,
           owes
           more
           or
           less
           for
           it
           proportionably
           as
           the
           Benefit
           is
           greater
           or
           less
           .
           Seeing
           therefore
           that
           a
           Benefit
           freely
           given
           is
           
             caeteris
             paribus
          
           ,
           much
           greater
           than
           a
           Benefit
           lent
           ;
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           freer
           we
           have
           it
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           owe
           for
           't
           .
           Now
           as
           for
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           only
           in
           themselves
           of
           greater
           value
           than
           what
           any
           other
           can
           give
           or
           lend
           us
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           also
           given
           us
           upon
           the
           most
           free
           ,
           and
           noble
           ,
           and
           generous
           Terms
           ;
           for
           tho
           when
           he
           bestows
           'em
           upon
           us
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           like
           other
           Doners
           give
           'em
           away
           from
           himself
           ,
           but
           reserves
           his
           inherent
           Right
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           Lord
           Paramount
           of
           all
           his
           Creation
           ;
           yet
           this
           Reservation
           of
           his
           is
           no
           damage
           to
           us
           ,
           seeing
           we
           enjoy
           his
           Gifts
           as
           amply
           and
           freely
           as
           if
           he
           had
           alienated
           to
           us
           his
           Right
           in
           '
           em
           .
           Tho
           he
           still
           continues
           Sovereign
           Lord
           of
           the
           Fee
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           we
           hold
           we
           hold
           as
           his
           Tenants
           ,
           by
           his
           Grant
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Right
           ;
           yet
           the
           Quit-Rent
           he
           requires
           of
           us
           (
           which
           is
           only
           our
           Gratitude
           ,
           and
           which
           in
           Justice
           would
           have
           been
           due
           to
           him
           ,
           tho
           he
           should
           never
           have
           required
           it
           ,
           )
           is
           not
           only
           so
           very
           small
           and
           easie
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           also
           so
           highly
           advantageous
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           instead
           of
           being
           impoverished
           ,
           we
           are
           enriched
           by
           the
           payment
           of
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           our
           Tenure
           under
           him
           is
           far
           better
           for
           us
           than
           if
           we
           were
           Freeholders
           ,
           without
           any
           Condition
           at
           all
           ;
           the
           Condition
           of
           his
           Benefit
           being
           such
           as
           is
           so
           far
           from
           sinking
           the
           value
           of
           'em
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           very
           much
           raises
           and
           enhanses
           '
           em
           .
           So
           that
           as
           we
           stand
           in
           Justice
           obliged
           to
           be
           grateful
           to
           all
           our
           Benefactors
           ,
           (
           seeing
           every
           Benefit
           deserves
           of
           us
           as
           
           much
           as
           it
           is
           worthy
           ,
           and
           the
           smallest
           is
           worth
           our
           Gratitude
           ;
           so
           more
           especially
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           not
           only
           gives
           us
           all
           the
           good
           Things
           we
           enjoy
           ,
           but
           takes
           care
           also
           to
           give
           'em
           to
           us
           upon
           the
           most
           beneficial
           Considerations
           ,
           viz.
           That
           we
           Thankfully
           receive
           '
           em
           .
           Which
           ,
           if
           we
           duly
           perform
           ,
           will
           prove
           far
           more
           beneficical
           to
           us
           than
           all
           his
           other
           Benefits
           .
        
         
           II.
           Consider
           the
           Pleasure
           and
           Delightfulness
           of
           this
           Duty
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           Devotion
           there
           is
           something
           that
           is
           Painful
           and
           Laborious
           to
           Humane
           Nature
           :
           For
           so
           Prayer
           awakens
           in
           us
           a
           sorrowful
           Sense
           of
           Wants
           and
           Imperfections
           ,
           Confession
           excites
           in
           us
           sharp
           and
           dolorous
           Reflections
           upon
           our
           Guilts
           and
           Miscarriages
           ;
           but
           Thanksgiving
           has
           nothing
           in
           it
           but
           a
           warm
           and
           vigorous
           sense
           of
           the
           mightiest
           Love
           and
           most
           indearing
           Goodness
           .
           For
           it
           is
           only
           the
           overflow
           of
           a
           heart
           full
           of
           Love
           ,
           the
           free
           sally
           and
           emission
           of
           a
           Soul
           that
           is
           captivated
           and
           indeared
           by
           Kindness
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           Passion
           in
           Humane
           Nature
           so
           sweet
           and
           ravishing
           as
           Love
           ;
           especially
           while
           being
           heated
           with
           the
           warm
           sense
           of
           the
           Kindness
           of
           its
           beloved
           ,
           it
           boils
           over
           upon
           it
           in
           Praise
           and
           Gratitude
           .
           And
           seeing
           our
           Thanksgiving
           lives
           upon
           Love
           and
           Beneficence
           ,
           and
           is
           al1
           along
           nourished
           and
           maintained
           by
           it
           ,
           the
           greater
           the
           Love
           is
           upon
           which
           it
           feeds
           and
           the
           more
           the
           Beneficence
           ,
           the
           richer
           its
           Fare
           is
           ,
           and
           the
           nobler
           its
           Entertainment
           .
           But
           where
           can
           our
           Gratitude
           find
           out
           a
           Love
           comparably
           so
           great
           or
           productive
           of
           such
           ample
           Beneficence
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           Gods
           ?
           Upon
           this
           inexhaustible
           Subject
           it
           may
           live
           for
           ever
           without
           any
           other
           Supplies
           ;
           and
           fare
           deliciously
           every
           moment
           
           to
           eternal
           Ages
           .
           For
           what
           more
           delicious
           or
           comfortable
           thought
           can
           ever
           present
           itself
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           Man
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           great
           Lord
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           good
           ,
           the
           wise
           and
           mighty
           King
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           is
           our
           faithful
           ,
           kind
           and
           munificent
           Friend
           ;
           that
           his
           Heart
           is
           always
           pregnant
           with
           Designs
           of
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           great
           subject
           of
           all
           his
           Contrivances
           is
           to
           do
           us
           good
           here
           ,
           and
           to
           render
           us
           Glorious
           hereafter
           ?
           O
           were
           such
           thoughts
           as
           these
           but
           set
           home
           upon
           our
           hearts
           with
           their
           full
           and
           due
           Emphasis
           ,
           how
           would
           they
           even
           ravish
           and
           transport
           our
           Souls
           !
           How
           would
           they
           convert
           all
           our
           Faculties
           into
           Concent
           and
           Harmony
           ,
           and
           even
           evaporate
           our
           Spirits
           in
           a
           Songs
           of
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           to
           him
           !
           And
           whilst
           from
           a
           lively
           Sense
           of
           all
           these
           Wonders
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           we
           are
           offering
           up
           to
           him
           our
           Sacrifice
           of
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           O
           with
           what
           Triumph
           and
           Exultation
           of
           Soul
           should
           we
           ascend
           in
           the
           flames
           of
           it
           !
           But
           ,
           alas
           ,
           we
           are
           ,
           even
           the
           best
           of
           us
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           unacquainted
           with
           the
           Pleasure
           and
           Sweetness
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Performance
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           we
           have
           not
           a
           quick
           Sense
           and
           lively
           Relish
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           upon
           which
           it
           terminates
           .
           Had
           we
           this
           always
           present
           with
           us
           ,
           we
           should
           feel
           so
           much
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           in
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           our
           Heaven
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           our
           Meat
           and
           Drink
           ,
           our
           Business
           and
           Recreation
           ,
           to
           breath
           up
           our
           Souls
           to
           God
           in
           Hymns
           of
           Praise
           ,
           But
           this
           we
           do
           all
           know
           ,
           who
           know
           any
           thing
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           to
           laud
           and
           magnifie
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           the
           
           End
           for
           which
           we
           were
           born
           ,
           and
           the
           Heaven
           for
           which
           we
           are
           designed
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           we
           are
           arrived
           to
           that
           vigorous
           sense
           of
           the
           Divine
           Love
           that
           the
           blessed
           People
           of
           Heaven
           have
           attained
           ,
           we
           shall
           need
           no
           other
           either
           Employment
           or
           Pleasure
           to
           render
           us
           for
           ever
           happy
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           sing
           eternal
           Praises
           and
           
             Hallelujahs
             to
             our
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Lamb
             that
             sitteth
             upon
             the
             Throne
          
