A sermon before the queen at White-hall, May 29, 1692 by F. Atterbury ...
         Atterbury, Francis, 1662-1732.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             A sermon before the queen at White-hall, May 29, 1692 by F. Atterbury ...
             Atterbury, Francis, 1662-1732.
          
           [2], 31 p.
           
             Printed for Tho. Bennet ...,
             London :
             1692.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
             On t.p.: Published by Her Majesty's special command.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms L, 14 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Before
           the
           QUEEN
           AT
           WHITE-HALL
           ,
           MAY
           29.
           1692.
           
        
         
           By
           
             F.
             ATTERBURY
          
           ,
           Student
           of
           Christ-Church
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           her
           Majesty's
           Special
           Command
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Tho.
             Bennet
          
           at
           the
           Half-Moon
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           ,
           1692.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             
               PSAL.
               L.
               14.
               
            
             Offer
             unto
             God
             Thanksgiving
             .
          
        
         
           AMong
           the
           many
           Excellencies
           of
           this
           pious
           Collection
           of
           Hymns
           ,
           (
           for
           which
           so
           particular
           a
           Value
           has
           been
           set
           upon
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           all
           Ages
           ,
           )
           This
           is
           not
           the
           Least
           ,
           that
           the
           true
           Price
           of
           Duties
           is
           there
           justly
           stated
           ;
           Men
           are
           call'd
           off
           from
           resting
           in
           the
           Outward
           Shew
           of
           Religion
           ,
           in
           Ceremonies
           and
           Ritual
           Observances
           ;
           and
           taught
           rather
           to
           practise
           (
           that
           which
           was
           meant
           by
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           they
           were
           design'd
           to
           lead
           ,
           )
           sound
           ,
           inward
           Vertue
           and
           Piety
           .
        
         
           The
           several
           Composers
           of
           these
           Hymns
           were
           Prophets
           ;
           Men
           ,
           whose
           Business
           it
           was
           ,
           not
           onely
           to
           foretell
           Events
           ,
           for
           the
           Benefit
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           succeeding
           Times
           ;
           but
           to
           correct
           and
           reform
           also
           what
           was
           amiss
           in
           the
           present
           Race
           of
           Men
           ,
           with
           whom
           they
           liv'd
           and
           convers'd
           :
           To
           preserve
           a
           foolish
           People
           from
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           false
           Worship
           ;
           To
           rescue
           the
           Law
           from
           corrupt
           Glosses
           ,
           and
           the
           superstitious
           Uses
           which
           were
           
           made
           of
           it
           :
           And
           to
           put
           Men
           in
           mind
           of
           (
           what
           they
           were
           so
           willing
           to
           forget
           )
           that
           Eternal
           and
           Invariable
           Rule
           ,
           which
           was
           before
           these
           Positive
           Duties
           ,
           and
           would
           be
           after
           e'm
           ,
           and
           was
           to
           be
           observ'd
           even
           Then
           in
           preference
           to
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           The
           Discharge
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           of
           this
           part
           of
           the
           Prophetick
           Office
           ,
           taking
           up
           so
           large
           a
           room
           in
           the
           Book
           of
           Psalms
           ,
           has
           been
           one
           reason
           ,
           (
           among
           many
           others
           )
           why
           they
           have
           been
           always
           so
           highly
           esteem'd
           of
           :
           Because
           we
           are
           from
           hence
           furnish'd
           with
           such
           an
           Account
           of
           things
           ,
           as
           takes
           off
           the
           Exceptions
           of
           those
           unreasonable
           Men
           ,
           who
           run
           down
           all
           reveal'd
           Religion
           ,
           as
           a
           Pretence
           and
           a
           Trick
           ,
           from
           what
           they
           imagine
           they
           see
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           that
           of
           the
           Jews
           .
           The
           whole
           of
           which
           they
           first
           suppose
           to
           lie
           in
           Outward
           Performances
           ;
           and
           then
           easily
           perswade
           themselves
           ,
           that
           God
           could
           never
           be
           the
           Authour
           of
           such
           a
           mere
           Piece
           of
           Pageantry
           ,
           and
           Empty
           Formality
           :
           That
           it
           could
           never
           be
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           to
           delight
           to
           be
           worship'd
           by
           a
           Company
           of
           wild
           and
           unaccountable
           Ceremonies
           .
        
         
           Which
           Objection
           of
           Theirs
           we
           should
           not
           know
           what
           to
           say
           to
           ,
           unless
           we
           could
           prove
           
           out
           of
           the
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           other
           parts
           of
           Prophetick
           Writing
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Jewish
             Religion
          
           was
           something
           more
           than
           bare
           Outside
           and
           Shew
           .
           —
           And
           that
           Inward
           Purity
           ,
           and
           Spiritual
           Devotion
           was
           a
           Duty
           Then
           too
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Now.
           
        
         
           One
           great
           Instance
           of
           this
           Proof
           is
           in
           the
           words
           now
           before
           us
           ,
           which
           are
           taken
           out
           of
           a
           Psalm
           of
           Asaph's
           ,
           written
           on
           purpose
           to
           set
           out
           the
           weakness
           and
           worthlessness
           of
           external
           Performances
           ,
           when
           compar'd
           with
           more
           vital
           and
           substantial
           Duties
           .
        
         
           To
           enforce
           which
           Doctrine
           ,
           God
           himself
           is
           brought
           in
           as
           delivering
           it
           .
           
             Hear
             ,
             O
             my
             People
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             speak
             :
             O
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             and
             I
             will
             testifie
             against
             thee
             :
             I
             am
             God
             ,
             even
             thy
             God.
          
           The
           Preface
           is
           very
           solemn
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           which
           it
           ushers
           in
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           sure
           ,
           is
           of
           no
           common
           Importance
           .
           
             I
             will
             not
             reprove
             thee
             for
             thy
             Sacrifices
             ,
             or
             thy
             Burnt-Offerings
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             continually
             before
             me
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           So
           reprove
           thee
           ,
           as
           if
           These
           were
           the
           Only
           ,
           or
           the
           Chief
           Things
           I
           requir'd
           of
           thee
           .
           
             I
             will
             take
             no
             Bullock
             out
             of
             thy
             house
             ,
             nor
             He-goat
             out
             of
             thy
             folds
             .
          
           I
           prescrib'd
           thee
           not
           Sacrifices
           for
           my
           Own
           sake
           ,
           because
           I
           needed
           'em
           :
           
             For
             every
             Beast
             of
             the
             Forest
             is
             
             mine
             ,
             and
             the
             Cattle
             upon
             a
             thousand
             Hills
             .
          
           Mine
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           were
           ,
           before
           ever
           I
           commanded
           Thee
           to
           offer
           'em
           to
           me
           ;
           so
           that
           (
           as
           it
           follows
           ,
           )
           
             If
             I
             were
             hungry
             ,
             yet
             would
             I
             not
             tell
             thee
             ,
             for
             the
             world
             is
             mine
             ,
             and
             the
             fulness
             thereof
             .
          
           But
           can
           ye
           be
           so
           gross
           and
           Senseless
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           me
           liable
           to
           Hunger
           and
           Thirst
           ▪
           as
           to
           imagine
           that
           wants
           of
           that
           kind
           can
           touch
           me
           ?
           
             Will
             I
             eat
             the
             Flesh
             of
             Bulls
             ,
             or
             drink
             the
             Blood
             of
             Goats
             ?
          
