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SERMON XXIX.

THE DUTY OF THANKSGIVING.

In every thing give thanks.

1 THESSALONIANS V. 18.

I BELIEVE that there is but one instance upon record, of any nation enacting a punishment for ingratitude. I allude to the ancient Persians. But though this is the only country in which any public notice is taken of it, yet the crime itself is held in very general abhorrence. The feelings of mankind revolt at it, nay, invention is often racked for excuses to prove, that we have not been ungrateful to a benefactor. When we read the history of the ten lepers, how are we shocked to find that one

only returned to give glory to God! How do we condemn the feelings of the other nine! And did not Christianity forbid the thought, how naturally would the wish arise in our hearts, that their leprosy might return to them! If a principle of ingratitude is thus repugnant to our feelings, when man is the object, how much stronger should be our abhorrence, when it is exercised towards God! To him we owe every blessing we enjoy, and can we ever cease to acknowledge such a Benefactor? Let us rather adopt the language of the pious Psalmist, and say, Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" Let every faculty be exercised, and every nerve exerted in this delightful work! "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." I have often said, that in this passage, I infinitely prefer the French translation, where the negative is most forcibly introduced, " forget none of his benefits."

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In the chapter from which my text is taken, the Apostle enjoins various duties, under the awful conclusion that "the day of the Lord was at hand." These are divisible into three classes. From the sixth verse to the eleventh, he enforces general duties, as watchfulness, sobriety, and diligence in the christian warfare; from the twelfth to the fifteenth inclu

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sive, social duties are inculcated, those especially which relate to their ministers; they are exhorted to know "and esteem them, very highly in love, for their works' sake;" from the fifteenth to the twenty-second, personal duties are enjoined, among which, my text holds a distinguished place; " In every thing give thanks." In enlarging upon this subject, I shall,

I. Examine the nature of the duty here laid down.

II. Inquire how it is enforced by the Apostle.

III. Bring forward some additional reasons for the exercise of it.

I. Let us inquire into the nature of the duty here enforced.

I shall sub-divide this branch of my subject into three parts.

1. We are to give thanks for mercies received.

2. For duties performed.

3. For afflictions sustained.

1. We are called upon to give thanks for mercies received.

This appears so self-evident, that little need be adduced to prove its necessity. However, as the propriety of thankfulness is oftener alluded to than the exercise of it maintained, permit me to ask three questions, which may perhaps strike the mind, and cause greater attention to be paid to this important duty. Can we create or purchase our blessings? Have we deserved them? Could we be so happy without them? A moment's consideration on each of these particulars, will, I think, convince us of our dependance, of our unworthiness, and of our obligations to our Heavenly Benefactor. Can we create or purchase our blessings? We cannot prolong our lives a single hour, or ensure a day's contitinuance of health and strength. We cannot secure these blessings to our dearest friends, or shield them from the ravages of death. Wealth, we are apt to say, will procure us all things, but how futile is such an assertion! I will make a greater concession in favour of the power of wealth, than I am accustomed to do, and will admit that it may procure one half of our enjoyments; and even then, if we examine a little, we shall find that it is the inferior portion of the two. Wealth may purchase a mansion.-Can it prolong my life to enjoy it? It may spread my table with luxuries. Can it give me an appetite to taste

them? It may fill my house with servants.-Can it bind those servants to be faithful? It may purchase flatterers, Can it procure a real friend? In each of these instances, there are two distinct parts to be performed, before the blessing is complete; and do you not perceive that which riches can accomplish to be infinitely the inferior, "In every thing give thanks."

But again; Have we deserved our mercies? To have merited the smallest favour we receive from a benefactor, we must previously have advanced his wisdom, his security, or his happiness. And can this be said of any of us? Who can add to the wisdom of Omniscience? Who can strengthen the security of Omnipotence? Who can increase the happiness of independent felicity? Such effects. are far above our feeble powers, and we have forfeited every possible claim to his favour, by our repeated transgressions. They are then the free unmerited gift of God; and should consequently excite in our minds the strongest feelings of gratitude and praise.

In the beautiful and expressive language of Mr. Addison, we should exclaim :

"When all thy mercies, O my God,

My rising soul surveys;

Transported with the view, I'm lost,
In wonder, love, and praise.

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