           ;
           the
           vigorous
           Relish
           of
           whose
           unspeakable
           Goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           will
           so
           inflame
           our
           Love
           and
           animate
           our
           Gratitude
           ,
           that
           to
           eternal
           Ages
           we
           shall
           be
           never
           able
           to
           contain
           our selves
           from
           breaking
           forth
           into
           new
           Songs
           of
           Praise
           ;
           and
           then
           every
           new
           Song
           will
           still
           create
           a
           new
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           every
           new
           Pleasure
           dictate
           a
           new
           Song
           ,
           and
           so
           round
           again
           for
           ever
           .
           But
           these
           are
           things
           too
           sublime
           for
           our
           short
           reach
           and
           cognisance
           ,
           only
           at
           present
           let
           us
           but
           consult
           the
           Experience
           of
           devout
           and
           grateful
           Souls
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           this
           will
           assure
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           under
           Heaven
           so
           pleasant
           and
           delightsom
           as
           from
           a
           warm
           and
           vigorous
           sense
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           breath
           up
           our
           Souls
           to
           him
           in
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           ;
           that
           this
           gives
           such
           a
           Jubilee
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           such
           a
           sprightful
           Recreation
           to
           the
           Heart
           ,
           as
           far
           exceeds
           the
           most
           studyed
           and
           artificial
           Pleasures
           of
           Epicurism
           .
           But
           for
           satisfaction
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           we
           need
           go
           no
           further
           than
           to
           our
           praiseful
           Psalmist
           ,
           who
           tho
           he
           were
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           had
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           a
           fruitful
           Kingdom
           at
           his
           beck
           and
           command
           ,
           yet
           doth
           upon
           his
           own
           Experience
           advise
           ,
           
             Praise
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             the
             Lord
             is
             Good
             ;
             sing
             praises
             to
             his
             name
             ,
             for
             
             it
             is
             pleasant
             :
          
           And
           elsewhere
           ,
           
             Praise
             the
             Lord
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             good
             ;
             to
             sing
             Praises
             to
             our
             God
             it
             is
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             praise
             is
             comely
             .
          
           Seeing
           therefore
           that
           Gratitude
           to
           God
           is
           so
           high
           a
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           grateful
           Entertainment
           to
           the
           rational
           Soul
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           duly
           disposed
           ;
           this
           is
           such
           a
           Motive
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           carries
           with
           it
           an
           eternal
           Force
           and
           Obligation
           .
        
         
           III.
           Gratitude
           to
           God
           mightily
           obliges
           him
           to
           continue
           and
           repeat
           his
           Favors
           to
           us
           .
           For
           though
           God
           doth
           not
           covet
           our
           Thanksgivings
           for
           himself
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           any
           prospect
           of
           Advantage
           they
           can
           bring
           him
           ,
           he
           being
           so
           intirely
           happy
           in
           his
           own
           Perfections
           ,
           that
           neither
           the
           Praises
           of
           Angels
           can
           add
           any
           thing
           to
           him
           ,
           nor
           the
           Blasphemies
           of
           Devils
           subtract
           any
           thing
           from
           him
           ;
           yet
           when
           he
           so
           freely
           bestows
           his
           Benefits
           upon
           us
           ,
           he
           expects
           the
           return
           of
           our
           Gratitude
           ,
           both
           as
           it
           is
           highly
           just
           and
           reasonable
           in
           itself
           ,
           and
           vastly
           beneficial
           and
           advantageous
           to
           us
           .
           For
           he
           being
           infinitely
           reasonable
           himself
           ,
           and
           loving
           himself
           infinitely
           for
           being
           so
           ,
           he
           cannot
           for
           his
           own
           sake
           but
           love
           what
           is
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           in
           others
           ;
           and
           what
           he
           so
           justly
           loves
           in
           us
           ,
           he
           justly
           expects
           of
           us
           .
           It
           is
           highly
           displeasing
           to
           him
           to
           see
           us
           ungrateful
           to
           others
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           himself
           ;
           not
           that
           he
           sustains
           any
           Damage
           thereby
           ;
           for
           how
           can
           he
           be
           the
           worse
           for
           our
           Ingratitude
           to
           others
           ?
           But
           the
           Ground
           of
           his
           Displeasure
           is
           ,
           to
           see
           reasonable
           Beings
           so
           grosly
           swerve
           from
           the
           Canon
           of
           right
           Reason
           and
           Justice
           ,
           and
           act
           so
           contrarily
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           his
           Nature
           and
           their
           own
           .
           So
           again
           
           he
           is
           as
           well
           pleased
           and
           delighted
           when
           he
           finds
           us
           thankful
           to
           our
           other
           Benefactors
           ,
           as
           when
           we
           are
           so
           to
           him
           ;
           not
           that
           he
           can
           reap
           the
           least
           Benefit
           or
           Advantage
           from
           the
           Thanks
           which
           we
           render
           to
           others
           ;
           for
           how
           can
           he
           be
           the
           better
           for
           that
           which
           he
           doth
           not
           receive
           ?
           But
           because
           the
           thing
           is
           just
           and
           reasonable
           in
           itself
           ,
           and
           because
           whatsoever
           is
           so
           is
           amiable
           and
           delightsom
           in
           his
           Eyes
           :
           And
           as
           God
           expects
           our
           Gratitude
           for
           its
           own
           sake
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           itself
           a
           most
           just
           ,
           and
           comely
           ,
           and
           reasonable
           thing
           ;
           so
           doth
           he
           also
           expect
           it
           for
           our
           sake
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           most
           advantageous
           things
           we
           can
           do
           for
           our selves
           .
           For
           by
           accustoming
           our selves
           to
           frequent
           Returns
           of
           Thanksgiving
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           shall
           by
           degrees
           a
           thankful
           Frame
           and
           Disposition
           of
           Soul
           which
           (
           as
           I
           shall
           shew
           by
           and
           by
           )
           will
           both
           influence
           us
           in
           all
           other
           parts
           of
           our
           Duty
           with
           a
           mighty
           Chearfulness
           and
           Alacrity
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           carry
           us
           on
           through
           the
           most
           wearisom
           Stages
           of
           it
           with
           an
           indefatigable
           Vigour
           ,
           and
           also
           inhanse
           the
           value
           of
           the
           Divine
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           more
           precious
           in
           our
           esteem
           ,
           and
           consequently
           more
           comfortable
           in
           our
           Enjoyment
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           receive
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           with
           a
           thankful
           Heart
           ,
           he
           obtains
           both
           these
           Ends
           upon
           us
           ,
           which
           must
           needs
           lay
           a
           strong
           Obligation
           upon
           him
           to
           continue
           and
           multiply
           them
           to
           us
           :
           When
           he
           shall
           see
           that
           his
           Favors
           are
           not
           sown
           upon
           a
           barren
           Soil
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           spring
           up
           in
           such
           Fruits
           as
           are
           most
           delightful
           to
           himself
           and
           most
           beneficial
           to
           us
           ,
           what
           a
           powerful
           
           Motive
           must
           this
           be
           to
           ingage
           him
           to
           sow
           them
           more
           abundantly
           ?
           There
           is
           nothing
           doth
           more
           oblige
           a
           generous
           Benefactor
           than
           to
           see
           a
           good
           Use
           made
           of
           his
           Benefits
           ;
           and
           the
           best
           Use
           we
           can
           make
           of
           them
           ,
           is
           to
           gratifie
           him
           with
           them
           in
           such
           things
           as
           he
           most
           delights
           in
           ,
           and
           to
           improve
           to
           our
           utmost
           Advantage
           ;
           which
           will
           render
           him
           so
           far
           from
           repenting
           of
           his
           Favors
           ,
           and
           resolving
           to
           withhold
           them
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           a
           mighty
           Gratification
           to
           himself
           to
           repeat
           and
           increase
           them
           when
           ever
           any
           just
           Occasion
           requires
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           seeing
           God
           is
           the
           freest
           and
           most
           generous
           Benefactor
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           may
           depend
           upon
           it
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           make
           that
           good
           Use
           of
           his
           Benefits
           for
           which
           he
           designed
           them
           ;
           if
           we
           render
           him
           such
           grateful
           Returns
           for
           them
           as
           are
           truly
           delightful
           to
           him
           and
           advantageous
           to
           our selves
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           so
           far
           from
           stinting
           his
           hand
           to
           us
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           
             rejoyce
             over
             us
             to
             do
             us
             good
             ,
          
