2.3.1.18. For the writing ofthe scriptures, and thepreserving
That baptism is appointed to be a seal of the righteousness which is by faith, as circumcision was: That it assures us of the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost; and that this promise is to us and our children. And that the cup in the Lord's supper is the blood of the New Testament, which was shed for many for the remission of sins. Romans 4:11. Acts 2:38, 39. Matthew 26:28.
2.3.1.18. For the writing of the scriptures, and thepreserving ofthempure and entire to our day.
We thank you that we have the scriptures to search, and that in them we have eternal life, and that they testify of Christ, and that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. John 5:39.
That whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope: And that we have this most sure word ofprophecy as a light shining in a dark place. Romans 15:4. 2 Peter 1:19.
That the vision is not become to us as the words of a book that is sealed, but that we hear in our own tongue the wonderful works of God. Isaiah 29:11. Acts 2:11.
We thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that the things which were hid from the wise and prudent, and which many prophets and kings desired to see and might not, are revealed unto us babes; Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight. Luke
2.3.1.19. For the institution ofordinances, andparticularly that of the ministry.
We thank you that you have not only shewed your word unto Jacob, but your statutes and judgments unto Israel, unto us: You have not dealt so with other nations, and as for your judgments, they have not known them. Psa/m 147:19, 20.
That the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and that he hath set his sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore, and there will meet with the children of Israel.
Revelation 21:3. Ezekiel 37:26. Exodus 29:43.
We thank you that you have made known unto us your holy sabbaths; and that still there remains the keeping ofa sabbath to the people of God. Nehemiah 9:14. Hebrews 4:9.
And that when the Lord Jesus ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto men, not only prophets, apostles, evangelists, but pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ! And that while they teach us to observe all things which Christ hath commanded, he hath promised to be with them always even unto the end of the world. Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12, 13. Matthew
2.3.1.20. For theplanting of the Christian religion in the world, and the setting up of the gospel church, in despite of all the oppositions ofthepowers ofdarkness.
We thank you that the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of the everlasting God, and the gospel which was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, was mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. That the Lord wrought with it and confirmed the word by signs following; so that Satan fell as lightning from heaven. Romans 16:25, 26. 2
Corinthians 10:4. Mark 16:20. Luke 10:18.
That though the gospel was preached in much contention, yet it grew and prevailed mightily, and multitudes turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 2:2. Acts 19:20. 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10.
Now came salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: And the exalted Redeemer rode forth with his bow, and with his crown conquering, and to conquer; and nations were born at once. Revelation 12:10. Revelation 6:2. Isaiah
2.3.1.21. For the preservation of Christianity in the world unto this day.
We bless you that though the enemies of Israel have afflicted them from their youth up, have manya time afflicted them, yet they have not prevailed against them, though the plowers have plowed on their back, yet the righteous Lord has cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Psalm 129:1-4.
That Jesus Christ hath built his church upon a rock, which the gates ofhell cannot prevail against, but his seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Matthew 16:18. Psalm 89:29.
2.3.1.22. For the martyrs andconfessors, the lights of the church, andthe goodexamples ofthose that are gone before us to heaven.
We bless you for all those who have been enabled to approve themselves to God in much patience in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, who when they have been brought before governors and kings for Christ's sake, it has turned to them for a testimony, and God has given them a mouth and wisdom, which all their adversaries were not able to gainsay or resist.2 Corinthians 6:4. Luke 21:12, 13,
That those who for Christ's sake were killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter, yet in all these things were more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:36, 37.
That they overcame the accuser of the brethren by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:10, 11.
We bless you for the cloud of witnesses with which we are compassed about, for the footsteps of the flock, for the elders that have obtained a good report, and are now through faith and patience inheriting the promises. Lord, give us to follow them as they followed Christ. Hebrews 12:1. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 1:8.
Hebrews 11:2. Hebrews 6:12. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
2.3.1.23. For the communionof saints, that spiritual communion which we have infaith and hope and holy love, and in prayers andpraises with allgood Christians.
We bless you that ifwe walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, even with all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 John 1:7. 1
That we being many are one bread and one body, and that though there are diversities ofgifts and administrations, and operations, yet there is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God, which worketh all in all.
1 Corinthians 10:17. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6.
We thank you that all the children of God, which were scattered abroad, are united in him, who is the head of the body the church; so that they are all our brethren and companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. John 11:52. Colossians
1:18. Revelation 1:9.
2.3.1.24. For theprospect and hope ofeternal life, when time and days shall be no more.
We thank you for the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for us. James 1:12. 1 Peter 1:4.
That having here no continuing city, we are encouraged to seek the better country, that is, the heavenly, the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 13:14. Hebrews 11:16,
That we are in hope ofeternal life, which God that cannot lie hath promised; And that all true believers through grace have eternal life abiding in them. Titus 1:2. Acts 18:27. 1 John 5:13.
2.3.2. Secondly, we mustgive God thanksfor the spiritual mercies bestowed upon us in particular, especially ifwe are called with an effectual call, and have a good work ofgrace begun in us.
2.3.2.1. We must bless God for the strivings of His spirit with us, and the admonitions and checks of our own consciences.
We bless you that you have not given us over to a reprobate mind, that our consciences are not seared, that you have not said concerning us, they are joined to idols, let them alone, but that your spirit is yet striving with us. Romans 1:28. 1 Timothy 4:2. Hosea
We thankyou for the work of the law written in our hearts, our own consciences also bearing witness, and our own thoughts between themselves accusing or excusing one another. Romans 2:15.
