BEsides these several heads of thanksgiving, by which we should be directed in our ordinary, and usual course, there are others likewise not to be neglected, which are extraordinary and occasional, according as our particular wants & exigences may be.
In the Generall we are to be thankful for the successe of our prayers, whenever God doth vouchsafe to hear and grant our requests, either in the behalf of our selves, or others; that instead of rejecting of our services, and casting them back as dung into our faces (which we might justly expect) He does vouchsafe to accept of them, and to return them with a blessing; more particularly upon any special Preservation, either of the Soul. Body. Recovery, either of the Soul. Body. Deliverance, either of the Soul. Body.
- In case of inward fears, desertions, temptations. For that in the multitude of our sorrows his comforts have refreshed our souls. (Ps. 94.19) For that he hath restored unto us the joy of his salvation, (Ps. 51.12) & established us with his free spirit: (Ps. 18.16) Delivering us from those deep waters, that were ready to overwhelm our souls; for bringing us out of an horrible pit, (Ps. 40.2) out of the miery clay, and setting our feet upon a rock; freeing us from darknes and the shadow of death, (Ps. 107.14) and breaking our bonds in sunder: for keeping us in the houre of temptation.
(Rev. 3.10)2. In the case of outward exigences and troubles for delivering us in journeyes, that he hath been with us, and kept us in our places whither we did go, and brought us again in safety; (Gen. 28.15) whereas many others have been overtaken with desperate mischiefs. For defending us in common dangers, oppressions; for hedging us about with his favour and protection, that he hath not called us away in the midst of our days, but hath holden our soul in life,1 & not suffered our feet to slip; for being our refuge in distresse, and putting his everlasting armes under us; for binding up our souls in the bundle of life, for hiding us in the time of trouble in his pavilion, in the secret of his Tabernacle, under the shadow of his wings; for being a strength to the poor, & to the needy in their distress, (Isa. 25.4) a refuge from the storm a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall; for breaking the bands of the yoke, and the rod of the oppressors, (Ez. 34.27) and delivering us out of the hands of them that served themselves of us; for the comfort that we have had in all our tribulations. (2 Cor. 1.4)
For delivering us from sore paines, and desperate sicknesses of body, when we had reason to think and say, that we should go down to the gates of the grave, and be deprived of the residue of our years, (Isa. 38.10, 11) & not see the Lord in the land of the living, nor see man any more, with the inhabitants of the world; but our age is removed from us as a shepherds tent, and we shall be cut off with pining sicknes, from day even to night will he make an end of us: yet then did he, in love to our souls,2 deliver us from the pit of corruption; therfore will we sing songs unto him all the dayes of our life.
I will extoll thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, (Ps. 30.1, 3) thou hast brought up my soul from the grave, and hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. (Ver. 11, 12) Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing, thou hast put off my sackcloth, & girded me with gladnes. To the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee, and not be silent, O Lord, my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
I love the Lord,3 because he hath heard my voice and my supplications, because he hath inclined his eare unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live; He hath delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. (Ver. 12, 13) What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? I will take the Cup of salvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, (Verse 17.18, 19) I will pay my vowes unto the Lord, now in the presence of all his people, in the court of the Lords house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
(Ps. 118.5) I called upon the Lord in distresse, the Lord answered me, & set me in a large place. He hath chastned me sore, but he hath not given me over to death.4 I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
5 Blesse the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindnesse and mercy.
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