There are many reasons scattered in Scripture,1 to incite us to Thankfulness: first, because it is a special part of Gods worship, or one way by which we yield worship to God. Hence,2 that the Apostle accounts it a great loss, if the people cannot say Amen, when the Teacher blesseth in the spirit, or giveth thanks. Again, when he would exhort them to liberality, he urgeth ⟨p. 20⟩them with this reason, that the supplying of the necessities of the Saints would cause much thanksgiving to God,d. And in the 4. of the 2. of Corin. he showeth that the thanksgiving of many would breed both a plenty of grace, and an abounding of much praise to God. Secondly, the Apostle having dehorted the Ephesians §2from Fornication and all Uncleanness, and Covetousness, Filthiness, Jesting, and foolish Talking; he addeth, but rather use giving of Thankse. As if he would note, that thankfulness for Gods Blessings and Graces duly performed, §3would preserve them from the filth and power of these base vices. Besides, it is a thing that becometh the Saints, nothing better. Thirdly, it is a sign of three worthy things, wherein it behooveth every man to be well assured: first, it is a sign of a heart that hath rightly received Christ, and is firmly rooted, built, and stablished in the Faithf. Secondly, if men in all things let their requests be showed unto God with givings of thanks, it is a sign of the peace of God, even that the peace of God that passeth all understanding, will preserve their hearts and minds in Christ Jesusg. Thirdly, it is a sign, nay, a very means of a contented mind. He that can pray unto God for what he wants, and is able thankfully to acknowledge what he hath in possession or promise, he will in nothing be careful, 7as it appeareth in the same place to the Philippians. Lastly, it is one of the six principal means to make a man rejoice always, as the Apostle writeth, 1 Thes. 5.18.8 Thus of the Reasons.
There are many reasons scattered in Scripture,1 to incite vs to Thankefulnesse: first, because it is a speciall part of Gods worship, or one way by which we yeeld worship to God. Hence,2 that the Apostle accounts it a great losse, if the people cannot say Amen, when the Teacher blesseth in the spirit, or giueth thankes. Againe, when he would exhort them to liberality, hee vrgeth ⟨p. 20⟩them with this reason, that the supplying of the necessities of the Saints would cause much thankesgiuing to God,d. And in the 4. of the 2. of Corin. he sheweth that the thankesgiuing of many would breed both a plenty of grace, and an abounding of much praise to God. Secondly, the Apostle hauing dehorted the Ephesians §2from Fornication and all Ʋncleannesse, and Couetousnesse, Filthinesse, Iesting, and foolish Talking; hee addeth, but rather vse giuing of Thankse. As if hee would note, that thankefulnesse for Gods Blessings and Graces duely performed, §3would preserue them from the filth and power of these base vices. Besides, it is a thing that becommeth the Saints, nothing better. Thirdly, it is a signe of three worthy things, wherein it behooueth euery man to be well assured: first, it is a signe of a heart that hath rightly receiued Christ, and is firmely rooted, built, and stablished in the Faithf. Secondly, if men in all things let their requests be shewed vnto God with giuings of thankes, it is a signe of the peace of God, euen that the peace of God that passeth all vnderstanding, will preserue their hearts and mindes in Christ Iesusg. Thirdly, it is a signe, nay, a very meanes of a contented mind. He that can pray vnto God for what he wants, and is able thankefully to acknowledge what he hath in possession or promise, hee will in nothing be carefull, 7as it appeareth in the same place to the Philippians. Lastly, it is one of the sixe principall meanes to make a man reioyce alwaies, as the Apostle writeth,
- 1Motives to thankfulness.Motiues to thankfulnesse.
- 21 Cor. 14.16.
- d2 Cor: 9.12.13. 1 Cor. 4.16.2.
- eEphes. 43.4.
- fCol. 2.6.7.
- gPhil. 4.6.7.
- 7Phil. 4.6.
- 81 Thess. 5.18.
