476 How mull we in all things give thanks ? Serm. 30. Ephef. r .3. a fet.i.3,8zc. 2 Cor.r.3. Grattiagrattis datat,&gratia gram faciens, Edam-4, Valentia,&c. Pfa1.63.3. Meiotic. aere 3. Anf. t fi Ezek.5.1 t. t Ga1.3.ao. 'llflom.f.5. rt? mercies; foecid and fpirituall mercies in Chrift Jefus, Bleffed be God who bath blc fed us with all fJirittsvl blc fnesin heavenly things inChrifl. Blefred be God and the Father of our Lord 7c f jta Chrifl, which according to his abundant mercy bath begotten au ag<,in to a lively hope through the Refurrca<tion of yefseo Chrifc. to an inheritance incorruptible, &c. Isl fed be God the Father of our Lord yefam Chrijl,the Father of mercies, and the God of ell comfort, who com forteth us in all our tribulation, &c. Papiits diítinguifh grace into grace freely given, and grace that makes men grateful to God the giver of grace, this diftinc°cion is idle and untrue, for all grace as freely given obligeth u; to be gratefuJ,but yet fpecial grace binds us to a more fpecial gratitude ; namly,faac iff- ing and faving grace. The decreeing and fending of Jefus Chrift to and for poor fnnersythe opening a fountain of grace in and by him, the making and ratifying a Covenant of grace, whereof the Lord Jefus is the Angel and Mediator, The precious promifes both abfolute and conditional thereupon, with all other choice Gofpel Priviledges of grace and glory, as far as Gods alfufficiency, and the infinite merit, fatisfae`tion, and rigiteoufnefsof the Son ofGod can reach, this deferves aft/table proportion of thanks and bleffing from us both here and in heaven. Becaufe thy loving kind- nefs is better than life, my lips fhall praife thee. ì. e. I will render fpecial and continual praife for this above all other things. How, and in what manner Chriftians are to give thanks in every thing. The difficulty lies here as to the AE and the Objell both. I. That is, how a man can alwaies have his heart and tongue exercifed unto this duty. 2. If he could be fuppofed to do this, yet it feems that every thing is not a fit fob jeE - matter of Thankfgiving : Fora great part of our life being fin and ncifery, which is rather the ground of mourning than of hanksgiving, our thankfulnefs Teems to berefirained to a narrower íphear than what the Text holds out. Firít, Can a Child of God in any fenfe give thanks for fin ? 4nfw. No, not properly : Becaufe, I. That which is the ground of deteftation cannot be the ground of banksgiving ; but fin is a detefiable thing. 2. That which produceth aCnrfe,cannot properly caufe bleffrng; but n is a curled thing. 3. As we may not fin that grace may abound, nor do evil that good aj come of it, fo fin cannot be the ground of tbankfgiving, being con-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=