2.3.2.2. We must bless God ifthere be a saving change wrought in us by His blessed Spirit.
And hath God by his grace translated us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son? Hath, he called us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and made us nigh by his blood, who by nature were afar off. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto your name give glory. Colossians 1:13. 1 Corinthians 1:9. Ephesians
We give thanks to God always for those to whom the gospel is come, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. 1 Thessalonians 1-2, 5.
You have loved us with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving kindness you have drawn us, drawn us with the cords of a man, and the bands of love. Jeremiah 31:3. Hosea 11:4.
When the strong man armed kept his palace in our hearts, and his goods were in peace, it was a stronger than he that came upon him, and took from him all his armor, wherein he trusted, and divided the spoil. Luke 11:21, 22.
2.3.2.3. We must give thanksfor the remission of our sins, and thepeace of our consciences.
We bless you for the redemption we have through Christ's blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of your grace, wherein you have abounded towards us. Ephesians 1:7, 8.
That you have forgiven all our iniquities and healed all our diseases; and have in love to our souls delivered them from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all our sins behind your back. Psalm
When you brought us into the wilderness, yet there you spoke comfortably to us, and gave us our vineyards from thence; and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. Hosea 2:14, 15.
2.3.2.4. For the powerful influences ofdivine grace, to sanctify andpreserve us, toprevent ourfalling into sin, and to strengthen us in doing our duty.
You have not quenched the smoking flax, nor broke the bruised reed, nor despised the day ofsmall things, but having obtained help of God, we continue hitherto. Matthew 12:20. Zechariah 4:10. Acts
In the day when we cried, you have answered us and have strengthened us with strength in our souls. Psalm 138:3.
We have been continually with you, you have holden us by your right hand, when our feet were almost gone, and our steps had well-nigh slipped. Psalm 73:23, 2.
We have reason never to forget your precepts; for by them you have quickened us; And unless your law had been our delight, we should many a time have perished in our affliction; for your statutes have been our songs in the house of our pilgrimage. Psalm 119:93, 92,
Unless the Lord had been our help, our souls had almost dwelt in silence: But when we said, our foot slips, your mercy, O Lord, held us up: And in the multitude of our thoughts within us, your comforts have been the delight of our souls. Psalm 94:17, 18, 19.
2.3.2.5. For sweet communion with God in holy ordinances, and the communications of His favor.
We have been abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house, and you have made us drink of the river of your pleasures. For with you is the fountain of life, in your light shall we see light. Psa/m
You have brought us to your holy mountain, and made us joyful in your house of prayer, and we have found it good for us to draw near to God. Isaiah 56:7. Psalm 73:28.
We have had reason to say, That a day in your courts is better than a thousand, and that it is better to be door-keepers in the house of our God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness; For the Lord
God is a sun and shield, he will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly:
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you. Psalm 84:10, 11, 12.
We sat down under your shadow with delight, and your fruit hath been sweet unto our taste; You have brought us into the banqueting house, and your banner over us has been love. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 2.3, 4.
2.3.2.6. For gracious answers to our prayers.
We have reason to love you, O Lord, because you have heard the voice of our supplications, and because you have inclined your ear unto us, we will therefore call upon you as long as we live. Psalm
Out of the depths have we cried unto you, O Lord, and you have heard our vows, and given us the heritage of those that fear your name. Psalm 130-1. Psalm 61:5.
Nay, before we called you have answered, and while we have been yet speaking you have heard, and have said, Here I am, and have been nigh unto us in all that which we call upon you for. Isaiah
65:24. Isaiah 58:9. Deuteronomy 4:7.
Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble, you will prepare their heart and cause your ear to hear. Psalm 10:17.
Blessed be God, who hath not turned away our prayer, or his mercy from us, for we have prayed, and have gone away, and our countenance has been no more sad. Psalm 66:20. 1 Samuel 1:18.
2.3.2.7. For support under our afflictions and spiritual benefit and advantage by them.
You have comforted us in all our tribulation, have considered our trouble, and known our souls in adversity, and showed us your marvelous kindness as in a strong city. 2 Corinthians 1:4. Psalm
When afflictions have abounded, consolations have much more abounded. 2 Corinthians 1:5.
Though no affliction for the present hath been joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it hath yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness; and hath proved to be for our profit, that we might be partakers of your holiness. Hebrews 12:11, 10.
We have had reason to say that it was good for us we were afflicted, that we might learn your commandments; for before we were afflicted,we went astray, but afterwards have kept your word. Psa/m
It has been but for a season, and when there was need that we were in heaviness, through manifold temptations: And we beg that all the trials of our faith may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen we love, in whom though now we see him not, yet believing we rejoice with joyunspeakable and full ofglory; are longing to receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9.
2.3.2.8. For the performance of Goa's promises.
You have dealt well with your servants, O Lord, according to your word, and you have been ever mindful of your covenant, the word which you have commanded to a thousand generations. Psalm
There hath not failed one word of all the good promise which you have promised, to David your servant, and Israel your people. 1 Kings
And now what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards us. Let our souls return to him, and repose in him as their rest, because he hath dealt bountifully with us, we will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord; For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations. Psalm 116:12, 7, 13. Psalm 100.5.
We will bless the Lord at all times, yea his praise shall continually be in our mouths; we will sing unto the Lord as long as we live; and we hope to be shortly with those blessed ones, who dwell in his house above, and are still praising him, and who rest not day or night from saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Psa/m
34:1. Psalm 104:33. Revelation.