           —
           Thus
           does
           he
           expostulate
           severely
           with
           'em
           ,
           after
           the
           most
           graceful
           manner
           of
           the
           Eastern
           Poetry
           .
           The
           Issue
           of
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           and
           full
           Resolution
           upon
           the
           Case
           ,
           in
           those
           few
           words
           of
           the
           Text.
           —
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             Thanksgiving
          
           .
           Would
           you
           do
           your
           Homage
           in
           the
           most
           agreeable
           way
           ?
           would
           you
           render
           the
           most
           acceptable
           of
           Services
           ?
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             Thanksgiving
          
           .
        
         
           The
           use
           I
           intend
           to
           make
           of
           these
           words
           is
           ,
           from
           hence
           ,
           to
           raise
           some
           Thoughts
           ,
           about
           that
           very
           excellent
           and
           important
           (
           but
           much
           neglected
           )
           Duty
           of
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           :
           A
           Subject
           not
           unfit
           to
           be
           discours'd
           of
           at
           this
           Time
           ;
           whether
           we
           consider
           ,
           either
           the
           more
           than
           ordinary
           Coldness
           that
           appears
           a-late
           in
           Mens
           Tempers
           ,
           towards
           the
           practice
           of
           This
           (
           or
           any
           other
           )
           
           part
           of
           a
           warm
           and
           affecting
           Devotion
           ;
           The
           Great
           Occasion
           of
           setting
           aside
           This
           particular
           Day
           in
           the
           Kalendar
           ,
           some
           years
           ago
           :
           Or
           the
           Fresh
           Instances
           of
           mercy
           and
           goodness
           ,
           which
           God
           even
           Now
           has
           been
           pleas'd
           to
           bestow
           upon
           us
           .
           Answering
           at
           last
           the
           many
           Prayers
           and
           Fastings
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           have
           besought
           him
           so
           long
           for
           the
           Establishment
           of
           Their
           Majesties
           Throne
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Success
           of
           their
           Arms
           :
           and
           giving
           us
           at
           length
           an
           Opportunity
           of
           appearing
           before
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           more
           delightful
           part
           of
           our
           Duty
           ;
           
             in
             the
             voice
             of
             Praise
             and
             Thanksgiving
             ,
             among
             such
             as
             keep
             Holy
             days
             .
          
        
         
           Offer
           unto
           God
           Thanksgiving
           .
        
         
           Which
           that
           we
           may
           do
           ,
           let
           us
           enquire
           first
           what
           is
           meant
           by
           offering
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           unto
           God
           ,
           and
           then
           how
           reasonable
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           do
           so
           .
        
         
           Our
           Enquiry
           into
           what
           is
           meant
           here
           ,
           will
           be
           very
           short
           :
           For
           who
           is
           there
           ,
           that
           understands
           any
           thing
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           knows
           ;
           that
           to
           offer
           Praise
           and
           Thanks
           to
           God
           is
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           lively
           and
           devout
           Sense
           of
           his
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Benefits
           ;
           to
           recollect
           'em
           with
           Humility
           and
           Thankfulness
           of
           heart
           ;
           and
           to
           express
           these
           Inward
           Affections
           
           by
           suitable
           Outward
           Signs
           of
           'em
           ;
           by
           reverent
           and
           lowly
           Postures
           of
           Body
           ,
           by
           Songs
           and
           Hymns
           ,
           and
           Spiritual
           Ejaculations
           :
           either
           Privately
           or
           Publickly
           ;
           either
           in
           the
           Customary
           and
           Daily
           Service
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           in
           its
           more
           Solemn
           Appointments
           ,
           upon
           extraordinary
           occasions
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Account
           which
           every
           Christian
           easily
           gives
           himself
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           which
           therefore
           it
           would
           be
           needless
           to
           enlarge
           upon
           .
           I
           shall
           only
           take
           notice
           on
           this
           Head
           ;
           that
           Praise
           and
           Thansgiving
           do
           ,
           in
           strictness
           of
           Speech
           ,
           signifie
           Things
           somewhat
           different
           .
           Our
           Praise
           is
           properly
           terminated
           on
           God
           ,
           on
           the
           Account
           of
           his
           natural
           Excellencies
           and
           Perfections
           ;
           and
           is
           that
           ,
           by
           which
           we
           give
           Honour
           to
           all
           his
           several
           Attributes
           ;
           but
           Thanksgiving
           is
           a
           narrower
           Duty
           ,
           and
           Imports
           only
           ,
           a
           grateful
           Sense
           and
           Acknowledgment
           of
           past
           Mercies
           .
           We
           praise
           God
           for
           all
           his
           glorious
           Acts
           ,
           of
           every
           kind
           ,
           that
           regard
           either
           us
           ,
           or
           other
           men
           ;
           for
           his
           very
           Vengeance
           ,
           and
           those
           Judgments
           which
           he
           sometimes
           sends
           abroad
           in
           the
           Earth
           :
           But
           we
           thank
           him
           only
           for
           the
           Instances
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ;
           and
           for
           Such
           only
           of
           those
           ,
           as
           We
           our selves
           are
           concern'd
           in
           .
           This
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           what
           
           the
           Two
           words
           strictly
           mean
           :
           but
           since
           the
           Language
           of
           Scripture
           is
           generally
           less
           exact
           ;
           and
           uses
           either
           of
           'em
           often
           ,
           to
           express
           the
           other
           by
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           therefore
           think
           my self
           obliged
           ,
           in
           what
           follows
           ,
           thus
           nicely
           always
           to
           distinguish
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           great
           Reasonableness
           of
           this
           Duty
           of
           Praise
           or
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           and
           Our
           several
           Obligations
           to
           it
           will
           appear
           ;
           if
           we
           either
           consider
           it
           absolutely
           in
           it self
           ,
           as
           the
           Debt
           of
           our
           Natures
           ;
           or
           compare
           it
           with
           other
           Duties
           ,
           and
           shew
           the
           Rank
           it
           bears
           amongst
           'em
           :
           Or
           set
           out
           ,
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           some
           of
           its
           peculiar
           Properties
           and
           Advantages
           ,
           with
           regard
           to
           the
           devout
           Performer
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Praise
           and
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           consider'd
           absolutely
           in
           themselves
           ,
           are
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           Debt
           ▪
           and
           the
           very
           Law
           of
           our
           Nature
           .
           We
           had
           such
           Faculties
           on
           purpose
           bestowed
           on
           us
           ,
           as
           made
           us
           fit
           to
           satisfie
           this
           Debt
           ,
           and
           to
           obey
           this
           Law
           :
           And
           they
           therefore
           never
           work
           more
           naturally
           and
           freely
           ,
           than
           when
           they
           are
           thus
           employ'd
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           one
           of
           the
           oldest
           pieces
           of
           Reasoning
           ,
           that
           Philosophy
           has
           acquainted
           us
           with
           ;
           and
           which
           has
           ever
           since
           been
           taught
           and
           
           kept
           up
           by
           the
           wisest
           Men
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           that
           the
           Original
           Design
           of
           making
           Man
           was
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           Praise
           and
           Honour
           Him
           that
           made
           him
           .
        
         
           Whe●
           God
           had
           finisht
           this
           goodly-Frame
           of
           things
           we
           call
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           put
           together
           the
           several
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Skill
           of
           his
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           in
           exact
           Number
           ,
           Weight
           ,
           and
           Measure
           ;
           there
           was
           still
           wanting
           a
           Creature
           in
           these
           lower
           Regions
           ,
           that
           could
           apprehend
           the
           Beauty
           ,
           Order
           ,
           and
           exquisite
           Contrivance
           of
           it
           :
           -
           that
           from
           contemplating
           the
           Gift
           ,
           might
           be
           able
           to
           lead
           it self
           up
           to
           the
           great
           Giver
           ;
           and
           do
           Honour
           to
           all
           his
           Attributes
           .
        