           and
           be
           as
           highly
           pleased
           to
           multiply
           his
           Benefits
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           can
           be
           to
           receive
           them
           ;
           in
           short
           the
           greatest
           Obligation
           that
           can
           be
           laid
           upon
           a
           generous
           Goodness
           ,
           such
           as
           God's
           is
           ,
           is
           to
           do
           good
           with
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           to
           fare
           well
           upon
           them
           ,
           both
           which
           a
           thankful
           Mind
           doth
           to
           the
           highest
           Degree
           ;
           and
           therefore
           such
           ,
           and
           such
           only
           ,
           are
           the
           proper
           Soil
           for
           God
           to
           sow
           his
           Benefits
           in
           .
           Here
           they
           will
           grow
           with
           vast
           Increase
           and
           Improvement
           ,
           whereas
           in
           ungrateful
           Minds
           ,
           they
           will
           either
           be
           soon
           washed
           away
           in
           a
           stupid
           Oblivion
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           soon
           wither
           away
           in
           a
           sordid
           Neglect
           of
           them
           ,
           
           or
           else
           spring
           up
           only
           into
           Weeds
           and
           Tares
           ,
           into
           Pride
           or
           Luxury
           ,
           or
           vanity
           and
           vexation
           of
           Spirit
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           an
           eternal
           Reason
           why
           we
           should
           offer
           up
           our
           Thansgiving
           to
           God
           ,
           because
           hereby
           we
           answer
           the
           great
           Ends
           for
           which
           he
           showers
           his
           Benefits
           on
           us
           ,
           and
           thereby
           lay
           a
           powerful
           Obligation
           upon
           him
           to
           continue
           and
           increase
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           IV.
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           doth
           very
           much
           promote
           and
           facilitate
           the
           Practice
           of
           Religion
           :
           For
           ,
           as
           was
           shewn
           before
           ,
           all
           hearty
           Thanksgiving
           springs
           out
           of
           a
           warm
           and
           vigorous
           Sense
           of
           Gods
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           and
           as
           that
           naturally
           flows
           into
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           so
           this
           flows
           as
           naturally
           into
           a
           free
           and
           chearful
           Obedience
           .
           The
           more
           thankful
           we
           are
           for
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           more
           sensible
           we
           shall
           still
           be
           of
           our
           Obligations
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           sensible
           we
           are
           of
           these
           ,
           the
           more
           disposed
           we
           shall
           be
           to
           gratifie
           him
           by
           our
           ready
           Obedience
           to
           him
           .
           These
           things
           follow
           as
           naturally
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           Heat
           follows
           Fire
           ,
           and
           as
           Burning
           follows
           Heat
           .
           He
           therefore
           who
           by
           frequent
           Acts
           of
           Praise
           hath
           acquired
           a
           thankful
           frame
           and
           disposition
           of
           Soul
           ,
           hath
           surmounted
           three
           parts
           in
           four
           of
           all
           the
           Fatigue
           of
           Religion
           :
           For
           what
           can
           be
           too
           hard
           for
           a
           Soul
           that
           is
           inspired
           with
           an
           active
           Sense
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           ?
           This
           will
           convert
           the
           most
           painful
           Duties
           into
           the
           most
           delightful
           Recreations
           ,
           and
           prove
           such
           an
           ever-flowing
           Fountain
           of
           Divine
           Rhetorick
           within
           us
           as
           will
           supersede
           the
           necessity
           of
           any
           other
           Motives
           and
           Arguments
           .
           How
           can
           I
           do
           
           too
           much
           ,
           cries
           the
           grateful
           Soul
           ,
           for
           so
           kind
           a
           God
           and
           so
           liberal
           a
           Benefactor
           ?
           To
           his
           boundless
           Goodness
           I
           owe
           all
           that
           I
           am
           ,
           all
           that
           I
           have
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           I
           hope
           for
           ;
           to
           him
           I
           am
           indebted
           for
           such
           stupendious
           Favours
           ,
           as
           considering
           my
           unworthiness
           of
           'em
           ,
           doth
           not
           only
           puzzle
           my
           Conceit
           ,
           but
           outreach
           my
           Wonder
           and
           Admiration
           .
           And
           can
           I
           be
           so
           base
           as
           to
           reckon
           any
           thing
           too
           much
           in
           return
           for
           such
           astonishing
           Kindnesses
           ?
           I
           can
           give
           him
           back
           nothing
           but
           what
           I
           have
           received
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           I
           should
           give
           him
           back
           my
           Life
           or
           the
           dearest
           Enjoyment
           I
           have
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           I
           should
           not
           give
           him
           the
           thousandth
           Part
           of
           what
           I
           have
           received
           .
           What
           then
           shall
           I
           render
           unto
           the
           Lord
           for
           all
           his
           Benefits
           ?
           Shall
           I
           not
           chearfully
           render
           him
           whatever
           he
           asks
           ,
           tho
           it
           were
           greatly
           to
           my
           damage
           ;
           tho
           it
           were
           to
           strip
           my self
           of
           all
           the
           Comforts
           of
           my
           Life
           ;
           to
           sacrifice
           my
           Isaac
           to
           him
           ;
           yea
           ,
           my
           own
           Life
           and
           Being
           ?
           And
           much
           more
           when
           he
           asks
           nothing
           of
           me
           but
           what
           is
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           ;
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           profective
           of
           my
           Nature
           ,
           and
           conducive
           to
           my
           eternal
           Happiness
           :
           When
           he
           only
           requires
           me
           to
           sacrifice
           my
           Lusts
           unto
           him
           ;
           which
           are
           the
           shame
           and
           scandal
           of
           my
           Nature
           ;
           to
           wash
           and
           be
           clean
           ;
           to
           deny
           all
           Ungodliness
           and
           Worldly
           Lusts
           ;
           and
           to
           live
           soberly
           ,
           and
           righteously
           ,
           and
           godly
           in
           this
           present
           World.
           O
           far
           be
           it
           from
           me
           to
           deny
           such
           a
           bountiful
           Friend
           ,
           such
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Demands
           .
           This
           is
           the
           constant
           Sense
           of
           a
           truly
           grateful
           Soul.
           And
           being
           under
           the
           Influence
           of
           such
           moving
           Oratory
           and
           Persuasion
           ,
           with
           what
           
           Chearfulness
           and
           Alacrity
           must
           she
           run
           the
           ways
           of
           God's
           Commandments
           ?
           How
           greedily
           must
           she
           catch
           at
           all
           Opportunities
           of
           serving
           him
           ?
           And
           how
           readily
           close
           with
           every
           Intimation
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           how
           contrary
           soever
           to
           the
           Inclinations
           of
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ?
           And
           instead
           of
           bogling
           at
           the
           difficulties
           of
           Religion
           ,
           O
           ,
           how
           will
           such
           a
           Soul
           rejoyce
           that
           she
           hath
           an
           opportunity
           in
           her
           Hands
           to
           express
           ,
           by
           the
           readiness
           of
           her
           Obedience
           ,
           the
           grateful
           Sense
           she
           hath
           of
           that
           Goodness
           to
           which
           she
           is
           so
           infinitely
           obliged
           ?
           Doubtless
           were
           our
           Hearts
           but
           touch'd
           with
           a
           quick
           Sense
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           would
           carry
           us
           triumphantly
           thorough
           all
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           our
           Duty
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           be
           so
           far
           for
           the
           future
           from
           complaining
           of
           the
           uneasiness
           of
           our
           Yoke
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           ready
           to
           thank
           God
           upon
           our
           Knees
           ,
           for
           putting
           such
           a
           Test
           of
           Duty
           on
           us
           whereby
           we
           might
           have
           an
           opportunity
           to
           express
           our
           Gratitude
           to
           him
           by
           the
           readiness
           of
           our
           Obedience
           .
           Seeing
           therefore
           that
           Thanksgiving
           is
           so
           great
           a
           furtherance
           to
           us
           in
           the
           course
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           if
           we
           owe
           any
           thing
           to
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           owe
           this
           to
           him
           by
           an
           eternal
           Obligation
           .
        
