Gratitude

    It greatly concerns us to render according to the benefits done unto us. If we do not, bad will come of it: "Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him ;—therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem."

    Now, we must render ourselves to God. All we are—all we have—all we can. Without this, all else we render is nothing: "First gave their own selves to the Lord." Is this done? Have you done this in a sense of the benefits done unto you? Do it afresh every day: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Take him to be yours. Resign yourselves this day to him. Say — Thine I am; thine I choose to be.

    We must retain a thankful remembrance of our benefits. Not write our mercies in the sand, but in marble: "Forget not," Psa. ciii. 2. Israel soon forgot. It was presently over with them. And it was their fault. I should much desire a catalogue of my sins and of my mercies. The former, to repent of them every day; the latter, to give thanks every day. We read of names of remembrance. So divers of Jacob's children. Eliezer—The Lord is my helper: so Moses called his son. Samuel—asked of God. We read of stones of remembrance. One called Ebenezer—" Hitherto the Lord hath helped us." We have "songs of remembrance," Exod. xv.; 1 Sam. ii. Days of remembrance. "Days of Purim," Esth. ix. 31. Now what shall tee render? Shall we forget all God's benefits?

    Be ready to relate and speak of them, both to God and each other. Do not smother, but declare them. We are more ready to speak of our ailments, and desire prayer. But this is duty: "Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks; unto thee do we give thanks." "Bless the Lord, O my soul." When Hannah prayed, she did but whisper: "She spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard." But she lifted up her voice in thanksgiving.

    We must love the Lord and Giver of our mercies: "I love the Lord." Love is the loadstone of love: "God hath loved us." "I will love the Lord." Let others love whom they will, "I will love the Lord." He loves to hear his people tell him that they love him: "O thou whom my soul loveth."

    When we make use of the benefits done unto us as a bridle to keep us from sin, we "render" aright. Those whom we love we are careful to please, and fearful to offend: "Thou art made whole." That is the benefit. Then, "sin no more." "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

    We must use them as a spell to put us forward in all holy obedience. Love is boundless in its desires of pleasing the person loved: "That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord." Where God sows in mercy, he expects to reap in duty.

    When they are an obligation upon us to trust in God in other straits: "Wait on the Lord." If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, "the waters had overwhelmed us." "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." "This God is our God for ever and ever." "Cast thy burden upon the Lord." "Trust also in him."

    There are some particular "benefits" for which there ought to be particular renderings. Deceit lies in generals.

    1. There is the benefit of redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the choicest benefit: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him Should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Herein God commended his love, "that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Without this all others would be no benefits. Now what doth this call for from us?

    Inward adorings. Oh, admire the wisdom that contrived; the power that effected it; the love that set these a work. Angels wonder at it. But the greatest part of the children of men see nothing in it, and make nothing of it.

    Hearty thanksgiving. Run up all the rest of your mercies to this, as the foundation of all the rest. Do it especially on sabbath days. It is the work of the saints in heaven, and will be to eternity, to praise God the Redeemer.

    Be sieving acceptance. This is thanks in deed, and in truth. Cordially accept him.

    Answerable walking. Live like one of the redeemed. "Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

    2. There are spiritual blessings and benefits. Justification. Adoption. Sanctification. And all the benefits which flow from these. How these call for self-abasement, and God-advancement: "Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?" I was "a blasphemer, and a persecutor ;—but I obtained mercy." "Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible,—be honour and glory." "How is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"

    3. Present liberty, [the year 1695.] This is surely a choice benefit which we should be thankful for. Time was when we were lamenting after the Lord. And it pleased God to give us what we desired in a way we did not expect. Give God the glory, and improve it. "Grow in grace." "Make your calling and election sure." While you have the light, be busy at work. "Go to the ant;—consider her ways, and be wise." This is our summer; our market day: "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." Now be busy.

    4. Family benefits. Suitable yokefellows. Children; perhaps many. They are "an heritage of the Lord." Perhaps a plentiful estate.

    Now this calls you to say, with Joshua, "As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Be careful of the worship of God in your families. "Walk in the fear of the Lord in your particular relations.

    Are you blessed with children? Nurse them for God. Not for the devil; not for the world.

    As for your estate: "Honour the Lord with your substance." Be charitable to the poor. This rent God expects from each, according to his holding. Is spending upon our lusts that which should relieve the poor, rendering according to the " benefit P"

    5. Recovery from sickness. This was Hezekiah's case. Hath it not been, as to ourselves, that "as the Lord liveth" there was "but a step between us and death;" either ourselves or ours? Tour new life must be a new life indeed. Now I have been in the furnace, I must be more refined.

    6. Answers to prayer. Sometimes God answered in the very thing we desired: "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore I will call upon him as long as I live." Pray more. Pray better. Love prayer the better while you live.

    There is great evil in not rendering. It brings great guilt. It brings great wrath. Sometimes God takes away the benefits we are not thankful for. Sometimes he gives the good things, but withholds his blessing. Sometimes he meets those who do not render by some other stroke. He followed Israel in the wilderness with one judgment after another, and at last shut them out of Canaan.

    Then do these three things.

    1. Often take a view of your benefits. Take notice every day of the mercies of every day. Preventing mercies. Sin-preventing. Danger preventing. Especially think of extraordinary benefits. Past mercies. Mercies in childhood: in youth: in the single state: in the married state.

    2. Often ask yourselves, "What have I rendered? Ahasuerus says, What has been done to Mordecai? May not your answer be as theirs, in reference to God and his mercies, "There hath been nothing done." What do I render? What am I doing for God ?" What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits?" Some read, What shall I render? His benefits are upon me: I feel a weight from them. This is a good sign of a thankful heart: "He loadeth me with his benefits."

    3. Forasmuch as, when "we have done all, we are unprofitable servants;" and, if we render ever so much, it is no more than "our duty;" let us go to Christ every day for righteousness and strength. There is need of his righteousness every day. Therefore say, "None but Christ. None but Christ."