         
           Every
           Thing
           indeed
           ,
           that
           God
           made
           ,
           did
           ,
           in
           some
           Sence
           ,
           glorifie
           its
           Author
           ;
           inasmuch
           as
           it
           carried
           upon
           it
           the
           plain
           Mark
           and
           Impress
           of
           the
           Deity
           ;
           and
           was
           an
           Effect
           worthy
           of
           that
           first
           Cause
           from
           whence
           it
           flow'd
           :
           And
           Thus
           might
           the
           Heavens
           be
           said
           ,
           at
           the
           first
           moment
           in
           which
           they
           stood
           forth
           ,
           
             To
             declare
             his
             Glory
             ,
             and
             the
             Firmament
             to
             shew
             his
             Handy
             work
             .
          
           But
           this
           was
           an
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           an
           improper
           Glory
           :
           The
           Sign
           signify'd
           to
           no
           purpose
           here
           Below
           ,
           where
           there
           was
           no
           Body
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           .
        
         
         
           Man
           therefore
           was
           fram'd
           to
           supply
           this
           want
           ;
           en●●ed
           with
           Powers
           fit
           to
           find
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           acknowledge
           these
           unlimited
           Perfections
           :
           and
           then
           put
           into
           this
           Temple
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           Lower
           World
           ,
           as
           the
           Priest
           of
           Nature
           ,
           to
           offer
           up
           the
           Incense
           of
           Thanks
           and
           Praise
           for
           the
           mute
           and
           the
           insensible
           Part
           of
           the
           Creation
           .
        
         
           This
           I
           say
           has
           been
           the
           Opinion
           all
           along
           of
           the
           most
           thoughtful
           Men
           down
           from
           the
           most
           Ancient
           Times
           :
           And
           tho'
           it
           carry
           no
           Demonstration
           in
           't
           ,
           yet
           is
           it
           what
           we
           cannot
           but
           agree
           to
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           but
           allow
           that
           Man
           was
           made
           for
           some
           End
           or
           Other
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           is
           capable
           of
           perceiving
           that
           End.
           For
           then
           ,
           let
           us
           search
           ,
           deliberate
           ,
           and
           enquire
           never
           so
           much
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           no
           other
           Account
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           rest
           upon
           so
           well
           .
           If
           we
           say
           he
           was
           made
           purely
           for
           the
           good
           Pleasure
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           because
           He
           would
           have
           it
           so
           ,
           this
           is
           ,
           
             in
             effect
          
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           made
           for
           no
           End
           ;
           or
           for
           none
           that
           we
           can
           discern
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           say
           again
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           design'd
           as
           an
           Instance
           of
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           indeed
           may
           be
           the
           Reason
           of
           his
           Being
           in
           general
           ;
           
           For
           't
           is
           the
           common
           Reason
           of
           the
           Being
           of
           every
           thing
           besides
           .
           But
           it
           〈◊〉
           no
           Account
           ,
           why
           he
           was
           made
           such
           a
           ●●●ng
           as
           he
           is
           ,
           a
           reflecting
           ,
           thoughtful
           ,
           inquisitive
           Being
           :
           The
           particular
           Reason
           of
           this
           must
           be
           drawn
           from
           the
           Praise
           and
           Honour
           that
           was
           to
           be
           given
           to
           God
           by
           him
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           have
           any
           Reason
           at
           all
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           This
           therefore
           is
           the
           Debt
           and
           Law
           of
           our
           Nature
           .
           And
           it
           will
           more
           distinctly
           appear
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           two
           Ruling
           Faculties
           of
           our
           Mind
           ,
           The
           Vnderstanding
           and
           the
           Will
           ,
           apart
           ;
           in
           both
           which
           it
           is
           deeply
           founded
           :
           in
           the
           Understanding
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Principle
           of
           Reason
           ,
           that
           owns
           and
           acknowledges
           it
           ;
           in
           the
           Will
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Gratitude
           and
           Return
           ,
           which
           violently
           constrains
           us
           to
           pay
           it
           .
        
         
           Reason
           was
           given
           us
           as
           a
           Rule
           and
           Measure
           to
           value
           things
           by
           :
           by
           the
           help
           of
           which
           we
           were
           to
           proportion
           our
           Esteem
           of
           every
           thing
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Perfection
           and
           Goodness
           that
           were
           in
           it
           .
           It
           cannot
           therefore
           ,
           if
           it
           does
           its
           Office
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           apprehend
           .
           God
           as
           the
           best
           and
           most
           perfect
           being
           ;
           it
           must
           necessarily
           own
           and
           give
           him
           the
           Honour
           of
           his
           infinite
           Perfections
           .
           
           And
           thi●●
           what
           is
           strictly
           meant
           by
           Praise
           :
           which
           ●●●●●fore
           is
           express'd
           often
           in
           Scripture
           by
           confessing
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           acknowledging
           him
           ;
           by
           ascribing
           to
           him
           what
           is
           his
           Due
           :
           And
           as
           far
           as
           This
           Sence
           of
           the
           word
           goes
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           to
           think
           of
           God
           without
           praising
           him
           .
           For
           it
           depends
           not
           on
           the
           Understanding
           (
           on
           a
           sound
           and
           uncorrupted
           Understanding
           ,
           I
           mean
           )
           how
           it
           shall
           apprehend
           things
           ,
           any
           more
           than
           it
           does
           on
           the
           Eye
           ,
           how
           its
           Objects
           shall
           appear
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Duty
           takes
           a
           further
           and
           surer
           hold
           of
           us
           ,
           by
           the
           means
           of
           our
           Will
           ,
           and
           that
           strong
           bent
           towards
           Gratitude
           ,
           which
           the
           Authour
           of
           Nature
           has
           fix'd
           there
           .
           There
           is
           not
           a
           more
           active
           Principle
           ,
           than
           This
           ,
           in
           Man
           ;
           and
           That
           surely
           which
           deserves
           its
           utmost
           Force
           ,
           and
           should
           set
           all
           its
           Springs
           awork
           ,
           is
           God
           ;
           that
           Great
           and
           Universal
           Benefactour
           ,
           from
           whom
           we
           receiv'd
           every
           thing
           ,
           we
           either
           are
           or
           have
           ;
           and
           to
           whom
           we
           can
           possibly
           repay
           nothing
           ,
           but
           our
           Praises
           ,
           or
           (
           to
           speak
           more
           properly
           on
           this
           Head
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           strict
           Import
           of
           the
           Word
           )
           our
           Thanksgivings
           .
           
             Who
             hath
             given
             to
             God
          
           (
           says
           the
           great
           Apostle
           in
           his
           usual
           Figure
           )
           
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             recompenc'd
             unto
             
             him
             ?
          
           A
           Gift
           it
           seems
           always
           requires
           a
           Recompence
           —
           Nay
           ,
           but
           
             of
             him
             ,
             〈◊〉
             through
             him
             ,
             and
             to
             him
             are
             all
             things
             ;
             —
             Of
             him
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Authour
           ;
           
             through
             him
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Preserver
           and
           Governour
           ;
           
             to
             him
          
           ,
           as
           the
           End
           and
           Perfection
           :
           
             To
             whom
             therefore
          
           (
           as
           it
           follows
           )
           
             be
             Glory
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           Amen!
           