         
           V.
           Thanksgiving
           to
           God
           will
           render
           all
           his
           Favors
           to
           us
           more
           grateful
           and
           acceptable
           to
           our selves
           .
           All
           Benefits
           are
           greater
           or
           lesser
           to
           us
           as
           they
           stand
           higher
           or
           lower
           in
           our
           esteem
           and
           valuation
           .
           To
           enjoy
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Sun
           is
           doubtless
           in
           itself
           a
           very
           great
           Benefit
           ,
           but
           the
           commonness
           of
           it
           takes
           off
           our
           heedless
           Minds
           from
           attending
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           
           weighing
           it
           in
           the
           Balance
           of
           a
           just
           Valuation
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           which
           it
           grows
           Cheap
           in
           our
           esteem
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           no
           tast
           or
           relish
           of
           the
           Pleasure
           and
           Comfort
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           enjoy
           it
           year
           after
           year
           with
           a
           perfect
           Unconcern
           and
           Indifferency
           .
           But
           if
           after
           a
           long
           Blindness
           our
           Sight
           should
           be
           instantly
           restored
           to
           us
           ,
           or
           we
           should
           of
           a
           sudden
           be
           snatcht
           up
           into
           the
           Light
           after
           a
           tedious
           Confinement
           to
           some
           dismal
           Dungeon
           ,
           O
           with
           what
           Rapture
           should
           we
           salute
           the
           Day
           ,
           what
           Hymns
           should
           we
           sing
           to
           the
           joyful
           Light
           ?
           with
           what
           chearful
           Thoughts
           would
           it
           inspire
           our
           Breasts
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           unspeakable
           Joy
           should
           we
           survey
           that
           glorious
           Scene
           of
           things
           which
           it
           opens
           and
           discloses
           ?
           and
           yet
           the
           benefit
           of
           Light
           is
           the
           same
           to
           all
           that
           enjoy
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           those
           who
           continually
           enjoy
           it
           ,
           had
           maintained
           in
           their
           Minds
           the
           same
           just
           esteem
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           who
           are
           newly
           restored
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           would
           always
           enjoy
           it
           with
           the
           same
           Satisfaction
           :
           And
           the
           case
           is
           the
           same
           as
           to
           all
           the
           other
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           a
           great
           part
           of
           the
           Comfort
           whereof
           we
           spoil
           and
           deprive
           our selves
           ;
           for
           want
           of
           that
           grateful
           Sense
           and
           just
           Esteem
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           they
           merit
           and
           deserve
           ;
           for
           a
           thankful
           Mind
           will
           make
           the
           utmost
           of
           the
           Benefits
           it
           receives
           ,
           and
           weigh
           them
           nicely
           by
           Grains
           and
           Scruples
           ,
           and
           consider
           them
           in
           all
           their
           endearing
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           take
           into
           its
           account
           their
           most
           minute
           Appendages
           ,
           to
           inhanse
           its
           own
           value
           and
           esteem
           of
           them
           .
           And
           seeing
           it
           is
           our
           esteem
           of
           Benefits
           that
           raises
           or
           sinks
           our
           Enjoyment
           of
           
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           the
           higher
           we
           esteem
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           must
           enjoy
           them
           .
           So
           that
           while
           unthankful
           Souls
           for
           want
           of
           a
           just
           estimate
           of
           the
           Favors
           of
           God
           ,
           do
           scarce
           enjoy
           the
           Tith
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           whilst
           they
           feed
           on
           them
           are
           dissatisfied
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           most
           currish
           Animals
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           gnawing
           on
           their
           Prey
           ,
           do
           grumble
           over
           it
           ;
           those
           who
           are
           truly
           thankful
           feed
           upon
           every
           Blessing
           with
           Joy
           and
           Content
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           industrious
           Bees
           ,
           having
           sucked
           out
           all
           the
           Sweetness
           of
           the
           Flowers
           they
           live
           upon
           ,
           go
           singing
           home
           with
           it
           to
           their
           Hives
           .
           And
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           he
           who
           hath
           a
           grateful
           Sense
           and
           a
           just
           Esteem
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           to
           him
           ,
           enjoys
           with
           far
           more
           Comfort
           even
           a
           Cup
           of
           fair
           Water
           and
           a
           Brown
           Morsel
           ,
           than
           the
           fat
           ungrateful
           Glutton
           doth
           his
           studied
           and
           artificial
           Luxuries
           .
           Seeing
           therefore
           our
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Benefits
           doth
           so
           much
           heighten
           and
           improve
           our
           Enjoyment
           of
           them
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           eternally
           Reasonable
           that
           we
           should
           make
           the
           best
           of
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           this
           lays
           an
           eternal
           Obligation
           on
           us
           to
           be
           grateful
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           VI.
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Thankfulness
           to
           God
           gives
           a
           great
           support
           to
           our
           Hope
           and
           Dependence
           on
           him
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           for
           besides
           that
           ,
           the
           very
           Sense
           and
           Consciousness
           of
           the
           thankful
           Returns
           we
           have
           made
           him
           will
           encourage
           us
           to
           hope
           ,
           that
           that
           God
           who
           hath
           found
           us
           grateful
           for
           what
           we
           have
           received
           ,
           will
           account
           himself
           obliged
           in
           Generosity
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           Justice
           ,
           to
           heap
           his
           Favors
           on
           us
           more
           abundantly
           ;
           
           the
           thankful
           Reception
           of
           past
           Favors
           being
           the
           greatest
           Inducement
           to
           generous
           Benefactors
           ,
           to
           bestow
           more
           and
           greater
           for
           the
           future
           :
           besides
           this
           I
           say
           the
           very
           Recollection
           and
           Remembrance
           of
           the
           manifold
           Favors
           of
           God
           which
           we
           have
           already
           received
           ,
           and
           which
           our
           own
           grateful
           Sense
           of
           them
           ,
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           ingrave
           upon
           our
           Minds
           in
           the
           most
           durable
           Characters
           ,
           will
           prove
           a
           constant
           fund
           of
           happy
           Experience
           for
           our
           Hope
           to
           live
           upon
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           so
           that
           when
           ever
           we
           are
           reduced
           to
           strait
           and
           low
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           are
           either
           pinched
           with
           the
           want
           of
           any
           necessary
           Good
           ,
           or
           are
           ready
           to
           despond
           of
           deliverance
           from
           any
           imminent
           Evil
           ,
           the
           grateful
           Remembrance
           we
           retain
           of
           past
           Instances
           of
           Gods
           Kindness
           to
           us
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           mighty
           Incouragement
           to
           our
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           securely
           to
           depend
           upon
           him
           for
           the
           future
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             that
             delivered
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           
             David
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             paw
             of
             the
             lion
             and
             out
             of
             the
             paw
             of
             the
             bear
             ,
             he
             will
             deliver
             me
             out
             of
             the
             hand
             of
             this
             Philistian
             .
          
           Where
           you
           see
           he
           grounds
           his
           Dependence
           for
           one
           Deliverance
           ,
           upon
           his
           grateful
           Remembrance
           of
           another
           ;
           and
           indeed
           there
           is
           no
           man
           in
           the
           World
           can
           have
           that
           ample
           Experience
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           he
           who
           makes
           constant
           returns
           of
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           for
           it
           ,
           such
           a
           Man
           ,
           merely
           to
           improve
           his
           Gratitude
           ,
           will
           make
           it
           his
           Business
           curiously
           to
           animadvert
           upon
           every
           Instance
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           to
           descant
           upon
           every
           Hint
           ,
           Intimation
           ,
           and
           Circumstance
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           treasure
           up
           every
           passage
           in
           everlasting
           Remembrance
           .
           And
           seeing
           Experience
           
