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glory. Wherefore David, speaking to his heart, or tongue, or both, when he would give thanks, saith, Awake, my glory, and I will give praise, Psa. lvii. 8, and Psa. cviii. 1, compared with Psa. xvi. 9, and Acts ii. 26. (4.) There is not any service of God more beneficial to man, than to be thankful, 1 Tim. iv. 4; for it makes those gifts of God, which are good in themselves, to be good to you, and they are the best preservatives of good things to you; nay, thankfulness for former blessings, are real requests for further favours, as well as the best security you enjoy, Phil. iv. 6, 7; for God will not withdraw his goodness from the thankful.

This praise and thanksgiving is a religious service, wherein a man makes known to God, that he acknowledges every good thing to come from him, and that he is worthy of all praise and glory, for the infinite excellency of his wisdom, power, goodness, and all his other holy and blessed attributes, manifested in his word and works; and that he is beholden to God for all that he has had, now has, and which he still hopes to enjoy.

Praise and thanksgiving go together, and do differ only in some respect. The superabundant excellency in God, showed by his titles and works, is the object of praise, 1 Chron. xxix. 11 - 13; Psa. viii. 1 - 9. The abundant goodness of God, showed in his titles and works, to his church, to you, or to any person or thing to which you have reference, is the object and matter of your thanks, 1 Chron. xxix. 14.

(2.) Directions for thanksgiving.

These following things, concerning praise and thanksgiving, are needful to be known and observed:

First, Who must give praise and thanks? Namely, you, and all that have understanding and breath, must praise the Lord, Psa. cl. 6.

Secondly, To whom are praise and thanksgiving due? Only to God, Psa. l. 14. Not unto us, not unto us, saith the church, but unto thy name give glory, Psa. cxv. 1.

Thirdly, By whom must this sacrifice of thankful-