        
         
           Gratitude
           consists
           in
           an
           equal
           Return
           of
           Benefits
           ,
           if
           we
           are
           able
           ;
           or
           of
           Thanks
           if
           we
           are
           not
           .
           Which
           Thanks
           ,
           therefore
           must
           rise
           always
           as
           the
           Favours
           receiv'd
           are
           in
           Proportion
           great
           ,
           and
           the
           Receiver
           incapable
           in
           Degree
           of
           making
           any
           other
           Sort
           of
           Requital
           .
           Now
           since
           no
           Man
           has
           benefited
           God
           at
           any
           Time
           ,
           and
           yet
           every
           Man
           in
           each
           Moment
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           is
           continually
           benefitted
           by
           him
           ;
           what
           strong
           Obligations
           must
           we
           needs
           be
           under
           to
           thank
           Him
           ?
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           our
           Thanks
           are
           really
           as
           little
           worth
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           any
           other
           kind
           of
           Return
           would
           be
           :
           In
           themselves
           indeed
           they
           are
           so
           ;
           But
           his
           Goodness
           has
           made
           'em
           ,
           otherwise
           :
           He
           has
           declar'd
           he
           will
           accept
           'em
           in
           lieu
           of
           the
           vast
           Debt
           we
           owe.
           And
           after
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           fittest
           for
           us
           to
           dispute
           how
           they
           come
           to
           be
           an
           Equivalent
           ,
           or
           to
           pay
           '
           em
           ?
        
         
         
           It
           is
           therefore
           the
           Voice
           of
           Nature
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           Gratitude
           it self
           is
           so
           ,
           that
           the
           Good
           Things
           ,
           we
           receive
           from
           above
           ,
           should
           be
           sent
           back
           again
           thither
           in
           Thanks
           and
           Praises
           ;
           
             As
             the
             Rivers
             run
             into
             the
             Sea
             ;
             to
             the
             place
          
           (
           the
           Ocean
           of
           Beneficence
           )
           
             from
             whence
             these
             Rivers
             came
             ,
             thither
             should
             they
             return
             again
             .
          
        
         
           We
           have
           consider'd
           the
           Duty
           absolutely
           ,
           we
           are
           now
           to
           compare
           it
           with
           others
           ,
           and
           to
           see
           what
           Rank
           it
           bears
           among
           '
           em
           .
           And
           Here
           we
           shall
           find
           ,
           that
           among
           all
           the
           Acts
           of
           Religion
           immediately
           addressed
           to
           God
           ,
           this
           is
           much
           the
           Noblest
           ,
           and
           most
           Excellent
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           if
           what
           has
           been
           laid
           down
           be
           allow'd
           ,
           That
           the
           end
           of
           Mans
           Creation
           was
           to
           praise
           and
           glorifie
           God
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           .
           For
           That
           cannot
           but
           be
           the
           most
           noble
           and
           worthy
           Act
           of
           any
           Being
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           very
           End
           and
           Design
           of
           it
           .
           Other
           parts
           of
           Piety
           ,
           such
           as
           Confession
           and
           Prayer
           ;
           were
           not
           Originally
           design'd
           for
           Man
           ,
           nor
           Man
           for
           Them
           :
           They
           imply
           Guilt
           and
           Want
           ,
           with
           which
           the
           
             State
             of
             Innocence
          
           was
           not
           acquainted
           .
           Had
           Man
           continu'd
           in
           That
           ,
           his
           Worship
           had
           been
           all
           paid
           to
           Heaven
           in
           pure
           Acts
           
           of
           Thanksgiving
           .
           And
           he
           had
           had
           nothing
           to
           do
           ,
           but
           to
           enjoy
           the
           Goods
           of
           Life
           ,
           as
           Nature
           directed
           ,
           and
           to
           praise
           the
           God
           of
           Nature
           that
           bestowed
           '
           em
           .
           But
           being
           fallen
           from
           Innocence
           and
           Abundance
           ;
           having
           contracted
           Guilt
           ,
           and
           forfeited
           his
           Right
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           Mercies
           ;
           Prayer
           and
           Confession
           became
           necessary
           ,
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           to
           retrieve
           the
           Loss
           ,
           and
           to
           restore
           him
           again
           to
           that
           State
           ,
           where
           he
           should
           be
           able
           to
           live
           without
           '
           em
           .
           These
           are
           fitted
           therefore
           for
           a
           lower
           Dispensation
           :
           before
           'em
           in
           Paradise
           ,
           there
           was
           nothing
           but
           Praise
           ;
           and
           after
           'em
           too
           ,
           there
           shall
           be
           nothing
           but
           that
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Our
           perfect
           State
           did
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           will
           at
           last
           consist
           in
           That
           :
           and
           therefore
           That
           is
           the
           Excellence
           and
           the
           Honour
           of
           our
           Nature
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           the
           Same
           Argument
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostle
           hath
           us'd
           for
           the
           preference
           of
           Charity
           ,
           to
           Faith
           and
           Hope
           ,
           and
           every
           Spiritual
           Gift
           .
           
             Charity
             faileth
             not
          
           ,
           says
           he
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           is
           not
           a
           Vertue
           useful
           only
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           but
           will
           go
           along
           with
           us
           also
           into
           the
           next
           :
           —
           
             But
             whether
             there
             be
             Prophecies
             ,
             they
             shall
             fail
             ;
             whether
             there
             be
             Tongues
             ,
             they
             shall
             cease
             ;
             whether
             there
             be
             Knowledge
             ,
             it
             shall
             vanish
             away
             .
          
           
           These
           are
           Gifts
           of
           a
           Temporary
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           shall
           all
           perish
           in
           the
           using
           .
           
             For
             we
             know
             in
             part
             ;
             and
             we
             prophesie
             in
             part
          
           —
           Our
           present
           State
           is
           imperfect
           ,
           and
           therefore
           what
           belongs
           to
           That
           ,
           and
           onely
           That
           ,
           must
           be
           imperfect
           too
           .
           
             But
             when
             that
             which
             is
             perfect
             is
             come
             ,
             then
             that
             which
             is
             in
             part
             shall
             be
             done
             away
             .
          
        
         
           The
           same
           Argument
           ,
           we
           see
           ,
           that
           sets
           Charity
           above
           the
           rest
           of
           Christian
           Graces
           ,
           will
           give
           Praise
           also
           the
           Pre-eminence
           over
           the
           other
           Parts
           of
           Christian
           Worship
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           conclude
           our
           reasoning
           therefore
           ,
           as
           He
           does
           his
           :
           
             And
             now
             abideth
             Confession
             ,
             Prayer
             and
             Praise
             ;
             these
             three
             :
             But
             the
             greatest
             of
             these
             is
             Praise
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           so
           certainly
           on
           other
           Accounts
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           this
           :
           Particularly
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           most
           disinterested
           part
           of
           our
           Religious
           Service
           ,
           such
           as
           has
           the
           most
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           least
           of
           our selves
           in
           it
           ,
           of
           any
           we
           pay
           :
           And
           therefore
           approaches
           the
           nearest
           of
           any
           to
           a
           pure
           ,
           and
           free
           ,
           and
           perfect
           Act
           of
           Homage
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           though
           a
           good
           Action
           does
           not
           grow
           immediately
           worthless
           by
           being
           done
           with
           the
           Prospect
           of
           Advantage
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           
           strangely
           imagin'd
           ;
           yet
           it
           will
           be
           allow'd
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           that
           its
           being
           done
           without
           the
           Mixture
           of
           that
           End
           ,
           recommends
           it
           so
           much
           the
           more
           ,
           and
           raises
           the
           Price
           of
           it
           .
           