           is
           nothing
           but
           the
           Observation
           of
           things
           treasured
           up
           in
           the
           Memory
           ,
           he
           who
           best
           remembers
           the
           manifold
           Expressions
           of
           Gods
           Goodness
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           makes
           the
           strictest
           Observations
           upon
           them
           ,
           must
           have
           attained
           to
           the
           fullest
           and
           most
           intimate
           Experience
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           when
           all
           is
           done
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           will
           create
           in
           us
           that
           sure
           Confidence
           in
           God
           and
           firm
           Dependence
           upon
           him
           ,
           as
           our
           own
           Experience
           of
           his
           Faithfulness
           and
           Goodness
           .
           If
           I
           have
           a
           Friend
           whom
           in
           numerous
           Instances
           I
           have
           always
           found
           faithful
           ,
           and
           constant
           ,
           and
           kind
           ,
           I
           reckon
           I
           may
           rely
           upon
           him
           with
           almost
           the
           same
           Security
           as
           I
           can
           rely
           upon
           my self
           and
           when
           in
           innumerable
           Instances
           I
           have
           always
           found
           God
           my
           Friend
           ,
           my
           generous
           ,
           kind
           and
           faithful
           Friend
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           all
           these
           Instances
           of
           it
           fresh
           in
           my
           Memory
           ,
           and
           under
           my
           Observation
           ,
           this
           must
           needs
           create
           in
           me
           a
           very
           secure
           Affiance
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           carry
           up
           my
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           into
           an
           high
           Plerophory
           .
           Thus
           Gratitude
           to
           God
           begets
           in
           us
           an
           ample
           Experience
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           that
           Experience
           begets
           in
           us
           a
           firm
           Dependence
           upon
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           it
           be
           eternally
           reasonable
           that
           we
           should
           securely
           rely
           upon
           God
           ,
           by
           whose
           Power
           and
           Goodness
           we
           are
           supported
           in
           Being
           every
           moment
           of
           our
           Existence
           ;
           it
           is
           upon
           this
           account
           also
           eternally
           reasonable
           that
           we
           should
           offer
           up
           our
           Thanksgivings
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           all
           therefore
           ,
           seeing
           our
           Obligations
           to
           this
           Duty
           are
           so
           great
           and
           many
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           persuaded
           to
           comply
           with
           them
           in
           our
           Practice
           .
           Certainly
           
           never
           were
           any
           People
           more
           importunately
           invited
           hereunto
           than
           we
           are
           at
           this
           time
           .
           It
           is
           not
           long
           since
           we
           were
           threatned
           with
           a
           Forein
           Invasion
           ,
           and
           had
           too
           much
           cause
           to
           apprehend
           the
           Landing
           of
           a
           formidable
           Enemy
           on
           our
           Shoars
           ;
           an
           Enemy
           that
           by
           a
           thousand
           Barbarities
           ,
           hath
           proclaimed
           himself
           an
           implacable
           Prosecutor
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           wheresoever
           he
           goes
           carries
           Ruin
           and
           Destruction
           along
           with
           him
           .
           But
           behold
           all
           of
           a
           sudden
           the
           melancholly
           Scene
           is
           changed
           ,
           and
           our
           dark
           Prospect
           is
           cleared
           up
           into
           a
           glorious
           Vision
           ;
           for
           by
           a
           wonderful
           Interposure
           of
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           only
           delivered
           from
           the
           hands
           of
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           our
           Enemies
           are
           delivered
           into
           ours
           ;
           their
           Naval
           Force
           in
           which
           they
           so
           much
           gloried
           ,
           and
           upon
           which
           their
           whole
           Success
           depended
           ,
           being
           ,
           by
           the
           miraculous
           Blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           good
           Conduct
           and
           Bravery
           of
           ours
           ,
           scattered
           and
           broken
           in
           a
           few
           Hours
           ,
           and
           we
           not
           only
           preserved
           ,
           but
           crowned
           with
           one
           of
           the
           most
           glorious
           and
           signal
           Victories
           that
           ever
           the
           Sea
           beheld
           ;
           which
           considering
           our
           Circumstances
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           other
           Trench
           but
           the
           Ocean
           ,
           no
           other
           Wall
           but
           our
           Navy
           round
           about
           us
           ,
           is
           certainly
           one
           of
           the
           most
           remarkable
           Instances
           of
           God's
           watchful
           Providence
           over
           us
           for
           good
           ,
           that
           even
           our
           own
           Hearts
           could
           have
           wished
           for
           :
           for
           how
           much
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           hath
           concerned
           it self
           in
           this
           whole
           Affair
           ,
           is
           so
           remarkably
           evident
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           but
           discern
           it
           unless
           we
           wilfully
           shut
           our
           own
           Eyes
           .
           For
           what
           a
           strange
           Concurrence
           was
           
           there
           of
           Events
           that
           are
           only
           in
           the
           Disposal
           of
           God
           ,
           
             the
             Stars
             in
             their
             Courses
             fought
             against
             Cicera
          
           ;
           the
           Winds
           and
           Storms
           for
           several
           Weeks
           were
           armed
           against
           one
           part
           of
           their
           Navy
           ,
           by
           which
           some
           were
           lost
           ,
           others
           disabled
           ,
           and
           all
           detained
           from
           joyning
           with
           the
           other
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           by
           contrary
           Winds
           was
           also
           detained
           from
           Ingaging
           us
           ,
           till
           such
           time
           as
           our
           whole
           Force
           was
           united
           ,
           and
           then
           God
           gave
           a
           Gale
           that
           blew
           them
           on
           to
           their
           own
           Destruction
           .
           To
           all
           which
           is
           to
           be
           added
           ,
           another
           most
           considerable
           Instances
           of
           Gods
           good
           Providence
           towards
           us
           ,
           viz.
           that
           a
           wary
           Enemy
           ,
           who
           always
           acts
           with
           the
           greatest
           Caution
           and
           most
           sagacious
           Foresight
           ,
           and
           who
           never
           yet
           fought
           without
           some
           considerable
           Advantage
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           stupendiously
           infatuated
           as
           to
           give
           us
           close
           Battle
           with
           a
           Strength
           so
           much
           inferiour
           to
           ours
           These
           are
           all
           
             the
             Lords
             doings
          
           ,
           and
           they
           ought
           
             to
             be
             marvellous
             in
             our
             Eyes
          
           ;
           to
           excite
           our
           Gratitude
           and
           unite
           our
           Hearts
           and
           Lips
           in
           Songs
           of
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           hereby
           we
           may
           ingage
           our
           Merciful
           God
           still
           to
           
             rejoice
             over
             us
             to
             do
             us
             good
             ,
          
           and
           continue
           to
           bless
           their
           Majesties
           Arms
           with
           Glory
           and
           Success
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           pursuance
           of
           this
           excellent
           Duty
           ,
           let
           us
           all
           be
           perswaded
           frequently
           to
           retire
           from
           our
           worldly
           Occasions
           into
           our
           own
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           there
           to
           recollect
           the
           manifold
           Favors
           of
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           spread
           them
           before
           our
           Eyes
           in
           their
           full
           breadth
           ,
           and
           length
           ,
           and
           depth
           ,
           to
           turn
           them
           up
           and
           down
           upon
           our
           Thoughts
           and
           survey
           them
           in
           all
           their
           Parts
           and
           
