That we, being many, are one bread and one body a, and that though there are diversities of gifts and administrations, and operations, yet there is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God, which worketh all in all b. We thank thee, that all the children of God which were scattered abroad c, are united in him who is the head of the body, the church d; so they are all our brethren and companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christe. (24.) For the prospect and hope of eternal life, when time shall be no more. We thank thee for the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us g. That having here no continuing city h, we are encouraged to seek the better country, that is the heavenly, the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God i. That we are in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, hath promised k; and that all true believers, through grace have eternal life abiding in them l. 2dly. We must give God thanks for the spiritual mercies bestowed upon us in particular, especially if we are called with an effectual call, and have a good work of grace begun in us. (1.) We must bless God for the striving of his Spirit with us, and the admonitions and checks of our own consciences. We bless thee that thou hast not given us over to a reprobate mind m, that our consciences are not seared, that thou hast not said concerning us n, They are joined to idols, let them alone a; but that thy Spirit is yet striving with us b. We thank thee for the work of the law written in our hearts, our own consciences also bearing witness, and our own thoughts between themselves accusing or excusing one another c. (2.) We must bless God if there be a saving change wrought in us by his blessed Spirit. And hath God by his grace translated us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son d? Hath he called us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ e, and made us nigh by his blood, who by nature were afar off g? Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name we give glory h. We give thanks to God always for those to whom the gospel is come, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance i. Thou hast loved us with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving kindness thou hast drawn usk, 'drawn us with the cords of a man, and the bands of love l. When the strong man armed kept his palace in our hearts, and his goods were in peace, it was a stronger than he that came upon him, and took from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divided the spoil m. (3.) We must give thanks for the remission of our sins, and the peace of our consciences. We bless thee for the redemption we have through Christ's blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of thy grace, wherein thou hast abounded towards us n. That thou hast forgiven all our iniquities, and healed all our diseases o; and hast in love to our souls delivered a Hos. iv. 17. b Gen. vi. 3. e 1 Cor. i. 9. i 1 Thess. 1, 2. 5. c Rom. ii. 15. them from the pit of corruption, for thou hast cast all our sins behind thy back a. When thou broughtest us into the wilderness, yet there thou spakest comfortably to us, and gavest us our vineyards from thence; and the valley of Achor for a door of hope b. (4.) For the powerful influences of the divine grace to sanctify and preserve us, to prevent our falling into sin, and to strengthen us in doing our duty. Thou hast not quenched the smoking flax, nor broke the bruised reed c, nor despised the day of small things d, but having obtained help of God, we continue hitherto e. In the day when we cried, thou answeredst us, and hast strengthened us with strength in our souls g. We have been continually with thee, thou hast holden us by the right hand, when our feet were almost gone, and our steps had well nigh slipt h. We have reason never to forget thy precepts, for by them thou hast quickened us; and unless thy law had been our delight, we should many a time have perished in our affliction; for thy statutes have been our songs in the house of our pilgrimage i. Unless the Lord had been our help, our souls had almost dwelt in silence; but when we said, Our foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, held us up: and in the multitude of our thoughts within us, thy comforts have been the delight of our souls k. (5.) For sweet communion with God in holy ordinances, and the communications of his favour. We have been abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and thou hast made us drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life, in thy light we shall see light 7. a Isa. xxxviii. 17. b Hos. ii. 14, 15. e Matt. xii. 20. Thou hast brought us to thy holy mountain, and made us joyful in thy house of prayera, and we found it good for us to draw near to Godb. We have had reason to say, That a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, and that it is better to be doorkeepers in the house of our God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness c; for the Lord God is a sun and shield, he will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. We have sitten down under thy shadow with delight, and thy fruit has been sweet unto our taste; thou hast brought us into the banqueting house, and thy banner over us has been love d. (6.) For gracious answers to our prayers. We have reason to love thee, O Lord, because thou hast heard the voice of our supplications, and because thou hast inclined thine ear unto us; we will therefore call upon thee as long as we live e. Out of the depths have we called unto thee, O Lord g, and thou hast heard our vows, and given us the heritage of those that fear thy name h. Nay, before we have called, thou hast answered, and while we have been yet speaking, thou hast heard and hast said i, Here I amk, and hast been nigh unto us in that which we call unto thee forl. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, and cause thine ear to hearm. Blessed be God, who hath not turned away our prayer, or his mercy from us n; for we have prayed, and have gone away, and our countenance has been no more sad o. a Isa. lvi. 7. b Psal. lxxii. 28. e Psal. cxvi. 1, 2. c Ps. lxxxiv. 10-12. k Isa. lviii. 9. (7.) For support under our afflictions, and spiritual benefit and advantage by them. Thou hast comforted us in all our tribulation, hast considered our trouble a, and known our souls in adversity, and showed us thy marvellous kindness, as in a strong city b. When afflictions have abounded, consolations have much more abounded c. Though no affliction for the present hath been joyous but grievous, nevertheless, afterwards it has yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness; and hath proved to be for our profit, that we might be partakers of thy holiness d. We have had reason to say that it was good for us we were afflicted, that we might learn thy commandments; for before we were afflicted we went astray, but afterwards have kept thy worde. It has been but for a season, and when there was need, that we were in heaviness, through manifold temptations; and we beg that all the trials of our faith may be found unto praise, and honour and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen we love, in whom, though we now see him not, yet believing, we rejoice, with joy unspeakable, and full of glory; are longing to receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls g. (8.) For the performance of God's promises. Thou hast dealt well with thy servants, O Lord, according to thy word h, and thou hast been ever mindful of thy covenant, the word which thou hast commanded to a thousand generations i. There hath not failed one word of all the good promise which thou hast promised to David thy servant, and Israel thy people k. a 2 Cor. i. 4. b Psal. xxxi. 7. 21. c 2 Cor. i. 5. |