The Whole Armor of God, Exegesis · Treatise 3 · Part 2 · Section 71 – Section 72
§. 71. Of Mens failing in the extent of Thankſgiuing.
BVt to let paſſe thoſe alſo that offend in the generall neglect of this duty: there are other who being ſomewhat carefull of the duty in generall,1 Some are not thankfull for ſpirituall bleſſings. faile exceedingly in the extent of it: they giuegive not thankes for AL THINGS. Some can be thankefull for temporall bleſſings, as for peace, plenty, ſeaſonable weather, deliuerance from inuaſions, rebellions, treaſons, from fire, plagues, famine, ſickneſſe, &c. But it ſeemeth they take no notice of ſpirituall bleſſings: their mouthes are very ſeldome or neuer opened to bleſſe God for them. They ſhew themſelues to be too earthly minded.
Other can be thankfull for priuate bleſſings beſtowed on themſelues,2 Some not for publike bleſſings. or on their families and friends; but regard not publike bleſſings beſtowed on Church or common-wealth: they account general bleſſings no bleſſings. Theſe diſcouer too much ſelfe-louelove, too little ſence of the common good.
Other (who it may be) will be thankefull for ſuch publike bleſſings as are beſtowed on that Church and Common-wealth,3 Some not for the good of others. whereof they themſelues are members, neuer hearken after, nor care to heare of ſuch as a… beſtowed on the Churches of God in other Countries or if they doe heare of them, very little (if at all) are they affected therewith. Much leſſe are they affected with an… bleſſings beſtowed on priuate Chriſtians, who are not of their kindred, alliance, acquaintance, with the like. This alſo ſheweth that they hauehave no fellow-feeling of the good of the myſticall body of Chriſt, or of the ſeuerall members thereof; which might make them feare that they themſelues are ſcarce ſound members of that body: if they were, there would aſſuredly be ſome ſympathy betwixt themſelues and other members, ſome mutual compaſſion, and fellow-feeling: they would reioyce with them that reioice. Nay further, theſe ſhew (which is worſe) what little zeale they hauehave of Gods glory: for to take notice of Gods mercies on others, as well as on our ſelues, to talke of them, to be thankefull for them, doth much amplifie the glory of Gods workes: it maketh them to be more famous. How many more the perſons bee that praiſe God for any bleſſings, ſo much greater glory redoundeth to Gods name: thereforeaPſal. 118. 1. &c. Dauid oft ſtirres vp others beſides himſelfe to praiſe God for fauours beſtowed on himſelfe.
Further,4 Some not for aduerſity. many may be thankefull for proſperity, but very few will be ſo for aduerſity. To bee thankefull for paine, ſickneſſe, penury, ignominy, impriſonment, loſſe of goods, loſſe of friends, with the like, is a rare matter. Theſe things cauſe rather in moſt men murmuring, and repining againſt God. For few conſider the bleſſed fruit that commeth from thoſe things, neither thinke that they can be any bleſſings. Theſe ſhew how they walke by ſence, and not by faith.
Finally, among thoſe who are thankefull for ſuch bleſſings as they enioy,5 Some not for bleſſings to come. how few lift vp the eyes of their faith further then the eies of their body can reach? how few conſider thoſe good things which God hath promiſed for the time to come? how few can praiſe God for any good thing, whereof they hauehave not the preſent fruition? Moſt thinke it enough to praiſe God for ſuch things as they hauehave; they little conſider that the matter of thankſgiuing extendeth not onelyonly to benefits receiued, but alſo to benefits promiſed. Theſe manifeſt little credence to the truth of Gods word: if they were fully reſolued thereof, they would account Gods words to be very deeds.
Thus wee ſee how faulty moſt are in the performance of this duty, and how ſhort they come of this generall extent of Thankſgiuing, which is without reſtraint; for ALL THINGS. Let vsus examine our owne ſoules in this point, and be conſcionable euen in this extent.
Becauſe this fourth branch concerning the matter of Thankſgiuing, is on the one ſide a point worthy to be obſerued: and on the other ſide, a point too too much neglected, I hauehave beene bold to inſiſt the longer vponupon it.
§. 72. Of the time of giuing Thankes.
THe laſt branch concerning this point of Thankſgiuing, reſpecteth the time, which is expreſſed vnderunder as large an extent as the former branch, concerning the matter, That was forforeign. ALL THINGS, This is, ALVVAIES. Of this branch I ſhall not neede now in particular to ſpeake, becauſe it is*§. 117. afterwards to be handled in the generall doctrine of Prayer.