           Proportions
           ,
           till
           by
           a
           thorough
           view
           and
           consideration
           of
           their
           indearing
           Features
           and
           Lineaments
           our
           Hearts
           grow
           warm
           with
           a
           grateful
           Sense
           of
           'em
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           pour
           out
           our
           Souls
           to
           God
           in
           Praises
           and
           Thanksgivings
           ;
           by
           the
           constant
           Practice
           of
           which
           we
           shall
           by
           degrees
           acquire
           a
           thankful
           frame
           and
           disposition
           of
           Soul.
           And
           as
           we
           grow
           on
           and
           improve
           in
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           ,
           we
           shall
           feel
           so
           much
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           and
           Sweetness
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           need
           no
           other
           Motive
           than
           that
           to
           oblige
           us
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           Experience
           will
           convince
           us
           of
           a
           Truth
           ;
           which
           now
           perhaps
           seems
           a
           wild
           Paradox
           to
           us
           ,
           viz.
           That
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           Gods
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           to
           Meditate
           on
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           admire
           his
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           to
           celebrate
           his
           Praises
           ,
           is
           Heaven
           itself
           ,
           the
           Life
           of
           Angels
           ,
           the
           Quintessence
           of
           all
           Joy
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           the
           supreme
           Felicity
           of
           reasonable
           Beings
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           assist
           your
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           your
           Minds
           to
           this
           great
           and
           blessed
           Work
           ,
           I
           shall
           briefly
           propose
           to
           your
           Meditations
           a
           few
           grateful
           Considerations
           concerning
           the
           Divine
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           so
           conclude
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Consider
           the
           vast
           extent
           of
           God's
           Benefits
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Number
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Their
           stupendious
           Greatness
           as
           ,
           to
           the
           Degree
           and
           Value
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           generous
           Freeness
           of
           'em
           on
           God's
           Part.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           great
           Immerit
           and
           Undeservedness
           of
           'em
           on
           ours
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           condescending
           Manner
           of
           his
           bestowing
           'em
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           Consider
           the
           vast
           extent
           of
           God's
           Benefits
           towards
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Number
           of
           'em
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           vastly
           great
           that
           we
           can
           no
           more
           count
           'em
           than
           we
           can
           the
           Motes
           in
           the
           Air
           or
           the
           Sands
           on
           the
           Sea-shoar
           :
           all
           that
           we
           can
           do
           is
           to
           reduce
           'em
           under
           such
           Kinds
           and
           Orders
           as
           the
           Astronomers
           do
           the
           Stars
           under
           such
           Constellations
           ;
           but
           to
           count
           'em
           singly
           one
           by
           one
           is
           a
           Task
           exceeds
           all
           Arithmetick
           .
           In
           general
           ,
           for
           every
           thing
           we
           are
           ,
           for
           every
           thing
           we
           have
           or
           ever
           have
           had
           or
           shall
           have
           ,
           we
           are
           indebted
           to
           his
           Bounty
           .
           That
           we
           are
           Men
           and
           not
           Worms
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           Stones
           or
           clods
           of
           Earth
           ,
           utterly
           insensible
           of
           all
           Good
           ,
           and
           incapable
           of
           all
           Felicity
           ;
           that
           we
           are
           inspired
           with
           immortal
           Minds
           endowed
           with
           vast
           capacities
           of
           Happiness
           ;
           that
           we
           have
           so
           many
           sensible
           Organs
           capable
           of
           relishing
           such
           a
           vast
           variety
           of
           Pleasures
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           have
           so
           many
           sutable
           Pleasures
           round
           about
           us
           to
           treat
           and
           entertain
           'em
           ;
           that
           we
           have
           Life
           and
           Motion
           ,
           Health
           and
           Vigour
           ,
           Sense
           and
           Perception
           ,
           Reason
           and
           Understanding
           to
           guide
           and
           govern
           'em
           ,
           is
           wholly
           to
           be
           ascribed
           to
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           which
           penetrates
           to
           the
           very
           Root
           and
           Center
           of
           our
           Beings
           .
           We
           move
           upon
           his
           Earth
           ,
           and
           do
           breath
           upon
           his
           Air
           ;
           we
           drink
           of
           his
           Springs
           ,
           and
           are
           fed
           from
           his
           Granaries
           ,
           and
           clothed
           from
           his
           Wardrobe
           ;
           and
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           every
           good
           Thing
           we
           possess
           that
           is
           either
           necessary
           for
           our
           Subsistence
           ,
           or
           convenient
           for
           our
           Use
           ,
           or
           pleasant
           for
           our
           Enjoyment
           ,
           we
           derive
           from
           his
           inexhaustible
           Bounty
           ;
           which
           daily
           encompasses
           us
           round
           
           about
           like
           many
           Fortunate
           Islands
           with
           an
           Ocean
           of
           Blessings
           ,
           the
           single
           drops
           whereof
           (
           tho
           we
           are
           every
           moment
           of
           our
           Lives
           sensibly
           refreshed
           with
           one
           or
           other
           of
           'em
           )
           we
           can
           no
           more
           recount
           than
           the
           endless
           Moments
           of
           Eternity
           .
           But
           if
           to
           these
           numberless
           Benefits
           of
           God
           which
           we
           every
           day
           taste
           ,
           and
           do
           sensibly
           relish
           and
           enjoy
           ,
           we
           add
           that
           numberless
           more
           of
           which
           we
           are
           not
           sensible
           ,
           because
           they
           run
           under
           Ground
           in
           invisible
           Channels
           ,
           so
           that
           we
           neither
           see
           nor
           taste
           'em
           ,
           tho
           they
           do
           us
           a
           world
           of
           good
           we
           know
           not
           how
           ,
           and
           insensibly
           preserve
           us
           from
           a
           world
           of
           Evils
           :
           We
           may
           well
           cry
           out
           with
           the
           Prophet
           David
           ,
           Psalm
           139.17
           ,
           18.
           
           God!
           i.
           e.
           thy
           kind
           and
           merciful
           Thoughts
           .
           
             How
             great
             is
             the
             sum
             of
             '
             em
             !
             If
             I
             should
             count
             'em
             they
             are
             more
             in
             number
             than
             the
             sand
             .
             Tho
             when
             I
             awake
             I
             am
             still
             with
             thee
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           recounting
           thy
           Favour
           from
           Morning
           to
           Night
           ,
           but
           after
           all
           can
           see
           no
           end
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Consider
           the
           stupendious
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Degree
           and
           Value
           of
           '
           em
           .
           There
           are
           indeed
           various
           Degrees
           of
           Worth
           in
           the
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           the
           cheapest
           of
           'em
           are
           those
           which
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           hath
           prepared
           to
           serve
           our
           present
           Necessities
           ,
           Conveniencies
           ,
           and
           Pleasures
           ;
           and
           yet
           a
           great
           part
           of
           these
           are
           of
           such
           an
           intrinsick
           Worth
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           plenty
           and
           commonness
           of
           'em
           did
           not
           depress
           their
           value
           ,
           we
           should
           esteem
           'em
           inestimable
           Treasures
           .
           How
           comfortable
           is
           the
           appearance
           of
           Day
           after
           the
           long
           Nights
           under
           the
           Northern
           
           Pole
           ?
           What
           precious
           Things
           are
           a
           Cup
           of
           fair
           Water
           or
           a
           Morsel
           of
           brown
           Bread
           to
           such
           as
           are
           pinched
           with
           Hunger
           or
           parched
           with
           Drought
           ?
           And
           did
           we
           but
           value
           the
           smallest
           Benefits
           of
           God
           ,
           while
           we
           enjoy
           'em
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           prices
           we
           our selves
           set
           upon
           'em
           when
           we
           want
           'em
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           fear'd
           we
           should
           esteem
           'em
           higher
           than
           we
           do
           now
           the
           greatest
           .
           But
           as
           for
           those
           Benefits
           of
           God
           which
           concern
           our
           better
           Part
           and
           eternal
           Interest
           ,
           they
           are
           such
           as
           only
           an
           infinite
           Goodness
           can
           bestow
           ;
           for
           what
           Goodness
           less
           than
           Infinite
           could
           have
           prepared
           for
           us
           a
           Heaven
           of
           immortal
           Joys
           ;
           Joys
           which
           the
           holy
           Angels
           ,
           yea
           ,
           which
           God
           him self
           lives
           upon
           ?
           What
           lesser
           Goodness
           could
           send
           down
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           to
           us
           from
           the
           Bosom
           of
           his
           Father
           to
           assume
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           therein
           to
           make
           Expiation
           for
           our
           Sins
           ;
           to
           Consecrate
           for
           us
           a
           new
           and
           living
           Way
           through
           the
           Veil
           of
           his
           own
           Flesh
           into
           the
           heavenly
           Sanctuary
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           the
           Footsteps
           of
           his
           Example
           ,
           to
           guide
           and
           direct
           us
           thither
           .
           What
           less
           than
           the
           same
           Goodness
           could
           send
           down
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           to
           us
           to
           instruct
           and
           teach
           us
           ,
           to
           perswade
           and
           admonish
           us
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           cultivate
           our
           rank
           and
           degenerous
           Natures
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           is
           such
           strong
           aversions
           to
           all
           the
           heavenly
           Enjoyments
           ;
           and
           to
           render
           us
           fit
           for
           the
           glorious
           Inheritance
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           Light
           ?
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           what
           less
           than
           an
           infinite
           Goodness
           could
           thus
           industriously
           employ
           the
           whole
           Sacred
           Trinity
           in
           contriving
           ,
           preparing
           ,
           and
           accomplishing
           our
           everlasting
           Happiness
           ,
           
           by
           such
           amazing
           ,
           such
           refined
           and
           expressive
           Methods
           of
           Mercy
           ?
           For
           verily
           when
           I
           set
           my self
           to
           consider
           the
           mighty
           Things
           which
           God
           hath
           done
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           ,
           I
           seem
           to
           be
           looking
           down
           from
           some
           stupendious
           Precipice
           ,
           whose
           heighth
           fills
           me
           with
           a
           sacred
           horror
           ,
           that
           turns
           my
           Head
           ,
           confounds
           my
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           almost
           oversets
           my
           Reason
           ,
           so
           that
           I
           am
           forc'd
           to
           cry
           out
           sometimes
           with
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             what
             is
             man
             that
             thou
             art
             mindfull
             of
             him
             ,
             or
             the
             Son
             of
             man
             that
             thou
             visitest
             him
          
           with
           such
           astonishing
           favour
           ?
           And
           sometimes
           with
           S.
           Paul
           with
           a
           little
           more
           variation
           ,
           