             Does
             Job
             serve
             God
             for
             nought
             ?
          
           was
           an
           Objection
           of
           Satan's
           ,
           which
           imply'd
           ,
           that
           those
           Duties
           were
           most
           valuable
           ,
           where
           our
           own
           Interest
           was
           least
           aim'd
           at
           :
           And
           God
           seems
           ,
           by
           the
           Commission
           he
           then
           gave
           him
           to
           try
           Experiments
           upon
           Job
           ,
           thus
           far
           to
           have
           allow'd
           his
           Plea.
           
        
         
           Now
           our
           Acknowledgments
           and
           Requests
           are
           purely
           for
           our selves
           :
           our
           own
           .
           Interest
           is
           the
           direct
           Aim
           of
           them
           .
           But
           Praise
           is
           a
           generous
           and
           unmercenary
           Principle
           ,
           which
           proposes
           no
           other
           End
           to
           it self
           ,
           but
           to
           do
           ,
           as
           is
           fit
           for
           a
           Creature
           endow'd
           with
           such
           Faculties
           ,
           to
           do
           towards
           the
           perfectest
           and
           most
           beneficent
           of
           Beings
           ;
           and
           to
           pay
           the
           willing
           Tribute
           of
           our
           Honour
           there
           ,
           where
           the
           Voice
           of
           Reason
           directs
           us
           to
           pay
           it
           .
        
         
           God
           has
           indeed
           annexed
           a
           Blessing
           to
           the
           Duty
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           know
           this
           ,
           we
           cannot
           chuse
           in
           the
           Act
           of
           Praise
           ,
           but
           have
           some
           Regard
           to
           it
           .
           However
           that
           is
           not
           our
           direct
           Aim
           in
           it
           ,
           nor
           was
           it
           the
           first
           Motive
           
           that
           stirr'd
           us
           up
           to
           it
           .
           Had
           it
           been
           so
           ,
           we
           should
           naturally
           have
           had
           Recourse
           unto
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           breath'd
           out
           our
           Desires
           in
           That
           Form
           which
           most
           properly
           belongs
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           In
           short
           ,
           Praise
           is
           our
           most
           Excellent
           Work
           ;
           a
           Work
           common
           to
           the
           Church
           Triumphant
           and
           Militant
           ,
           and
           which
           lifts
           us
           up
           into
           a
           Communion
           and
           Fellowship
           with
           Angels
           .
           The
           Matter
           of
           it
           is
           always
           the
           Perfection
           of
           God's
           Nature
           ;
           and
           the
           Act
           it self
           ,
           is
           the
           Perfection
           of
           Ours
           .
        
         
           I
           come
           now
           ,
           in
           the
           last
           Place
           ,
           to
           set
           out
           some
           of
           its
           peculiar
           
             Properties
             and
             Advantages
          
           ,
           which
           recommend
           it
           to
           the
           Devout
           Performer
           .
           And
           First
           —
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           most
           pleasant
           part
           of
           our
           Devotions
           .
           It
           proceeds
           always
           from
           good
           Humour
           ,
           and
           a
           Chearful
           Temper
           of
           Mind
           ;
           and
           it
           cherishes
           ,
           and
           promotes
           it
           mightily
           in
           us
           .
           
             For
             it
             is
             good
             to
             sing
             Praises
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           (
           says
           One
           ,
           whose
           Experience
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           we
           may
           rely
           upon
           )
           
             for
             it
             is
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             Praise
             is
             comely
             .
          
           Prayer
           and
           Penitence
           are
           the
           Languageof
           the
           Indigent
           and
           the
           Guilty
           ;
           the
           Breathings
           of
           a
           Sad
           and
           a
           Contrite
           Spirit
           :
           
           
             Is
             any
             afflicted
             ?
             let
             him
             pray
             :
          
           But
           —
           
             Is
             any
             merry
             ?
             let
             him
             sing
             Psalms
             .
          
        
         
           The
           most
           natural
           and
           lively
           way
           of
           Mens
           expressing
           the
           Mirth
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           is
           in
           a
           Song
           .
           And
           Songs
           are
           the
           very
           Language
           of
           Praise
           ,
           Appropriated
           peculiarly
           to
           this
           End
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           scarce
           of
           any
           other
           Use
           in
           it
           .
           Indeed
           the
           whole
           Composition
           of
           this
           Duty
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           throughout
           speaks
           Ease
           and
           Delight
           to
           the
           Mind
           .
        
         
           It
           proceeds
           from
           Love
           ,
           and
           from
           
             Thank
             :
             fulness
          
           :
           From
           Love
           ,
           the
           very
           Fountain
           of
           Pleasure
           ;
           the
           Passion
           ,
           which
           gives
           every
           thing
           we
           do
           or
           enjoy
           ,
           its
           Relish
           and
           Agreeableness
           .
        
         
           From
           Thankfulness
           ,
           which
           involves
           in
           it
           the
           Memory
           of
           past
           Benefits
           ;
           the
           actual
           Presence
           of
           them
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           the
           repeated
           Enjoyment
           of
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           its
           Principle
           is
           ,
           such
           is
           its
           End
           also
           .
           For
           it
           procureth
           Quiet
           and
           Ease
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           by
           doing
           somewhat
           towards
           satisfying
           that
           Debt
           ,
           which
           it
           labours
           under
           ;
           by
           delivering
           it
           of
           those
           Thoughts
           of
           Praise
           and
           Gratitude
           ;
           those
           Exultations
           it
           is
           so
           full
           of
           ;
           and
           which
           would
           grow
           uneasie
           and
           troublesome
           to
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           kept
           in
           :
           If
           the
           
           Thankfull
           
             refrain'd
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             Pain
             and
             Grief
             to
             him
             :
          
           But
           then
           ,
           then
           is
           his
           
             Soul
             satisfy'd
             as
             with
             Marrow
             and
             Fatness
             ,
             when
             his
             Mouth
             praiseth
             God
             with
             Joyfull
             Lips.
             
          
        
         
           It
           is
           another
           great
           Effect
           of
           Praise
           ,
           that
           it
           enlarges
           the
           Powers
           and
           Capacities
           of
           our
           Soul
           ;
           turning
           'em
           off
           from
           little
           and
           low
           things
           ,
           upon
           their
           Greatest
           and
           Noblest
           Object
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ;
           and
           employing
           'em
           in
           searching
           out
           all
           the
           Wonders
           of
           it
           .
           We
           see
           what
           difference
           there
           is
           between
           Man
           and
           Man
           ;
           such
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           hardly
           greater
           between
           Man
           and
           Beast
           :
           And
           this
           proceeds
           all
           from
           the
           different
           Sphere
           of
           Thought
           which
           they
           Act
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           different
           Objects
           they
           converse
           with
           .
           The
           Mind
           is
           Essentially
           the
           same
           in
           the
           Peasant
           and
           the
           Prince
           ,
           the
           Forces
           of
           it
           naturally
           equal
           in
           the
           untaught
           Man
           ,
           and
           the
           Philosopher
           :
           Only
           the
           one
           is
           busied
           in
           mean
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           within
           narrower
           Bounds
           ;
           the
           Other
           Exercises
           himself
           in
           Things
           of
           weight
           and
           moment
           :
           And
           This
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           puts
           the
           wide
           distance
           between
           '
           em
           .
           Noble
           Objects
           are
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           what
           the
           Sun-beams
           are
           to
           a
           Bud
           or
           Flower
           :
           They
           open
           and
           
           unfold
           ;
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           Leaves
           of
           it
           ;
           put
           it
           upon
           exerting
           and
           spreading
           it self
           every
           way
           ;
           and
           call
           forth
           all
           those
           Powers
           ,
           that
           lie
           hid
           and
           locked
           up
           in
           it
           .
           The
           Praise
           and
           Admiration
           of
           God
           therefore
           brings
           this
           Advantage
           along
           with
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           sets
           our
           Faculties
           upon
           their
           full
           Stretch
           ,
           and
           improves
           'em
           to
           all
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           are
           capable
           .
        
