§. 4. Direct. 2. Let the greatness of the manifold mercies of God, be continually before your eyes. 1Thankfulness is caused by the due apprehension of the greatness of mercies. If you either know them not to be mercies, or know not that they are mercies to you, or believe not what is said and promised in the Gospel, or forget them, or think not of them, or make light of them through the corruption of your minds, you cannot be thankful for them. I have before spoken of Mercy in order to the kindling of Love, and therefore shall now only recite these following to be always in your memories. 1. The Love of God in giving you a Redeemer, and the Love of Christ in giving his life for us, and in all the parts of our Redemption. 2. The Covenant of Grace, the pardon of all our sins: the justification of our persons; our adoption, and title to eternal life. 3. The aptness of means for calling us to Christ: The gracious and wise disposals of providence to that end: the gifts and compassion of our instructors: the care of Parents; and the helps and examples of the servants of Christ. 4. The efficacy of all these means: •he giving us to will and to do, and opening of our hearts, and giving us repentance unto life, and the Spirit of Christ to mortify our sins, and purify our nature, and dwell within us. 5. A standing in his Church, under the care of faithful Pastors: the liberty, comfort, and frequent benefit of his Word and Sacraments, and the public communion of his Saints. 6. The company of those that fear the Lord, and their faithful admonitions, reproofs, and encouragements; the kindness they have showed us for body, or for soul. 7. The mercies of our Relations, or habitations, our estates, and the notable alterations and passages of our lives. 8. The manifold preservations and deliverances of our souls, from errors and seducers, from terrors and distress; from dangerous temptations, and many a soul-wounding sin; and that we are not le•t to the errors and desires of our hearts, to seared Consciences, as forsaken of God. 9. The manifold deliverances of our bodies, from enemies, hurts, distresses, sicknesses and death. 10. The mercies of adversity, in wholesome, necessary chastisements, or honourable sufferings for his sake and support or comfort under all. 11.
§. 4. Direct. 2. Let the greatness of the manifold mercies of God, be continually before your eyes. 1Thankfulness is caused by the due apprehension of the greatness of mercies. If you either know them not to be mercies, or know not that they are mercies to you, or believe not what is said and promised in the Gospel, or forget them, or think not of them, or make light of them through the corruption of your minds, you cannot be thankful for them. I have before spoken of Mercy in order to the kindling of Love, and therefore shall now only recite these following to be alwayes in your memories. 1. The Love of God in giving you a Redeemer, and the Love of Christ in giving his life for us, and in all the parts of our Redemption. 2. The Covenant of Grace, the pardon of all our sins: the justification of our persons; our adoption, and title to eternal life. 3. The aptness of means for calling us to Christ: The gracious and wise disposals of providence to that end: the gifts and compassion of our instructers: the care of Parents; and the helps and examples of the servants of Christ. 4. The efficacy of all these means: •he giving us to will and to do, and opening of our hearts, and giving us repentance unto life, and the Spirit of Christ to mortifie our sins, and purifie our nature, and dwell within us. 5. A standing in his Church, under the care of faithful Pastors: the liberty, comfort, and frequent benefit of his Word and Sacraments, and the publick communion of his Saints. 6. The company of those that fear the Lord, and their faithful admonitions, reproofs, and encouragements; the kindness they have shewed us for body, or for soul. 7. The mercies of our Relations, or habitations, our estates, and the notable alterations and passages of our lives. 8. The manifold preservations and deliverances of our souls, from errors and seducers, from terrors and distress; from dangerous temptations, and many a soul-wounding sin; and that we are not le•t to the errors and desires of our hearts, to seared Consciences, as forsaken of God. 9. The manifold deliverances of our bodies, from enemies, hurts, distresses, sicknesses and death. 10. The mercies of adversity, in wholesome, necessary chastisements, or honourable sufferings for his sake and support or comfort under all. 11.
- 1Direct. 2.