             O
             the
             depth
             of
             the
             riches
             ,
             of
             the
             goodness
             and
             bounty
             of
             God!
             how
             unsearchable
             are
             his
             designs
             of
             mercy
             ,
             and
             his
             ways
             of
             beneficence
             past
             finding
             out
          
           !
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Consider
           the
           generous
           Freedom
           of
           the
           Divine
           Benefits
           on
           God's
           part
           .
           Even
           the
           noblest
           Benefactors
           among
           Men
           have
           great
           intermixtures
           of
           selfishness
           with
           their
           Beneficence
           ;
           for
           either
           they
           gratifie
           their
           own
           Vanity
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           affectation
           of
           popular
           Applause
           ,
           or
           they
           rid
           themselves
           of
           a
           troublesom
           Importunity
           ,
           or
           ease
           the
           yearning
           Bowels
           of
           their
           own
           Compassion
           ,
           or
           hope
           to
           secure
           themselves
           a
           firm
           and
           lasting
           Interest
           in
           those
           they
           do
           good
           to
           :
           and
           even
           those
           who
           act
           from
           the
           nobler
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           do
           good
           in
           submission
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           conformity
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           utterly
           divested
           of
           these
           selfish
           Regards
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           many
           times
           intermingle
           'em
           even
           with
           their
           purest
           Intentions
           ,
           and
           even
           whilst
           they
           act
           upon
           those
           Religious
           Principles
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           along
           in
           prospect
           of
           their
           own
           everlasting
           Happiness
           .
           Thus
           we
           poor
           Creatures
           even
           in
           our
           most
           pious
           and
           generous
           
           Beneficences
           are
           by
           the
           sense
           of
           our
           own
           Want
           and
           Indigency
           continually
           biassed
           towards
           our
           own
           Interest
           either
           temporal
           or
           eternal
           or
           both
           .
           But
           in
           God
           who
           wants
           nothing
           ,
           but
           is
           Self-sufficient
           and
           infinitely
           happy
           in
           his
           own
           infinite
           Perfections
           ,
           Matters
           are
           far
           otherwise
           ;
           he
           seeks
           nothing
           without
           himself
           ,
           because
           he
           wants
           nothing
           ,
           and
           so
           can
           have
           no
           Self-End
           in
           any
           Action
           
             ad
             extra
          
           ;
           from
           all
           the
           Benefits
           that
           he
           heaps
           upon
           us
           he
           can
           reap
           no
           other
           advantage
           but
           only
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           doing
           Good
           ,
           and
           the
           Gratification
           of
           the
           infinite
           Generosity
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           So
           that
           his
           own
           Action
           is
           his
           End
           ,
           and
           he
           doth
           good
           meerly
           for
           doing
           goods
           Sake
           .
           He
           is
           neither
           compell'd
           to
           it
           by
           Necessity
           ,
           nor
           oblig'd
           to
           it
           by
           any
           other
           Law
           but
           that
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           He
           is
           neither
           wearied
           nor
           worried
           into
           it
           either
           by
           our
           Importunity
           ,
           or
           by
           any
           painful
           Sense
           he
           hath
           of
           our
           Misery
           .
           He
           is
           neither
           flattered
           by
           our
           Promises
           nor
           indeared
           by
           our
           Deserts
           ,
           nor
           bribed
           by
           any
           Prospect
           he
           hath
           of
           future
           Advantage
           to
           himself
           ,
           but
           being
           absolute
           Master
           of
           his
           own
           Actions
           ,
           and
           sole
           Counsellour
           and
           Lawgiver
           to
           himself
           ;
           being
           the
           most
           perfectly
           independent
           and
           all
           sufficient
           Source
           of
           his
           own
           Happiness
           ;
           beyond
           which
           he
           cannot
           so
           much
           as
           desire
           ,
           or
           expect
           ,
           or
           hope
           ,
           being
           infallibly
           secure
           ,
           that
           nothing
           which
           either
           we
           or
           any
           other
           Creature
           can
           do
           either
           for
           or
           against
           him
           can
           either
           add
           to
           or
           subtract
           from
           his
           essential
           Glory
           and
           Beatitude
           ;
           being
           ,
           all
           this
           I
           say
           ,
           and
           a
           thousand
           Times
           more
           than
           all
           this
           ,
           from
           a
           most
           uninterested
           Bounty
           and
           
           pure
           good
           Will
           and
           generosity
           of
           Nature
           ;
           he
           delights
           to
           do
           us
           Good
           ,
           heaps
           Benefit
           after
           Benefit
           upon
           us
           ,
           for
           no
           other
           end
           but
           to
           benefit
           us
           ,
           and
           in
           plentiful
           Showers
           is
           continually
           pouring
           down
           his
           Graces
           and
           Favors
           upon
           us
           ,
           purely
           that
           he
           may
           profit
           and
           please
           us
           ,
           and
           if
           possible
           content
           and
           satisfie
           us
           ,
           and
           render
           us
           happy
           both
           here
           and
           hereafter
           .
           This
           is
           all
           the
           return
           he
           expects
           for
           his
           Benefits
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           can
           but
           do
           us
           good
           by
           them
           he
           hath
           his
           end
           ,
           and
           is
           gratified
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           his
           Expectations
           .
           O
           the
           boundless
           Freedom
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           without
           any
           other
           aim
           but
           to
           do
           us
           good
           ,
           le
           ts
           forth
           itself
           in
           such
           plentiful
           Effusions
           .
           How
           excellent
           is
           thy
           loving
           Kindness
           ,
           O
           Lord
           ,
           how
           indearing
           are
           thy
           Favors
           !
           who
           can
           rehearse
           thy
           noble
           Acts
           !
           who
           can
           shew
           forth
           all
           thy
           Praise
           !
           who
           with
           such
           an
           unparallell'd
           frankness
           and
           generosity
           of
           Soul
           art
           continually
           multiplying
           thy
           Benefits
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Consider
           the
           great
           Immerit
           and
           Undeservedness
           of
           Gods
           Benefits
           on
           our
           parts
           ,
           considering
           the
           number
           and
           greatness
           of
           Gods
           Mercies
           and
           Favors
           to
           us
           .
           A
           Stranger
           to
           Mankind
           would
           be
           prone
           to
           imagine
           ,
           that
           by
           our
           extraordinary
           Services
           ,
           we
           had
           laid
           some
           vast
           Obligation
           upon
           God
           ,
           for
           which
           he
           esteemed
           himself
           so
           deeply
           indebted
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           nothing
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           an
           infinite
           Goodness
           ,
           could
           be
           too
           great
           a
           repayment
           ;
           but
           God
           knows
           ,
           the
           Case
           is
           far
           otherwise
           ,
           for
           instead
           of
           obliging
           him
           to
           be
           kind
           to
           us
           ,
           we
           have
           so
           ungratefully
           requited
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           and
           our
           Carriage
           towards
           him
           hath
           been
           so
           froward
           
           and
           perverse
           under
           the
           most
           indearing
           expressions
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           were
           he
           not
           as
           infinite
           in
           Patience
           as
           he
           is
           in
           Justice
           and
           Power
           ,
           we
           had
           long
           since
           provoked
           him
           to
           extirpate
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           us
           from
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           to
           consign
           us
           our
           Portion
           with
           our
           fellow-Rebels
           ,
           the
           Devils
           ,
           in
           everlasting
           Horror
           and
           Despair
           :
           for
           instead
           of
           acknowledging
           his
           manifold
           Favors
           by
           our
           dutiful
           Behaviour
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           most
           acceptable
           return
           we
           can
           make
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           had
           been
           as
           much
           our
           care
           to
           affront
           and
           provoke
           him
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           his
           to
           oblige
           us
           by
           perpetual
           Beneficence
           .
           We
           treat
           our
           own
           base
           Lusts
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           only
           things
           he
           hateth
           ,
           with
           his
           Mercies
           and
           Favors
           ;
           we
           give
           his
           Bread
           to
           our
           Glutrony
           ,
           his
           Drink
           to
           our
           Intemperance
           ,
           his
           Cloths
           to
           our
           Pride
           and
           Vanity
           ;
           he
           lends
           us
           Breath
           and
           we
           blaspheme
           him
           with
           it
           ,
           he
           inspires
           us
           with
           Wit
           and
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           we
           expose
           and
           ridicule
           him
           with
           it
           ;
           he
           gives
           us
           Health
           and
           Strength
           and
           we
           employ
           it
           against
           him
           in
           Wantonness
           and
           Luxury
           .
           And
           thus
           we
           basely
           sacrifice
           his
           Favors
           to
           the
           Devil
           ;
           and
           tho
           we
           do
           not
           all
           of
           us
           thus
           openly
           outrage
           him
           with
           his
           own
           Benefits
           ,
           yet
           how
           few
           are
           there
           that
           employ
           'em
           to
           those
           good
           Ends
           and
           Purposes
           for
           which
           he
           designs
           and
           bestows
           '
           em
           ?
           How
           little
           good
           do
           we
           with
           'em
           to
           others
           ,
           And
           how
           little
           the
           better
           are
           we
           for
           'em
           our selves
           ?
           How
           cold
           and
           indifferent
           are
           we
           upon
           the
           Receipt
           of
           '
           em
           ?
           How
           slothful
           in
           the
           Improvement
           of
           '
           em
           ?
           How
           selfish
           in
           the
           Use
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           '
           em
           ?
           And
           what
           lame
           and
           wretched
           returns
           do
           we
           commonly
           