         
           It
           (
           farther
           )
           Promotes
           in
           us
           ,
           an
           exquisite
           Sense
           of
           God's
           Honour
           ;
           and
           an
           high
           Indignation
           of
           Mind
           ,
           at
           every
           thing
           ,
           that
           openly
           profanes
           it
           .
           For
           what
           we
           value
           and
           delight
           in
           ,
           we
           cannot
           with
           Patience
           hear
           slighted
           or
           abus'd
           .
           Our
           Own
           Praises
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           constantly
           putting
           up
           ,
           will
           be
           a
           Spur
           to
           us
           to
           procure
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           in
           every
           Other
           instance
           of
           it
           :
           and
           will
           make
           us
           set
           our
           Faces
           against
           all
           open
           and
           avow'd
           Impieties
           .
           Which
           methinks
           should
           be
           consider'd
           a
           little
           by
           those
           Men
           ,
           who
           can
           be
           silent
           under
           the
           foulest
           dishonours
           done
           to
           Religion
           ,
           and
           its
           great
           Authour
           .
           For
           tamely
           to
           hear
           God's
           Name
           blasphemed
           by
           Others
           ,
           is
           no
           very
           good
           Argument
           that
           we
           have
           been
           us'd
           to
           Honor
           and
           Reverence
           him
           in
           good
           earnest
           ,
           Our selves
           .
        
         
         
           It
           will
           (
           beyond
           all
           this
           )
           work
           in
           us
           a
           deep
           Humility
           ;
           and
           a
           Consciousness
           of
           our
           own
           Imperfections
           .
           Upon
           a
           frequent
           Attention
           to
           God
           and
           his
           Attributes
           ,
           we
           shall
           easily
           discover
           our
           own
           Weakness
           and
           Emptiness
           :
           Our
           swelling
           thoughts
           of
           ourselves
           will
           abate
           ;
           and
           we
           shall
           see
           and
           feel
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           lighter
           ,
           to
           be
           laid
           in
           the
           Ballance
           ,
           than
           even
           Vanity
           it self
           .
           And
           This
           is
           a
           Lesson
           ,
           which
           ,
           to
           the
           most
           part
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           is
           ,
           I
           Think
           ,
           very
           well
           worth
           learning
           .
           We
           are
           naturally
           Presumptuous
           and
           Vain
           ;
           full
           of
           Ourselves
           ,
           and
           regardless
           of
           every
           thing
           besides
           :
           Especially
           ,
           when
           some
           little
           Outward
           Privileges
           distinguish
           Us
           from
           the
           rest
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           then
           ,
           't
           is
           odds
           ,
           but
           we
           look
           into
           Ourselves
           with
           great
           degrees
           of
           Complacency
           ;
           and
           are
           wiser
           and
           better
           every
           way
           ,
           without
           doubt
           ,
           than
           
             seven
             Men
             ,
             that
             can
             render
             a
             Reason
             .
          
           Now
           nothing
           will
           contribute
           so
           much
           to
           the
           Cure
           of
           this
           Vanity
           ,
           as
           a
           due
           Attention
           to
           God's
           Excellencies
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Praise
           of
           '
           em
           .
           By
           comparing
           These
           with
           our
           Own
           ,
           we
           shall
           learn
           
             not
             to
             think
             of
             our selves
             more
             highly
             than
             we
             ought
             to
             think
             of
             Ourselves
             ;
             but
             
             to
             think
             soberly
             :
          
           We
           shall
           find
           more
           satisfaction
           in
           looking
           upwards
           ,
           and
           humbling
           Ourselves
           before
           Our
           common
           Creator
           ,
           than
           in
           casting
           Our
           Eyes
           downward
           with
           Scorn
           upon
           our
           Fellow-Creatures
           ,
           and
           setting
           at
           nought
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           his
           Hands
           .
           The
           vast
           distance
           we
           are
           at
           ,
           from
           Real
           and
           Infinite
           Worth
           ,
           will
           astonish
           us
           so
           much
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           have
           no
           Mind
           to
           value
           Ourselves
           on
           those
           lesser
           Degrees
           of
           Pre-eminence
           ,
           that
           Custom
           ,
           or
           Opinion
           ,
           or
           some
           little
           accidental
           Advantages
           have
           given
           Us
           over
           other
           Men.
           
        
         
           I
           shall
           mention
           but
           one
           Use
           of
           it
           more
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           This
           ;
           That
           a
           conscientious
           Praise
           of
           God
           will
           keep
           Us
           back
           from
           all
           false
           and
           mean
           Praises
           ,
           all
           .
           Fulsome
           and
           Servile
           Flatteries
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           in
           use
           among
           Men.
           Praising
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           commonly
           manag'd
           ,
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           Tryal
           of
           Skill
           upon
           a
           Man
           ,
           how
           many
           good
           Things
           we
           can
           possibly
           say
           of
           him
           .
           All
           the
           fine
           Characters
           that
           ever
           were
           made
           ,
           are
           heap'd
           together
           ,
           and
           thrown
           into
           One
           ,
           for
           His
           sake
           .
           And
           no
           matter
           ,
           whether
           it
           belongs
           to
           him
           ,
           or
           not
           ;
           so
           
           there
           be
           but
           enough
           on
           't
           .
           Which
           is
           one
           deplorable
           Instance
           (
           among
           a
           thousand
           )
           of
           the
           Baseness
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ;
           its
           small
           regard
           to
           Truth
           and
           Justice
           ;
           to
           Right
           ,
           or
           Wrong
           ;
           to
           what
           is
           ,
           or
           is
           not
           to
           be
           prais'd
           .
        
         
           But
           He
           ,
           who
           has
           a
           deep
           Sense
           of
           the
           Excellencies
           of
           God
           upon
           his
           Heart
           ,
           will
           make
           a
           God
           of
           nothing
           besides
           :
           He
           will
           give
           every
           thing
           its
           just
           Encomium
           ,
           Honour
           where
           Honour
           is
           due
           ;
           and
           as
           much
           as
           is
           due
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           his
           Duty
           to
           do
           so
           :
           but
           the
           Honour
           of
           God
           will
           suffer
           him
           to
           go
           no
           further
           .
           Which
           Rule
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           been
           observ'd
           ,
           a
           Neighbouring
           Prince
           ,
           (
           who
           now
           ,
           God
           be
           thanked
           ,
           needs
           Flattery
           something
           more
           than
           ever
           he
           did
           )
           would
           have
           wanted
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           that
           Incense
           that
           has
           been
           pay'd
           him
           .
        
