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النشر الإلكتروني

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is the God whom we worship, and to whom our thanksgivings are offered. He speaks to us as unto children:" he calls himself our Father, and invites us to "come with boldness to the Throne of Grace."

Can we deem it a task to approach such a Father?

III. The MEDIUM through which thanksgiving is presented.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."-In the religion of Christians, the Lord Jesus Christ holds a very prominent place: he is the main pillar of it; "the foundation;" "the chief corner stone:" he is “all and in all." If you attend to the language of the New Testament (and the Old Testament is in perfect harmony with the New), you will perceive that all God's dealings with sinful men are through a Mediator. This is the peculiar, the distinguishing, characteristic of the Gospel. And this Mediator is the Lord Jesus Christ. All spiritual blessings are in him; all that descends from God to man is through him; and all that ascends from man to God is by him. "There is one God," even the Father, "and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus*." You are not ignorant of this, that when we meet together for any act of religious worship, it must be in the name of Jesus." Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." In this way prayer must be offered up. His words are: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." And again; "that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

• 1 Tim. ii. 5.

It is equally plain, that thanksgiving must be presented in the same way, through the same medium. The Apostle Paul says, writing to the Colossians, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.' Writing to the Hebrews, he observes; "By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name." The Apostle Peter reminds the primitive Christians: "Ye are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ." And again; "that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Let it then be remembered, that all we are warranted to expect from God is in virtue of the mediation of his dear Son; and that all we present to God is well-pleasing to him, and accepted by him, only in the same way. Our name is worthless, our persons are guilty, our best performances are all polluted and exceedingly defective. We are approved, in the service we present to a holy God, only for the sake of the beloved Saviour: "Giving thanks to God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

IV. The TIME when thanksgiving is seasonable. The text plainly intimates that it is never unseasonable; "giving thanks always."-Christians are not always to be singing praises, or with their lips to be expressing gratitude; yet there is a sense in which they are always to be " giving thanks." In what sense this is may be easily explained. The Apostle tells the Corinthians, "I thank my God always on

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your behalf:" he means, on every

remembrance" of them-whenever he thought of his Christian friends, as often as he called them to mind, he thanked God on their behalf. Thus, whenever we think of our mercies, as often as we call to mind God's goodness and his gracious dealings with us, an emotion of gratitude should be felt; we should give him thanks.

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In one place we find this precept; "Pray without ceasing." And our Lord spake a parable, this end that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Now it is evident he did not mean that we should be constantly presenting petitions; much less that we should at all times be on our knees, or in any posture of prayer: he meant, doubtless, that we should habitually cherish a praying heart, a disposition for prayer; that we should avail ourselves of every convenient opportunity for the exercise, and be frequently offering up requests in secret ejaculation to God. Thus, in regard to thanksgiving, we ought always to cherish a thankful heart, a disposition of gratitude; and should frequently take occasion, by every suitable means, to manifest and express it; giving thanks always."

It may further intimate two things:-Thanksgiving should be offered to the end of life, and in every changing circumstance of life-" always." David says; "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." It was a pleasing resolution! And again; "While I live will I praise the Lord; I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." This was worthy of a man of piety, and is highly deserving of your imitation and mine! Do we meet for public worship? Thanksgiving should always be a part of our import

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ant employ. Do we retire for private devotion? Thanksgiving there should be expressed in the silent sentiment of the soul, ascending to God in the grateful recollection of all his benefits towards us. And, in our social religious meetings, what a pleasing exercise is this! how it tends to the edification of others, as well as to the profit of ourselves, "in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving to make known our requests unto God!" service is never unseasonable; and sometimes it is peculiarly appropriate. These times would be much more frequent, if we had a more lively sense of gratitude warm on our hearts. We should give thanks always to God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

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V. The THINGS which thanksgiving particularly regards.

"Giving thanks for all things."-Good things, doubtless, are intended; but "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Natural evil we may, but moral evil we cannot. Natural evil, however, or affliction, as coming from the hand of God, must be good, both in its design and result: "even crosses from his sovereign hand are blessings in disguise."

We have another precept similar to this; " In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." You are reminded of the Gospel, and of the inestimable blessings which are brought nigh in these "glad tidings of good things." Does not the Gospel call for thanksgiving? Yes; by this gift, "life and immortality are brought

1 Thess. v. 18.

to light." In this wonderful discovery of the mind of God, guilty man perceives the way of pardon, the way of peace, the way of holiness, and of unfailing happiness. Here we learn that God is in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;" that God is "just, and yet the justifier of them that believe;" that "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin ;" and that "by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses." These are not matters of trifling moment they are your life;" and you cannot remain indifferent about them, without offering the most daring affront to the goodness of Heaven, and sealing your own eternal destruction! For the Gospel, then, your liveliest thanksgiving is due to God; and more especially for Him who is its glory, its substance, and its end. Say with the Apostle, and express it from the feeling of your heart; "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!"

And this Gospel is brought to you: "Unto you is the word of this salvation sent." May you justly estimate its worth; may you feel its invincible energy; may you enjoy its beneficial effects! In a degree, we trust, this is the case with some. Has not the Gospel come to you, not in word only, and in the Holy Ghost?"

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but also in power, Has not the Lord the

Spirit enlightened your mind, and opened your heart, so that you have received the Gospel, "not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe?" You were dead, and are alive; you were lost, and are found. Still you are "asking the way to Zion," but not altogether ignorant of it; and your "faces are thitherward." Truly the Lord hath done for you

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