           make
           of
           '
           em
           ?
           And
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           ,
           O
           wonder
           of
           Goodness
           !
           God
           is
           not
           at
           all
           a
           weary
           of
           doing
           good
           to
           us
           ;
           but
           doth
           not
           only
           still
           continue
           to
           us
           his
           common
           and
           standing
           Benefits
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           Light
           and
           Heat
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           the
           Fruits
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           the
           Comforts
           of
           the
           Elements
           ,
           together
           with
           a
           strong
           ,
           and
           healthful
           ,
           and
           vigorous
           Capacity
           of
           Enjoying
           'em
           ,
           but
           also
           those
           peculiar
           Favours
           which
           respect
           our
           everlasting
           well-Being
           ,
           viz.
           The
           Instructions
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           Refreshments
           of
           his
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           the
           Assistances
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ;
           which
           by
           a
           Thousand
           invisible
           Arts
           and
           Methods
           of
           Kindness
           which
           we
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           ,
           but
           rather
           resist
           and
           oppose
           ,
           doth
           still
           drive
           on
           the
           great
           Design
           of
           making
           us
           everlastingly
           Happy
           ;
           the
           consideration
           whereof
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           any
           spark
           of
           Ingenuity
           in
           us
           ,
           cannot
           but
           inflame
           our
           Souls
           with
           Gratitude
           and
           Praise
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           and
           Lastly
           ,
           Consider
           the
           condescending
           Manner
           of
           God's
           bestowing
           his
           Benefits
           upon
           us
           :
           For
           tho
           it
           be
           infinite
           Condescension
           in
           him
           to
           think
           of
           us
           ,
           who
           are
           placed
           so
           far
           beneath
           his
           Thoughts
           ,
           who
           are
           but
           Worms
           crawling
           under
           his
           Feet
           ,
           and
           whom
           he
           can
           crush
           into
           nothing
           at
           his
           Pleasure
           ;
           tho
           he
           Dwells
           on
           high
           ,
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           Truly
           and
           Emphatically
           expresses
           it
           ,
           Infinitely
           Blessed
           in
           his
           own
           native
           Glories
           and
           Perfections
           ,
           and
           is
           an
           All
           sufficient
           Prospect
           and
           Entertainment
           to
           himself
           ;
           yet
           he
           not
           only
           
             humbles
             himself
             to
             behold
             the
             things
             that
             are
             done
             in
             Heaven
             and
             earth
             ,
          
           but
           also
           humbles
           himself
           to
           behold
           even
           us
           ,
           to
           provide
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           as
           much
           
           care
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           if
           our
           Concerns
           were
           his
           own
           ;
           nay
           he
           humbles
           himself
           so
           far
           as
           to
           treat
           as
           our
           Friend
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           stood
           upon
           the
           same
           level
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           espouses
           our
           Interest
           as
           if
           it
           were
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           he
           could
           not
           be
           Happy
           without
           our
           being
           so
           ;
           yea
           farther
           yet
           ,
           he
           treats
           us
           as
           if
           we
           were
           his
           Superiours
           ;
           places
           us
           upon
           the
           Throne
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           and
           himself
           at
           the
           Footstool
           ,
           and
           intreats
           and
           supplicates
           to
           admit
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           accept
           of
           his
           Favours
           ;
           he
           sends
           Embassadours
           of
           Peace
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           sue
           for
           our
           Amity
           ,
           and
           to
           
             beseech
             us
             to
             be
             reconciled
             to
             him
             .
          
           O
           blessed
           God
           ,
           what
           injury
           didst
           thou
           ever
           do
           us
           that
           thou
           shouldest
           address
           to
           us
           for
           Reconciliation
           !
           that
           we
           should
           sue
           to
           thee
           indeed
           ,
           who
           have
           injured
           and
           affronted
           thee
           beyond
           the
           Patience
           of
           any
           but
           a
           God
           to
           endure
           ,
           is
           doubtless
           the
           most
           just
           and
           reasonable
           Thing
           in
           the
           World
           :
           But
           that
           thou
           shouldest
           sue
           to
           us
           who
           never
           didst
           any
           thing
           but
           Goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           who
           hast
           obliged
           us
           beyond
           all
           our
           Capacities
           of
           repaying
           thee
           ,
           who
           hast
           been
           kind
           to
           us
           even
           to
           Wonder
           and
           Astonishment
           :
           and
           this
           not
           only
           without
           our
           desert
           ,
           but
           after
           our
           highest
           Affronts
           ,
           and
           notwithstanding
           our
           most
           disingenuous
           Provocations
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           O
           blessed
           God
           ,
           what
           amazing
           Condescensions
           are
           these
           !
           For
           when
           after
           all
           his
           kind
           Attempts
           to
           prevail
           upon
           our
           Obstinacy
           ,
           gratefully
           to
           accept
           his
           Favours
           ,
           and
           by
           so
           doing
           to
           improve
           'em
           to
           our
           own
           everlasting
           Advantage
           ;
           he
           finds
           we
           are
           incurably
           determined
           to
           the
           contrary
           ;
           with
           what
           passionate
           Regrets
           ,
           and
           Yernings
           ,
           and
           turning
           of
           Bowels
           ,
           doth
           he
           discharge
           us
           
           from
           his
           paternal
           Care
           ,
           and
           abandon
           us
           to
           the
           dire
           Effects
           of
           our
           own
           Folly
           ?
           Such
           wondrous
           Stoops
           of
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           would
           tempt
           one
           to
           think
           ,
           and
           we
           not
           demonstrably
           know
           the
           contrary
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           as
           much
           need
           of
           us
           as
           we
           have
           of
           his
           Favours
           ,
           did
           that
           it
           is
           as
           much
           for
           his
           good
           that
           we
           should
           thankfully
           receive
           'em
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           for
           ours
           that
           he
           should
           generously
           bestow
           '
           em
           .
           But
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           we
           do
           most
           certainly
           know
           ,
           if
           we
           know
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           it
           can
           be
           nothing
           but
           pure
           Goodness
           and
           Generosity
           of
           Nature
           that
           obliges
           and
           determins
           him
           to
           these
           amazing
           Condescensions
           .
           Which
           if
           we
           weigh
           in
           the
           balance
           of
           a
           just
           Consideration
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           foregoing
           Motives
           ,
           cannot
           fail
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           any
           spark
           either
           of
           Modesty
           ,
           Ingenuity
           ,
           or
           even
           Humanity
           remaining
           in
           us
           ,
           to
           determin
           us
           to
           follow
           the
           excellent
           Advice
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             thanksgiving
             ,
             and
             pay
             thy
             vows
             unto
             the
             most
             high
             .
          
           Now
           to
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           God
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           God
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           be
           all
           Honour
           and
           Glory
           ,
           Majesty
           and
           Dominion
           ,
           from
           this
           time
           forth
           and
           for
           evermore
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           
             THere
             is
             lately
             Printed
             for
          
           Walter
           Kettilby
           ,
           
             a
             Book
             entituled
          
           Mr.
           Milbourn's
           Mysteries
           in
           Religion
           Vindicated
           ;
           or
           the
           Filiation
           ,
           Deity
           ,
           and
           Satisfaction
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           asserted
           against
           Socinians
           and
           others
           ,
           with
           occasional
           Reflections
           on
           several
           late
           Pamphlets
           .
           8º