         
           Upon
           these
           Grounds
           does
           the
           Duty
           of
           Praise
           stand
           ,
           and
           these
           are
           the
           Obligations
           that
           Tye
           us
           to
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           the
           End
           of
           our
           being
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           Rule
           and
           Law
           of
           Our
           Nature
           ;
           flowing
           from
           the
           Two
           great
           Fountains
           of
           humane
           Action
           ,
           the
           Understanding
           and
           the
           Will
           ,
           naturally
           ,
           and
           almost
           necessarily
           .
           It
           is
           the
           
           most
           Excellent
           part
           of
           our
           Religious
           Worship
           ;
           enduring
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           when
           the
           rest
           are
           to
           be
           done
           away
           ;
           and
           pay'd
           even
           Now
           after
           the
           frankest
           manner
           ,
           with
           the
           least
           regard
           to
           Our
           own
           Interest
           .
           It
           recommends
           it self
           to
           us
           by
           several
           peculiar
           Properties
           ,
           that
           Belong
           to
           it
           :
           As
           it
           carries
           more
           Pleasure
           in
           it
           ,
           than
           all
           other
           Kinds
           of
           Devotion
           ;
           as
           it
           enlarges
           and
           exalts
           all
           the
           Powers
           of
           the
           Mind
           ;
           as
           it
           breeds
           in
           Us
           an
           exquisite
           Sense
           of
           God's
           Honour
           ,
           and
           a
           Willingness
           to
           promote
           it
           in
           the
           World
           :
           as
           it
           learns
           us
           to
           be
           Humble
           and
           Lowly
           Ourselves
           ;
           and
           yet
           preserves
           us
           from
           the
           Baseness
           of
           Flattery
           ,
           from
           bestowing
           mean
           and
           undue
           Praises
           upon
           Others
           .
        
         
           A
           great
           deal
           more
           might
           be
           said
           for
           it
           ,
           if
           This
           were
           not
           sufficient
           :
           For
           no
           Subject
           affords
           more
           Room
           for
           our
           Praises
           ,
           than
           the
           Praise
           of
           God
           it self
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           leisure
           to
           pursue
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           now
           shut
           up
           the
           Arguing
           part
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           with
           a
           short
           Application
           to
           Two
           sorts
           of
           Persons
           ;
           the
           Careless
           ,
           and
           the
           Profane
           .
           One
           of
           which
           Neglects
           the
           Practise
           
           of
           so
           Important
           a
           Duty
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           lives
           in
           Defiance
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           A
           Neglect
           in
           this
           Case
           ,
           is
           certainly
           the
           Grossest
           that
           can
           be
           :
           'T
           is
           (
           we
           see
           )
           the
           Neglect
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           our
           Honour
           ,
           our
           Interest
           ,
           and
           our
           Pleasure
           all
           at
           once
           .
           'T
           is
           to
           omit
           doing
           that
           which
           we
           were
           purposely
           sent
           into
           the
           World
           to
           doe
           :
           And
           without
           doing
           which
           ,
           all
           the
           other
           Affairs
           of
           Life
           are
           but
           one
           continued
           Impertinence
           .
           That
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           so
           many
           Obligations
           to
           doe
           ,
           and
           no
           Excuse
           for
           leaving
           undone
           :
           For
           Praise
           is
           within
           every
           Man's
           Reach
           :
           There
           is
           no
           One
           but
           has
           it
           in
           his
           Power
           to
           be
           Thankfull
           .
        
         
           God
           commanded
           the
           Jews
           to
           acknowledge
           his
           Sovereignty
           and
           Beneficence
           ,
           by
           Sacrifices
           ,
           a
           Costly
           and
           a
           Troublesome
           way
           of
           Worship
           .
           Of
           Us
           he
           requires
           onely
           the
           Cheap
           and
           Easie
           Offering
           of
           Our
           Thanks
           and
           Praises
           —
           And
           shall
           we
           not
           pay
           it
           ?
           Alas
           !
           we
           do
           not
           !
           Every
           thing
           proves
           an
           hindrance
           to
           us
           in
           the
           way
           to
           this
           our
           Bounden
           Duty
           and
           Service
           :
           We
           are
           too
           idle
           or
           too
           busie
           to
           attend
           upon
           it
           .
        
         
         
           And
           even
           when
           we
           find
           Leisure
           enough
           ;
           yet
           how
           cold
           and
           how
           insensible
           are
           we
           whilst
           't
           is
           going
           forward
           !
           
             We
             draw
             nigh
             unto
             him
             with
             our
             Lips
          
           (
           perhaps
           )
           
             but
             our
             Hearts
             are
             far
             from
             him
             .
          
           And
           do
           we
           then
           know
           what
           it
           is
           to
           praise
           God
           becomingly
           ?
           Do
           we
           remember
           how
           the
           great
           Teacher
           of
           Thanksgiving
           summons
           up
           every
           One
           of
           his
           Faculties
           to
           assist
           him
           in
           it
           ?
           
             Praise
             the
             Lord
             O
             my
             Soul
             !
             and
             all
             that
             is
             within
             me
             ,
             praise
             his
             holy
             Name
             !
          
           'T
           is
           a
           Work
           that
           will
           employ
           
             all
             that
             is
             within
             us
          
           ,
           that
           will
           call
           for
           all
           the
           Application
           ,
           and
           Vigor
           ,
           and
           Warmth
           that
           we
           can
           possibly
           bestow
           upon
           it
           Cold
           ,
           unmov'd
           Praise
           ,
           is
           no
           Praise
           !
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           it
           can
           be
           no
           longer
           acceptable
           than
           't
           is
           burning
           .
        
         
           To
           those
           Men
           who
           live
           in
           the
           Contempt
           of
           this
           Duty
           ,
           we
           have
           also
           something
           to
           say
           ,
           if
           they
           would
           but
           hear
           us
           .
           They
           are
           generally
           such
           ,
           as
           pretend
           a
           high
           Sense
           of
           the
           Dignity
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           bear
           no
           small
           Respect
           to
           their
           own
           Understandings
           .
           Now
           ,
           though
           Other
           Parts
           of
           Religious
           Worship
           should
           happen
           to
           be
           too
           mean
           and
           low
           for
           such
           great
           Minds
           to
           take
           up
           
           with
           ;
           yet
           This
           ,
           methinks
           ,
           might
           deserve
           to
           be
           thought
           equal
           to
           '
           em
           .
        
         
           Let
           Confession
           and
           Prayer
           go
           only
           for
           the
           Arts
           of
           Whining
           and
           Begging
           ,
           and
           be
           as
           much
           beneath
           'em
           as
           they
           imagine
           ,
           yet
           surely
           Praise
           has
           something
           so
           great
           and
           so
           noble
           in
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           look
           down
           upon
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           a
           Subject
           fit
           for
           the
           most
           enlarg'd
           Capacities
           to
           dwell
           on
           ;
           and
           such
           an
           One
           ,
           as
           even
           Those
           would
           certainly
           find
           themselves
           rais'd
           and
           improv'd
           by
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           were
           possible
           for
           These
           Men
           to
           have
           a
           Relish
           of
           any
           thing
           of
           this
           Kind
           ,
           we
           would
           desire
           'em
           to
           make
           the
           Trial
           :
           To
           take
           the
           
             Te
             Deum
          
           into
           their
           Hands
           ,
           and
           to
           read
           it
           attentively
           ;
           and
           then
           tell
           us
           truly
           ,
           whether
           they
           did
           not
           find
           their
           Minds
           fill'd
           ,
           and
           their
           Affections
           strangely
           rais'd
           by
           the
           Images
           they
           met
           there
           :
           Whether
           they
           did
           not
           perceive
           themselves
           to
           be
           somewhat
           above
           themselves
           ,
           in
           the
           using
           it
           .
           And
           all
           this
           done
           by
           that
           Majestick
           Plainness
           and
           Simplicity
           of
           Thought
           that
           goes
           through
           it
           !
           Unadorn'd
           by
           Words
           !
           Unenliven'd
           by
           Figures
           !
           'T
           is
           the
           Matter
           alone
           which
           supports
           the
           Expression
           :
           And
           because
           that
           
