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matter and means by which, and for which we should be thankful; and that nothing is more beneficial than thankfulness, nor any thing more mischievous than unthankfulness, as has been already showed. Consider also, that hearty and constant thankfulness is a testimony of uprightness; it does excellently become the upright to be thankful, Psa. xxxiii. 1. It is all the homage, and all the service which God requires at your hands, for all the good that he bestows on you. It is pleasant and delightful, Psa. cxlvii. 1. It is possible and easy through the grace of God's Spirit. It is a small matter, to what God might exact; even as an homage-penny or pepper-corn. Thankfulness does elevate and enlarge the soul, making it fruitful in good works, beyond any other duty. For the thankful man, with David, is often consulting with himself what he shall render to the Lord for all his benefits to him, Psa. cxvi. 12. Lastly, This spiritual praise and thanks to God by Christ, is the beginning of heaven upon earth, being part of that communion and fellowship which saints and angels have with God above. It is that everlasting service which endures for ever.

(5.) Impediments to thankfulness.

Not only stir up your soul to this great duty of praise and thanksgiving, but carefully shun all the impediments thereunto. Amongst many, take heed especially of these: (1.) Ignorance. (2.) Pride. (3.) Forgetfulness. (4.) Doubting of God's love. (5.) Undue affection to the benefits received, especially to such as are temporal.

First, If you are ignorant of the excellency and worth of God's good gift, or if you misprize things, preferring natural, temporal, or common gifts, before spiritual, eternal, and special graces, peculiar to God's children, you will either give no thanks at all; for who can give thanks for that which he esteems worth little or nothing? or if you do give thanks, it will be preposterous, giving thanks for temporal blessings sooner, and more than for spiritual and eternal. Moreover, though you do know each good gift accord-