           Matter
           is
           pure
           ,
           genuine
           Praise
           ,
           therefore
           is
           it
           so
           lofty
           and
           so
           moving
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           !
           we
           speak
           in
           vain
           !
           The
           Men
           who
           are
           bold
           enough
           to
           slight
           a
           Duty
           of
           this
           Rank
           and
           Character
           ,
           will
           easily
           slight
           every
           thing
           that
           can
           be
           offer'd
           to
           bring
           'em
           to
           it
           .
           All
           we
           can
           say
           to
           'em
           is
           ,
           that
           as
           God
           made
           'em
           for
           his
           Glory
           ,
           so
           ,
           whether
           they
           will
           render
           it
           to
           him
           or
           not
           ,
           he
           will
           certainly
           serve
           the
           Ends
           of
           that
           Glory
           upon
           'em
           ,
           one
           way
           or
           another
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           not
           freely
           Praise
           him
           for
           his
           Goodness
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           they
           shall
           surely
           ,
           whether
           they
           will
           or
           no
           ,
           contribute
           to
           the
           Praise
           of
           his
           Justice
           in
           the
           Next
           .
        
         
           Thus
           have
           I
           attempted
           to
           set
           out
           the
           great
           Reasonableness
           of
           this
           Duty
           ,
           and
           to
           stir
           You
           up
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           .
           And
           certainly
           ,
           it
           was
           never
           more
           reasonable
           ,
           than
           on
           This
           Occasion
           ,
           when
           we
           commemorate
           such
           Past
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           feel
           such
           Present
           Ones
           .
           The
           Restoration
           of
           the
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           those
           Blessings
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           that
           came
           along
           with
           it
           ;
           The
           Re-establishment
           of
           the
           Beauty
           of
           Praise
           in
           
           our
           Sanctuary
           ;
           The
           Return
           of
           Peace
           and
           Plenty
           ;
           Of
           Learning
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Arts
           of
           Civil
           Life
           ;
           The
           Reducing
           us
           from
           Confusion
           and
           Rage
           into
           Order
           and
           Friendliness
           ,
           and
           making
           Us
           a
           Nation
           at
           Unity
           in
           it self
           ;
           Lovely
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           Terrible
           abroad
           :
           These
           were
           such
           sound
           and
           substantial
           Blessings
           ,
           as
           will
           wear
           well
           ;
           and
           ,
           though
           done
           a
           great
           while
           ago
           ,
           will
           yet
           deserve
           a
           great
           while
           hence
           a
           Place
           in
           our
           Calendars
           .
           Neither
           Love
           to
           our
           Country
           ,
           nor
           the
           Honour
           we
           bear
           to
           Those
           who
           Rule
           over
           Us
           ;
           neither
           Our
           Gratitude
           to
           God
           ,
           nor
           our
           Good-will
           towards
           Men
           will
           suffer
           such
           Wonders
           of
           Providence
           to
           slip
           out
           of
           our
           Minds
           ;
           or
           the
           Day
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           were
           brought
           about
           ,
           easily
           to
           grow
           Old
           upon
           Us.
           
        
         
           The
           Benefits
           we
           then
           receiv'd
           were
           indeed
           exceeding
           great
           ,
           and
           would
           justly
           claim
           a
           larger
           Share
           in
           our
           Present
           Thoughts
           ,
           had
           not
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           taken
           'em
           off
           a
           little
           from
           thence
           ,
           by
           calling
           'em
           to
           the
           Acknowledgment
           of
           New
           Loving
           Kindnesses
           .
        
         
         
           For
           behold
           what
           Glorious
           Things
           the
           Lord
           has
           again
           done
           for
           Us
           !
           Blessing
           Their
           Majesties
           Forces
           with
           a
           great
           and
           signal
           Victory
           over
           the
           most
           haughty
           and
           insolent
           of
           Enemies
           .
           A
           Victory
           —
           so
           Early
           ,
           so
           Compleat
           ,
           and
           so
           Cheaply
           purchased
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           Reason
           to
           hope
           ,
           it
           may
           fix
           the
           Fortune
           of
           the
           War
           ,
           and
           put
           an
           End
           to
           the
           Destructions
           of
           the
           Destroyer
           :
           To
           whom
           ,
           we
           trust
           ,
           God
           has
           now
           said
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           once
           to
           the
           Sea
           it self
           .
           
             Hitherto
             shalt
             Thou
             come
             ,
             and
             no
             further
             ;
             and
             here
             shall
             thy
             proud
             Waves
             be
             stay'd
             .
          
        
         
           Blessed
           be
           God!
           who
           did
           not
           utterly
           cast
           out
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           our
           Supplications
           :
           but
           delaid
           only
           to
           Answer
           'em
           ,
           till
           a
           Day
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           till
           an
           acceptable
           Time
           ;
           when
           the
           Mercy
           would
           be
           dearer
           to
           Us
           ,
           and
           his
           Goodness
           more
           remarkably
           seen
           in
           the
           bestowing
           it
           !
        
         
           When
           we
           were
           Alarm'd
           with
           Invasions
           from
           abroad
           ,
           and
           Conspiracies
           at
           home
           ;
           when
           Men
           threatned
           to
           swallow
           us
           up
           quick
           :
           When
           Success
           was
           now
           so
           requisite
           to
           preserve
           the
           Honour
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           to
           support
           Their
           Majesties
           Throne
           ,
           and
           
           to
           strengthen
           the
           Hands
           of
           Their
           Allies
           ;
           Then
           did
           He
           appear
           ,
           and
           own
           Our
           Cause
           ;
           Then
           was
           the
           God
           of
           Hosts
           ,
           our
           Strength
           ,
           and
           our
           Shield
           .
        
         
           Surely
           ,
           
             There
             is
             no
             End
             of
             that
             Goodness
             ,
          
           which
           continues
           thus
           to
           pursue
           us
           !
           Which
           vouchsafes
           to
           establish
           to
           Us
           ,
           and
           to
           our
           Posterity
           those
           Blessings
           ,
           under
           which
           we
           have
           been
           so
           unthankful
           ,
           and
           so
           ingrateful
           already
           !
           and
           to
           give
           us
           fresh
           Opportunities
           of
           Praise
           ,
           which
           I
           hope
           we
           shall
           make
           better
           use
           of
           !
        
         
           Let
           us
           therefore
           ,
           
             Offer
             unto
             God
             Thanksgiving
          
           !
           and
           not
           That
           only
           ,
           but
           Ourselves
           also
           ,
           our
           Souls
           and
           Bodies
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Reasonable
           ,
           Holy
           and
           Lively
           Sacrifice
           :
           Let
           us
           render
           him
           the
           Fruit
           of
           our
           Lips
           ,
           and
           the
           Obedience
           of
           our
           Lives
           !
           that
           these
           Blessings
           may
           not
           prove
           a
           Curse
           to
           us
           ;
           but
           that
           He
           may
           still
           be
           Our
           God
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           be
           His
           People
           !
        
         
           To
           him
           with
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           be
           all
           Honour
           ,
           Praise
           and
           Glory
           ,
           henceforth
           and
           for
           Evermore
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .